Tag Archives: Whitaker Center

Musical Notes: June Jumble–This month, something wonderful for everyone.

June 1, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Summer is kicking off with a bang here in the ‘Burg. Both new venues and more familiar haunts are bringing in a number of notable acts. Whether you are looking for quiet reflection or challenging rhythms, June will not disappoint. So either head to the still freshly minted Millworks and try something new or take in some classics at Whitaker Center. Either way, this month will be incredible!

AVA LUNA w/ ETERNAL SUMMERS, 6/6, 10PM, THE MILLWORKS, FREE/21+

This Brooklyn band is known for mashing seemingly unmashable genres together. Lost somewhere between krautrock and soul (which, if you’re unfamiliar, are nothing alike), their music can be a little jarring at first. But, with each subsequent listen, their tunes become increasingly understandable, the divergent influences blending into something recognizable. Never lacking in energy, they often shift on a dime between bombastic, distorted explosions of sound and strange, jilting grooves. They will be joined by the equally delightful shoegazy power trio, Eternal Summers.

SIMONE FELICE, 6/11, 9PM, ABBEY BAR, $10/$15

A smoky singer-songwriter, Simone Felice is a folk singer with a pedigree. One the founding members of the Felice Brothers, he has taken the stage at the famed Newport Folk Festival, his music bearing the marks of a lonely wanderer. He released his second LP, “Stranger,” last year, but he is also a published author. It is no wonder then that his songs tell such strong stories. He will be accompanied by Anna Mitchell and Marie Danielle. Danielle will also be performing solo at the Downtown Little Amps the following day, June 12.

DAVID CROSBY, 6/23, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $49.50-$90.50

It’s not every day that one of the founding members of the rich 1960s folk revival scene comes into town. David Crosby of Crosby, Still, Nash and (sometimes) Young will be bringing his years of both musical and life experience to Whitaker Center for an evening that is sure to be memorable. While most people are probably already familiar with his career, he began as a member of the Byrds and then formed CSN, providing the soundtrack to much of the tumultuous ‘60s. But nothing about his music comes across as outdated. Records like “Déjà Vu” and “4 Way Street” still sound fresh as ever (and regularly make appearances on my turntable.) This is an evening that is not to be missed.

Mentionables: Steve Wilkins, 6/5, Downtown Little Amps; Merchandise, 6/9, The Millworks; Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, 6/13, Abbey Bar; Beth Hart, 6/21, Whitaker Center

Musical Notes: May Montage–Something for everyone this month.

April 30, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Whether you’re in the mood for literary songwriting, ethereal pop or genre-defying frenetic rock, May has a live show perfectly suited for your tastes. And, as spring nears its finish line, there is no better time for live music. Days are longer, and the evenings are warm. So either relax or move to the beat, just make sure to order a beverage and take in May’s musical offerings.

FREEDY JOHNSTON, 5/7, HMAC, TIME AND ADMISSION TBD
One of the ‘90s most acclaimed singer-songwriters, Freedy Johnston has continued to build upon his extensive repertoire. He will by stopping by the capital of the Commonwealth in support of his forthcoming LP, “Neon Repairman.” Like many of his contemporaries, Johnston has used a faltering record industry to his advantage, taking creative direction into his own hands and producing his most recent work through private fundraising. This is fitting considering he is often referred to as “a songwriter’s songwriter.” This is a perfect show for fans of Neil Young, Tom Petty or Elvis Costello.

ERIC + ERICA w/SHAWAN & THE WONTON, 5/8, 6:30PM, LITTLE AMPS DOWNTOWN
Dreampop seems to make a lot more sense come the warmer months. It’s hazy yet inviting, never in too much of a hurry, but not morose. Durham, N.C.’s Eric + Erica perfectly exemplify these particular characteristics. Their live performances feature such exotic instrumentation as autoharp and foot pedal bass synth. Yet their music is also somehow familiar and reassuring. Since the release of their first album “This is Where”in 2013, they have been constantly touring. They are wrapping up their second full-length album, due to be released later this year. They will be joined by local artist Shawan & the Wonton.

JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION, 5/27, 8PM, ABBEY BAR, $15
Formed more than 20 years ago, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has earned a reputation for musical iconoclasm and limitless experimentation. Drawing influences from such divergent styles as R&B, noise rock and rockabilly, they have worked with equally diverse artists such as Ad Rock, Elliott Smith and Steve Albini. Their live shows are high energy and electric, disorienting yet still somehow indisputably rock n’ roll. Either way, this is a show that will surely make you move.

Mentionables: Vacationer, 5/1, The Millworks; Cruisr, 5/8, FedLive; the Baseball Project, 5/15, HMAC; Steven Wilson, 5/23, Whitaker Center; Kelly Zullo, 5/30, Midtown Scholar

Changing Her Tune: A new sound, a new city for singer Kat Edmonson.

January 30, 2015 | by Jess Hayden

Vocalist Kat Edmonson, while a contemporary artist, has always looked to the past for inspiration.

Her style, which she calls “vintage pop,” is reminiscent of the movie scores and musicals that she grew up with. Her original songs are rooted in jazz, but there are also elements of rock ‘n’ roll, classic pop, folk and country.

Pulling it all together is a fabulous voice that, as a teenager, earned her a spot on the TV show, “American Idol.” Called “memorable and contagious” by NPR, Edmonson continues to garner fans with her well-crafted lyrics, clever melodies and distinctive singing style.

Edmonson will make her way to Harrisburg this month, showcasing a repertoire from her three CDs and featuring her band: Laura Scarborough on keys, vibes and accordion; Steve Elliot on guitar; Bob Hart on bass; and Aaron Thurston on drums.

“I like to create an intimate atmosphere during a concert,” Edmonson said. “I like to chat with the audience and get to know them and let them get to know me, too.”

Edmonson grew up in Houston, but moved to Austin to take advantage of the city’s vibrant music scene. After gaining experience in the local club scene, she released her first album, “Take to the Sky,”in 2009. The recording featured steamy cabaret jazz numbers, such as George Gershwin’s “Summertime” and Cole Porter’s “Night and Day,” along with a few originals.

Her second CD, “Way Down Low,” came out in 2012 and was funded by a Kickstarter campaign (raising $30,000 in just one month). On it, her sound moved away from jazz with more of a retro feel reminiscent of the early 1960s. She used the first song on the CD, “Lucky,” in an official video that she posted on YouTube.

The video is filmed in New York on Independence Day weekend and shows her playing a series of old pianos that had been dropped off all around the city. As the video wraps up, she’s on Coney Island, playing along with a stunning fireworks display.

The last two years have seen many opportunities come her way. She toured with Lyle Lovett, singing the duet “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with him on his CD, “Release Me,” and on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She appeared on “Austin City Limits” and “A Prairie Home Companion,” and her songs were featured on several television commercials (Zales Diamonds, Coca-Cola). In the spring of 2013, she made her first U.S. tour as a headliner with 11 concerts around the country. The following summer, she played several festivals in Europe, including the famed Montreux Jazz Festival. She even was tapped to be one of the faces of the makeup brand bareMinerals.

About a year ago, Edmondson signed with Sony Masterworks, and, this past fall, came out with her latest recording, “The Big Picture.” To create the CD, she teamed up with renowned producer Mitchell Froom, working with him over a three-month period at his studio in Santa Monica.

“It’s a departure from the last record in many ways,” she said.” It’s more pop-oriented and more orchestrated. I had a plethora of musicians to work with, and we were laying down tracks and did a lot of overdubbing.”

These days, Kat Edmondson says that she’s very happy. She recently moved to Brooklyn, where, she added, there’s much more infrastructure for the kind of music that she plays than in Austin.

“I’ve always wanted to live in New York, and I live in a beautiful place right near Prospect Park,” she said. “It’s a place that I go and wander and contemplate and often write.”

Kat Edmonson and her band, along with opener Robert Ellis, will perform at 8 p.m. on Feb. 27 at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Tickets are $20 and $27.50 and are available at 717-214-ARTS or at www.whitakercenter.org. Learn more about Edmonson at www.katedmonson.com.

Musical Notes: Memory serves–this month, recollections of new music.

December 30, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Memory best sums up this month’s musical slate.

It reminds me of my childhood when “alternative” radio still felt like an alternative to something. It reminds me of when being a high school outsider meant getting together with a couple of other outsiders and working through the angst in the form of a few power chords. All of these bands are powerful doorways into memories of the past, either real or imagined. I think that’s what makes music so wonderful. And January’s offerings certainly prove the point.

