{"id":26745,"date":"2017-11-30T09:10:21","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T14:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=26745"},"modified":"2017-11-30T09:10:28","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T14:10:28","slug":"on-stage-kick-off-the-holidays-with-the-kennett-symphony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=26745","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Kick off the holidays with the Kennett Symphony"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,<\/strong> Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Kennett Symphony invites you to join with its musicians and special guests for a festive holiday celebration this weekend.<\/p>\n

On December 2, the Kennett Symphony (http:\/\/kennettsymphony.org\/<\/a>) is presenting \u201cPops Goes the Holiday with Special Guest Philadanco\u201d at 7:30 p.m. at Unionville High School (750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square).<\/p>\n

Under the guidance of Conductor and Music Director Michael Hall, the talented symphony from Chester County will perform a program of seasonal songs that will fill the air with the magic of the holidays. \u00a0Special guests Philadanco\u00a0and the Kennett Symphony Children\u2019s Chorus will join the Symphony for this special concert.<\/p>\n

The program features Robert Wendel\u2019s \u201cChristmas A La Valse,\u201d Ted Ricketts\u2019 arrangement of \u201cHark! The Herald Angels Sing,\u201d Vaughan Williams\u2019 \u201cFantasia on Greensleeves,\u201d Robert Chilcott\u2019s \u201cThe Time of Snow,\u201d Johann Sebastian Bach\u2019s \u201cOrchestral Suite No. 3 \/ Suite En Bleu,\u201d John Higgins\u2019 \u201cChristmas on Broadway,\u201d Kenneth Goldstein\u2019s arrangement of \u201cGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,\u201d James M. Stephenson\u2019s \u201cO Christmas Tree,\u201d Michael Finnegan\u2019s \u201cSing Along\u201d and Leroy Anderson\u2019s \u201cSleigh Ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tickets are $58, $50, and $35 with student tickets available at $10.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Stop Light Observations<\/p><\/div>\n

Stop Light Observations, a South Carolina band that visits the area for a show on November 30 at Bourbon and Branch (705 North Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-238-0660, bourbonandbranchphilly.com<\/a>),is an alt\/indie rock band that has been on the scene since 2013.<\/p>\n

The band — Will Blackburn (lead vocals), John Keith \u201cCubby\u201d Culbreth (songwriter, keyboards, vocals), Louis Duffie (guitar, synths, percussion) and Luke Withers (drums) — has an interesting origin to its name.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was an old man who sold newspapers on the same street corner in Charleston for 25 years,\u201d said Culbreth, during a phone interview\u00a0 Monday afternoon from his home in Charleston. \u201cHe was the king of stop light observations.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody obeys the command of robotic life. But then, when you\u2019re stopped at a light, there is a brief moment to observe your surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, those moments probably still only exist in states with rigidly-enforced laws against driving and texting. Drivers in this area are much too distracted with their cellphones to look at anything but a small screen.<\/p>\n

The moments may be on the downswing, but Stop Light Observations is definitely on an upswing.<\/p>\n

The quartet\u2019s latest album \u201cToogoodoo\u201d was well-received last year. This year, the band followed with an ongoing series of digital 45s, each with an A-side and B-side, entitled\u00a0\u201cThe Volume.\u201d Stop Light Observation\u2019s debut album \u201cRadiation\u201d was released in 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest difference between the two albums is that \u2018Toogoodoo\u2019 was a live album,\u201d said Culbreth. \u201cIt was recorded live at Toogoodoo\u2019s \u2013 an old haunted house in the boondocks outside Charleston.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an all-analog recording studio set up in a haunted house. We spent three weeks at Toogoodo\u2019s recording the album.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, we\u2019re working on a project called \u2018Volume.\u2019 \u2018Volume One\u2019 came out two months ago and \u2018Volume Two\u2019 will be released on December 8.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like many bands these days, SLO has realized that it\u2019s more effective to release a series of singles rather than a full-length album.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re leasing digital 45s with an A-side and a B-side,\u201d said Culbreth. \u201cWe\u2019re living in a world where people are so distracted that albums don\u2019t work like they did. Instead, it\u2019s all about 45s.<\/p>\n

