On Stage: Local musicians taking it outside for shows
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Nicole Zell and Chris Spousta
The era of live music in indoor venues has been paused indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fortunately, there are several restaurants and taverns around Chester County and its surrounding area that have been hosting live performances by musicians — in relatively safe outdoor settings.
Musicians are...
Music Spotlight: Del Val artists thriving in California
By Denny Dyroff , Entertainment Editor, The Times
Sharon Little and Tim Sonnefeld
California has always held a magical attraction for musicians, actors and just about anyone associated with the arts.
“California Dreamin’” is more than just a song by The Mamas and the Papas, it is a mantra – and the “Holy Land” is Los Angeles.
Hundreds of musicians and songwriters from the Delaware Valley...
Music Spotlight: Unionville’s Grassie find different ways to work during pandemic
By Denny Dyroff , Entertainment Editor, The Times
Gillian Grassie
Unionville’s Gillian Grassie likes a lot of variety in her life.
After growing up in Chester County, the talented multi-media artist has lived, on the East Coast, in Europe and on the West Coast.
Grassie is an award-winning, internationally touring harpist/singer-songwriter who has performed in France, Germany, India, China,...
Music Spotlight: Chadds Ford’s Vanessa Collier keeps busy, ready to release new album
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Vanessa Collier
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard – in a variety of ways.
For musicians, it has been devastating. Live shows are virtually unheard of. Going into a studio to make an album is hardly a viable option. It’s as if someone has pushed the “pause” button for most of the music industry.
For Vanessa Collier, a resident...
On Stage: With indoor performances a no-go, venues move outdoors
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Fractals
Live entertainment continues to get battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, there have been a few attempts by venues to present live entertainment. Three different forms of presentation have emerged – indoor, outdoor and outdoor in a drive-in environment.
Indoor shows might be the most pleasing aesthetically, but they are also...
On Stage: Venues reopen briefly, but…close again, due to COVID-19
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
COVID-19 has almost completely wiped out live music and theater performances.
There were glimmers of hope for live shows recently. Some venues actually hosted indoor performances in late July but the era of indoor live shows 2020 has drawn to a close.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has announced statewide mitigation efforts as COVID-19 cases surge in...
On Stage: Blues ace Toby Walker to perform in Landsdowne, Friday
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Toby Walker
When Mike Tyson was in his prime, he would pummel his ring opponent with a barrage of short, powerful and severely damaging hooks to the midsection – never stopping until he had battered him into submission (frequently via a knockout).
COVID-19 has been brutalizing the area’s live entertainment scene with similar effectiveness.
Live...
On Stage: Candlelight offers comedy as area’s first reopened indoor venue
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Julia Scotti
COVID-19 has been messing with live entertainment schedules for a while now. For more than four months, live performances have been scarcer than factual statements coming from the nation’s top elected officials.
It has only been the last few weeks that restaurants and other venues have been permitted to allow customers inside.
One...
Music Spotlight: Chesco’s Mascherino keeps busy, despite pandemic
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Fred Mascherino
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and forced virtually everything to come to a halt, it was a shock – and it was something that took a lot of effort to get accustomed to.
It was similar to a blizzard that was unexpected, came on quickly and dropped six feet of snow on the area. Virtually everyone was forced to remain at home – to...
Music Spotlight: While readying for a virtual Ladybug Fest, local acts hope to be back on the road this fall
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Soraia
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the course of music more than any other event since the spring of 1860.
On April 9, 1860, the French inventor Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville created the first sound recording in history. An eerie rendition of the folksong “Au clair de la lune” was captured by Scott’s trademark invention...
