Scott Tady: Concerts to check out this week in Rochester, Beaver, Ambridge
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Let's dive in and discuss five cool shows happening in the next week:
Maryland jazz saxophonist-composer Stephen Philip Harvey performs at 7:30 p.m. April 28 at the Rochester Borough Theater.
Harvey, a Rochester native, will showcase his upcoming album, "Elemental," a collection of music inspired by the classical elements: fire, air, water and earth. His soundscapes will range from electrifying to ethereal, as he leads his octet of colleagues hailing from New York, Pittsburgh and Northeast Ohio.
It's the mid-size ensemble for Harvey, who also fronts a 17-piece large ensemble that played the Rochester Borough Theater in 2022, in a concert featuring original music inspired by personas of superheroes and comic books.
Harvey says he looks forward to playing Rochester again.
"It’s always great to return to my hometown to bring music to my family and friends," he said. "I know they could just bebop over to Pittsburgh for the same experience, but there’s something different about playing it in my hometown. The theater is right up the street from my late grandfather’s house. Down the street from my old paper route. It’s home."
Tickets cost $15, sold in advance via Eventbrite.com, or $20 at the door.
All aboard for Frank
Country recording artist Frank Vieira closes out the Cabin Fever Music Series on April 28, at Beaver Station Cultural & Event Center.
Vieira has built a name as one of the most sought-after country artists in the Pittsburgh area, who's opened shows for stars like Lainey Wilson, Chase Rice, Hardy and Jon Pardi. Vieira and Freedom's Christian Beck, a previous Cabin Fever performer, represented western Pennsylvania in last November's 8-Man Jam hosted by radio station Y-108 at Rivers Casino.
Vieira's new single "Holy Smoke," can be heard wherever you stream music, marking his 11th original to net national radio play.
Tickets for his Beaver show cost $34, which includes complimentary craft beer and wine, at beaverstation.org
Sea chantys & tea
The monthly Irish Music & Sea Chanty jam session takes place from noon to 4 p.m. April 23 at Aunt Bridget's Tea Room in Ambridge.
"We bring a bit of Irish pub craic (fun) to a Sunday afternoon that's open to all ages and skill levels," Holly Mathias, owner of the quaint tea shop, at 1400 Duss Ave., said. "Sláinte!"
Audience members can clap and sway along if they like, to the Irish melodies and beats featuring authentic Irish percussion instruments. Don't forget the popular #AmbridgeIsCool hashtag if you post any photos.
April is an exception, but normally the Aunt Bridget's jam sessions take place on the last Sunday of every month.
Doors open at noon; the music starts at about 1 and lasts till 4 p.m.
Blues battle in Coraopolis
Ten blues acts compete April 23 in the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania's annual Blues Challenge, held at the Coraopolis VFW.
Vying for cash prizes and a berth in the 2024 International Blues Challenge in Memphis are Mark Alan, Bobby "Guitar" Martin, Jeff Fetterman Band, Paul The Resonator and Vince Fireball, Bluesdrivers, Bail Jumpers, Bay Allen, Smokin' Blues, River City Blues and Lone Crow Rebellion.
Tickets are $18, the music starts at 2 p.m., and the club is at 412 Mulberry St. More details at bswpa.org
Sage advice
Billboard-charting/award-winning singer-multi-instrumentalist Rachael Sage performs April 28 at Wheelfish in Ross Township,
Celebrating the release of "Whistle Blow," the first single off her upcoming "The Other Side" album, Sage will be joined by violinist Kelly Halloran of Michael Franti's band.
Sage recently headlined NPR's Mountain Stage in Charleston, W.Va., and has played thousands of shows around the globe, sharing stages with artists as diverse as Judy Collins, Darlingside and Ani DiFranco.
Her 8 p.m. show also features WYEP-FM's 2021 artists of the year The Living Street, which has played Fermata Brewing in Ambridge. Interestingly, Sage goes on first, and there's no cover charge (though donations to the bands will be welcome.)
Wheelfish is at 635 Sangree Road, east of Bruno Sammartino Park and Ross Park Mall.
Scott Paulsen on Beaver County's airwaves
Pittsburgh radio icon Scott Paulsen joins the Sunday night lineup for Beaver County's WBVP (99.3) and WMBA (95.7).
Paulsen's "Radio Stella" program debuts locally at 7 p.m. April 30. The two-hour show will offer a weekly blast of insightful rock 'n' roll history, told in his amusing style.
"This is a show about records," Paulsen said. "I don't know if people who listen to the 'DVE morning show or other talk shows I did in Pittsburgh realize that I'm a vinyl head and have been since I started buying records at age 13."
Paulsen was one of Pittsburgh's most popular deejays in the 1980s and 1990s, spearheading the top-rated morning show at 102.5-WDVE.
Pittsburgh gets City Winery
The City Winery nightlife chain is coming to Pittsburgh.
Located at 1615 Smallman Street, in the Strip District Terminal building, City Winery will offer dining, wine and concerts, with tickets already on sale for an initial batch of shows including Grammy Award-nominated Americana singer Valerie June on June 10, John Pizzarelli Trio on June 24, Jake Shimabukuro on July 11 and Meshell Ndegeocello on Nov. 19.
City Winery has locations in eight cities, such as Philadelphia, Chicago and Nashville.
Remembering Freddie Campbell
A private memorial service will take place April 29 in Georgia for Freddie Campbell, a guitarist for Aliquippa's highly successful Rare Experience band from the 1970s.
Campbell went on to earn a platinum album for guitar work he did for Baltimore R&B group Dru Hill on its 1996 self-titled debut that included the U.S. Top-10 tracks "In My Bed" and "Never Make a Promise."
He also was a musician for Disney Cruise Line, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Studios in Orlando.
Campbell was 65 and died at his Florida home, according to his obituary published in The Times. A cause of death was not listed.
More: Award-winning Aliquippa artist featured at Pittsburgh International Airport
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Shows to see this week in Rochester, Beaver, Ambridge
