On Stage: Zakir Hussain brings classical rhythm to Zellerbach

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Zakir Hussain On April 7, area music fans will have the opportunity to hear one of the legendary masters of Indian classical music perform live in concert with two of India’s emerging new luminaries in a special concert at the University of Pennsylvania’s Zellerbach Theater (Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, pennlivearts.org). Zakir Hussain,...

On Stage: Hackett keeping Genesis’ sound alive

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Steve Hackett It would be an understatement to describe former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett’s fanbase in the area as sizable. Genesis was one of the best progressive rock bands ever — one of the genre’s trailblazers. The band broke up quite a while ago and prospects of any type of reunion are non-existent. Fortunately, the band’s guitarist...

On Stage: Riverdance dances through more than two decades

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times If it seems as if “Riverdance” has been around forever — it’s because it has been around forever. If you’re not of the age to drink legally in Pennsylvania or Delaware, then you weren’t even born yet when “Riverdance” made its stage debut in London Its popularity never seems to wane. Like the Energizer Bunny and Betty White, “Riverdance”...

On Stage: Part II

By DENNY DYROFF, Staff Writer, The Times   It’s always a good trait to have the ability to laugh at yourself. This weekend, Philadelphia will have the opportunity to laugh at itself when Chicago’s legendary sketch and improv comedy theater Second City performs three shows on November 13 and 14  the Kimmel Center  (Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org). The...

On Stage: Gillian Grassie comes home

Also:  Orpheus Supertones, Genesis’ Steve Hackett and more on local stages By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Gillian Grassie, a 2005 Unionville High School graduate, is coming home to perform after playing shows around the world. Chadds Ford’s globe-trotting musician Gillian Grassie is coming home — at least for a few weeks. Grassie, who now lives in Berlin, Germany, will be...