Here is a listing of area live music and online music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, February 25 through Thursday, March 3.
Among this weekend’s live music highlights is Saturday night’s arrival of renowned hard-rockers Skid Row onto the stage of Altoona’s historic Mishler Theatre. Formed in New Jersey by bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo in 1986, Skid Row quickly emerged into one of the most prominent rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s, signing with Atlantic Records and achieving chart success with their first two albums and several hit singles. Those two albums – 1989’s self-titled “Skid Row” and the 1991 follow-up “Slave to the Grind” – both achieved multi-platinum album sales, with “Slave to the Grind” topping the Billboard 200 album chart. The group’s singles “18 and Life” and “I Remember You” became Top 10 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Skid Row became a touring force – many longtime area rock fans still remember when the group opened for Bon Jovi at Johnstown’s Point Stadium in 1989, including a confrontation between the group’s then-lead singer Sebastian Bach and Johnstown police.
Bach left Skid Row in 1996, and the group separated shortly after to pursue other projects. They re-formed three years later with a new singer, Johnny Solinger, and new drummer Phil Varone. The group parted ways with Solinger in 2015 (he passed away in 2021 after revealing he was suffering from liver failure), and briefly worked with former TNT singer Tony Harnell; former DragonForce singer ZP Theart has fronted the group since 2017. Skid Row has soldiered on since, releasing subsequent albums, including the “United World Rebellion” trilogy.
The Skid Row roster hitting the stage on Saturday includes Bolan and both original guitarists, Sabo and Scotti Hill, plus ZP Theart on vocals and drummer Rob Hammersmith, who joined the group in 2010. Expect to hear the group’s popular early favorites, as well as material from their recent albums. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., and a few tickets are still available. For ticket information, call (814) 944-9434 or go online at: https://mishlertheatre.vbotickets.com/events
Also happening this weekend are two events showcasing up-and-coming local musical talent. JOOS in downtown Altoona will host “The Clearing” Music & Arts Showcase, which will spotlight solo performers Braden McDannell, Nik Mik, Ang Michaelle, Vehement, Mikey Ettinger and Shane Nycum. The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday evening, and food and refreshments from JOOS and JJ Hadley’s will be available.
The ArtsAltoona Center will host another edition of its “Bands in the Basement” series on Saturday evening. This all-ages show will feature performances from Nik Mik, Mike Reese, The Pines, Skyline Drive, Ma’am and Abstentious. The music begins at 5 p.m. Admission is $15, and snacks, soda and water will be available for purchase. No alcohol or outside drinks will be permitted.
And the Olde Bedford Brewing Co. near downtown Bedford will host two intriguing and insightful singers and songwriters on Saturday evening. Roaring Spring-based songsmith Nate Gates and Robert A. Wagner – founding and longtime member of influential Pittsburgh folk-punk pioneers The Little Wretches – will take the stage to share their song creations and stories. That show will begin at 6 p.m.
Browse the listing below to find out who is performing on area stages during the next seven days. And SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
(Listings in chronological order by event start time)
FRIDAY 2/25:
The Good Guys at Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Johnstown (starts 5:30 p.m.)
“Last Friday” with Justin Giuffre & the Pilgrimage at Ethnic Social Club (Heritage Discovery Center), Johnstown (starts 5:30 p.m.)
“The Clearing” Music & Arts Showcase with Braden McDannell, Nik Mik, Ang Michaelle, Vehement, Mikey Ettinger and Shane Nycum at JOOS, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Brother Jack’s Lost Cause at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Bedford Community Drum Circle at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
The River Band at Stone Town Tavern, Huntingdon (starts 6 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at Happy Valley Vineyard, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
The Evergreens at Craft, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Matt Wagner at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Anchor & Arrow at A’s Pub (McLanahan’s), State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Noah, Veronica & Erek at Phyrst, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
2nd Street at Woody Lodge Winery, Ashville (starts 7 p.m.)
Freedom Rocks at Gallitzin American Legion, Gallitzin (starts 7 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Jeff Webb at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
The Boomers at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Gas Station Sushi at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
White Shadow at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Dumm at Muddy Run Tavern, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
Tusk (Fleetwood Mac tribute) at State Theatre, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
“Mashup Night 2” with Dany Vavrek, Jason Riek and Mike Prebehalla at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
TV Blonde at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Bellwood Eagles, Bellwood (starts 9 p.m.)
K4 Kountry at Duncansville VFW, Duncansville (starts 9 p.m.)
Chris Lee at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
Lee Miller Experience at Hastings VFW, Hastings (starts 9 p.m.)
Giants Of Science at Patton American Legion, Patton (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at The Freight Station, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
The Cheez at Southmont Gardens, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Krazy Kat Daddies at Slovak Educational Club, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
Fail at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
Drive By Magic Show with Missy Spinelli at Windber Hotel, Windber (“Yappy Hour” in memory of Cathy Klucik, music starts 10 p.m., proceeds benefit Humane Society of Somerset County)
SATURDAY 2/26:
Zac Grace at People’s Natural Gas Field, Altoona (Curvefest, starts 10 a.m.)