BELLOWS, ESKIMEAUX & ADULT MOM, 1/16, 6PM, LITTLE AMPS DOWNTOWN, $5 SUGGESTED DONATION

NPR’s Bob Boilen recently named Bellows’ 2014 record, “Blue Breath,” as an honorable mention in his year-end, top-10 album list. The band is joined by Eskimeaux, who are part of the same musical collective, the Epoch. Based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bellows’ spacey, roughly hewn, handmade psychedelic pop is deeply personal. Marked by sharp juxtapositions of soft, melodic lines and intentional cacophony, Bellows will be a perfect match for the intimate space of the downtown Little Amps shop.

THE WHIGS, 1/22, 8PM, THE ABBEY BAR, $7/$10

Formed in Athens, Ga., the Whigs have five albums under their belts, along with a number of performances on the late-night talk show circuit. A jangly three piece, they play the kind of stripped-down garage rock that finds its power in its simplicity. They are currently touring in support of their most recent release, “Modern Creation.”This is a band that pairs perfectly with a pitcher of beer, so make your way over to the Abbey Bar and take in this raw and impactful show.

10,000 MANIACS, 1/23, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $29.50/$39.50

Remember when MTV Unplugged featured authentic, amazing and memorable performances? Nirvana, Neil Young, REM? And one of my all time favorites, 10,000 Maniacs. Although the current lineup is missing Natalie Merchant, these college radio darlings from the ‘80s and ‘90s haven’t given up the touring life. They continue to record with vocalist Mary Ramsey, who joined immediately after Merchant’s departure. With a repertoire that spans more than 30 years, the band certainly will feature plenty of familiar hits, along with a number of exciting new songs.

Mentionables: Flux Capacitor, 1/2, HMAC; Camela Widad, 1/10, HMAC; Bumperyachts w/Rivers, 1/23, Little Amps downtown; Spiritual Rez, 1/30, Abbey Bar; Pete & Maura Kennedy, Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 1/31

Musical Notes: Jingle Bell-Less

November 28, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

I know, I know, December is for holiday music. But I must confess, sometimes I need a break from “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas.”

If you’re like me, you’ll want to brave the snow and chill and see one of these shows. Whether you are looking for upbeat or contemplative music, December has a number of quality offerings.

So, put down the eggnog, tie a scarf around your neck and go see some live music. Besides, they show “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on TV every year, right?

HANK & CUPCAKES, 12/11, 8PM, ABBEY BAR, $7

This husband and wife duo is hard to categorize. New York-based by way of Tel Aviv, the pair’s music is infectious, danceable pop with a punk attitude. But when you see them live, you realize that they are much more than they seem. Using an extensive pedal board, “Hank” creates a wall of sound using only his bass guitar while vocalist “Cupcakes” belts out powerful melodies while adding percussion. Their shows are a live experience that separates them from so many other dance musicians who perform from behind a MacBook.

MATTHEW O’NEILL, 12/12, 7PM, DOWNTOWN LITTLE AMPS, $5 SUGGESTED DONATION

A wild, backwoods rocker, Matthew O’Neill draws comparisons to Neil Young and Creedence Clearwater Revival. With chunky electric guitars and gravelly vocals, his sound is weathered, which is appropriate considering the subject matter. Often tackling the realities of hard living, his music offers a wealth of experienced wisdom. Tinged with indigenous cosmology and an appreciation for America’s vast uninhabited country, O’Neill is enigmatic, existing somewhere between the world and what lies beyond it.

BRIAN DUNNE, 12/19, 7PM, MIDTOWN SCHOLAR, FREE

Brian Dunne is a country singer in the truest sense of the word. His melancholic songs resonate with the heartbroken, but he also has a dose of the big city in his music. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, he has called New York home since 2011. With a powerful and emotive voice, he connects with those who have experienced love and loss, suggesting wisdom beyond his years.

Mentionables: Jonathon Boogie Long and the Nighthawks, 12/6, Whitaker Center; Tom Yoder, Midtown Scholar, 12/12; Turkuaz, Abbey Bar, 12/19; Camela Widad, HMAC, 12/27

Musical Notes: Lady’s Night–3 acclaimed female songwriters head the November lineup.

