Executive Director | Interview with an Acorn Artist | Volunteer Spotlight | Acorn News | Acorn Updates
Letter from the Executive Director
Spring has finally arrived, and we are so thrilled to be sharing more incredible live experiences with you! I'm sure you've seen the exciting announcements for summer programming – including major acts like Shovels & Rope, Steve Earle, Cracker, The Steel Wheels – and certainly the return of our celebrated Midwest Made summer concert series centered on exceptional, locally-based musicians. Two additional events that may have flown under your radar include our second annual Swing for the Arts Golf Outing – an important and fun event supporting The Acorn's community programming – and the third year for TADA Summer Youth Theater Camp. TADA is a four-week immersive theater camp for youth ages 8-16 that includes training in all aspects of theater and culminates in a fully-staged musical production (this year of The Jungle Book). Thanks to generous individual donors, this camp is free for participants.
In this time when funding for the arts has been very publicly reduced, organizations like ours depend on individuals now more than ever to make our most impactful programming possible. If you are interested in becoming a donor to The Acorn and connecting the community through great live music, please consider joining our donor society – Acorn Insiders. You can sign up for monthly recurring donations (starting at $19/month), receive insider access to popular concert pre-sales, perks such as merch and drink tickets, and the knowledge that you are supporting important programming and community events at The Acorn. We are so grateful for donors who make all of this work possible!
See you soon at The Acorn!
Ashley Magnus
ACPA Executive Director
Interview with an Acorn Artist
Jackie Venson
Heralded as one of “Austin’s rising stars” by Rolling Stone and “an Austin legend in the making” by Forbes, Jackie Venson has established herself as one of the most commanding performers to come out of Texas. An Austin native, Venson has shared the stage with icons like Gary Clark Jr and Melissa Etheridge and even performed with Alanis Morissette and Lainey Wilson at the 2023 CMT Awards. In 2024 Venson was selected to perform as part of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase.
Acclaimed by greats as diverse as Vernon Reid and Michael McKean, Venson continues to evolve as an artist, whether it’s on Texas blues focused albums like Love Transcends, the eclectic electro-funk and rock of Ghost in The Machine or the mesmerizing soul and R&B of The Love Anthology. With her passionate commitment to exploring diverse sounds and styles, Venson’s artistry is only going to continue to grow.
Q: Who and what are your biggest musical influences?
A: One of my biggest influences is my dad Andrew Venson; he was a prolific funk and R&B musician who played in a number of bands in the midwest throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, so I grew up surrounded by music. So many of my earliest memories involve being in the room while he was jamming and he’s also how I got connected with my drummer Rodney Hyder. I was basically making music with my dad and the guys before I could even walk. I feel very fortunate to have shared the stage with my dad a number of times over the years and one of my favorite memories will always be welcoming him onto the stage at the Paramount last year for the finale of my January residency. Even though he passed away recently I know he’s there in every note I play.
One of my other biggest influences is Alicia Keys; I think she’s a phenomenal talent not just as a singer and songwriter but also as a pianist and performer. People like to tell me my music reminds them of artists like Prince and George Benson and Stevie Ray Vaughan but Alicia Keys has honestly had a bigger impact on me than all of them. I’m also a huge fan of blues and rock pioneers BB King and Buddy Guy; I listened to them pretty much nonstop at the beginning of my career and they are a big part of how I developed my sound.
Q: Who is your favorite musician to listen to when you’re not making music of your own?
A: Living in Austin means being surrounded by amazing talent all of the time, so I like to listen to local musicians as much as I can. At the moment, I’m especially enjoying Lady Monday (they’re a Sade-esque duo) as well as Fak3 5miles (eclectic hip hop that makes me think of Tyler the Creator mixed with Gorillaz) and the Tiarras (a trio that mixes cumbia and pop rock and has been performing since they were kids).
Q: Did you always want to be a musician? How did you get your start in music?
A: I grew up in a musical household so music always called to me, but it was quite the journey to get where I am today. I originally started on the piano and went to Berklee with that as my main instrument, but I fell in love with the guitar and eventually that took over my life. I still play the piano and I’ve even done some special releases where I reconfigure my albums for piano but there’s something special about the electric guitar and the infinite possibilities of sound you can get from it.
