On Stage: Finding live comedy is no laughing matter in the era of COVID
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Godfrey
Efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have created many unpleasant side effects.
One of these side effects is that finding a live music show in the area by a national act is an unachievable task.
A resulting side effect from this is that many people who are accustomed to attending several concerts and stage shows each month have been...
On Stage: Venues cautiously move to indoor shows as weather gets colder
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Queen
COVID-19 has almost completely erased the live music scene in the area for eight months as venues have been prohibited from holding indoor shows by government mandate.
Fortunately, there has been a thread of a lifeline to live music locally in late summer and early autumn. Restaurants, wineries, theaters and clubs have been hosting low-key...
On Stage: Vanessa Collier keeps busy close to Chadds Ford home
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Vanessa Collier
The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in the spring and the music industry went into freeze frame.
As a result, Vanessa Collier’s touring schedule has been decimated – in the real meaning of the word. Since the spring, she has performed about one-tenth of the shows she normally would have.
For Collier, a resident of Chadds Ford, the pandemic...
On Stage: A good time for find some laughs
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ali Siddiq
With all the restrictions imposed in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, attempting to find a live music show in the area by a national act is a nearly impossible task.
However, finding a live comedy show by a national act performed locally is relatively easy thanks to the different series presented each weekend by Punch Line...
On Stage: Enjoy a few laughs with Phil Hanley — outdoors — in Philly
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Phil Hanley
Phil Hanley is a Canadian comedian who has been living in New York City for most of the last decade. In addition to playing clubs all over the United States, he also done film work.
But for the last seven months, there have been no live shows on his performance schedule and, obviously, no film work.
That will change this weekend when...
On Stage: The Crossing finds a safe way to perform together at Bowman’s Hill
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Crossing
If you go to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope this weekend, you just might hear trees sing – although you’re more likely to hear singing by a choir. But if you tune in spiritually, you probably will be able to hear both human and arboreal singing.
On October 3 and 4, GRAMMY-winning new-music choir The Crossing, led...
On Stage: The Gallaghers at Candlelight, Sept. 27
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Gallaghers
COVID-19 has been altering the scene for live music in the area for months. Major and mid-size venues have been prohibited from holding indoor shows by government mandate.
Forced to rely on creativity, some venues have been able to present live music – but in a very restrictive way.
Area restaurants and taverns have presented singer/songwriters...
On Stage: Conrad comes home to Pottstown, playing gigs in Chesco
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Kendal Conrad
Kendal Conrad had a master plan forging a career in music – grow up in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, learn to play guitar and write songs, graduate from college, head to Nashville to make music and eventually go out on national tours.
Conrad embarked on that path more than a decade ago and was progressing nicely – until the...
On Stage: W. Chester’s Crane keeps ASH going strong despite pandemic
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Braham Logan Crane
A lot of memorable events happened in 2004.
George W. Bush was reelected President of the United States.
NASA’s MER-A (Spirit) spacecraft landed on the surface of Mars.
Saddam Hussein went on trial in Iraq for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Nintendo DS, the best-selling handheld game console of all time,...
On Stage: Lotus headlines at CBP — in the parking lot
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Lotus
When Lotus performs a live show for its fans this weekend, the instrumental band could appropriately borrow a line from a Monty Python project – “And Now for Something Completely Different.”
On September 4, Lotus will headline a show at Citizens Bank Park — at Citizens Bank Park not in Citizens Bank Park.
Lotus’ show will be...
