Beatlemania to invade BIG ARTS

COURTESY PHOTO BIG ARTS Annual Benefit Committee: from the left, Lisa Gould, M.G. Whitaker, Arlene Dillon, B.Z. Doucette, Marcia Kimball, Melissa Congress, Maddy Hanlon, and Jeannie Kendall.

"It's all about dancing and having fun!" Cochair Melissa Congress said of the upcoming BIG ARTS Annual Benefit scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9.

"Beatlemania Now" - one of the world's best, most sought after tribute bands - is coming to BIG ARTS. Expect an evening of top entertainment, groove to the music from DJ Bob, and enjoy fabulous food.

At the helm of the annual benefit committee are Co-chairs Melissa Congress and Arlene Dillon, and Committee Chairs Lisa Gould, Jeannie Kendall, and Melissa Spencer. They, along with the rest of the committee, are imagining, planning, and organizing for BIG ARTS major fundraising event of the year.

"I want to continue the momentum of last year's success," Congress said.

Dillon said the committee has high expectations for this year's grand theme. "Nothing brings people together like music, and Beatles music is timeless."

"Beatlemania Now" has experienced impersonators, who have toured together for over a decade. They recapture The Beatles' sound and physically resemble John, Paul, George, and Ringo not only from a distance but also close up. To add to the performance there are several scrupulously accurate costume changes as the show chronologically progresses from pop to psychedelic. Anyone who lived through Beatlemania in the '60s will have a chance to revisit this electrifying time; those born too late can more clearly picture this extraordinary period in musical history.

For further information about the benefit, upcoming events at BIG ARTS, to purchase tickets, or to sign up for workshops, stop by BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road Sanibel, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., call (239) 395-0900, e-mail info@bigarts.org, or log on to www. bigarts.org.