The Fest forBeatles Fans 2014
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Those of you who attended the big Fest this past weekend - anything different/special to report? I wanted to listen to Mark Lewisohn's talk on the LiveStream, but didn't make it home in time. So how was Mark? I would imagine that he got a great reception from the fans?!
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I was there on Saturday! Unfortunately we missed Mark's talk! Overall, it was a great Fest! It seemed like the crowd was even bigger than usual and the new hotel in Manhattan beats Secaucus by 1000%! I hope they keep it in the city in the future.
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The Fest was fun, but too much going on at the same time! I think we need it to be at least a week long! And they really have to do something about the main ballroom, which is always overcrowded, but even more so this time. Maybe if they put up a screen in another room and beam it in from the ballroom, and give more people a chance to watch what's going on. Things were getting ugly with people over seats. Yes, the hotel was nicer than Secaucus, but I found it rather confusing at first to get around and find all the different rooms. Simply because I'm from NJ, I'm hoping it returns to NJ, though I won't mind a different venue; there are many hotels in the area other than where it's been held before. I was worn out from all of the walking around the hotel and from getting back and forth to NJ both days (no way to afford that hotel!) And, hey: who stole "George" from the Lobby??
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I completely agree! There were no seats in the main ballroom. We sat on the floor in the back and moved up when we could. Screens in other rooms would have been a huge help. I just liked the hotel better because it was so much nicer. I wouldn't mind a different venue either though. The main ballroom stuff especially needs to be in a much bigger room. I was getting annoyed at Mark Lapidos telling everyone to take seats when there weren't any available....so many were being saved, which was also annoying. Good question about George too! How did someone not see that happen??!
Thisbe211:
The Fest was fun, but too much going on at the same time! I think we need it to be at least a week long! And they really have to do something about the main ballroom, which is always overcrowded, but even more so this time. Maybe if they put up a screen in another room and beam it in from the ballroom, and give more people a chance to watch what's going on. Things were getting ugly with people over seats. Yes, the hotel was nicer than Secaucus, but I found it rather confusing at first to get around and find all the different rooms. Simply because I'm from NJ, I'm hoping it returns to NJ, though I won't mind a different venue; there are many hotels in the area other than where it's been held before. I was worn out from all of the walking around the hotel and from getting back and forth to NJ both days (no way to afford that hotel!) And, hey: who stole "George" from the Lobby??
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One other gripe: Can really do without Michelle Joni and her "dancing" while performers are performing. Also, she seemed to have been in charge of the Cavern room, and had many of her friends perform there, which ran over time, causing Bambi Kino to cut short their performance, caused Garrett Gardner and the Greater Good to not be able to return as promised, and the winners of the Battle of the Bands to be very late with their prize performance, etc. I hope the daughters don't have more to do with the planning of the Fest in the future...doesn't bode well.
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I assume this "George" that was stolen was a lifesize cardboard cutout or something?
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Nancy R:
I assume this "George" that was stolen was a lifesize cardboard cutout or something?
Yes! (I don't know for a fact he was stolen, or if he had an "accident" and had to be removed, but he was missing by Sat. morning!)
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Wolfie for The Howard Stern Show (broadcast Feb. 26, 2014) attended BEATLEFEST and asked a black guy (sorry to be technical) who was his favorite Beatle, John Lennon or Paul McCartney? Paul was selected. After, Wolfie asked the guy to sing "Hey Jude." The guy sang the chorus to "Beat It" by Michael Jackson. True story.
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I am planning on going to the Fest in October in Los Angeles. I am really looking forward to it, looks like a great lineup and lots of activities. http://www.thefest.com/2014-fests/los-angeles-october-10-12-2014/ This will be extra exciting because I have decided to go on my own...with the family's blessing. Woo-hoo! I get to go on an "adventure".
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Got my flight & hotel reservations & sent in my $ for tix for the L.A. Fest. Can't wait...it will be fun and I will be SOLO. Ahhhhhhh
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I'll be attending the one in Chicago later this month. Can't wait! This will be my 3rd year.
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How was the Chicago Fest? I am set to go to LA in Oct., looking forward to it
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I missed Chicago Fest this year (thank you Candlestick
). Those of you going to LA, make sure you go see Freda Kelly. She is the sweetest woman on the planet. -
thenightfish:
I missed Chicago Fest this year (thank you Candlestick
). Those of you going to LA, make sure you go see Freda Kelly. She is the sweetest woman on the planet.Thanks, nightfish, I plan to, since seeing the documentary. I wonder if we actually get to meet her or just listen to her talk? A few years ago they had Patty Boyd, and we got to watch her be interviewed. Then they took her into a room where you had to line up and pay to get an autograph. I declined that aspect.
