{"id":42439,"date":"2024-02-16T10:22:37","date_gmt":"2024-02-16T15:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42439"},"modified":"2024-02-16T10:22:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T15:22:38","slug":"on-stage-ringling-bros-roars-back-to-life-minus-animals-clowns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=42439","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Ringling Bros. roars back to life, minus animals & clowns"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Ringling Bros.<\/p><\/div>\n

Imagine having lost contact with a dear friend and assuming that he\/she had gone away forever. Then, out of the blue, the person from the past made contact and suggested getting back together again.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s pretty much what happened to Maria Pontigo Lopez.<\/p>\n

Lopez is part of The Lopez Family, one of the best and most innovative highwire acts in the world.<\/p>\n

Beginning in 2008, The Lopez Family was one of the showcase acts in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.<\/p>\n

Then, in 2017, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus had its final performance — 146 years after it was founded in rural Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

In the 2010s, Ringling Bros. attendance plummeted, impacted by alternatives such as Cirque du Soleil and allegations of animal abuse. The latter was never proven.<\/p>\n

Last year, the only animal that could be associated with Ringling Bros. was the phoenix, a mythical bird that returns from the dead.<\/p>\n

In 2023, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came back to life \u2013 changing its name to Ringling Bros. and presenting a show without live animals or clowns.<\/p>\n

The circus, which has long been billed as \u201cThe Greatest Show On Earth,\u201d visits Philadelphia this weekend for a four-day, seven-show run from February 16-19.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the circus closed a few years ago, I was heartbroken,\u201d said Lopez, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.\u00a0 \u201cWe could not believe it. It was like a family tragedy.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, we got a call from them asking us to join. I said \u2013 are you serious? I can\u2019t describe how happy I was.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe told Ringling Bros. that we were happy to come back. It was an honor. Ringling Bros. is not for just one age group. It\u2019s for the entire family.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Lopez Family is a \u201cTriangular Highwire\u201d act featuring Maria Lopez, her husband Jonathan Lopez, his brother Johann Lopez and fourth member Deyse Locada.<\/p>\n

Sixth generation circus artists, the Lopez Family, which hails from Mexico and Chile, is no stranger to Ringling audiences.<\/p>\n

After joining Ringling in 2008 as part of the \u201cZing Zang Zoom\u201d U.S. Tour, the Lopez family was featured in the \u201cFully Charged Gold Edition\u201d and \u201cSuper Circus Heroes\u201d tours where they have performed daring feats of human spectacle including Highwire, Globe of Steel, and headlined the Closing Act of the entire show.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from Santiago, Chile and Jonathan is from Mexico City,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cI met Jonathan in 1998 and we fell in love. In 2002, we decided to get married. The Lopez show is a family show that has been around for 22 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re in our fourth generation. Jonathan and I have three boys. The 19- and 21-year-olds are in college and the little one has one more year of high school. At some point, they will decide if they want to join the act or do something else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maria Lopez is part of the only triangular highwire act in the world performing daring stunts like headstands, leapfrog, shoulder jumps and more.<\/p>\n

The Triangular Highwire introduces a modern twist to a classic with three very thin wires connected in a triangular formation, creating the ultimate chandelier in the air 25 feet above the ground. \u00a0Four performers take on incredible feats including jumping over their partner\u2019s shoulders and riding a bike on the thin wire \u2013 all while another performer does a handstand on top of the moving bike.<\/p>\n

