Cirque du Funk: A Halloween Night of Music, Mischief & Magic at Soundcheck Studios

The funk was alive and well on the South Shore this Halloween!

On Friday, October 30th, Sluggers teamed up with our friends and retail partners at South Shore Buds to co-sponsor Cirque du Funk, a Halloween celebration that brought an unforgettable mix of live music, immersive art, outrageous costumes, and community to Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Massachusetts.

Hosted by the legendary multi-instrumentalist Lee Ross, the evening was anything but an ordinary Halloween party. With two stages of nonstop grooves, larger-than-life art installations, and a lineup of musicians who know a thing or two about bringing the house down, Cirque du Funk delivered a night full of surprises, creativity, and seriously good energy.

From the moment guests arrived, it was clear that this was no ordinary circus.

The Ringmaster of Funk: Lee Ross

*Lee Ross and Hitch – Photo by Eric Fralick (@erikfralickphoto_)

Every great circus needs a ringmaster, and there was no better person for the job than Lee Ross (@leerossmusic).

A powerhouse on saxophone, flute, and keys, Lee has a remarkable ability to bring musicians and audiences together through his infectious energy and genre-bending sound. His performances effortlessly move between funk, jazz, electronic music, and improvisation, creating the kind of musical experience where you never quite know what's coming next—and that's half the fun.

For Cirque du Funk, Lee assembled an incredible lineup of musicians, including some of Sluggers' tried-and-true homies, who each brought their own distinct flavor to the festivities.

Hitch and the Aliens (@hitchmasterflex) brought their signature energy to the stage, delivering the kind of performance that reminds us why live music is best experienced surrounded by friends, dancing without a care in the world.

Drunken Doja Monkey (@drunkendojamonkey), featuring Luke and Rory of lespecial (@lespecialmusic), brought their own unique musical chemistry to the circus. Known for pushing creative boundaries and blending sounds in unexpected ways, the duo added another dimension to an already stacked evening of entertainment.

Apel Beats (@apelbeats) kept the momentum going with infectious rhythms and grooves at a disco Jack Skeleton, while DJ Ryan Brown (@djryanbrown) brought his own funk energy to the mix, keeping the dance floor moving throughout the night.

With two separate stages, the music flowed from one space to another, giving guests plenty of opportunities to explore different sounds, discover something new, and get lost in the moment.

The result? A night where the dance floor rarely stood still.

A Circus for the Senses

Of course, Cirque du Funk wasn't just about the music.

One of the most memorable elements of the evening came courtesy of the incredibly talented Marisa of @tenderfirestudio, whose giant illuminated organ glorbs transformed Soundcheck Studios into a glowing, otherworldly playground.

These whimsical, larger-than-life creations were impossible to miss. With their vibrant colors, imaginative shapes, and mesmerizing glow, the installations brought an entirely new visual dimension to the space.

Part psychedelic dreamscape, part Halloween fantasy, and entirely unforgettable, the glorbs provided the perfect backdrop for the night's festivities.

They weren't simply decorations; they were works of art that helped bring the whole circus to life.

Paired with the venue's atmosphere, creative costumes, and nonstop music, the installations made Cirque du Funk feel like an immersive experience rather than just another concert.

It was exactly the kind of creativity we love to see celebrated.

Sluggers x South Shore Buds: Bringing the Community Together

We were thrilled to team up with our friends at South Shore Buds, one of our valued South Shore retail partners, to help bring this event to life.

Throughout the evening, our teams connected with familiar faces, met plenty of new ones, shared some Sluggers love, and enjoyed being part of the festivities.

From talking music and swapping stories to introducing more people to the Sluggers brand, it was a great reminder that some of the most meaningful connections happen when people come together around something they genuinely love.

And if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that music has a pretty incredible way of bringing people together.

We're especially grateful to South Shore Buds for continuing to collaborate with us on opportunities that extend beyond the dispensary walls. Supporting local artists, venues, and creative communities is something we deeply value, and partnerships like this make it all the more rewarding.

The Costume Contest: A Grand Finale Worthy of the Circus

What would a Halloween circus be without a little friendly competition?

As the night rolled on, the creativity wasn't limited to the stage. Guests showed up in an incredible assortment of costumes, bringing plenty of imagination, humor, and Halloween spirit to the party.

The evening culminated in an epic costume contest that gave some of the night's most creative characters their moment in the spotlight.

Taking home first place was an iconic duo dressed as the Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat, straight out of Wonderland and perfectly suited for a night as wonderfully weird as Cirque du Funk.

Their winning looks earned them an incredible grand prize: two tickets to every remaining Soundcheck Studios show of 2026, along with an epic Sluggers swag pack loaded with goodies.

Not a bad way to wrap up Halloween!

The contest was the perfect finale to an evening built around imagination, self-expression, and having a great time.

*Photo by Eric Fralick (@erikfralickphoto_)

A Little Venue with a Whole Lot of Soul

If you've spent any time exploring live music on the South Shore, chances are you're familiar with Soundcheck Studios.

The Pembroke venue has become a beloved gathering place for music lovers, bringing together talented artists, enthusiastic audiences, and a community that genuinely appreciates live performance.

There's something special about spaces like Soundcheck. They're intimate enough to make you feel connected to the musicians while still having the energy and production to deliver a big-show experience.

That balance makes the venue a natural home for something as creative and unconventional as Cirque du Funk.

And when you combine that setting with the talents of Lee Ross and friends, an enthusiastic Halloween crowd, and some wildly imaginative visual art, you've got all the ingredients for an unforgettable night.

Until the Next Circus!

As the evening came to a close, one thing was certain: Cirque du Funk delivered on every level.

Incredible musicians. Mind-bending art. Creative costumes. Great friends. And a whole lot of dancing.

A huge thank-you to Soundcheck Studios and our guy Lee Ross for inviting us to be part of the circus, to the entire lineup of artists for bringing the funk, and to Marisa of Tender Fire Studio for transforming the space into something truly extraordinary.

And, of course, much love to our friends at South Shore Buds for joining forces with us and helping make the night such a success.

We're grateful for every opportunity to support the people and places that keep our local music community thriving.

Here's to more collaboration, more creativity, more nights spent getting lost in the music, and keeping the good times rolling.

Until next time, stay funky, Massachusetts!

— The Sluggers Team