Q: What advice would you give to young artists?
A: My biggest advice to young artists is that you should be yourself. Social media and streaming have made it easier than ever to release music but that has also made it so that you are competing not just with other musicians but also content creators who view music as a way to get attention rather than something to be done for love.
This has always been a brutal industry and there are so many people in it that will tell you how you should play, look and sound and the only way to really stand out is by being yourself and listening to your instincts. Trends come and go but music that really means something and comes from the heart never gets old.
It’s also important to embrace failure. There’s a saying that goes “perfect is the enemy of good” and I think that is something that stops so many people from growing in music, especially when social media is serving up an endless buffet of manufactured, glossy, superficial content. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t spent thousands of hours sounding bad before I got good, playing small rooms to basically no one and facing near constant rejection by bookers, media, gatekeepers and so on.
Q: What is your favorite memory from a live performance (of your own or someone else’s)?
A: Watching my dad play the Paramount during my residency last year would be the top memory for me. My dad made the performance look so easy and effortless and you could feel the wisdom and love every minute he was on stage. I loved getting to watch from the wings and see the audience eat up his songs and stories; he had a command of the stage that any musician, even those decades younger than him, would be envious of. I’m honored to have shared that stage with him and I hope my career can be as long and fulfilling as his was.
Q: What is up next for you project-wise? What should our audience be watching for from you?
A: I’ll be touring most of this year in support of my album The Love Anthology, and I’m always working on new material. I’ve also really enjoyed exploring electronic music with my side project Jackie the Robot and I have some exciting collaborations and remixes coming under that name.
Q: What can our audience expect from you when you play at The Acorn on May 23rd?
A: You can expect the unexpected! I’ll be playing songs from throughout my career but what I enjoy most is putting new spins on my songs and jamming out, letting the moment take me wherever it wants to.
Q: Anything else you think our Acorn audience would like to know about?
A: I know how stressful and unpredictable the world is right now so I want y’all to know that it means the world to me that you’ve chosen to spend your evening with me. Touring gets harder each year and I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support of such amazing fans like you!
The Acorn thanks Jackie for taking the time to be interviewed! Be sure to check out Jackie’s concert at The Acorn on Friday, May 23rd at 8pm ET!
Volunteer Spotlight
Daniel Cole Dailey
Q: How long have you been volunteering for The Acorn?
A: 2 years
Q:What is your occupation?
A: Technical Trainer for Gas Safety at a Natural Gas Utility Company
Q: What made you want to become an Acorn volunteer?
A: I’ve always loved music and art, and when I first got involved with The Acorn, I was really inspired by how passionate and creative everyone was. The people I met were so kind and welcoming—it felt like being part of a community that truly shares the same love for music that I do. I wanted to give back and be more involved in that positive energy, so volunteering felt like a natural next step.
Q: What is your favorite memory from volunteering?
A: I don’t have one specific memory that stands out, but what I really love is that almost every time I volunteer, I meet someone new and get to hear a bit of their story—whether we’re waiting for doors to open or chatting during teardown. I find people and their stories so inspiring, and those small, meaningful connections are what make the experience special for me.
Q: Who is your favorite musician you've seen perform at The Acorn? What did you love about them?
A: Steve Earle, hands down. He’s such an incredible songwriter and storyteller. What really stuck with me was how unguarded he was on stage—he shared stories from his life and the hardships he’s faced with so much honesty. It felt like he truly opened up to the audience. That kind of vulnerability, paired with the intimacy of The Acorn, created a powerful connection that I’ll never forget.
Q: What are your hobbies/pleasures in life?
A: I’m a musician, so playing out at local bars, clubs, and especially The Acorn is one of my favorite things to do. I’m also a proud dad—my kids Finn and Maddie are total rockstars. They sing and dance with the award-winning, nationally touring Chesterton Showchoir, the “Sandpipers.” I’ve been married to my awesome wife Carrie for 19 years, and we’re always up for an adventure. We love camping, traveling, and spending time out on the boat—pretty much anything that involves fresh air and fun.
