- Archives
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Play… Something Other Than Freebird!
Thursday, July 30, 2009 2:00PMThe fact that Lynyrd Skynyrd is still touring baffles me. Not too many bands have suffered through more adversity and few have had a lineup that changed half as much. Consider that Skynyrd has 21 former members. That's unbelievable. And it's not as if the majority of those former members just faded into obscurity. Some seriously bad things happened to a pretty good chunk of them. Obviously Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines were killed in the plane crash, but beyond that, consider the following:
–Allen Collins was paralyzed in a DUI accident that killed his girlfriend
–Artimus Pyle was convicted of sexually abusing his daughters.
–Leon Wilkenson died before turning 50 after suffering from chronic liver and lung disease.
–Hughie Thomasson died at 55 of a heart attack.
–Billie Powell died at 57 of a heart attack
–Ean Evans died at 49 of cancer.
And yet Lynyrd Skynyrd keeps trucking on. Why? Because people keep paying them to. If there's one thing we all should have learned about actors, athletes and rockers, it's that they'll work until no one will pay them to work. They'll be playing with Kid Rock at Hersheypark Stadium Friday night, and you never know, if you're close enough to the stage you might get drafted into the band! If that doesn't sound particularly appealing, here are some other suggestions for this weekend: Full Article » -
Spotobe Top 10: July 29
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 1:00PMLititz Rotary Craft Show: August 8 at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz.
Historic Canoe Trip: August 1 at Wildwood Park, Harrisburg.
Fort Hunter Jazz Festival: September 12 & 13 at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg.
Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show: August 15 & 16 in Downtown Mount Gretna.
Little Buffalo Festival: October 3 at Little Buffalo State Park, Juniata.
Menopause the Musical: August 5–9 at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg.
Sensor This!: August 15–29 at the ArtHouse Lounge, Harrisburg.
Fort Hunter Day: September 20 at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg.
Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking: June 11–September 13 at the Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg.
6th Annual Pig Iron Fest: September 27 at Chickies Rock Park, Marietta. Full Article » -
Saturday Afternoon at Hershey Gardens
Monday, July 27, 2009 9:22AM
One of the crummy things about living in an apartment is a lack of outdoor space. Saturday was a hot one, but summer is supposed to be hot, and sitting inside just wasn't an option. So Meg and I took a trip to Hershey Gardens and spent two very enjoyable hours walking the grounds. Full Article » -
This Weekend: We’ll Make the Best of What’s Around
Thursday, July 23, 2009 1:30PM
I was all set to write something about the Dave Matthews Band — who will be playing their usual summer concert in Hershey Friday night — for this week's Thursday post. I was going to say that though I don't really listen to their music anymore, it's stupid for people to be down on them just because they have some annoying fans. Then I realized I did that last year. Man I'm becoming predictable. Anyway, I haven't even bought DMB's new album, but there was a time when their music really meant a lot to me. I guarantee you that anyone that goes to the concert will have a great time. Well, everyone except for the kids that get caught smoking up in the parking lot or drinking underage. Bad times. If dancing maniacally to "Two Step" or giddily filling in the "Whoo!" in "Warehouse" isn't your brand of light beer, here are some other suggestions. Full Article » -
Spotobe Top 10: July 22
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:00AM1. Lititz Rotary Craft Show: August 8 at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz
2. Dauphin County Jazz Festival: September 12 & 13 at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg
3. Shippensburg Community Fair: July 20–25 at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds
4. Lititz Springs Outdoor Art Show: July 25 at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz
5. Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show: August 15 & 16 in Mount Gretna
6. Sunset Performing Arts Series: Red Molly: July 26 at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg
7. Long's Park Summer Music Series: Los Lobos: July 26 in Long's Park, Lancaster
8. Ben & Tim Day: August 29 at Hershey High School, Hershey
9. Jazz on the Veranda: Fretwork: July 24 at the Hotel Hershey, Hershey
10. Carolina Liar: July 30 at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center, York Full Article » -
