On Stage: Belardo returns to her Wilmington roots
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Maya Belardo
The live entertainment scene over the last seven or eight months has been similar to flowers growing in outdoor gardens.
Almost nothing has survived over the winter months except for pansies. It’s ironic that the word ‘pansy’ is used as an insult meaning “a weak man’ when, in reality, the pansy is a strong flower that can be...
On Stage: Aziza Nailah brings music back to The Queen
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Aziza Nailah
Live music is starting to slowly return after being relegated to the trash heap for more than a year because of COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.
This weekend, there are a variety of shows around the area including several that can be classified as “firsts” – including Aziza Nailah’s show at The Queen and shows at the Sellersville Theater...
On Stage: An exploration of ‘Dull Space’ at Candlelight
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Cast members (left & right) Rebecca Schalland Dan Healy and ‘Dull Space’ writer and director Brian McCole (center).
Picture a couple living together who for the last year – because of the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown — have never been out of each other’s company.
Both work at home and rarely leave the safe confines of their...
On Stage: Cotton finds ways to overcome tragedy, headlining at Sellersville
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Danielia Cotton
The COVID-19 pandemic has ripped through the music industry – especially the live aspect of the music world — like a California wildfire relentless torching thousands of acres.
Fortunately, things are looking up – if only a little.
The fires have not been extinguished — but they have been controlled a bit. There are...
On Stage: Arnez J. headlining at Helium
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Arnez J.
Because of the pandemic, live entertainment by national acts is virtually non-existent in this area – and it is no laughing matter.
Fortunately, there are a few venues still presenting shows – and it is a laughing matter.
Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia has been presenting nationally acclaimed comedy acts on a regular basis for months....
On Stage: Akaash Singh thrives on having a live audience
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Akaash Singh
There seem to be two main types of standup comedians.
Some give performances that are a series of bits – jokes and routines they have honed to elicit laughs from audiences. Others spend much of their time onstage interacting with audiences in a conversational way – talking about audience members’ dates, their clothing or their ethnic...
On Stage: Adam Ferrara was ‘driven’ into comedy
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Adam Ferrara
Adam Ferrara, who will be headlining the Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com) from February 25-27, is currently one of the top comics in America.
His career as a top-flight standup comedian might never have happened had it not been for a pair of prescient activities by his mother and him in...
On Stage: Ahamed Weinberg shares a slice of life through comedy
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ahamed Weinberg
There are times when you see names where the first name and the surname just do not seem to be a match – just do not seem to fit together well.
Names such as Werner DiNapoli, Mikey Patel, Enrique Edmundsdottir, Chauncey Lopez or Jean-Luc Kratingdaenggym might leave you scratching your head. Some might make you wonder about a possible...
On Stage: Broussard takes unusual path to comedy
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Matthew Broussard
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the area entertainment scene into a horrible situation.
The almost non-existent availability of live shows in Philadelphia featuring national acts is no laughing matter.
But shows that are on the list of coming attractions are laughing matters – because they are shows at some of the city’s well-respected...
On Stage: More options this weekend for live entertainment
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ian Bagg
There is a Jamaican restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City called Chephas’ Hot Spot. Run by Rastaman Cephas Gilbert, it features delightful and authentic food dished from the island. What it doesn’t have is a menu.
The meals all include fresh vegetables of the day along with beans and rice. There are no choices.
The only choice Cephas...
