Here is a listing of area live music and online music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, November 17 through Thursday, November 23.
The Thanksgiving holiday and the start of the holiday season is just about here, and lots of live music will take place on area stages on Wednesday night – Thanksgiving Eve – to help usher in the holiday. See the listing below to find out where the music is happening, and if you plan on partying hardy, consider a taxi or Uber so you and everyone else can safely make it into Thanksgiving!
Before Thanksgiving Eve, several noteworthy events are taking place this weekend. The Rockin’ the Yard summer concert series presents a special event on Friday night, as The Lords Of 52nd Street – The Legends of the Billy Joel Band take the stage at Altoona’s Jaffa Shrine. The Lords Of 52nd Street were Billy Joel’s backing band during the 1970s and much of Joel’s hit-making career. They appeared on many of his hit songs, as well as recorded on his Grammy award winning albums including “52nd Street,” “Glass Houses” and “The Nylon Curtain.” They recorded and toured with Joel for more than a decade, and reunited in 2014 following their induction into the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame. The group – these days saxophonist Richie Cannata, drummer Liberty DeVito and rhythm guitarist Russell Javors – continues to tour and celebrate the music they helped Billy Joel to create. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available at the front door.
The 13th annual Patched Together: A Day Of Music to Benefit the Healing Patch event will take place on Saturday at Altoona’s Bavarian Hall. The day will feature a cast of seven bands and performers – Nothing Much, Jim Donovan & the Sun King Warriors, Chris Vipond & the Stanley Street Band, The Jaded Lips, Greg Burley, the U.S. Sound Theatre and Half Tempted. Also taking place will be a basket raffle and 50/50’s, children’s activities, food and refreshments and other fun happenings; all helping to raise funds and awareness for Home Nursing Agency’s Healing Patch Children’s Grief program, which provides services to children and families who have experienced the loss of loved ones. The doors open at 1 p.m. with the music kicking off at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person (or free with the purchase of a Patched Together T-shirt); children under 13 get in for free.
Browse the listings below to find out when and where live music is happening during this weekend and upcoming week, and – as always – SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
(Listings in chronological order by event start time.)
FRIDAY 11/17:
Gary Stewart at Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Johnstown (starts 5:30 p.m.)
“Friday Wine Down” with Phil McCaulley at Oak Spring Winery, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Marshall Neff at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Kevin Quinn at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Big Red at University Wine Co., State College (starts 6 p.m.)
OverheaD at Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Corner Brothers at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Donny Burns & the 3rd Degree at Phyrst, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
George Byich at Asiago’s Tuscan Italian, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
The Black Ridge Band (bluegrass) at Levity Brewing Co., Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Pat McGinnis at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Stephanie & the Wild Hearts at Huntingdon Elks, Huntingdon (starts 7 p.m.)
Austin Rife at Bluegills Bar & Grill, Alexandria (starts 7 p.m.)
Anchor & Arrow at HiWay Pizza Pub, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Southbound at Dead Canary Brewing Co., Philipsburg (starts 7 p.m.)
OK Otter (acoustic) at Axemann Brewery, Bellefonte (starts 7 p.m.)
Strings & Bellows at Coal Country Brewing, Ebensburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Amped Up at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Samantha Press at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Fuse at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Time Zone at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
The Lords Of 52nd Street (Legends of the Billy Joel Band) at Jaffa Shrine, Altoona (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Conner Gilbert at Molly’s Pub, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Giants Of Science at Catholic War Vets, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Second Edition at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Bellefonte Moose, Bellefonte (starts 8 p.m.)
Asher Fieni at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
Autumn Rising (acoustic) at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 8 p.m.)
“A Night of Christmas Classics” with Walt & Jackie at The State Theater, Johnstown (starts 8:30 p.m.)
The Heathen Parade, Black Sun and SamarA at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
The Sorters and The Narrows at Zeno’s Pub, State College (starts 9 p.m.)
GoatSmoker and Lance T. Burgess at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
The SuperAlrights at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
The Pines at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
The Jaded Lips at Southmont Gardens, Johnstown (starts 10 p.m.)
Lowjack at The Brewery, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
SATURDAY 11/18:
Community Jazz Jam at 3 Dots Downtown, State College (starts 1 p.m.)
“Patched Together: A Day of Music to Benefit the Healing Patch” at Bavarian Hall, Altoona; featuring Nothing Much, Jim Donovan & the Sun King Warriors, Chris Vipond & the Stanley Street Band, The Jaded Lips, Greg Burley, The U.S. Sound Theatre and Half Tempted (starts 2 p.m., proceeds benefit the Home Nursing Agency’s Healing Patch program)
Dean Rumsey at Coal Country Brewing, Ebensburg (starts 5 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Knights Of Columbus, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Rue Moyer at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Samantha Press at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Anchor & Arrow at 814 Cider Works (J.L. Farm & Cidery), State College (starts 6 p.m.)
“Country Music Night” with Country Tradition at Alum Bank Volunteer Fire Co., Alum Bank (starts 6:30 p.m.)
Conner Gilbert at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Ramblin’ Dan Stevens at Blue Knob Clubhouse, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort (starts 7 p.m.)
