Archive for the ‘Music & Theater’ Category
Celebration Johnstown!
Published Monday, December 28th, 2009
As the first decade of the new millennium draws to a close, it is with the return of a Johnstown, PA tradition—the family-friendly New Year’s Eve bash known as “Celebration Johnstown!”. Stationed at multiple venues in downtown Johnstown, the event provides an alcohol-free environment from which to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
From 6:00PM to 10:00PM this New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2009) revelers will be treated to free entertainment, festive surroundings, and food and refreshments from several downtown churches and the Cambria County Library.
Johnstown Concert Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”
Published Sunday, November 29th, 2009
When the Christmas season is ushered into Johnstown, PA, it is met with the dance and pageantry that can only come from the Johnstown Concert Ballet. This Friday and Saturday (December 4th and 5th, 2009) the city’s own ballet company will stage the annual production of the holiday favorite, Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center (click here for a map).
The performance includes a troupe of well over 100 performers, as well as a small army of volunteers—most of which are found right in the Johnstown area. As the premier production on the Johnstown Concert Ballet’s calendar, this event features the most dedicated dancers in our region. “The production company is comprised of our most talented students”, says Carla Prucnal, Artistic Director. “The average length of training for these dancers is 10-15 years, and many of these dancers go on to professional performance careers.”
Satori Gallery
Published Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
An underlying goal of any gallery is to inspire—a new thought; a fresh perspective; a unique idea. At Satori Gallery in Johnstown, PA, founder Dave DiStefano takes this noble challenge to new heights by focusing on providing inspiration to the very creators of art.
The gallery, located at 155 Village Street in Johnstown’s Moxham neighborhood (click here for a map), is a core part of the city’s cultural scene. The facility houses changing collections of artwork by artists with a common thread—all works displayed are by Johnstown-area artists. “There are other places in town where people can see artwork from across the world,” says Mr. DiStefano. “I wanted to create a place for Johnstown artists to show their work; to give them an audience and to show that we really value what they do.”
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra
Published Thursday, September 17th, 2009
Just as a civilization can be defined by its arts, so can Johnstown, PA be defined by the cultural opportunities abundant in this region. Key among these offerings is the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, a full instrumental ensemble comprised of nearly 80 musicians from all across Western Pennsylvania.
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s annual concert series consists of seven concerts between the months of October and May, with additional performances each year including an annual fundraising Opera Festival, a Mother’s Day concert, a Young Peoples Concert aimed towards the area’s 5th Grade students, and several choral concerts. For this year’s complete schedule, visit the concert schedule page on the JSO Web site.
Cambria City Ethnic Festival
Published Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Labor Day weekend is always a big deal in the city of Johnstown, PA. While no one wants to wish the summer away, it’s impossible to ignore the anticipation of this Holiday weekend’s activities. The excitement is due in large part to the annual Cambria City Ethnic Festival, a family-oriented festival that fills the West End with people in search of live musical performances, top-of-the-line food and an atmosphere that is the very definition of ‘community’.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Ethnic Festival continues to delight residents of and visitors to the Johnstown-area by providing traditional ethnic food prepared by local churches and free concerts by a wide-range of bands. “There will be copious amounts of food,” says Paul Kushner, Festival Committee Chairman for Holy Cross Lutheran Church, one of the participating churches.
709 Railroad Street
Published Saturday, August 29th, 2009
Photograph courtesy of Shawn Schmalz
709 Railroad Street is both the name and location of one of Johnstown, PA’s most unique entertainment venues. Located on the edge of downtown Johnstown, the establishment is part music club, part art gallery, part community gathering area.
The mainstay of the facility is live music performances, featuring original music from artists in the Punk, Indie, Hardcore and, occasionally, Metal genres. Averaging a show each week, the location draws acts from near and far.
AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival
Published Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Cambria County’s largest music festival, always a highlight of the summer calendar, is set to fill the streets of Johnstown, PA with performers and music lovers from near and far. The AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival is a weekend-long event that begins Friday, August 21th at 7:00 PM and stages over 30 performances on three stages for the next three days.
The popular festival has long since made a name for itself as a means to see performances by a wide variety of musicians, with a range of styles including Folk, Blues, Jazz, Zydeco, Latin, Gospel, Post-Punk and so much more. “We’re really excited about the level of talent the festival draws,” says Shelley Johansson, Directory of Marketing and Communication for the Johnstown Area Heritage Association. “We have such a strong list of performances, from national acts to regional favorites. It’s a really diverse lineup.”
Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival
Published Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
The annual Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival, traditionally an event marking the region’s transition from summer to fall, has been moved up to the summer months and is taking place on Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th. Now in its sixth year, the festival provides the Johnstown region a chance to enjoy quality live bluegrass performances in a cozy, wooded setting.
Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor”
Published Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Photograph courtesy of Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company
The tradition of live Shakespeare performances in the outdoor setting of Johnstown’s Stackhouse Park continues with the Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company’s presentation of “The Merry Wives of Windsor”.
The comedic play features the conniving (and legendary Shakespearean character) Sir John Falstaff as a man determined to woo (and subsequently swindle) two wealthy married women. Hilarity ensues when the mistresses discover Falstaff’s intentions and decide to entertain themselves with a bit of revenge.
Johnstown Film & Wine Festival
Published Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Johnstown’s annual Film & Wine Festival is upon us, giving up-and-coming filmmakers a chance to present their movies to public audiences and offering the Johnstown area a unique entertainment opportunity.
The four-day event will feature the screening of 35 films, each less than 30 minutes in duration and selected from the 50+ entries in this year’s competition. The festival pairs cinema with wine by offering each adult ticket holder tastings from an assortment of wines. Additional refreshments available include wine by the glass, beer, soft drinks, popcorn and other light fare.
