Christmas show set for Laramar Friday

Brady O’Brien Live event will benefit charity

A festive holiday mood will surround the Laramar Ballroom this Friday, as Brady O'Brien Live will present "An Enchanted Evening" Christmas performance to a capacity crowd.

A handful of general admission tickets remain for the 7 p.m. concert, which again brings together musical talent from across the area. An audience of nearly 600 is expected for this event.

All proceeds from the evening's silent auction will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

"We have some amazing talent again this year," said O'Brien, a skilled pianist who is a 2022 St. Edmond High School graduate. "We all enjoy the holidays, but some families have had a terrible year and we want to provide them with some happiness.

"Everyone deserves a bit of happiness at Christmas."

Fort Dodge Senior High School graduates Mikeal Campbell, Malaney Butrick, Brayden Schmieder and Aaron Amhof will be among the vocal performers, along with St. Edmond senior Maya Neverman.

The band will include Mason O'Brien on lead guitar, Jake Rossow on drums, Abby Meyer on saxophone, Ryan Madden on trombone, Abbi Casciato on cello and Reese Pederson on synthesizer. All are local products of FDSH and SEHS as well.

"Besides raising money for other nonprofits and families in need, I enjoy working with younger artists so they have a chance to perform," said O'Brien, who is 19 years old himself.

Featured silent auction items include a $1,000 Hamilton County Speedway package, a $500 Iowa Central Community College scholarship, a one-night Best Western Starlite Village Inn & Suites stay, a gift basket from Stella's Coffee, a bottle of wine per month for a year from Soldier Creek Winery, and one lunch per month for a year from Tea Thyme, among other local business items. The Photician of Adel also donated a $1,000 family portrait experience.

Brenda Miller, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa executive director, will be in attendance and speak on behalf of RMHC.

O'Brien and his group of performers will offer a wide variety of Christmas music, while also playing selections from pop, rock and country. A signature Brady O'Brien Live special effects and light show will be a part of the concert as well.

"It's amazing to sell out the iconic Laramar Ballroom," O'Brien said.

The Brady O'Brien Live team also includes area residents Katrina O'Brien, Kim Quade, Danna Rae Snell, Katie Hazel, Ashley Garst, Molly Schaeffer, Riley Rossow, Linsey Christie and Mark Gales.

Limited tickets are still available for Friday's show. Doors open for the general public at 6 p.m.

This is the eighth concert hosted by O'Brien since December 2021.

The historic Laramar Ballroom is located at 710 First Ave N.

For more information or to support Brady O'Brien Live, visit the website https://bradyobrienlive.com/, email info@bradyobrienlive.com, or call/text 515-408-7430. Sponsorships are available at multiple levels by contacting support@bradyobrienlive.com.

An email membership is also offered for free on the website's main page, which keeps fans up to date on future shows, fundraisers and private events.