Tag Archives: HMAC

HMAC finds first potential buyer in York-area investor.

September 27, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

One month after its owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC) has a potential local buyer.

Christopher Werner, a Dover, Pa., resident who owns a sports memorabilia company, has formed a limited liability company and taken the first steps to purchase the midtown Harrisburg business, which houses a full-service kitchen, bar and two performing stages.

HMAC managing partner John Traynor revealed the offer at a creditors meeting held this morning in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, in the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse.

The meeting was open to all of HMAC’s three dozen creditors, including Werner, who already has $150,000 of unsecured claims invested in HMAC. His investment makes him HMAC’s second-largest unsecured creditor, according to bankruptcy filings.

Werner has submitted a “speculative” term sheet outlining basic terms and conditions of the sale, said Robert Chernicoff, HMAC’s bankruptcy lawyer.

Chernicoff did not submit the term sheets to the bankruptcy court. He said he would rather wait until Werner signs an agreement of sale or letter of intent.

Neither Traynor nor his attorney disclosed the dollar amount of Werner’s offer. Chernicoff said it could be a “stalking horse bid” – a low-ball, initial offer that sets a price floor and drums up interest from other buyers.

Attempts to reach Werner on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Traynor said HMAC’s owners will still market the business and entertain offers from national buyers. He hopes to close on a sale in early 2019.

Traynor has previously said he would prefer to find a local buyer.

“My desire is personal – I want to see HMAC flourish as a community asset,” he said this morning, as he was questioned by U.S. Trustee Office attorney Gregory Schiller.

HMAC was valued at $5 million in a 2012 appraisal, Traynor said. According to Chernicoff, its assets include a $1 million matching funds grant that HMAC was promised in December 2017.

HMAC has not claimed any reimbursements from that grant, which is administered by Pennsylvania’s Office of the Budget. Traynor said he has until the end of the year to submit invoices for eligible projects.

HMAC’s assets also include its liquor license, which Chernicoff valued at $150,000.

Traynor recently defended that license in court, since the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board challenged its renewal earlier this year.

This morning’s meeting, which was required under federal bankruptcy code, offered HMAC’s three dozen creditors the chance to question Traynor under oath. But only one creditor, a solicitor representing the City of Harrisburg, appeared in person. A representative from United Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also attended over the phone.

It’s not unusual for creditors meetings to be sparsely attended. Chernicoff said the turnout of two creditors and one reporter was more than he expected.

The hearing also allowed Traynor to testify about the conditions that led HMAC’s owners to voluntarily file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August.

Under oath, Traynor gave statements consistent with those he provided to the media in recent weeks. He said that that HMAC’s revenues dipped after a July social media storm led customers and performing artists to boycott the business.

“Just prior to filing, we had some social media issues which caused us a great deal of stress, and we suffered losses to our monthly operating cash flow,” Traynor said.

HAMC became the target of online discussions in July after a woman claimed that she was drugged at its bar and later raped.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau investigated the woman’s allegation and charged a Harrisburg man with her assault. But police officials said that HMAC was not responsible for the crime, which happened in a private home, hours after the establishment closed.

According to Traynor, the woman’s allegations were “conflated” with other grievances against him and his business.

Traynor said the business revenues dropped $100,000 in August. They lost an additional $200,000 when performing artists cancelled shows that were booked months in advance.

HMAC must turn $80,000 in monthly gross revenues to break even, he said. They’re on track to bring in $65,000 or $70,000 in September.

“We’re slowly recovering and working on our programming,” Traynor said.

Traynor told TheBurg earlier this month that he intends to press charges against individuals who allegedly urged bands to terminate contracts with HMAC. Chernicoff said this morning that those suits have not yet been filed.

Chernicoff said that little distinguishes HMAC’s case from the other restaurant bankruptcy filings he’s overseen.

“Restaurants have a habit of coming back [from bankruptcy,]” Chernicoff said. “It’s a tough industry, and you can easily have issues with cash flow.”

He estimated that 70 percent of small business filings end in a sale. Though he conceded that HMAC would be a “difficult” business to market, he hopes that Werner’s interest will generate interest among other prospective buyers.

HMAC defends liquor license, business practices in administrative hearing

September 18, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

One month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the House of Music Arts and Culture (HMAC) is facing a new challenge: renewing its liquor license.

A hearing held today will help the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board determine whether or not the midtown Harrisburg bar upheld its end of a conditional licensing agreement (CLA) it entered in 2015.

Among other provisions, the CLA required the bar’s staff to install soundproofing equipment and implement routine security patrols on HMAC’s premises at 1110 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg.

The terms of a CLA remain attached to a bar’s liquor license until the PLCB decides to expunge them. HMAC last renewed its license in 2017, and it expired in February.

Since 2010, the LCB has cited HMAC 12 times for noise violations. The bar has also been the site of multiple police call outs.

