Oracle 2011 -
The Year in Review - Page 4

We're almost to the end of the year!  We've got October through December yet to go here, but there's still more to come after this, but you've got to make it to the bottom of the page to find out what it is!

We really love sharing these photos, and like receiving the photos that YOU take as well.  You can send your photos to us via e-mail, or the best way is to post them to our Facebook page, where you can tag the people shown and share them with everyone. 

As with all the pages, click on any image to see an enlarged view.

Wedding at Baldwin Hall

We kicked off the final quarter of 2010 with a wedding at a wonderful facility in Millersville called Baldwin Hall.  To be honest we had never even heard of the place before, let alone performed there, but it was REALLY beautiful!

Wedding at Baltimore Museum of Industry

Just one week later we were at another unique venue, the Baltimore Museum of Industry, where Susan & Eric and their friends & family celebrated the joining of two families.

Post 40 Auxiliary Dance

We were a little disappointed that the Auxiliary Dance in October for the folks at American Legion Post 40 in Glen Burnie was not completely sold out, but the people that WERE there had one heck of a great time!

Photos Gallery - American Legion Post 40 Glen Burnie Auxiliary Fundraiser Dinner / Dance

FutureCare Harvest Festival

The annual Harvest Festival at FutureCare in the Canton area of Baltimore has become a yearly tradition for Oracle.  Rain or shine this event goes on, & for 2010 we were once again blessed with beautiful weather for this very popular in-the-streets festival.

Combining generations, you have folks literally from 1 year old to 100 years old in attendance, as well as all the ages in between.

With appearances by the Orioles Bird and the Raven's mascot Poe, as well as some incredible food, crafts, and pony rides, you have all the makings for a perfect Autumn day!

FutureCare Harvest Festival 2010 Photo Gallery

We were heading in towards Halloween when we again returned to Perry's Restaurant for another fun evening of partying & dancing. 

The place was packed, not only with our regular "Oracle Family" but with several new friends as well.

Perry's Restaurant Photo Gallery October 2010

Stoney Creek

We had a really great time the last time we were at the really fun hall in Stoney Creek Maryland, and our return this past year was no different. The dance floor was long & stretched the entire length of the room, and was busy pretty much all evening long!

Photo Gallery - Stoney Creek

10/30 Halloween Party

After a decade of Halloween parties where the rooms we played were so packed with fans few people could move, let alone dance, we finally took the plunge in 2010 & threw our OWN Halloween party.

It was scary at first. We first had to find a BIG hall that was affordable in order to keep the ticket costs down. Then we had to work on ticketing, and of course advertising, the event.

We found a perfect location at the Glen Burnie Elks Lodge in Severn. It was a huge hall that could seat up to 400. In order to ensure a spacious dance floor we elected to keep ticket sales to 300, (& secretly crossing our fingers we could sell that many!)

We needn't have worried.  Before we knew it, we had to post a "SOLD OUT" sign on the information page.

The fans were great!  The variety and imagination that went into the costumes was truly amazing, & despite some minor issues with a long line at the bar, everything seemed to go really smoothly.

Now we can't wait for 2011!

Halloween 2010 Photo Gallery

Parents Without Partners Halloween Dance at Columbus Gardens

The day AFTER our big Halloween Party the band found ourselves back in costume performing for the folks with Parents Without Partners at their annual Halloween Dance up at Columbus Gardens in Perry Hall Maryland.

Once again we had a wonderful time, and the costumes showed a lot of imagination.

Photo Gallery - Oracle Band at Parents Without Partners 2010 Halloween Party

Annapolis Fleet Reserve Club Governor's Ball

We didn't get to play much at the Fleet this past year, but missing the Governor's Ball was simply not an option, so we were so pleased to see a full house turn out at this picturesque spot right on Ego Alley to have a party with all the members of the Fleet Reserve Club.

Hope you enjoy the photos,. & we hope to ba back a little more for 2011.

Photo Gallery - 2010 Annapolis Fleet Reserve Club Governor's Ball 

11/6 Gambrills Athletic Club

As with the Mother's Day weekend party at Gambrills Athletic Club earlier in the year, the November Bull & Oyster Roast sold out quickly with a long waiting list for any returned tickets.

The food as always was fantastic, and the new renovations to the club were impressive, with much more space out back for cooking & serving the food, leaving the main hall for the PARTY!

