We believe that every week is “Super” here on the Valley’s music scene, and this one is no exception.
If you’re like most of the country, you probably won’t be venturing too far out on Sunday. Before then, however, there’s plenty of quality entertainment in your backyard. For example, here are the…
Summer is unofficially over. The kids are back to school, the days are getting shorter, and our chances to get outside and enjoy music in 2016 are dwindling.
The good news? Indoors or outdoors, there’s plenty going on in and around our region, all year round! For example, behold these…
Tues., Sept. 6 | 5 p.m.
First Monday
Venue: Sugar Hill Jazz House, 39 S. 9th St., Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Due to Labor Day, first Monday happens on Tuesday this month. Either way, enjoy great tunes, delicious food, and a chance to network.
Thurs., Sept. 8 | 2 p.m.
Blacktop Mojo New York City Bus Trip, sponsored by WSCI Radio
Venue: Pickup at WSCI’s Studio 73, 1667 Woodfield Dr., Bethlehem
Admission: $40
Description: It’s the ultimate meet and greet experience! Hang with the band, visit the 9/11 Memorial, and catch Blacktop Mojo perform live!
Thurs., Sept. 8 | 5 p.m.
Not For Coltrane
Venue: Scratch, Easton Public Market, 327 Northampton St., Easton
Admission: FREE
Description: Staying local on Thursday? Sample great local food and beer as you enjoy the acoustic stylings of Michael Duck.
Sat., Sept. 10 | 7:30 p.m.
The Young Dubliners
Venue: Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
Admission: FREE
Description: The Levitt season closes at SteelStacks with the hardest-working Celtic band in the business.
Sat., Sept. 10 | 8 p.m.
Shawn Cav Ensemble
Venue: Connexions Gallery, 213 Northampton St., Easton
Admission: $7
Description: What better on a beautiful September night than some original jazz fusion in Connexions Gallery’s outdoor courtyard?
Sat., Sept. 10 | 8:30 p.m.
BEATS by Blue Jean
Venue: Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St., Easton
Admission: FREE
Description: Originals, covers, and maybe a Lil Wayne or Trey Songz cover by the acoustic rock duo.
Well… that was quite a month!
It started with the story of how we wound up here in the first place. Then, we announced a Mega Powerful partnership with our pal Dustin Schoof. That was reason to party, so we followed it up with a ten-day celebration of the grandest musical tradition in our Valley. We covered artists from our region and beyond, and even had the chance to get in on the action, thanks to a special assist from our friends at the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association and ArtsQuest.
The fun didn’t stop there. We hung out at an open jam featuring former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and a couple of the best and brightest young bands in our region. We enjoyed a diversified #SuperSaturday around our Valley that included a studio performance, a grand opening, and a night of hardcore. We reviewed albums, featured some great pieces from contributors, and had a wonderful time doing it all.
What did all of that mean for us? It meant shattering every meaningful record – Every. Single. Record. – when it comes to LVU’s site traffic. Here are a few of the milestones we reached this August.
The moral of the story is that Lehigh Valley Underground grew up this month, from a fledgling local music blog to a force to be reckoned with. Our platform has improved greatly over the past month, which bodes well for the many talented artists and music people on our local scene.
There’s no sense in stopping now. Tonight, we cap our amazing month at the Great Allentown Fair, supporting just a few of our favorite local artists as they compete to win WZZO’s 28th Annual Backyard Bands Competition.
So, that was August — a milestone month for LVU in every way. After all of that, only one question comes to mind…
How will we #GoUnderground to make September even better?
Our Super Saturday at Lehigh Valley Underground has been eventful so far. It started (after retrieving my camera from my parents’ house) with Acoustic Kitty Project, the latest band to play as part of WSCI Radio’s Summer Concert Series. Carter Lansing and company performed for over an hour, playing songs from their current release, “‘Shine,” as well as yet-to-be-released material. Lansing also took some time out for a quick interview, soon to air on WSCIRadio.com.
A little while later, I sprinted — in my car, not on foot — over to Allentown for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Sugar Hill Jazz House. Located at 39 S. Ninth St., Sugar Hill Jazz House features staff and performers in authentic 1920s attire and a stellar barbecue menu from Chef Jay King, who owns the venue with wife Mary Shearin and Mark Smith. The grand opening received support from the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Hamilton District Main Street Program, and local politicians including Sen. Pat Browne, Rep. Peter Schweyer, and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.
We’re not finished yet! In a little while, we’ll be at the Ice House in Bethlehem for Tape Swap Radio’s latest installment of the IceHouse Tonight series. Tonight’s show begins at 8, and of course, you can expect updates here and via Facebook Live.
To prove that I wasn’t kidding about keeping this post-Musikfest party going, my day is about to get completely out of hand.
First, I have to go to Jersey this morning to get my camera back. My brother borrowed it from me with the intention of covering Musikfest last Sunday, but then he got food poisoning, so… yeah.
After that, here’s where I’ll be all day…
12 p.m.: Acoustic Kitty Project at the WSCI Summer Concert Series in Bethlehem (private recording party)
4:30 p.m.: Sugar Hill Jazz House Grand Opening, 39 S. 9th St., Allentown
I welcome you to join me at the public events, and I also encourage you to check in with Lehigh Valley Underground on Facebook Live throughout the day for updates from this wild, Super Saturday. Photos and recaps will also be made available here throughout the weekend. See you on the road!
Well, wasn’t that fun?
You might think we’d take a break after covering the nation’s largest free, outdoor music festival right in our backyard over the past couple of weeks. But that, my friends, is just not how we roll.
There’s music year-round in our fair Valley, and we’re going to make it known again with these…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Thurs., Aug. 18 | 7 p.m.
Next to None and Dead:Stop at The Originals Music Series
Venue: Chicago Restaurant and Club Gravity, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Rumor has it that Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy may be sitting in on a couple of songs…
Fri., Aug. 19 | 9 p.m.
Owls and Lions
Venue: TD Community Stage on the Air Products Townsquare, SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
Admission: FREE
Description: Enjoy a mix of covers and originals from the North Jersey acoustic duo.
Sat., Aug. 20 | 5 p.m.
Sugar Hill Jazz House Grand Opening
Venue: 39 S. 9th St., Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Celebrate the official launch of Allentown’s newest live music venue!