This summer, the bar found itself at the center of a social media firestorm after a woman said she was raped by a man who drugged her on HMAC’s premises.

The police investigated her assault and charged a Harrisburg man with her rape, but their report exonerated HMAC of any responsibility.

HMAC’s owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy one month later, saying they needed to restructure debts as they prepared to sell their business.

Licensing hearings are usually based on concerns stemming from alleged CLA violations. However, the points raised by PLCB attorney Michael Plank today mostly had to do with business practices unrelated to alcohol sales.

Plank spent most of the hearing interrogating HMAC’s money and personnel management.

One witness for PLCB, Mike Banks, said that he was owed $3,000 by HMAC’s managers for services he provided as a sound engineer and open mic host. Banks was eventually compensated, but he said that HMAC’s reputation was “not good” among local entertainment professionals.

“Most of these people have been or are owed money, and most will not work there again,” Banks said.

In remarks to a reporter, HMAC’s lawyer Glenn Parno acknowledged that HMAC had periods of financial distress. But he retracted a claim he made during the hearing that the business was “insolvent,” and said that they could only repay outstanding debts if they retained their liquor license.

Plank also heard testimony from Jody Hoffman, a contractor who is owed $3,000 for work he performed at HMAC in 2016, and from Tessa Bower, a former manager who said she witnessed a pattern of questionable business practices at HMAC in the nine years she worked there.

For example, Bower said that HMAC co-owner John Traynor asked her to not take credit card payments for art sold at HMAC, since the venue could not legally deal art and did not want to keep a paper trail of transactions.

Plank also called three former Harrisburg police officers as witness, all of whom testified about callouts they’d received to the establishment since 2016. One callout resulted in harassment charges against a patron, and another led to the arrest of a performer with an outstanding felony drug warrant. The third did not result in any charges.

Parno objected to each of the reputation testimonies, saying they were irrelevant to the bar’s compliance with its CLA.

Pennsylvania liquor code allows the LCB to consider the reputation of a liquor license applicant when deciding to award a license, as well as the reputation of any stockholders or managers.

But a letter notifying HMAC of today’s hearing did not list its reputation as a factor jeopardizing its license. Parno said that he was not prepared to counter any testimony about the business’s image in the community.

“This is trial by ambush,” Parno said. “This is not fair, and fair notice [of these testimonies] has not been given.”

Hearing examiner Thomas Miller acknowledged that the character and reputation testimonies drew them away from the points in the CLA. But he allowed Plank’s witnesses to testify anyway, saying the LCB could decide how to factor their statements into the license ruling.

Parno called two witnesses who said that HMAC upheld its end of the CLA. Former HMAC manager Justin Leach testified that the bar employed full-time security guards who patrolled the premises during and after the bar’s operating hours, and local architect Bret Peters said that HMAC’s owners went to great lengths to install soundproofing equipment in its performance venues.

Miller adjourned the hearing after more than six hours of testimony. All parties will reconvene at a later date so Traynor and two character witnesses for HMAC can testify.

When the hearing concludes, Miller must compile the findings in a report, which will help PLCB decide to either renew or revoke HMAC’s liquor license.

TheBurg Podcast: “The Show Goes On” Edition.

September 14, 2018 | by TheBurg Staff

TheBurg Podcast is back following a summer hiatus.

This week, we recap the latest developments in Harrisburg’s Act 47 saga, including an effort to lobby the state legislature and the impending deadline to adopt a state-approved Act 47 exit plan. We also discuss HMAC’s recent bankruptcy filing and what the business means to midtown Harrisburg.

Stream the episode here, or subscribe to TheBurg Podcast on iTunes.

Read more about the topics covered in today’s Burg Podcast at TheBurgNews.com.

City Council to consider home rule ordinance as Act 47 deadline nears.

Papenfuse eyes three-year commuter tax as Harrisburg prepares for Act 47 exit.

Following online outrage and revenue hit, HMAC files chapter 11 bankruptcy as a prelude to sale

State grant earmarked for HMAC could be jeopardized by bankruptcy filing, CREDC president says.

TheBurg Podcast is released semi-monthly by TheBurg Magazine. It is recorded in the offices of Startup Harrisburg and produced by Lizzy Hardison. Special thanks to Paul Coolley, who wrote our theme music.

State grant earmarked for HMAC could be jeopardized by bankruptcy filing, CREDC president says.

September 10, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

HMAC’s owners hoped to use RACP grant funds to expand the property’s Capitol Ballroom. The lengthy process of applying for construction reimbursement funds could be complicated by the business’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The news that the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC) recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy came as a surprise to some members of the Harrisburg community, especially since the business was awarded a $1 million public grant less than a year ago.

But the grant’s sponsor says that HMAC hasn’t seen a dime of the money — and now that its owners have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and putting it up for sale, it’s possible it never will.

