Lifelong Learners / Seniors

Thank you!

To The Villages in Florida for 170+, the Barton Senior Center in Lakewood, Ohio for 160+ and the Mentor Senior Center with 100+ “Beatlemaniacs” in attendance for our journey down the long and winding road back to the 1960’s with the Beatles. All were FAB events (we rocked and laughed) – and I’m looking forward to seeing you again very soon!

Let’s go back to the ’60s!!

Your audience is ready to rock as we go back in time to a decade of change and the music group that made it happen. Baby boomers were on the front lines and seated in the front rows as The Fab Four invaded North America – and it was never the same since. Dave offers presentations based on his books The Beatles In Cleveland and The Beatles At Shea Stadium: The Beginning of Stadium Rock and a third, Making The 60’s FAB with The Beatles, for audiences that were there in the 1960s and remember. A Pinnacle Award winner from CILC (Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration) for “remarkable quality of educational content and exceptional skill at program delivery” his programs are available as live events or online video conferences for distant audiences.

The Beatles and The Boomers – Makin’ the 1960’s FAB!

Did someone say, “Generation Gap?” We can’t deny there was one, but the big divide didn’t necessarily start with the baby boomers.

This program begins in the early 1960’s with a look back at the headlines, popular music and what is called now, “pop culture.” Once the stage is set (and the planets seem somehow aligned), the boomer generation discovers a new breed of teen idols on February 9, 1964 when The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. On that Sunday evening over seventy four million people tuned in to watch – including not only teenagers and pre-teens, but also parents and grandparents. After all, there were only three networks to choose from and it’s doubtful any of us can remember what was on the other two channels.

Following in the pop star footsteps of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley with a string of hit records and a look considered shocking at the time (the mop tops!), The Beatles also became movie stars when their first motion picture, A Hard Day’s Night, was released. Between 1964 and 1966 John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr brought the excitement of Beatlemania to North America with concerts in front of screaming fans that quickly grew in size from arenas to sold-out sports stadiums.

But similar to the previous generations coming of age with “Frankie” and “Elvis The Pelvis,” “The Fab Four” phenomenon didn’t always have parental approval.

Author Dave Schwensen draws on rare films, eyewitness accounts, personal experience, and both his books, The Beatles At Shea Stadium and The Beatles In Cleveland, to relive the impact of Beatlemania from both sides of the generation gap. Entertaining and humorous, (he’s a comedy coach for The Funny Bone and Improv Comedy Clubs) and informative (he was there!), each presentation features a healthy dose of humor and audience interaction. A highlight of all Dave’s programs are the opportunities at the end for audience members to share their memories.

Each program is designed for lifelong learners, 55+ events, historical societies, and senior centers. To enhance the stories, Dave includes videos of news and pop culture events, scenes of Beatlemania and performances by The Beatles. Video footage also includes an unforgettable elected official from 1964 who will explain why the group is a bad influence on the younger generation (your audience) – and why the entire phenomenon is “Unbelievable.”

For more information, scheduling and pricing please email dave@davelaughs.com, call 440-315-4077 or use the contact link above. Scroll down for reviews…

Serving Our Seniors, Sandusky, Ohio

“It was a great time, and the audience felt the same from the comments I received as well. I think Beatlemania is alive and well!! Thank you for your enthusiastic and delightful presentation of the Beatles.”

Four Seasons at Chestnut Ridge, Elyria, Ohio

“Your presentation was awesome and everyone loved it!!!”

The Villages, Florida

“Thanks again for your program – it was great!”

Baltimore Department of Aging, Baltimore, Maryland

“Thank you Dave for a wonderful program!”

Wesleyan Meadows

I wanted to let you know that my sister, who lives at Four Seasons in Elyria, really enjoyed your “Beatles in Cleveland” presentation there yesterday.  She’s a huge Beatles fan, and she had attended your presentation here at Wesleyan Meadows in 2022 (and bought your books, too!).  Regarding yesterday’s event, she said, “I enjoyed it all over again!  And it was very well received by the residents who attended.”  So I wanted to pass her positive comments along to you!

City of North Olmsted Senior Center

“Thank you Dave! We loved it! We had so many great comments and people would love to have you back for another presentation. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

City of Garfield Heights Senior Center

“Thank you for the wonderful presentation last week! The seniors thought it was wonderful! A lot of them came up to me afterwards commenting on how it was a ‘blast from the past.’ Hopefully we can work together again next year.”

West Park Historical Society of Cleveland

“I wanted to thank you again for a wonderful, fun-filled evening! Everyone had a great time and you were awesome wowing us with such great info! I’m glad you had fun because we sure did! Beatles forever!”

Willoughby Senior Center

“I had many positive comments from the participants, hearing that you were incredibly knowledgeable on the time the Beatles spent here in Cleveland. The stories, videos and memorabilia you presented made the group feel like they were there live seeing and hearing the Beatles back in the 1960’s again!”

BrightLife Innovations

“Thanks Dave! The residents in senior living have had great things to say about your program. I really enjoyed working with you.”

City of Willowick Senior Center

“The folks that were here really enjoyed your presentation – as I did. It was very interesting! Thanks for making the trek out this way (during the winter’s first snow storm!).”

Westlake Senior Center

“Our patrons had a great time at the program and really learned a lot. Glad you enjoyed the building and hope you are able to come back to present.”

Barton Senior Center – Lakewood

“Dave Schwensen has devised an entertaining and informative presentation focusing on the two concerts held in Northeast Ohio during the mid 1960’s. His well paced, yet easy going, discussion includes ‘preBeatles’ cultural references then chronicles their subsequent rise to fame. Behind the scenes accounts are punctuated by footage of their appearances, as well as a collection of vintage photos, posters and newspaper clippings from local media.”

“Any Beatles fan, young or mature, will be delighted by Schwensen’s comprehensive insider’s knowledge of these legendary rock stars and what it took to get them to the shores of Lake Erie. If Dave comes your way, plan to be there. This is nostalgia at its best! As suggested by a line from one of their songs, ‘A splendid time is guaranteed for all.’ The tie dye clad audience that enjoyed the show at the Barton Senior Center in Lakewood would certainly agree!”