On Stage: Uptown! offers looks at MLK, Rustin to celebrate Black History Month

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Black History Month has arrived and Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) is kicking off Black History Month in style with a stage performance focusing on one of America’s most important Civil Rights leaders. Now through February 19, the Uptown! Knauer is presenting “The Mountaintop,”...

On Stage: Tribute bands hit local venues

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  In recent years, new genre of live music has emerged – a genre that spans genres. The new genre is tribute acts. Sure, tribute acts have been around for a while. For years, there have been artists who have devoted their lives to recreating music from previous stars – mostly solo singers like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Now, there is a plethora...

On Stage: Double Vision, stand up comedy at Uptown!

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Double Vision This will be a busy weekend at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, uptownwestchester.org). On January 7, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center will host a show featuring the band Double Vision. The band’s name should give music fans an idea of what kind of music to expect. “Double Vision”...

On Stage: Updated Uptown! set to reopen, Friday night

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center It’s time for West Chester to start rocking again. Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, a chic, 300-plus seat music and entertainment venue located in the heart of West Chester (226 North High Street, West Chester, uptownwestchester.org) is ready to reopen its doors after a shutdown caused by the pandemic. The...

Uptown! adds air purification system to enhance safety

WEST CHESTER — Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center has completed the installation of an iWave Air Purification System in all areas of the historic theater in West Chester to create a healthier environment for returning patrons. “We are excited to welcome our patrons back when the theater re-opens later this year.  With the installation of the air purification system, we can assure them that...

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center Receives $50K grant from Chesco Community Foundation and County

WEST CHESTER — The Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center announced that it has received a  $50,000 grant from the Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) and Chester County Commissioners (CCC) to support the venue’s ongoing “Raise Up The Curtain” initiative. As part of CCCF’s and the CCC’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the funds will be used to reopen...

On Stage: Candlelight offers comedy as area’s first reopened indoor venue

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Julia Scotti COVID-19 has been messing with live entertainment schedules for a while now. For more than four months, live performances have been scarcer than factual statements coming from the nation’s top elected officials. It has only been the last few weeks that restaurants and other venues have been permitted to allow customers inside. One of the...

Uptown announces $150K grant from Longwood Foundation

Uptown! Entertainment Alliance, the non profit organization that manages operations for Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, is proud to receive a Longwood Foundation Grant for $150,000. Per Director Angela Scully, it is a great honor to receive such a generous award as well as the confidence of the Longwood Foundation. The grant will be used to pay down debt incurred in the transformation of the...