Here is a listing of area live music and online music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, September 17 through Thursday, September 23.
As autumn officially starts within the next seven days, the final weekend of summer season concerts and festivals arrives in central PA.
The finale of the inaugural season of the “Rockin’ the Yard” concert series takes place on Friday evening at the upper parking lot of Altoona’s Jaffa Shrine. Headlining will be the return of popular area country performers Pistol Peg & the Beer Kegs, with Cambria County rock-and-rollers Ghostown Revelry opening. The music kicks off at 6 p.m.
Two festival events provide tastes of Europe this weekend. The Johnstown Slavic Festival returns to celebrate eastern European tradition on Friday and Saturday at the Heritage Discovery Center near Cambria City. Slavic foods, beverages, art, presentations and live music fill both days; see the listing below for the musical lineup.
Also returning this weekend is Sunday’s 31st annual Italian Food & Heritage Festival at Delgrosso’s Amusement Park in Tipton. The festival starts at 11 a.m., with Italian-based music provided by upstate New York’s Austin Georgio on the main stage at 1 and 3 p.m., and Faiella’s Father & Son duo strolling and performing around the grounds through the afternoon. A contestant during Season 14 of NBC Television’s “The Voice,” Austin will be accompanied on guitar by George Byich, guitarist for Johnstown-based blues group Black Cat Moan.
“Life is short. Eat the bacon.” If this popular internet meme is your philosophy, the 5th annual “Fall ‘In Baconfest” at Johnstown’s Geistown Fire Station may be right up your alley. Bacon based and enhanced foodstuffs will be in the spotlight both Friday and Saturday, along with contests, children’s activities, a car show, and live music. Proceeds help out the fire company. See the listing below for the event’s music schedule.
A Battle of the Bands will be part of this weekend’s “Paws in the Park” fundraiser for the Central PA Humane Society at Legion Park in Hollidaysburg. The battle begins at 2 p.m., and will feature performances from Bone Jacked, Rodeo Radio, Tom Nevers Field, Ages, K4 Kountry and Stephanie & the Wild Hearts. Also happening during the weekend will be performances by the Disc-Connected K9s frisbee dogs, as well as a car show, children’s activities, food and refreshments, vendors, a corn maze and more. Donation at the gate is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Also happening this weekend are the New Germany Festival of Arts & Crafts on Saturday and Sunday in New Germany (music performance schedule not available), the BBQ Bonanza on Friday and Saturday at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds, and the final two days of the annual Cookport Fair near Cookport. The annual Harmony Grange Fair near Westover begins on Monday, with live entertainment nightly.
Again, there is lots of musical entertainment around the area during the next seven days, so browse the listing below, pick a show or two (or three), and SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
(Listings in chronological order by event start time)
FRIDAY 9/17:
Cookport Fair, Cookport:
– All Day: Big Tiny Show
– Fair Circle: 2 p.m. – Purchase Line High School Band
– Main Stage: 7 p.m. – That Oldies Band
Johnstown Slavic Festival at Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown:
– Main Stage: 4 p.m. – Jack Tady Polka Band, 6 p.m. – Zadnja Stanica
– Courtyard Stage: 5 p.m. – Bronco Toter, 7:30 p.m. – Jacob Czerak
Conner Gilbert at Blairmont Country Club, Hollidaysburg (starts 5 p.m.)
Grace Fala at Stone Town Cafe & Gallery, Huntingdon (starts 5 p.m.)
“Rockin’ the Yard” with Pistol Peg & the Beer Kegs and Ghostown Revelry at Jaffa Shrine (upper parking lot), Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Tanner Michael Means at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Reboot at Huntingdon County Fairgrounds, Huntingdon (BBQ Bonanza, music starts 6 p.m.)
James Grove at ReKlaimed Vines, Huntingdon (starts 6 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at University Wine Co., State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Hops & Vines at 814 Cider Works (J.L. Farm & Cidery), State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Tussey Mountain Moonshiners at Elk Creekside, Millheim (starts 6 p.m.)
YUM at Fall ‘In Baconfest at Geistown Fire Station, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Jazz Trip at Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Ride the Song at Sinking Valley Farm Show, Sinking Valley Fairgrounds, Skelp (starts 7 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Saxton VFW, Saxton (starts 8 p.m.)
The Heathen Parade, Blood Union and Rik Golden at Slammin’ Sams, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
Triple A Blues Band at Zeno’s, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Jeff Webb at B & L Wine Cellars, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Open Mic Night with Doug Snaveley at Flood City Cafe, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Mark Sekerak at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
“Concert on the Village Green” with The Extra Miles at Lemont Village Green, Lemont (starts 7 p.m.)
Toad Marsh at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Matt Wagner at Buccinese Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
KB Express at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Kimberly Dawn & Johann at Bedford Moose, Bedford (starts 8 p.m.)
Stacy & the Rejects at the Freight Station, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
From Within at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 8 p.m.)
Derek Heidel at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Ed N Born at Olde Keg Bar & Grill, Portage (starts 9 p.m.)
