On Stage: Falsa highlights Sufi music in new forms

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Falsa Falsa, which will be performing at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, http://firemuseumpresents.com) on June 17, is a New York based band that was formed in Philadelphia and has its roots in Pakistan. The show is part of the Fire Museum’s “Dialogues Series.” Falsa is rooted in 14th century Sufi music (Indian classical mysticism...

Lawson named new President of Brandywine YMCA

Bertram L. Lawson II The board of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine announced Monday the appointment of Bertram L. Lawson II as President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. Lawson will take office on Monday, July 10. Lawson is a seasoned 24-year YMCA professional who most recently served as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Central New York, which boasts nine branches and more than thirty...

Moms for Liberty reveal who they really are

By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The TimesMoms for Liberty drops the veil on “non-political” it once wore – it’s bringing Trump and others to Philly this month to headline its national meeting This is not just a national story – Pennsylvania is near the top of Mom’s national membership list and it’s spawned numerous subgroups around the greater Philly area that have as their goal the...

W. Chester Christmas Parade to return Dec. 1

The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce announces the West Chester Christmas Parade will be held Friday December 1, 2023, and thousands of holiday lights will decorate the streets of the borough from Thanksgiving through New Year’s during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is opening applications for participants...

What To Do: Kennett Summerfest is back

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Another traditional Chester County event has begun. This weekend, the sophomore staging of a new special event will be held in Kennett Square. The 2023 Kennett Summerfest (100 South Broad Street, Kennett Square, kennettcollaborative.org) will be held on June 11 from 3-7 p.m. Kennett Summerfest, a wine and spirits festival that made its debut in...

Commissioners recognize Pride Month with proclamation and flags flying at county buildings

Pictured here raising the Pride Flag is (left to right): Commissioner Marian Moskowitz; Carrie Stare, President of LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County; Commissioner Josh Maxwell; and Kim Bydlon and Ghana Rowell, members of the Chester County employees’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The Chester County Commissioners officially proclaimed the County’s support for Pride Month...

On Stage: Mary Fahl records, plays the songs she cherishes

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Mary Fahl We all have songs that we fell in love with a long time ago and still cherish – songs that played a big part in forming music tastes that last a lifetime. Some of us have downloaded them to a current file on our computers. Some of us have created specialized playlists on streaming services. Some, I’m sure, still have the original albums...

Anti gun violence advocates held rally in W. Chester

Anti-gun violence protestors in West Chester last Friday. By Tom Buglio, Special to The Times On Friday, June 2, an assembly of around 50 energetic gun violence prevention advocates rallied at noon during a warm late spring day at the steps of the Old Courthouse in West Chester.  Organized by CeaseFirePA,  ‘Wear Orange’ Day commemorates all of the victims amid the ongoing epidemic of gun...

ReFirement at Any Age : Be the change you want to see

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Living in this world can be challenging and hard to understand but it can also be inspiring. How is that possible, you may ask? Well, if we can’t change the way something looks, maybe we can change the way we see it. How we do that is by clearing our minds of judgment and just look at a person or situation and make the effort to fully understand what...

What To Do: It’s Summer (or close enough) so it’s music fest time

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Summer has arrived – unofficially last weekend and officially three weeks from now. The weather is warm, school is almost done for the year and municipal and private pools are open. This means that it’s time for outdoor music events. Kennett Flash will begin its rooftop series soon and the Turks Head Music Festival is scheduled for this weekend. The...