As families across Wood County continue to face the daily challenge of putting food on the table, the Perrysburg Rotary Club is stepping up to help through its 42nd annual community fundraiser, Bootleggers Bash, set for Friday, April 24, from 6–11 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn – Perrysburg. Mercy Health is once again the event’s Presenting Sponsor.
At this year’s Prohibition-era themed event, guests are encouraged to dress in 1920s-inspired attire while enjoying an impressive lineup of regional jazz and blues talent. Sit-down dinner choices include Sole Roulade - seafood mousse of shrimp & scallops with juniper cream sauce; Deconstructed Beef Wellington - prime beef, roasted mushroom medley with beef demi glaze; Stuffed Airline Chicken w/sage & fennel sausage and poultry reduction; or a Vegetarian meal.
Headlining the evening’s performers is Hepcat Revival, a high-energy seven-piece ensemble celebrating 28 years of performance across the Midwest. Known for their dynamic blend of jump blues, jazz, swing, soul, and R&B, the band has built a loyal following at swing dance venues in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. Their ability to fuse classic jazz traditions with a modern edge makes them a natural fit for the festive Bootleggers Bash atmosphere.
Providing dinner entertainment is veteran musician Gene Parker, a cornerstone of the Toledo jazz scene for more than five decades. A renowned bandleader and multi-instrumentalist, Parker has performed alongside legendary artists including Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight, and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition to leading the Gene Parker Quartet and co-leading the Parker-Wolkins Big Band, he is a dedicated educator who has taught music privately and at academic institutions since the 1960s.
The event will also feature “Speakeasy Room” performances throughout the evening. Ramona Collins was initially slated to perform but is unable to do so due to health concerns. In her place will be Kim Buehler, a seasoned vocalist who has become a fixture in the regional music scene. Kim performs jazz, top 40, opera, and country -- though jazz remains her true passion. Over her 35+ year career, she has performed across the U.S., in Paris, and aboard the QEII, including work with Jon Hendricks.
Guitarist Randy “Rockin’ Randy” Sobel adds more than 60 years of experience in the local music scene, along with a legacy as an instructor at the Toledo School for the Arts.
Rounding out the Speakeasy Room lineup is Aayan Naim, widely regarded as one of the region’s top blues guitarists. A frequent award-winner at the International Blues Challenge, including a third runner-up finish in Memphis, Naim draws heavily from Chicago blues traditions and performs extensively across the U.S. and Canada.
With its blend of live music, themed festivities, and community purpose, Bootleggers Bash promises to be a signature event supporting local families in need.
Tickets are available at $125 per person and includes the sit-down dinner. For tickets and sponsorships visit prcf.org/events.
