Not On Stage: Summer stadium arena shows postponed, delayed, cancelled
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Kenny Chesney
All you music fans out there who are dreaming about heading to the Wells Fargo Center, Citizens Bank Park or Lincoln Financial Field over the next few months to attend concerts by major country, Top 40 or rap acts – forget about it.
If the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to wipe out the Eagles’ season, then shows such as Kenny...
Music Spotlight: Gilbert O’Sullivan ‘alone again’ after shutdown stalls US tour
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Gilbert O’Sullivan
With the “shelter in place” order necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are finding themselves alone because of the restrictions.
Being “alone” can offer a welcome respite from an ultra-busy schedule. Being “alone” as a full-time option is a different story – especially when it’s mandated by...
Music Spotlight: Chesco’s Mascherino leads move for live music online
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
This is a strange time for music fans who want to hear their favorite acts perform live.
Because of the restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, attending a live event is a “thing of the past.”
But that doesn’t mean that listeners no longer have access to “live” music. Many artists are performing alone and streaming their performances...
Music Spotlight: Colin Hay says ‘see you next year’
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Colin Hay
On April 5, Colin Hay was supposed to perform a show at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, but we all know that that’s not happening now.
On March 24, his management announced, “In response to COVID-19, the Colin Hay Sunday, April 5th, 2020 show at Keswick Theatre, in Glenside, PA has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 7th, 2021.”
It...
Music Spotlight: Music artists cope with pause in age of Coronavirus
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Noa
When it comes to concerts, shows, annual events and other entertainment and group activities, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown us into an era of “would have” – an era in which virtually everything involving more that three or four people being together has been cancelled.
On May 15, it would have been the 42nd annual staging of the Winterthur...
On Stage: The Play That Goes Wrong
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Play That Goes Wrong
Thursdays are traditionally party nights — “anticipating the weekend” wild nights. Tonight, you can get wild with theater or with music.
If you want to get wild with an evening of laughter, plan a trip to The Playhouse on Rodney Square (10th and Market streets, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-888-0200, www. duponttheatre.com).
Now...
On Stage: Wire still showing spark after all these years
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Wire
Those who work with electricity know that when dealing with wire, it’s better to assume it might be live even if it appears to be dead.
The same can be said for music fans when dealing with the British band Wire, which is headlining a show on March 10 at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org)
There...
On Stage: Nelson meets life challenges with new music
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Ryan “Gooch” Nelson
If you googled the word “resiliency,” an appropriate entry in the search results would be a picture of Ryan “Gooch” Nelson.
Nelson has suffered several major physical and medical setbacks. Back in 2004, he was paralyzed in a truck accident. In addition to being a quadriplegic, he had to deal with leukemia a few years...
On Stage: The Lil Smokies much more than a snack
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Lil Smokies
If the act headlining a show at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com) on March 5 sounds more like a sausage links brand then a music band, there is a good reason.
The band that will perform at the South Philadelphia venue is The Lil Smokies, a Montana-based bluegrass/Americana...
On Stage: Comedian Youssef know how to get to your heart — literally
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Bassem Raafat Mohamed Youssef
Live entertainers can evoke a wide range of emotions.
They can make you laugh, or they can make you cry. They can bring great happiness, or they can rip your heart out.
Bassem Youssef, who is headlining Punch Line Philly (33 East Laurel Street, Philadelphia, 215-606-6555, http://www.punchlinephilly.com), can have you...
