ORGANISERS have released full details of the programme for the John Lennon Tribute Season.
The two-month event includes six different live music shows, four art exhibitions, international poetry competition, two lecture series, and three tours of the city taking place nearly every day from October 9 to December 9.
The tribute season marks 70 years since Lennon’s birth and 30 years since his murder, and brings together organisations in Liverpool to celebrate the life of one of the world’s most influential and legendary musicians and one of the city’s most famous sons.
A retrospective of the work of photographer Astrid Kirchherr will take place at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery and Museum, including a wealth of previously unpublished photographs showing Kirchherr and her contemporaries including the Beatles.
The Bluecoat will honour Lennon’s commitment to peace and freedom in Bed-In at the Bluecoat, inviting artists to present their work from a bed on display to the public throughout the duration of the John Lennon season.
Meanwhile Beatles fans will be able to hear intimate details of Lennon’s early life in a one-hour discussion with Quarrymen Rod Davis and Colin Hanton as part of a lecture series which also includes ex Beatles road manager Tony Bramwell.
People visiting the city during the John Lennon Tribute Season can enjoy a number of specially designed sightseeing tours, allowing visitors to experience John Lennon’s true Liverpool.
The Beatles Story will accept a John Lennon Peace Monument on behalf of the city and Europe, gifted by USA organisation Global Peace Initiative and unveiled by his son Julian, while Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy judges the first international Liverpool Lennon Poet Competition.
The season comes to a climax on December 9 – the day after the former Beatle was shot dead in New York City in 1980 – with a massive concert at the ECHO arena.
Jerry Goldman, managing director of the Beatles Story, said: “The season is already shaping up to be a fitting tribute of music and culture and we expect even more events to be announced next month, including the location of the John Lennon Peace Monument.”
And Cllr Wendy Simon, cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “A whole host of organisations and venues are working very hard to make this John Lennon Tribute Season a success. It’s great for the city and a fitting way to remember and celebrate the life of John Lennon”.
The season is being organised by the Beatles Story, The Mersey Partnership (TMP), Liverpool city council, Cavern City Tours, the RLPO and Liverpool ONE.
