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THE 34 ANNUAL FREAKERS BALL
CAIN’S BALLROOM
FRI. OCT. 31, 2008
STAGE TIMES
DOORS: 7PM
MAIN STAGE:
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IROK RADIO BALLROOM STAGE
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HOMETOWN HEROES STAGE (Bob’s)
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LOCAL FLAVORS STAGE (Bob's)
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OUTDOOR ACOUSTIC STAGE
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A DOC ROC & DIABOLICAL PRODUCTION
History
FREAKERS BALL
In 1974 organizers wanted to put together a wild night of costumes and music and did just that at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. Taking the name from a poem by Shel Silverstein Called “Freakin’ at the Freakers Ball” (this also became a song recorded by Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show). Silverstein also wrote “A Boy Named Sue”, which became the famous song by Johnny Cash. The first Freakers Ball was off and running. After a year or two, the event was moved to the historic Cain’s Ballroom and was then allowed the chance to really take on a life of it’s own. Under the care of Cain’s longtime owner Larry Shaeffer, Freakers Ball would flourish. With Freakers Ball serving as an annual tradition on or around Halloween.
In the early Nineties promoter Davit Souders became actively involve with Freakers Ball and Cain's Ballroom thus introducing it to a whole new generation of costumed participants and musicians. The event has had its share of national and regional acts on the bill and has always included area artists as well. Since the latter part of the 1990’s Freakers has exclusively showcased music and musicians from the Tulsa area.
With a 32-year history, Freaker’s Ball is the single largest Halloween-related event in the state of Oklahoma. During the latter half of the 1990’s, Freaker’s Ball expanded to accommodate four stages making it the largest one-day showcase of Tulsa area music.
In 2002, the company Doc Roc took over ownership of the ballroom and began a major and much needed remodeling of the historic venue. In 2003, Doc Roc and Davit Souders/Diabolical Productions teamed up and the event grew into a record 25 plus bands and performers featuring such diverse musical genres as Celtic, Rockabilly, Jazz, Mariachi, Rock, Electronic, punk, red dirt and more. The Costume Contest, which is a show unto itself, has at times been controversial but always entertaining. Costumed contestants come as characters literally of all shapes and sizes; to add to the evening’s excitement, the audience judges the contest. With Souders as the longtime gate keeper, the drive and desire will always be to make Freakers Ball the event that is expected with additional surprises along the way. For year 33, a fifth stage will be added, raising the number of featured performers to a new record of 30.
BALLROOM BLITZ
2005 marked the debut of Ballroom Blitz, minus the costume contest, it’s the Spring version of Freakers Ball. For a number of years Davit Souders wanted to present a Spring version of the historic Freakers Ball. So exactly six months after and/or six months before Freakers, Doc Roc and Diabolical Productions premiered The Blitz the last Saturday in April in 2005. With two large stages inside the Cain’s Ballroom, electric and acoustic stages in Bob’s, the stages were literally set. In tradition with it’s older brother, the event’s name is taken from another well known song “The Ballroom Blitz” by the band Sweet.
2008 will be year number three as we properly welcome the springtime with great music from area musicians.
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