Southbound (acoustic) at Gigi’s Southern Table, State College (starts 12 noon)
Anchor & Arrow at Cafe 210, State College (starts 1 p.m.)
Anchor & Arrow at Edge’s Pub, Tussey Mountain Ski Resort (starts 4 p.m.)
“Bands in the Basement” with Nik Mik, Mike Reese, The Pines, Skyline Drive, Ma’am and Abstentious at ArtsAltoona Center (all ages, starts 5 p.m.)
“Johnstown Mardi Gras Gala” with Jazz In Your Face at Asiago’s Tuscan Italian, Johnstown (starts 5 p.m.)
Rue Moyer at Iron Pint Brewing Co., Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Devin Sherman at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Nate Gates and Robert A. Wagner (The Little Wretches) at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Pure Cane Sugar Girls at Angelo’s Pizzeria, Boalsburg (starts 6 p.m.)
Darrell Dumm at New Germany Grove Hall, New Germany (starts 6 p.m.)
Jay Vonada (jazz) at Philipsburg Elks Country Club, Philipsburg (starts 6:30 p.m.)
Buster Krow at Altoona Grand Hotel (Grouse’s Nest), Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Matt Pletcher & the PDX at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (Fasching/German Mardi Gras, music starts 7 p.m.)
Greg Burley at U.S. Hotel, Hollidaysburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Eric Delozier at Blue Knob Clubhouse, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort (starts 7 p.m.)
Patrick Kelly at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Sounds Of Grass at Bedford Moose, Bedford (starts 7 p.m.)
Andy Tolins & Richard Sleigh at Chumley’s, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Ian Jeffreys at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Freedom Rocks at Turner Hall, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Skid Row at Mishler Theatre, Altoona (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Open Mic Night at Everett VFW, Everett (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Second Edition at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Eric McCrum at Argonne Cafe, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Tightrope (Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute) with Chris Bell at Drake’s Bar & Grill, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
“Mardi Gras Party” with Echoes at Huntingdon VFW, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
Vertigo Vultures at Huntingdon Elks, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey at Zeno’s Pub, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
Inside Out (acoustic) at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 8 p.m.)
From The Top (unplugged) at Country Inn, South Fork (starts 8 p.m.)
Train Stop 6 at Boulevard Grill, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
Bazooka Joe acoustic (Pat & Jai) at Windber Falcons, Windber (starts 8 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at Coalport Moose, Coalport (starts 8 p.m.)
The Plan B’s, The Snipped and Bad Luck Lover Boys at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
Crush at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
Lonesome Road at Moss Creek Bar & Grill, Northern Cambria (starts 9 p.m.)
The Jukehouse Bombers at The Grove, Strongstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Undercover at The Freight Station, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Krazy Kat Daddies at First Catholic Slovak Bandhall, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Velveeta at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 9 p.m.)
Roadkill at Philipsburg American Legion, Philipsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
John Solo (John Cimino) at The Brewery, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Stacy & the Rejects at Patton VFW, Patton (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Metro at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
Zac Grace Band at Tavern By the Bridge (Steele’s Tavern), Hopewell (starts 10 p.m.)
ONLINE: Jack Servello Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
SUNDAY 2/27:
Tim Roberts at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 2 p.m.)
Dylan Miller at Pisano Winery, Millheim (starts 2:30 p.m.)
The Band OZ at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
“On A Winter’s Night” with John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Cliff Eberhardt and Patty Larkin at The State Theatre, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Black & Gold Tavern, Altoona (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Ted & Molly at American Ale House, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Jason O at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
MONDAY 2/28:
(NO SHOWS ANNOUNCED)
TUESDAY 3/1:
“Mardi Gras” with Nate Cutshall at University Wine Co., State College (starts 5:30 p.m.)
Lowjack (lite) at Phyrst, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
ONLINE: Brother Jack’s Happy Hour Live Stream (Facebook, starts 4 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 3/2:
Jam Night at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night with The Frick Brothers at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night at Dively’s Tavern, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
THURSDAY 3/3:
Open Mic Night at Axemann Brewery, Bellefonte (starts 6 p.m.)
Raven & the Wren at American Ale House, State College (starts 7:30 p.m.)
“Irish Session” with Full Kilt at Molly’s Pub, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
“First Thursday Jazz” with Josh Davis, Clay Wulbrecht and Larry Marshall at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 8 p.m.)
Donny Burns & the 3rd Degree at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
“Phyrsty Phyrsdays” with the Corner Brothers at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
ONLINE: Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(NOTE: More shows may be added to this list as information becomes available. Feel free to check back.)
To report additional shows or corrections to this listing, email information to jptheprofessor@gmail.com. Deadline to submit information for the initial posting is each Friday morning at 9 a.m.
