Wednesday, December 26, 2012

New Years Eve Party With Oracle Band


Oracle Band New Years Celebration 2011-2012 @ La Fontaine BleueNew Years Eve with Oracle Band!  Oh yeah...it's gonna be a blast and a half!!!

You all may remember last year's fantastic party at La Fontaine Bleue.  The food was out of this world, (we can still taste the crabcakes), the ambiance was classy, and there was plenty of room for all 500+ people that came out to join us!

We're expecting our best year ever this year.  Ticket sales have been brisk and we are expecting a sold out performance.

Oracle has performed at La Fontaine Bleue on many occasions over the years, for holiday parties, Valentine's Day dances, weddings, bull roasts and benefits.  We have an excellent relationship with the management and owners there, and we are really excited about this continued collaboration.  The management and staff at La Fontaine Bleue pull out all the stops to make sure this New Years Eve party is simply the classiest, most enjoyable, simply the BEST party in the entire Baltimore / Washington / Annapolis area!

 

THE FOOD

Oracle Band - New Years Eve 2010 @ La Fontaine Bleue Glen Burnie MarylandCheck out this all-you-can-eat lineup!!!
  • Maryland Jumbo Lump Crabcakes
  • Large Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
  • Carved Tender Angus Beef
  • Delmarva Rotisserie Chicken
  • Seafood Creole with White Rice
  • Baked White Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce
  • Classic Caesar Salad
  • Fresh Green Bean Nicoise & Roasted Red Bliss Potatoes
  • La Fontaine Bleue's Famous Viennese Display of Desserts with a Large Assortment of Cakes & Mini-Pastries
Then of course there will be the open bar with Top Shelf brands, Premium Beer, Wine, coffee, tea, and sodas to quench any thirst.

Are you hungry yet?  Wait...there's more!


THE PARTY

Oracle Band - New Years Eve 2010 @ La Fontaine Bleue Glen Burnie MarylandOnce our feast is over we'll be hitting the stage for four solid hours of dancing as we party our way into 2013 and say farewell to 2012. 
As we hit the magic Midnight Hour the champagne will flow as everyone will don their party hats and noisemakers to raise a ruckus that will be heard all the way back in Annapolis!
We'll be playing all your favorite dance music, with a variety that will span multiple decades.  From the Andrews Sisters to Lady GaGa, we'll be bringing it all, as we bring multiple generations together on the dance floor to celebrate together.

But wait...we're not done yet!!!


THE AFTERPARTY

Then, as we hit the 1:00 hour, the folks at La Fontaine Bleue will roll out a ContinentalOracle Band New Years Celebration 2011-2012 @ La Fontaine Bleue Breakfast that will satiate those hunger pangs after an evening of dancing. 

Hey...no stops at McDonalds after THIS show!!!  Fritatas made with farm fresh eggs, bacon, fresh-made waffles, coffee, tea, decaf and more!

It gives the band an opportunity to come out to say hi to everyone and socialize for a while.  You folks have supported the band for so many years we sometimes find it tough that we can't come out to spend more time with everyone.


ACCOMMODATIONS

Of course we want everyone to get home safely after a night like this.  There are numerous hotels nearby with door to door shuttle service so you won't have to drive home.  The folks at La Fontaine Bleue will be happy to make recommendations based on your needs, amenities desired, and of course the rates.


WHAT DO I WEAR?
 Oracle Band New Years Celebration 2011-2012 @ La Fontaine Bleue
As with last year, the basic rule is "dress to impress".  The band will be decked out in our best formalwear, and we recommend a business casual attire at a minimum.  Ladies, we'd like to see you in your stunning best!


TICKETS

Tickets are $80 per person for a table of 10, and $85 per person for individuals.  Tickets are now available at the La Fontaine Bleue box office.  For more information you can always call this number to La Fontaine Bleue:
(410) 760-4115

Don't delay!!!  As we mentioned, we are expecting this party to sell out, so we highly recommend that you get your tickets TODAY!.
Oracle Band New Years Celebration 2011-2012 @ La Fontaine Bleue


DIRECTIONS

La Fontaine Bleue is very easy to get to, and easy to spot as it is a very unique building with a very tall sign out front.