\u201cA single is a great way to release content. But, there is no artistic integrity \u2013 no connection. By also releasing a B-side, it creates a tie-in. Our B-sides have deeper integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stop Light Observations\u2019 roots go back pretty far.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started playing when we were back in school,\u201d said Culbreth. \u201cThe band\u2019s name came together five or six years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill and I met in middle school. We knew each other but we weren\u2019t really friends. I was in a band in high school and I heard Will sing on Facebook.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that, I had a dream. A great spirit came to me and told me I had to call Will to be in the band. It was the most vivid dream I had ever had. So, I asked Will to join the band and he said yes. He came to a practice and we\u2019ve been jamming together ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Stop Light Observations \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/W_Yn_m-Xgmg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Bourbon and Branch, which also features Little Stranger, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Bourbon and Branch are Kicking Sunrise on December 1, The Outside Eyes on December 2, Rents Due on December 5 and Christina LaRocca on December 6.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dave Koz<\/p><\/div>\n

Over the last two decades, smooth jazz sax legend Dave Koz has played Philadelphia many, many times \u2013 and each show has been different from its predecessors. There have been romantic Valentine\u2019s Day shows, summer festival vibe shows and tours when he has brought along several top-flight jazz artists to share the bill. He also hosts ocean-going cruises on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stay focused on whatever I\u2019m doing at the time,\u201d said Koz, during a phone interview.<\/p>\n

Now, the nine-time Grammy Award nominee is on the road with his annual Christmas tour. Each year, Koz puts together a new, all-star lineup of artists for his holiday run, which has been going on for almost two decades. The tour will touch down in this area on December 3 at\u00a0the Scottish Rites Theatre (315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., http:\/\/scottishriteauditorium.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s 20th anniversary tour promises to be extra-special as it reunites Koz with two members of the original lineup — David Benoit and Peter White \u2013 and Rick Braun, a guest on many of Dave\u2019s holiday jaunts, dating back to the early years. Newcomer Selina Albright will also join in the festivities. Together, the five remarkable artists will perform fresh renditions of Christmas classics as well as a Chanukah medley and hits from their respective catalogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a nice Jewish boy, what\u2019s wrong with this picture?,\u201d asked Koz. \u201cI love Christmas and I love being on the road at this time of the year. The show morphs and changes from year-to-year. We try to keep it fresh. That\u2019s the big thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe impetus for the whole tour goes back to a conversation I had with David Benoit in 1997. My dad and his mom had both recently passed away. It was his idea to go on the road and make music for our parents. We did six or seven holiday shows and people liked it. The next year, Peter White came along. It\u2019s just kept growing ever since.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the tour has always been about is family. Now, the audience has adults who have been coming ever since they were kids. Now, they are bringing their children to the show \u2014 kids are actually bringing their kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parents have no trouble deciding whom to bring. It\u2019s not that easy for Koz.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeciding who to bring out on tour with me each year can be tough,\u201d said Koz. \u201cIn January, we look at the options. It\u2019s like casting a movie. You have to find the right combination of people. I don\u2019t want any divas. I just want people who love what they do. It\u2019s about creating moments that are shared.\u201d<\/p>\n

Koz has a good cast on the stage with him and a good production crew working behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a big show with the lighting and everything,\u201d said Koz. \u201cThe lighting is almost like a character in the show. This is a two-hour show split with a 20-minute intermission. This is the kind of show that brings people together \u2013 a show that reminds us of a simpler time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Dave Koz — https:\/\/youtu.be\/qqFuNU3qhes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Scottish Rites will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $85, $69, $59 & $49.<\/p>\n

Years ago, the University of Pennsylvania\u2019s Annenberg Center (3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-898-3900, www.annenbergcenter.org<\/a>) was a Philadelphia hot spot for cutting-edge entertainment with a line-up of shows that featured groundbreaking dance companies, intriguing theater, avant-garde music and inspiring performance art.<\/p>\n

In recent years, the Annenberg Center fell into a bit of a rut. The line-up of performers featured acts that returned year-after-year. The spark seemed gone.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, all that has changed now with the arrival of a new Artistic Director.<\/p>\n

