The Beatles In Cleveland
Meetings, Conferences, Banquets, Libraries & Special Events
A one hour "Meet The Author" event that relives the excitement of 1960s pop culture and Beatlemania. Dave Schwensen takes audiences behind the scenes and on stage for two of the wildest, out-of-control concerts in Beatles - and rock - history. Program includes:
A mini-Beatles Museum with original newspaper articles from 1964 &
1966, unpublished photos of the Beatles in Cleveland, concert poster
and more.
A ten minute opening film about "The Beatles In Cleveland" with
television segments, rare photos, and comments from John Lennon & Paul
McCartney about the riotous Cleveland concerts.
Author presentation about the shows, interviewing contributors &
writing the book, little known facts about The Beatles' visits to
Cleveland, and Q&A.
A fifteen minute rare film of the riotous 1966 Beatles concert at
Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
After program book signing.
For more information and to schedule, contact Debbie at North Shore Publishing.
Book
Stores
All book store signings with Dave Schwensen are "Special Events" that include the showing of a rare 15-minute film of The Beatles 1966 concert at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The first 20 signed books at each event also include a FREE bonus audio CD about The Beatles In Cleveland.
To help publicize your event, North Shore Publishing will provide ten 8
1/2 x 11 inch posters based on the rare Beatles 1966 Cleveland concert
poster with your store information and time of the event.
North Shore will also include 300 bag stuffers with the concert
poster, store information, time of the event, and announcement of the
concert film and free bonus audio CD giveaway.
To schedule a book signing, contact Debbie Baker at North Shore
Publishing.
Notes From The Road
Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a signed copy, to watch
the film AND talk about The Beatles during our signing events this past
year! We started
at The Fest For Beatles Fans New York Metro, traveled west to Costa Mesa,
California, south to Merritt Island, Florida, and of course, north to downtown Cleveland - in the same building
where John, Paul, George and Ringo stayed in 1964 and 1966. Here are
some memories from our Magical Mystery Book
Tour...
The snowstorm that hit during our drive to The Fest For Beatles Fans. We
made it to State College in Pennsylvania before giving in to the elements
and finding a hotel for the night. When we arrived Saturday afternoon, the
Fest was in full swing, which made finding and setting up my signing table
a bit of an adventure. We also didn't know what to expect since this would
be the public debut - a month before the actual release date - for The
Beatles In Cleveland. That concern, (unlike the snow), melted away
once we unloaded the first box of books and started the concert film. I
spent the next day and a half signing copies, (missing all the live
performances - darn!), and taking part in two panel discussions as a
"featured author," (yeah!). The final book was purchased by a 16
year old Beatle fan who was with his mother. He had stopped by the table a
few times, but was being careful about spending his own money and wanted
to shop around. I'm flattered that in the end, he chose my book.
The line of people waiting in Mansfield, Ohio was not completely
unexpected, (after all, we're talking about The Beatles!). But before I
even made it to the signing table, the store manager came over and said,
"We're going to need more books!" I called Debbie, (Marketing
Assistant and my driver that day), who luckily had a box in the back of
her car. You would think that would teach us never to go without back-up
copies but...
At the first signing near Cleveland, the same thing happened and the store
manager knew they would run out of books. Un-luckily, Debbie was an hour
away - but set a new speed record in delivering a supply before the event
was over.
A signing in Toledo, Ohio, the same day as the Ohio State vs. Michigan
football game - which local fans consider bigger than the Super Bowl. I
thought it would be a long and lonely two hours, but was very pleased to
see about a dozen Beatles fans waiting for me when we arrived. The store
manager has already invited me back in 2008 - when it's not football
season!
Costa Mesa, California. Would shoppers consider the book, with the word
"Cleveland" in the title, to be too regional and not be
interested? This was a thought that ran through my mind, but again melted
away, (and there was no snow!), after arriving at the Borders Bookstore.
An area had been set up with chairs, (theater seating), for my
"discussion" and showing of the rare concert film - and Beatles
fans were waiting! I signed quite a few books that evening - and the store
manager had me sign about twenty extra copies to have in stock. Afterwards
I joined three close friends from my hometown for dinner at a local
Mexican restaurant. Great evening!
The girl at the Columbus, Ohio, signing who had attended both Cleveland
Beatles concerts and GAVE ME the original newspaper clippings she had
saved for over forty years in her scrapbook. I'm filled with regret that I
didn't write down her name and email address so I could stay in touch and
THANK her again for being so generous!! If she reads this, I truly hope
she contacts me. I had found copies of the articles during my research for
the book, but never dreamed I'd someday own the originals. They're in
great condition and I have them framed.
There were Beatles fans at every event who wanted a picture with me or
took a photo while I was signing their book. I don't consider myself to be
a celebrity - so I'm very flattered. Of course when you show the photos to
anyone you'll be stuck answering the big question, "Who is THAT
guy?" LOL!
The man at my downtown Cleveland signing who was friendly, but definitely
liquored-up. He didn't buy a book, but wanted me to know that he had
"missed his calling" and could've been a bigger singing
sensation than The Beatles. To prove it, he sang I Wanna Hold Your
Hand - loudly - while playing air guitar.
A Merritt Island Florida fender-bender caused a traffic jam that stopped
me about a mile away from Barnes & Noble. With only about 10 minutes
to spare before our 7 pm "show time," my complaints about people
driving with cell phones disappeared when I reached for mine and called
the store. Thankfully the group of Beatles fans kept themselves busy
browsing other titles until I arrived a few minutes late. I can safely
assume their wait was worth it as we spent over two hours reliving
Beatlemania and watching the concert film twice. I also want to send out a
thanks to deejay Susan Ramon at Tropic Wave Radio who had me on her show
as a guest and was at this signing - to give me two station t-shirts! Too
bad my wife and 13-year old son have since claimed them...
Savannah Georgia was hot and muggy outside, but the Barnes & Noble
inside the Olgethorpe Mall was air conditioned and a "cool" place
to be. But since the big screen television for the concert film was
sandwiched between a few book shelves off to a side, we had to make a few
adjustments so Beatles fans would know this was a "cool" event.
Once the TV was moved near the store entrance, the excitement of seeing
The Fab Four in concert drew a crowd. Thanks to the hosts of Mid-Morning
Live with Sonny & Jody for inviting me on their television
show to get the word out about this one!
It was great to meet all of you at the signings and I look forward to
making more new friends as we continue our Magical Mystery Book Tour
through 2008.
Thank you for your support!
- Dave Schwensen