Best of the Fests: Jazz, Pipes and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Pipes–The Nittany Highland Pipe Band
One of the only pipe and drum bands in Central Pennsylvania hits the stage on Old Main Lawn today (Thursday) at 4:30. The Nittany Highland Pipe Band, which has been an area fixture since the 70s, draws a lot of its players from Centre County. If you can’t make it, check out the band’s weekly practice Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the United Methodist Church in Pleasant Gap. And if you always wondered how you’d look in a kilt, the band is actually recruiting (no prior musical experience is needed–the band will teach you for free!)
Where to tune in: Thursday, July 9th at 4:30 at the stage on Old Main Lawn
Rock ‘n Roll–Trixie Neptune
If it feels like the State College music scene refuses to acknowledge life before 1985, you need a little Trixie Neptune in your life. Trixie, a five-piece rock band based in State College, took root in the early 80s when guitarist Steve Christensen and keyboardist Liz Jones played together as undergrads at PSU. (Apparently, “SkidRow” stole their name.)
Trixie Neptune will play Friday, July 10th from 9:30pm to 10:30pm at the Central Parklet Stage
Trixie plays rock, jazz and progressive, moving from the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” to the jazz chord progressions of Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne” and ending with a soaring rendition of a Yes song. With the “coolest guitar sounds this side of Mars” and an energetic lead singer displaying a background in folk, jazz and theatre, Trixie’s sound is a true amalgamation of its bandmates: smart, fun and highly entertaining.
The Band
Jenn Henry - Vocals, percussion
Steve Christensen - Guitar, vocals
Liz Jones - Keyboards, vocals
Dave Skipper - Bass, vocals
Dom Peruso - Drums
Where to tune in: Friday, July 10th from 9:30pm to 10:30pm at the Central Parklet Stage, Free.
Rock and Roll–Limpid Green
For your classic rock fix, come out and show your support for Limpid Green, the closest you’ll get to Woodstock in Happy Valley. The preternaturally talented teenage band, which includes a few Trixie offspring, features State College High students Sam Christensen on vocals, Will Jones on drums, K.C. Hirth on bass, and Brian Douthit on guitar. They’re also at Sozo (next to Canyon Pizza downtown) on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
Where to tune in: Friday, July 10th, 4-5 p.m., Central Parklet Stage, free
Jazz–Ronnie Burrage’s Blue Noise
One detail about Ronnie Burrage will compel you to check out his music: Duke Ellington handpicked him to play with him when Burrage was just 9. (When Ellington’s orchestra visited Burrage’s hometown, Ellington’s nephew fell ill and needed to be temporarily replaced. Burrage, along with 100 other children, auditioned and won.) Burrage classifies his tunes as “world music” and draws on travels and performances in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Africa, China, Japan, Brazil, Peru, and across Europe. In addition to performing, he teaches the “Worlds Closer” class through Penn State’s integrated arts department and is working on bringing his own line of meatless chili to the masses. For more info on Burrage, check out a profile in Town and Gown, written by Homegrown’s co-founder, Michele Marchetti.
Where to tune in: Friday, July 10th, 8:30, Shell
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 1:51 pm and is filed under 2009 Arts Festivals, Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
