Tickets Now Available for Eric Gubich Comedy Benefit
Last week, we told you about an April 2 comedy night at Bethlehem’s Ice House to benefit local man Eric Gubich, as he embarks on a battle with Ewing’s sarcoma.
Tag Archives: support local
Here’s How LVU Will Support the Scene in ’17
Happy New Year! As we approach 2017 with a sense of vigor and excitement, we want to take our support of the music scene and surrounding community to the next level. Of course, we still plan to do the things you’ve come to expect from Lehigh Valley Underground, but there are new and exciting opportunities to do it bigger and better than ever before.
As we’ve reflected on what we’ve done to this point, we’ve come up with some ways to stay true to the whole “New Year, New Me” thing. Without further ado, here are our New Year’s Resolutions:
- Put out even more of the good stuff: In 2016, Lehigh Valley Underground was good for about 450 posts, which certainly accounts for a lot of words, photos, and videos. The crazy thing? There’s still so much more we can cover. We’ll be combing the scene early and often to give you even more fresh, daily content in the coming year. We’re shooting for at least two posts per day in 2017, which means you can expect to hear and see something new about 730 times throughout the year.
- Add voices to the conversation: To help us complete the previous goal, we want to hear from more of the people on our music scene. It’s our mission to welcome new contributors into the fold in 2017, and we want to invite writers, photographers, and local music enthusiasts to share their passions with the LVU audience. Contact us here if you want to join the team!
- Let’s put on a show: In 2016, we sponsored a couple of great nights of live music. We want to do more of that this year, and that includes putting on a showcase (or several) ourselves. The great part about this goal is that we’re already working on the first one, and there stands an excellent chance that you’ll be hearing more about it very, very soon…
- Work with our community: Lehigh Valley Underground wants to be a better community partner this year. This includes partnering with local organizations to support their causes, as well as helping more local businesses spread the word about what they’re up to. Again, some of these projects are already in the works, and we hope to share them with you all soon. Meanwhile, if you want to work with us in any capacity, be sure to reach out.
That seems like a good starting point to us, and it gives us something to strive for throughout the year (and look back upon, when it comes time for year-end reflection). Hold us to these resolutions, and please, let us know some of yours in the comments!
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week: Dec. 19-25
We’re a bit heavy on events during the week, while not offering much this weekend. That’s because Christmas is Sunday, and people (including us) will be traveling and wanting to(?) spend time with their families this weekend.
Still, you can hit your scene on weeknights with these fine…
Can’t-Miss Shows of the Week!
Wed., Dec. 21 | 7:30 p.m.
December Improv Comedy Jam
Venue: Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
Admission: FREE
Description: Step out of your shell and test your improv comedy chops with The Flighty Ducks and some of your neighbors.
Thurs., Dec. 22 | 8 p.m.
Chris Cummings Standards Trio
Venue: Porters’ Pub, 700 Northampton St., Easton
Admission: FREE
Description: Settle into your holiday weekend by enjoying Porters’ monthly jazz residency series.
Fri., Dec. 23 | 7 p.m.
Festivus with McGarnagle, Chelsea Smarr, and Nocht the Only Ghouls
Venue: Coffee House Without Limits, 707 N. 4th St., Allentown
Admission: $5 donation to The Human Fund
Description: Local anti-folk heroes McGarnagle lead the way for Friday’s holiday festivities.
Creatives Welcome: TLO Live Online Marketing and Social Media Workshop Dec. 20
Local musicians, like all creative freelancers, are entrepreneurs, each with a brand and a business to build. No matter your creative field, Tuk Law Offices wants to help you establish your brand.
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.
JingerKroa Set to Launch their Debut EP, “Admit One”
JingerKroa, one of Pennsylvania’s top rock artists, is set to launch their new EP, “Admit One,” to follow up on their first demo album, “Pick A Prize.”. The unique four-piece rock band, conceived in 2011, has promised to again deliver a unique blend of rock to hard rock sounds, saturated with memorable hooks, harmonious riffs, chest pounding rhythms and irrepressible vocal orchestrations.
“We are excited about the response to our earlier released single, ‘Slaughterhouse,'” drummer Mikestro said. “The entire band has worked really hard since our debut album, and we can’t wait to give our fans more of what they love — pure and original rock.”.