Q: How do you define success?
A: For me, success is getting to make music that means something—to me and to other people. It’s playing a show where you really connect with the audience, or writing a song that captures a feeling you didn’t even know how to say out loud. It’s also about having the people I love around me—my wife, my kids, my friends—and knowing they’re proud of who I am and what I do. If I can keep making music, keep sharing it, and still be the dad, husband, and friend I want to be—that’s success in my book.
Q: Where is your favorite place to travel?
A: Tennessee is one of my favorite spots—there’s just something about the music, the mountains, and the vibe down there that feels like home. I also love heading down to Kentucky Lake —great views, great boating, and the perfect place to relax and recharge. Whether it's live music in Nashville or a quiet morning on the water, those are my happy places.
Q: What would a typical Saturday morning look like for you?
A: Unless I’m out playing or at a show the night before, I’m usually an early riser. I love the quiet of a Saturday morning—it's the perfect time to pick up my guitar, practice, and work on writing new music. It’s kind of my favorite way to start the day—coffee, a guitar, and a little creative space before the world gets busy.
Q: Are you a bookworm? Who is your favorite author and/or what is your favorite book?
A: I go through phases—sometimes I’ll read a ton for months, and other times I’ll go without a book for a while. The most recent book I read was World Within a Song by Jeff Tweedy from Wilco. It was a great dive into the world of songwriting and the stories behind some of his music. I really enjoy books that connect with my love for music, so that one hit the spot.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: I draw inspiration from a lot of places—my kids, who amaze me every day with their talent and drive, definitely keep me motivated. Musically, artists like Steve Earle or Jeff Tweedy, who have such a deep connection to storytelling through song, really inspire me. But beyond that, it's the people I meet—whether it's fellow musicians, friends, volunteers or strangers with incredible life stories—that keep me inspired. Seeing people pursue their passions, no matter what challenges they face, is a constant reminder to keep going after what I love.
Q: What is a 'fun fact' about you or something people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I'm a really really really big Prince fan.
Q: If a biography were to be written about your life, what is one story that would be a MUST to be included?
A: One story that definitely has to make the cut is when I met my wife. I was in a hard rock band at the time, and the bass player’s wife wanted to set us up. I decided to make a memorable first impression, so I showed up wearing a kilt, a large fur coat, welding goggles, and combat boots—basically, trying to be as outlandish as my 21-year-old self could be. Somehow, despite my over-the-top style, she saw past the poor fashion sense and agreed to go out on a date. I guess she liked the real me underneath the outfit!
Acorn News
A Blockbuster Summer Is Coming
A Diverse Lineup of All-Star Artists and Community Events Fill Your Summer Calendar
Summer kicks off with the return of our annual Pride Partnership with Harbor Country Pride, now part of OutCenter Southwest Michigan. We are proud to present a very special Pride Open Mic Night + Storytelling Event on June 5th showcasing LGBTQIA+ performers and allies. The following night on June 6th we are excited to bring you Club Rainbow – A Pride Dance Party with The Divas and DJ Takeover!
Pub Choir makes their Acorn debut on Sunday, June 15th, coming all the way from Australia to spread joy through music. If you’re asking yourself, ‘What is Pub Choir?’ allow us to explain. Created by loveable lunatic and choir mistress of myth and legend, Astrid Jorgensen, Pub Choir is an entirely improvised, comedy music lesson. At every show, Astrid teaches a brand new arrangement of one song in 3 part harmony to the audience in a casual night of singing where even the most untalented voices will be distracted to musical glory.
A number of Acorn favorites and all-star artists will be returning to our stage over the summer, too! We’re proud to present Cracker, Steve Earle, Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts, Shovels & Rope, Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and much more!
And in one of the highlights of our summer season, we’re looking forward to finding out who will take the stage in our annual Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition on Saturday, July 19th. Finalists will be announced on June 19th. Reserve your place in the audience and be part of the action by voting on who will be this year’s winner!
