SARATOGA SPRINGS — The phenomenon known as Beatlemania followed the 1963 release of two albums and four singles by the Beatles, who were poised 50 years ago to rock the world.
Skidmore College musicians will perform those early tunes during Beatlemore Skidmania 13 on Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23 in the Arthur Zankel Music Center.
The show features a mix of a cappella groups, rock bands and acoustic acts, as well as their often strikingly original interpretations of Beatles repertoire.
In other words, they’ll be sending all their loving to you.
Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Nov. 22, and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Nov. 23. Tickets are $8 adults, $5 seniors and Skidmore community, $3 for students and children. For information and to order tickets visit www.skidmore.edu/zankel/
The Saturday night show is for the Skidmore community only. The other two shows are open to the general public.
The music this year will feature selections from the albums “Please Please Me” and “With the Beatles”, including the hit singles: “Please Please Me,” “With Love from Me to You,” “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
“Beatlemore 13, in recognition of the 15th anniversary of the rise of Beatlemania in the UK and the release of “With the Beatles” features a repertoire that comes entirely from 1963, revealing the Beatles to be devotees of Motown, R&B, rock and roll and even show tunes.” Skidmore Music Professor Gordon Thompson said. “In one of the great ironies of the 60s, the release date (22 November 1963) was also the day of JFK’s assassination. We will acknowledge that anniversary even as we celebrate the promise and energy of youth.”
Thompson, an expert on British pop music, has led each Beatlemore concert since its inception.
“It began when students in my 2001 Beatles seminar asked to put on a collective performance of some of the music we had been studying. In a few short years, the event became one of the most anticipated of the year, with audiences exceeding capacity during the years we performed in Filene Recital Hall,” Thompson said.
In recent years, there has also been a live stream on the Skidmore website to reach alumni around the world.
The proceeds of the ticket, poster and T-shirt sales on Friday night and Saturday afternoon go to Skidmore Cares. Thompson said that it has been impressive to see how strongly the student coordinators embrace this aspect of the event.
“They see raising money to support regional school children, a rape and domestic-violence crisis center, a hospice, and other programs as doing something great for the community,” he noted.
The proceeds from Saturday night’s Skidmore show will contribute to student financial aid at the college.
