Where else in Harbor Country can you go for an evening filled with amazing talent? Come experience Harbor Country’s most exciting array of acts, packed into one night on the fabulous Acorn stage with a state of the art, professional sound system.
No Admission Fee, Donations Encouraged
This activity is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and sponsored by The Frederick S. Upton Foundation.
About the Artist:
Jack Whittle is a blues and roots singer, guitarist, and songwriter with a staggering depth of talent. The Chicagoland-based performer has been busy playing all over the Midwest and beyond, including a tour of the South in support of Chicago Blues mainstay Liz Mandeville. On a local level, Jack is a pillar of the thriving Northwest Indiana music scene and a highlight of jam nights and bar stages all over the area. Underneath it all is a foundation of knowledge based upon Jack’s consummate study and love of American roots music old and new from dirty, relentless blues shuffles to infectious country dance tunes and the underlying grooves and shared vocabulary that drive them. This is exemplified in the playful versatility of his songwriting, which was put on full display when Jack released his highly-anticipated, self-titled debut album in June 2022 to tremendous acclaim including a spot on Tom Lounges’ Top 10 Regional Albums of 2022. Featuring 8 original songs, many of which were co-written alongside frequent collaborator James Gedda, as well as Whittle’s rendition of the timeless Gospel song “Glory Glory.”
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4pm ET Starts 7:00pm, doors open 6:00pm
Artistry, Up Close
The intimate, acoustically-rich Acorn environment encourages interaction between the artists and audience.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
A Valentine's Open Mic Night featuring Kelly Hoppenjans
Friday, Feb. 09 | 7:00pm ET (6:00pm CT)
Open Mic
Where else in Harbor Country can you go for an evening filled with amazing talent? Come experience Harbor Country’s most exciting array of acts, packed into one night on the fabulous Acorn stage with a state of the art, professional sound system.
No Admission Fee, Donations Encouraged
This activity is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and sponsored by The Frederick S. Upton Foundation.
About the Artist:
Kelly Hoppenjans is an indie-rock singer-songwriter from Nashville, now based in Ann Arbor. She creates empowering, feminist, grungy rock with catchy pop melodies and introspective folksy lyrics. She has released three EPs and one full-length album. Kelly has had her music featured on NPR, American Songwriter, The Alternative, Lightning 100, KUTX, and many other press outlets and radio stations. She has also been a finalist in numerous songwriting competitions, including The Acorn’s 2023 Singer-Songwriter Competition, NewSong, Kerrville New Folk, and John Lennon Songwriting Competition, and she was a winner of the Eddie's Attic songwriting competition.
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4pm ET Starts 7:00pm, doors open 6:00pm
An Experience to Outlast Any Performance
No two Acorn performances are exactly the same. Thoughtful curation brings a diverse mix of top talent to The Acorn, exposing audiences to both renowned and soon-to-be-discovered stars.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4pm ET Starts 7:00pm, doors open 6:00pm
Artistry, Up Close
The intimate, acoustically-rich Acorn environment encourages interaction between the artists and audience.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket at The Acorn w/ Chris Pureka
Saturday, Mar. 09 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)
FolkIndie/AltRock/Pop
California-based singer/songwriter and guitarist Glen Phillips performs at The Acorn. As lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Phillips helped create the band’s elegant folk/pop sound with honest, introspective lyrics that forged a close bond with their fans.
About the Artist
When Toad went on hiatus, Phillips launched a solo career with Abulum, and stayed busy collaborating with other artists on various projects including Mutual Admiration Society, and Remote Tree Children.
The 11 tracks on Phillips new solo album There is So Much Here move between quiet love songs and outright rockers that consider the multi-faceted meanings hidden in our everyday lives.
“Until recently, I’ve seldom allowed myself to stay in one placefor very long,” Phillips says. “I was lucky during the COVID lockdown to move in with my girlfriend, now fiancée, and to stay home for the longest stretch I’ve had since the birth of mydaughter, 20 years ago. I began noticing the little things. After alife of travel and seeking out peak experiences, I began to appreciate the subtle beauty of sitting still.”
Phillips’ previous solo record, Swallowed by The New, was about grief, a post-divorce outing while There is So Much Here finds Phillips writing love songs again focusing on gratitude, beauty and staying present.
