On Stage: Cirque Dream Holidaze at the Merriam

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Cirque Dream Holidaze “Cirque Dream Holidaze” is what you get if you pair the magic of a circus performance with the excitement of a holiday production. From 26-29, “Cirque Dream Holidaze” will visit the area for an eight-show run at the Merriam Theater as part of the Kimmel Center’s Broadway Philadelphia series (250 South Broad Street,...

Merry Christmas

As we are about to begin our 10th year serving the greater Chester County community, we offer warm wishes for a happy and safe holiday season, and of course, Merry Christmas to our many friends and readers. We will be spending the holiday with friends and family, so hopefully, you too can take some time away from screens to enjoy the people in your life who bring you joy. We’ll be back with...

County native to join Peace Corps in Albania

Matthew Skros Matthew Skros, 24, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Albania in January to begin training as an education volunteer. “I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a life in public service, and the Peace Corps provided the opportunity to life that life! I loved the grassroots nature of the work and the idea of immersing myself...

Coatesville gets 2nd round of redevelopment funding

COATESVILLE — As a part of their five-point, city-wide revitalization strategy, the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance places a high priority on the redevelopment of the downtown commercial core.  In 2018, they applied for – and received – a Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP) grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. NPP is a PA tax credit incentive...

Houlahan deserves credit for careful consideration on impeachment

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times By now, America has absorbed the fact that President Donald J. Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. While Republicans in Pennsylvania had little choice but to submit to the cult of Trump personality — conform or suffer electorally fatal Twitter attacks from the president — Democrats, like our own Rep. Chrissy Houlahan approached...

On Stage: Rockin’ Christmas puts local stars in spotlight

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Tantric’s singer Hugo Ferreira could ask the band’s live audience if he could sing a fado song for them. Having no idea what he was taking about, they would probably respond – “forget that…just rock out, dude.” Ferreira is an Portuguese-American singer, songwriter and musician who has been the front man of the hard rock band Tantric since...

What To Do: When you don’t celebrate Christmas

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Christmas-influenced music, advertising, TV shows and events are everywhere. It is virtually impossible not to be affected by the Christmas holiday season — but not everyone celebrates Christmas. Actually, there are many people who do not celebrate Christmas for a variety of valid reasons — most commonly because they are of a different...

On Stage: A Very Cheadle Christmas in Ardmore

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Laura Cheadle If you like Christmas music but are would like to hear something other than the same old traditional songs done the same old traditional way, there is a show for you tonight. If you want to enjoy the traditional songs and rock out at the same time, plan a trip to Ardmore. On December 20, The Living Room (35 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore,...

On Stage: Eisenhower comes home to star in ‘Into The Woods’

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Shows based on fairy tales can be a welcome alternative to holiday stories in the middle of the Christmas season —  and two of them are running now at theaters in Chester County. The Resident Theatre Company (RTC) at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (236 North High Street, West Chester, http://www.rtcwc.org) is presenting the second production...

On Stage: Little Red Robin Hood at People’s Light

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Little Red Robin Hood: A Musical Panto! Now is a great time to take a break from the holiday frenzy and enjoy a few hours of watching a stage production. It’s a great time because there are great options – several classic ballet productions of “The Nutcracker,” two holiday-themed stage shows and a brand-new panto. Now through January 5, People’s...