The best of the region's performing artists will take center stage on Sunday when the 2016 Lehigh Valley Music Awards honor musicians for their outstanding contribution to the local music scene. Folk musician Dave Fry and Polka legend "Jolly" Joe Timmer are recipients of lifetime achievement awards, while Gary U.S. Bonds receives the lifetime recognition award.
The awards ceremony will be held 4 p.m. in the Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Fry, of Bethlehem, began performing folk music as a student at Lehigh University in the early 70s. In 1976, he co-founded Godfrey Daniels, the 100-seat coffeehouse and listening club on Bethlehem’s South Side which attracts international folk artists. Fry performs at folk clubs and music festivals and also in schools as a teaching artist with "RockRoots, The History of American Rock and Roll." His music spans four generations with his family concerts and recordings. He also has been a folk music radio programmer.
Timmer, who passed away in July 2015, is recognized by local media as the "grandfather of polka," having been in the business for more than 60 years. He and his orchestra were regulars at almost every Musikfest in Bethlehem since 1984. He was a member of the International Polka Association's Polka Hall of Fame and owner of WGPA Sunny 1100 AM and Jolly Joe Timmer's Grove near Bath, Northampton County. LVMA will be presenting the award to his wife, Dorothy, and members of his band.
Bonds is best known for his classic hits, "New Orleans" and "Quarter to Three." Born Gary Anderson, his first hit, "New Orleans," captured the attention of record producer Frank Guida, who sent promotional copies to radio stations in sleeves inscribed "Buy U.S. Bonds." He hoped disc jockeys would mistake the record for a public service announcement and give it extra airplay. The followup was the now-legendary 'party' record, "Quarter to Three." His worldwide performances were said to raise his status so high that on a 1963 tour of Europe, he headlined above a group of relative newcomers, The Beatles. Bonds’ work as a songwriter garnered him a nomination for Country Music Association's "Songwriter of the Year" in 1972.
Local musicians being honored with 20-year veteran awards are eight-time Grammy nominee Frank DiBussolo, The Blue Tarp Wranglers bassist Nick Franclik, The ColourSound lead singer Doug Batt and guitarist Sean Hieter, James Supra Blues Band drummer Allen Wanamaker and guitarist, and The Lesson Center owner Jeff Roberts.
The Lesson Center, School of Rock, and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts will receive Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association (GLVMA) board of directors awards for their longtime dedication to providing musical opportunities and education for area young people.
Special recognition awards will go to LUCKY 7, Brosky & Meyer Duo, and DJ Menace.
Parkland High School's Christina Colanduoni, Southern Lehigh High School's Luke Simons and Wilson Area High School's Leah Kun are recipients of LVMA youth education scholarships, as presented by Parkland music teacher and 2015 Music Educator of the Year Grammy nominee Debra Reilly.
For further info: lehighvalleymusicawards.org
ARTS ROUNDUP
March and April is major time for the 29 local high schools participating in the 2016 Freddy Awards program, as students offer their very best while being evaluated in the categories of production and performance regarding their school musicals.
Tonight is opening night for many of these schools. Be sure to show your support by attending some of the performances in the coming weeks, then tune in to the three-hour, live Freddy Awards ceremony on 69-WFMZ-TV and WFMZ.com beginning at 7 p.m. May 26 at the State Theatre in Easton. The talent you'll witness is sure to be the topic of conversation in our communities in the days to follow.
For further info: freddyawards.org
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The message of hope and healing through art will resonate in local hospital rooms, thanks to the creative offerings of high school and college students participating in the "Hope & Healing Juried Art Show" at The Baum School of Art in Allentown.
Two-dimensional, original art will be promoting hope and healing by communicating a message of peace, calm, comfort and inspiration.
The art will be on exhibit beginning Monday through March 30, when a reception, silent auction, and awards ceremony will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit Healing Through Art.
For further info: htta.org/art-show baumschool.org
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Paul Harryn has been named artist-in-residence for the 2016 Allentown JazzFest, April 29-May 8. The artist is recognized internationally for his provocative contemporary art for more than four decades with exhibitions and commissions. His exhibit, "Essence of Nature," was held at the Allentown Art Museum in 2014.
According to Bryan Tuk, executive director and CEO of Allentown Jazz Fest, "The fact that improvisation plays such a key role in Harryn’s creative process made Paul a natural choice for the development of the festival’s art."
The official poster for Allentown JazzFest will be revealed tonight at 6 at the museum. Music will be provided by the Eric Mintel Quartet.
For further info: allentownjazzfest.org
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Pianist Joyce Yang is the featured artist appearing with the Reading Symphony Orchestra (RSO) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at the Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading. The program, "Mozart & Mendelssohn," will be conducted by Andrew Constantine.