Don't forget to mention this to your FaceBook / MySpace / Twitter friends as well!  The power of the social media is pretty impressive!!!

If you have any questions please feel free to let us know, or call La Fontaine Bleue.

We'll see you there!

Just as a parting wave, please enjoy these photos from last year's party!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The World Didn't End, But the Party Was a BLAST!!!

OK...so the Mayans got it wrong!  Friday, December 23rd, the day they've been predicting for years as the ultimate "End Of The World", came and went without a whimper.  But hey...it was a FANTASTIC excuse to call all of the Oracle Band faithful together for one humongous Holiday Party at Whispers Restaurant in Glen Burnie Maryland.

Possibly the biggest house we've ever seen at Whispers came out to enjoy the evening, and the packed dance floor was a distinct reflection of the party atmosphere.

We got to see a BUNCH of friends that we haven't seen for quite some time, some former bandmates from other groups that stopped by to celebrate, classmates from High School (and one from Steve's JUNIOR High), and of course the faithful, the Oracle Family, who had a table reserved for the better part of two months for this party!



Our dancing bartender was invited up on stage at one point to the delight of the crowd, the lights were nothing short of hypnotic, and we pulled out tunes from the 60s all the way through today.  We were still going strong when we noticed with a shock it was already 1:00AM and that the evening had come to an end.

We'd like to thank all the folks who were so kind enough to bring us out cards and gifts...it was very thoughtful and we appreciate it more than you can imagine.



Oracle will be returning to Whispers next year on the last Friday of each month, starting on Friday, January 25th.  That make it really easy to remember for everyone, but of course all of our public performances are listed on our Calendar Page, so you can always check there as well.

We hope you enjoy the photos from the evening, and if you'd like to comment on any of them feel free to head over to our FaceBook Page where you will find all of them waiting for you to tag yourselves and comment away.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Upcoming Whispers Performance Celebrates Christmas, Holidays, & the End Of The World

THE DATE:

Friday, December 21, 2012

THE TIME
9:00 to 1:00

THE EVENT
The End of the World Holiday Party

THE PLACE
Whispers Restaurant & Lounge - Glen Burnie, Md

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS
410-768-3900



Well folks, you don't want to miss this one, 'cause if you do, at least according to the ancient Mayan calendar, there may not be any more, because according to them, the end of the world will be upon us on this day, (although they neglected to tell us what time or in what time zone)!

A 1300 year old stone tablet found in southern Mexico allegedly predicts that the 13th and final "Baktun" or period, will end on December 21st, which also happens to mark the Winter solstice.

WHAT?  A non-believer?  Well, no matter, it makes one heck of a great excuse for a party, now doesn't it???

For the traditionalists among us, for those unwilling to grasp the prospect of the end of the world, (or the majority who have heard it all before and are rolling their eyes and laughing incredulously right now), there is always the very real significance of the annual Oracle Band Holiday Party.



Never before have we had a public performance this close to Christmas Day, but this year we'll be checking to see who's been naughty and who's been nice, and we'll put them all on the dance floor at Whispers and watch what happens as we celebrate all that's good in the world at this very special time of year.

Last year's Holiday Party at Whispers broke attendance records, and we're looking to do the same this year.  We strongly suggest calling as soon as possible to reserve your seats as they are going to be rolling out a LOT of extra tables for this one!


We hope that we'll be seeing ALL of our friends out for this final holiday party before the New Year.  Best wishes to all for a safe and happy holiday season!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Great Turnout at Holly Ball In Annapolis

A wonderful turnout at the 49th annual Holly Ball last Friday brought over 220 people decked out in their finest attire to spin, twirl, and have a great time on the dance floor, while at the same time supporting a wonderful cause.


Each year the folks of the Severn Town Club select a primary recipient to donate the evenings proceeds to.
This year's primary beneficiary is Light House, a Homeless Prevention Support Center located in Annapolis.

We all know that for these past few years funds have been tighter than ever, but we must remember that there are many that are far less fortunate than ourselves, so it was incredibly encouraging to see so many folks in attendance helping to raise funds for this very special organization.  The stories we heard during the program from the director of the center were truly inspiring.