According to Lopez, the danger level is ramped up for performers with this type of set-up because the vibration from one performer\u2019s wire can reverberate on a nearby wire.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time ever that high wires are in a triangular shape,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cWe\u2019ve had the idea for more than 10 years but didn\u2019t have the place to do it. When Ringling contacted us, we knew the time was right.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe needed another female highwire artists. We contacted Deyse and she was super happy to be part of the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole weight is on only one thin wire. We create a perfect balance \u2013 not just to walk but to jump rope, ride a bicycle and support another person.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe triangular shape is more difficult than the traditional highwire with only two people. The performers have more open space and more stunts. It\u2019s more difficult because of the vibrations that are caused by all the wires being connected.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt one point, I\u2019m on the wire holding my weight and Deyse is going to stand on my shoulders. At the same time, the brothers are going to be doing the same trick.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn another trick, Johann is going to be riding two mini-cycles and Jonathan is doing the same. Both will be connected by a bridge and I\u2019m going to go on top of the bridge. I\u2019m going to be doing a handstand on the bridge will both of them are riding.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn another part, I\u2019ll\u00a0be with my pole balance, and my partner will try and jump over my shoulders. As circus performers, you always want to be creating something new.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ringling Bros. has created a new show that is so dazzling that no one will miss the animals or the clowns.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show has 75 performers from 18 nationalities,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cOne act features a three-story-high unicycle.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is the Double Wheel of Destiny with two spinning spheres rotating side by side that performers jump between and a Spanish troupe that specializes in Korean teeterboard dramatics.<\/p>\n

The roster of international entertainers includes Troupe Bothers (Mongolia), Argendance (Argentina), Duo Dust in the Wind (Cuba), Equivokee Comedy Trio (Ukraine), Giulia and Mattia Rossi (Italy), and Troupe Ethio Salam (Ethiopia).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis new edition is really cool,\u201d said Lopez, whose husband is a supporter of Mexican football team Club America while she is a fan of Santiago club Universidad de Chile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a lot to see \u2013 new acts and new technology. The stage is totally different. The stage changes for different parts of the show. There is full activity for every moment of the show. It really is the \u2018The Greatest Show On Earth.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for The Lopez Family — https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZxdhhsRHU4E<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Video link for Ringling Bros. — \u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/UnhchhczhYo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ringling Bros. Circus will have performances on February 16 at 7:30 p.m., February 17 at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m., February 18 at noon and 4 p.m. and February 19 at noon.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices start at $35.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The No Name Pops<\/p><\/div>\n

The No Name Pops, which was founded in 2023, is a new, versatile ensemble composed of the former musicians of The Philly Pops with a mission to deliver authentic, exceptional musical experiences in the Philadelphia region. Drawing from Philly\u2019s rich symphonic pops legacy, melding tradition with an innovative approach unbound by musical genre for concert experiences that will entertain and empower the entire community.<\/p>\n

The No Name Pops respects the rich legacy of the music of Peter Nero, Grammy Award-winning pianist and conductor who launched Pops music in Philadelphia for over three decades. Led by accomplished conductors and featuring world-class soloists, The No Name Pops continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant and diverse repertoire.<\/p>\n

On February 17, The No Name Pops is bringing their music outside of the city with \u201cBroadway in the Burbs.\u201d\u00a0The concert will be performed in Alumnae Hall at Immaculata University (145 W King Rd, Malvern, nonamepops.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cBroadway in the Burbs\u201d will be conducted by Broadway\u2019s Evan Roider, with guest conductor\u00a0Joe Gehring and pianist Dr. Bill Carr. The show, featuring music from\u00a0\u201cGypsy,\u201d \u201cSound of Music,\u201d \u201cFiddler on the Roof,\u201d \u201cA Funny Thing Happened\u201d and more, will take place on February 17 at 3 p.m. Roider currently serves as Music Director\/Conductor for the National Tour of \u201cWicked\u201d and has also toured with \u201cLes Miserables\u201d and \u201cCats.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additionally, Immaculata\u2019s Music Department Chair and Assistant Professor Joe Gehring will bring a personal touch to the performance as guest conductor for Steinway artist Dr. Bill Carr, professor of music at Immaculata, as they perform the third movement of Leroy Anderson\u2019s \u201cPiano Concerto in C Major.\u201d<\/p>\n

Serving as Music Director of the Immaculata Symphony since 2011, Gehring has infused innovative programs that emphasize music education for all ages. Gehring also conducts the Concert Band and directs ensembles like the West Chester Band and Chesco Pops Orchestra, teaches music courses, and serves as Director of Music Ministries at the Exton United Methodist Church. He holds a Master of Music Performance degree in Orchestral Conducting from West Chester University and is pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education with a focus on music performance anxiety at Immaculata.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother Jack is a board member at No Name Pops,\u201d said Carr, during a phone interview Monday morning from his home in Malvern. \u201cThey were talking about doing a fundraiser. Matt, the orchestra manager, asked if I\u2019d like to play something. Chair Joe Gehring will conduct the piece I play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carr is a Malvern guy through and through. A Malvern native, he graduated from Malvern Prep in 1968 and is currently a Scholar\/Artist in Residence there. Now, he is also a major figure at Immaculata in Malvern. But he has travelled the world in his musical pursuits.<\/p>\n

