Scott Tady: Uncommon fun in Aliquippa; Linn Park in Beaver to rock; Grumpy Beaver to open
A cool summer concert series launches July 1 in Aliquippa.
“Uncommon Concerts and Conversations,” is the name of the five-night series co-hosted by Uncommon Grounds Cafe, at 380 Franklin Ave.
Concerts begin at 7 p.m., kicking off next Friday with one of western Pennsylvania's premier blues guitarists, Billy Evanochko. Preceding the show will be a 6 p.m. blues workshop for kids.
More:My favorite guitar ... by Billy Evanochko
On July 15, the headliner is Joy + Peace with performer Joy Ike, a highly talented soul singer and full-range artist − songwriter, keyboardist, video maker, podcast guest, mentor, you name it − originally from Pittsburgh though now rooted in Philadelphia. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Ike, listening to her original songs, and seeing her perform a few times, including at the VineRewind festival in the Strip District, and recommend you check her out.
“Uncommon Concerts and Conversation” continues Aug. 5 with the Yoko Suzuki Trio, a Pittsburgh jazz group; Aug. 19 with Anthony Afful, a classically trained oboist and trombonist joined by a band and playing music ranging from J.S. Bach to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti; and Sept. 2 with Voces Solis, a Pittsburgh chamber choir specializing in challenging, innovative choral works.
Co-hosted by The Genesis Collective, in partnership with the Franklin Avenue Development Committee, all concerts include additional activities and a variety of local food trucks at Franklin Avenue Park just two doors down from the cafe.
Intentional conversations will follow each concert, with concertgoers encouraged to join in the discussions centered around the transformative power of musical artistry, social equity, and empowered creativity.
“We want these concerts to be a love letter to the community as well as a prod for creatives todream and make and set a course,” said Pamela Rossi-Keen, executive director of The GenesisCollective, which aims to increase Beaver County’s access to art and creativity. “The lineup is fun, diverse and really high-caliber. We think music lovers from Beaver County and the wider region are really going to enjoy what they hear and have their minds stimulated by conversations with talented, dedicated musicians.”
Andrenna Williams, executive director of Uncommon Grounds Cafe, added, “When I think of the times I have experienced an overwhelming sense of unity with a group of people, it's been at concerts. Nothing brings on the goosebumps quicker than belting out the lyrics of your favorite song with a group of people you don't know. That's the magic of music.”
More:Scott Tady: Old Economy & Midland announce concerts
Beaver goes '70s & totally '80s
The magic of live music returns to Linn Park in Beaver on Aug. 13. An all-star local band will perform 40 songs from the 1970s and '80s, ranging from Yacht Rock (yay!) to dance music.
Like last year's Elton John tribute at Linn Park, the band will be spearheaded by Billy Joel backup singer Pete Hewlett, Pittsburgh's much-in-demand vocalist Katie Simone and Ghost Hounds keyboardist Joe Munroe, back from Italy after warming up audiences at a Rolling Stones concert.
Music scenesters scanning the lineup also will recognize respected names likes drummer Mark Pollera (Dan Bubien & The Delta Struts), guitarist Steve Delach (Billy Price Band), trumpet player J.D. Chaisson (Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra), saxophonist Eric DeFade (two-time Grammy Award-winner with jazz singer Nancy Wilson), sax player Matt Ferraro (Billy Price), bassist John Hall Jr. (BLU Jazz in Akron), percussionist T.K. Qui Que, vocalist Erika Vasquez and keyboardist Scott Anderson (The Blue Line Band).
New this year is the addition of 13 teen dancers who compete for Maria's School of Dance in New Brighton.
Showtime is 7-10 p.m. with tickets $10 and $40, available by texting 724-650-3960 or emailing LandCPromotions2019@gmail.com. This concert, like last summer's utterly delightful Sir Elton tribute, is provided by L&C Promotions, run by Beaver businessman/music lover Larry Renninger.
Aliquippa doc a winner
The documentary "Aliquippa PA — It's All About The People" won the Best Documentary award in the Pittsburgh Indie Film Festival this past weekend. The 40-minute film celebrates Aliquippa's post-industrial perseverance, interviewing people ranging from the mayor to a football coach to a beauty salon owner.
The official tagline: "This film highlights what the word 'community' means in America today."
The film's co-producer Bernadette Callaghan, an Aliquippa native, said, "this was a huge win."
Now the makers of "Aliquippa PA — It's All About The People" will have more clout when looking for attention from streaming services like Netflix and Amazon, Callaghan said.
More:Tady column: Beaver will rock; Aliquippa gets screen time
Grumpy Beaver gigs
The Grumpy Beaver Pub holds its grand opening July 1 in Bridgewater, and has revealed its debut month of live musical performances.
The schedule:
July 1: Wrangler Band.
July 2: Don Cameron
July 3: Billy Evanochko
July 8: Bobby Thompson & The Groove
July 9: Concrete Soul
July 10: Drew Pinchotti
July 15: Shawn Meyer
July 16: Jordan McLaughlin
July 22: Casanova/Acoustic Soul
July 24: Shelly Duff
July 29: Eldorado Band trio
July 30: Drew Pinchotti
Brighton author up for national honor
Brighton Township author Julian Michael Carver is among three national finalists in the Scribe Awards for his novelization of the 2016 horror film "Freshwater."
In the category of Adapted Novel, Carver's "Freshwater" adaptation "is up against two blockbuster movie novelizations of 'Alien 3' and last year's Michael Myers film 'Halloween Kills,'" Carver said. "The winners will be announced at the International San Diego Comic-Con this July.
The Scribe Awards, administered by The International Association of Media Tie-in Writers (IAMTW), honors excellence in licensed tie-in writing.
This past February, Carver released "Primal Riptide," the first book in his new Creature Features series of stand-alone horror tales with an emphasis on monsters.
More:Page Turners: Profiles of local authors
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Uncommon fun in Aliquippa; Linn Park in Beaver to rock again
