Monthly Archives: September 2016

Fall Preview: Fests and Fundraisers Keep the Scene Moving

There is a myth that exists in the Lehigh Valley, and it goes a little something like this: the music scene dries up when summer ends. As the sun begins to set earlier in the day, so, too, does it set on the active season in our arts and culture community.

That notion could not be further from the truth.

Between festivals, showcases, and our typical haunts, our dance card is already filling up for the fall, and will likely keep us out of the pumpkin patches and absorbing the sights and sounds as the autumn chill permeates the air. Here’s what’s on our radar.

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Allentown ArtsFest is happening, like, right now.

Allentown ArtsFest
Dates:
Now through Oct. 2
Location: Cedar Beach Park, Allentown
Description: ArtsFest 2016 features more than 300 artists, vendors, musicians, buskers and performers. All admission and entertainment is FREE for all ages.

Oktoberfest
Dates:
Now through Oct. 2; Oct. 7-9
Location: SteelStacks, Bethlehem
Description: Music isn’t all Oktoberfest has to offer, with games, dachshund races, food and, of course, plenty of great beer. If you’re looking for tunes, though, Scott Marshall (10/1, 9 p.m.), The Moondogs (10/8, 4 p.m.), and Truth & Soul (10/9, 12 p.m.) are among the highlights that stand out to us.

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On Oct. 27, Alpha Zero Three returns to the scene of their live debut.

Alpha Zero Three and Rofo Audio at The Originals Music Series
Date: Thurs., Oct. 27
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Chicago Restaurant & Club Gravity, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown
Description: Both AZ3 and Rofo Audio, rising rock acts in the Valley, will be performing new tunes from their upcoming releases.

Thirteen Butterflies Productions’ Annual Anti-Bullying Show
Date:
Sat., Oct. 29
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Allentown Masonic Temple, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown
Description: Craig Thatcher, Friar’s Point Band, Taylor Ash, and many more artists cap Anti-Bullying Awareness Month with an all-star jam.

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There’s a lot of bacon in this photo. The only thing missing… is you.

PA Bacon Fest 2016
Date: Nov. 5-6
Location: Center Square, Easton
Description: 100+ vendors, 10+ musical acts, and bacon. Lots and lots of bacon.

Third Annual Arts on the Move
Date: Sat., Nov. 12
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. 4th St, Bethlehem
Description: We went into this a bit on Thursday, but to re-iterate: four great performers and an art/instrument auction to support the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association’s scholarship program.

Jazz, Coffee, and Limitless Possibilities

Nestled in Allentown’s 10th Ward is a quaint, quirky space where art, music and community collide.

I’m talking about Coffee House Without Limits, a Queen City gem that has begun to make a name for itself in artistic circles. Located at 707 N. 4th St., Coffee House Without Limits serves up hot beverages and cool vibes with equal ease, sharing a conjoining door with the popular Alternative Gallery.

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Bryan Tuk, right, keeps time while Bill Warfield improvises on trumpet.

On a rainy Thursday night, I had the opportunity to visit Coffee House Without Limits for the first time, which was packed with patrons young and old to see The Bryan Tuk Complex. It was the perfect night for some intricate, experimental jazz from the always-on-point Tuk and his band, which consisted on this night of B.D. Lenz on guitar, Bill Warfield on trumpet, and Tony Marino on bass. The evening also served, to me, as a microcosm of what our scene can be, every night of the week: people of all ages, demographics, and backgrounds, coming together at a cool, upstart venue for the sake of enjoying some original tunes.

Perhaps this diversity is a byproduct of the many offerings Coffee House Without Limits gives to the community at any given moment. Artists can work with Coffee House Without Limits to schedule music, poetry, or other performances, or participate in open mic nights. Coffee House Without Limits also offers performers “CWOL Sessions;” opportunities to tape intimate, in-house performances, akin to NPR’s Tiny Desk sessions. A full schedule of events can be found on CWOL’s homepage.

Coffee House without limits is no longer a secret to me, and I look forward to heading back, sooner rather than later.

GLVMA’s Third Annual Arts on the Move Set for Nov. 12.

We enjoyed our Musikfest rendezvous with the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association so much, we’ve decided it’s time for another round!

Lehigh Valley Underground is proud to sponsor the Third Annual Arts on the Move, taking place on Saturday, November 12 at Touchstone Theater, 321 E. 4th St. in Bethlehem.

Arts on the Move is a fundraiser for the GLVMA, with all proceeds funding the organization’s scholarships, to be awarded at the 18th Annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards on March 5, 2017. The evening will feature live music from local performers Triple G, Project 32, Jordyn Kenzie, and Erin Kelly. In addition, Arts on the Move will host an auction of unique instruments donated by local musicians and styled by local visual artists.