Sensor This! Erotic Art Exhibition Coming to Harrisburg
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:00AM
The Susquehanna Art Museum is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition called Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking. It's not the kind of exhibition usually showing in Harrisburg. In an area where a significant portion of the population still looks at sleeve tattoos and eyebrow piercings with distrust and suspicion, the exhibit delves into the world of tattoos, piercing and scarification. It's good to see the arts community in Central Pennsylvania embrace work that challenges perceptions and showcases something new. That's the goal of ArtHouse Lounge curator Jason Piper, and if nothing else, his gallery's upcoming exhibition entitled Censor This! will push the envelope a hell of a lot further. Opening August 15 and running through August 29, the exhibition will feature the erotic photography of acclaimed artist Michael Barone. Full Article » -
This Weekend: Violin Gods and Rock Frauds
Thursday, July 16, 2009 12:05PMIn State College, the weekend starts on Thursday night. In fact, Thursday night was my favorite night to go out in Happy Valley. To be fair, the three day weekend isn't a Penn State phenomenon, it's a college phenomenon. I miss it. That's why this week, we're starting the weekend on Thursday. There are two very cool things happening in the Midstate on Thursday night which warrant (Warrant! Chameleon Club! Next Tuesday!) mention. We talked about the Joshua Bell concert at Shippensburg earlier this week, but the Harrisburg City Islanders will be taking on Crystal Palace London on Thursday night at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster. It will be interesting to see how our Isles stack up against a tradition-rich English side. If you're not down with all this three-day weekend noise, here are some suggestions for the weekend proper: Full Article »
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Spotobe Top 10: July 15
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:00AM1. Lititz Rotary Craft Show: August 8 at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz
2. Fort Halifax MusicFest: July 18 at Fort Halifax, Halifax
3. Summer in Paradise Concert: July 18 at Mount Hope Estate & Winery, Manheim
4. Italian Lake Concert Series: Greater Harrisburg Concert Band: July 19 at Italian Lake Park, Harrisburg
5. Historic Canoe Trip: August 1 at Wildwood Park, Harrisburg
6. Lititz Springs Outdoor Art Show: July 25 at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz
7. Shippensburg Community Fair: July 20–25 at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds
8. Church Basement Ladies: July 29–August 2 at the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg
9. PrideFest of Central Pennsylvania: July 24–26 in Riverfront Park, Harrisburg
10. Sunset Performing Arts Series: Red Molly in Concert: July 26 at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park Full Article » -
Joshua Bell at Shippensburg
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 11:00AM
Joshua Bell once participated in a social experiment that proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that art — and maybe even beauty — is partially dependent on context. If you aren't familiar with Bell, consider this your context. In the 18 months that Spotobe has been in existence, his concert at Shippensburg University this Thursday is one of the most impressive events we've ever had on the calendar. Shippensburg is lucky to have him. Central Pennsylvania is lucky to have him. It's not very often that arguably the world's greatest violinist comes to the area. Full Article » -
Champs-Élysées West
Monday, July 13, 2009 10:47AM
In Europe, the combination of rich food, a bottle of wine or two and a bike ride is perfectly acceptable. Throw in a pack of Gauloises and you have le lundi soir in France (There's a good chance that's not right. I barely know any Spanish anymore let alone French). Tomorrow is Bastille Day, so if you're looking for an excuse to celebrate, hop on your bike and pedal to Camp Hill, where Confit French Bistro is having a Bring Your Own Bike party.
Bastille Day (French Independence Day) always falls on July 14. The Tour de France – which is currently underway – overlaps the festivities, so Confit is celebrating both at once. After rolling around Camp Hill, guests can order kabobs (how... completely un-French) and crepes (that's better) a la carte while enjoying coverage of Lance Armstrong's comeback tour. It would also be an excellent time to try Confit's new summer menu.
I love Confit and haven't yet made it out to try the new menu, so if you go, report back for us. In addition to taking your own bike, you'll need to take your own bottle. Hang the wine bag over your handlebars. Magnifique! Full Article »
