Trans-Siberian Orchestra Plays Bryce Jordan Center Tonight

Posted by Pat Baxter on 11/18 at 04:41 PM

In what has become something of a winter holiday tradition, the prog-rock Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is making its way across the United States to the delight of millions.  Tonight (11/18), they bring their pyrotechnics to the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA at 8:00PM.

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The Art of Music at Arts Fest 2011

Posted by Pat Baxter on 07/15 at 01:44 PM

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, I’m sure you’re aware that one of State College’s biggest summer events is upon us.  That’s right, here in our pleasant, laid back world of central Pennsylvania, Arts Fest is happening, and it’s happening right now.  Some of the best artists from the region and beyond will display just about every kind of visual/physical art you can imagine: basketry, sculpture, glass, water colors, ceramics, painting… The list goes on.  There’s even a category of art called ‘other’ (see here).  All of it is put on display (and for sale) for the thousands upon thousands of Penn State students, alumni, townies, and people who got lost on their way to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or New York.  Whatever the case, Arts Fest has become the place to be in State College.

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Jason O Shines at Summer’s Best Music Fest 2011

Posted by Pat Baxter on 06/30 at 10:11 AM

Last Saturday I had the  Summer’s Best Music Fest on my mind and was looking forward to music and fun. Though the morning started out with a bit of rain, it quickly cleared up into a very comfortable 70 degree day—perfect for a music festival—and so I decided to head downtown.

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Summer’s Best Music Fest Back in Action on Saturday

Posted by Pat Baxter on 06/23 at 03:39 PM

This week marked the first week of summer.  So it’s fitting that this Saturday, June 25, features an annual State College music event. That’s right, State College’s Summer’s Best Music Fest 2011 is back in action. Starting at 9am and ending around 9pm, the event will feature a mix of local cover bands and local original-music bands of every genre.  There will also be some out-of-town independent artists, including Jeffrey Gaines—the final act performing at 8pm on the Allen Street Stage.

But it doesn’t stop there.

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Bob Dylan: Defying Expectations

Posted by Pat Baxter on 11/12 at 06:10 PM

On November 9, 2010, Bob Dylan performed at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA. Much has been written about the man and his storied career. No doubt he is an American icon manifested in a whole host of variations: folk icon, counter-cultural icon, marijuana icon, even Christian icon (during his brief born-again period from 1978 - 1984). Such a thick aura surrounds the man that one can’t help but bring a kind of awe-struck demeanor to the auditorium. That was the case with me as I brought—at least at first—a “Bob Dylan is a legend” kind of attitude to the BJC. However I realized that bringing in these awe-inspired expectations might set me up for disappointment.

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Phyrst Phamly: A Phryst Tradition for Over 40 Years

Posted by Pat Baxter on 10/22 at 04:37 PM

If ever you should make your way over to The Phyrst on a Saturday night at around 10 o’clock, you’re more than likely to hear the janglings and ramblings of the banjo/guitar group known as the Phyrst Phamly.  This is a group—founded about 40 years ago—that appeals to those whose tastes reside in country and western, blue grass, and other similar genres.  If you’re a fan of the banjo and country music in general, chances are you’ll love this band.  However, for those (such as myself) who don’t much care for country, you might still enjoy their interpretations of known mainstream songs inside and outside of the top 40.  Or you might just like the rustic bar with female bartenders dressed in clothing sure to guarantee tips.

In any event, here’s a review of what I experienced at their show a week ago:

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Atlas Soundtrack: A refreshing, soulful mix

Posted by Pat Baxter on 08/17 at 09:49 AM

Atlas Soundtrack certainly made an impression last Saturday night among newly graduated Penn State students and casual bar-hoppers at Bar Bleu. As I arrived, I was unsure of how their mix of styles would work (reggae, rock, hip-hop, funk). But by the end of the night, I witnessed a genre experiment gone right cementing them, in my mind, as one of the best bands in State College, and a refreshing break from the cover-band antics that is typically the State College bar music scene.

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Atlas Soundtrack Playing at Bar Bleu

Posted by Pat Baxter on 08/13 at 01:16 PM

Local band Atlas Soundtrack will be performing at Bar Bleu this Saturday, then The Phyrst on August 18th before they head out to New York and Harrisburg.

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My Hero Zero at Wing Fest: Top 40 Haven

Posted by Pat Baxter on 07/30 at 02:39 PM

It was near-perfect weather at Tussey Mountain for this week’s Wing Fest.  A reasonable 78 degrees, not too much humidity, and a smattering of clouds highlighted the pre-sunset sky—a great scenario for enjoying both potentially delicious chicken wings and live music.  After waiting in a long, but fast-flowing line I was led into the field/hill where the wing-off and live music was happening.  Wegman’s, Major League, and Bonfatto’s dueled it out for the hearts and minds of wing lovers.  On stage, the Insomniacs kicked things off for the musical portion of the entertainment.  They were the precursor to My Hero Zero.  I’ll touch on the Insomniacs later on, but will focus on My Hero Zero as they were the headliner for this event.

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My Hero Zero to Play at Tussey Mountain Wing Fest, 7/29

Posted by Pat Baxter on 07/28 at 01:42 PM

Summer is winding down to its final weeks, but there’s still time to have some fun before the long daylight hours disappear into autumn oblivion. One way to enjoy the remainder of the summer is to head to Tussey Mountain for the Wing Fest Challenge.

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Mark DeRose Band at Arts Fest

Posted by Pat Baxter on 07/15 at 11:34 AM

Carol Baney, operations manager for Arts Fest, introduced the Mark DeRose Band on the Friedman Park stage on Saturday evening. She said they were one of her favorite bands playing at Arts Fest and embody what Arts Fest is all about. Though I thought she went a little overboard in her praise, I would agree they were one of the stronger acts at this year’s festival.

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Music from Arts Fest: Encounter at Friar’s Point

Posted by Pat Baxter on 07/13 at 09:28 AM

Arts Fest typically peaks on the Saturday of the five-day event, so that’s when I decided to make my way down to the festivities. There was a large crowd out and about on the gorgeous, sunny day. Patrons browsed exhibits and tried to stay cool, doing everything from sitting in the shade to walking through what can only be described as a human car wash on Allen Street.

I made my trek across Penn State’s campus, moving through several tents of artwork and trinkets that would be any hoarder’s dream come true. Eventually I arrived at the Old Main lawn—just in time to catch Friar’s Point, a blues band from Kutztown, Pa.

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Salsamba Revs it Up as Featured Players at Summer’s Best 6/26/10

Posted by Pat Baxter on 06/29 at 10:42 AM

Summer’s Best Music Fest concluded on a high note with Pittsburgh-based Salsamba, the featured band of the evening. The audience was treated to high-quality jazz music that you could really groove to.

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Audio Imagery on Display at Summer’s Best Music Fest 6/26/10

Posted by Pat Baxter on 06/29 at 10:33 AM

Audio Imagery was among the music acts at Summer’s Best Music Fest in State College this past weekend. It was their second appearance at the annual event, and they were listed as a rock band based on their lineup from last year. Their current incarnation, however, is more accurately described as pop hip-hop with some 80s synth leanings, and deriving their influence from the likes of T-Pain and OutKast (but without the auto-tuner, thank God).

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