{"id":33742,"date":"2017-02-10T08:40:43","date_gmt":"2017-02-10T13:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=33742"},"modified":"2017-02-10T08:40:46","modified_gmt":"2017-02-10T13:40:46","slug":"on-stage-kvalentines-perfect-timing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=33742","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: K’Valentine’s perfect timing"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

K\u2019Valentine<\/p><\/div>\n

K\u2019Valentine is coming to Philly and it\u2019s cool because her show is just a few days prior to Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

K\u2019Valentine is coming to the area for a show at the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/span><\/a>) on February 9 and it\u2019s really cool because Philly fans will be able to hear a performance by one of the best young artists in the hip hop and spoken word scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago\u2019s K\u2019Valentine is ready to explode in 2017. She\u2019s put in the time, writing poetry since her youth, putting out three mixtapes, including one with Talib Kweli\u2019s Javotti Media, and is finally ready to release her debut album, \u201cHere for a Reason,\u201d in March via Javotti Media.<\/span><\/p>\n

A prot\u00e9g\u00e9e and collaborator with hip hop star Talib Kweli, she will be opening for Kweli on his spring Seven Tour \u2013 the tour that hits Philly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA while ago, it was literally just poetry,\u201d said K\u2019Valentine, during a phone interview last week from a tour stop in Aspen, Colorado.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s funny how things transpired. I was never able to see myself travelling the world as a hip hop artist. I always thought I\u2019d be a poet. But, I also always loved hip hop.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, she has embraced hip hop. In her song \u201cBoomerang,\u201d she states \u201cI\u2019m a Black Queen, I\u2019m here to bring the real shit back to the hip hop scene.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like a motto in a way,\u201d said K\u2019Valentine, who calls Chicago home.<\/span><\/p>\n

K\u2019Valentine began writing poetry as an alternative to express her emotions and then had the opportunity to meet with the world-renowned author and poet Dr. Maya Angelou.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Angelou was a speaker at my sister\u2019s college,\u201d said K\u2019Valentine. \u201cThey allowed me to come backstage and meet her. When I met her initially, it was a bit awkward., I approached her and said \u2013 \u2018Hi Maya.\u2019 She didn\u2019t like that. She said \u2013 \u2018Dr. Angelou.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, I told her how much I admired her work and asked her if I could read her some of my poetry. She looked me right in the eye and said \u2013 \u2018No.\u2019 I said \u2013 \u2018Why?\u2019 She said \u2013 \u2018Look around this room.\u2019 It was too busy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t understand it at first. Now, I do. I\u2019m an artist. I definitely get what she was saying. After she told me \u2018No,\u2019 she called her assistant and said \u2013 \u2018I am going to help you. Send me two of your best poems and mark the envelope \u2018personal.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

K\u2019Valentine listened to Angelou\u2019s advice — that the best thing to do was practice and use her skills with words that she would be the best. Consequently, K\u2019Valentine wrote poetry non-stop and started to notice her poems transitioning into songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

After reciting poetry at numerous spoken word events and receiving positive feedback, she released her debut project, \u201cBreakfast at Tiffany\u2019s\u201d in 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI used to listen to rap songs and write the lyrics down,\u201d said K\u2019Valentine. \u201cTupac made me fall in love with hip hop. It was Drake who made me feel I could do hip hop. His delivery wasn\u2019t as aggressive. He had songs that were more sensitive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

K\u2019Valentine embarked on her hip hop career \u2013 a career that just marked the release of her debut album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis album is going to fil a void,\u201d said K\u2019Valentine. \u201cIt represents people who are not spoken for. I\u2019m speaking about real issues \u2013 real life. I\u2019m not just making poetry anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for K\u2019Valentine \u2013https:\/\/youtu.be\/O7VFo0qAdHY<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show, which features Taleb Kweli as the headliner, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24.50.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the TLA are Monster Energy Outbreak presents The Cadillac Three: The Black Roses Tour on February 10 and Box of Rain: Essential Grateful Dead 68-74<\/span><\/a> on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

