{"id":21592,"date":"2016-10-13T09:19:31","date_gmt":"2016-10-13T13:19:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=21592"},"modified":"2016-10-13T09:19:39","modified_gmt":"2016-10-13T13:19:39","slug":"on-stage-hairspray-returns-to-delaware-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=21592","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Hairspray returns to Delaware Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span><em><span class=\"s1\">Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Hairspray.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2059\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Hairspray-294x300.jpg\" alt=\"hairspray\" width=\"294\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>\u201cHairspray\u201d started out many years ago as a John Waters movie \u2013 a typically off-beat Waters piece that eventually became a cult favorite. In 2002, the musical version of \u201cHairspray\u201d made its debut at Seattle\u2019s 5th Avenue Theatre. Two months later, it opened on Broadway to rave reviews and went on to win eight 2003 Tony Awards \u2013 including \u201cBest Musical\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Now through October 30, the Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/span><\/a>) is presenting the popular musical \u201cHairspray.\u201d<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The show is a lavish production with great singing, sparkling dance routines, top-notch acting and colorful sets and costumes. It is also a thought-provoking story that is set in the early 1960s and deals with prejudices against blacks and fat people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The story has a lot of messages \u2013 especially about discrimination and desegregation. But, it\u2019s not a heavy show \u2013 it\u2019s a feel-good show. The main thing is that people have a good time when they come to this show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The focal role in the show is that of Tracy Turnblad. The challenge of performing the energetic role is handled wonderfully by Janine Merolla.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager with all the right moves, is obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. Every day after school, she and her best friend Penny run home to watch the show and drool over the hot Link Larkin, much to Tracy&#8217;s mother Edna\u2019s dismay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">After one of the stars of the show leaves, Corny Collins holds auditions to see who will be the next person on the Corny Collins show. With all of the help of her friend Seaweed, Tracy makes it on the show, angering the evil dance queen Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Tracy then decides that it&#8217;s not fair that the black kids can only dance on the Corny Collins Show once a month. With the help of Seaweed, Link, Penny, Motormouth Maybelle, her father and Edna, Tracy sets out to integrate the show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt\u2019s such a great show \u2013 such a well-written show,\u201d said Merolla, during a phone interview Monday afternoon. \u201cIt\u2019s funny. It\u2019s catchy. It takes place in 1962 but it is still relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe show moves at a good pace and goes by really quickly. Even though it moves quickly, it never feels rushed. As an actress sin the show, there is a lot to remember but it\u2019s easy because it flows so well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cTracy has such a bubbly personality. Link is shallow but he sees Tracy as much more fun that Amber. She has a bright optimistic look about the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Merolla is a veteran actress whose long list of credits include performing in a \u201cBroadway in the Borough\u201d production by West Chester\u2019s Resident Theatre Company. The Lewisburg native and Bucknell University grad also has done a number of shows at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia and the Ritz Theater in Haddonfield, New Jersey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis is my third show at Candlelight,\u201d said Merolla. \u201cI played Miss Jones in \u2018How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying\u2019 and Enid\u00a0in \u2018Legally Blonde.\u2019 This is such a great place to perform. The productions are always really good and really professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI love \u2018Hairspray\u2019 and so do the audiences. It has the attitude of inclusion and accepting people. And, the show has so many catchy songs. The finale is one of the greatest songs in musical theater.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for \u201cHairspray\u201d &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/TgstDv6xFwU?t=3\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/TgstDv6xFwU?t=3<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $59 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">On October 13, the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ardmoremusic.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>) will present a show with a headline act featuring a hybrid of two music styles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Charli 2na, founding member and emcee of legendary hip-hop collective\u00a0Jurassic 5,\u00a0is taking another step outside of the box in his newest collaboration with New Orleans-based future-funk outfit\u00a0Naughty Professor. With support from the jazz-infused, contemporary movements of the up-and-coming sextet,\u00a0Chali 2na\u00a0will provide his unmistakable baritone vocals to a different side of music.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2060\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/NAUGHTY-PROFESSOR.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2060\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2060\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/NAUGHTY-PROFESSOR-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Naughty Professor\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2060\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Naughty Professor<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Naughty Professor, which was formed in New Orleans in 2011, features Bill Daniel (guitar), Noah Young (bass), Sam Shahin (drums), Nick Ellman (alto and baritone saxophone), Ian Bowman (tenor saxophone) and John Culbreth (trumpet).