On Stage: Maci Miller brings jazz stylings to Uptown!

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Maci Miller Maci Miller, one of the Delaware Valley’s premier jazz singers, is known for her topflight albums and her spellbinding club dates. This week, Miller will perform an infrequent theater concert here in Chester County. On September 21, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will...

On Stage: After more than 50 years, Clannad is saying goodbye

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Clannad It’s been 53 years since Clannad formed in County Donegal in Ireland. It’s been 50 years since the masters of traditional Irish music first performed in America. Over that time, the band has released more than 20 albums and built up a strong large legion of devoted fans. “Mat the road rise to meet you” is an Irish blessing that has been...

On Stage Extra: Maria Muldaur, more than a one-hit wonder

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Maria Muldaur The end of summer is looming on the horizon. For fans of live music, that means there is an uptick in midweek shows. This week, there is an impressive array of live shows on Wednesday featuring a legendary folksinger, an iconic British pop band from the 80s, a groundbreaking metal band and an up-and-coming singer-songwriter. When music...

On Stage: Sharon Katz is much more than just a musician

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Sharon Katz On September 10, the City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, citywinery.com/philadelphia) will host one of the most important artists of our time – musician, philanthropist, musicologist, and humanitarian activist Sharon Katz. She will be performing with her musical group The Peace Train. The Peace Train band features Katz on...

On Stage: ZZ Ward takes control of her career

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times ZZ Ward A lot has happened with ZZ Ward’s life and music career from the time of her Philadelphia debut in March 2013 with a show at TLA until now. She has recorded three albums – the most recent of which was her first as an independent artist with her own label. The album, “Dirty Shine,” will be released on September 8 on her label, Dirty Shine...

On Stage Extra: Two legendary bands — Marshall Tucker and STYX — celebrating 50 years with local shows

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times There are quite a few legendary “Southern Rock” bands that have defined the genre – bands such as the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, 38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Black Oak Arkansas. One of the oldest and most durable is the Marshall Tucker Band, a band from Spartanburg, South Carolina that was formed in 1972. More...

On Stage: ‘Mr. Las Vegas’ — Wayne Newton — comes east for show at Parx

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Fans and journalists make a big deal about the age of some of the singers and musicians who are still performing live – acts such as Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Roger Daltrey (79), Ray Davies, Rod Stewart, Stephen Stills (78) and Van Morrison, Debbie Harry, Bryan Ferry, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton (77). However, when it comes to longevity, few can...

On Stage Extra: East meets West with Shakti, at The Keswick

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Shakti On August 22, the Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) will present a special concert – a concert featuring a rarely touring international supergroup – a concert where East meets West and North meets South. That band is Shakti. It is led by English guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian percussionist...

On Stage: Ardmore Rock N’ Ride returns, Sat.

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times On August 19, Narberth Ambulance, Rising Sun Presents and Suburban Square are teaming up to present the Third Annual “Ardmore Rock N’ Ride” — an all-day music festival and competitive bike race in downtown Ardmore, presented by Main Line Health and Independence Blue Cross. The free community fundraiser combines an official US Cycling bike...

On Stage Extra: After a long wait, The Lion King returns to Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  The Lion King “Rent,” “Les Misérables,” “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera” — many touring Broadway shows make frequent return visits to Philadelphia. The hit musical “The Lion King” is not one of them. The show made its area debut in 2006 at the Academy of Music and then didn’t come back again until 2010. It returned to the...