There is so much more to learn about at our website! Make one final note on your calendar for the free community performance of The Jungle Book on Friday, August 8th, presented by the young performers in our summer camp program, TADA – The Acorn Dramatic Arts Camp. There is still time to register for the four week camp, running July 14th to August 8th, Mondays through Thursdays, from 9am to noon ET. Ages 8–16 are eligible, and thanks to our generous underwriters, this incredible experience is absolutely FREE!
The Acorn’s 2025 Midwest Made Summer Concert Series
Local and Regional Artists Set to Shine
Local and regional Artists are set to shine in The Acorn’s 2025 Summer Concert Series - it's the return of Midwest Made!
The Acorn’s Midwest Made summer concert series puts the spotlight on local and regional talent in a diverse array of genres. Don’t miss 9 Summer Sundays of music beginning June 29th! With a number of returning favorites, and several artists sure to become your new favorites, our Midwest Made summer concerts celebrate the artistry of these musicians. Join us on Sundays all summer long!
06.29 | Abbie Thomas
07.06 | Resurrection Blues Band – Acorn Anywhere!
07.13 | Sadie Gustafson-Zook
07.20 | Jack Whittle Trio
07.27 | Shiny Shiny Black
08.03 | Help Hounds
08.10 | Grace Theisen Trio
08.17 | Lake Effect Jazz Big Band
08.24 | Open Mic featuring Watershed Ramblers
For all the details visit: acornlive.org/midwestmade
Art at The Acorn – A Student Showcase
Creativity Celebrated with Student Art Exhibition
Janet Davies led an interesting discussion with our Art at The Acorn student artists and their teachers. Pictured from left to right: Ashley Jager, Gia Bergquist, Mylo Walters, Janet Davies, Emily VanTuyle, Leia Williams, Nicole Rimes.
The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts transforms into a visual art space with Art at The Acorn. We are proud to welcome Artists from New Buffalo and River Valley Schools for A Student Showcase, on view April through June.
In addition to collaborative pieces from both New Buffalo and River Valley elementary school students, these local community school districts each presented two artists from the middle and high school levels to be featured in the exhibition.
Mylo Walters is a senior at New Buffalo High School who enjoys gardening, photography, and most of all — art. Walters has been exhibited in the Box Factory For the Arts Community Student Art Exhibition in St. Joseph, MI, and the Region 5 Michigan Art Education Association K-12 Show at the Carnegie Center for the Arts in Three Rivers, MI. Gia Bergquist is an 8th Grade student at New Buffalo Middle School who is involved in wrestling, softball, and band. She loves to write poetry and is always doodling people and her mischievous cat named Fluffy. Listening to music helps her get in the mood to create jewelry and trinkets out of clay.
Leia Williams grew up in Three Oaks with a family of five and a couple of dogs. She’s been in love with art since she was really young. Being able to create things always fascinated her and sparked something in her brain. As a senior at River Valley High School, she plans to go to college to study forensic science and art or music. Emily VanTuyle grew up in Three Oaks but now lives in Niles. Emily has been interested in art since around the 3rd grade. She’s always enjoyed being able to express herself through her art. Emily enjoys all kinds of art: music, animation, painting and more. She enjoys making messy collages and being able to have fun with art.
The Acorn would like to thank the art teachers from New Buffalo and River Valley Schools for making A Student Showcase possible. It has been a pleasure working with Ashley Jager, Erin Ledyard, Nicole Rimes, and Rhea Folk to bring this student artwork to our community at The Acorn.
Acorn Insider Membership Program Provides Vital Support
Donations Invest in The Acorn’s Community Programs
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Acorn relies on charitable contributions from individuals and businesses to bring our mission to life. When you make a gift, you are supporting our efforts to provide educational and community-focused programming. When you enroll in our Acorn Insiders donor membership program, not only will you support The Acorn’s community programs, you will also receive exclusive benefits and invitations to events each year – and donors as low as $19/month are eligible to participate!
Donations as low as $19 per month receive:
- Access to pre-sales for high-demand Acorn shows
- Two free drink tickets
- Free exclusive Insider’s sticker
- Tax deductible donation of $196 annually
Donors at higher levels are eligible for even more benefits!