Yang, a Van Cliburn International silver medalist and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, is making her RSO debut as she performs Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor." The program also features Prokofiev's "Symphony No. 1" and Mendelssohn's "Symphony No. 5," often referred to as the "Reformation" symphony, for its tribute to Martin Luther.
The program also includes a performance by the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra. with music director Peter Brye.
The concert is Music Educators Appreciation Night, honoring the work of public school music educators throughout Berks County. A post-concert meet-and-greet reception with Joyce Yang, Andrew Constantine and members of RSO will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel on Penn Street in center city. Patrons must show concert ticket at the door.
Yang will host a discussion following a showing of "Virtuosity," the documentary depicting the 2013 Van Cliburn Competition, on Friday at 2 p.m., at the Francis Hall Theatre and Recital Hall at Alvernia University in Reading. A Master Class for select students from the Berks County area will be held Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Santander Performing Arts Center. The event is open to the public.
For further info: readingsymphony.org
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Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra's principal clarinetist Terry Guidetti performs works of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart along with the Sinfonia on Sunday at 4 p.m., at Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 W. Hamilton St., Allentown. Music conductor is Allan Birney.
Themed "An Afternoon with Mozart," the concert showcases three varied works: "Symphony No. 33 in B Flat, K. 319," "Divertimento in D, K. 136," and "Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622."
In addition to the Sinfonia, Guidetti has served as principal clarinetist for major opera companies and symphonies. He was conductor of the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra for 11 years and also taught conducting and clarinet. He is an active recitalist and is founder of the chamber music organization, Tutti!
For further info: PASinfonia.org
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If pink is your color, you'll enjoy "PINKALICIOUS THE MUSICAL" on Sunday with two performances – 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – at the State Theatre in Easton. The one-hour production, presented by the Vital Theatre Company, is based on the popular children's book, "Pinkalicious," by sisters Elizabeth Kann and Victoria Kann.
Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. She lands in the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. When her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament.
For further info: statetheatre.org
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"STOMP," the international award-winning percussion sensation, returns to the Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem on March 10 at 7:30 p.m.
In conjunction with the performance, a free Curtain Warmers lobby show will be held at 6:30 p.m., featuring Found Sound Rhythm Circle facilitated by drum instructor and musician Maureen "Moe" Jerant.
This year, "STOMP" incorporates two new pieces in its production as its performers make a rhythm from whatever they can get their hands on that makes a sound, as described by cofounder/director Luke Cresswell. It's a unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy. Both household and industrial objects find new life as musical instruments in the hands of an idiosyncratic band of body percussionists.
For further info: zoellnerartscenter.org
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The Berks Opera Company continues its "Unleashing Your Inner Opera Fan" series, in partnership with R/C Reading Movies 11 and IMAX, as it introduces Met Live HD Broadcasts with informative multimedia presentations by David Richie at a Berks location (to be announced at registration). Guest artist is Graham Bier with pianist Caleb Flick on Friday at 7 p.m. Bier is a member of the ensemble, Les Canards Chantants, or the Singing Ducks.
The featured opera broadcast is Puccini's "Manon Lescaut." Richie's presentation is titled "His Momma Done Told Him About Girls Like Her."
For further info: berksopera.org
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"Clams Casino," a vino/casino murder mystery event, will take place Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and again March 12 and 19, at the Ridgewood Winery, 2039 Philadelphia Ave., Cumru Township, Berks County. The vintage event, circa 1960, mirrors the rule of the Rat Pack. The annual mobster convention is in place with attendees including mob bosses and their mistresses for the latest crime family news. All this follows the untimely murder of Don Gobbo Gratiano as his son-in-law, Clams, takes over Gobbo's Gambling Gazebo.
The event is presented by Fecho Productions and sponsored by Ridgewood Winery and Genesius Theatre of Reading.
For further info: genesiusdifference.org
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SATORI performs "Music in the Old Chapel – Chamber Music with Guitar" on March 11 at 7:30 p.m., at Central Moravian Church, Old Chapel, 44 W. Church St., Bethlehem.
The program will include music of Carulli, Giuliani, Richard Zarou, Quantz, and Stephen Foster, ranging from Baroque to contemporary.
Tickets are available at the door only.
For further info: 610-435-6036
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The finals of the 20th annual Schadt String Competition in Cello will be held Sunday at 2 p.m., at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. The competition is the annual national solo string competition of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra (ASO) which began in 1997 following a bequest to the Allentown Symphony Association from Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt. It alternates annually between violin, cello and classical guitar.
First place is $8,000, a solo performance with the ASO, outreach activities, and possible recitals. Second place is $2,500; third place is $1,500.
For further info: millersymphonyhall.org
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