On stage: International flavor for performances this weekend

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The selection of musical events this weekend has a bit of an international flavor with a Chinese dance and music show in West Chester, a concert by a Jewish-American singer/songwriter who was born in West Chester and a concert by a dance/pop singer from Eastern Europe. On November 16, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West...

On Stage: MARIS brings far-out vision to pop music

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times MARIS This weekend’s local music calendar has similar characteristics to the old wedding rhyme – “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” The “something new” is the talented young singer MARIS, who was born in Missoula, Montana in 2000. On November 8, MARIS will make a return visit to the area for a show at...

On Stage: ‘Treading The Boards’ benefit for Candlelight

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Julia Kershetsky “Treading the boards” has been going on for decades at the Candlelight Theater. This weekend, it is the title of a presentation by the venue. The Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org) is presenting a very special event on November 2 – “Treading the Boards – A Revitalize...

On Stage: Isabel Kruse gets moment to shine in ‘9 to 5: the Musical’

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Isabel Kruse Isabel Kruse is an internationally acclaimed, multi-genre entertainer. The Australian native is also a classically trained soprano who has an impressive resume as a stage/film actress. Kruse has performed around the world in a wide range of locations including Australia, New York, Hyderabad (India), London’s West End, the Philippines...

On Stage: The Claudettes, who defy genre, come to Delco

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  The Claudettes The Claudettes are a Chicago-based band whose music spans a wide array of genres — jazz, punk, Chicago blues, pop standards and rock. The Claudettes, who are driven by the music of founding member Johnny Iguana, combine the Chicago blues-piano tradition with the energy of rockabilly and punk and the sultry sound of ’60s soul-jazz...

On Stage: Humbleman Band rocks and works to help the community

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Humbleman Band Humbleman Band is one of the Philadelphia area’s longest-running rock bands — and a band which has been involved in projects all over the country. The talented sextet, whose members reside mostly in the northwest region of the Philadelphia area, will have the opportunity to play a gig in its own backyard this weekend. Humbleman...

On Stage: Sons of Cream keep the music alive

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Sons of Cream This weekend, two musicians will bring their band to the area for a much-anticipated show. The British bassist and drummer are linked permanently by their families’ DNA because their fathers played together in several bands. Their London-based fathers first played together in Blues Incorporated in 1962. In the early part of the decade,...

On Stage: Joe Samba returns to area for W. Chester show

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Joe Samba South America has the samba. North America has Joe Samba. In Brazil, samba is a lively dance of Afro-Brazilian origin danced to samba music. It originally referred to any of several Latin duet dances with origins from the Congo and Angola. Today, Samba is the most prevalent dance form in Brazil, and reaches the height of its importance...

On Stage Extra: Foghat tops bill at Musikfest

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Foghat Over the years, Musikfest (www.musikfest.org) has established itself as one of America’s top annual music festivals an event that offers big name headliners as well as a wide variety of folk, rock, pop and ethnic music acts. It also sports some impressive numbers. The festival, which is celebrating its 34th anniversary this year, features...

On Stage: WCU student, Ciara Grace hits stage at World Cafe Live

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Ciara Grace If you look at some of the talented acts that will be playing in the area over the next few days, Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” might just pop into your head. There are plenty of girls/female artists who will be having fun along with their audiences at different venues around the Delaware Valley – Ciara Grace, Kelli...