For the Bob Moog Foundation, fundraisers are about more than light refreshments and chit-chat -- they are full-on multimedia events involving music, prolific guests, and concerts on an intimate yet grand scale. The Foundation's upcoming event, Moogus Operandi, will offer an exclusive concert by noted musicians, among them Northern California-based synthesizer virtuoso Erik Norlander (ASIA featuring John Payne, Rocket Scientists, Lana Lane), plus an eBay visual art auction, multimedia presentations, and much more.

Moogus Operandi will be held on May 27, 2010 at the Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door the night of the event. Funds raised at Moogus Operandi will support the Foundation's efforts to preserve and archive Bob Moog's work and also educate and interest others in music.

Headlining the event, the rock, electronic, and symphonic keyboardist Erik Norlander (pictured here) will perform songs from his new album The Galactic Collective. Gearheads will especially like viewing his “Wall of Doom” modular synthesizer (see photo above), a massive analog modular synth with restored 1967 Moog modules at its heart, which will be present at the fundraiser.

Norlander will be joined on stage by a number of Asheville's top musicians, including percussionists, brass and string players, and a choral group of four vocalists. Opening for Norlander and accompanying musicians will be Asheville street musician sensations Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Sheiks, featuring Dwight Hawkins (saw, guitar, vocals), Nicky The Squirrel (mandolin, harmonica, kazoo, vocals), Tony Costa (guitar, kazoo, vocals), and Alex Brady (gut bass) performing ragtime, jug band, early blues, and country.

Since art and music go hand in hand, Moogus Operandi will also give a nod to the Moog legacy through visual art. In the week leading up to the event, the Foundation will hold an eBay auction featuring original pieces of Moog-inspired art donated by Asheville artists. The auction begins May 20th and will close at the end of the May 27th Moogus Operandi event at 10 p.m. (EST); attendees will be able to participate at the event through bidding stations set up by CityMacm, while those unable to make the event can participate online. If you would like to submit your own piece of art for the auction, please register on the Foundation's Web site.

What's more, Gene Felice, the graphic artist who created the Moogseum 3D conceptualization for the Foundation's Moogseum, will offer a multimedia presentation highlighting the impact of Moog’s inventions on the music industry and on the musicians who have used them. Felice will be using media directly from Bob Moog's archives, including vintage photos, schematics, movie clips, and more.

Raffle prizes, the opportunity to explore the MoogLab interactive experience, and a setup of theremins and synthesizers will be on hand as well. For ordering information please call the Orange Peel at 1-866-468-7630 or visit the Bob Moog Foundation Web site.