The city of Liverpool, England, is commemorating what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday with a three-month celebration throughout his hometown. From October through December, visitors to Liverpool can expect to find numerous live music shows and tributes, tours dedicated to Lennon and The Beatles, art exhibitions and more.
One of the art exhibitions, titled, “Astrid Kirchherr: A Retrospective,” is currently on display at Victoria Gallery and Museum. Kircherr is famous for being the first to take studio photographs of the band and also for her association with Stuart Sutcliffe, the original bass player for The Beatles. At the exhibit, visitors can browse more than 70 photographs that Kirchherr took of the band during the beginning of their career, including previously unpublished images and well-known images in their original format. The gallery, which is located at the University of Liverpool, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, and admission is free.
Travelers can learn more about the Fab Four at many Liverpool attractions, including The Beatles Story museum located on Albert Dock. The interactive museum follows the band from their early years to the rise of global Beatlemania and to the modern day. Visitors can watch performances in a recreation of The Cavern Club and even view original instruments played by John Lennon and his skiffle band.
Through the end of the year, The Beatles Story is hosting “White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon,” an exhibition about life with Lennon presented by his son, Julian, and former wife, Cynthia. The exhibition is located at The Beatles Story Pier Head and is open seven days a week. Admission is free to The Beatles Story ticket holders.
The massive shopping and leisure district located in the city center, Liverpool One, will be holding two tributes to Lennon in October. From Oct. 9-15, Liverpool One Loves Lennon – A Musical Tribute will take place. Professional musicians and a variety of street entertainers will perform their renditions of music composed by both The Beatles and Lennon throughout the streets of Liverpool. No tickets are required.
Liverpool One Loves Lennon — An Art Exhibition will take place from Oct. 9-31. Art submissions related to, and inspired by, John Lennon will be on display throughout the Liverpool One shopping district.
Fans who want to follow in the footsteps of the Lads from Liverpool should take a stroll down Mathew Street where they will find a John Lennon statue, The Cavern Club and the four-star The Hard Days Night Hotel. Photographs and statues of the boys adorn the exterior of this popular The Beatles-themed hotel on North John Street.
Although the original The Cavern Club hasn’t survived, the current club occupies about three-quarters of the original venue and houses the original stage on which The Beatles famously played. Nowadays, tribute bands often take the stage, and travelers can book in-depth tours of the club with local tour operator, Cavern City Tours.
Cavern City Tours is also offering a Walking Class Hero Tour on Oct. 9 and Dec. 5. The evening walking tour departs from The Cavern Club and focuses on the city of Liverpool as John Lennon knew it. Die-hard fans will also want to book one of Cavern City Tour’s afternoon tours on Oct. 9 and Dec. 5, which will be dedicated to Lennon. The Magical Mystery Tour — Lennon Special bus trip visits Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, childhood homes of The Beatles and other Lennon landmarks. Prices vary.
Fans who can’t make it across the pond this year can commemorate the legacy of John Lennon on Oct. 8 when “Nowhere Boy,” a film about his life, makes its U.S. premier. The Weinstein Company production stars Aaron Johnson, Annie-Marie Duff and Kristin Scott Thomas and was shot on location in the hometown of The Beatles.
Cavern City Tours
www.cavernclub.org
Liverpool One
www.liverpool-one.com
The Beatles Story
www.beatlesstory.com
The Cavern Club
www.cavernclub.org
Victoria Gallery and Museum
www.liv.ac.uk/vgm
VisitBritain
www.visitbritain.com
VisitLiverpool
www.visitliverpool.com