“With this batch of songs, I was suddenly hopeful again,knowing you can never know what the outcome of any action, or inaction, is going to be. There’s no pure happy ending – the world is a mess, the future is uncertain – but I find found truth in the poet Mary Oliver’s words: ‘Attention is the beginning of devotion.’ I was suddenly in a state of being that wasn’t about my loss. I woke up and things felt doable again.” Ultimately, as Phillips reflects on the album, he shares: “This is an album about showing up for what is and letting it be enough.”
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4:00pm ET Starts 8:00pm, doors open 7:00pm
An Experience to Outlast Any Performance
No two Acorn performances are exactly the same. Thoughtful curation brings a diverse mix of top talent to The Acorn, exposing audiences to both renowned and soon-to-be-discovered stars.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
The School of American Music presents its intermediate to advanced students in their Winter Recital.
Admission to the recital is free for all who would like to attend.
About School of American Music
The School of American Music was founded by D. Garth Taylor to serve as a music resource in Michiana with a mission to provide education, performance, and audience opportunities in music and the related arts in the Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana areas.
The School of American Music offers private, one-on-one lessons at its studios on the second floor of the Three Oaks Library and at the A&E Center – 14 Maple Street in Three Oaks. The lessons are taught by highly qualified instructors who are also performing musicians. SAM’s teaching philosophy places heavy emphasis on performance with twice yearly recitals and other performance opportunities. Lessons are available for children and adults at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of proficiency, and musical styles taught include contemporary, classical, jazz, blues, gospel, bluegrass, and rock-n-roll.
School of American Music offers a generous Scholarship Program so that no student is left without support. A partnership has also been established with Neighbor by Neighbor and LaPorte Service League for 100% scholarships for clients who qualify.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
The intimate, acoustically-rich Acorn environment encourages interaction between the artists and audience.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
The Acorn’s Dance Showcase featuring CC Dance + Miss Natalie's Rhythm and Dance
Sunday, Jan. 21 | 3:00pm ET (2:00pm CT)
Dance
Our January 21st Dance Showcase event is cancelled out of concern for road conditions in the area. Stay safe and warm! Join us January 28th for our next Dance Showcase event.
The Acorn proudly presents a series of Dance Showcase events in January and February, featuring eight local dance studios.
Connie Alti was only 18 when her beloved dance teacher, Violette Bryant Schadler, succumbed to breast cancer just weeks before her studio’s annual dance recital. Students and parents asked Connie to step into Violette’s slippers. Connie did so admirably, and what came to be known as the Connie Cassidy School of Dance took shape and grew. Over more than six decades Connie offered many thousands of students “A lifetime of dance,” and Connie’s daughter, Cammie Cassidy Hernandez continues to celebrate that legacy. Now operating under the name CC Dance, we embrace Connie’s vision of creativity, character, and community, by offering a quality dance education in a warm, inviting environment where all are welcome and valued. We love to dance, and we share that love freely, just as Connie did.
Miss Natalie’s Rhythm and Dance opened its doors in September 2021 in the historic Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph. Owner, instructor and choreographer, Natalie Delgado uses her 42 years of dance to educate and empower dancers to be the best version of themselves. Her teaching philosophy is to meet students where they are, understand their skills and goals and make the two meet. She creates fun and entertaining pieces for her students that are universally enjoyed by their parents and grandparents. Confidence and joy are the goals for every dancer at Miss Natalie’s Rhythm and Dance.
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 1pm ET Starts 3:00pm, doors open 2:00pm
Artistry, Up Close
The intimate, acoustically-rich Acorn environment encourages interaction between the artists and audience.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
Circle Mirror Transformation – A Play by Annie Baker
Saturday, Jan. 20 | 2:00pm ET (1:00pm CT)
Stage Play
The Acorn and Theatre Thirty3 Present Circle Mirror Transformation a play by Annie Baker, centered on drama classes at a community center in Vermont. The play opened Off-Broadway in 2009 and received the Obie Award for Best New American Play.
In the small town of Shirley, Vermont, five strangers gather in a dance studio to embark on a unique journey together in a creative drama class for adults. Taught by Marty, their free-spirited and supportive leader, the group -- Schultz, a recently divorced, emotionally vulnerable carpenter, Teresa, an earnest and vibrant former actress, James, Marty’s quiet and genial husband, and Lauren, a reserved and self-conscious high schooler -- move through a series of acting exercises, ranging from the heartbreaking to the ridiculous. In this one small room, through these few seemingly trivial games, quiet wars are waged, emotional wounds are nursed, and healing is finally, slowly, able to begin. In Annie Baker’s quiet masterpiece, Circle Mirror Transformation, the audience takes a transcendent journey through the mundane into the profound.