October 30, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

November sees a number of critically acclaimed female singer-songwriters passing through our city. Our three featured artists range in renown, but they all approach their music with a strong sense of independence. While some may be written off as “one-hit wonders,” all continue to write and perform and will surely put on fabulous shows when they grace Harrisburg’s stages.

SAMANTHA HARLOW, 11/5, 4:30PM, LITTLE AMPS DOWNTOWN, $5 suggested donation: Nashville’s Samantha Harlow is a songwriter who possesses that long sought after one-two punch, a powerful voice that is just as capable of conveying emotion when raised barely above a whisper. With her backing band, she is country at its best, heartbroken with the right amount of attitude. But when playing alone, her delicate approach is just as heartbroken, albeit in a far more introspective register. This is an earlier show, so make sure to stop by on your way home from work.

ANNA NALICK, 11/9, 8PM, HMAC STAGE ON HERR, $15: Anna Nalick is most famous for her 2005 single, “Breathe (2am).” Like so many songwriters suddenly thrust into the spotlight, she quickly found her record label was stifling her creativity. So, she left major label Sony to produce her music independently. Although her more recent work has failed to receive the same kind of radio exposure, she is happy with the trade and will be stopping by Harrisburg’s HMAC on her fall tour. Her songs are infused with a dash of the gothic, backed by haunting arrangements featuring cellos, glockenspiels and toy pianos.

JANIS IAN, 11/21, 8PM, ROSE LEHRMAN ARTS CENTER, $34/$40: Janis Ian, the New York-based singer-songwriter, played an important role in my childhood. Her most famous album, 1975’s “Between the Lines,”was among my mother’s extensive record collection, shelved along with the likes of Carole King and Joan Baez. But her career did not end in the ‘70s. She has continued to record while advocating for the rights of songwriters and musicians through her criticism of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Never afraid to tackle political subjects in her songwriting, Ian’s performance should prove to be powerful, perfect for longtime fans and the newly interested alike.

Mentionables: The People’s Temple, The MakeSpace, 11/7; DRGN KING, Little Amps Downtown, 11/14; Robyn Hitchcock, HMAC Stage on Herr, 11/15; Bill Staines, Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 11/22; The Hackensaw Boys, Abbey Bar, 11/28; Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam, Whitaker Center, 11/28

Big & Digital: Whitaker Center retires IMAX as large-format technology advances.

September 30, 2014 | by Jessica Sprajcar

“Film is becoming obsolete,” stated Steve Bishop, vice president of Science and Cinema Programs for Whitaker Center. “It’s going the way of 8-track tapes and the typewriter.”

Indeed, the way movies are made and viewed is changing, and Whitaker Center is getting ready to make the switch. By the time you read this article, IMAX movies will no longer have a home in Harrisburg. In their place will be something equally immersive and awe-inspiring: a digital technology called D3D.

Beginning Oct. 18, visitors to Whitaker Center will experience theater on a giant screen digital film set-up that comes with a more than a $1 million price tag. That may sound like a lot of money, but, according to Bishop, D3D is well worth the expense.

“If we [and other theaters] want to stay in business, we have to convert to digital,” Bishop explained.

Out with IMAX

The IMAX system, while providing an amazing visual experience, had its share of quirks. For starters, each reel of IMAX film measures 6 feet in diameter and weighs up to 600 pounds. A feature-length IMAX film reel contains 61 miles of film, making it costly to receive and ship.

Film is also very delicate and sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Too much of either will cause the film to curl, leading to what Bishop termed “a bad hair day in the IMAX projection booth,” so that the film won’t run through the projector. On average, each film could be shown no more than 500 times before faded and scratched images ruined the picture. Then the film had to be disposed of, or in rare cases, shipped overseas to a theater that couldn’t afford a brand new copy.

Instead of miles of celluloid film, the D3D projection system is small and simple. It consists of a hard drive the size of a hardback novel that plugs into the computer projector. When the center is done showing that particular movie, the hard drive is returned for use at another theater, making it much more environmentally friendly than the IMAX system. The screen will be slightly smaller—instead of being six stories tall, it will be more like 4½ stories. The picture and sound quality will be comparable, and the ticket price will remain the same.

