On Stage: Olivia Chaney, Michael Franti in solo spotlight

Start of June means multitude of live music choices By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Olivia Chaney headlines at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia Friday night, kicking off a very busy busy music weekend in the area. If your music listening tendencies lean in the direction of solo artists — guitarists, singers, keyboard players, songwriters — then you have a lot of potential destinations...

Art Watch: Summer takes wing

Warmer weather embraces themes of flight, bicycles and garden parties By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times With Summer art themes of bicycles, planes, and garden parties, this Summer is shaping up to be quite idyllic.  Mala Galleria‘s June Exhibit gives back 10% of the sales proceeds to the Urban Bike Project which supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycles as a healthy,...

Art Watch: Steeling the town in Kennett Sq.

Busy spring art scene continues into June with showings and events By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times Any casual strollers through Kennett Square in the past weeks would have been stopped in their tracks at the new public art sign for Philter coffee house in downtown Kennett Square across from Talula’s Table.  It is a stunningly beautiful combination of welded and forged steel, which combines...

On Stage: Steven Wilson’s music tells a story

Great Valley grad Kevin Manning celebrates new EP release By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times British progressive rock star Steven Wilson has a wide range of accomplishments. Wilson, who plays two area shows this weekend, has a new album that tells a story of isolation and loss. In the rock music world — especially the world of prog rock — Steven Wilson is like a Renaissance Man....

On Stage: Lion King roars into Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Lion King is back in Philadelphia now through June 14 at the Academy of Music. Many touring Broadway shows make frequent return visits to Philadelphia but the hit musical “The Lion King” is not one of them. The show made its area debut in 2006 at the Academy of Music and then didn’t come back again until 2010. Now, after another wait of just over...

On Stage: David Torn, the best guitar player you’ve never heard of

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times David Torn, who performs on May 14 at Philadelphia Art Alliance, might just be the best, least-known guitar player in the world, if not the most versatile. There is a huge array of genres in popular music today and, within each of those genres are many excellent guitarists. There are rock greats such as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks. There are jazz...

On Stage: Shen Yun brings Chinese culture to area

Also. Mother/Daughter duo performs, punk poetry and more By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Shen Yun Performing Arts opens a three-run at the Merriam Theater, Friday. When people see the annual touring production by Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time, they usually exit the theater with awe-struck looks on their faces. Invariably, they return to see the show the following year —...

On Stage: Put on your ‘Kinky Boots’

Also: Metal in Chinatown, young local artists at The Flash By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Nothing says Spring like shiny, stiletto boots, okay maybe not, but the national touring company of the tony-Award winning Kinky Boots hits Philadelphia this week. With the arrival of warmer temperatures, many people are thinking that it’s time for sandals. Fans of musical theater, on the other...

On Stage: A tribute to a legend

Also: shows at small area venues dominate weekend’s music scene By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Over the next few weeks, a Delaware theater veteran will be providing audiences with an up-close look at an entertainment legend — with a lifesaving foundation as the beneficiary. What’s not to like about this? Under the guidance of Greer Firestone, the Delaware-based production of...

Art Watch: Party down with art events

Art Parties! The Annual Chester County Art Association Invitational and the 42nd Annual Yellow Springs Art Show By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times Two important art events open on the same night this week, Friday April 24th, so you will probably have to make a choice to go to either the Chester County Art Association Invitational dance party in West Chester, or the opening Gala for the Yellow Spring...