David Black, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, said that HMAC hasn’t drawn any money from the $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant it was awarded in December. HMAC’s owners must complete projects first and then submit a detailed reimbursement application to claim funds.

“No money has been delivered,” Black told TheBurg. “CREDC has been working with [HMAC] to prepare details for submission, but things have been on hold of late.”

CREDC is the designated recipient of grant funds as an accredited chamber of commerce. It also helped HMAC prepare the initial grant application for a nominal service fee, Black said.

RACP grants, which are intended to improve infrastructure and create jobs in redeveloping communities, aren’t cash awards. They’re “eligible reimbursement” grants, meaning that a recipient must first invest money in a project and prove compliance with grant guidelines to get repaid.

RACP reimbursements can only be applied to building and infrastructure improvements. They can’t be used to cover wages, programs, or business supplies and services.

An RACP award is also contingent on the project matching the grant funds twofold. For every dollar of the $1 million grant HMAC received, Black said, its owners must invest $2 in infrastructure improvements that raise the value of their building.

The significant up-front investment costs and complex documentation process make RACP grants anything but fast money, Black said.

“RACP is one of the most complex grant processes in state government,” Black said. “Sometimes it can take three to five years to get full reimbursement. It’s not a process for the faint of heart.”

“Uncharted Territory”

HMAC’s owners weren’t considering a sale or Chapter 11 filing when they applied for the competitive grant program, HMAC managing partner John Traynor said.

Bartlett, Traynor & London LLC, the company that owns HMAC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania on Aug. 23, one month after a social media storm reportedly cut into the business’s revenues.

According to Black, the bankruptcy and anticipated sale could complicate the process for receiving RACP funds.

Black said that many RACP recipients apply for bridge loans to make infrastructure improvements that they can later claim for reimbursement. A business under Chapter 11 may have a hard time securing private financing, he said.

He also isn’t sure that the $1 million set aside for HMAC would stay with the project if it changes hands.

“It’s uncharted territory,” Black said. “It will be interesting to see if [HMAC] can meet the requirements of the [next] application.”

If HMAC can’t complete the next phase of its application by the end of 2018, it could become ineligible to receive any RACP funds. The $1 million earmarked for the project would go back into the pot of grant money, Black said.

In that event, Black said that CREDC would lobby the state Office of the Budget, which administers the RACP program, to award the same amount to another project in Harrisburg.

Traynor acknowledged that the bankruptcy filing complicates the grant process, but said that HMAC’s owners continue to forge ahead. Their next step, he said, is to submit a schedule of construction projects and funding sources.

HMAC’s owners hope to expand the Capitol Ballroom and renovate the property’s basement to accommodate a music school.

Traynor noted that HMAC can exit Chapter 11 voluntarily, at any time. If their restructuring goes smoothly and they exit before the end of the year, they may have an easier time financing projects, he said.

He also hopes that HMAC’s new owner would continue the RACP grant process if they’re deemed eligible.

RACP was the first public grant HMAC’s owners pursued, Traynor said. The project did receive a $100,000 loan from Harrisburg’s now-defunct revolving loan fund, but Traynor says it was paid back with interest.

Barlett, Traynor and London LLC, the company that owns HMAC, has already sunk some $5 million into the project, including $2 million in personal cash, Traynor said. Most of that money went to rehabilitating HMAC’s once-derelict structure at 1110 N. 3^rd Street.

The 34,000-square-foot building once housed Harrisburg’s first Jewish Community Center before becoming the Harrisburg Police Athletic League in the 1970s. It sat vacant for years before Traynor and his partners bought it from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority in 2007.

The $187,000 purchase price reflected the renovations that HRA made to the building under former-Mayor Stephen Reed, Traynor said. HMAC’s owners weathered the Great Recession of 2008 and opened their first bar and performance venue, Stage on Herr, in 2009.

The property went to sheriff sale five times in the next four years, Traynor said.

“I’ve always said this project has been a difficult one, and I’ve never said it didn’t have financial issues,” Traynor said. “But we overcame a lot of those.”

He said that the cost of renovating the historic property wildly exceeded anything he and his partners predicted. He cited construction costs as the single greatest stressor on HMAC’s finances.

At times, cost overruns ate into the business’s cash flow, Traynor said. He admits that HMAC had a hard time balancing books some months.

“Were checks returned? Absolutely, but there’s no shame in that and no intent to defraud anyone,” Traynor said. “It’s just part of business when you’re trying to keep the doors open, keep people employed, and bring great music to the city.”

Based on the documents that Bartlett, Traynor and London have provided in their bankruptcy filing, it’s hard to get a full picture of the business’s financial condition.

“Right now, there’s not much you can glean from the filing at all,” said Juliet Moringiello, an associate dean and bankruptcy law expert at Widener University Law School.