The Westin Hotel in Annapolis put out a wonderful spread, the ambiance was wonderful, and the food was delicious.

Once we got to the dancing portion of the evening the dance floor was moving all evening long, and indeed the band ended up doing to encores...the folks just didn't want to stop!

2012 marked the fifth consecutive year we've had the privilege of performing for these wonderful people.  We sincerely hope that we will be invited back again for their big 50th Anniversary Ball.  It promises to be something extra special.  We'll keep everyone up to date!

Enjoy the photos!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Oracle Halloween Party A Huge Success

What a wonderful crowd that came out to pack Whispers Restaurant & Lounge in Glen Burnie Maryland last Friday night for our annual Halloween Party.

Ghouls & zombies, witches & wizards, superheros, pirates & gladiators...heck...even the tooth fairy made an appearance!  It just goes to show that Halloween ain't just for kids anymore!

This is one of our favorite performances of the year, as we just never know what may happen, and who will show up.  The view from up on stage is really something to behold, and we hope that the photos and video presented here will help give some indication of what the evening was like.

Feel free to comment here, on Flickr, or on our FaceBook page if you'd like to comment on one or more individual photos, and of course we'd love to hear your thoughts on the evening if you were one of the many wonderful folks who made it out!



Click above for photo slideshow from evening



 Click above for video clip montage from evening

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

LA Singles Dance - Don't Miss Out - This Friday, October 12

It doesn't matter if you're single and looking or single with a significant other, all are welcome to the LA Singles Dance at The Cardinal Room at Boswell Hall in Bowie this coming Friday, October 12th, starting at 8:00.



We'll be bringing our mix of current Top 40, classic rock, line dances, Motown, country, and more to this very popular Friday night dance.  Folks from as far away as Northern Virginia travel out to attend these dances, as they draw such a diverse and enthusiastic crowd.

The dance floor at The Cardinal Room is positively HUGE.  At 1400 square feet, and taking up almost one third of the room, it can accommodate dancers of all styles, so those that are accomplished dancers can strut their stuff while those that just like to dance & get caught up in the music have plenty of room as well.

The Cardinal Room at Boswell Hall is very easy to get to.  Located right off the northbound lanes of Route 3 near the interchange with Route 50 in Bowie Maryland, one can be there in under 30 minutes from most points in Prince Georges, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties.

Directions to Cardinal Room at Boswell Hall
6111 Columbian Way
Bowie, Maryland 20715
(888) 538-4488



538-4488 View Larger Map

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Perry's Photos Through The Years - New 2013 Dates Announced!

Good news for all our friends that remember the "good old days" at Perry's Restaurant in Odenton Maryland.  We're pleased to announce that we have now confirmed several dates for the band to perform at Perry's Restaurant for 2013.



Due to a number of scheduling conflicts we weren't able to perform at Perry's as much as we would have liked this past year, so we've jumped early at the chance to schedule our dates well in advance to avoid conflicts.

Our dates for 2013 are as follows:

Friday, January 18th
Friday, March 1st
Friday, May 3rd
Friday, July 19th
Friday, September 20th
Friday, November 15th

In addition to these new dates, we'll be having one final performance in 2012 on Friday, November 9th.
Perry's Restaurant was one of the earliest clubs Oracle ever performed in. A large part of our initial fan base received their first taste of Oracle at Perry's.  Even now, many years after our first performances there, we still have folks come up to us who remember us from those earliest performances.

We have so many wonderful memories from Perry's.  In anticipation of another year of memorable shows there, we thought we'd take a look back, hop into Mr. Peabody's "Way-Back" machine, (for those that understand the reference), and relive "those thrilling days of yesteryear, (yet another archaic reference to a long gone TV show).  We've put together a collection of photos that are sure to bring back memories for those that have visited Perry's before.

We've focused on our friends and the staff at Perry's spanning the years 2001 through 2005, and yes, there are photos of the band as well, beginning with the early days with Mike, Veronne, Steve, and Jeff Baxter.  Jeff was a member of the "starting lineup" of Oracle, one of the original trio.  We still run into him on occasion, (although not nearly often enough...hint hint)!

