Here is a listing of area live music and online music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, February 23 through Thursday, February 29.
Among the highlight live music events happening around the region this weekend is the 12th annual “Rock the 80s Concert” benefit, happening Saturday evening at the State Theatre in State College. As the name indicates, 1980s-era music will be in the spotlight, with a number of groups generating that music: Anchor & Arrow, Collapse, Crush, Genuine Red & the Issues, the JR Mangan Band, Kevin Briggs Blues Experience, The Extractors and The Long Afternoon. The event also will feature an 80’s costume contest with prizes, plus refreshments. The music starts at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund, which helps local cancer patients struggling to pay basic living expenses.
And if you’re in the mood for a birthday party, albeit a hard-rocking one, McGarvey’s in Altoona presents “Brian Walker’s Birthday Bash 2024” on Saturday evening. Brian is the vocalist and guitarist for Altoona-based punk rock trio The BSXpress, and that group plus some of Brian’s other musical friends – Clearfield hard rockers Hardtack, Schuylkill County blue-collar punk rockers The Buckos and rising new local rockers Toy the Band – will provide the music and fun. The festivities get under way at 8 p.m.
Browse the listing to find out about all the live music happenings taking place on area stages during this weekend and upcoming week, and – as always – SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
(Listings in chronological order by event start time.)
FRIDAY 2/23:
“Last Friday at Ethnic Social Club” with Stone Bridge Blues Band at Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown (starts 5:30 p.m.)
Garrett Wyrwas 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.)
Matt Pletcher Duo at Tavern 27 (Park Hills Country Club), Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)
Coltt Winter Lepley at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Ben Benson at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at Happy Valley Vineyard & Winery, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Mystery Mochine at Happy Valley Brewing Co., State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Corner Brothers at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 6 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at Philipsburg Elks Country Club, Philipsburg (starts 6 p.m.)
River Lee at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Jeff Webb at Asiago’s Tuscan Italian, Johnstown (starts 6:30 p.m.)
Anchor & Arrow at Levity Brewing Co., Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
Pat McGinnis at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Sunshine & Mara (jazz) at Restored Grounds Coffee Bar & Lounge, Martinsburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Donny Burns Duo at Phyrst, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Ronnie Burrage & Holographic Principle at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
“Open Mic” with Waylon Barosky at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
Crawdad Joe at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
Jason DeWitt at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Russell Wilburn at Stadium Pub & Grille, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
From The Top unplugged at Fox’s Pizza Den, Sidman (starts 7 p.m.)
The Evergreens at Sunnehanna Country Club, Johnstown (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Billy Price Band at Indiana Theater, Indiana (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Ron “The Music Man” Balestino at Molly’s Pub, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
The Boomers at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
American Mood at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Catholic War Vets, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Reboot at Huntingdon Elks, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
Veronica Auger Trio at Happy Valley Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Triple A Blues Band at Zeno’s, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Eric Ian Farmer at Antifragile Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Kate & