On Stage: Common Kings push musical boundaries
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Common Kings
When Sublime with Rome brings the tour supporting its brand-new album “Blessings” to the Mann Center (5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia. https://manncenter.org) on July 9, fans would do well to get there early enough to hear the opening act – Common Kings.
Common Kings are a multi-cultural pop/rock band with vocals inspired by...
On Stage: Shakespeare comes to life at Phoenix Theatre
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Tempest
If you’re looking for a different and interesting way to celebrate the holiday weekend, you can celebrate the opening of Chester County’s newest cultural attraction – the opening weekend of the Phoenix Theatre (The Phoenix Theatre at SALT Performing Arts, 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs, https://www.thephoenixtheatrepa.com).
Most...
On Stage: Another Wainwright makes her mark
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Sloan Wainwright
In the world of American singer/songwriters, there are a few families that stand out – especially the Taylors and the Wainwrights.
The Taylor clan features a number of top-selling international artists with James Taylor, Carly Simon, Sally Taylor, Livingston Taylor, Kate Taylor and Ben Taylor filling a two-generation roster.
On Stage: Eleni Mandell learns from work behind bars
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Eleni Mandell
Singer/songwriters have a wide, wide array of topics and experiences they use as inspiration for their songs. It’s safe to say that Eleni Mandell has tapped into a source probably never used before – teaching songwriting at a women’s prison.
Mandell, who will headline a show on June 26 at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street,...
On Stage: Two acts with local roots come home
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Allen Tate
Two acts that are performing in the area on June 22 have Pennsylvania roots and are playing venues very close to where their careers started – Allen Tate and The Ocean Blue.
Tate, who went to high school in Fort Washington and now lives in Brooklyn, will come back to the area for a show Saturday night at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad...
On Stage: Cirque’s Crystal debuts at Wells Fargo Center
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Crystal
Over the years, the huge arenas in the South Philly sports complex have hosted a number of Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas and many ice spectacles such as Disney On Ice and Ice Capades.
This week, the Wells Fargo Center (3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com) will host a show that is a combination of both –...
On Stage: National tour of Cats returns to Philly
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Perhaps only in Istanbul do cats have numbers comparable in a way similar to those amassed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical “Cats.”
Istanbul, a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait, is home to more than 40,000 stray cats. A popular saying in the city notes “If you kill a cat, you need to build...
On Stage: Coatesville’s Mascherino brings back The Color Fred
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Fred Mascherino
The Color Fred is back from the dead.
Coatesville’s guitar hero Fred Mascherino has reignited his solo project The Color Fred with a revamped lineup. Mascherino has also resurfaced with a brand-new song titled “Don’t Give Up On Me” – released as a single and a lyric video as well.
To celebrate its first new material in...
On Stage: Sibling-powered Lawrence comes to The Met
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Lawrence
Usually, mid-week is a slow time for live music – especially Wednesday nights. But that isn’t so this week – not this Wednesday.
The area music calendar has several great shows in a variety of genres – indie-pop, blues and pop-rock on Wednesday.
Years ago, a much older generation had George and Gracie – comedians George Burns and...
On Stage: Son Step comes home to drop new album
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Son Step
Son Step has a new album to drop and the band knows when and where it wants it to drop.
On May 17, Son Step released its third full-length album, “Fossilillies” on the Grind Select label. The Philly-based band will start its support tour with a hometown album release show at Johnny Brenda’s (1201 North Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia,...