After receiving degrees in piano performance from Temple University, Carr received a graduate scholarship in the Professional Studies Program in piano performance at the Juilliard School. There, he studied with the world-renowned pedagogue, Adele Marcus.<\/p>\n

According to Carr \u201cI can think of no one more important to my musical development than Adele Marcus. During my 11 years of study with her, both at Juilliard and Catholic University of America, she was an inspiration, a mentor, and the most extraordinary musical figure that I would ever know. She understood each of her students individually and, in turn, inspired them to reach their potential.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer greatest gift for me was teaching me how to listen. I will be extremely grateful to Ms. Marcus for my years of study with her and for her warmth, friendship and love. Few musicians who are outstanding performers have the capacity to inspire students as did Adele Marcus. I think of her every day and strive to share her incredible gifts with my own students.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the 11 years he studied with Ms. Marcus, Carr earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from The Catholic University of America and postdoctoral performance certificates from the Munich Conservatory in Chamber Music and from the Liszt Weimar Conservatory through studies with concert pianist Paul Badura-Skoda in Germany and Austria.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was at the Liszt Weimar Conservatory when Weimar was in East Germany under Communist rule,\u201d said Carr. \u201cIt was a lot different in Munich when I studied chamber music there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carr has performed in Master Classes of Claudio Arrau, Joerg Demus, Leon Fleisher and Horacio Gutierrez. Mr. Carr has performed throughout the U.S. and in many European cities including solo recitals at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall in 1988, the main stage of the Isaac Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall in 2002 and 2005, Verizon Hall of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in 2003 and 2004, and Philadelphia\u2019s Academy of Music in 2008.<\/p>\n

As a concert pianist, Carr continues to perform with area orchestras including the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, the University of Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Doctors Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Classical Symphony Orchestra. Because of his reputation as performer and teacher, he often adjudicates in piano juries and competitions.<\/p>\n

In May of 2005, Carr was honored with the esteemed title of Steinway Artist. Acceptance into the worldwide Steinway Artist roster<\/a>\u00a0indicates not only the highest levels of musical performance achievement, but also reflects the artist’s dedication to and confidence in the Steinway piano as an instrument without equal for artistic expression and technical excellence in craftsmanship and performance.<\/p>\n

Stating that\u00a0\u201cSteinway & Sons is proud to have named William B. Carr, DMA to its worldwide artist roster,\u201d\u00a0the Steinway organization also noted that such immortals as Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Vladimir Horowitz, Cole Porter and Sergei Rachmaninoff have been included on this prestigious roster. Today\u2019s roster includes international stars such as Van Cliburn, Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Peter Nero, Roger Williams, Randy Newman and Harry Connick, Jr.\u00a0\u2013 and Bill Carr.<\/p>\n

\u201cImmaculata became a NASM (National Association of Schools of Music) school in 1972,\u201d said Carr, who has five degrees in music. \u201cAs a Steinway school, it has 38 Steinway pianos. It became all-Steinway in 2012.\u201d<\/p>\n

This weekend, Carr will use a Steinway to perform Anderson\u2019s \u201cPiano Concerto in C Major.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anderson\u2019s premi\u00e8re performance of the piece was with the Grant Park Orchestra in Chicago, Illinois on July 18, 1953. Later, Anderson decided to withdraw the work. He did not publish or record the concerto and never performed it again. He told his wife Eleanor Anderson in the early 1970s that he wanted to rework the concerto.<\/p>\n

