460 performers, 75 Beatles songs and horses dressed up as the Fab Four – it can only be Liverpool’s Sgt Pepper at 50 celebrations!
On Sunday 4 June from 2pm to 5.50pm, Aintree Racecourse will host a FREE event called Mr Kite’s MUSICIRCUS – an event inspired by the Sgt Pepper album track Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite and will see a huge group of people come together, to play or perform different Beatles songs simultaneously – creating an unforgettable cacophony of sound.
Taking part in the day are soloists, choirs, dancers, poets, bands, gymnasts, actors a hula hooper travelling up from London especially for the event and a musician coming all the way from America to be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Anyone going along to experience the event can expect to hear songs such as Back in the USSR, Blackbird, A Day in the Life, Eleanor Rigby, When I’m 64, Lady Madonna Let it Be, Penny Lane and Yesterday.
And if a visitor is inspired to get involved, there is a special ‘Orator Spot’ which they can stand on and read from a special lyric booklet featuring Beatles tracks that aren’t already being performed.
There will be a host of concessions available on the day along with even more entertainment for all the family, including face painting, kite making workshops and circus skills workshops courtesy of the Black-E Youth Circus.
Assistant Mayor, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This is unlike any event we’ve ever staged before – it’s a must-see, unmissable opportunity not only for Beatles fans, but for all music fans.
“Our Sgt Pepper at 50 programme is all about bringing something that could be considered high art and avant-garde into the mainstream, and making it accessible for families across the region.
“Very few people will have heard of a musicircus before, and it will be incredible be part of what we hope will be the biggest Musicircus ever to have taken place.”
Musicircus is the brainchild of legendary American music experimentalist John Cage, and this event is produced in partnership with The John Cage Trust.
Where is no public parking at Aintree Racecourse. The easiest way to reach Aintree is by train as Aintree Station is directly opposite the racecourse. For more information visit www.merseyrail.org
Aintree can also be reached by bus on services: 300, 310 and 345 both to and from Liverpool. For further information on bus routes, contact Merseytravel on 0151 236 7676 or visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk/journeyplanner
Mr Kite’s MUSICIRCUS forms part of Sgt Pepper at 50 which will see each track on the iconic Beatles album inspire 13 brand new events. The world premiere commissions are a mixture of large and intimate events covering the worlds of art, dance, music, poetry and theatre.
Until 16 June there will be performances, installations, live spectacle and moments of surprise across the city, as the spotlight will fall on Liverpool to celebrate their most famous sons in a way befitting of a record which broke the mould and changed music forever.
For full details of the Sgt Pepper at 50 programme please visit www.sgtpepperat50.com, or follow itsliverpool on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Sgt Pepper at 50: Heading for Home
Liverpool City Council is curating a unique festival which brings together world renowned artists and Liverpool-based talent, to pay homage to the 50th anniversary of what is widely regarded as the best rock and roll album of all time. Sgt Pepper at 50: Heading for Home will use each track on the iconic Beatles album as the creative springboard for 13 brand new events.
Conceptually driven by notable Artistic Directors Sean Doran and Liam Browne, the festival started on Thursday 25 May and runs until Friday 16 June and will see the involvement of international names such as GroupeF (the organisation behind several Olympic and Paralympic closing ceremonies), Mark Morris Dance Group (one of the world’s leading dance companies), Judy Chicago (iconic American feminist artist), John Cage (one of the American greats of experimental music), Jeremy Deller (Turner Prize winning conceptual artist), author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, DJ Spooky (American composer) as well some of the very best Indian musicians in the world such as Grammy award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
The events will take place at locations across the city, including Liverpool’s Royal Court, Hope Street, Woolton Picture House, Camp Hill, Tate Liverpool, St George’s Hall and Aintree Racecourse.
The festival has been made possible with National Lottery investment of £750,000 from Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence scheme.
For full details visit www.sgtpepperat50.com.
