Rock ‘n’ roll first became popular in America during the 1950s, much like the catch phrase “I got power like I’m Eisenhower.” Hear something catchy with this GrouponLive deal to see the The Rubber City Beatlefest 2013 at Akron Civic Theatre. For $7, you get one ticket for general admission rear orchestra seating on Saturday, March 9, at 6:45 p.m. (a $15 value). Music performances start at 8 p.m.
The Rubber City Beatlefest 2013 reawakens a spirit of unabashed Fab Four fanaticism in those who were there the first time around and gives younger audiences a taste of the adventuresome pop thrills of the ’60s. Collectors can gawk at a wealth of rare Beatles vinyl and memorabilia from local vendors including fabled Cleveland rock photographer George Shuba, TV fixture Son of Ghoul, and playful portraitist Billy Nainiger. At 8 p.m., a trio of popular Ohio tribute bands take the stage to turn the audiences into a pack of caterwauling ’60s teenagers. Decked out in Sgt. Pepper-era regalia, The ReBeats have a ball onstage as they breeze through The Beatles’ canon. Revolution Pie skips the costumes but treats their replication of The Beatles’ catalogue with absolute reverence.
The perfectionist tribute act Hard Day’s Night has put a hard 14 years of work into their show, which has toured America, England, and even The Beatles’ old stomping ground of the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Specializing in the 1962–66 mop-top era, the group re-creates the band’s early days down to the last suit stitch and bootstrap. The visual accuracy extends to the instruments you’ll see onstage, including Paul’s Hofner bass, George’s Rickenbacker guitar, Ringo’s Ludwig drums, and John’s Gretsch sarcasm.
Hard Day’s Night<p>
**The ReBeats Perform at Last Year's Beatlefest**
E.J. Thomas Hall
Since 1973, The University of Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall has been the center of Akron's performing arts scene. The three-level facility, which occupies three acres of The University of Akron campus, boasts a massive, 44-ton movable ceiling that can shift to enclose the first or second levels. The position of the ceiling has a dramatic effect on the hall's volume and acoustics, so it is controlled by a computer precisely managing 27 counterweights. The hall's ability to transform from an intimate one-level performance space to a vast three-level concert hall allows it to host performances of a variety of sizes and styles by university students and faculty as well as the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Tuesday Musical Association, the Children’s Concert Society, and the Akron Youth Symphony.