Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum “Rock & Roll Holiday Ball”

So, you moved in two decades ago, had some renovations done recently, and figured it’s time to invite the neighbors in for some yuletide spirit. When you’re the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the RSVPs reach nearly 600, and celebrity chef Rocco Whalen crafts the exclusive dinner menu.

The music? Rock ’n’ soul cranked to the rafters by Grammy winner Mike Farris and “The Voice” runner-up Adam Wakefield. Besides, who’s to complain about the decibels? A) It’s the Rock Hall, B) the closest neighbors to the north live in Canada, and C) the rest were invited to the inaugural Rock & Roll Holiday Ball.

“This is our first ever,” said Greg Harris, the Rock Hall’s president and CEO. “We thought it would be a great way to kick off the season for Northeast Ohio folks.”

Tickets, at $75 per person, included two drinks, dessert, museum admission, a parking shuttle, and that exclusive dinner. Grazing tables offered short ribs with wasabi potatoes, three-cheese ravioli, decorated Christmas cookies and a child’s fantasy candy bar, while Chef Whalen, backed by a near-life-size poster of Crosby Stills and Nash, sliced stuffed pork roast for the smoked porchetta sandwiches. He also raffled off a chef’s dinner at his restaurant Fahrenheit, to benefit the crisis nursery Providence House.

Proceeds from the general admission will support the world-famous organization’s mission to teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. But the event’s main goal was to rock in the good cheer.

“Tonight it’s a chance to be with our friends and neighbors,” said Harris, above the din of conversation and music, “and celebrate the season.” STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEGGY TURBETT

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Rocco Whalen – Cleveland celebrity chef Rocco Whalen planned the festive menu.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum beckons guests to its first-ever Rock & Roll Holiday Ball, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Peggy Turbett for Currents)