Devin Sherman at Juniata Brewing Co., Huntingdon (starts 7 p.m.)
Gorinto Productions presents Zoh Amba & Chris Corsano at 3 Dots Downtown, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
The Rocket Blasters at Port Matilda American Legion, Port Matilda (starts 7 p.m.)
Joy Marie & the Gill Street Band at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
“Rock Resurrection Tour” with Skillet, Theory Of A Deadman and Saint Ansonia at 1st Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Russ Wilburn at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Dave Howsare & Nev Hostetler at Stadium Pub & Grille, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
VOMA Jazz presents The Don Aliquo Quartet at Venue Of Merging Arts (VOMA), Johnstown (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Ornament – The Music of the Trans Siberian Orchestra at the Arcadia Theater, Windber (starts 7:30 p.m.)
“An Evening to End NF1” with Best Friends Girl – A Tribute to The Cars at Blair County Convention Center, Altoona (starts 8 p.m., proceeds benefit the Georgio Foundation and NF1 research)
White Shadow at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at Bavarian Aid Society (downstairs), Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
The Evergreens at Argonne Cafe, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Derek Heidel at Petersburg Firehall, Petersburg (starts 8 p.m.)
The Corner Brothers at Antifragile Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Roadkill at Philipsburg American Legion, Philipsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Temptation Alley at The Remedy, Houtzdale (starts 8 p.m.)
KB & the Crew at Jamestown PNA, Portage (starts 8 p.m.)
Hot Wax at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
Havoc at Conemaugh PNA, East Conemaugh (starts 8 p.m.)
From The Top at Windber VFW, Windber (starts 8 p.m.)
Powder Keg Culture, The Daylight Society, Treaties and Maris at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
PT Cruiser at Patton Slovak Club, Patton (starts 9 p.m.)
Undercover at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
DD Quartet at Windber Hotel, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
Shallow 9 at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Autumn Rising at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10:30 p.m.)
Lowjack at Phyrst, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
John Solo (John Cimino) at The Brewery, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
ONLINE: Servello Family livestream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
SUNDAY 11/19:
“Brunch” with Open Mic at Stone Bridge Brewing Co., Johnstown (starts 12 noon)
Open Mic with Dean Rumsey at Coal Country Brewing, Ebensburg (starts 1 p.m.)
“Open Mic” at Antifragile Brewing Co., State College (starts 3:30 p.m.)
Strings at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 5 p.m.)
Gabe Stillman Band at Elk Creek Cafe, Millheim (starts 5 p.m.)
“Writers Round 2023” with Jack Bagby, Brian Cleary, Richard Sleigh and Dan Stevens at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 6 p.m.)
Jim Messina at The State Theatre, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Ted & Molly at American Ale House, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Black & Gold Tavern, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
MONDAY 11/20:
(NO SHOWS ANNOUNCED)
TUESDAY 11/21:
Pure Cane Sugar Girls Reunion at Boal Barn Playhouse, Boalsburg (starts 7:30 p.m.)
“Open Mic Night” with James Grove at D’Ottavio’s Gran Sasso, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Donny Burns Duo at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 11/22 (Thanksgiving Eve):
Samantha Press at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Tom Vella & Friends at University Wine Co., State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Jill Gontkovic Trio (reunion) at Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Jam Night at Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Lord Forest at Pine Grove Hall (upstairs), Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
2nd Street (acoustic) at Woody Lodge Winery, Ashville (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night with The Frick Brothers at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Tony & Stacy at Sons of the American Legion, Ebensburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Even The Odds at Jim & Jimmies, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Trixie’s Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Matt Smolko at The Fifth Local Eatery & Alehouse, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Sweet Desire and The Jaded Lips at McGarvey’s, Altoona (all ages, starts 8 p.m.)
Bazooka Joe acoustic (Pat & Jai) at Schellsburg VFW, Schellsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Jack & Jared at Bluegills Bar & Grill, Alexandria (starts 8 p.m.)
Sidewinder at Zeno’s, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Kenton Sitch Band at Smithmill VFW, Smithmill (starts 8 p.m.)
The Felony Brothers at The Remedy, Houtzdale (starts 8 p.m.)
Jack Squat at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 8 p.m.)
Jaime & Lee (acoustic) at Hastings VFW, Hastings (starts 8 p.m.)
Kimberly Dawn & Johann at Patton Eagles, Patton (starts 8 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at Nanty Glo Moose, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
The Boomers at Windber Moose, Windber (starts 8 p.m.)
Shallow 9 at Bull Pen Restaurant, Tyrone (starts 9 p.m.)
Kiara Smith Band at The Grove, Strongstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Bonedigger at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Rust at Slammin Sam’s, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Jam Night at Dively’s Tavern, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
Fall, Together at Windber Hotel, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
Still Rocking at Windber VFW, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
The PennSoulvanians at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)
Piano Fight Club at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
THURSDAY 11/23 (Thanksgiving Day):
“Thanksgiving Jam” with Scott McKenzie, Erek Kapusta & Steve Christensen plus guests at Boal City Brewing, Boalsburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Catholic War Vets, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey at Happy Valley Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Donny Burns Duo at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 8:30 p.m.)
Corner Brothers at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 9 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.