She said that more details will emerge when HMAC provides a full schedule of assets and financial affairs statement on Sept. 27 – the same day that HMAC’s partners will convene a meeting with more than three dozen creditors.

The filings do show that the business has $770,000 in unsecured liabilities. It also has a $2.6 million mortgage on its 3^rd Street property, Traynor said.

Its property and merchandise assets total more than $5 million. A four-month budget that HMAC submitted with the filings shows that the business expects to turn a profit through the end of 2018.

Following online outrage and revenue hit, HMAC files chapter 11 bankruptcy as a prelude to sale

September 6, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

The House of Music, Arts & Culture in Midtown Harrisburg

One month after a sexual assault allegation engulfed the House of Music, Arts & Culture (HMAC) in a social media maelstrom, its owners have filed for bankruptcy and plan to sell their business.

HMAC (formerly the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center) will continue its normal operations as its owners restructure debt obligations to more than three dozen creditors, said John Traynor, who owns HMAC with his husband, Gary Bartlett, and two other partners.

Their company, Bartlett, Traynor & London LLC, last week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. They believe that they have a buyer for the business, according to the filing documents. HMAC listed more than $5 million in total assets, chief among them the sprawling, historic building at 1110 N. 3^rd Street.

Traynor hopes to transition to new management and ownership by 2019.

“This allows us to reorganize, take a breath, and work with creditors,” Traynor said. “I think HMAC could use a fresh start, and Chapter 11 will help facilitate that.”

Traynor and his partners have developed HMAC for a decade and, in 2009, opened the first phase, Stage on Herr, a bar and concert venue. In all, they’ve since spent millions of dollars renovating the 34,000-square-foot property, which served as the city’s Jewish Community Center starting in 1924 and later housed Harrisburg’s Police Athletic League.

Today, HMAC comprises three separate performance venues, as well as a full-service bar and kitchen. It hosts shows by local and national performance artists, corporate events, weddings and community gatherings.

According to Traynor, it’s one of the largest privately funded development projects in Midtown Harrisburg.

Crimes and Consequences

Traynor said that that HMAC’s finances were healthy until July, when an HMAC customer claimed that she was drugged inside the bar and later beaten and raped. On social media, she said that HMAC’s staff failed to recognize her as a victim of date rape drugs and left her vulnerable to her attacker when they asked her to leave the bar.

She posted those allegations on HMAC’s public Facebook page on July 28 and deleted them within an hour, Traynor said.

But a screenshot of her post, along with a sensational article from the Philadelphia-based site YC.news, circulated in other online community groups. A conversation in the Midtown Harrisburg Facebook group generated hundreds of comments from people both excoriating and defending HMAC.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau investigated the woman’s assault and quickly debunked her allegations against HMAC. Chief information officer Gabe Olivera told the press that the woman left the bar premises with her attacker, voluntarily, after it closed. The assault occurred later that night in a home in Uptown Harrisburg.

Michael Ray Wright was charged with the woman’s rape on July 30. But Olivera said that HMAC could not have prevented the assault.

“We were totally vindicated by the police,” Traynor said.

He said the claims that the bar mishandled the incident were the work of “disgruntled ex-employees who work for a competing venue.”

The accusation sparked a firestorm nonetheless. Traynor says that the woman’s refuted allegations were “conflated” with other grievances against him and his business.

On Facebook, some community members said that reports of racism, predation and poor working conditions at HMAC long ago led them to boycott the establishment. Traynor denies their claims wholesale.

“I’ve heard them all,” he said. “I’ve heard that I’m a sexual predator, that I drug people, that I cultivate a [bad] culture, but it’s so ridiculous. Some of the people that are maligning me worked for me for seven, eight years. I think they don’t understand the ramifications of what they’re doing. The whole advent of social media and how easy it is to pile on and make false statements is a new phenomenon.”

John Traynor, inside HMAC, from December 2017

Traynor admits that Stage on Herr had a freewheeling reputation in its early days but said that HMAC’s management became more professional as the business grew. He claims he didn’t take the social media “bashing” personally.

But he said he won’t forgive the critics who allegedly contacted national booking agents and convinced bands to back out of HMAC gigs.

In all, the firestorm cost HMAC a dozen shows and some $200,000 in revenue, Traynor said.

“We were operating on cash flow, and our cash flow was severely impacted,” Traynor said.

Under Chapter 11, HMAC will be able to rebuild its events calendar and renegotiate debt payment schedules, Traynor said. He said that the company did not have any problems fulfilling its debt obligations until recently.

In the coming weeks, Traynor said, HMAC’s owners will also prepare a case against a dozen people who he claims defamed the business and interfered with its performance contracts.

He said that he and his partners have collected evidence to press charges for tortious interference of contract – the act of intentionally damaging a business agreement and causing financial harm.

Traynor said that the Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the claims of interference. That office could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

He expects that a dozen people could be named in a civil complaint.