Although he started to make changes to the work, Anderson died in 1975 before completing the revision. Following Anderson\u2019s death, Eleanor Anderson brought the concerto to the attention of conductor Erich Kunzel. Kunzel performed the concerto on November 6, 1989 with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m performing the third movement,\u201d said Carr. \u201cI came across this concerto in 2012 with the Immaculata Symphony. It\u2019s a beautiful concerto. The third movement is very Copland-esque. There are themes that are easy listenable and themes that are thoughtful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBroadway in the Burbs\u201d will be presented on February 17 at 3 p.m. It\u2019s a 90-minute show with no intermission.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices are a suggested donation of $50.<\/p>\n

In its early days, Poolside\u00a0was described as \u201can American\u00a0nu-disco\u00a0and\u00a0chillwave\u00a0band from\u00a0Los Angeles.\u201d The band featured Jeff Paradise and Filip Nikolic.<\/p>\n

The duo didn\u2019t endure \u2013 but Paradise did.<\/p>\n

The current version of Paradise will bring its \u201cBlame It All On Love Tour\u201d to Philly on February 18 for a show at Brooklyn Bowl (1009 Canal Street, Philadelphia, www.brooklynbowl.com\/philadelphia<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Poolside\u2019s debut single, \u201cDo You Believe,\u201d was released in 2011\u00a0and positively received. Dazed & Confused<\/a>\u00a0praised the song for its \u201cpop<\/a>-tinged disco<\/a>, brimming with optimistic vocals and retro acid synths,\u201d while NME<\/a>\u00a0lauded its \u201csupremely casual decadence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Filip and I started Poolside, we thought it would be a weekend project,\u201d said Paradise. During a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a tour stop in Toronto.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith our first two records \u2013 \u2018Do You Believe\u2019 and \u2018Take Me Home\u2019 \u2013 we were just having fun in the studio. Nothing worked all through the 20s and then the world decided that they liked it. We thought it would go away but it never did. It\u2019s been a wild ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2011, Poolside set out to produce appropriately chill music for summer soirees, a light but danceable kind of music with sunny vibes and liquid rhythm that Paradise dubbed \u201cDaytime Disco.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since then, Poolside has released three acclaimed albums — \u201cPacific Standard Time\u201d\u00a0(2012),\u00a0\u201cHeat\u201d\u00a0(2017), \u201cLow Season\u201d\u00a0(2020), \u201cHigh Season\u201d (2021) and \u201cBlame It All On Love\u201d (2023). It has also remixed countless high-profile acts such as Billy Idol, Jack Johnson & Milky Chance, DRAMA, Miami Horror, L’imp\u00e9ratrice, Purple Disco Machine, Big Wild and more. Poolside has also recently collaborated with Todd Edwards, Neil Frances, Brijean and Buscabulla.<\/p>\n

Following Nikolic\u2019s departure in 2017,\u00a0Poolside became an augmented solo project that could become a muti-player band when needed.<\/p>\n

The current \u201cband\u2019 version of Poolside features Vito Roccoforte (drums), Mattie Safer (bass, vocals), Casey Butler (saxophone, lap steel, percussion, vocals), Alton San Giovanni (guitar, vocals) and Paradise (guitar, vocals, synth).<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Blame It All On Love\u2019 was recorded over the course of one-and-one-half years,\u201d said Paradise. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a long time. We had been working on it pretty diligently. I have a home studio in Topanga Canyon and Vito has a studio in New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started this band in 2018. It\u2019s had a lot of twists and turns but it\u2019s a pretty solid five-piece now. It\u2019s great to have a band that fits.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mostly do it in my studio. When I need something, I call up somebody. It\u2019s a lot different than performing live.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we go to rehearse, we\u2019re like a cover band covering our own music. I write it and put it out and then decide how to do it live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paradise spent the latter half of 2022 and the early part of 2023 making the record.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it would be a lengthier process,\u201d said Paradise. \u201cI just wanted to write music and see how it came out. A lot of the songs sounded like they\u2019d be good for Poolside.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked on some of them with my friend Ben Browning from Cut Copy. He\u2019s just a great Macca type. It\u2019s fun to work woth\u00a0 people with different skill sets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Poolside \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZbTxsqCFtfI<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Brooklyn Bowl on February 18 will start at<\/p>\n

