Here is a listing of Pennsylvania live music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, July 24 through Thursday, July 30.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19/coronavirus situation, many live music venues across the state are 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 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 the public shows happening this weekend is the Mansion Mania Rockfest, taking place Saturday afternoon at Altoona’s Baker Mansion. A fundraiser for the Mansion, the event will feature performances from longtime classic-rocking area favorites Half Tempted, as well as rising new area rock name Challenger Deep. The music begins at 1 p.m. Admission is $15 per person or $25 per two people, which includes the music and a meal ticket. (Children under 10 are admitted free.) A cash-only beer tent will be available. Social distancing and face masks are encouraged.
Originally, the area rock bands Maul and Black Sun were scheduled to perform at McGarvey’s on Friday night. But after the recent tougher PLCB restrictions imposed against bars and restaurants forced this public performance to be cancelled, the two bands and other area musicians decided to proceed with the show as an online event instead, streamed from both bands’ home base on Friday evening. The musicians are donating all proceeds of this event to help out McGarvey’s, which like many other live music venues, is enduring financial hardship due to the restrictions. The event will stream on Facebook beginning at 8 p.m., and a virtual tip jar through Venmo will be available for donations.
FRIDAY 7/24:
PUBLIC SHOW: Dylan Miller at Huntingdon Country Club, Huntingdon (“Fun Friday Cook Outs,” starts 5 p.m., social membership $25/person)
PUBLIC SHOW: Onyx at Penn Eben Park, Ebensburg (“Concert in the Park,” starts 6 p.m.)
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Dave Distefano Live @ 3:10 (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
“Raise Your Glass to Rich for His Years of Support ‘Telethon'” live stream with Maul and Black Sun plus guests (starts 8 p.m., all proceeds support Rich McGarvey of McGarvey’s Bar to keep live music happening in the Altoona area)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Suicide Prevention Fundraiser with Brandon Reece (Emily’s Toybox) Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m., donations benefit American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
(Website: www.marshallstonemusic.com)
SATURDAY 7/25:
PUBLIC SHOW: Mansion Mania Rockfest at Baker Mansion, Altoona; featuring Half Tempted and Challenger Deep (starts 1 p.m., admission $15/person or $25/two people, includes admission and meal ticket)
PUBLIC SHOW: The Boomers at C2 Trolley House (Lakemont Park), Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Undercover at Nanty Glo Fire Department, Nanty Glo (“Coal Town Mid Summer Blast,” starts 9 p.m.)
Star 69 Live Stream Show (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Shea Quinn live stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: www.theluvgods.com)
SUNDAY 7/26:
Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Bobby Battaglia live stream (Facebook, starts 8 p.m.)
(Website: http://thejacksmusic.wordpress.com)
MONDAY 7/27:
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Dave Distefano Live @ 3:10 (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
TUESDAY 7/28:
Dave Distefano Live @ 3:10 (Facebook, starts 3:10 p.m.)
Chad Patterson Live on Facebook (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 7/29:
PUBLIC SHOW: “Music in the Park” with Acoustic Stew at Carrolltown American Legion Park, Carrolltown (starts 6:30 p.m., fundraiser for Carrolltown Public Library)
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause Live Stream (Facebook, starts 8 a.m.)
Dave Distefano Live @ 3:10 (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)
Tony Janflone Jr. Woodshed Wednesdays Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7:30 p.m.)
(Website: www.tonyjanflonejr.com)
THURSDAY 7/30:
PUBLIC SHOW: Stephanie & Bob Onkst (Stephanie & the Wild Hearts) acoustic at C2 Trolley House (Lakemont Park), Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Dave Distefano Live @ 3:10 (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.)
Blues Society of Central PA Virtual Blues Jam (starts 7 p.m. at www.bscpblues.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.