Club Acorn Presents Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute

Saturday, Dec. 14 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Some sections limited seating with dance floor!

Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute is the ultimate tribute to the music of ABBA – sure to capture the hearts of fans and audiences of all ages! This live show is full of musical precision, fabulous flair and fashion, and promises a mesmerizing ABBA experience for every Chiquitita, Super Trouper, Fernando, and Dancing Queen around!

Fronted by a dynamic Agnetha and Frida duo, the music of the greatest pop band in history comes to life in a joyful celebration of these timeless tunes. Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute is the Midwest’s long-standing resident ABBA tribute, with a repertoire of over 40 all-time favorite hits. From Waterloo to Mamma Mia, S.O.S. to Knowing Me, Knowing You, Honey, Honey to Voulez-Vous, audiences won’t be able to help singing and dancing along with their high-energy homage to everything ABBA!

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Harbor Country Singers Holiday Concert

Sunday, Dec. 08 | 4:00pm ET (3:00pm CT)

The Harbor Country Singers community choir will perform its annual holiday concert to celebrate the season! The concert will be a blend of secular and sacred music and will contain Christmas and Hanukkah songs. In addition to the singers, it will feature area musicians, including a brass quintet. Harbor Country Singers is a program of the School of American Music.

This is event is free to attend; all are welcome! (Registration is not required.)

Heartache Tonight - A Tribute to The Eagles

Saturday, Dec. 07 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

From the powerful guitar duel in “Hotel California” to the shimmering harmonies of “Peaceful Easy Feeling” a Heartache Tonight show is a true Eagles concert experience featuring all the timeless classic songs from one of the greatest rock bands of all time. With meticulous attention to every detail, Heartache Tonight brings together music from all eras and incarnations of this huge American rock powerhouse that produced hits over four decades.

A Heartache Tonight concert is filled with moments designed to thrill classic rock fans: the soaring a cappella harmonies of “Seven Bridges Road,” the snarling guitars of “Life In The Fast Lane,” the anthemic country rock of “Take It Easy,” and Don Henley’s beautifully evocative “Heart Of The Matter.” Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re hearing the real thing.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

The Chris White Trio presents "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Friday, Dec. 06 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)

Take in the true magic of the season! Experience The Chris White Trio performing the Peanuts’ Christmas classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in its entirety.

“What a treat to hear Vince Guaraldi’s brilliant score played by an equally talented trio. The music uplifted the Holiday season & took me back to when I was a kid watching, “ A Charlie Brown Christmas” on television.” – Gregg T. Daniel

“Always love hearing Chris White and his program put me in the Christmas spirit!” – Judy, Google review

“If you love Christmas and jazz, you’ll love Chris White‘s trio performing the entire Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas album live. A real treat.” Greg Sanders, Twitter

About the Artist:

Originally from Toronto, Chris White has gained recognition as a leader with the albums Young at Heart and Tributaries. At home in a host of genres and settings, he has made his name as a go-to freelance pianist, arranger and accompanist in the Chicago area. His performance credits include the Chicago Jazz Festival, The Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Winter’s Jazz Club, Cliff Bell’s, Catalina Jazz Club, Feinstein’s/54 Below (NYC) and The Jazz Kitchen, among others. Chris is an in-demand educator as well, teaching piano, theory and ensembles at Lake Forest College, North Park University and North Central College. He earned his Master’s in Jazz Studies at Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music, studying with the late renowned educator David Baker, and went on to complete his DMA in Jazz Performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has studied piano with Barry Harris, Joanne Brackeen and Hal Galper among other greats, and performed with Miguel Zenón, Ira Sullivan, Jamey Aebersold, Oliver Nelson, Jr. and many more.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Joel Paterson’s Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar

Saturday, Nov. 30 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Joel Paterson kicks off the 2024 holiday season with a special solo show at The Acorn, celebrating the re-release (on limited edition green vinyl) of his popular instrumental Christmas album, Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar, and the release of his new Christmas album, The More The Merrier. Joel will be playing just the right amount of Christmas music to go along with his one-man history of guitar pickin,’ including his fingerstyle Beatles arrangements, a healthy dose of ragtime, country blues, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, and much more!

About the Artist:

Originally from Madison, WI, guitar and steel guitar wizard Joel Paterson has been a mainstay of the Chicago roots music scene for over twenty years, playing with many bands and showcasing his unique blend of jazz, blues, rockabilly, country and western swing. In addition to solo shows that delve into the history of all-things-guitar, Joel’s current projects include: The Joel Paterson Trio; The Joel Paterson Quartet (seen weekly at the world-famous Green Mill Cocktail Lounge); The Western Elstons (Chicago honky tonk favorites). As a studio musician, Joel can be heard on the recordings of the Cactus Blossoms, JD McPherson, Kelly Hogan, Pokey LaFarge, and Deke Dickerson

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

The Acorn Tree House presents Sean Masterson Magic

Saturday, Nov. 30 | 2:00pm ET (1:00pm CT)

Our Acorn Tree House series of shows is fun for the entire family! Music and entertainment for all ages!