Tickets are $35.50.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Brooklyn Bowl feature Umphrey\u2019s McGee on February 16 and 17.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Deap Vally<\/p><\/div>\n

Over the last 12 years, Deap Vally have amassed a large number of fans both in America and in Europe.<\/p>\n

If any area fans want to see the veteran rock duo from Los Angeles perform live, they should make sure to attend Deap Vally\u2019s show on February 16 at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/undergroundarts.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

More than just an opportunity to see the band perform live, it will be the last opportunity to see Deap Vally — Lindsey Troy (guitars, vocals) and Julie Edwards (drums, vocals) — play. This is the duo\u2019s final tour before it disbands later this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s getting hard with each of us having two kids,\u201d said Troy, during a phone interview Wednesday from a tour stop in Cleveland. \u201cJulie wants to go back to school to get her masters. I\u2019m going to do solo stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edwards said, \u201cI graduated from New York University 25 years ago. Now, I want to go back and get a master\u2019s degree in forensic psychology.\u201d<\/p>\n

The tight-knit duo reminisced about the band\u2019s origins when both were living in San Fernando Valley \u2013 the place where they grew up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI owned a knitting store \u2013 the Little Knittery \u2013 in Atwater Village,\u201d said Edwards. \u201cIt\u2019s still there.<\/p>\n

\u201cLindsey came in and wanted to learn to knit. She had a tee shirt with a stain and no bra. I didn\u2019t know what to expect. She bought something and then signed up for a class.\u201d<\/p>\n

Troy said, \u201cDuring the lessons, there were three of us and we just would keep talking. Julie and I really hit it off. I had been a solo artist for years and wanted to play in a group.\u201d<\/p>\n

Music entered the picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy previous project was The Pity Party with my friend Marc Smolin,\u201d said Edwards, who went by the name Heisenflei back then.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to do a project that was only women. Lindsey gave me her CD and it was good. I already had a project planned. I had a bass player \u2013 Ashley — but she left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Troy said, \u201cWhen I was younger, I had a band with my sister. Julie had her shit together. We started playing together. Our first gig was at the Silverlake Lodge in L.A. in 2011.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking music with just guitar and drums wasn\u2019t a challenge. I was already used to playing in a two-piece. I did learn about splitting the amps to get bigger tones.\u201d<\/p>\n

In July 2012, they released their first single, \u201cGonna Make My Own Money,\u201d on\u00a0Ark Recordings and they made their\u00a0London\u00a0debut in the same month. They played Latitude\u00a0and\u00a0Leeds Festival and Reading Festival\u00a0during the summer. In August 2012, the band signed to\u00a0Island Records.<\/p>\n

Their first single on Island\/Communion, \u201cEnd of the World,\u201d debuted as\u00a0Zane Lowe\u2019s Hottest Record In The World on\u00a0BBC Radio 1\u00a0on October 3, 2012. In April 2013, the duo released the four-track EP \u201cGet Deap,\u201d which was produced by Lars Stalfors.<\/p>\n

Deap Vally\u2019s debut album, \u201cSistrionix,\u201d was released by Island Records\/Communion\u00a0in June 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cSistrionix\u201d is playing a major role on this tour which is billed as, \u201cLive For The Last Time — Farewell Tour — Performing Sistrionix and More!\u201d<\/p>\n

On February 1, Deap Vally<\/a>\u00a0released \u201cSistrionix 2.0,\u201d a\u00a0re-recorded version of the band\u2019s debut LP\u00a0on the band\u2019s\u00a0own Deap Vally Records.\u00a0The double LP includes demos, previously unreleased covers, re-recordings of limited release B-sides and rarities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe realized that we had never seen a cent from the original release of our \u2018Sistrionix\u2019 album,\u201d said Troy.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsland wanted to do our second record. We walked away because they wanted to reshape us into something we didn\u2019t want to be. They wanted us to be another Joan Jett. I love Joan Jett. She\u2019s great but we didn\u2019t want to be another Joan Jett.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to renegotiate with Island Records on the music from \u2018Sistrionix\u2019 but got no co-operation. The only way we could honor the record was to re-record it on our own. We had to retake control over our music.\u201d<\/p>\n

