On Stage: Conrad comes home to Pottstown, playing gigs in Chesco
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Kendal Conrad
Kendal Conrad had a master plan forging a career in music – grow up in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, learn to play guitar and write songs, graduate from college, head to Nashville to make music and eventually go out on national tours.
Conrad embarked on that path more than a decade ago and was progressing nicely – until the COVID-19...
On Stage: W. Chester’s Crane keeps ASH going strong despite pandemic
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Braham Logan Crane
A lot of memorable events happened in 2004.
George W. Bush was reelected President of the United States.
NASA’s MER-A (Spirit) spacecraft landed on the surface of Mars.
Saddam Hussein went on trial in Iraq for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Nintendo DS, the best-selling handheld game console of all time,...
On Stage: Lotus headlines at CBP — in the parking lot
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Lotus
When Lotus performs a live show for its fans this weekend, the instrumental band could appropriately borrow a line from a Monty Python project – “And Now for Something Completely Different.”
On September 4, Lotus will headline a show at Citizens Bank Park — at Citizens Bank Park not in Citizens Bank Park.
Lotus’ show will be part...
On Stage: Local musicians taking it outside for shows
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Nicole Zell and Chris Spousta
The era of live music in indoor venues has been paused indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fortunately, there are several restaurants and taverns around Chester County and its surrounding area that have been hosting live performances by musicians — in relatively safe outdoor settings.
Musicians are loving...
Music Spotlight: Del Val artists thriving in California
By Denny Dyroff , Entertainment Editor, The Times
Sharon Little and Tim Sonnefeld
California has always held a magical attraction for musicians, actors and just about anyone associated with the arts.
“California Dreamin’” is more than just a song by The Mamas and the Papas, it is a mantra – and the “Holy Land” is Los Angeles.
Hundreds of musicians and songwriters from the Delaware Valley...
Music Spotlight: Unionville’s Grassie find different ways to work during pandemic
By Denny Dyroff , Entertainment Editor, The Times
Gillian Grassie
Unionville’s Gillian Grassie likes a lot of variety in her life.
After growing up in Chester County, the talented multi-media artist has lived, on the East Coast, in Europe and on the West Coast.
Grassie is an award-winning, internationally touring harpist/singer-songwriter who has performed in France, Germany, India, China, Canada,...
Music Spotlight: Chadds Ford’s Vanessa Collier keeps busy, ready to release new album
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Vanessa Collier
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard – in a variety of ways.
For musicians, it has been devastating. Live shows are virtually unheard of. Going into a studio to make an album is hardly a viable option. It’s as if someone has pushed the “pause” button for most of the music industry.
For Vanessa Collier, a resident of Chadds...
On Stage: With indoor performances a no-go, venues move outdoors
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Fractals
Live entertainment continues to get battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, there have been a few attempts by venues to present live entertainment. Three different forms of presentation have emerged – indoor, outdoor and outdoor in a drive-in environment.
Indoor shows might be the most pleasing aesthetically, but they are also the...
On Stage: Venues reopen briefly, but…close again, due to COVID-19
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
COVID-19 has almost completely wiped out live music and theater performances.
There were glimmers of hope for live shows recently. Some venues actually hosted indoor performances in late July but the era of indoor live shows 2020 has drawn to a close.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has announced statewide mitigation efforts as COVID-19 cases surge in Pennsylvania.
Some...
On Stage: Blues ace Toby Walker to perform in Landsdowne, Friday
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Toby Walker
When Mike Tyson was in his prime, he would pummel his ring opponent with a barrage of short, powerful and severely damaging hooks to the midsection – never stopping until he had battered him into submission (frequently via a knockout).
COVID-19 has been brutalizing the area’s live entertainment scene with similar effectiveness.
Live entertainment...