What might change, and for the better, are the new ways to use the theater. While the center will still show a mix of Hollywood hits and documentaries, Bishop and his staff are looking for creative ways to use the digital technology, possibly including things like live-streaming concerts and video game competitions.

“Anything on a computer screen could be put on the theater screen,” explained Bishop.

Right now, the center has a program called “Surgery Live,” where actual surgeries from Hershey Medical Center are shown to students in real time to get them interested in a career in the medical field. The surgeon, nurses and other staff talk to the students, and the students can respond back. More than 5,000 students have participated in the program over the past six years, but the current classroom can hold only 100 students at a time. If the program moved to the theater, attendance could double.

The First Films

To debut D3D, Whitaker Center theater will show two films on the new system this month: “Jerusalem” and “Watermelon Magic.”

When determining which movies to show, Bishop has a short list of criteria. He might look for a film that complements an exhibit at the science center or go by reviews from his colleagues at other museums. It is also important to find movies that “take advantage of the huge screen” and have an educational value, since “more than three-quarters of the school kids and half the families see a film” during their visit.

“Watermelon Magic” is one of those family-friendly educational films. It is a 30-minute movie that follows the story of a little girl named Sylvie as she learns how to grow watermelons on her family’s farm in Bucks County. Through amazing time-lapse photography and simple storytelling, young viewers will learn the importance of healthy food and sharing.

According to Bishop, “Watermelon Magic” is a good example of how the move away from IMAX will help filmmakers. He said that IMAX film cameras are huge, about the size of an oven, and weigh around 300 pounds. They can only hold three minutes worth of film, since each frame on an IMAX film reel is the size of a playing card, creating many stops and starts in the movie-making process. Therefore, making an IMAX movie is very expensive and time-consuming. The move to a giant digital format allows small-scale, independent filmmakers to make large-format movies at a fraction of the cost.

The second movie at the center is “Jerusalem,” a 3-D National Geographic film about the city of Jerusalem and the cultures within, as seen through the eyes of three women: Jewish, Muslim and Christian. The movie shows that, “In 1 square mile, you see how these cultures have learned to live together, and it shows that different cultures can co-exist,” according to Bishop. The movie also follows an archeologist as she searches through some of the interesting historical sites of the city.

Running in correlation with the film is a photo exhibit titled “Jerusalem: Beyond the Wall.” In 2004, photographer Jason Eskinazi distributed disposable cameras to both Israeli and Palestinian children in Jerusalem so they could document their lives through pictures. Ninety-eight of the images from the project will be on display on the lower level of the science center beginning on Oct. 18.

Since 1999, more than 1.7 million people have watched IMAX films at Whitaker Center. One man who has seen nearly all of them is Phil Russotto, co-chief projectionist. Russotto oversaw the installation of the IMAX system in 1999 and was at the final showing on Sept. 21 to say goodbye to his old friend. He says it is “bittersweet” to see the end of the IMAX era, but he’s “excited to learn the ins and outs of the new system.”

Beginning this month, you can see the changes for yourself.

Whitaker Center is located at 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.whitakercenter.org.

Marriages and Crumpet and a Leg Lamp: Harrisburg theater tees up an eclectic season on the stage.

August 29, 2014 | by Lori M. Myers

Theatre Harrisburg, Sweeney Todd

Theater is getting bigger and better in the ‘Burg as evidenced by the coming 2014-15 season. There’s nothing quite like the live experience of watching a story unfold, characters coming to life, along with a surprise or two. Here’s just a taste of what’s in store.

Gamut Theatre Group

In what it hopes will be its final full season inside Strawberry Square before it moves into a renovated church on N. 4^th Street, the players at Gamut Theatre Group will be offering an exciting mix of classic productions that will delight audiences…and challenge its actors.

“It’s going to be a season that’s going to rely heavily on the range of our actors,” says J. Clark Nicholson, Gamut’s artistic director and co-founder. “It’s a fun and exciting challenge.”

A good example is Gamut’s production of Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband,” first up for the mainstage season in November. Four actors will play 13 different roles—and one role will be played by those four different actors.

Another example of actors taking on multiple characters is “Women Playing Hamlet,” an original production that will be staged in March. Gamut was chosen as one of three theaters to produce this play by William Missouri Downs as part of the National New Plays Network’s “Rolling World Premiere.” Patrick Flick, executive director of the Shakespeare Theater Association, is slated to guest-direct four local female actors playing 20 different characters.

