RIVER FALLS – From 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, the River Falls Public Library will host the 13th annual musical and poetic tribute to John Lennon and the Beatles. Not an impersonation act, this show by local musicians, singers and poets attempts to capture in an acoustic setting the spirit of fun and change Lennon and the Beatles embodied in their heyday.

The musical line-up includes Thomas R. Smith and Doug Wilson on guitars and vocals, Ken Thatcher on percussion, Chris TerMaat on piano, and singers Nancy Miller, Lucinda Plaisance, Bev Sellie, Krista Spieler, and Kathy Ward.  

Poet and organizer Thomas Smith said, “We intend this show to celebrate the music of John and the Beatles on the anniversary of his death and to lighten and brighten spirits as we move into the cold, dark time of year.” 

Audience members are encouraged to sing along with these beloved songs. Smith adds, “You could call our mostly acoustic approach a hybrid of rock and roll, jug band, country and folk, all of which influenced the Beatles’ originals.” Beatles-inspired poetry rounds out the program.

This program is free.  A revised and expanded edition of Smith poetry chapbook The Night We Saved the Beatles will be available. Every year profits from sales of Smith’s poetry books are donated to a humanitarian charity he thinks John Lennon would have approved.

Submitted by Thomas R. Smith