Jeff Baxter at Perry's Restaurant
 Then we jump forward to our year with Glenn Jones, who joined the group following Jeff's departure.  Glenn brought a crystal clear voice and impeccable skills as a bassist to the band, and during his tenure the band's popularity continued to grow.




When Glenn departed veteran performer Charlie Rundlett took over bass player duties, and brought a wealth of experience to the band for several years.  Charlie's southern drawl, coupled with a Boston accent that popped though every now and then, made him a fan favorite.



Somewhere along the line a little girl named Nikki started showing up at performances, claiming her parents were actually in the band!  It didn't matter back then though, she still had to leave after the first set because she was too young to be in a bar after hours.  Of course everyone knows that all good musicians were playing bars while still underage...it's one of the requirements for becoming a certified performer!



Perry's back then was a lot different than it is today.  The stage was situated on the opposite side of the room, the bar was just opposite the stage, and most of the seating was in the far back corner of the room where you couldn't even see the stage.  How times have changed!!!

In addition to the band members, we've focused the majority of the photos on the FANS of Oracle, many of whom continue to grace us with their appearance at our performances.  Some of our fans have moved away from the area, although we still hear from them every now and then, and once in a while one of them pops up out of the blue at a performance, much to our delight.  Others, sadly are no longer with us, yet we feel their presence each time we perform.

We hope that you enjoy this little photo retrospective back in time as much as we did.


Oracle's performance at Whispers - September 2012

Great food, great friends, great party.  Some things just never change at Whispers, where Oracle has been performing almost since the day they opened.  Heck, when we started there they hadn't even been given permission to install a dance floor!  (Did you know Anne Arundel County requires a license to have a dance floor?)

Whispers has become the de facto "Home Base" for Oracle, and our monthly performances there continue to generate more and more new fans for the band, as each performance is standing room only at 9:00, and the dance floor rocks right up to quitting time at 1:00 am.

We hope you enjoy these photos from September's performance.  We'll be returning to Whispers on Friday, October 26th for the annual Oracle Band Halloween Party.  Make your reservations TODAY...this one's gonna be a sellout!

Enjoy the pics...

A wonderful Time at Erin & Andrew's wedding

On Saturday, September 22nd 2012 Oracle was privileged to perform at Erin and Andres wedding reception at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester Virginia.

Nestled in the heart of this sleepy little town so steeped in history, the Museum grounds encompass the home of one Col James Wood, who called his home "Glen Burnie".  It actually remained in the Wood family for generations, until it was donated to the people of Winchester as their legacy.



OK, enough history.  What about the wedding you ask?  Well, this was one of the most enthusiastic crowds it has ever been our pleasure to perform for.  Heck, these folks were going crazy during the dinner set!

Photo by Aaron Riddle Photography


In addition to the spirited dancing and enthusiasm, during one of our breaks we were treated to nothing short of a full fledged floor show, as our bride and a bunch of her friends entertained US with a rollicking bit from Mary Poppins!!!  Yeah...you just never know what may happen at a wedding!!!

Photo by Aaron Riddle Photography

We could have kept the party rolling well into the wee hours, but noise restrictions on outdoor events, (we were in a tent), precluded us from going any later.

Our photo gallery contains snapshots we took as well as some beautiful photographs from photographer Aaron Riddle, who graciously enough permitted us to use some of his photos.  Aaron's photos were really spectacular, as the one above demonstrates.  We would highly recommend Aaron Riddle Photography to anyone seeing a professional photographer for weddings, senior photos, family portraits, or any other event you'd like to document photographically.

We hope you enjoy the photos

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Up Next For Oracle Band - WHISPERS!!!

That's right.  On Friday, August 31 Oracle will return to Whispers Restaurant & Lounge for a night of no holds barred dancing and partying.



The dance floor will be rocking from 9:00 all the way up to the time they make us stop at 1:00 in the morning!

The food is great at Whispers as well.  Arrive before 7:00 and have dinner and avoid the cover charge, then stay to party the night away with us.

