On Saturday, Beatles fans from across the Region gathered under the stars in Zao Island’s newest venue, the Greenhouse. They enjoyed a performance by one of our region’s premiere supergroups - the MegaBeatles, a Beatles tribute band composed of members from the CrawPuppies, the Chris and Lou Band, and Ed Reinhold.
While Zao Island is no stranger to hosting music festivals, the MegaBeatles’ Saturday show served as the first ever concert in their recently opened Greenhouse. Featuring a roof and walls that open to the sky, it serves as the perfect location for all kinds of events. It was a great spot for Saturday night’s concert, which raised funds for the an important cause.
“We’ve been thinking about doing a concert in here for a while, so this is kind of a tester event for us that also really helps the Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Ryan Wright, a Partner at Zao Island and the Greenhouse. “Helping out organizations like them is a big part of what we do. It makes us feel good to give back to the community. Valpo is a really special area, and we want people to know how much we care.”
The event quickly proved to be a successful one as the line to get into the Venue stretched to the parking lot. The MegaBeatles always draw huge crowds since they combine the perennial favorite Beatles music with some of the Region’s greatest homegrown talent. One attendee, Kirk Kusmiz, tries to make it out to every MegaBeatles show, and entered the Greenhouse in full Sgt. Pepper regalia.
“I think it’s awesome that the guys are supporting the Boys & Girls Club like this,” Kusmiz said. “It looks like a packed crowd today, and this is one band that always brings them in. It’s my first time [at the Greenhouse], and it’s really cool. It’s just awesome, they should make this an annual thing.”
Even with a huge crowd, there was still plenty of room for fans to dance and enjoy the cash and pizza bars. The crew from the Boys & Girls Club had hosted an employee day at the Greenhouse and Zao Island in the past, so when Wright approached them about being the night’s beneficiaries, they jumped at the chance.
“It’s very generous of them to support us through a unique event like this,” said Ryan Smiley, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI. “It was basically all Ryan Wright’s idea to do something fun that would also support the community, and Chad, the frontman for the MegaBeatles is a huge community supporter as well. It’s just the perfect combination for a great Saturday night.”
To learn more about Zao Island, visit zaoisland.net. For photos of and more information about the Greenhouse, visit greenhousevalpo.com.