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts\u2019 2017-18 season<\/a>, the first under the leadership of Executive and Artistic Director Christopher A. Gruits, features a return to a full dance series of six dance ensembles; premiere theatrical productions; musical artists from diverse genres including jazz, world music, classical and hip-hop; a three-week Cuba Festival, and family and holiday programming.<\/p>\n

Four world premieres and nine Philadelphia premieres are scheduled for the Annenberg Center\u2019s stages and six artists or companies will make their Philadelphia debuts. The Annenberg Center launches its inaugural artist residency with renowned choreographer Mark Morris<\/a> and a new residency partnership with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gruits was Vice President and Executive Producer of “Presentations,” the programming and broadcasting division of the Interlochen Center for the Arts<\/a>, the world-renowned arts school and cultural center in Michigan. He produced more than 600 events each year with students, faculty, and visiting artists, closely coordinating between public programs and the school\u2019s curriculum, as well as live presentations and webcasts, music broadcasting on Interlochen Public Radio, and the Interlochen Arts Festival, one of the largest and most comprehensive summer arts festivals in the country.<\/p>\n

Before coming to Interlochen in 2013, Gruits was Director of e-Strategy at Carnegie Hall<\/a> in New York City, developing and implementing a highly successful strategic plan for Carnegie Hall\u2019s virtual presence, including broadcasts, ecommerce, social media, original web content, and Carnegie Hall\u2019s first mobile app.\u00a0 He served for four years as an Artistic Projects Manager at Carnegie Hall, overseeing a wide range of artists and performances as well as artistic operations for the opening of the Zankel Hall performance space, and earlier as Director of Dilettante Music, the pioneering social media network for classical music, and in positions at the Seattle Symphony and the Brooklyn Underground Film Festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was very excited to come here a year ago from Interlochen,\u201d said Gruits, during a recent phone interview. \u201cI wanted to bring new works to Philadelphia with artists Philadelphia hadn\u2019t seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n

December\u2019s schedule of shows at Annenberg show that Gruits has things headed in the right direction.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpring Awakening\u201d by the Penn Players is running from November 30-December 2 and \u201cStop, Rock and Rolls\u2019 by Penn Off the Beat is scheduled for December 1 and 2. The show on December 7 will be \u201cAn Evening with David Rawlings\u201d and \u201cAnything Goes\u201d by the Penn Singers will be presented from December 7-9.<\/p>\n

The comfortable venue in the heart of Penn\u2019s campus is hosting a pair of top-flight international acts back-to-back. On December 9, Irish Christmas in America will treat fans to Celtic holiday traditions. On December 10, Canadian Brass will get audience members in a holiday mood with its \u201cChristmas Time Is Here\u201d program.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Irish Christmas in America<\/p><\/div>\n

Irish Christmas in America, now in its 13th season, evokes the rich historical traditions of Ireland with popular Irish music, song, and dance in an engaging performance rich in history and humor, staged against a backdrop of stunning photographic imagery. Produced by Ois\u00edn Mac Diarmada of Irish group T\u00e9ada, it features special guest singers Niamh Farrell and S\u00e9amus Begley.<\/p>\n

The show brings to stage the seasonal traditions of Ireland, where friends and family gather around the hearth or in pubs to share songs and stories. The warm and lively performance features traditional Irish music, thrilling step dance, compelling songs and carols in both English and Irish, and plenty of good Irish fun.<\/p>\n

Champion step dancer\u00a0Samantha Harvey\u00a0lights up the stage, and joins in on piano with\u00a0Diarmada,\u00a0Grainne Hambley\u00a0on the harp, and\u00a0Se\u00e1n Gavin\u00a0on the\u00a0uilleann\u00a0pipes. Special guest dancer Marcus Donnelly joins the Philadelphia show in one of only three cities on the 26-date tour.<\/p>\n

Canadian Brass celebrates the holiday season with \u201cChristmas Time is Here,\u201d mixing classical brass standards, beloved Christmas favorites, and a lively sense of humor. Canadian Brass is made up of five talented musicians — founder and tuba legend Chuck Daellenbach plus top brass stars Caleb Hudson and Christopher Coletti (trumpets), Achilles Liarmakopoulos (trombone) and Bernhard Scully (horn).<\/p>\n