Do you have a celebration coming up?  Birthday, anniversary, promotion?  Maybe you're ready for a girls night out, or even a bachelorette party?  Well Whispers is just the place for you.   They can accommodate larger groups easily with sufficient advance notice.  They can even arrange for a special menu or buffet for you.  We'll do our part as well, coordinating a cake arrival, or just singing Happy Birthday at just the right moment for you.  With a little advance notice we can even arrange to do a special song for someone, (assuming we know it of course)!!!



Reservations are almost a requirement for Oracle performances at Whispers.  Well, they won't turn you away from the door or anything, but basically every table in the place is reserved before the band plays a note, so if you plan on sitting anywhere near the dance floor we highly recommend calling ahead for a reservation.



Call 410-768-3900 to make your reservations.

Want to see what a night at Whispers is like?  Here are a couple of video clips from some recent performances there.  Hope you enjoy, and we hope to see you there!!!





This second clip was shot by a fan in the audience. We didn't even know it had been posted until recently! Looks pretty cool though!!!

Photos from Oracle Band Performance at LA Singles in Bowie

On August 24th Oracle Band returned from a three week vacation ready to hit the stage at the Cardinal Room of Boswell Hall in Bowie Maryland.



Typically the summer months result in a fairly substantial drop off in attendance at these events, but in this case we had a great crowd come out that filled the dance floor to capacity.

We were also celebrating our good friend Nick's birthday.  He and our friend Barbara who snaps so many great photos for us at these performances are long time Oracle family members, and it's always a pleasure to have them with us.

Nick was even fortunate enough to win one of the door prizes given away later in the evening.  What a great birthday present!!!

We hope you enjoy the photos.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Record Heat for Independence Day Concert in Laurel

The brutal heat wave was the talk of the day as Oracle took to the stage at Laurel Lakes for the 2012 City of Laurel Independence Day celebration. 


 While the vast majority of folks waited until the sun had dipped a bit lower in the sky and the heat had dropped from it's high of 105 degrees to a balmy 99, a core group of die hard Oracle fans and a handful of sun worshipers, along with a few folks from Texas, Arizona, and Kansas who didn't think the heat was much to talk about. came out as we kicked off our fifth consecutive year at Laurel promptly at 5:15.


 Amazingly enough, crowd estimates at the conclusion of the concert were nearing 50,000 people...not exactly what you would call a small group to perform for!!!  Hey...any time you get an opportunity to perform for this many people you jump at the chance!



Even more amazing was the fact that there was not one person treated for dehydration, heat exhaustion, or any other heat related maladies.  Folks KNEW it was hot, and came prepared with cover, plenty of water, and the right attitude!

As always, the kids were the highlight of the day, hanging out at the edge of the stage throughout the day, singing along to the songs they knew, and watching mesmerized to the songs they didn't.



Here's a slideshow containing all the photos we processed from the day's events.  We hope you enjoy!


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Hot Night At Whispers for Veronica's Birthday

To say it was a hot evening would be a gross understatement.

With temperatures consistently in the triple digit range, most of the afternoon, the folks at Whispers Restaurant in Glen Burnie had cranked the AC to the max early on, so that it was still pretty cool at the beginning of the evening.



But then you go and add a full house of people on the dance floor partying hard, the doors opening constantly as even more folks entered, well...the room never had a chance!

Some large fans helped keep the dancers cool, and of course plenty of iced libations didn't hurt any either!

We were celebrating the birthday of the heart and soul of Oracle, our own Veronica.  Her passion for music and performance have taken Oracle from performing for 10 people in a half empty club to performing for packed houses at clubs like Whispers and for thousands at concerts like the upcoming performance at the Laurel Independence Day concert on July 7th.


It's ironic that the storms that so devastated the area Friday night made little impression on the area at Whispers.  Spared the full brunt of the storm, most people there were totally unaware of the devastation being wreaked throughout the region...that is, until we all started to drive home, and found our paths blocked by downed trees and debris all over the roadway. 

The Bay Bridge had been forced to close due to a major truck accident that closed it going both ways, and Steve had to drive through a small field to get home...trees were blocking access to his whole neighborhood.  And while literally millions of people were without power, (and many STILL without power at this writing), the electricity at Whispers never even flickered.

