Richmond County Bank Ballpark
75 Richmond Terrace, St. George, Staten Island
Friday, August 2, free, 7:00
718-816-2133
www.statenislandusa.com
The Beatles and New York City baseball have a storied history. In 1965, the Fab Four played one of their most famous concerts ever at Shea Stadium, where they could barely be heard amid the shrieks of their crazed fans. More than four decades later, in 2009, Paul McCartney played Citi Field, then headed to the Bronx two years later for a pair of shows at Yankee Stadium. Although not quite in the same, er, ballpark, shall we say, Beatles Blast returns on August 2 for its sophomore go-round, as a series of Beatles cover bands take the stage at Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George, home of the Staten Island Yankees, the Bronx Bombers’ Single-A affiliate. Among those playing Beatles classics will be the Blue Meanies, London Fogg, Giffords Lane, eliminated Voice contestant Garrett Gardner, and original Mersey Beat star Billy J. Kramer, who recorded a series of Beatles-written songs with his band the Dakotas. The event will be hosted by Q104.3’s Ken Dashow, whose “Breakfast with the Beatles” radio program can be heard every Sunday morning; last week’s playlist began with “Oh! Darling” and included such other songs as “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill,” “Eleanor Rigby,” a live version of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” McCartney’s “Jenny Wren,” the Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle with Care,” and Kramer’s “Bad to Me” before concluding with “All You Need Is Love.” We don’t know if Beatles Blast will have quite such diversity, but it should be a lot of fun while also raising funds and awareness for autism. The event, sponsored by Staten Island borough president James Molinaro, is free, but donations to Come Together for Autism Awareness will earn you VIP seats. Play ball!