On Stage Spotlight: Styx still rockin’ after all these years

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Styx If Styx and the Energizer Bunny had an endurance challenge, the nameless pink bunny eventually would stop beating his drum while Styx would still be rocking hard. Styx formed in Chicago in 1972 and released their debut album, “Styx,” in August that year. Now, 52 years and 42 albums later, Styx are still going strong – and touring like...

On Stage: almost monday brings a bit of California to Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times almost monday When the Beach Boys released their debut album, “Surfin’ Safari,” in 1962, it was the beginning of the California sound in rock music. The band’s music made listeners think of Southern California, days at the beach, riding in convertible, surfing and summer love. Now, more than 60 years later there is another band from Southern...

On Stage: ‘Funny Girl’ ‘The Fantasticks’ come to local stages

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Funny Girl Musicals are coming. Musicals are coming. Musicals are here. Over the past week, three different musicals have had their opening nights in theaters around the area – “Funny Girl,” “The Fantasticks,” and “Somewhere Over the Border.” Ensemble Arts Philly – the new presenting brand of the Kimmel Cultural Campus and The...

On Stage: Coatesville’s Mascherino still rocking with The Color Fred

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Color Fred Here are some bands that might be on your playlists. Taking Back Sunday is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. They released their eighth and most recent studio album, “152,” in 2023. Breaking Pangaea was an American emo pop band from Philadelphia. The band released their debut EP and full-length album on...

On Stage: Cover bands bring shows to area

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times LIVE AT THE FILLMORE This is the first weekend of live music in July and suburban venues have loaded schedules. The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) has a July schedule which includes Live at the Fillmore on July 5, AM Radio on July 6, and Top of the World – A Carpenters Tribute on July 7. “LIVE...

On Stage: Celebrating 13 years of Better Than Bacon

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Better Than Bacon The weekend’s attractive line-up of live entertainment starts early this weekend with a local comedy favorite in West Chester, a prog rock band in Kennett Square and an unusual circus in Bensalem. Better Than Bacon is coming back to Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org)...

On Stage: Legendary songwriter Karla Bonoff comes to Sellerville

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Karla Bonoff Four female singers with very distinctive music, voices and vocal styles will be performing in the area this weekend – Karla Bonoff, Mary Fahl, Lisa Chavous and Erin Coburn. Karla Bonoff has been described as one of the finest singer/songwriters of her generation. That description is not hyperbole. Bonoff has enjoyed critical acclaim,...

On Stage: Bonet brings different take to violin

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Deni Bonet and Chris Flynn Deni Bonet has become one of the favorites for music fans at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com). After two scintillating shows last year, Bonet is returning to the popular venue in Delaware County for a concert on June 15. According to Jamey’s website,...

On Stage: Slambovian Circus of Dreams celebrating 25 years with show at Sellersville

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Slambovian Circus of Dreams The Slambovian Circus of Dreams has an annual schedule that includes a variety of traditional events — the “Slambovian Circus of Dreams Halloween Show,” the “Fairport’s Copredy Convention,” “Kingston Earth Fair,” “A Very Slambovian Christmas” show and the “Slambovian Circus of Dreams New Year’s...

On Stage: Copely brings multimedia harp show to Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Kirsten Agresta Copely The show on May 30 at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, www.worldcafelive.com) will be a little different than usual – in several ways. The headliner will be a solo artist. The main instrument will be a harp — which is more common with a classical concert and less common on the stage of a rock music...