This Weekend: The Heat of the Moment
I think sometimes organizations hesitate to plan things over holiday weekends. Yes, people have off work, but people also tend to go on vacation or visit relatives. Or sit on their deck and drink beer for three straight days. Obviously in this part of the planet, Independence Day weekend means American MusicFest. I think that the organizers do a lousy job of catering to a variety of demographics, but it's still a chance to listen to some music in Riverfront Park. I still maintain that there's no reason for there not to be an indie stage stocked with talent from Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York. Have the kids from Messiah book it during the school year. Ask XPN to help book it and let them sponsor it. Something. Heck, I'll book it next year. Anyway, here are some weekend suggestions.
American MusicFest kicks off at noon on Friday, and runs from noon to ten on Saturday and Sunday as well. ASIA (Oh man, her EYES ARE BURNING!) is headlining and they play at 6:30pm on Sunday. The band that I would be most interested in would probably be Virginia Coalition, which plays at 8:30pm on Friday night. Friday is also the second day of Carlisle Summerfair, but it’s the day that things really start to pick up. Friday night is the first concert in Mount Hope Estate and Winery’s July Backyard Barbeque Bash series. Shots McGee will be opening for the Green Onions. The Lititz Independence Day Parade steps off on Friday night as well. Meanwhile, the scalding lava hot Harrisburg City Islanders will be taking on Crystal Palace Baltimore. Top of the table baby. I absolutely loathe them, but duty forces me to admit that Aerosmith will be in Hershey as well. On the fireworks front, there will be a mini-display in Harrisburg and a full-fledged show in Carlisle.
Saturday there are way too many fireworks shows to mention them all. You’ll just have to look at the calendar yourself. People in the know claim that the annual Fourth of July Celebration in Lititz Springs Park is the oldest in the country. Hm. Interesting. There’s also a Fourth celebration at Hauser Estate Winery deep in the heart of Apple Country. There will be fireworks in Harrisburg for the second night in a row after the Harrisburg Senators game against Akron.
Sunday, MusicFest wraps up. Country music also tends to be under-represented at MusicFest, so if you need your fix, Julianne Hough & Jason Michael Carrol will be at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster. More Fireworks on Sunday too, so be sure to check the calendar.
Have fun kids.
2 comments so far. Sweet.
Actually, Asia is not headlining American Music Fest. Asia featuring John Payne. I know you may be confused, but this is indeed a different band than Asia. They currently have no overlapping members and a contractual agreement to each use Asia as part of their name.
Don't believe me? Each band has their own website with their own tour schedule. Asia --> http://originalasia.com/
Asia Featuring John Payne --> http://www.theasiaband.com/
Welcome to Harrisburg, where we are not even classy enough to get the real Asia.
John Payne was not an original member, but replaced one of the original members and played with them for years.
The city of Harrisburg could not afford to get the real Asia, so to have a decent headliner, they opted to get something reasonable in price (which is the respectful thing to do with the economy the way it is). Asia featuring John Payne sounded just like the original Asia. They put on a class act and also took the time for a meet and greet after the show. They were not egotistical at all and were something great to have headlining the Musicfest.