Let's face it, Mother Nature LIKES Oracle Band, and didn't want to spoil Veronica's birthday party!!!

We hope you enjoy the photos from the evening, and we'll be returning to Whispers on the last Friday of each month for the rest of the year. 

See you on the dance floor!!!



Monday, June 25, 2012

Celebrate Veronica's Birthday Friday at Whispers Restaurant & Lounge

On Friday, June 29th Oracle will be performing at Whispers Restaurant & Lounge in Glen Burnie Maryland.

Whispers has become our defacto "home base", and the crowds we draw there come out month after month to pack the house and pack the dance floor with folks ready to have a good time.



It seems there is always some kind of special occasion going on at Whispers that we're permitted to share and help celebrate.  Well, this coming performance will be made even more special in that we'll be celebrating Veronica's birthday!!!

We haven't had a club date on or near Veronica's birthday for several years now, so it's a perfect time for EVERYONE to come out and wish her the best!!!  Let's make it a REALLY special birthday evening for her!!!



The show starts at 9:00 and we play all the way up to 1:00 in the morning.

It's doesn't matter if you're 21, 81, or somewhere in the middle, there will be something for everyone.   We bring the whole show into Whispers and we work hard to make sure that each and every person there has a great time.

 

Whispers is an ideal place to come celebrate a special occasion with a group of people.  There is lots of space and the management at Whispers will work hard to accommodate your group, whether for 10 or 50.  Birthdays, anniversaries,  promotions, bachelorette parties...Whispers can accommodate them all.  It's like hiring a band for your party, and getting it for FREE!  (OK...well, there IS a $5 cover charge, but hey...get there early enough, say to have dinner, and you don't even have to pay THAT!)

Speaking of dinner, the food there is really good.  Come out for dinner, then stay to dance the night away.

Oracle performances at Whispers tend to sell out quickly, and while management sets up as many extra tables as possible, it is a good idea to call well in advance to get a table.  Call 410-768-3900 and get your reservation in TODAY!!!  You do not want to wait...Veronica has LOT'S of friends and EVERYONE is going to want to be there to wish her a great Happy Birthday!!!


Whispers is easy to get to.  If you haven't been there before, it's located just off Route 100 at the intersection of Mountain Rd and Baltimore Annapolis Blvd.  (In the shopping center behind the McDonalds.)

Directions to Whispers Restaurant & Lounge 


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Oracle performs for Migrant Heritage Foundation "People's Ball"

On Saturday, June 23 Oracle performed at the grand ballroom of the Wardman Park Marriott for a special event commemorating 114th anniversary of Philippine independence and the 106th anniversary of Filipino migration to the US.

Sponsored by the Migrant Heritage Commission, the event was attended by hundreds, including the Philippine ambassador to the US, His Excellency Jose L. Cuisia Jr.



The marathon 7 hour function featured an opening consisting of the presentation of the US and Philippine flags by an Army honor guard, the National Anthem sung by a very talented young lady by the name of Kirby Asunto, a traditional dance group, a Filipino martial arts performance, and a featured performance by the classical/pop tenor trio "The Angelos".  There were also dozens of awards for members of the Filipino community for their service to the community at large.

Once the dancing got started there was no stopping these folks.  With a dance floor the size of a house it was incredible to see it packed to overflow, with folks dancing in the far reaches of the room.  We had not one but TWO different DJs to help us out during the breaks so there would be no break in the music.



We're also thrilled to report that we have already been asked to return again for next year's event.  We're looking forward to it!!!

We hope you will enjoy ALL of the photos we took from this year's gals.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Oracle Band visits IBEW Local 26 Picnic in Manassas Virginia

On Saturday June 16th Oracle was thrilled to perform for our first outdoors performance of the year for the annual International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 26 picnic and health fair at Signal Hill Park in Manassas Virginia.

It was a picture perfect day as the band, perched on a stage atop a hill overlooking the park and pavilions, performed a wide variety of material. 

Although it was more of a concert than anything else owing to the distance (and the rather steep hill) between the stage and pavilion area, everyone appeared to have a wonderful time, and the band made a number of new friends.