The Cast: Circle Mirror Transformation is presented by Peter Carey, Alyssia Rogers, Jeannine Thompson, Justin Gnagi and Ashley Croft.
From Director Dennis North:
Theatre is a journey of self-discovery and an affirmation of self-worth. An understanding of theatre helps us understand what it means to be human. Helps us see the light in others. Theatre asks for and offers intimacy and a brave sense of participation. It helps us find our tribe.
Annie’s play puts us in the middle of that world. Over a 6 week acting class, 5 souls move through a series of acting exercises ranging from heartbreaking to ridiculous. They search, connect, explore, examine, and push themselves to step out of the comfort zone and enter the dangerous world of “truth.” Circle Mirror Transformation takes these characters - and the audience - on a transcendent journey through the simple, into the profound.
A Note About Seating for Circle Mirror Transformation:
All seats for Circle Mirror Transformation are assigned in Preferred Seating, either Stadium section or Floor section. Seating is limited at each performance.
Please select the section and our staff will seat your party together for the show.
To be sure you're seated before the show begins, please arrive at the theater at least fifteen minutes prior to showtime.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 12pm ET Starts 2:00pm, doors open 1:00pm
Artistry, Up Close
The intimate, acoustically-rich Acorn environment encourages interaction between the artists and audience.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
The Howard Levy 4 - A Benefit for School of American Music
Saturday, Jan. 27 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)
BluesJazzWorld Music
Tickets for this event will be available beginning Friday, November 24 at 7am ET.
Grammy award-winning multi-instrumentalist Howard Levy leads The Howard Levy 4, featuring Chris Siebold, Josh Ramos and Luiz Ewerling. This event is a benefit for School of American Music.
About the Artist:
Multi Grammy-Award winner Howard Levy is a world-renowned harmonica player, pianist, and composer. He has played with many of the world’s top musicians, vocalists and bands, including Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Trio Globo, Paquito D’Rivera, etc, and he has led many bands as well.
The Howard Levy 4, his newest group, features three of Chicago’s finest musicians who are also Howard’s long-time musical friends.
Chris Siebold, house guitarist for five years on A Prairie Home Companion, is a member of internationally renowned fusion band Kick the Cat, and has played with many notable musicians around the world. He brings intensity, soul and his incredible technique to any style of music.
Josh Ramos, virtuosic and versatile bassist, is equally at home on upright and electric. He was Ramsey Lewis’s bass player for five years and the bassist for CALJE, Chicago’s premier modern Latin/jazz ensemble.
Luiz Ewerling, renowned drummer/composer, is one of the top Brazilian drummers living in the US. He contributes rhythmic depth and passion to whatever music he plays.
The band performs original compositions by Howard, Chris and Luiz. The repertoire features music from Howard and Chris’ new CD Art + Adrenaline, and music from Luiz’s album Our Earth. The styles range from Jazz, Brazilian, Latin, and World Music, to Blues and more. Howard plays equal amounts of harmonica and piano (sometimes together), and the band creates a volatile mix of styles with hot, soulful playing and deep grooves.
The School of American Music
The School of American Music provides music education, free concerts, community service, and special events year round throughout Harbor Country. schoolofamericanmusic.com
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4pm ET Starts 8:00pm, doors open 7:00pm
An Experience to Outlast Any Performance
No two Acorn performances are exactly the same. Thoughtful curation brings a diverse mix of top talent to The Acorn, exposing audiences to both renowned and soon-to-be-discovered stars.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
Indie rock music artist Matthew Logan Vasquez comes to The Acorn. Best known as the lead singer/songwriter/guitarist of Delta Spirit, MLV has toured internationally, performing on festival stages like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and late night TV like Jimmy Kimmel and Letterman.
This concert serves as our next recording partnership activity with 88.1 WVPE Public Radio which will air in a future "The Sauce Live from The Acorn" broadcast on WVPE! We'll be capturing LIVE footage at the show - come get in on the action!
About the Artist
Matthew Logan Vasquez’s writing goes where he goes. Synonymous with the sound of Southern California in the early 2000s, MLV’s first and most prominent band, Delta Spirit formed in his home state in 2005 and went on to tour internationally, appearing on coveted festival stages like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and late night TV like Jimmy Kimmel and Letterman.
