On October 30, the Woodward Theater is celebrating Halloween with a rather unique concert.
The fifth annual MockBall features local bands dressing up as and performing songs of well-known acts from all across the globe, with everyone from Queens of the Stone Age to Hannah Montana being represented at this year’s show.
Charlie Graham co-founded the event alongside three of her friends — Chandler Hoffert, Britton de la Chapelle and Nathan Hoeweler — as a “fun way to do some cover sets.”
“We’re all musicians that have been in the scene for a very long time, and musicians are always saying, “Oh, I would love to do a cover set’ or ‘We should just start a cover band,'” she said. “It started as a fun, small way to do that and has evolved into this giant thing over the years.”
Throughout the night, attendees participate in a costume contest that’s interspersed with local bands playing their favorite songs. Eight local bands were selected from over 60 submissions to play a cover set; major acts represented are Dolly Parton, Anderson .Paak, DJO, Billy Strings, The Allman Brothers, The Black Keys, and the aforementioned Queens of the Stone Age.
Graham’s own band, Saving Escape, will also be performing songs from the Disney Channel classic sitcom “Hannah Montana.”
“We try to hit every era, every genre, and include all different kinds of music from throughout the city,” she said. “I think at its core, it’s about bringing the local music scene together through creativity and a shared love for doing something different.”
Over the years, the event has grown to be one of the biggest fall events in Cincinnati’s local music scene. Graham credits the show’s growth to the people who keep showing up, and the concert’s general emphasis on community.
“I don’t think it’s an original idea … but we just wanted to do something that was a little bit more engaging with the crowd. We turn it into a crowd experience that’s more than just a concert. I think that community aspect is what makes it so special,” she said. “We’re always including different photographers, and for the costume contest’s judges, we always try to choose different personalities from all over the city … and crafting that sense of community through a creative event is what keeps us all going.”
Even though the event is intended to be a celebration of all things Halloween, she hopes attendees focus on the music first and foremost.
“I hope people leave with a good story of a great time, or, especially, a new favorite local artist. We want our main emphasis to be on these local bands, because everyone’s just trying to make some money, trying to make it,” she said. “We hope that everyone leaves with a new favorite artist and has fun, because everyone who comes gets to be a part of something really unique.”
For more information on the Mock Ball, visit the event’s official Instagram page.