On February 10, one\u00a0of the year\u2019s most eagerly-anticipated shows at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>) will take place when the venue hosts Marco Benevento on February 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>

Marco Benevento<\/p><\/div>\n

Benevento\u2019s midwinter tour of the Northeast coincides with the release of his\u00a0new live album,\u00a0\u201cWoodstock Sessions,\u201d which was released on February 17.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had this band for the last five year,\u201d said Benevento, during a phone interview last week from his home in Woodstock, New York. \u201cAndy Border is a badass New York City drummer and Karina Rikeman plays heavy metal guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re touring the live record which was recorded at Applehead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Recorded in one single take at Applehead Recording in Woodstock\u00a0in front of a sold-out studio audience this past summer, \u201cWoodstock Sessions<\/i>\u201d marks Benevento\u2019s inauguration into the acclaimed series, which already includes\u00a0Bad Brains,\u00a0Medeski Martin & Wood + Nels Cline and\u00a0Joseph Arthur\u00a0among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe brought 100 people into the barn to be the audience and played two hours \u2013 two sets. We played a lot of songs from my \u2018The Story Of Fred Short\u2019 album and also a number of songs from my \u2018Swift\u2019 album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Marco Benevento\u2019s latest studio LP, \u201cThe Story of Fred Short,\u201d is is touted as some of his finest and most adventurous work to date.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Benevento, he drew inspiration from diverse sources such as LCD Soundsystem, Harry Nilsson, Manu Chau and Gorillaz.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the world-famous keyboard ace is looking ahead to his next studio album.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been writing new music with vocals,\u201d said Benevento. \u201cI just try to write a good song. I make demo versions where I play everything and sing. Then, I take it to the band and tell them they\u2019re free to change whatever they want. I\u2019m always up for suggestions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are 10 new song ideas I\u2019ve been working with. The other night, I played one of the new songs and it went over rally well. The new songs are upbeat and dance-y. Like I said, the main thing for me is to write a good song.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Benevento\u2019s earliest recordings were back in the early 2000s as part of the Benevento\/Russo Duo with drummer Joe Russo. He released his first solo album \u201cInvisible Baby\u201d in 2008.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven a record every two years is a lot,\u201d said Benevento. \u201cI don\u2019t want to go crazy and oversaturate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Benevento has written, arranged and played his mostly instrumental songs and led his band from behind his customized piano and bank of drum machines, sequencers, keyboards and pedals. Prior to \u201cSwift,\u201d Benevento had never sung his own songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never liked my own voice,\u201d said Benevento. \u201cIt\u2019s too deep. I like the Robert Plant\/David Bowie voice — the higher singing voice — so I never got into singing that much. I was self-conscious about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn my \u2018Tiger Face\u2019 album, I had female vocals. I used Kalmia Traver from Rubblebucket on two songs. When I was working on \u2018Swift,\u2019 I had my phone in hand to call Kalmia but then I realized that the vocals would be missing in my live shows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I realized that now was the time to do it because I liked the songs with the vocals. Still, there aren\u2019t many live vocals in the show. I made four records prior and all were instrumental. So, the majority of the set is still instrumental.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Benevento\u2019s diverse fan base has always been more interested in the songs not the singing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy demographic is really varied,\u201d said Benevento. \u201cMy fans come from rock, jazz, jam band, electronic music and modern rock.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mostly a younger crowd. I have the jam band audience because I\u2019ve played a lot of jam band festivals. I\u2019ve also played a lot of electronic music festivals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Marco Benevento \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/mEVdFQNIvuI<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show on February 10, which has WOLF! as the opening act, will start at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance and $22 day of show.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming acts at Ardmore are Alex & the Kaleidoscope play Family Funk on February 11, and Voodoo Dead (Steve Kimock, Jackie Greene, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti & Papa Mali) on February 11 and 12.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

A.S.H.<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s been a decade since West Chester\u2019s Braham Crane put together his company called A.S.H. (which stands for \u201cArtists.Simply.Human\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