But you don’t need to wait until November to see a Gamut show. The Stage Door Series, an extended arm of Gamut, will present “The Girlhood of Shakespeare’s Heroines” by Don Nigro in September. Looking ahead, Gamut will mount “Troilus and Cressida” for its 22nd Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park next year. And, all year long, don’t forget about Popcorn Hat for the kids.

Log onto www.gamutplays.org or phone 717-238-4111 for details and reservation information.

Open Stage of Harrisburg

Familiar titles, tradition and family dreams are the mantras this season at Open Stage of Harrisburg. The iconic “Driving Miss Daisy,” which has succeeded both on screen and on stage, will springboard the theater’s 2014-15 season of shows in October. “Bill W. and Dr. Bob” will follow in November, a story of two men who pioneered Alcoholics Anonymous and their wives who founded Al Anon.

For the holiday season, Open Stage has heeded audiences’ demands as Stuart Landon, the theater’s marketing and sales operations manager, dons his knickers once again to portray Crumpet in David Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries.”

“After a one year hiatus, and many patrons asking if Crumpet was coming back, I think the time is right to bring back this hilarious show,” Landon says. “Get ready to laugh!”

Also for the holiday season, there will be a special, one-night-only reading on Dec. 7 of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

Rounding out the Open Stage season will be Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin In The Sun,” a play about a family’s hopes for the future, which will be staged in February, followed by Lanford Wilson’s “Talley’s Folly” in April.

Log onto www.openstagehbg.com or phone 717-232-OPEN for details and reservation information.

Theatre Harrisburg

2014-15 marks Theatre Harrisburg’s 89th season, which will expand its repertoire from five to six shows: four presented Uptown at the Jay and Nancy Krevsky Production Center on Hurlock and two staged downtown at Whitaker Center’s Sunoco Performance Theater.

Intimacy is what the Production Center space affords both the actors and audience. Case in point will be the theater’s presentation of its September opener “The Philadelphia Story,” a play that later became a film classic. Another example is the two-person musical in January and February of “I Do! I Do!” about a 50-year marriage written by the same team who created “The Fantasticks.” Another play about another marriage is Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”—considered one of America’s finest plays and one given screen time starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

“Through the use of a flexible seating arrangement, the audience will feel as though they are actually in the room with George and Martha, which should make for a very intense, provocative evening of theater,” says Samuel Kuba, executive director.

Rounding out the Production Center’s shows in June is another two-person tour de force comedy, “Greater Tuna.”

Theatre Harrisburg moves to downtown’s Whitaker Center in November with the holiday favorite “A Christmas Story,” complete with Red Ryder BB gun and leg lamp, and, in May, with the creepy and kooky and spooky musical, “The Addams Family.”

Log onto www.theatreharrisburg.com or phone 717-232-5501 for details and reservation information.

Musical Notes: Big Bands, Small Spaces

July 31, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

DRGN KING (Photo credit: theswollenfox.com)

Summer is heading towards its end, but that doesn’t mean that Harrisburg’s music scene is winding down too.

Our little city continues to invite visits from excellent, nationally renowned touring artists, often featured within some of our smaller venues. This is the perfect opportunity to hear excellent live music in a setting that promotes a level of interaction that cannot be replicated in a larger arena. So, make your way to one of these great shows and introduce yourself to the artists, buy an album (preferably on vinyl) straight from the source, and support Harrisburg’s amazing musical culture.

DRGN KING w/THE INDIAN BURN BAND, 8/17, 6PM, LITTLE AMPS UPTOWN, $5 SUGGESTED DONATION

There is nothing like seeing a solid, energetic rock band in the intimate confines of a small space. When Philadelphia’s DRGN KING takes the “stage” at Little Amps Uptown, their infectious rock hooks will fill every corner of the friendly coffee shop. But don’t let the setting fool you. This is a rock band with a solid repertoire of soaring and bombastic anthems designed to fill large clubs. Their full-length, 2013 album, “Paragraph Nights,”was released by the Hoboken, N.J., imprint Bar/None. DRGN KING will be supported by locals, the Indian Burn Band.

Ed. Note: This show has been cancelled.