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe opened for Galactic last year and Chali 2na was performing with Galactic,\u201d said Naughty Professor\u2019s Sam Shanin, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from a tour stop in Washington, D.C.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cHe had a chance to watch us play and we got a chance to see what he could do with a live band. We were thinking of making an album with guest. We wanted to show the breadth of what we could do. We decided to send him some demos. Then, he came down and did some songs with us in the studio. We did some of his songs and we did some collaborations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">After performing in New Orleans together on multiple occasions and collaborating on Naughty P\u2019s upcoming record, Chali 2na and Naughty Professor have taken take their collaborative show on the road to provide a unique setting for the band\u2019s abilities to unfold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Chali 2na has established himself as one of hip-hop&#8217;s preeminent and most charismatic personalities.\u00a0Most known for co-founding music groups, Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, Chali released his debut solo album \u201cFish Outta Water\u201d in 2009. Since then, he has toured the world many times over with his three-piece band known as the House of Vibe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Naughty Professor was nominated for\u00a0&#8220;Best Funk Band&#8221; and &#8220;Best Funk Album&#8221; by Offbeat Magazine in 2016, and nominated\u00a0&#8220;Best Funk Band\u201d by Gambit Magazine\u2019s Big Easy Award in 2015,\u00a0Naughty Professor has become one of NOLA\u2019s top new bands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe band members met in a practice room at Loyola University in 2010,\u201d said Shahin. \u201cI replaced the original drummer in 2012 and we\u2019ve had the current line-up for the last four years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe have a party-driven, meat-and-potatoes funk sound \u2013 from a denser jazzy side to the toe-tapping pop side of things\u2026.and maybe some avant-garde. We\u2019re trying to bridge the gap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI would never say we\u2019re a New Orleans-style band or that we have a neo-classic New Orleans sound. New Orleans is not a sound we\u2019re specifically trying to re-create. But, all those things go into a larger source that we pull from for inspiration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Chali 2na and Naughty Professor &#8212; <a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2cILDfb\"><span class=\"s2\">http:\/\/bit.ly\/2cILDfb<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"s5\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The show in Ardmore, which also features Pitchblak Brass Band, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Other upcoming shows at the Ardmore Music Hall are Echoes (Pink Floyd Tribute) on October 14, David Uosikkinen\u2019s In the Pocket on October 15, Yonder Mountain String Band on October 16 and Foy Vance and Trevor Sensor on October 18.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/mandeville-and-richards.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-2061\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/mandeville-and-richards-240x300.jpg\" alt=\"mandeville-and-richards\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>On October 13, Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards will bring their modern yet traditional Americana sound to the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcafelive.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The two musicians, who are a musical duo and a husband-and-wife team, recently returned from their Seventh\u00a0Annual Massachusetts Walking Tour, where they organized and performed 18 community concerts\u00a0in 18 days. The tour went from Provincetown to Swansea and the couple walked to each event with instruments and camping gear. On the trek, which covered just under 150 miles, the two troubadours were promoting their new album\u00a0\u201cGrain By Grain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe did our first hike in 2010,\u201d said Richards, during a phone interview Tuesday morning from the couple\u2019s home in Webster, Massachusetts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe went from the Berkshires to Boston. We made the 161-mile trip in 17 days. That started our career as a duo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWhen I was in high school, I used to go to the Moonstruck Cafe in Charlton, Massachusetts. I saw Mark play there and really liked his music. A year later, we played together and started dating We formed a trio called The Accident That Led Me to the World and played in that group for about five years. When that band dissolved, Mark and I started the Walking Tour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The duo\u2019s career started to take off right from the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe did a national tour to Arizona and back,\u201d said Richards. \u201cWe came back home and started playing and writing with two older guys \u2013 Doug Williamson on upright bass, piano and mandolin and Peter Hart on pedal steel. Mark plays harmonica and guitar. I play ukulele, clarinet, guitar and pennywhistle and we sing harmony.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMark has been releasing music for 15 years and I released one solo album. Our first album together was \u2018Hard Times and Woes\u2019 in 2014.