This EP is produced by Dave Reiser of Hard Rock Studios, an assistant under Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana). With thick layers of high-energy instrumentation and fronted by J.Goth’s trademark style and signature voice, the album promises to rock the world.
“This is an EP that rocks the soul and uplifts the spirit within the listener,” said J.Goth. “’Admit One’ is totally contagious, and you will surely crave more of it after the first listen. It is a sickness with no antidote. This is the genius of JingerKroa.”
The four-piece band, consisting of J.Goth, Mikestro, Unkl Nicky (guitar), and HillBilly (bass), has exploited its members’ diversified musical backgrounds, uniting their creativity to bring a new sound to the rock genre. J.Goth’s unique style also gives the band a musical paintbrush that delivers a heavy dose of authority for intense power chords, as well as a solemnness in more sensitive moments.
To stay up to date on JingerKroa’s EP release and 2017 tour dates, connect with the band at www.JingerKroa.com.
LVU Super Saturday: Acoustic Kitty Project and Sugar Hill Jazz House
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.
LVU Names The Valley Ledger as The Quinn Spinn’s Feature Sponsor
The Valley Ledger is joining The Quinn Spinn’s live party this fall.
The online news organization, which covers happenings throughout the Lehigh Valley, is joining forces once again with Lehigh Valley Underground as the feature sponsor of our Official Podcast. This isn’t The Valley Ledger’s first foray into Podcast Land with Lehigh Valley Underground and The Quinn Spinn; the Ledger was the official sponsor of QSLehighValley earlier this year, a local “Spinn” on the show, which has now been combined with its parent show into one, two-hour long Facebook Live broadcast every week.
“The Valley Ledger has been a valued partner of Lehigh Valley Underground from the very beginning,” said Gerard Longo, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Lehigh Valley Underground. “Joe Thompson and his team are the first folks I thought of when looking for an organization to sponsor this new, live era of The Quinn Spinn.”
The Quinn Spinn, sponsored by The Valley Ledger, premieres live on the podcast’s official Facebook page on Mon., Sept. 19 from 6-8 p.m., with replays to be made available on SoundCloud, iTunes, and LehighValleyUnderground.com.
VoirVoir Releases DIY Video for ‘I Wanna’
Bethlehem’s own VoirVoir is celebrating the release of its album, “There Are No Good Goodbyes,” with an official, DIY video for its lead track, “I Wanna.”
The video features surrogate footage of the “Rock-afire Explosion” band from the vintage Showbiz Pizza restaurant chain. The high-energy, anthemic track is itself an indie rock explosion, restless in nature as vocalist/guitarist Matt Molchany sings about busting loose and reaching beyond the status quo.
Stream the album in its entirety — and read a killer review — by visiting WXPN’s The Key, and check out the video for “I Wanna” below.
Sunday Thought Series: Take a Deep Breath
We’re in the middle of a transformative summer for Lehigh Valley Underground, and believe me when I say this: we’re just getting warmed up.
However, everyone needs a weekend to catch a breath once in a while. With fired-up grills and cold drinks in my future over the next couple days, this is that weekend.
In a recent conversation with dear friend and nationally-touring country artist John Scargall, we talked about the value of downtime. Time with friends and family gives you balance and perspective, as it reminds you why you work so hard. Many of us are trying to create a better life so we can enjoy more of it. That isn’t to say that we don’t enjoy what we do – for the record, I freakin’ love LVU – but success gives us more time to be present in our personal lives, which is always a good thing.
Traveling from place to place, like I’ll be doing throughout New Jersey today and tomorrow, also gives us time to think. We are able to take a step back, clear our thoughts, and come up with the next piece of the puzzle. It allows us to give a little more thought to what’s coming up, and how we can keep #BuildingBetter through it all.
Needless to say, there’s much on the horizon for us this summer. Of course, we have Musikfest around the corner next month. Before that, though, we have Easton Heritage Day just next weekend. In between, there will be plenty of shows, songs, reviews, and maybe even an announcement or two that I’m having a hard time keeping to myself… J
But… I’ll #GoUnderground again on Tuesday. For now, some yard games, barbecue, and fireworks are going to take me back to a simpler time, and give me the deep breath I need before I charge full steam ahead into the rest of this amazing summer.
Take some time out for yourself this weekend, too. Happy Fourth of July Weekend!
P.S.: This one reminds me of back in the day. Don’t judge me. More importantly, share a song that reminds you of the golden summers of your youth.