Tickets are $15 and can be found on the GLVMA’s Eventbrite page. For updates and more information, visit Arts on the Move on Facebook, and check back with Lehigh Valley Underground and DustinSchoof.com in the weeks leading up to the event.

PHOTOS: The Fourth Annual Slatington Bike Night

Last Saturday was a beautiful day for an All-American good time. That’s what Slatington Volunteer Fire Company provided its town’s residents with the fourth annual Slatington Bike Night.

This “night” actually began at noon, and featured food, beer, vendors, bikes, cars and, of course, music. Our friends at The Fyre & Ice Show put the day’s entertainment together, with five local bands rocking a blend of covers and originals throughout the day. First up was Wicked Beaver, who featured a setlist of familiar classic rock hits to get things warmed up.

Next, Bethlehem-based Eighteenth Hour came to the stage, switching things up and turning heads with their well-crafted rock originals.

By the time Eighteenth Hour concluded, it was the middle of an laid-back weekend afternoon. Our musical lineup had just the thing for such a relaxing atmosphere: father-daughter duo AVYLON, who came through with some new originals and a jukebox of covers.

Crowds had begun to gather in larger numbers as AVYLON’s set went on. While this was, no doubt, because of the duo’s acoustic stylings, it was also due to the fact that the ever-popular CA/CD — an AC/DC tribute band, as you might guess — was up next. The band’s renditions of songs like “Thunderstruck” and “Dirty Deeds” were on-point, as was its onstage presence throughout the set.

Finally, as night has begun to creep its way into Slatington Bike Night, those who stuck around were in for a real treat, as Long Island-based REVEL 9 had made their way to the Valley for the occasion. It was my first time seeing the hard rockers — unbelievable, considering their song, “All I’ve Become,” has been my podcast’s theme song for two years — and they did not disappoint! With blazing guitars, REVEL 9 presented songs off of its two albums, “The Razorblade Diaries” and “The Reality Crush,” as well as unreleased tracks and a couple of well-timed covers. Frontman DJ Pearlman even stuck around afterwards to give CDs to the kids who had stayed to rock out, ensuring a love of music in the next generation.

With the day in the books, there was a good feeling in the air. It was one of gratitude, and of a unity through music. Thanks to The Fyre & Ice Show for including us, and for putting the day’s great lineup together.

Hey, look! I’m a ‘Music Industry Master Mind!’

One hot summer day earlier this year, I was on the phone with John Scargall, touring country artist and #GoodFriendoftheShow. John and I talk to catch up on each other’s projects every so often, and to bounce ideas off of one another.

As this particular conversation went on, John told me about his upcoming Music Industry Master Mind podcast. The series features John interviewing “some of the music industry’s top executives and minds to find out what makes them tick; [and] the beliefs and strategies they use in order to achieve tremendous success.”

John’s Music Industry Master Mind guest list includes CEOs and top industry A&R executives, and provides valuable industry insight to anybody passionate about making music their life’s mission.

Now, I am ecstatic and humbled to tell you that Music Industry Master Mind also features the story of Lehigh Valley Underground!

John extended the offer to me to share my experience of building Lehigh Valley Underground, from fledgling blog to local online music powerhouse(?). To have my name — and, especially, Lehigh Valley Underground’s — listed alongside some of the top executives in the music industry today is a tremendous honor, and to share my thoughts on John’s amazing platform is something for which I’m incredibly grateful.

Thanks to John for including me! Please have a listen to the podcast to learn our origin story (Spoilers: The Quinn Spinn is involved), what it takes to succeed, and my hopes for LVU’s future.

The Quinn Spinn: Sept. 26, 2016

It ain’t live, but it will do! This week, The Dark Matter Trio joins us to talk about their album, “The Puzzle With No Pieces.” Learn about the band, their process, and how they’ve come to their unique place in the musical landscape.

Plus, we have plenty more great music, Stupid News, Somethin’ Good, and a brief tribute to Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
Lemonade Kid – Bully
The Dark Matter Trio – Brenda Lea / Myrtle Likes to Swing / All Hallows Eve
The Dark Matter Trio – The Puzzle Wth No Pieces
The Everglows – She’s a Mystery
UVTraveler – When the Sun Gets In Your Eyes
John Hufford – Hideaway (Promote next Monday)
Lauren Marsh – Dear Love
AVYLON – Don’t Look Back
Elwood James Band – Black Cherry
Joe Scheller – Two Weeks Notice
Sunsets North – out_of_CTRL
Slumlord Radio – Bullwhip
Doctor Ransom – Hook & Cross

Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: Sept. 26-Oct. 2

Art is all around us, and it comes in many forms. It can happen just about anywhere, and this week is no exception.