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The duo\u2019s next album was \u201cGrain By Grain,\u201d which was released by Nobody\u2019s Favorite Records on May 1, 2016. The album includes 10 original songs and was co-produced by Kyle Swartzwelder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe came down to Philadelphia to make the album with Kyle in his studio in Roxborough,\u201d said Richards. \u201cThe first session was spring 2015. We recorded Doug and Peter\u2019s parts in Massachusetts. Then, Kyle and Mark did all the mixing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWhen Mark and I write songs, we usually do it separately and then bring the songs to each other. One of us might come up with lyrics and bare bones and then we work on it together. The music we made with The Accident That Led Me to the World was more classical with arrangements that were sparse and small. Where we are now is contemporary folk \u2013 leaning to the folk music revival from the 60s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/ElzkGj1LUMI?t=2\"><span class=\"s2\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/ElzkGj1LUMI?t=2<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which starts at 8 p.m., will also feature Ladybird and Ethan Pierce. Tickets are $10.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Other shows at the venue over the next week are Eilen Jewel and Jeffery Foucault on October 14, Andrew and the Rhythm Hounds on October 15, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers on October 16, John Paul White on October 17, Teenage Fanclub on October 18 and Joseph on October 19.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2062\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/lizanne-knott.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2062\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2062\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/lizanne-knott-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Lizanne Knott\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2062\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lizanne Knott<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Fans of acoustic music have another good option on October 14 when Philadelphia\u2019s Lizanne Knott, one of the area\u2019s favorite performers for years, plays a show at Burlap &amp; Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.burlapandbean.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.burlapandbean.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Knott, who is well known in folk circles for her creative songwriting and distinctive vocals, released her newest album \u201cExcellent Day\u201d a few months ago. The album is a showcase for Knott\u2019s versatility with a blend of Americana, southern blues, vintage soul and classic Nashville.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis short tour is with Nathan Bell,\u201d said Knott, during a phone interview Tuesday morning from her home in the Norristown area. \u201cHe\u2019s coming up from Nashville, Tennessee. We\u2019re doing co-bills \u2013 and we\u2019ll be onstage together. He\u2019s really good. He co-wrote a song on my last album \u2018Standing in the English Rain.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cAfter my CD release in the spring, I went to the U.K. and had a great tour. I\u2019m more popular in the U.K. than anywhere else. Ever since I came back, I\u2019ve had a lot of things going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">A longtime mainstay of the Philadelphia music scene, Knott is also the managing partner of Grammy Award-winning MorningStar Studios in East Norriton. She has performed at some of the most prestigious listening venues, theaters and concert halls throughout the United States, United Kingdom and Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI started writing for \u2018Excellent Day\u2019 two years ago,\u201d said Knott. \u201cI finish one album and then start writing for the next one. I started working in the studio in fall\/winter 2014\/2105. Some of the vocals were cut in Nashville at Studio Z with Saul Zonana. The rest were all done at my studio with Glenn Barratt producing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Philadelphia music legend Jef Lee Johnson, who passed away unexpectedly three years ago, had a big influence on Knott\u2019s new album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe passing of Jef affected me greatly,\u201d said Knott. \u201cIt was a life-changer because he was my go-to person for everything. I was greatly influenced by his spirit and his music. He did a lot of touring and it nailed him. He died from complications from pneumonia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Knott followed her usual M.O. when it was time to make the new album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI usually get all my writing done and then record everything together,\u201d said Knott. \u201cI bring my players in for a few days. As always, I used Philly musicians. I finished it up February 2015. It took a year to come out because I\u2019m part owner of a recording studio and that takes up a lot of my time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWith this album, I went back to my jazz roots &#8212; Delta Blues, New Orleans soul and other roots music. I\u2019m by no means a jazz musician but these have all been influences on my music. I\u2019m moving back to what I originally started to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cLately, I\u2019ve been writing a lot \u2013 doing scratch tracks. Even though I own a studio, it\u2019s difficult scheduling my own projects because of other recordings going on there. I\u2019ll bump myself at times.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOn this tour, I\u2019m playing some things from the new album, some from all my previous records and some newly-written songs. And, it will be fun singing with Nathan. He is a great songwriter. Burlap and Bean is one of my favorite places to play. The whole energy of the room is amazing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Lizanne Knott &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/vzveKgyJAmk\"><span class=\"s2\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/vzveKgyJAmk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at Burlap and Bean will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The other concert at Burlap and Bean this weekend is a show on October 15 that sounds like an order at a fast food joint &#8212; Billy Penn Burger with Billy Freeze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">There will be another acoustic show on October 14 featuring a musician not known for performing acoustic concerts.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2063\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-johnson.