Find out more about the benefits of our Acorn Insiders Donor Membership Program and enroll today!
Program Recap
Highlights
Check out some of these recent moments at The Acorn.
One of the better kept secrets in American rock music, Ike Reilly Assassination, took The Acorn stage in February in front of a packed house. Since his explosive major label debut, Salesmen and Racists, Reilly has been creating rebellious punk/folk/country/blues-influenced rock ’n’ roll records that are poetic and cinematic. Image courtesy of Susan Trestrail.
On March 30, The Acorn was proud to host the annual Three Oaks Flag Day Pageant. Local families gathered to watch the young contestants shine with confidence on The Acorn stage. Lily Jaspering was crowned the 2025 Flag Day Princess and Creek Boersma was crowned the 2025 Flag Day Prince. Congratulations Lily and Creek!
Our traditional Art Attack Launch Party on April 24th was a wonderful celebration of visual and musical arts. Not only were the student artists from our Art at The Acorn exhibition, A Student Showcase, honored and celebrated, but we also presented a talented lineup of musicians at our Open Mic that followed. Featured Artists Debutants brought the house down! The Debutants are a high-energy string band with eclectic influences hailing from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Read all about The Acorn in the 2025 Area Guide published by the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce. Pictured here – Tom Raab, Director of Operations; Bill Lindblom, Volunteer Coordinator; Belle Schmidt, Guest Services & Communications Specialist; Ashley Magnus, Executive Director; Nikki Gauthier, Artistic & Creative Director; Michael Bond, Senior Production Manager. Image courtesy of David Knight.
What's Next
Friday, May 16
The Flat Five
Saturday, May 17
Matthew Logan Vasquez w/ Jacob Alan Jaeger
Friday, May 23
Jackie Venson
Saturday, May 24
Mr. Blotto
Friday, May 30
Corky Siegel with Kalyan Pathak
Saturday, May 31
Marrakesh Express — A Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young Experience
Thursday, June 5
Pride Voices: Stories + Songs – An Acorn Open Mic Night feat. Dyre
Friday, June 6
Club Rainbow: The Divas + DJ Takeover – A Pride Dance Party
Saturday, June 7
Bad Momz of Comedy
Friday, June 13
Dixon's Violin
Sunday, June 15
Pub Choir 'Something To Do Tour'
Saturday, June 21
Cracker
Sunday, June 22
Steve Earle Solo & Acoustic: Fifty Years of Songs and Stories
Friday, June 27
Shawn Mullins
Saturday, June 28
Heartache Tonight - A Tribute to The Eagles
Sunday, June 29
Abbie Thomas: Midwest Made
Saturday, July 5
Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts
Sunday, July 6
Resurrection Blues Band: Midwest Made – Acorn Anywhere! at Fernwood Botanical Garden
Thursday, July 10
PettyBreakers – A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Friday, July 11
Joe Pug
Saturday, July 12
Echoes of Barcelona with Bryan Lubeck
Sunday, July 13
Sadie Gustafson Zook: Midwest Made
Monday, July 14
The Acorn Dramatic Arts (TADA) Camp – The Jungle Book
Friday, July 18
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Saturday, July 19
Acorn Singer-Songwriter Competition Finals
Sunday, July 20
Jack Whittle Trio: Midwest Made
Thursday, July 24
An intimate evening with Shovels & Rope
Friday, July 25
Second Hand News: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac
Sunday, July 27
Shiny Shiny Black: Midwest Made
Saturday, August 2
The Chicago Experience
Sunday, August 3
Help Hounds: Midwest Made
Thursday, August 7
Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore – Almost Acoustic Duo
Sunday, August 10
Grace Theisen Trio: Midwest Made
Sunday, August 17
Lake Effect Jazz Big Band: Midwest Made
Friday, August 22
The Steel Wheels
Sunday, August 24
Acorn Open Mic: Part of the Midwest Made Summer Concert Series featuring Watershed Ramblers
Thursday, August 28
Acorn Swing for the Arts
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