“They’ll all pay,” Traynor said. “They can’t do what they did without consequences.”

Not Going Away

It’s unlikely that HMAC’s patrons will notice that the business has filed for bankruptcy.

Filing under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy law grants debtors temporary relief from liabilities while they reorganize their assets. Unlike a Chapter 7 filing, it does not mean that the business will liquidate and close.

“A company doesn’t have to be insolvent to file for bankruptcy,” said Juliet Moringiello, an associate dean and bankruptcy law expert at Widener University Law School. “Chapter 11 was designed as a process for a company with a good business model to pare down its debts and renegotiate contracts.”

According to bankruptcy filings, HMAC has less than $10 million in liabilities. The documents indicate that the company will be able to pay its debts in full once it emerges from restructuring.

Twenty of HMAC’s creditors – including business vendors and utility providers — are unsecured, meaning they wouldn’t be guaranteed money in a liquidation. Peggy Grove Enterprises is the largest unsecured creditor, with $170,000 invested in the project.

The City of Harrisburg is a secured creditor due to its status as a taxing entity, according to city Solicitor Neil Grover. Property records show that HMAC owes $19,000 in local property taxes, including $4,700 to the city of Harrisburg and more than $11,000 to the Harrisburg School District.

Even though a Chapter 11 filing may indicate that a business is in distress, it usually doesn’t hamper its services, Moringiello said. She pointed to America’s airline industry as an example.

“Every legacy airline in America has filed Chapter 11, but as far as passengers are concerned, the planes keep flying,” Moringiello said. “Filing for bankruptcy doesn’t mean a company is going away.”

That’s good news to Jeb Stuart, a lifelong Harrisburg-area resident and preservation advisor to the Historic Harrisburg Association. He said that HMAC’s multi-use spaces have enriched Midtown Harrisburg and preserved an important historic structure.

“It’s very contemporary and animated and innovative,” Stuart said. “To have a space for public assembly with a huge auditorium and stage capabilities, that’s a major contribution to North 3rd Street.”

Traynor said that HMAC will continue its normal program of musical shows, weddings, corporate events and fundraisers through the end of the year. But its owners are also planning new projects.

The project received a $1 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant in December, which will finance infrastructure improvements. Traynor hoped to use the money to expand the Capitol Ballroom and refurbish the basement to accommodate a music school.

He insists that the grant is the only public money HMAC has received.

Traynor said he wants to see HMAC endure for years to come, which is one reason he wants to find it a new owner, he said. He hopes that the restructuring under Chapter 11 will facilitate a sale.

“What I would hate to see is for this project to close,” Traynor said. “We put a lot of money and sweat equity into it, and now it’s time for a transition.”

The owners’ desire to sell pre-dates the social media firestorm, Traynor said. They’ve been negotiating with national entertainment agencies for the past three months, he said.

HMAC’s assets include more than $5 million in property, $44,000 of inventory and approximately $22,000 in accounts receivable, according to its bankruptcy filings.

Among those assets are HMAC’s liquor license, which it will defend in a Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board hearing later this month.

The PLCB put HMAC under a conditional licensing agreement (CLA) in 2014. It placed additional requirements on HMAC’s license, namely that the owners install soundproofing systems and perform additional security checks every night.

Traynor said that the CLA arose from noise complaints. He is confident that the business will retain its license after the hearing.

He also denied that the PLCB hearing had any influence on the decision to file for bankruptcy.

If the PLCB yanks the license, however, the value of HMAC’s assets would depreciate significantly, Moringeillo said. She thinks it unlikely that the Chapter 11 filing will influence the PLCB’s decision.

Wednesday, Sept. 6: This article was edited to correct the name of a Philadelphia-based news site. It is YC.news, not YC.com.

Musical Notes: It’s Still Beating–In Harrisburg, the heart of rock ‘n roll plays through.

August 31, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

It’s getting close to my favorite time of year.

In this column, I definitely mention seasons a lot, but there’s something extra special about those cooler evenings spent on porches with friends or out on the town in the Burg. The Kipona festival hits its 102nd anniversary early this month, the Celtic Craic Music Fest returns towards the end of the month, and, as always, there are plenty of fun shows to go around the rest of the time. We have some big names coming through the city, so keep an eye out and be sure to give them a big Harrisburg welcome!

RICKIE LEE JONES, 9/6, 8PM, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $50
Even though Harrisburg is a small city, it’s attracted the attention of big-time artists looking to book a show while on tour. Two-time Grammy winning artist Rickie Lee Jones is coming to town, and you know it’s going to be a good time. Starting her pop career in 1978, Jones wowed her fans with “Saturday Night Live” performances, Rolling Stones covers and 15 albums to boot. Jones has undoubtedly got spunk, but she’s also got the heart to match it. Her confessional style of playing and her honest, soulful lyrics have inspired many artists. If you haven’t heard her before, check out some of her older material like the critically acclaimed “Pirates” or look up her newest album, “The Other Side of Desire,” tales from life in her current home of New Orleans. The song “Chuck E’s in Love” is a classic and, hopefully, Harrisburg will get to hear her play it live in the Capitol Room.