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2063\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2063\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-johnson.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Johnson\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2063\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eric Johnson<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Eric Johnson, a legendary Texas guitarist known for his distinct sound on electric guitar, will perform an acoustic show at The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.st94.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Johnson began a tour on October 5 in support of his first acoustic solo album \u2013 an LP titled \u201cEJ.\u201d\u00a0 The new album, which comes 30 years after his breakthrough solo release \u201cTones,\u201d showcases nine original compositions and four covers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOn this tour, I\u2019m just doing a solo thing,\u201d said Johnson, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from a tour stop on Oakmont, Pennsylvania. \u2018I\u2019m doing part of the new album, some other newer stuff and some older songs. It\u2019s a smorgasbord.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Johnson\u2019s most recent previous album was \u201cEclectic,\u201d which came out in 2104. \u201cEJ\u2019 was released earlier this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">According to Johnson, \u201cEver since I was young, I\u2019ve played piano and acoustic guitar.\u00a0This type of music has always been a part of me, but I never showcased it on any kind of bigger level &#8212; like a full acoustic record. With \u2018EJ,\u2019 I just decided to be more honest with myself and everybody, and show more of my personal side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The album \u2013 and the accompanying tour \u2013 allow fans to see a different side of Johnson.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI\u2019ve been threatening to do an acoustic album for a while but I haven\u2019t had the time,\u201d said Johnson, who has 14 albums to his credit. \u201cPlaying this music is something I\u2019ve done in my private life for a while and now I decided to share it. Actually, I\u2019ve pretty much always had one acoustic song on every album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI have my own studio that I built 20 years ago in Austin. I recorded the album there \u2013 on-and-off over a six-month period. Of the 13 songs on the album, nine are originals. There are also two Simon and Garfunkel tracks, one Jimi Hendrix song and a Les Paul song. When I was younger, I used to listen a lot to Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. I always loved folk music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWhen I\u2019m writing, usually the melody and the chords come concurrently and then I keep working on it. Most of the time, the lyrics come last \u2013 but not always. If it\u2019s a vocal tune, lyrics are really important. When I was making the album, I actually sang and played at the same time. I played live in the studio. I just tried to keep it as organic and natural as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cI recorded a bunch more than what is on the album. I threw some stuff out. Other songs had good potential but not good takes. I have 10-15 songs that I like that I need to re-record. I plan to do an acoustic album volume two next year. I\u2019m also working on a new electric album. I\u2019m writing all the time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s3\">Video link for Eric Johnson &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/rmZqKBBtntU?t=179\"><span class=\"s4\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/rmZqKBBtntU?t=179<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The show in Sellersville will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $50.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Other upcoming shows in Sellersville are Leftover Cuties on October 13, O\u2019Connor Band on October 15 and Bobby Rush on October 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">If you\u2019re in the mood to hear live music on October 14 but you want something with a harder edge, you\u2019ll be able to find what you\u2019re looking for at the Voltage Lounge (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215- 964-9602, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.voltagelounge.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.Voltagelounge.com<\/span><\/a>). The show features four metal acts &#8212; All Hail the Yeti, Combichrist, Vicious Alliance and Generation Empty.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2064\" style=\"width: 284px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/all-hail-the-yeti.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2064\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2064\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/all-hail-the-yeti-274x300.jpg\" alt=\"All Hail The Yeti\" width=\"274\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2064\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All Hail The Yeti<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Based in Hollywood, All Hail the Yeti is a metal band featuring one L.A. native \u2013 bassist Nick Diltz \u2013 and a trio of Canadian musicians from Edmonton, Alberta &#8212; vocalist Connor Garritty, drummer Junior Kittlitz and guitarist Alan Stokes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe band started in 2006 in California,\u201d said Garritty, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a tour stop in Syracuse, New York.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMe and the original guitarist \u2013 K.J. Duval &#8212; were in other bands in L.A. and we were over that. So, we started writing together. Nick joined the band about two years later. He was our first bass player when we actually started playing shows in 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe line-up has changed quite a bit over the years. Nick and I have been in the band the longest and this is the best it\u2019s been. Junior and I knew each other from Edmonton in the late 90s. And, Alan and Junior had played together in a band in Edmonton.