On Stage: Kiranavali Vidyasankar showed early talent

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Kiranavali Vidyasankar Many musicians trace their history of playing music back to the days of their early childhood – piano lessons when they were four years old or picking up a guitar at the age of six. Kiranavali Vidyasankar, who will perform in concert on March 17 at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, http://firemuseumpresents.com),...

On Stage: Todd Snider has stories to tell, still

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Todd Snider In the 11th century, Occitania had troubadours. Starting in the mid-14th century, West Africa had griots. In the 20th and 21st centuries, America has Todd Snider. Troubadours, griots and Snider all are travelling performers who tell stories and make music. They move from town-to-town entertaining and enlightening listeners with their...

On Stage: John 5 and The Creature to rock Sellersville

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times John 5 Prog rock fans have a lot of concerts from which to choose every year and the smart ones know that anytime John 5 and the Creatures play the area, it is a concert not-to-be-missed. On March 12, John 5 and his band return to the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) to treat fans to an evening...

On Stage: Thumpasaurus makes Philly debut

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Thumpasaurus Philly get ready — Thumpasaurus is on its first national tour and has a stop in Philadelphia planned for March 9. The genre-bending band from Southern California is bringing its “Book of Thump Tour” to the Kung Fu Necktie (1248 North Front Street, Philadelphia, 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com).

Mixed Media: Seven Million Acres submissions sought

By Caroline Roosevelt, Columnist, The Times I started off this week at Street Road Artists Space, co-hosting the 100 Women of Brandywine Valley, (an excellent charity event) but of course, I’m here to focus on Street Road. I had been meaning to visit this unassuming space off of Street Road (just past Rt. 41) run by artist, Emily Artinian, for a while. My trip was long overdue. Artinian graciously...

On Stage: ‘Revisiting’ one of the 60s top acts

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Creedence Clearwater Revisited Fans of music from the late 1960s know that a concert by Creedence Clearwater Revisited is a safe bet. And, in recent times, the band’s area concerts have been hosted by safe places to bet. Around a year-and-a-half ago, Creedence Clearwater Revisited performed at a casino in downtown Philadelphia. On March 8, the...

Chesco’s Usher picked for Philadelphia Fine Art Fair

Donna Usher’s Arrangement 101, 10 inches x 8 inches, acrylic on panel PHILADELPHIA — Internationally-exhibited artist Donna Usher has been selected to participate in the inaugural Philadelphia Fine Art Fair. Usher, who lives in Chester County and has a studio in West Chester, will exhibit seven paintings. The fair offers Philadelphia area residents a unique opportunity to experience high quality...

On Stage: Broadway hits area with ‘Rent’ and ‘Rotten’

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Rent This week, the national tours of two Tony Award-winning musicals will visit the area – “Rent” in Philadelphia and “Something Rotten” in Wilmington. “Rent”, which had record-breaking sales when it played Philadelphia on numerous previous occasions, has established itself as one of America’s all-time best Broadway shows. Based...

On Stage: ‘Divas’ on stage at Keswick

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times “Calling All Divas,” which is being presented by the Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) on March 2, is more than just one form of entertainment. It’s a play. It is a concert. It is an evening of fun in a theater. And, it is a world premiere. There are other things about the show that come...

On Stage: Popa Chubby comes to Kennett Sq.

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Popa Chubby Get ready to rock out, Kennett Square. On March 1, Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will host a show by Popa Chubby, one of America’s modern-day blues-rock/blues masters. Popa Chubby plays between 180 and 200 shows each year and his shows this weekend will be the last stateside...