As usual it was the kids that really made the most of the day, and despite the temptations of a water park directly behind the stage we still enjoyed a nice audience of youngsters who danced and sang along, and indeed we even had one young lady join us on stage for a number!

Oracle is pleased that we've been invited to perform for the IBEW Local 26 Maryland picnic on August 4th down at Camp Letts near Edgewater Maryland.



Hope you enjoy the photos!!!

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Migrant Heritage Commission Presents
The 7th Annual People's Ball

On the occasion of the 106th year of the Filipino migration to the US and the 114th anniversary of Philippine independence

Saturday, June 23, 2012
Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Rd
Washington, DC

The National Capitol Region's largest & most eagerly awaited Filipino - American Community event


Gel Santos Relos - MC

The MC for the evening will be Gel Santos Relos.  She is the News Anchor of "Balitang America" on ABS-CBN's The Filipino Channel (TFC).
She also writes a column for Asian Journal's Opinion-Editorial section.
She also authors a blog called "The Fil-Am Perspective", writing extensively about issues that matter to Filipinos in North America.
This will be her second year as MC for this event.


Philippine Ambassador to the US,
His Excellency Jose L. Cuisia Jr.

In attendance will be a very special guest, the US Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Jose L. Cuisia Jr.

Ambassador Cuisia has served in this capacity since early 2011.

He is certainly no stranger to the US.  He is an alumnus of De La Salle University, where he graduated in 1967 with degrees in Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Bachelor of Science in Commerce (magna cum laude). 
He finished his Masters in Business Administration-Finance at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 1970 as a University Scholar. 

We look forward to meeting him.

Dancing

Oracle Band - Variety Entertainment for all Ages in Maryland / VirginiaOracle will of course be bringing our usual variety of oldies, country, Motown and classic rock as well as a hefty dose of the current hits of today.  We'll be performing the most popular dance music written over the course of the past 60 years or so.

In addition, we will be adding several numbers that you have perhaps never heard us perform before, including some unique line dances and traditional songs.   From cha-chas to line dances, from waltzes to tangos, we'll mix it all up to make for an evening dancers will love!

Dancing will be non-stop from beginning to end.  When the band takes an occasional break local DJs from the Filipino community will take over to keep the music going.  From American classics to Pinoy favorites, they will all be represented.

Ticket & Event Information

Tickets for this event are $74.
For tickets and to RSVP call any of these numbers below:
  • 202-631-8856
  • 703-273-1196
  • 703-675-6334
  • 202-247-0117 
You may also send an e-mail to migrantheritage@gmail.com.

Please make checks payable to MHC.  Payments should be mailed to 3930 Walnut St. , Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Donations to MHC are tax deductible to extent allowed by law.

Sponsors/ corporate seats also available.

Attire

Attire for the evening is formal / black tie for gentlemen and evening gown for ladies, or traditional Filipiniana / Barong

Want to see what all the FUN is about?  Check out this video clip from last year's event!




http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/373253_174583619260342_1756780747_n.jpg For more information on the Migrant Heritage Commission go to www.migrantheritage.org.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Bull Roast Benefit at La Fontaine Bleue

 Calling All Oracle Fans - Special Event on June 9th!!!


Every once in a while you hear a story that really touches you, and even though you may not know the person involved personally, their story kind of reaches out and grabs you, inspiring you to reach out and want to do something to help.

Such is the case of Shelly Norris.  The mother of two beautiful little children, Shelly was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, and has undergone surgery and a series of painful and exhausting treatments that nobody should ever have to suffer through.  Nevertheless, she remains buoyant and positive, an enormous undertaking considering the emotional uncertainty and financial hardship she is facing.  This is a family that needs some help to cope with these challenges that life is throwing at them at such a young age.



Oracle Band would like to announce that we are participating in a fund raiser for Shelly and her family to help offset the incredible expenses they face as she fights this terrible disease.

The fundraiser will take the form of a bull roast at La Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie, the scene of so many great Oracle Band parties.  The date will be Saturday, June 9th from 9:00 until 1:00.  It's an opportunity for ALL of our Oracle Family members to come out to have a great time, support a family in need, and show everyone that generosity and compassion towards someone they've never met can work miracles.



