Give Peace a Chance

Back in 1973, John Lennon wanted to make New York City his home, but he was being treated like an illegal immigrant. Though his wife Yoko Ono already had a green card, the rabble-rousing Lennon had been denied permanent resident status in the US. So with characteristic whimsy and outside-the-box thinking, he called a press conference on April Fool’s Day to announce the pair’s creation of “a conceptual country, Nutopia,” seeking diplomatic immunity as its ambassador.  “Citizenship of the country can be obtained by declaration of your awareness of Nutopia. Nutopia has no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people. Nutopia has no laws other than cosmic,” Lennon declared. The couple even hung a plaque inscribed “Nutopian Embassy” on their kitchen door in the Dakota. The virtual country flew a perpetual white flag, and its Great Seal was a picture of…a seal. (Almanac Weekly)

In 2010 two veteran rock musicians, Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step and Tom Dean of Devonsquare, brought together an eight-piece multi-generational ensemble to celebrate the artistry and genius of the late John Lennon.  One day after what would have been John's 73rd birthday, October 10, the Nutopians (formerly the John Lennon Song Project) will return to the site of their 2010 sellout debut performance at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.  This unique ensemble celebrates the genius and artistry of John Lennon with exquisite renditions of songs from his Beatles and his solo years.  The band has inspired a whole new appreciation for the icon's music. They recently performed for Yoko Ono Lennon at WhyHunger's Chapin Awards Dinner in NYC, and now celebrate the 2013 release of their second CD Lennon Re-Imagined following their stunning 2010 breakout CD Imagined that won the Independent Music Award for Best Tribute Album.

Featured tracks on the CD from Lennon's Beatles canon include: You’re Gonna Lose That Girl, No Reply, If I Fell and Cry Baby Cry/The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill.  Featured compositions from his solo years include Instant Karma, Beautiful Boy and Love/Oh My Love.  The later was co-written with his wife Yoko Ono Lennon. The new CD also features breakout vocal performances by Maggie Coffin, the ensemble's up-and-coming 17-year-old high school singing sensation from Gardiner, Maine, who inspires with her interpretations of Dear Prudence and Revolution.

Other members of the Nutopians include Dean's Devonsquare band mate Alana MacDonald on violin and vocals; New York City’s own Gary Schreiner on chromatic harmonica, piano and accordion; Robby Coffin (Maggie's dad) on lead acoustic and electric guitars and vocals; Teg Glendon on bass; and Jordan Jancz on cello and percussion.

Lennon Re-Imagined was officially released in August, 2013 and is available now at CD Baby, iTunes and at the band's website. Additional biographical information about the Nutopians and their upcoming tour dates are also available at www.thenutopians.com.

"There has never been a more honest or enlightened songwriter on planet earth than John Lennon,” says Nutopians' co-founder Tom Dean. "Our goal, in some small way, is to continue shining a light on John's message of love, peace and hope with our interpretations of this amazing artist's music." (The Nutopians Press Release).  Head to The Kate for this very special return appearance of the Nutopians and see why this group is creating such a huge buzz!

Tickets: $45 at  http://www.katharinehepburntheater.org or  877-503-1286