Sean Masterson’s Timeless Magic is a one-of-a-kind thrill featuring sleight-of-hand, audience participation, and highly deceptive but rarely seen 19th century magic effects that are sure to delight young and old.

Sean became interested in magic when he received a deck of magic cards for his 7th birthday. Five years later, at the age of 12, he won Chicago’s Junior Magician Award. He went on to study theater and French in college which explains his interest in combining magic with storytelling and his appearances in France. Sean’s passion for performing is equal to his fascination with magic history and its larger than life characters.

“Sean Masterson’s Timeless Magic, an homage to 19th Century magic and prestidigitation that features the personable Masterson taking us on a journey through classic illusions from magicians such as Harry Blackstone and Chung Ling Soo.” - Chicago On Stage

Sean has been entertaining Chicago audiences with his close-up and stage magic for 25 plus years. He performed at Governor Pritzker’s inaugural ball and recently the Chicago Tourism Bureau flew Sean to Paris to perform for French journalists. Sean has produced dozens of shows in Chicago Theaters to rave reviews:

“Masterson has performing chops for sure, but he also has a sly sense of humor, and some riveting non-illusory theater storytelling techniques that focus our attention on his most beloved magical objects.” - Third Coast Review

“Highly Recommended **** If you love magic and watching magicians, Sean Masterson is a wonderful magician to watch. If you love great story-telling, Sean Masterson is a perfect one to watch.” - Around The Town Chicago

"Masterson's sleight-of-hand tricks, with tales to boot, are spellbinding." - The Chicago Tribune

“Very skilled and highly entertaining.” - Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

"Prestidigitation for the Harry Potter generation, with a minimum of flash and a maximum of understated showmanship." - Kerry Reid, The Chicago Tribune

“In a world of serial stings and contagious fraud it's a joy to see deception you can believe in.” - Lawrence Bommer, The Chicago Reader

Billy Elton — Tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John

Friday, Nov. 29 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Billy Elton features pianist and vocalist Reid Spears leading an 8-piece band, performing all of the legendary songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. The band is dedicated to top-notch musicianship, and performs a completely live show with no backing tracks. With timeless music that appeals to all generations, every Billy Elton show is engaging, exciting, and entertaining to all!

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Echoes of Pompeii

Saturday, Nov. 23 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Echoes of Pompeii comes together on The Acorn's stage to perform one of the best authentic tributes to the songs of Pink Floyd!

About the Artists:

This Pink Floyd tribute from Gary Indiana is made up of regular hard working members, who come together on stage to perform the best music, from the best band rock and roll has produced in the past 50 years.

Echoes of Pompeii is comprised of a 11 piece band (orchestra) to give fans the true sound of a Pink Floyd concert. From synthesizers, delayed vocals, slide guitars and female backup singers, the group leaves no stone unturned when it comes to their sound. Echoes of Pompeii will grab you with state of the art visuals such as lasers, lights, video, and iconic images that Pink Floyd was well known to produce. The band plays all eras of Pink Floyd from the early Syd Barrett days, to the later exclusion of the Roger Waters era, and everything in between. The audience will transcend from a calm moving coma state of mind into a standing ovation all night long, as if they were riding a celestial roller coaster. So please take your seat, buckle up and get ready to take flight!

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Mississippi Heat

Saturday, Oct. 26 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Mississippi Heat returns! Led by harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque, Mississippi Heat is a world-class Chicago Blues Band. Their motto is “Traditional Blues With A Unique Sound” as they present fresh yet vintage-based musical ideas.

About the Artists

MISSISSIPPI HEAT’s name is a reflection of Pierre’s reverence for Mississippi’s blues culture and music. The band’s conviction is that there is no deeper music than Delta-inspired blues to express what lies in everyone’s soul. They have received world-wide critical acclaim, including from Living Blues Magazine: “MISSISSIPPI HEAT delivers its traditional urban blues with a freshness, energy and competence that makes them a treasure on today’s Chicago scene.”

Mississippi Heat is known internationally for their passionate blues delivery. Overseas and national touring have been an integral part of their work for decades. The band has appeared at many world-famous festivals including many in the US (like the Pocono’s and the Chicago Blues Festivals), Scandinavia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Tunisia, Finland, Venezuela and in Mexico, among many others. Besides a scheduled European tour for 2018, they will also soon perform in Dubai.

Buddy Guy has gone on record saying that it’s “been a long time since I heard a good blues band like this.” And recently the band received this critical acclaim from Bonnie Tallman at the Billtown Blues Festival (Hughesville, PA): “Can’t find enough words to express how blown away everyone was with the Mississippi Heat performance! It was spectacular in every way.” The band has made waves on the blues charts by regularly reaching the #1 spot on Living Blues Magazine’s radio charts.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $25 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $25 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

Boo Ball — A Fundraiser to Benefit The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts with Expo '76 & Total Pro Horns

Friday, Oct. 25 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

It’s the Harbor Country Fundraising event you’ve been ‘dying’ to attend. The Acorn’s BOO BALL featuring Expo '76 & Total Pro Horns!

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 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.

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.

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.