SAUGERTIES, N.Y. – Oct. 15, 2015 – Kingston's Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones will take its rockabilly rhythm and blues sound to the HealthAlliance Foundation's third annual Vampire Ball costume party fundraiser at Saugerties' Lazy Swan Golf and Country Club Village from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 24.
The lively musicians are "as fun to watch perform as they are to listen to," Hudson Valley magazine said in crowning the bass, guitar, drums and singing group the "Best Up-and-Coming Band" of 2015. The quartet "gets crowds on their feet with their original retro-inspired songs and fresh interpretations of American classics."
Combine their high-spirited music with the spooky-spirited Vampire Ball, and attendees will have a night they won't soon forget.
Benefitting HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley and presented by Tonner Doll Co., the ball transforms the Lazy Swan into a haunted haven complete with dancing, gourmet dinner, silent auction and costume contest.
"We're excited to showcase local talent," said Steffen Kraehmer, Executive Director of the HealthAlliance Foundation. Last year's event featured a "Young Frankenstein" performance by Kingston High School student Andrew Hoben.
"Lara has also agreed to be a judge of our costume contest," Kraehmer said.
The contest will award event-goers wearing the Scariest, Funniest, Most Original, Most Glamorous and Best Group costumes. Winners will receive a ghoulish trophy, handcrafted by Tonner Doll's Michelle Hodge.
Tonner Doll also created an exclusive, limited-edition Evangeline Ghastly doll that will serve as the corpse bride centerpiece on each table. The dolls will be available for purchase for $175 at the end of the evening.
Proceeds from the event and the Tonner Doll sale will benefit the HealthAlliance Foundation's mission to support the programs, services and facilities of HealthAlliance. "Our focus," said Kraehmer, "is on funding technology to help medical professionals work more accurately and efficiently, treatment advances in the Emergency Department and other specialty areas, and training to keep hospital staff on the cutting edge of patient care."
Tickets to attend the Vampire Ball and see Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones are $135. Call 845.334.2760 or visit FoundationUpdate.org to make a reservation.
The Vampire Ball is sponsored by: Tonner Doll Co., Rose & Kiernan Inc., Fust Charles Chambers LLP, M&T Bank, Mobile Life Support Services, Optimus Architecture, American Anesthesiology, Dutton Architecture PLLC, Emergency Medical Associates, Joe and Debbie Marsicovete, Rondout Savings Bank, Ulster Federal Credit Union, Westwood Metes & Bounds Realty Ltd., Kingston Uptown Business Association, MidHudsonNews.com, Normann Staffing, Sperry Van Ness | Deegan-Collins Commercial Associates, Empire Merchants North, Kingston Candy Bar and Radio Woodstock 100.1.
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About Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones
Named the #1 band to follow by Come to Woodstock magazine, Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones are The Hudson Valley, NY's premier rockabilly, rhythm and blues, retro rock 'n' roll outfit. With the release of their fully crowd-funded debut album, "Luck Maker," a music video for their single "Whiskey Pick" (official selection of the Woodstock Film Festival, and in WDST's top 100 songs of 2014) and a relentless performance and touring schedule, it has proved to be an exciting time for the Ark-Tones. Born from a hybrid of Lara's former rockabilly band The Champtones, and upright bassist Matt's international psychobilly act The Arkhams, the Ark-Tones hit the ground running in 2012 with the addition of Chris Heitzman on guitar and Dave Tetreault on drums. This fun-loving bunch packs the dance floor with its own original musical offerings in the vintage style as well as re-workings of rockabilly, rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues classics and standards. This "travelin' band" is out there pleasing listeners of all ages and walks of life … wherever they roam. For information and booking, email larahopeandthearktones@gmail.com.
About The HealthAlliance Foundation
The HealthAlliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supporting HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley's mission, healthcare programs, services and facilities. The HealthAlliance Foundation continues its development efforts for the HealthAlliance Hospital: Broadway and Mary's Avenue campuses, as well as the Woodland Pond CCRC in New Paltz. For further information about The HealthAlliance Foundation, please visit FoundationUpdate.org or contact Steffen T. Kraehmer, CFRE, Executive Director, at 845-334-2760.
About HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley®
HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley® is the alignment of HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary's Avenue Campus and Broadway Campus, as well as Margaretville Hospital, Mountainside Residential Care Center and Woodland Pond at New Paltz. As the parent organization with a unified governance structure, the goal of HealthAlliance is to strengthen the quality of care and bring forward enhanced technology to serve the present and future healthcare needs in the Hudson Valley. HealthAlliance and its affiliate facilities are committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and ensuring patient safety, privacy and dignity to all. For further information about HealthAlliance, visit our web site at HAHV.org.