Monkees Convention and Peter Tork Memorial in CT February 8, 2020

North Haven, CT - The one-year anniversary of Peter Tork's passing will be commemorated with a celebration of the former Monkees' life and music at The Peter Tork Memorial Convention for Monkees Fans on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Best Western Plus Hotel in North Haven, CT. The convention is from 1 PM until 8 PM with an early-bird noon VIP option, so serious collectors can have first access to the vendors/dealers marketplace. The Best Western Plus Hotel is conveniently located at 201 Washington Avenue in North Haven, CT (directly off Exit 12 via I-91). Parking is free.

There will be live concert performances, special guest interviews, autograph and photo opportunities, question and answer sessions, a mammoth Monkees & 60s Music/Memorabilia Marketplace + Rock n Roll Flea Market, rare film and video screenings, charity auction, an historic Peter Tork Memorial Tribute, and much more.

There is a very good reason why the event is being held in February. It's the one-year anniversary of Tork's passing, but, more importantly, it's Peter's birth month. He would've turned 78 years old on February 13th, 2020. There is also a very good reason why the event is being held in Connecticut. The state was Peter Tork's home. He not only lived in Connecticut, it's where his Dad H. John Thorkelson was a college professor (at UConn, from 1950-1983), and it's where most of his family once lived or currently resides. Also, in 1982, Peter Tork was the Special Guest of Honor at the Monkees Convention which was held in Bridgeport, CT. It was quite an historic event - the very first time a Monkee was actually a guest at a Monkees convention. Peter met fans, signed autographs, was interviewed and participated in a question & answer session. Fans will never forget his reminiscences and also his powerful words about John Lennon's passing. Additionally, he jammed with the Monkees tribute band MonkeeMania. (1982 Convention Photo below)

Speaking of Monkees music, live performances will be a highlight of the day with concerts by The Blue Meanies, Zilch, Loose Salute and John Sheridan. Renowned Monkees tribute band The Blue Meanies, from Staten Island, NY, headline the convention. Although their live catalogue normally encompasses classic rock from several decades, they are best known for their Monkees sets, having been invited to play numerous Monkees conventions and also chosen to be the official band for the Davy Jones tribute at BB Kings in New York. The beloved musicians have also played at such heralded festivals as "Danbury Fields Forever" and "Abbey Road on the River." Zilch, based in Rhode Island and named after the novelty Monkees track, bring a completely different vibe to the day. Their infectious, high-energy versions of Monkees rockers have stolen the show at such high-profile events as "Harrifest" and the "Fab 4 Music Festival." Formerly known as David Tessier's All-Star Monkees Band, Zilch will certainly have the crowd dancing in the aisles. Loose Salute is fronted by Mick Lawless, who also operates the Nevermind Record Shop in Upton, MA. His band performs Monkees songs in a unique style, occasionally with a country twang. Loose Salute was the back-up band for both Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz at the Super Mega-Fest conventions. John Sheridan is a seasoned musician with quite the pedigree. He was a solo performer at some of the earliest Monkees Conventions in Trenton, NJ, that were produced by Maggie McManus, he played Mike Nesmith in the band MonkeeMania, and performed with Peter Tork nearly forty years ago at the 1982 Monkees conventions in Trenton, NJ, that were produced by Maggie McManus, he played Mike Nesmith in the band MonkeeMania, and performed with Peter Tork nearly forty years ago at the 1982 Monkees Convention.

The initial Special Guest speakers have been announced.

The Convention Schedule is below (Special Guests To Be Announced):

NOON: VIP Early Admission and Sneak Preview. Marketplace opens

1:00 PM: General Admission

1:15 PM: Welcoming Remarks and Introductions

1:30 PM: Live Music: Singer/Songwriter JOHN SHERIDAN

2:00 PM: Special Guest Interview #1

2:30 PM: Live Music: MICK LAWLESS & LOOSE SALUTE

3:30 PM: Special Guest Interview #2

4:00 PM: Live Music: ZILCH

5:00 PM: Special Guest Interview #3

5:30 PM: Charity Auction

6:00 PM: LIve Music: THE BLUE MEANIES

7:15 PM: PETER TORK MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

7:45 PM: Gala Finale

Convention Ends at 8:00 PM. There is an after-convention party in the hotel's Sports Grill for convention attendees.

Advance general admission start at only $29, and there are VIP options available. Tickets are limited, so there is no guarantee tickets will be available at the door. The link for advance tickets is https://petertorkmemorial.ticketleap.com/2020/.