Jeff Cook, Tim Vance, Rick Copper, Trace Gamache, Karen Jorgensen Cook, and Jess Smith.

On June 20 and 21, more than 1,200 people celebrated the longest days of summer at the Cottage in Crystal Lake for Beatles Blast, an annual event put on by the Cottage’s owner, Paul Leech, to celebrate all things British.

The Cottage’s two-day British Invasion featured live music, British-themed shops, pub food, and a family-friendly area where kids could enjoy themselves. There were also plenty of photo opportunities available that featured BBC TV icon Doctor Who, the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band classic album cover, and even a recreation of the famous Cavern Club, where the Beatles first rose to fame in the early 1960s. More than 1,200 people attended this years’ Beatles Blast, a record.

WSR Improv’s Jeff Cook and Rick Copper .

As part of the event, Williams Street Rep’s Improv team was on hand to perform two classic Monty Python sketches: ‘Dead Parrot’ and ‘Argument Clinic’.  In addition to their performances between musical acts, WSRep Improv members Jeff Cook, Rick Copper, Phil Denofrio, Trace Gamache, Matt Hellyer, Kenzie Parry and Jess Smith oversaw a booth to greet patrons and share information about the Raue and upcoming events. A raffle was conducted for the chance to win a WSR Season Pass…valued at $355! 

In keeping with England’s notorious weather, heavy rain fell on Saturday night, but that did nothing to dampen audience-goers enthusiasm for cover bands playing classic Pink Floyd, Beatles, and David Bowie hits. The weather improved greatly on Sunday, and attendees were up and dancing to the music of the Who, Led Zeppelin, and American English, one of the premiere Beatles cover bands in the country.

American English at Beatles Blast

 

“A big thank you to the Williams Street Rep Improv team for their ‘British’ contribution to the Beatles Blast British Invasion Concert with the Monty Python sketches,” Paul said. “Good job!”