Here is a listing of Pennsylvania live music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, May 22 through Thursday, May 28.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19/coronavirus situation, all live music venues across the state are not able to host performances at this time. However, some bands and performers are staging online performances on social media from their own homes, studios and other facilities. Below are such situations that have been announced (that I am aware of); keep checking back, as this listing will be updated as new shows are announced. Feel free to take in any of these performances, and if a “virtual tip jar” situation is available, 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, several prominent blues-geared bands and performers bring their live performances to the internet with live streaming shows. Harrisburg-based harmonica ace Nate Myers performs on Friday night, while State College’s Triple A Blues Band and eastern PA’s Sterling Koch and Freeway Jam both perform on Saturday evening.
“Pittsburgh’s Uncrowned King of Rock and Roll,” Norman Nardini, returns for his latest live stream installment on Friday evening. Norman continues to bring music, stories and his own witty brand of humor; during his last live stream, Norman recalled some of the dressing rooms he was thrown out of during his career – including the dressing rooms of Clarence Clemens, Billy Squier, Southside Johnny and Robin Trower.
And for a unique live stream undertaking, State College Live is presenting a “24-Hour Local Songwriting Competition” this weekend on Facebook. Seven different State College-based performers and duos – Luke Cimbala, Caryn Dixon Jellen, Jazz Kat, Anchor & Arrow, Jason Adams, JT Blues and William Ryan – will participate. The performers will be given a prompt and a phrase at 7 p.m. on Friday, and will then have 24 hours to write a song to be performed on Facebook starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday. A judging panel will determine the winners, which will receive prizes to be announced.
Numerous other live stream performances are happening during the next seven days; check out the listing below. And have a safe and pleasant Memorial Day weekend.
FRIDAY 5/22:
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Shea Quinn Live Stream on LancasterOnline (Facebook, starts 1 p.m.)
(Website: www.theluvgods.com)
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
The Evergreens Quaranstream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.theevergreensmusic.com)
Live from Lockdown with Eric McCrum (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Norman Nardini Alone Again #5 Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.normannardini.com)
Nate Myers Solo Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.natemyers.com)
Spyglass Rocks – Live Stream with DMC Duo (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(www.dmcduo.com)
The Stonewall Vessels Live from the Chameleon Club (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: www.thestonewallvessels.bandcamp.com)
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 9 p.m.)
SATURDAY 5/23:
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Jack and Barb Servello Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Triple A Blues Band Live Stream at Music Mart (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.tripleablues.com)
Sterling Koch & Freeway Jam Facebook Live (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.reverbnation.com/sterlingkochandfreewayjam)
State College Live presents 24-Hour Songwriting Competition w/Luke Cimbala, Caryn Dixon Jellen, Jazz Kat, Anchor & Arrow, Jason Adams, JT Blues and William Ryan (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Facebook Live with Kelly and Mark of Biscuit Jam (Facebook and YouTube, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.reverbnation.com/biscuitjam)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Quarantine Livestream #65 with Colt Wilbur (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.coltwilbur.com)
Sgt. Bob Fireside Live (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: www.sgtbob.rocks)
Chris and Dan Myers “Corona Daze Quarantunes” Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
Scott Blasey of The Clarks “Live in the Blasement” (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: www.scottblasey.com)
SUNDAY 5/24:
SUNDAY 5/24:
Clinton Clegg (The Commonheart) presents “Cleggs n’Eggs Revival Brunch” (Facebook, 12 noon)
(Website: www.thecommonheart.com)
Bill Toms “Excuses” Live Stream (Facebook, starts 2 p.m.)
(Website: www.billtoms.com)
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Quarantine Livestream #66 with Johnny 5 & the Flyin’ Helo’s (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: https://johnny5theflyinhelos.bandcamp.com/releases)
Tyler Calkins Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: www.marshmellowovercoat.com)
MONDAY 5/25:
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Quarantine Livestream #67 with Tyler Short (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: http://linktr.ee/tylershortofficial[/url])
TUESDAY 5/19:
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Jana Marie Foundation presents Mindful Drumming (Facebook, starts 3 p.m.)
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Chad Patterson Live on Facebook (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Robin & Bob Live Stream (Facebook)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Quarantine Livestream #68 with Dave McCullough (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.davemcculloughmusic.com)
Dany Vavrek Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
Scott Blasey of The Clarks Live Stream (Instagram, starts 8 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 5/20:
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Environmental Charter School Pittsburgh presents Facebook Live Interactive Drumming and Music Activities (Facebook, starts 3 p.m.)
(Website: www.ecspgh.org)
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
“Car-Tunes” with Charlie Barath Facebook Live Stream (Facebook, starts 6 p.m.)
(Website: www.reverbnation.com/charliebarath)
Hanna Barakat (with Lisa Fazenbaker) Live Stream (Facebook, starts 6 p.m.)
(Website: www.hannabarakat.com)
Screwdriver Sally’s Facebook Live Hump Day Happy Hour (Facebook, starts 6:30 p.m.)
Denise Baldwin Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.denisebaldwin.com)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Quarantine Livestream #69 with Sarah Fiore (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.isjband.com)
Tony Janflone Jr. Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7:30 p.m.)
(Website: www.tonyjanflonejr.com)
THURSDAY 5/28:
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Dave Distefano Live Stream (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Spyglass Rocks – Live Stream with Jason Carst (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Quarantine Livestream #70 with Lucille & the Wolf (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.lucilleandthewolf.com)
Blues Society of Central PA Virtual Blues Jam (starts 7 p.m. at www.bscpblues.com)
The Clarks Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: www.clarksonline.com)
Dany Vavrek Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
“ThursDave” with Dave Kelly (Facebook, starts 8 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.