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">All Hail the Yeti released its eponymous debut album in 2012. In April this year, the band released its sophomore album \u201cScreams from a Black Wilderness\u201d on Minus Head Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMaking the first album took a while because of all the line-up changes,\u201d said Garritty. \u201cWe toured for a long time after releasing it in 2012. Boing on the road playing shows was more important than making a new record. Touring was the biggest thing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe got back from a European tour in February 2015 and that\u2019s when we really started diving into it. Still, we didn\u2019t start recording until August 2015 because we were waiting for our producer matt Hyde to finish his other projects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe did a lot of pre-production in our home studio for a couple months. Matt came into our rehearsal sessions to get a feel for what we were doing. I was a fan of a lot of Matt\u2019s previous work. A lot of the production on the new album was done in the studio while we were recording. It gave it a more spontaneous feel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cScreams from a Black Wilderness\u201d is based on classic, spooky horror stories and presents a different story with each track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cFor me, It\u2019s all about storytelling,\u201d said Garritty. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be writing about my problems. I\u2019m not into writing songs like that. For me. it\u2019s always been about painting a picture with lyrics.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for All Hail the Yeti \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Qn4NNmHHt74?t=3\"><span class=\"s2\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/Qn4NNmHHt74?t=3<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at the Voltage Lounge will start at 8:30. Tickets are $22.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The venue\u2019s schedule for the next week also features Prodigy of Mob Deep on October 16, Mondo Drag on October 17, Nothing Nowhere on October 18 and Sorrow on October 19.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2065\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/kennett-flash-kiki-villani.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2065\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2065\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/kennett-flash-kiki-villani-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Kiki Villani\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2065\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kiki Villani<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org\/\"><span class=\"s6\">http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/span><\/a>) will present Better Than Bacon on October 13; Kiki Villani and Megan &amp; Grace on October 14; Mary Fahl on October 15; Open Mic with Matt Sevier on October 16; and Muriel Anderson on October 19.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- 917-1228, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thecolonialtheatre.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.thecolonialtheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) will host \u201c1964\u2026the Tribute\u201d on October 14 \u00a0and Todd Snider with special guest Rorey Carroll on October 15.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com\/\"><span class=\"s6\">www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Jim Boggia on October 14, The \u201cThe Band\u201d Band on October 14 and Eric Sommer on October 19.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/chaplinslive.com\/\"><span class=\"s6\">http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Livvie Forbes on October 14, John Seitz on October 15, and Open Mic Night on October 16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Doc Watson\u2019s Public House (150 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, 610-524-2424, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.docwatsonspublichouse.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.docwatsonspublichouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will present 4th Base on October 14 and just for kicks on October 15.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354of118, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vfcasino.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.vfcasino.com<\/span><\/a>) will present internationally-acclaimed comedian Tracy Morgan on October 15.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.keswicktheatre.com\/\"><span class=\"s7\">www.keswicktheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) presents William Shatner on October 13, Squeeze and The English Beat on October 14, ARW (Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman) on October 15 and Bianca Del Rio on October 19.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times\u00a0 \u201cHairspray\u201d started out many years ago as a John Waters movie \u2013 a typically off-beat Waters piece that eventually became a cult favorite. In 2002, the musical version of \u201cHairspray\u201d made its debut at Seattle\u2019s 5th Avenue Theatre. Two months later, it opened on Broadway to rave reviews and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21594,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[8061,8065,6518,8060,8062,7196,8063,8064],"class_list":["post-21592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-all-hail-the-yeti","tag-eric-johnson","tag-featured","tag-hairspray","tag-kiki-vellani","tag-lizanne-knott","tag-naughty-professor","tag-tracy-morgan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21592","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21592"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21592\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21593,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21592\/revisions\/21593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/21594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21592"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=21592"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=21592"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}