HYBRID ICE, 9/15, 8PM, CLUB XL
Everyone seems to love the ‘80s, especially the decade’s unique sound. Harrisburg’s hottest new venue, Club XL, is hosting Hybrid Ice, the self-proclaimed “most famous unknown band in the world.” This prog rock band, hailing from Danville, Pa., has been active from 1969 on, taking a hiatus from 1998 to 2002 and switching some band members along the way. Their claim to fame came back in 1982 when they released their radio hit song “Magdalene.” It gained much attention back then but hasn’t lost any of its quality along the way. Boston even covered the song on its 1994 album, “Walk On.” Prep your big hair, neon colors and spandex because this is going to be a rockin’ night to remember.

NEKO CASE, 9/17, 7:30PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $49
Perhaps better known by some for her stints in her former bands, Neko Case is giving Harrisburg a taste of her transformative solo career for an evening at Whitaker Center. With roots in the Vancouver music scene back in the ‘90s, Case started her music career playing drums with her bands and, eventually, went on to form Neko Case and Her Boyfriends and, later, The New Pornographers. With her solo career, Case went back to her punk and country roots. Her newest album, “Hell-On,” was released earlier this year, and its title track is mesmerizing. This genre-defying, country-leaning powerhouse is sure to bring the house down.

Mentionables:

Kitchen Dwellers, Sept. 7, The Abbey Bar

Torture Ascendancy, Sept. 8, J.B. Lovedraft’s

Peter White, Sept. 9, Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival

The Hackensaw Boys, Sept. 13, The Abbey Bar

Chris Jamison, Sept. 14, H*MAC Stage on Herr

Grumpy Old Men, Sept. 15, River City Blues Club

State awards $1 million grant for downtown Harrisburg office building

August 8, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

This site on S. 2nd Street near Market Square is slated for a new office building.

A new downtown Harrisburg office building is a bit closer to reality today, as the 2nd Street project has received a $1 million state grant.

Gov. Tom Wolf’s office today announced that Second Street Associates, a partnership headed up by Harristown Development, will receive the funds through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), which aids projects deemed economically, culturally or historically important.

The money will go towards constructing a new, six-story office building at 21 S. 2nd Street, with retail on the ground floor, along with the rehabilitation of the historic, six-story structure next door at 17 S. 2nd St., which houses the SkarlatosZonarich law firm. The two buildings then would be joined inside to form a single, interconnected structure (artist’s rendering below).

“I am proud to support the construction of this new office and retail tower in downtown Harrisburg,” Wolf said in a statement. “This investment supports the efforts of the region to create more jobs, bolster shopping and retail opportunities, and will strengthen the city’s tax base and local economy.”

Last year, Harristown Development bought and then razed the dilapidated, three-story, 19th-century structure that once housed the Coronet Restaurant. The building had been empty since a fire destroyed the restaurant several decades ago.

Harristown had requested $3 million for the building project. Most RACP applicants are denied funding and, when granted, awards typically are significantly lower than amounts requested.

So far, in the 2018 round of funding, the only other RACP award in Dauphin County has gone to the city of Harrisburg, a $2 million grant to begin the Paxton Creek reclamation project. In 2017, the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC) received $1 million to complete its build out, the Salvation Army Harrisburg received $500,000 for its new building on Rudy Road and Hershey Towne Square received $750,000 towards a three-story parking garage.

Brad Jones, the CEO of Harristown Development, could not be reached immediately for comment.

Musical Notes: Variety Shows–this month has everything.

July 31, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

Well, the end of summer is drawing closer.

Before we bid another fruitful musical season farewell, there’s a lot to do while the days are still long and the nights lively. Don’t miss the Dauphin County Cultural Fest early this month for some live music, artists, ethnic food and more fun for all ages. The Pride of the Susquehanna floats on with their summer shows on the river, and Italian Lake has a few more free outdoor concerts to close out the season. From some local favorite venues, we’ve got quite the selection to tune into this month. Bring a friend, grab some sunscreen, and enjoy the last waves of heat before they’re gone.

JACK WRIGHT, 8/3, 7PM, LITTLE AMPS DOWNTOWN, $5
It’s always exciting when truly unique artists visit Harrisburg, and Little Amps is hosting one heck of an underground virtuoso in early August. Jack Wright has been performing solo improvisational saxophone for the past 20 years and, at 75, he’s still going strong. Wright was born in Pittsburgh in 1942 and, although he started playing the sax in 1952 and practiced in a number of bands through 1964, he took a long break from music to pursue his studies. Jumping throughout his life from professor to handyman to community organizer, Wright found his way back to music again. Since the 1980s, he has sought to find the beauty in the skilled chaos of his unsettling, yet honest, works. What appears to be disorganization and disorder is received by the audience as pure free playing, something that Wright lives by. It’s rumored that, if you ask him to play with you, he’ll likely accept. So be sure to bring your appreciation for the unconventional and your musical instruments with you to become lost in this stunning performance—and maybe catch a hot jam session if you’re lucky.