The audiences will get a full dose of \u201cSistrionix\u201d on this tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe shows will have two acts,\u201d said Troy. \u201cThe first set is \u2018Sistrionoix\u2019 in its entirety from front to back. This will be the first time for us to do this. The second act will be deep cuts and other fan favorites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Deap Vally \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/1LXexdZT4Sg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Underground Arts on February 16 will start at 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $25.<\/p>\n

Abbie Gardner\u00a0has a lot of fans in the Delaware Valley and she rewards them with shows in this area every few months.<\/p>\n

One of those perks is scheduled for this weekend when Gardner visits Chester County for a return visit to Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Gardner has performed in the area in a variety of ways \u2013 as a solo act, as one-third of Red Molly and as part of a duo project with Jesse Terry.<\/p>\n

Gardner posted this message on her Facebook page \u2013 \u201cThe Subaru is all gassed up and ready to hit the road this month. My life is forever changed by heated seats. I will hit the ground running with a live videotaped show at the Fallout Shelter in Norwood, MA on February 9. After Valentine’s Day I’m hitting up New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey for shows in Brooklyn\u2019s Art Haus, the infamous Kennett Flash, and back home to the Fox and Crow in Jersey City.\u201d<\/p>\n

The veteran musician has played many venues in the tri-state area and Kennett Flash is at or near the top of her list of favorites.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming back to the Flash,\u201d said Gardner, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home in Jersey City. \u201cI really like that club. It\u2019s a great place to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner, the fiery dobro player with an infectious smile toured with Americana darlings Red Molly for 11 years. The band took an indefinite hiatus in 2015, so Gardner\u00a0started doing gigs with different bands, backing up her friends and stepping out into the spotlight for her own gigs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I did a full-time solo show \u2013 a show with just me on dobro and vocals was a few years ago at Kennett Flash,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cNow, I\u2019m doing a solo show again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I did it, I had been doing solo stuff but only as part of the show. Then, I was doing a lot of solo stuff. \u00a0It was different because my guitar player Jeff Ruggieri moved to Nashville. It used to be two of us but now I\u2019m onstage by myself \u2013 just me and my dobro.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat gave me the kick that I needed. I was a little nervous but that\u2019s part of the excitement. You have to go outside your comfort zone if you want to grow.<\/p>\n

Gardner\u00a0has released seven albums \u2014 \u201cAbbie Gardner\u201d (2000), \u201cMy Craziest Dreams\u201d (2004), \u201cHoney on My Grave\u201d (2006), \u201cHope\u201d (2011), \u201cWishes on a Neon Sign\u201d (2018), \u201cLive at Arcata Playhouse\u201d (2018) and \u201cDobroSinger\u201d (2022).<\/p>\n