And party we did!  The facility is designed for dances such as this, and as the photos show, It was sort of like an arena rock concert in miniature, with all the lights & a kickin' PA thumping out great dance music that everyone knew.

Gambrills Bull & Oyster Roast 2010 Photo Gallery

Whispers Restaurant & the November "Big Surprise"

We told all our fans that we'd have a surprise for everyone that came out to the November performance at Whispers Restaurant.

Everyone kept asking..."what's the big surprise?"

We kept it quiet right up to the day of the show, and folks who came early were wondering why there was a drum kit on stage.

The announcement was officially made that drummer Chris Johnson had become the 6th member of Oracle Band.  What once was a trio had now DOUBLED in size over the period of ten years!

Reactions from the crowd were overwhelmingly positive, & Chris was welcomed into the "Oracle Family" with open arms.

Photo Gallery - Oracle Band at Whispers Restaurant - November 2010

11/20 Club Crabtowne

In November Oracle headed up to the Annapolis Elks Club for the annual Club Crabtowne Ball.  Formerly known as the Crabtowne Skiers, this group does just about everything...bike, ski, cruise, and of course, DANCE!

2010 Club Crabtowne Photo Gallery

Severn Town Club Holly Ball

Each holiday season the Severn Town Club presents a benefit dinner / dance to raise funds for a local organization.

In 2010 the beneficiary was the Anne Arundel County Food & Resource Bank, a free resource that gives away food and gently used appliances, furniture, medical equipment, baby items, cars, and other items that help needy families make a home and provides them with a better way of life.

The Food bank also serves other non-profit and community organizations. The Bank was established in 1986 and remains the only free multi-purpose agency in Maryland.

Holly Ball 2010 Photo Gallery

Apple Ford Holiday Party

The folks over at Apple Ford are really something else.

Every year since 2005 it has been our privilege to perform for their annual holiday party.

Despite the economic setbacks, slow economy, & big time pressure on the auto industry in particular, Apple Ford has remained positive and upbeat.  While many companies stopped having holiday parties, Apple believed that more than ever their people deserved to be appreciated and their efforts recognized.

As the economy continues to slowly improve we look forward to seeing even MORE people at upcoming parties, as the company continues to grow and prosper.

Return to American Legion Post 175 Severna Park

Our final public performance before New Years found us back at Post 175, with a new drummer and some space issues, a new configuration was tried downstairs that seemed to work well, placing the band in the middle of the room.

American Legion Post 175 Photo Gallery

Turf Valley Retirement Party

We finally got the opportunity to perform in the large room at Turf Valley Resort for a retirement party for a Millersville area priest.

Very enjoyable evening.

New Years Party at La Fontaine Bleue

And here we are, once again at full circle, back at the final performance for 2010, the one that takes us into another New Year!

We were wondering how we could improve on the party at the Sheraton Four Points that ushered in this past year.  After all, it sold out quickly & everyone said they had a great time.

The only issue we had was that there were so many people who wanted tickets that couldn't get in as the event sold out so quickly, and the room & dance floor were very crowded.

We found the solution to that problem at La Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie.  With room to seat up to 700 people yet still have a huge dance floor, the setting seemed ideal.  Couple that with the great food and a super package they put together, and well...the rest was history.

Over 400 of our good friends and fans of all ages came out to welcome 2011, and the management at La Fontaine Bleue has already asked the band to return to welcome in 2012.

It can only get better!!!

Photo Gallery - Oracle Band New Years Party at La Fontaine Bleue

Well, there you have it...all the performances that made 2010 so memorable.  From New Years to New Years, we covered them all.

But WAIT!!!  Don't quit now!  As with past years we have one final section of photos to go.  While the previous four pages have covered the performances over the course of the year, the most important photos we take are those of YOU, our fans.  The next two pages are dedicated to the fans that support us week to week.  You know who you are, and as always we don't mention names since that means we might leave some out, & we certainly don't want anyone feeling left out.

OK...here we go....we're just getting warmed up.  If we had a glass handy we'd raise it right now in a toast to YOU, our fans, who have made this ride possible.  But since we don't have a glass in hand, we'll just have to settle for a look back at the PEOPLE who have made Oracle what it is today.  We hope you enjoy.