THE GONG SHOW OFF BROADWAY, 8/17, 8PM, SCOTTISH RITE, $45-55
Okay, this one’s a little different for sure, but you know that it’s gonna be a good time. “The Gong Show Off Broadway” is like the absurd rescue dog of performances—part talent contest, part musical, part comedy, part Broadway revival, and all something truly unique. Originally broadcast on NBC in 1976-78, “The Gong Show” has recently been revived on ABC, executive produced by Will Arnett and hosted by Tommy Maitland (aka Mike Myers in a clever disguise). Another recent revival took place, and an adaptation was created. The show ran successfully for three years and now makes its way through Harrisburg as part of a pre-Broadway tour. Lots of musical numbers and jaw-dropping performances await from the hand-picked cast of this sure-to-be memorable and hilarious night out.

CKY, 8/29, 6PM, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $20-95
This might be viewed as lazy journalism, but CKY really does an amazing job perfectly describing (in their own words) their sound, their energy and themselves as a band. “Once upon a time, CKY burned it all down, with a raucous, anarchic, hard-rock sound soaked in the skate-punk culture that birthed them and a hard-partying lifestyle onstage and off that decimated relationships and reputations in its wake. Now, CKY rises from the ashes of the aftermath with ‘The Phoenix,’ a bold mission statement that hoists the flag high for big, raw, authentic, earth-shaking rock n’ roll, liberated from useless pretense.” Wow, right? Don’t underestimate it—it’s a powerful statement for an equally powerful group. Chad I Ginsberg, frontman, guitarist and vocalist, started CKY as a duo with Jess Margera, drummer extraordinaire and cofounder. In 2005, they were joined by Matt Deis, bassist and former member of All That Remains. Since becoming a triple threat, CKY has toured with acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Metallica and Deftones, building a reputation for a killer live show. Check these guys out in person, the best way to experience rock music at its finest.

Mentionables

Indian Summer Jars, Aug. 1, Pride of the Susquehanna

The Spill Canvas, Aug. 4, H*MAC Capitol Room

Ford Theatre Reunion, Aug. 10, J.B. Lovedraft’s

Turnpike Troubadours, Aug. 19, Whitaker Center

Opera in the Park, Aug. 19, Italian Lake

Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Aug. 30, The Abbey Bar

Best Friends: Sounds mix, mesh for local band HomeTime

July 19, 2018 | by Yaasmeen Piper

The members of HomeTime

“I’ve watched bands with these people I looked up to, and I always thought ‘Man, I want to do that so bad,’” said Braiden Williams, flicking a cigarette between his yellow-painted fingernails. “I just wanted to play with guys who were my best friends, and, now that I’m doing that, it’s surreal.”

Williams, vocals, along with bassist Jack Feinberg and drummer Gordon “Gordy” Lauffer, make up the slacker rock band HomeTime.

Williams’ wavy vocals are somehow soft and rough at the same time—think a Mac DeMarco and Yellow Days hybrid. Feinberg and Lauffer’s sounds are more versatile. At times, they ride along to the vocals and, other times, they challenge it with a faster beat.

“[Williams] was playing a lot of chorus-y, poppy rock stuff,” Feinberg said. “Me and Gordon were like, ‘Okay we’re going to play faster now,’ and the sounds meshed really well together.”

The Harrisburg natives originally met in high school at Central Dauphin, though they didn’t start playing music together until later. Williams started performing at a few open mic nights, but he felt like his sound wasn’t complete. He messaged Lauffer, asking him if he wanted to perform with him and, together, they started playing at the open mics. Still, something was missing.

“After [performing at River City Blues Club one night], we were, like, maybe we should have a bassist to get a more complete sound,” said Lauffer. “So, I hit up Jack. After that we actually started doing shows and taking [our music] a little bit more seriously.”

Feeling more complete, they started performing at whatever places would take them, writing all three of their names on sign-up sheets. In recordings, their sound is chill and sometimes dreamy; their live performances are packed with energy.

According to Lauffer, after another performance at River City Blues, a guy came up to them and, in a slurred voice, said he loved their energy and wanted to know who they were.

It was an all-around consensus that they wanted to create a band. They wanted keep this feeling forever. But first they needed a name.

During the car ride home that night, they brainstormed names, shouting out anything that caught their eye. There was “Aces” after the hardware store, “Arrows,” and finally “Home-Time,” a sign on a a dingy building. It was a virtual, flipped Snapchat coin that sealed their fate, and they became HomeTime.

