Who hasn't been to a Beatlefest?  Well, in case you haven't, I'll explain what a Beatlefest is.  Beatlefest is a large gathering of Beatles fans that congregate to celebrate the fab four.  The fest is an annual event per region (it usually happens the same month in each location throughout the year).  This has been my third attendance of Beatlefest.  As always, I was impressed with the organization of events and the number of people present.  Perhaps I have grown more cynical with age, but as I walked in, I noticed a new Beatle-dimension- commerciality.  A large Bloomie's sign advertising far-overpriced Yellow Submarine merchandise.  My first instinct was to blame the Beatlefest organization.  However, Beatlefest is merely an outlet for what the Beatles sell- music.  And also, how they sell it.
        I spent the majority of my time within the same room (my own choice), for my boyfriend and I competed in a 'sound-alike' contest, which despite the name is a competition in which musicians adapt The Beatles' group or solo music into their own style.  The level of talent was extremely high this year and most definitely less laid back than in previous circumstances.  We had much fun, though.
        While my boyfriend John and I viewed our competition, my friend Brad checked out the market place and the rest of the facility.  I wasn't the only one that had noticed the change.  I was kind of ashamed of what Beatlefest had become... ashamed that I had built it up to so much more when describing it to John.
        Another great aspect, aside from the songs, was the art show.  There was a wonderful piece (I don't know the artist's name, but if you do, please let me know ) that depicted the Beatles spinning around in a circle and literally knocking paper cutouts of commercial teeny-boppers with their guitars.  I laughed joyfully as Britney Spears got pummeled by a Hofner.  Long live rock and roll!  Ironically, though, this wonderful piece of artwork was showcased in one of the most highly-commercialized conventions that I have ever seen.  Again, I don't find this to be the fault of Beatlefest, however, for the fest and the fans merely reflect what is on the outside.   The re-commercialization of Beatles music has indeed grabbed more fans (like myself) of a younger generation, but with the marketing of Yellow Submarine again, even I am getting sick of the yellow sub that used to be so friendly and trippy.  (Once I found myself asking myself: do you really need that Yellow Submarine toilet paper roller?  Then I knew this had gone too far!)
        There were highlights- I got to spend the day with my friend Brad that I rarely get to see, and I got to perform with my amazingly talented boyfriend.  I had the opportunity to meet author  Jorie Gracen and have her sign the groovy Paul book she wrote.
        And then there are singalongs... they are always fun, but this year... by the time I got there, everyone was drunk.  So we packed up, grumbled one last time about the raised ticket price, sneered at the Bloomie's display, and shuffled home in the bug.

~copyright 4/27/01~ Echo