Now nearing 10 years of releasing music as a solo artist and a handful of side quest projects like Glorietta and Middle Brother, Vasquez’s upcoming record, Frank’s Full Moon Saloon has the self-dubbed Calitexican’s sound firmly planted in the Lone Star state, his current and teenage home. “I’m a product of both the 90’s Austin music scene (Old 97’s, Ian Moore, Reverend Horton Heat) and Southern California in the early 00’s (Elliott Smith, Richard Swift).”
With the primary goal to capture “the alchemy of a live honest moment” and make a more raw, song forward record, Vasquez recorded most of Frank’s Full Moon Saloon himself in the garage honky tonk of a beloved neighbor and mentor. The album features more exposed versions of songs from throughout his career as well as guest appearances from members of Dr. Dog, Dawes, Deep Sea Diver, and Shovels & Rope. Recommended listening for those drawn to the musical stylings of modern writers like David Bazan and Hamilton Leithouser and underground giants Doug Sahm and Ry Cooder.
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4:00pm ET Starts 8:00pm, doors open 7:00pm
Artistry, Up Close
The intimate, acoustically-rich Acorn environment encourages interaction between the artists and audience.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
The Acorn celebrates American Country Music Legend (and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer) Dolly Parton with local musicians Meagan Francis, Nikki Gauthier, Meredith George and Abbie Thomas singing hits from Parton’s five decade career. Vocalists will be joined by the Chesterton, Indiana bluegrass band, Watershed Ramblers – Alex Gottschlich (guitar/vocals), Ian Soto (mandolin/vocals) and Daniel Cole Dailey (double bass/vocals).
The Acorn is hosting a Community Book Drive in celebration of the life and legacy of Dolly Parton! Bring a book to The Acorn throughout the month of April and receive a Dolly Parton themed gift. Bring a book to The Acorn the night of The Music of Dolly Parton on April 27 for $3 off our specialty drink for the night - the Wine to 5! Books should be new and chosen for children of any age - infants through teens! Books will be distributed to River Valley Schools.
Dolly Parton is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, perhaps most well known for her decades-long career in country music. With a career spanning over fifty years, Parton has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
Dolly Parton has had 25 singles reach no. 1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record for a female artist (tied with Reba McEntire). She has 44 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years. She has composed over 3,000 songs, including "I Will Always Love You" (a two-time U.S. country chart-topper, and an international pop hit for Whitney Houston), "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "9 to 5."
The country music legend has received 11 Grammy Awards out of 50 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award; ten Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year and is one of only seven female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. Among her many other awards, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2005, she received the National Medal of Arts and in 2022, she was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a nomination she had initially declined but ultimately accepted.
Outside of her work in the music industry, Parton has founded a number of charitable and philanthropic organizations, chief among them is the Dollywood Foundation, which manages a number of projects to bring education and poverty relief to East Tennessee where she grew up.
About the Artists:
Meagan Francis
Meagan Francis became part of the SWMI music community nearly ten years ago, performing in a musical on the Twin City Players stage. Since then, Meagan has played both supporting and leading roles in a variety of productions for TCP and Lake Michigan College, as well as concerts at the Livery and in the Southwest Michigan Symphony Opera's RESPECT show. While Covid put Meagan's love of performing temporarily on the shelf, she's excited to be back on stage at one of her favorite venues, celebrating an artist who was a staple while she was growing up, and who still continues to inspire her life today. During the day, Meagan is a writer, podcaster, and mom of five kids ages 15-26. You can find her online at meaganfrancis.com.
Nikki Gauthier
Nikki Gauthier came to music early in life taking piano lessons at her grandma’s side. While she loved to perform in her family’s living room, Nikki didn’t seek the spotlight, opting to play the piano instead for her high school’s choir. She didn’t embrace the stage until 2017, when, early in her forties, she performed at a local open mic. Nikki’s performance credits now include Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra’s RESPECT concert, Krasl Art Fair Block Party, The Livery, Box Factory for the Arts, Benton Harbor Art Hop and BHAA’s Arts in the Park series, along with our own Acorn stage. You will often find Nikki performing under the name Dirty Sally.
