On Stage: Ella Vos channels the pain of life into her music

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Ella Vos Many singer/songwriters have nice voices and can sing well but lyrically get mired in the same old topics – tales of love, stories about their somewhat mundane lives and observations of other people’s conditions. Ella Vos, who is bringing her “Watch and Wait Tour” to the Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150,...

On Stage: Tempest brings Celtic vibe to New Hope

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Sometimes, bands have names that can be confused with names of other bands. Tempest, which will perform on April 6 at New Hope Winery (6123 Lower York Road, New Hope, http://www.newhopewinery.com) is one of them. The band that is playing in Bucks County tonight is Tempest, a band from the San Francisco Bay area that specializes in Celtic rock. It...

On Stage: In a gadda da Kennett? Iron Butterfly comes to The Flash

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Over the next two days, there are quite a few acts performing around the area that have been building their fanbases for many, many years. The list includes Iron Butterfly (formed in 1966), The Orchestra (2000), Whitey Morgan (2005), and Voivod (1982). Iron Butterfly has had many lineup changes over the years – and the band’s fans are fine with...

On Stage: Poco’s Young unretires, finds new path

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Poco With the great variety of shows around the area tonight, if you can’t find something you like, then you should resign yourself to an evening at home binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix or Hulu. Live music will be available tonight in an array of diverse genres. The schedule includes a band from the 1960s that fostered country rock...

On Stage: Through change and evolution, The Yardbirds keep the music coming

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Yardbirds Any informed list of the 10 all-time best rock guitarists should – without question – include Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Amazingly, all three got their starts in the same band – the Yardbirds The Yardbirds, who are playing the Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- 917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com)...

On Stage: Meow Meow & Thomas Lauderdale hit Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Meow Meow & Thomas Lauderdale Thomas Lauderdale has performed shows in this area many times over the years – always as part of his ensemble Pink Martini. This week, Lauderdale will be in Philly to perform with a different musical project – Meow Meow and Thomas Lauderdale. On March 26, World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400,...

On Stage: Monterey Jazz Fest On Tour comes to Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour Some of this weekend’s featured concerts in the area cover a variety of musical styles including all-star jazz, modern blues, singer-songwriter, and alt-country/experimental. Six of the most talented new artists on the jazz scene are now on the road together as part of the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour. The tour,...

Mixed Media: Focus on arts for Kennett students

By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times This month, Kennett hosts a few events focused around our local K-12 student artists. First, Kudos to a new program put together by Chester County Art Association  and Mary D. Lang Elementary Center (part of the Kennett Consolidated School District) to provide free art activities for children in families who are learning English as a second language.

On Stage: Family takes center stage this weekend

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Barr Brothers Three music acts with international vibes in their DNA will be playing shows in the area on March 22 and 23 – the Barr Brothers on Friday and Francesca Blanchard and Ranky Tanky on March 23. The Barr Brothers will headline a show at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com) with...

On Stage: Miss Saigon gets a darker update

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Miss Saigon The Vietnam War as an undeclared war in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia that lasted from November 1955 to the fall of Saigon in April 1975. It had a profound effect on the citizens of those countries and on the soldiers of the US Army. Just ask any of the hundreds of Vietnam vets from Pennsylvania who have been prescribed medical marijuana...