A.S.H. made its area debut in 2004 with a pair of shows at the Painted Bride Art Center. In 2006, Crane brought his company back to Philly for a show at the prestigious Annenberg Center venue on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, A.S.H. has developed into one of the most respected modern dance companies in America. It also changed its punctuation and became simply ASH. The 2015-2016 tour season for ASH began in October in Orlando and will conclude in May in Miami.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the stops along the way are Orlando, Toronto, Worcester, Tysons Corner, Nashville, Ogden, New Brunswick, Santa Clara, Dearborn, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Birmingham, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Tacoma, and Philadelphia. The local event will take place this weekend at Loew\u2019s Philadelphia Hotel (1200 Market Street, Philadelphia).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a dance education type event,\u201d said Crane, whose mother Joyce Crane ran Crane Performing Arts in West Chester for more than 25 years before recently closing shop. \u201cIt\u2019s not like dance competition events.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, we\u2019re going to 14 different cities and then we\u2019ll finish at Nationals in Orlando this summer. We have 12 different faculty members who are tops in the industry. They all travel to different cities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn Philly, it will be a three-day event with 100 companies and around 1,000 dancers. There will be two performance showcases with about 200 numbers over the two shows and a closing show on Sunday with the best numbers from the performance showcases along with faculty performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll the shows are free and open to the public. And, all the showcases will be broadcast live via the internet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for ASH Productions — https:\/\/youtu.be\/PMFkLBwZgz4<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event will run from noon on Feb.\u00a010 until 3 p.m. on\u00a0Feb. 12. The final activity will be the \u201cCollaboration Class Performances\u201d on Sunday at 1 p.m. followed by the \u201cClosing Show\u201d at 2 p.m. For more information on activities and schedules, call 855-ASH-Dance (855-274-3262) or visit https:\/\/ashdance.com<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Machine<\/p><\/div>\n

Pink Floyd fans know that there are hundreds of Pink Floyd tribute acts around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

They know that a few of them are really top-flight, most of them are ordinary and some are a downright waste-of-time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pink Floyd fans definitely know which acts are primo. That\u2019s why fans from this area will be at the Scottish Rites Theatre (315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., http:\/\/www.collingswood.com\/entertainment\/theater-and-ballroom<\/span><\/a>) on February 10 for a concert by The Machine.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Machine \u2014 Joe Pascarell (lead guitar, vocals), Scott Chasolen (keyboards, vocals), Ryan Ball (bass, vocals), Tahrah Cohen (drums) \u2014 is a Pink Floyd tribute band that has been performing the music of the British classic rock act for more than 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the course of its decades-plus history, The Machine has developed a repertoire that covers Pink Floyd\u2019s entire career \u2014 from 1967\u2019s \u201cThe Piper at the Gates of Dawn\u201d to the \u201cnew\u201d Pink Floyd album \u201cThe Endless River,\u201d which was just released last year.<\/span><\/p>\n

The New York based band focuses on making every show an authentic Floydian experience for their fans. Known for performing a diverse mix of The Floyd\u2019s extensive 16-album repertoire (complete with faithful renditions of popular hits as well as obscure gems), The Machine\u2019s stellar musicianship, dramatic lighting and video, and passionate delivery sets apart from the rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the classic tradition, The Machine explores collective improvisation paralleling and even rivaling that of an early 1970\u2019s Pink Floyd mentality. Their use of expanded theatrical elements and elaborate stage displays continues in the spirit of the later Floyd lineups of the 1980\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

