Local community band Popcorn Button will provide another free evening of live big band music on Saturday, December 23rd at 7 PM at the Elks’ Lodge, located at 501 Poplar Street in Atlantic.

Photos from Let Freedom Swing 2015, & Holiday Ball 2013, by Doug Auerbach.

Popcorn Button, a 17-piece jazz band composed of community talent, plays a range of hits from the big band era, with favorites like “In the Mood,” “Flying Home,” and “Little Brown Jug.”  Many long-time members of Popcorn Button are alumni of the AHS jazz program and at this event the band is excited to welcome special guest Jazz I of the Atlantic High School music program to play a set.

To further its mission of supporting community music, the band offers a scholarship for young music students to take private lessons and attend band camps and honor bands. Awards have been distributed yearly since 2012. Applications details are at popcornbutton.org/ scholarship.

Dancers of any level of experience are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the dance floor throughout the evening. Anyone interested in taking a free beginner swing dance lesson should email info@popcornbutton.org.

Holiday Ball is a free public event. A free will donation will be accepted at the door to help defray costs of the event and to support the Popcorn Button Community Music Scholarship. Event organizers encourage those of all ages and dancing or listening abilities to attend from 7-10 PM on Saturday, December 23rd at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic. For more information, follow the band at facebook.com/popcornbutton. org or email them at info@popcornbutton.org.