On Stage: Baxter brings deep history to show at City Winery

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Jeff Baxter It’s hard to imagine music fans heading to a concert by a member of the NASA Exploration Systems Advisory Committee. It’s hard to imagine a guitarist who has consulting contracts with the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency. However, if it’s Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, it makes sense. Baxter, who will headline a show at City...

On Stage: Warm up from the cold with hot jazz

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Matt Cappy A great way to combat a chilly evening is hot jazz – a live performance of hot jazz. This weekend, the temperature may dip into the twenties outside, but an antidote can be found inside a venue in Kennett Square on Friday night. On February 25, Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org)...

On Stage: The Lil Smokies much more than a snack

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Lil Smokies If the act headlining a show at Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com) on March 5 sounds more like a sausage links brand then a music band, there is a good reason. The band that will perform at the South Philadelphia venue is The Lil Smokies, a Montana-based bluegrass/Americana...

On Stage: Swan Lake opens Pa. Ballet Spring season

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Swan Lake There are many famous ballets but “Swan Lake” is on a plateau all its own – elevated above the rest and deservedly so. Anyone even slightly interested in ballet should take advantage if there is an opportunity to see one of the country’s top professional companies perform “Swan Lake.” And, just such an opportunity exists right...