ARBOREA, 8/22, 8PM, THE MAKESPACE, $5

The haunting folk duo, Arborea, will be making their way to the equally moody atmosphere of The MakeSpace. Wife and husband Shanti and Buck Curran compose delicate psychedelic folk that conjures up images of the autumnal wilderness, centered around Shanti’s lilting melodies and melancholic lyrics. They have caught the attention of WNYC’s “Spinning on Air,” been featured in a “Tiny Desk Concert,” and have been a showcase performer at Austin’s famed SXSW festival.

MATT WHEELER & VINTAGE HEART, 8/30, 9PM, HMAC

Lancaster County’s Matt Wheeler is a folk songwriter in the truest sense of the word. His songs are morose and thoughtful, designed to tell stories that are deeply personal yet instantly relatable. Channeling a long and rich tradition, his music invites comparisons to James Taylor, Josh Ritter and Iron & Wine. His backing band, Vintage Heart, only complements Wheeler’s tendency towards introspection, with laid back folk-rock percussion and moody string arrangements elevating the impact of tales of searching and heartbreak.

Mentionables: Dr. Slothclaw and The Dogs of Lust, Abbey Bar, 8/1; Indigo Girls, Whitaker Center, 8/13; Yo Momma’s Big Fat Booty Band, Abbey Bar, 8/26; Hot Jam Factory, Little Amps Downtown, 8/29

Musical Notes: Showing Your Roots–Americana steams in for June.

May 30, 2014 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Dan Webster is stepping away from “Musical Notes” for the time being, so I’ll be covering his duties. They’re big shoes to fill, but I hope to do justice to his monthly guide to Harrisburg’s wealth of live music.

This month finds the city’s music scene taking on an air of Americana, with both established and upstart song-writers and musicians bringing their brands of traditional American folk music to Harrisburg’s stages. With the summer heat rolling in, now is the perfect time to get in touch with our nation’s musical roots and soak up the sounds of our nation’s ramblin’ troubadours.

GLENN JONES with author STEVE LOWENTHAL, 6/5, 7 P.M., MIDTOWN SCHOLAR, $8/$10

Glenn Jones first gained acclaim as the guitarist and principal composer for the experimental, post-rock band Cul de Sac. However, his current work takes him in a different direction. Always fascinated by the compositional opportunities made available by open tunings, his solo work features complex, finger-picked melodies rooted in primitive American folk traditions. Despite being instrumental, Jones’ performances are seemingly narrative, weaving stories through sound that are instantly recognizable even in their wordlessness. However, this particular show, presented by Moviate, will not be totally devoid of speech as Jones will be joined by Steve Lowenthal, who will be reading from his recent biography of guitarist and Jones collaborator, John Fahey, titled “Dance of Death.”

LUCINDA WILLIAMS, 6/10, 7:30 P.M., THE WHITAKER CENTER, $38.50/$48.50

The folk-rock and country songwriter Lucinda Williams released her first record, “Ramblin’,” in 1978; her most recent, “Blessed,” came out in 2011. Within this span of time, she garnered considerable attention, won three Grammy Awards, and collaborated with Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson and M. Ward, among countless others. Her songs represent the best that folky roots rock has to offer, that smoky moodiness that evokes memories of lost love and the darker secrets of the past. This show will especially appeal to those who have grown tired of the market-driven, focus-group approved, honky-tonk pop that Nashville keeps churning out these days.

DAVID MAYFIELD PARADE, 6/25, 8 P.M., THE ABBEY BAR, $8/$10

The David Mayfield Parade is traveling the trail blazed by bands such as the Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons, a new generation of alt-country rockers trying to reclaim their roots. Combining traditional Americana with a youthful, do-it-yourself aesthetic, Mayfield brings driving energy to songs of heartbreak and hard traveling, all sung with a voice that sounds old and seasoned. His most recent album, “Good Man Down,” was crowd-funded and released in 2013. It is fitting that this show takes place at a bar, as Mayfield’s sound conjures up images of late nights spent in dive bars with pitchers of beer, whiskey shots and the pain caused by the girl who got away.

Mentionables: MV & EE w/Banners and Floats, Little Amps Uptown, 6/1; Sam Moss, Midtown Scholar, 6/6; Bob Mould, HMAC, 6/12; Vinegar Creek Constituency w/The Vulcans, HMAC 6/20; Star Rover, The MakeSpace, 6/29

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