The three started officially playing together under the name in December 2017. Their first EP, “Bird,” released this May, features four melodic tracks, all produced, written and recorded by the band. The inspiration behind “Bird” came from a nasty breakup between Williams and his ex-girlfriend.

“Things that are going on in my life, I like to incorporate it,” Williams said. “It’s kind of therapeutic.”

With only a few months of together, HomeTime has already made a stamp in the Harrisburg DIY music scene. They performed shows at Underground Bike Shop, Little Amps, as well as basements and garages.

Along the way, they’ve become close with other DIY bands such as Club 27, Concrete Beach and Grapefruit Cannonball.

“There’s something about the Harrisburg music scene. Before we were in it, we really didn’t know much about it,” Williams said. “There’s so much I love about those DIY spaces. It’s not just playing. You can jump out into the crowd. It’s more personal. The people are right in front of you.”

Up next, HomeTime is performing its first all-ages show at the House of Music, Arts & Culture (H*MAC), then on to Tonawanda, N.Y., then back for a show in Lauffer’s garage. Even though their first EP is out, they’re still working on stretching their sound, which they hope to do in a full album they anticipate releasing in August.

“In so many ways, we are lucky,” said Feinberg. “We’ve met so many people who are like us and who we’ve become friends with, and there are so many people who support us. Yeah, we play a lot and practice a lot, but we wouldn’t be doing that without all of our friends and all the other bands who support us.”

Listen to their music on Bandcamp and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @hometimeband.

Musical Notes: Songs from the grill; sounds sizzle this summer.

June 29, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

It’s the middle of summer and the living’s easy—and often outdoors, my friends. There’s plenty to do and see around the city this time of year, so you bet it’s a good time for some live music. This month, you can enjoy performances at outdoor events like the Taste of Independence Food Truck Festival & Fireworks along Harrisburg’s waterfront on July 4. And don’t miss Hydroponic Philharmonic for a night on the river on the Pride of the Susquehanna, as well as free performances twice this month at Italian Lake. Here are a few shows around town of the more traditional variety, ones that don’t require a blanket and insect repellent.

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS, 7/1, 8PM, H*MAC STAGE ON HERR, $25
We’ve got some of that old-fashioned Americana coming your way with this act. Hailing from Chapel Hill, N.C., SCOTS is made up of guitarist/singer Rick Miller, drummer Dave Hartman and bassist/singer Mary Huff. They got their start in the early ‘80s, and they’ve been rocking together ever since. Their sound is a wild gumbo of genres such as psych, rockabilly, folk, R&B and surf, giving audiences what the Rolling Stone calls “a hell raising rock and roll party.” If you’re a fan of new-wave southern folk stylings, this band has got what you’re looking for. Check out their fifth studio album “The Electric Pinecones,” a 2016 release featuring some new hits alongside a remake of their classic song “Swamp Fox.” SCOTS’ shows are infamously rowdy, riotous and rockin’ in the best way, so catch these songwriting spitfires while ya can!

CHRIS RATTIE & THE NEW REBELS, 7/6, 9PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB
Get ready to jam with Chris Rattie and his band the New Rebels at River City, a great place to catch the hottest indie roots acts in the city. In perfect harmony with his band, Rattie combines country influences with Americana sensibilities. Drawing from his central PA roots, he developed his sound as a drummer, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter throughout the years. From slow and sultry southern stylings to foot-stomping and energetic vibes, this band has an extensive playlist to accompany your night out in the Burg. Take a listen to their latest album, “Porch,” for an idea of their diverse and accessible sound. “A Little Shot Glass from Spain” really displays Rattie’s poignant storytelling style and is definitely worth a listen.

JOE JACKSON, 7/17, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $50-80
Mark your calendars and get pumped for this prominent performer to show Harrisburg his years of entertainment experience. Joe Jackson is well-known as a multi-instrumentalist, long mixing new age, punk and jazz sensibilities in with folk and rock. Check out the 1979 release, “Look Sharp!” an album that earned Jackson acclaim as a Rolling Stones selection for “100 Best” debut albums. He recorded his first hit song in 1979 with the spicy single, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” and, in 1982, achieved top-10 status with “Steppin Out.” But he doesn’t stop there. With 15 recorded albums and five Grammy nominations, Jackson is not only talented but celebrated in the music industry with a lengthy career to match. If you’re looking for a unique night on the town with a true musical master, this performance might have what you need.

Mentionables:

Rob Base, July 6, Club XL;

Apes of the State, July 7, The Underground Bike Shop;

A Night of Doom, July 7, J.B. Lovedraft’s;

Sub-Radio, July 8, Italian Lake;

The Redacted, July 14, River City Blues Club;

Run the Willow, July 22, Italian Lake;

Soulsha, July 27, H*MAC Stage on Herr

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