What To Do: Festivals celebrate ethnic diversity

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Festival of India Three events this weekend will deal with Indians – and all will be politically correct. There will be two very different but equally attractive ethnic festivals this weekend at Penn’s Landing (Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, www.delawareriverevents.com). Both of the free festivals deal with Indians — but not the Native...

On Stage: Joe Samba returns to area for W. Chester show

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Joe Samba South America has the samba. North America has Joe Samba. In Brazil, samba is a lively dance of Afro-Brazilian origin danced to samba music. It originally referred to any of several Latin duet dances with origins from the Congo and Angola. Today, Samba is the most prevalent dance form in Brazil, and reaches the height of its importance...

Commissioners celebrate funding for trails

Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe were on hand recently to celebrate new funding for trails in Chester County. Greater Philadelphia is now leading the nation in utilizing federal Carbon Reduction Program funds for active transportation, and Chester County is celebrating this major moment for the region. In late July, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commissioner...

County Awarded $800K from state to fight homelessness

Chester County Government’s focus on ending homelessness recently received an $800,000 boost with a grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).  PHFA’sPennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement – or PHARE – funds will expand the County’s current effort to support those who are experiencing homelessness, with the goal of helping them to become...

On Stage Extra: Foghat tops bill at Musikfest

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Foghat Over the years, Musikfest (www.musikfest.org) has established itself as one of America’s top annual music festivals an event that offers big name headliners as well as a wide variety of folk, rock, pop and ethnic music acts. It also sports some impressive numbers. The festival, which is celebrating its 34th anniversary this year, features...

What To Do: Old Fiddlers’ Picnic celebrates 95 years

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Some event producers think their events are old when they reach double figures. But an event that has been around 10 or 15 years is just a babe in arms compared to many of the annual summer events in this area. This week, there is a music festival that has been around for 95 years, an event that is celebrating its 76th anniversary this year and...

On Stage: WCU student, Ciara Grace hits stage at World Cafe Live

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Ciara Grace If you look at some of the talented acts that will be playing in the area over the next few days, Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” might just pop into your head. There are plenty of girls/female artists who will be having fun along with their audiences at different venues around the Delaware Valley – Ciara Grace,...

On Stage Extra: John Ondrasik comes to Ardmore

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times John Ondrasik There are two attractive midweek shows that will appeal to two very different generations – Five for Fighting tonight in Ardmore and Zoe Ko on August 7 in Philadelphia. John Ondrasik, a veteran rocker from Los Angeles, has performed in the Delaware Valley many times over the last quarter century – mostly doing shows under the...

What To Do: First Fridays, open-air market in W. Chester

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Gay Street Open-Air Market August has arrived and that means it’s time for country fairs, festivals, outdoor concerts, big top circus shows and nature-related events. West Chester will be in celebration mode all weekend. You can double your pleasure and double your fun tonight in West Chester. It’s Friday and that means the Gay Street Open-Air...

County names Martynick as Director of Facilities

George Martynick, Jr. Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe announce the appointment of George Martynick, Jr. as Director of the Chester County Facilities Department. Martynick has been serving as Acting Director since October 2023, following the retirement of former Director Jan Bowers. Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Josh Maxwell said, “During his time...