Meredith George
Meredith George has been performing in and around the SWMI area for the past 10 years. Originally hailing from Annapolis Maryland she moved here in 2013 with her husband Jason and cat Bones after graduating from Belmont University in Nashville. After a brief hiatus she found her way back on stage through The Livery’s Open Stage in the Benton Harbor Arts District. Through this community of supportive artists and friends she found an outlet for her musical passions. You can see her in musical theatre, rock & jazz tribute shows but mainly performing in the local female powerhouse trio The Backups. Portraying artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Alanis Morsett, Pat Benatar and Anne Wilson her range is ever growing. When she’s not onstage you can find her slinging bottles at her boutique wine shoppe, St Joe Wine Shoppe in The Market at 301 Main Street.
Abbie Thomas
Fresh off of her 2023 JMA Artist of the Year award at The Grand Ole Opry, Abbie Thomas is a rising singer songwriter who is gaining international attention and nominations for live performances, lyricism and visual content. Mixing genre-bending arrangements with soulful vocals and hints of Blues, Jazz, and a vibe from the songwriters of the ‘70s, she is currently touring regionally; most recently opening for Clint Black, Laine Hardy, and Girl Named Tom.
Influenced by artists such as Carole King, Lauryn Hill, John Mayer and Ella Fitzgerald, versatility has her playing throughout Midwest USA in acoustic listening rooms to clubs with her full backing band, recently dubbed ‘The Crazy Hearts;’ who were just nominated for a 2023 Hollywood Independent Music Award for Best Live Performance for Thomas’s original, “Try.” You can listen to Thomas's original music on all major streaming platforms.
Watershed Ramblers
Hailing from Chesterton, IN, the Watershed Ramblers consist of core members Alex Gottschlich (guitar/vocals), Ian Soto (mandolin/vocals) and Daniel Cole Dailey (double bass/vocals). The Ramblers, drawn from a diverse group of influences such as Bill Monroe, Tony Rice, The Grateful Dead and Jonathan Davis, are an acoustic outfit that plays a mix of traditional/modern bluegrass, folk/contemporary rock and a slew of original music. Known for fast paced tempos and train-like grooves, the Ramblers bring the energy with their "Dunegrass" style of music, a combination of not-so-traditional music being played in a semi-traditional fashion.
The Watershed Ramblers formed in the fall of 2022 as some friends gathered in the basement of guitarist Alex "Gooch" Gottschlich to explore the world of bluegrass. Over the last year, the Ramblers have honed their craft through countless performances at local venues, music festivals as well as hosting their own events in and out of Northwest Indiana. Their live shows are a celebration of music camaraderie, with each member contributing their expertise to create an immersive experience for the audience. Whether it's a foot-stomping hoedown or a soulful ballad, the Rambler's performances are a journey through the heart and soul of american roots music.
Constantly continuing to evolve and explore new musical territories, the Watershed Ramblers remain true to their roots, drawing inspiration from the rich heritage that has shaped American music for generations. With a passion for storytelling and commitment to preserving traditions of the past, the Ramblers are a musical force to be reckoned with, promising a journey through the heartland with every note they play. Be on the lookout for the first official musical release from the Watershed Ramblers in Spring of 2024!
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.
Turn your show experience into a memorable stay! The Loft at The Acorn offers a spacious, industrial-chic apartment above The Acorn theater. Click here for photos and rental information.
Box Office opens at 4:00pm ET Starts 8:00pm, doors open 7:00pm
An Experience to Outlast Any Performance
No two Acorn performances are exactly the same. Thoughtful curation brings a diverse mix of top talent to The Acorn, exposing audiences to both renowned and soon-to-be-discovered stars.
About The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts
The Acorn brings great known performers and amazing new ones to southwest Michigan. Located in the historic featherbone factory, The Acorn’s friendly staff and volunteers, and an acoustically rich sound system combine for memorable experiences. We’re located in Three Oaks, Michigan … just over an hour from downtown Chicago and 30 minutes from South Bend, IN.
The Acorn, a nonprofit organization, annually hosts a singer songwriter competition and a Spectacular Tournament of Playwrights. Our Open Mic nights showcase a variety of strong talent and our educational workshops include songwriting and master classes in performance.
The Acorn’s Mission
To offer a broad range of high-quality arts and education programming that nurtures cultural experience, participation and community engagement among residents and visitors of all ages and enhances the economic vitality of the region.
Meagan Francis
Nikki Gauthier
Meredith George
Abbie Thomas
Watershed Ramblers