Boo Ball — A Fundraiser to Benefit The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts with Expo '76 and The Shams Band
Saturday, Oct. 28 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)
It’s the Harbor Country Fundraising event you’ve been ‘dying’ to attend. The Acorn’s First BOO BALL!
As a nonprofit, and Southwest Michigan’s arts and culture hub, The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts aims to have nothing less than a profound impact on the culture, education and quality of life in our community and beyond. Your attendance at our Halloween fundraiser will help support our mission in our community.
- Scare up a costume to win spooktacular prizes.
- Feast on freaky fabulous food from Classic Catering.
- Imbibe in a witches brew of Halloween cocktails.
- “BOOgie" to the music of Expo ‘76 and The Shams Band.
- The only thing LIVE will be our auction of monstrous (read: luxury) items
And so much more frightful fun!
You’d be out of your skull not to attend! This is not your Mummy’s Halloween Bash!
Seating is limited, this show is a dance-party style with plenty of open floor space.
Many thanks to our Boo Ball Sponsors!
◽️ Classic Catering and Events
◽️ Original Rago Brothers Funeral Homes
◽️ Maureen Culp RE/MAX Harbor Country
◽️ Laura and Fred Jolly
◽️ Eileen and Rich Kochanny
◽️ Kim and Bob Murphy
◽️ Park Hyatt New York
◽️ Cari and Mark Stables
◽️ Vickers Theater
◽️ Chef Shelley Young
◽️ The Chopping Block
About the Artists:
EXPO ‘76
After more than a dozen years as an entity, Expo’76 rolls on — impossibly fresh in each performance, their reputation as the Chicago area’s most reliably potent and unpredictable cover band firmly established. Their secret all along has simply been remaining true to themselves, playing the music they want to play. Their set list is a far-flung assortment of hits, forgotten classics and deep cuts, that careens effortlessly across all genres and politely sidesteps old warhorses.
When singer/guitarist Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering, Sunshine Boys) put out a call to his longtime friends, keyboardist Kenny Goodman (The Service, New Duncan Imperials) drummer John Carpender (Outronaut, The Real Pretenders) and bassist Ralph Baumel (The Real Pretenders) in 2009, his only guideline was that the band just focused on being great, and that the rest would take care of itself. It worked. Expo’76 began their monthly residency at Simon’s Tavern in Chicago in early 2010, and within a few months the room was packed out and they were on the cover of The Chicago Sun Times arts section.
Along the way, they’ve played hundreds of gigs beyond that residency: street fairs, dances, weddings, private parties, swanky fundraisers and more, in every possible setting. They’ve been joined onstage by notable singers and assorted show folk like Robert Cornelius, Kelly Hogan, Joel Murray, Syd Straw, Frank Orrall, Michael McDermott, Jack McGee, and an up and coming singer from Evanston named Eddie Vedder.
Being bolstered by the ferocious and rightly in-demand Total Pro Horns means the Expo’76 catalog has even more depth and power, and the Pros wholly share the band’s irreverent but musically razor-sharp approach to performance.
A night of Expo’76 is an unforgettable experience: songs that unlock memories or invite further exploration, performances that dazzle, and overflowing good vibes, delivered with a generous serving of world class banter. There’s no one else like them.
The Shams Band
Drawing heavily from their Kinks, Rolling Stones, and Wilco influences, songwriters Donnie Biggins and Paul Gulyas create whiskey-driven blues, complete with four-part harmonies. It's whiskey-driven storytelling. It's a party. It's rock 'n roll with a banjo.
DONATION options for this event include variable tax-deductible donations to The Acorn as detailed below:
General Admission Ticket
Includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn.
Dance the night away on our dance floor, grab a spooky themed cocktail or two from our cash bar, and enjoy some complimentary light bites provided by Classic Catering.
VIP High-Top Table
Includes a $200 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn.
Add a VIP High-Top Table to your General Admission ticket purchase to celebrate the Boo Ball with us. Help support The Acorn and reserve a table under your name for you and your friends throughout the evening! Please note that General Admission tickets must also be purchased in order to be admitted to the event.
Table Sponsorship
Includes a $400 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn.
Support this benefit for The Acorn by purchasing a Table Sponsorship and seat up to 4 people to your reserved high-top table, and even get a special mention for your support of The Acorn! Four General Admission tickets are included with a Table Sponsorship.
Thank you to our Boo Ball Committee: Janet Davies (Chair), Brett Boyd, Teri Frantz, Deb Gunderson, Laura Jolly, Vicki King, Laurie Koehler, Paddy Lauber, Kim Murphy, Lani Myron, Allison Strauss, and Shelley Thomson.