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~lady*madonna~:
thenightfish:
I missed Chicago Fest this year (thank you Candlestick
). Those of you going to LA, make sure you go see Freda Kelly. She is the sweetest woman on the planet.Thanks, nightfish, I plan to, since seeing the documentary. I wonder if we actually get to meet her or just listen to her talk? A few years ago they had Patty Boyd, and we got to watch her be interviewed. Then they took her into a room where you had to line up and pay to get an autograph. I declined that aspect.
Freda should have a table somewhere for her signings, it's usually never in a private room. I honestly don't remember if she will sign anything for free or if you do have to buy something for her to sign. But you can definitely stop by her table just to say hello to her and chat. Or say hello if you see her in the hallway.
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~lady*madonna~:
thenightfish:
I missed Chicago Fest this year (thank you Candlestick
). Those of you going to LA, make sure you go see Freda Kelly. She is the sweetest woman on the planet.Thanks, nightfish, I plan to, since seeing the documentary. I wonder if we actually get to meet her or just listen to her talk? A few years ago they had Patty Boyd, and we got to watch her be interviewed. Then they took her into a room where you had to line up and pay to get an autograph. I declined that aspect.
So you paid to attend the festival and then they wanted to make you pay again to get Patty's autograph?
: I'm not even sure I would want her autograph even if it was for free. Someone at that festival sure had some nerve. Just out of curiosity how much did they want for her autograph? I could see maybe getting to meet her and say hi and maybe take a pic if you bought her book, but charging for an autograph to me seems a bit silly. I wonder how many suckers, uhhh I mean takers there were. 
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Erik in NJ:
~lady*madonna~:
thenightfish:
I missed Chicago Fest this year (thank you Candlestick
). Those of you going to LA, make sure you go see Freda Kelly. She is the sweetest woman on the planet.Thanks, nightfish, I plan to, since seeing the documentary. I wonder if we actually get to meet her or just listen to her talk? A few years ago they had Patty Boyd, and we got to watch her be interviewed. Then they took her into a room where you had to line up and pay to get an autograph. I declined that aspect.
So you paid to attend the festival and then they wanted to make you pay again to get Patty's autograph?
: I'm not even sure I would want her autograph even if it was for free. Someone at that festival sure had some nerve. Just out of curiosity how much did they want for her autograph? I could see maybe getting to meet her and say hi and maybe take a pic if you bought her book, but charging for an autograph to me seems a bit silly. I wonder how many suckers, uhhh I mean takers there were. I can't remember, but I asked hubby and he said he recalls it being somewhere around $20, but not positive. There was quite a line, so there were a few suc...uhhh, takers. Maybe it included having your picture taken with her. Either way, not worth it IMO.
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~lady*madonna~:
Erik in NJ:
~lady*madonna~:
thenightfish:
I missed Chicago Fest this year (thank you Candlestick
). Those of you going to LA, make sure you go see Freda Kelly. She is the sweetest woman on the planet.Thanks, nightfish, I plan to, since seeing the documentary. I wonder if we actually get to meet her or just listen to her talk? A few years ago they had Patty Boyd, and we got to watch her be interviewed. Then they took her into a room where you had to line up and pay to get an autograph. I declined that aspect.
So you paid to attend the festival and then they wanted to make you pay again to get Patty's autograph?
: I'm not even sure I would want her autograph even if it was for free. Someone at that festival sure had some nerve. Just out of curiosity how much did they want for her autograph? I could see maybe getting to meet her and say hi and maybe take a pic if you bought her book, but charging for an autograph to me seems a bit silly. I wonder how many suckers, uhhh I mean takers there were. I can't remember, but I asked hubby and he said he recalls it being somewhere around $20, but not positive. There was quite a line, so there were a few suc...uhhh, takers. Maybe it included having your picture taken with her. Either way, not worth it IMO.
And didn't you have to buy her book there...you couldn't have brought your own copy. cha-ching!
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You would think with her divorce settlements from both George and Clapton that she wouldn't even have to stoop to doing these shows! As far as I'm concerned if you buy her book, the autograph and photo should be free. That's how it is with celebrity authors much more famous than her by an order of magnitude! Your average person doesn't even know who she is! Sorry Patty--you need to give it away, love!
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Erik in NJ:
You would think with her divorce settlements from both George and Clapton that she wouldn't even have to stoop to doing these shows! As far as I'm concerned if you buy her book, the autograph and photo should be free. That's how it is with celebrity authors much more famous than her by an order of magnitude! Your average person doesn't even know who she is! Sorry Patty--you need to give it away, love!
Didn't she already give it away for free to Eric while she was still with George?
Now as far as Freda, now THERE is a class act. Loved the documentary and can't wait to see her at the L.A. Fest in October.
