Here is a listing of Pennsylvania live music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, February 19 through Thursday, February 25.
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!
This weekend features a variety of live public performances around the area; and with a break in the recent wintry precipitation deluge, road conditions should be good to explore some in-person live music. See the listing below to find out who is playing where.
Online, several charitable events take the spotlight…Due to COVID-19 considerations, Penn State’s annual THON fundraiser is a virtual event this year, and will be presented online through the THON website. Some performances and presentations will occur at THON’s usual home base, Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center, while participating dancers will do their thing remotely from their own homes and other locations. THON and the live stream will kick off Friday evening at 6 p.m., and continue until Sunday at 4 p.m. Donations can be made through the THON website, with proceeds benefiting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital in the fight against pediatric cancer.
And the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame is presenting a special live stream performance by The Sharks on Friday evening. The performance is a benefit to raise funds for Sharks member Shea Quinn’s nephew, Fagan Quinn, who is battling Stage 4 melanoma. The performance begins at 8 p.m. on the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame Facebook page, and links to make donations will be available.
FRIDAY 2/19:
PUBLIC SHOW: Eric Delozier at Bella Terra Vineyards (formerly Briar Valley Winery), Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Coffee House with Who We Are at Champion Life Church, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Cinders & Saints at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Ken Gray at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Alec Henderson at Stadium Pub & Grille, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Downshift and RRBBRR at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Felix & the Hurricanes at The Freight Station, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Stay Tuned at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: The Desperadoes (acoustic) at Southmont Gardens, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
ONLINE: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
ONLINE: Virtual THON Weekend (featuring various performers from the Bryce Jordan Center) (starts 6 p.m., runs through 4 p.m. Sunday through the website www.thon.org/livestream; donations benefit the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital to fight pediatric cancer)
ONLINE: Ted McCloskey & Molly Countermine live stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.tedmccloskey.com)
ONLINE: Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame presents The Sharks Cancer Benefit Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.; donations help out Shea Quinn’s nephew, Fagan Quinn, in his fight against Stage 4 melanoma)
SATURDAY 2/20:
PUBLIC SHOW: Brian Harshberger at Woody Lodge Winery, Ashville (starts 1 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Nathan Mowery at Bella Terra Vineyards (formerly Briar Valley Winery), Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Braden McDannell at Blue Knob Clubhouse, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: White Shadow at Altoona Grand Hotel (Grouse’s Nest), Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Flashbang at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Felix & the Hurricanes at Drake’s Bar and Grill, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Lauren & Joe at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Dan Vavrek at Stadium Pub & Grille, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: J.D. & Cindy at the First Catholic Slovak Bandhall, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Jack Squat at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Callie Tomblin at Almost Home, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Donny Burns (acoustic) at We Are Inn (Lobby Grille), Philipsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Kimberly Dawn & Johann at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Van Waylon at Freight Station, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Black Girl Magic at The Arena, State College (starts 8:30 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: The Jukehouse Bombers and Nuthin’ Fancy at The Grove, Strongstown (starts 8 p.m.)
ONLINE: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
ONLINE: Virtual THON Weekend (featuring various performers from the Bryce Jordan Center) (starts 6 p.m., runs through 4 p.m. Sunday through the website www.thon.org/livestream; donations benefit the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital to fight pediatric cancer)
ONLINE: Simple Gifts Online Concert (Zoom, starts 7 p.m. – visit Simple Gifts’ Facebook page for Zoom link and password)
(Website: www.simplegiftsmusic.com)
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.)
ONLINE: River City Brass: Sounds of the 60s live stream from the Palace Theatre (starts 7:30 p.m., tickets $25/household, may be purchased through Palace Theatre website, www.thepalacetheatre.org)
SUNDAY 2/21:
PUBLIC SHOW: Ed N’Born at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
ONLINE: John “JT” Thompson live stream (Facebook, starts 1 p.m.)
(Website: www.jtblues.com)
ONLINE: Virtual THON Weekend (featuring various performers from the Bryce Jordan Center) (starts 6 p.m., runs through 4 p.m. Sunday through the website www.thon.org/livestream; donations benefit the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital to fight pediatric cancer)
ONLINE: Jeffrey Gaines Facebook Live Concert (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.; tickets $9.99)
(Website: www.jeffreygaines.com)
MONDAY 2/22:
(no shows announced)
TUESDAY 2/23:
PUBLIC SHOW: John Peacefire at Joos, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
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 2/24:
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)
THURSDAY 2/25:
ONLINE: Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
ONLINE: Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
ONLINE: Blues Society of Central PA presents Mississippi Railroad (starts 7 p.m. at www.bscpblues.com)
ONLINE: “Virtually in the Palace (VIP) Experience” with Andy Davis live stream (The Palace Theatre’s and Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s Facebook pages, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.andydavisband.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.