Shelly has a website that keeps her friends up to date on her battle, as well as featuring some photos and a running commentary on her condition.  We would ask you all to PLEASE visit this site and really read about the journey she has made up to this point.  We promise that if you read from the beginning of her posts on March 28th of this year, through her most recent posts, you'll be hopping on the phone right away to purchase some tickets.

Visit The Shelly Norris Website

You hear stories and receive inspirational e-mails every day about folks you've never heard of, and they touch your heart.  Here's a chance to do something positive about one of those very REAL people you read about, and we promise you that the satisfaction you'll receive from doing something positive towards helping this family in need, who are facing adversity square on, will be worth it's weight in gold.

Check out this recent post from Shelley...



The last week was a little rough (that is why you haven't received an update from me) but I am on my good week this week! I am going into my third chemo treatment this Monday. My hair is officially almost gone. Who knew I would look so good with a shaved head! We had a great week with family and friends! I have been going to the Annapolis Wellness House a lot lately. They offer so much for families who are going through this cancer journey.  It is amazing. The kids love going too!  We are looking forward to all the visits from friends and family. You keep me going.



So...the details.

If you haven't been to a La Fontaine Bleue bull roast you don't know what you've been missing.  The food is absolutely out of this world.  The roast beef will melt in your mouth!  Coupled with all the other assorted meats, veggies, salads, and desserts, you won't be able to eat again for a couple of days!  Beer and sodas are included with the ticket price.



Tickets are $35 each.  A portion of each ticket sold goes directly to the family, there are no administrative fees or anything like that.  Your contribution goes directly to help the family.  Tickets may be purchased at La Fontaine Bleue @ (410) 760-4115  or by calling Carol Amersbach @ (410) 404-7971.

In addition, there will be a 50-50 drawing, cheer and money wheels, and pink signature drinks at the cash bar.  Oh yeah...and there will be dancing.  LOTS of dancing!  All your favorite hits from yesterday and today.

Directions:

La Fontaine Bleue is really easy to get to.  It's located right on Route 2 in the heart of Glen Burnie.  It's only 30 minutes from Annapolis, 15 minutes from Baltimore, and just 20 minutes from the Columbia area.


We sure would appreciate it if you would be so kind as to share this post on your FaceBook, Twitter, and other social networking pages.  This would be a great party on it's own, with the food, the music, and the dancing.  That we can help brighten the lives of Shelly, her husband Eric, and her two beautiful children is icing on the cake...and it's pretty good icing!!!!!

Please call today to reserve your tickets.  They need to get a head count as soon as possible so they know which room to prepare and how many meals will be served.

We hope you can make it out to join us for this very worthwhile cause.  You'll have a great time, and we promise you'll feel really good about making a very significant difference in the lives of this deserving family.

 Thank you all!!!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Congratulations to Christina & Robert!!!

On Saturday at the Omni-Shoreham hotel in Washington DC the band was delighted to be a part of Christina and Robert's wedding day celebration.



Built in 1933 the Omni-Shoreham has a rich history starting with the inaugural ball of Franklin Roosevelt and every president since.  Even more intriguing is that the hotel has it's very own ghost, residing in a room appropriately named the "Ghost Suite"!



But enough about the hotel...it's Christina & Robert's WEDDING we really wanted to talk about.  We knew we were in for a treat when during dinner the Chinese Youth Club Lion Dance team entered the room to entertain for about 20 minutes during dinner.  Featuring 2 lions and a "Buddha" lion tamer, and accompanied by several percussionists, it was truly a unique experience for a wedding!



This was one of the latest wedding receptions we have played in many years, lasting until 1:00 in the morning.  Heck, we didn't start the dance music until almost 11:00.  So you can understand that it was with awe that we saw the dance floor still jammed even as the last strains of "Don't Stop Believin"" served as a sendoff song for our newlywed couple.



Finally, kudos go out to Aubrey and the folks at Simply Created Events in Baltimore.  They served as "Day Of" coordinator, and it was a pleasure to work with her.  We would recommend her highly to anyone looking to remove some of the stress of managing the details of their wedding day.