Gardner\u2019s latest recording, \u201cDobroSinger,\u201d was released May 13, 2022.\u00a0It\u2019s intimate, real and raw \u2013 her dobro and voice recorded at the same time at home, without a band or any studio tricks to hide behind. You can hear every breath, every chuckle, as if you are in the room with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album at home in Jersey City,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cI recorded it in my closet with Logic, two microphones and a laptop. I wanted to get live takes of singing and playing at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOriginally, I put \u2018DobroSinger\u2019 out on Bandcamp by myself \u2013 only dobro and vocals. I wanted to establish my new self.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner has been in writing mode lately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been getting some new songs together \u2013 including some cover songs,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cThey can come from anywhere. I\u2019m doing a ZZ Top cover \u2013 \u2018Sharp Dressed Man.\u2019 It lays out really well on dobro.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been writing new songs and I\u2019ll be playing one of them at the gig. I have a lot of songs that are in the works \u2013 a lot of first drafts.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, songwriting comes in all different ways. Often, I\u2019ll have a melody. I love when a melody comes first and then changes with the lyrics. I need to let songs come on through over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is no way Gardner will let her songwriting get locked in a recurring pattern.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time I sit to write a song, it\u2019s a different way,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cWith \u2018Burn in the City,\u2019 I came up with the riff first. Then, I brought it to Will Kimbrough, and we put the words on. Other times, the vocal melody came first \u2013 like on \u2018Three Quarter Time.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge is rearranging songs so they sound full. The exciting part is that when I play this way, I find myself wandering from one song into another. There\u2019s more room for improvisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstrumentally, I\u2019ll be sticking mostly to dobro. I used to do guitar, but dobro now is my main instrument. I love it. It frees me up for vocals and melodic lines.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy main dobro was made by Paul Beard. I play a Hipshot dobro which is like two instruments in one. You can pull a lever and change the tuning. I put everything through a compressor microphone. It\u2019s a throwback sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gardner\u2019s songwriting has brought her much acclaim including 2008 Lennon Award Winner (folk) for \u201cThe Mind of a Soldier\u201d and 2008 American Songwriter Magazine Grand Prize Lyric Winner for \u201cI\u2019d Rather Be.\u201d Her song \u201cHoney on My Grave\u201d was also published in Sing Out! Magazine in 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my set lists now, I tend to not put too many jazz tunes,\u201d said Gardner. \u201cI still do songs from my first solo album \u2013 \u2018Honey on My Grave,\u2019 which came out 20 years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m bringing three of my dobros on tour. I\u2019ll use a National Steel Square Neck \u2013 vintage 1936. I\u2019ll have my regular Beard model as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Abbie Gardner\u00a0\u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/7ccuxKT5wMo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Kennett Flash, which has Sug Daniels as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20.<\/p>\n

On February 18, Kennett Flash will present Melody Trucks with the Fitzkee Brothers. Trucks is the daughter of the late Butch Trucks\u00a0(founding co-drummer of the Allman Brothers Band).<\/p>\n

On February 16, the Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com\/events<\/a>) will present The Police Experience, globally renowned as the most authentic tribute to The Police.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) has a pair of attractive main stage shows on tap for this weekend.<\/p>\n

On February 16, the Delaware County venue will present Onyx&Honey<\/p>\n

Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/p>\n

The show on February 17 will feature Slim & The Perkolators with Ryan Hartt.<\/p>\n

Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings. Another weekly event at the venue is the \u201cTHURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM\u201d\u00a0featuring the Dave Reiter Trio.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d\u00a0is an American comedy-drama film<\/a>\u00a0that was one of the most popular films in the 1990s \u2013 especially because of the comedic brilliance of Robin Williams.<\/p>\n

The movie won the\u00a0Academy Award\u00a0for Best Makeup<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture \u2013 Musical or Comedy.\u00a0Williams was awarded the\u00a0Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture \u2013 Musical or Comedy.<\/p>\n

The film grossed $441.3\u00a0million on a $25\u00a0million budget, making it the\u00a0second highest-grossing film of 1993.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d has remained a fan favorite for more than three decades \u2013 because it is a really funny story and because of the comedic acting by Williams.<\/p>\n

In 2021, \u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d had its Broadway premiere. The show closed on Broadway in May 2022 and then embarked on a National Tour in September 2023 \u2013 a tour that is the middle of a two-week run in Philly.<\/p>\n

Ensemble Arts Philly and The Shubert Organization\u00a0are hosting the First National Tour of\u00a0\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, ensembleartsphilly.org<\/a>) now through February 18 as part of its 2023-24 Broadway Series.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d\u00a0is a\u00a0musical\u00a0based on the 1993 film\u00a0Mrs. Doubtfire, which in turn is based on the 1987 novel\u00a0Alias Madame Doubtfire\u00a0by\u00a0Anne Fine.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d follows a recently divorced actor who disguises as an elderly female housekeeper to be able to interact with his children. The film addresses themes of divorce, separation, and the effect they have on a family.<\/p>\n

Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives.<\/p>\n

As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. This is a hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia local, Rob McClure, is reprising his Tony Award\u00ae nominated dual roles of Daniel Hillard and Euphegenia Doubtfire alongside his co-star and real-life wife, Maggie Lakis, who plays Miranda Hillard in the U.S. National Tour.<\/p>\n

