On Stage: Sarah Diamond comes home to headline at Uptown!
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Sarah Diamond
There is an old saying – “You Can Never Go Home Again.”
Don’t tell that to Sarah Diamond. She won’t believe you — and will offer proof of the opposite this weekend.
Diamond is a Downingtown East grad and a West Chester University alumna who is now living in Largo, Florida.
She is also a talented singer who leads her own...
On Stage: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ opening at the Forrest Theater
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Dear Evan Hansen
A nice way to combat a heat wave is to spend an evening inside an air-conditioned venue watching a live theatrical performance. Fortunately, there are several good choices — ranging from a new smash Broadway hit (“Dear Evan Hansen”) to a timeless theater classic (“Sweet Charity’).
“Dear Evan Hansen,” which is billed...
On Stage: ‘Sweet Charity’ at The Candlelight
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Many of you are familiar with timeless standards such as “Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” but how many know the origin of these songs?
They are two of the standout tunes in the award-winning musical, “Sweet Charity.”
The Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) is...
On Stage: The Claudettes excited to be back playing live
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Claudettes
The Claudettes do wonderful work in the recording studio. But, more than anything, the Claudettes are a great live band.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 robbed the Chicago-based band of that aspect for more than two years.
Late last year, the Claudettes returned to playing live concerts – including a powerful show at the Arden Gild Hall just...
On Stage Extra: Big Sunday Philly shows change venues
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Vision Video
Sunday is the night for relocated rock concerts in Center City Philadelphia.
The Vision Video show on July 10 was originally scheduled to be held at MilkBoy Philadelphia and then switched to Kung Fu Necktie.
A similar scenario has played out for the concert by the Wrecks on July 10. It was originally scheduled to be held at the Foundry at...
On Stage: Willie Nile still rockin’ after four decades
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Willie Nile
Just over a year ago, Willie Nile — much to his delight — started playing live shows for live audiences again after a year-and-a-half of pandemic restrictions.
In 2021, Nile came to the area for a concert in May at the Ardmore Music Hall and then returned in November for a show at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com).
This...
What To Do: Philly fireworks, Downingtown Good Neighbors and so much more
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
This is Fourth of July Weekend and that means it is time for parties, festivals, picnics and a lot of fireworks displays.
Wawa Welcome America Festival
The “Wawa Welcome America Festival” (www.welcomeamerica.com), which is running through July 4, is a festival of free events in Philadelphia in celebration of our nation’s birthday — a huge...
On Stage: Everclear celebrating 30 years with show at the Keswick
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Everclear
If music fans looked at the Marquee of the Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com) for a show on June 23, they might think they had stepped into a time machine and been transported back to the mid-1990s.
The show’s headliner is Everclear – a band that released its first album, “World of...
On Stage Extra: John Doe embracing folk at City Winery show
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The John Doe Trio
John Doe, who is headlining a show at City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, citywinery.com) on June 15, is a modern day American Renaissance man. He is a singer, songwriter, actor, poet, guitarist, bass player and author.
Born John Nommensen Duchac in Decatur, Illinois, he grew in in Baltimore, Maryland – in the Lochearn...
On Stage Extra: Sarah Borges rocks, but is hard to define
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Sarah Borges
When Sarah Borges performs live, she rocks the house.
Borges, is a Boston guitarist/vocalist whose music has been described as “walking that fine line between punk and country.”
When Borges straps on her guitar and starts to sing, she rocks out. There is country, blues, punk, and rock in her musical DNA, but it is the rock element...