Now in its 47th season, Canadian Brass has performed in virtually every major concert hall in the\u00a0world, been seen by millions of people on television, sold two million of its approximately 130 albums worldwide and contributed over 600 new works and arrangements to the brass quintet repertoire. The band is renowned for genre-bending versatility and joyous performances.<\/p>\n

The international vibe will continue with \u201cImproTech Paris-Philly :: Concert #1<\/a>\u201d on December 11 and performances of \u201cThe Great Russian Ballet\u201d by the Moscow Ballet on December 18 and 19.<\/p>\n

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Moscow Ballet is staging \u201cGreat Russian Nutcracker,\u201d featuring an over-the-top production and world-class Russian artists. Also featured will be larger-than-life puppets, nesting dolls and gloriously hand-crafted costumes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a lot of interesting things in our season line-up,\u201d said Gruits.<\/p>\n

Video link for Canadian Brass — https:\/\/youtu.be\/U3fe9dHV7J4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Video link for Moscow Ballet — https:\/\/youtu.be\/LXGgCCs5Oio<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Countdown to Ecstacy<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/em><\/a>) will have Julia Scotti<\/a> and Joe Bublewicz<\/a> on December 1, Countdown To Ecstasy – A Tribute to Steely Dan <\/a>on December 2; and Open Mic with guest host William Rose<\/a> on December 3.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/em><\/a>) will host Jutaun with special guest Joy Ike on December 1.<\/p>\n

The Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- 917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com<\/a>) will present City Rhythm Orchestra Holiday Style on December 3.<\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/em><\/a>) will present Herman & Friends on December 2.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/em><\/a>) will have J<\/u>.E.D.I. (Jazz Electronic Dance Improvisation): members of Brazilian Girls, Lettuce, Break Science & The Nth Power and Let’s Danza! (feat. members of Brothers Past & Particle) on November 30; Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute) and The Quixote Project plays Garcia & Grisman on December 1; Consider The Source feat. David Fiuczynski of Screaming Headless Torsos, iNFiNiEN, and Gnarbot on December 2; Sherwood Brothers: A Very Merry Acoustic Christmas and Stella Ruze on December 3; and Steve Earle & The Dukes and The Mastersons on December 5.<\/p>\n

Oddity Bar (500 Greenhill Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-668-1078, https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/odditybar<\/a>) is hosting \u201cWinter Warm Up featuring Nalani & Sarina along with Suga Grits, Kira Alejandro and Noelle Picara on December 1; and Tony Travalini & The Still Lifes and Cerebelles on December 2.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents Sinbad on December 1, Jackie Evancho\u2019s Holiday Show on December 2, Todd Rundgren on December 3, Need to Breathe on December 4 and Theaterworks USA\u2019s \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d on December 6.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/em><\/a>) presents Patterson Hood (of Drive By Truckers) on November 30; Christmas With The Celts on December 1; John Denver Christmas starring Ted Vigil on December 2; Sister\u2019s Christmas Catechism on December 3; Joe Henry Thrum\u00a0Tour w\/ Special Guest Rose Cousins on December 4: and Vinnie Moore w\/ Gus G. on December 6.<\/p>\n

The Oddity Bar in Wilmington, Delaware, 302-668-1078, https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/odditybar<\/a>) is hosting \u201cWinter Warm Up featuring Nalani & Sarina along with Suga Grits, Kira Alejandro and Noelle Picara on December 1; and Tony Travalini & The Still Lifes and Cerebelles on December 2.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Kennett Symphony invites you to join with its musicians and special guests for a festive holiday celebration this weekend. On December 2, the Kennett Symphony (http:\/\/kennettsymphony.org\/) is presenting \u201cPops Goes the Holiday with Special Guest Philadanco\u201d at 7:30 p.m. at Unionville High School (750 Unionville Road, Kennett […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[9743,8281,6518,9742,1229,9741],"class_list":["post-26745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-countdown-to-ecstacy","tag-dave-koz","tag-featured","tag-irish-christmas-in-america","tag-kennett-symphony","tag-stop-light-observations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26745","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=26745"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26745\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26746,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26745\/revisions\/26746"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/26747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}