Battle of the Bands returns to FirstEnergy Stadium; two Berks theater productions set [Spotlight]
Sep. 25—The Reading Fightin Phils are accepting submissions for the eighth annual $1,000 Battle of the Bands, presented by the String Tree & Ron Procopio Custom Guitars, being held Oct. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
A house band will be performing between sets throughout the event on a side stage while local original and cover bands are invited to take the main stage as part of the Battle of the Bands. Each participating band will have approximately 15-20 minutes on stage. All ages and genres of music are welcome.
A backline for the stage will be provided, and the String Tree will provide $1,000 in prize money divided between the three top-ranked bands.
Bands will be ranked according to online pre-vote leading up to event, number of people mentioning the band's name at the gates, audience reaction and ranking by a panel of judges.
Contact Todd Hunsicker (thunsicker@fightins.com) with any questions, or to request a spot in the lineup. When emailing, include any links to website, Facebook, videos and the like.
Theater
Genesius Theatre will stage the Tony Award-winning musical comedy "Avenue Q" at its playhouse, 153 N. 10th St., from Oct. 7-16.
Described as "Sesame Street meets South Park," the play, which won Tonys in 2004 for best musical, best score and best book of a musical, irreverently conveys life's tough lessons through the trials and tribulations of Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, who is anxious to discover his purpose in life; but first, he must find an apartment and a job, with no work experience — just like the other characters living on Avenue Q.
The show is set on a street in New York City where people and puppets live as neighbors and deal with some of life's most thorny issues: romance, sex, money, career, rent and other matters unmentionable.
"Avenue Q" is directed by long-time local actor/director and Genesius' production manager, Becka Malanios. The show is produced by Genesius' artistic director, L J Fecho, music directed and conducted by Kevin Cooper, choreographed by Jennifer Parker Scott and stage managed by Lorna Graham, with scenic and lighting design by Zack Spadaccia and sound design by Albert Garcia.
Cast members are Gabrielle Lewis, Jonathan Erkert, Jack Haggerty, Collin T. Bollinger, Strat Yost, Meredith Stone, Andrea Keck, Danielle Pflum, Beatrice Bayberry, Corey Wrage, Kevin Adams, Cecilia Cooper and Yvonne Newton.
For show times, tickets and more information, see genesiusdifference.org.
----Reading Community Players will present "Murder at Rutherford House," an interactive mystery dinner theater, on Oct. 14 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Friedens Lutheran Church, 1076 Memorial Highway, Oley.
The production revolves around Lady Rutherford's annual dinner, to which the audience is cordially invited. On arrival, audience members are given a character name and a dossier explaining their background and connection to the Rutherford family. As they mingle with other guests, shots are heard and someone has been murdered. Ultimately, there is a parade of suspects and the interrogations begin. In the end, all is revealed and justice prevails.
Tickets cost $45, which includes dinner provided by Catherine's Catering, and must be reserved by Oct. 10 at readingcommplayers.com.
Event
After a 12-year hiatus, PBR's (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour returns to Santander Arena, Reading, on Feb. 10-11 with the PBR Reading Rumble.
For two nights, some of the best bull riders in the world will battle the sport's rankest bovine athletes in the ultimate showdown of man vs. beast.
In Round 1, all 40 competing riders will attempt one bull each. The Top 10 will advance to the championship round on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., where they will attempt one final bull in an effort to be crowned the event champion.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. and start at $15 at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Santander Arena or by calling PBR customer service at 800-732-1727.
Talks
Studio B Art Gallery, Boyertown, has announced the October lineup of History Talks with Bob Wood, held from 1 to 2 p.m. Sundays as follows:
Oct. 2: The Tragic Civil War Story of Bill Howe, who fought heroically at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862.
Oct. 9: The Story of Native Americans in Berks County.
Oct. 16: The Story of Corn: Its Origin, Cultivation and Use.
Oct. 23: Clover Seed Mills of S.E. Pennsylvania 1820-1845.
For more information, see studiobbb.org.
Poetry
Berks Bards will hold its First Thursday Poetry Reading on Oct. 6 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. in Studio 411 at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St. Featured poet will be David Nazario, author, speaker, teaching artist and spoken word poet born and raised in Reading.
Nazario's first book, "Make Love Your Religion: How To Put Love First & Succeed at Doing What You Love," was released in 2018. His presentation will include selections from his second book, scheduled to be released Nov. 13, with an open mic to follow.