Band Of Eden at Windber Hotel, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
Canary at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
Fly-By at Rocky’s Tavern, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
My Hero Zero at Champs, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
SATURDAY 9/18:
Johnstown Slavic Festival at Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown:
– Main Stage: 12 noon – Kolo Club “Marian,” 1 p.m. – Zadnja Stanica, 3 p.m. – Gypsy Strings, 5 p.m. – Forte, 7:30 p.m. – Orkestar Pobeda
– Courtyard Stage: 12 noon – Bronco Toter, 2 p.m. – Jim Vizzini, 7:30 p.m. – Bronco Toter
Community Jazz Jam at 3 Dots Downtown, State College (starts 1 p.m.)
“BBQ Bonanza” at Huntingdon County Fairgrounds, Huntingdon; featuring Jack Pilch (1 p.m.) and Backlash (6 p.m.)
Fall ‘In Baconfest at Geistown Fire Station, Johnstown; featuring Tom Katz (1 p.m.) and Even The Odds (6 p.m.)
“Fill Our Eagles” at East Conemaugh F.O.E., Johnstown; featuring Ryan Krinjeck, Chris Daugherty and Dan Vavrek (starts 1 p.m.)
“Paws in the Park Fall Festival” Battle of the Bands at Legion Park, Hollidaysburg; featuring Bone Jacked (2 p.m.), Rodeo Radio (3:30 p.m.), Tom Nevers Field (4:30 p.m.), Ages (5:30 p.m.), K4 Kountry (6:30 p.m.) and Stephanie & the Wild Hearts (7:30 p.m.) (proceeds benefit Central PA Humane Society)
Kimberly Dawn & Johann at New Germany Festival of Arts & Crafts, New Germany Grove, New Germany (starts 2 p.m.)
Cookport Fair, Cookport:
– Main Stage: Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo and Fiddle Contests (2 p.m.), 7 Mile Run (7 p.m.)
Gordon Glen at Malcotti’s Tavern, Twin Rocks (starts 2 p.m.)
“Bloody Run Picnic” with Felix & the Hurricanes at Bloody Run Social Club, Everett (starts 2 p.m.)
The Extra Miles at Uncle D’s Sassy Glass Winery, Houtzdale (starts 5 p.m.)
Dave Howsare at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
The Zillion Dollar Combo at Olde Bedford Brewing Company, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
The Boomers at Germantown Winery, Portage (starts 6 p.m.)
Rodeo Radio and Brittany Boyles at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
Derek Mrdjenovich (Walkney) at Sinking Valley Farm Show, Sinking Valley Fairgrounds, Skelp (starts 7 p.m.)
Kevin Briggs at Juniata Brewing Company, Huntingdon (starts 7 p.m.)
Acoustic Classics at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
The Good Guys at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Angry Johnny Stangry at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at Catholic War Vets, Altoona (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Mark Syster at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Freedom Rocks at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
The Evergreens at Argonne Cafe, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Bob Watson & the Good Time Boys at Bedford Moose, Bedford (starts 8 p.m.)
Chris Rattie & the New Rebels at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 8 p.m.)
Pat & Jai (Bazooka Joe acoustic) at Solomon Run Firemen’s Club, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
Rokkandy at Asiago Restaurant (The Mirage), Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
Chris Daugherty at Stadium Pub & Grille, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
Kristi Jean & Her Ne’er Do Wells at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Echoes at Huntingdon Moose, Huntingdon (starts 9 p.m.)
Ganister at The Grove, Strongstown (starts 9 p.m.)
The Stingers at First Catholic Slovak Bandhall, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
J.D. & Cindy at Windber Moose, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
Frequency at Windber Hotel, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at The Saloon, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
SUNDAY 9/19:
31st Annual Italian Food & Heritage Festival at Delgrosso’s Amusement Park, Tipton; featuring Austin Georgio (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) and Faiella’s Father & Son (strolling entertainment)
Devin Sherman at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 2 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at 814 Cider Works (J.L. Farm & Cidery), State College (starts 2 p.m.)
Kimberly Dawn & Johann at Corn Maze, Portage (starts 2 p.m.)
J.D. & Cindy at Stadium Pub & Grill, Johnstown (starts 2 p.m.)
Cajun Norm & the Jam Session Band at Jim & Jimmies, Johnstown (starts 4 p.m.)
Clay Bowser at First Catholic Slovak Bandhall, Johnstown (starts 4 p.m.)
Dan Vavrek at Minersville PNA, Johnstown (starts 4:30 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Black & Gold Tavern, Altoona (starts 7:30 p.m.)
MONDAY 9/20:
(no shows announced)
TUESDAY 9/21:
“Tuesdays on the Terrace” Open Mic with Jason Adams at 3 Dots Downtown, State College (starts 5 p.m.)
Brian Harshberger at Stadium Pub & Grill, Johnstown (starts 5:30 p.m.)
Joe Quick at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 9:30 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 9/22:
Joe Quick at Harmony Grange Fair, Westover (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night with The Frick Brothers at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Open Mic Night at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night at Dively’s Tavern, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
THURSDAY 9/23:
Ken Gray at Harmony Grange Fair, Westover (starts 7 p.m.)
“T’ird T’ursday” with Full Kilt at Molly’s Pub, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
ONLINE: Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(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.