Here is a listing of Pennsylvania live music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, January 22 through Thursday, January 28.
Due to COVID-19-related restrictions, many live music venues across the area are still not able to host performances at this time. The listing below includes both area live public shows and online live-streaming shows; keep checking back, as this listing will be updated as new shows are announced.
If you are attending a public show, be aware that seating and admission may be limited due to restrictions, and masks and social distancing may be required. Please respect others’ personal space if they wish to socially distance from others.
For online performances, if a “virtual tip jar” situation is available during live streams, please consider tipping these performers, and support them during this time when they cannot earn income playing shows at public venues. Websites for these performers are also listed; please consider purchasing their music digitally or via CD, which is another way to SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
Among live music highlights this weekend is a party for those who lament missing holiday-geared festivities during the past year due to COVID-19 and the resulting restriction-prompted cancellations of holiday-themed events. McGarvey’s hosts the “Happy Saint4thHallowThanksXmas Eve 2020” event on Saturday night, with local favorites Shallow 9 providing the festive music. Those attending are invited to wear their favorite ugly Christmas sweater, Halloween costume, red-white-and-blue American attire, St. Patty’s green, pilgrim outfits or other holiday fashions. Advance reservations are already sold out for this event, which starts at 8 p.m. If any seats open up, tickets are $15 per person, which includes dinner and music.
Meanwhile online, Pittsburgh’s Bill Toms celebrates his birthday with a special birthday live streaming performance Saturday afternoon on Facebook. The former guitarist with Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers and current frontman of his band Bill Toms & Hard Rain, Bill will introduce songs from his upcoming new album “Keep Movin’ On” as well as other songs from throughout his catalog. Bill will display his soulful voice and lyrical storytelling, and share background and insights on his songs along the way. The performance begins at 2 p.m.
FRIDAY 1/22:
PUBLIC SHOW: Chad Patterson at Bella Terra Vineyards (formerly Briar Valley Winery), Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Dumm at Drake’s Bar & Grill, Huntingdon (starts 7 p.m., reservations no longer available)
PUBLIC SHOW: Kevin Dale at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Disorganized Crime at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
ONLINE: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
SATURDAY 1/23:
PUBLIC SHOW: Letters From Tomorrow at Bella Terra Vineyards (formerly Briar Valley Winery), Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: White Shadow at Altoona Grand Hotel, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Ken Gray at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: “Happy Saint4thHallowThanksXmas Eve 2020” with Shallow 9 at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 8 p.m., SOLD OUT)
PUBLIC SHOW: Ricky Lee Lisica at Almost Home, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
ONLINE: Bill Toms Birthday live stream (Facebook, starts 2 p.m.)
(Website: www.billtoms.com)
ONLINE: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
ONLINE: Jack Servello live stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
ONLINE: Saturday Night Livestream with Kelly and Mark of Biscuit Jam (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
SUNDAY 1/24:
ONLINE: Jeffrey Gaines Facebook Live Concert (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.; tickets $9.99)
(Website: www.jeffreygaines.com)
MONDAY 1/25:
(no shows announced)
TUESDAY 1/26:
ONLINE: Brother Jack’s Happy Hour Live Stream (Facebook, starts 4 p.m.)
ONLINE: Chad Patterson Live on Facebook (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 1/27:
PUBLIC SHOW: Jam Night with The Frick Brothers at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
ONLINE: “Car-Tunes” with Charlie Barath Facebook Live Stream (Facebook, starts 6 p.m.)
(Website: www.reverbnation.com/charliebarath)
ONLINE: The Hobbs Sisters live stream (Facebook, starts 6:30 p.m.)
(Website: www.thehobbssisters.com)
THURSDAY 1/28:
ONLINE: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
ONLINE: SOS2020 Live Stream with Royal Honey, The Cheats and Middle Finger (Starts 6 p.m., view through www.sos2020pgh.org; tickets $3 or view all four weeks of the concert series for $10, with proceeds helping the National Independent Venue Association [NIVA] Emergency Relief Fund and Save Our Stages)
ONLINE: Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
ONLINE: Blues Society of Central PA Virtual Blues Jam (starts 7 p.m. at www.bscpblues.com)
ONLINE: “Virtually in the Palace (VIP) Experience” with Lindsay Dragan live stream (The Palace Theatre’s and Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s Facebook pages, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.lindsaydragan.bandcamp.com)
(NOTE: More shows may be added to this list as information becomes available. Feel free to check back.)
To report additional shows or corrections to this listing, email information to jptheprofessor@gmail.com. Deadline to submit information for the initial posting is each Friday morning at 9 a.m.