Another member of the cast with local connections is ensemble member Alex Ringer, who was a student at the University of the Arts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great family show,\u201d said Ringer, during a recent phone interview. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t go blue and there is not a lot of harsh language.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt speaks to families \u2013 especially the ending speech. It shows that families can still be families after divorce.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cMrs. Doubtfire\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/jco5i0plzRo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Doubtfire will run now through February 18 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $20.<\/p>\n

There are just two weeks left to catch a performance of the Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>) production of \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d<\/p>\n

The musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder\u2019s play,\u00a0\u201cThe Matchmaker,\u201d which is a comic and romantic story of the exploits of Dolly Gallagher-Levi, a matchmaker and \u201cwoman who arranges things,\u201d will run now through February 25.<\/p>\n

It seems that everybody is familiar with \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d in one form or another \u2013 especially the Academy Award-winning film and the hit Broadway musical.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard not to be familiar with the song, \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d\u2013 at least with the tune\u2019s opening lines\u2026\u00a0\u201cI said hello, Dolly; Well, hello, Dolly; It\u2019s so nice to have you back where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cast at Candlelight features Rebecca Schall as Dolly\u00a0Gallagher\u00a0Levi, Johnny Fernandez as Horace Vandergelder, Jared Calhoun\u00a0as Cornelius Hackl,\u00a0Neena Boyle as Irene Molloy\u00a0and Shawn Weaver as Barnaby Tucker.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d tells the story of widow Dolly\u00a0Gallagher\u00a0Levi, a strongminded matchmaker who arrives in New York to \u201chelp\u201d Horace Vandergelder, a curmudgeonly and very wealthy widowed shop owner, find a new wife — while secretly plotting to marry him herself.
\nMeanwhile, two of Vandergelder\u2019s comedically enriched employees leave the shop abandoned and head out to the city in an effort to find adventure. Often referred to as \u201cBroadway\u2019s Greatest Musical\u201d, \u201cHello, Dolly!\u201d features sweeping dance numbers, hilarious missteps, endearing chaos and, of course, love.<\/p>\n

Schall gives a spellbinding performance in the title role \u2013 exhibiting the vocal chops and acting skills to capture the spirit of Dolly. Weaver, a Lincoln University graduate, and Calhoun sparkle in their roles as Vandergelder\u2019s store employees from Yonkers who experience the Big Apple for the first time.
\n\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d became one of the most iconic Broadway shows of the latter half of the 1960s, running for 2,844 performances, and was the longest-running musical in Broadway history for a time.<\/p>\n

Over the years, \u201cHello Dolly!\u201d has featured many of Broadway\u2019s top leading ladies, including Carol Channing, Mary Martin, Barbra Streisand, Pearl Bailey, Tovah Feldshuh, Bette Midler and Betty Buckley.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf anything, we\u2019re still focused on the stage version rather than the film version,\u201d said Schall, whose television credits include \u201cBoardwalk Empire,\u201d \u201cMarvelous Mrs. Maisel,\u201d \u201cIn Case of Emergency,\u201d \u201cJulie and Julia,\u201d and \u201cPetuna.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere definitely is a difference between stage and film.\u201d<\/p>\n

Audiences love the character Dolly, and Schall offers her take on why.<\/p>\n

\u201cDolly is happy, exuberant and effusive,\u201d said Schall. \u201cShe knows what she wants, and she goes for it. She\u2019s a bundle of energy \u2013 and a good person.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bring a sense of quirkiness to the role. I agree one thousand per cent with her passion for helping others \u2013 for helping other people get better.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne reason audiences love the show is the music. They know all the songs. The music is unbelievable \u2013 and the script is very well-written. This show is fun. It\u2019s just a beautiful show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello Dolly!\u201d is running now through February 25 at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which include dinner, beverage and free parking, are $70.50 for adults and $35 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Imagine having lost contact with a dear friend and assuming that he\/she had gone away forever. Then, out of the blue, the person from the past made contact and suggested getting back together again. That\u2019s pretty much what happened to Maria Pontigo Lopez. Lopez is part of The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[14579,6518,14581,14580],"class_list":["post-42439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-deap-vally","tag-featured","tag-ringling-bros","tag-the-no-name-pops"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42439","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=42439"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42440,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42439\/revisions\/42440"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/42436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}