The band is also known for recreating entire albums as a part of their show, accepting requests from fans, and for taking an A to Z approach in which one song is played for every letter of the alphabet. Additionally, the quartet has been sharing the stage with full symphony orchestras, including the Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh and San Diego Symphonies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the most part, it\u2019s the same group of songs people want to hear,\u201d said Pascarell. \u201cThey don\u2019t want to hear something new and we honor that. We play songs like \u2018Dark Side of the Moon,\u2019 \u2018Comfortably Numb\u2019 and a number of songs from \u2018The Wall.\u2019 Some songs are always there \u2014 songs that you hear on the radio a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always fun to play them. There are times we can leave them out \u2014 but not often. Those are times when we do special concerts throughout the year. We do things like symphonies and, from time to time, we do acoustic shows.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for The Machine — https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=emmlx766s3M<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Scottish Rites Theatre will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 and $36.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Upcoming shows at the Flash are Better Than Bacon on February 9, \u201cCrowded Streets \u2013 A Tribute to Dave Matthews Band\u201d on February 10 and Sin City Band with Special Guest Billy Penn Burger along with BerdDog Music Club on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Jeffrey Gaines on February 10, Hurricane Hoss & Friends on February 11 and Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Group on February 12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Near Nightmare, Little Beast and Mike Matteson on February 10 and Gamma Wolf and John Valerio on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/span><\/a>) will present Pete Lanctot and the Stray Dogs with Cassidy and the Music on February 10 and Craig Bickhardt on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

World Caf\u00e9 Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400,\u00a0www.queen.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>) will host\u00a0The Black Jacket Symphony Presents: Pink Floyd \u2013 The Dark Side of The Moon<\/span><\/a> on February 10, Lower Case Blues<\/span><\/a> on February 10, Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band<\/span><\/a> on February 11, SuiteFranchon Entertainment presents The Formula of Love<\/span><\/a> on February 11, and Gable Music Ventures presents Wilmo Wednesdays<\/span><\/a> on February 15.<\/span><\/p>\n

World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>)\u00a0Chris Smither<\/span><\/a> and Milton<\/span><\/a> on February 10,\u00a0 Kyf Brewer<\/span><\/a> on February 11, Peanut Butter and Jams welcomes<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

SteveSongs<\/a><\/span> on February 12, RetroLove<\/span><\/a> on February 12, Mattan Klein<\/span><\/a> on February 12, Boh\u00e9me Big Band \u2013 Valentine\u2019s Day Love Fest<\/span><\/a> on February 14, Wrabel and Jesse Ruben on February 14, and Angelee<\/span><\/a> and Greg Jones Project<\/span><\/a> on February 15.<\/span><\/p>\n

Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/span><\/a><\/span>) features<\/span> Talib Kweli<\/span><\/a> on February 9, Monster Energy Outbreak presents The Cadillac Three: The Black Roses Tour<\/span><\/a> on February 10 and Box of Rain: Essential Grateful Dead 68-74<\/span><\/a> on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boot and Saddle (1131 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, 215-639-4528, www.bootandsaddlephilly.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Shy Girls with Flamingosis on February 9, Suuns with Brian Case on February 10, The York Street Hustle on February 11 and July Talk with Mona, and Little Junior on February 15.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Trocadero (10th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, 215-922-6888, www.thetroc.com<\/span><\/a>) hosts \u201cHBO The Crashing Comedy Tour with Pete Holmes, Judd Apatow, Artie Lang and Special Guests\u201d on February 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, 215-232-2100, www.utphilly.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Corey Smith on February 10, Boombox on February 11 and The Radio Department on February 14.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/span><\/a>) hosts Savoy on February 9 (The Foundry), The Werks<\/span><\/a> on February 10 (The Foundry), O-Town on February 12 (The Foundry).<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric Factory (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215-627-1332, www.electricfactory.info<\/span><\/a>) hosts \u201cSKILLET UNLEASHED TOUR 2017 with Sick Puppies, and Devour The Day\u201d on February 10 and Rick Astley, Harrison Kipner, and DJ Robert Drake on February 11.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times K\u2019Valentine is coming to Philly and it\u2019s cool because her show is just a few days prior to Valentine\u2019s Day. K\u2019Valentine is coming to the area for a show at the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com) on February 9 and it\u2019s really cool […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[7926,9438,7426,9437,5688,5819],"class_list":["post-33742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-ash","tag-crowded-streets","tag-featured","tag-kvalentine","tag-marco-benevento","tag-the-machine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33742"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33743,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33742\/revisions\/33743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/33744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}