Don’t believe us? Well, then check out these…

Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!

Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6 p.m.
Abdu Ali and Joy Postell
Venue:
Consolidated Cardboard
Admission: $7-10 donation; 21+ BYOB
Description: Really want to #GoUnderground? Start your weekend early with a house show featuring out-of-state artists!

Thurs., Sept. 29 | 7 p.m.
Experimental Jazz with the Bryan Tuk Complex
Venue: Coffeehouse Without Limits, 707 N. 4th St., Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Consider it a JazzFest preview as Bryan Tuk brings a four-piece to expand musical boundaries.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2
Allentown ArtsFest
Venue: Cedar Beach Park, Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Enjoy three stages of entertainment, vendors, artwork and more, all weekend long!

Sat., Oct. 1 | 2 p.m.
Scott Marshall & Marshall’s Highway

Venue: Pinnacle Ridge Winery, 407 Old Route 22, Kutztown
Admission: FREE
Description: Join our friends for some music that’s good for the soul. Speaking of soul…

Sat., Oct. 1 | 8 p.m.
Not For Coltrane & Soul Folks

Venue: Unicorn Theater, 417 Front St., Catasauqua
Admission: $8
Description: Come enjoy the moving folk music of Not For Coltrane and the harmonic bliss of soul folks for a truly memorable listening room experience.

Bethlehem’s 29th Annual Celtic Classic is Underway

In Bethlehem, the Fall Classic doesn’t happen in October, and it does not involve bats, gloves, and pinstripes. Instead, it occurs as soon as the new season kicks off, and the participants in this event are clad in plaid kilts as far as the eye can see.

Sure, it may not feel too much like fall — in fact, the weather on Friday hearkened us back to an earlier festival — but one thing is unmistakable: this year’s Celtic Classic has arrived.

The Celtic Cultural Alliance’s flagship event is a sure-fire hit every September, featuring, among other things, internationally-renowned musicians, authentic Celtic cuisine, tons of unique vendors and, of course, the annual U.S. Highland Games Championship. It goes all weekend, continuing today and lasting into the night with live music on Sunday.

LVU was on-hand Friday evening to capture some of the early action, both in photos and on Facebook Live. Take a look below, and make sure you stop by this weekend!

Dana Gaynor Band Stands Up to Give ‘Power to the People’

Dana Gaynor is one of our music scene’s true icons and veterans. She’s won awards, and has played and toured with world-renowned artists.

All of Dana’s influences and experiences seem to come together splendidly on her band’s latest release, “Power to the People,” a seamless 14-track journey through the lands of blues, funk, country, and rock and roll.

Dana’s guitar work on “Power to the People” is, as expected, magnificent. A particular highlight is “In the Land of Fool’s Gold,” which features two well-crafted solos. Things get grittier on “Road to Oblivion,” which is complemented nicely with a fun groove in the rhythm section.

One thing to note about “Power to the People” is versatility. “Frenchman’s Wife” draws its main influence from country, while “Ghost Train” showcases the band’s blues side. Meanwhile, the album’s title track brings out the funk as Gaynor cries out for mankind to stand together and find unity in the world’s madness.

By crossing so many different styles and appealing to so many different tastes, Dana Gaynor makes it possible to find that unity, not only through her lyrics, but through a thoughtful album that offers something for everyone.

Standout tracks: “In the Land of Fool’s Gold,” “Power to the People”

A John Mayall Tribute 50 Years in the Making

Blues fans were treated to a matinee of epic proportions on Sunday afternoon when The Friar’s Point Band teamed with Thirteen Butterflies Productions to pay a 50th anniversary tribute to the John Mayall & the Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album at Allentown Masonic Temple.

The afternoon was headlined by a full recreation of the album, and also featured The Friar’s Point Band joined onstage by a who’s who list of local blues and soul musicians throughout the day. These musicians included Craig Thatcher; Wade Leonard; Don Plowman; Dana Gaynor; Charlie Brown; Jenn McCracken; Mike Dugan; Mike Guldin; Johnny T; Karl Frick; Bob Hogan; Don Hoffman; The Beano Horns; and the Lesson Center Kids. The afternoon was hosted by Glenn “Mitch” Mitchell from 99.9 FM The Hawk and A.J. Fritz of 91.3 FM WLVR.

Each featured musician skillfully performed a few selections — covers or originals — with The Friar’s Point Band before switching things up for their contemporaries, giving the afternoon a true blues jam feel.

A couple videos of this terrific day exist on our Facebook page. Join us for a better (more hi-res) look at the photos below.

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