On Stage: Time for some laughs with Steve Treviño

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Steve Treviño These days, we all need something to brighten our day – something to laugh about. Fortunately, there are several comedy shows on the area schedule that are worth checking out. After all, April is National Humor Month. From April 21-23, Steve Treviño will bring his “America’s Favorite Husband” tour to Philadelphia for a three-night...

On Stage: We Were Promised Jetpacks flies into Underground Arts

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times We Were Promised Jetpacks We Were Promised Jetpacks, which is headlining a show on April 14 at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org), is a Scottish indie rock band featuring Adam Thompson (vocals, guitar), Sean Smith (bass), and Darren Lackie (drums). “The band started back in 2004 when we were in school,”...

On Stage Bonus: Livingston Taylor is still going strong

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Livingston Taylor Livingston Taylor has a lot of musical talent – and a knack for longevity. Taylor, who will be headlining a show on April 9 at Delaware Valley University (700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, is a singer-songwriter who made his first album 52 years ago and has released more than 20 more LPs since then. Taylor has a long history of...

On Stage: Zakir Hussain brings classical rhythm to Zellerbach

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Zakir Hussain On April 7, area music fans will have the opportunity to hear one of the legendary masters of Indian classical music perform live in concert with two of India’s emerging new luminaries in a special concert at the University of Pennsylvania’s Zellerbach Theater (Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, pennlivearts.org). Zakir Hussain,...

On Stage Extra: A melting pot of music and comedy on display this week

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Tempest There is a lot of variety in the schedule for upcoming shows in the area – a Celtic rock band that was formed by a Norwegian singer (Tempest at 118 North and Havana), an American comedian whose roots are in India (Hari Kondabolu at the Grand), a punk/pop singer with an interesting background (MZ Neon at TLA), a New Orleans rock band (The Revivalists...

On Stage: Blues fans, this is your time for great local shows

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Christone “Kingfish” Ingram We’re in the midst of a stretch of live concerts that will have blues music fans in the area in hog heaven (which is defined as “a state of complete happiness”). Over a period of two weeks, the area’s concert schedule features performances by Selwyn Birchwood, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Mike Zito, Albert...

On Stage Extra: ‘Waitress’ serves it up at Academy of Music

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Waitress Pie was celebrated in the middle of March with “π Day (Pi Day)” on March 14. Pie will also be celebrated in Philadelphia this week when the Kimmel Cultural Campus presents the popular musical “Waitress” at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org) from March 29-April 3. Never underestimate...

On Stage: Local women of jazz in the spotlight

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Mindy Rhodes Over the next few days, there will be two special shows focusing on female acts – one featuring one woman and the other featuring 11 women. “Jazz for Jamey’s,” a special multi-artist show as a benefit for the venue, will be held on March 24 at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com)....

On Stage Plus: Whitmore Sisters bring harmony to City Winery

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Whitmore Sisters It will be a family affair when the Whitmore Sisters open for the Mastersons on March 21 at City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, citywinery.com/philadelphia). The Whitmore Sisters — Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore — are two of roots music’s most accomplished songwriters/instrumentalists/vocalists. The Mastersons...

On Stage Extra: Nathan Gray brings new band to Milkboy Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Nathan Gray and the iron Roses Nathan Gray, who will headline a show at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com) on March 18, has been the front man for several well-received bands including BoySetsFire, I am Heresy and The Casting Out. Gray’s arrival was in 1994 as the singer for BoySetsFire, a post-hardcore...