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1.27.2011

Earl Pickens and Family at Kenneth Flash THIS SATURDAY!

Hi All!

Wanted to let you know about yet another live performance coming up that is definitely worth checking out. 


This Saturday night, January 29th, check out Earl Pickens and Family, as they reinterpret the classic U2 album, "The Joshua Tree"! The band, whose genre has been described as "acoustic/alt country/bluegrass," will be performing at Kennett Flash, an all-ages, intimate concert venue located in Kennett Square, PA that features performances by national, regional, and local artists.

Earl Pickens and Family's critically-acclaimed interpretation of The Joshua Tree was the band's debut album release in 2009.  Its sophomore album, "Gathering," released in September 2010, features ten brand new songs by Earl Pickens and Family songwriters Earl Pickens, Bruce W. Derr and Jessie Yamas, and is available on iTunesAmazon and CD Baby.  Songs from the album are also available on the band's Myspace page.

Earl Pickens and Family Performing Live on the New Jersey Turnpike!

Helen Leicht of WXPN Philadelphia had this to say about the band:
"Stripped of The Edge's in-your-face guitar effects and Bono's dramatic wail, Pickens's version allows U2's rootsy influences to surface and blossom."

You can learn more about the band by visiting its Facebook page.

As for Saturday night's show -- doors open at 7:00 pm and show starts at 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show.  Kenneth Flash serves soups, salads, pastries, and flavored coffees and beverages.  It is also a BYOB venue, for those ages 21+ with proper ID.  Note: There is also a $4 per person fee to BYOB.  More details regarding BYOB are available on the venue's website.  

Hope to see you there!
Tina

1.26.2011

Philly Big Band Featuring Matt Gallagher at Chris' Jazz Cafe

Hi Friends!

I hope everyone's week is going well so far, despite this crazy weather!

Although today is supposed to be messy out there, tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and above 30 degrees!  That said, assuming the roads are clear, you should have no excuse to miss tomorrow night's performance by the Philly Big Band featuring Matt Gallagher at Chris' Jazz Cafe! And if you live in the city, so long as public transit is running, you really have no excuse! :)

If you haven't heard the Philly Big Band before, you are in for a special treat.  I saw the band perform at Chris' in September of this year for the first time, and I was almost literally blown away by the sound!  They were incredible.  Even Mayor Nutter himself showed up to enjoy the show!!  The band features Matt Gallagher (if you didn't get that from earlier :) who is an absolutely remarkable trumpet player.  Matt also performs in the locally-popular, as well as awesome, club and wedding band, Chico's Vibe.  In all the times I have heard Matt play, I don't think I have ever once heard him crack on a high note.  And he can hit some high notes!  (See below video clip for proof!!)

Matt performing with Chico's Vibe

In addition to Matt being phenomenal on trumpet, the band is comprised of a number of other seriously talented Philadelphia musicians, like Victor North on sax.  If you're into the Philly jazz scene at all, you have likely caught one of his Tuesday night jazz jam sessions at Chris' (more on that in a future post). There are a few videos available on YouTube of the whole big band performing previously at Chris'.

The band will play two sets tomorrow night at Chris', from 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, and there is a $10 cover, which I believe can be paid at the door or simply added to your bill.  In case you haven't been there before, Chris' does have some yummy food and of course beverages to enjoy throughout the show.

For more details about the show, and to RSVP (this is an open event), visit the event's page on Facebook.  I hope to see lots of familiar faces tomorrow night!

Stay warm and be safe!
Tina

1.17.2011

Pepper's Ghost is BACK!

Hi Friends and Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is enjoying 2011 so far. I personally knew it was going to be a good year when I heard Pepper's Ghost was "coming out of hiatus" to play together again... this weekend!

I have been a fan of Pepper's Ghost ("PG") for many years.  Not only did most of the members graduate from my alma mater, good old Springfield High School, and I love supporting local music, but they also are one of the most talented bands I have heard play rock music, local or otherwise.  PG sites influences such as The Beatles, Queen, David Bowie, and the Bee Gees, but they do have a distinctly original sound, and their music has continued to evolve over the years.

PG is playing two shows at The Grape Room this Saturday, January 22, first at 7:30 (doors at 7 pm) and then a second show at 10:30 (doors at 10 pm).  The 7 pm show will feature special guest, Smyth, an indie rock band also based in Philly.  PG puts on an incredible, high-energy live show, so I highly recommend you check it out if you are available on Saturday!


You can purchase tickets in advance for $8 on TicketWeb or $10 at the door.  Tickets purchased for the 10 pm show are good only for that show, not the 7 pm show, and vice versa.  I have heard the venue is small, and that advanced tickets are recommended.

For those of you who don't know anything about the band, I encourage to take a few minutes and read the bio on the band's Reverbnation profile.  You can (and should) also check them out and "Like" them on Facebook.  I have also included a video, below, so you can get a taste of the band performing live.

Pepper's Ghost performing "Everything and Anything" at The Trocadero Theater in July 2006

Here's a little more info about the venue:
The Grape Room
105 Grape Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
215-930-0321
graperoom@gmail.com
21 years and over

I will be there and hope to see you there too!

Cheers!
Tina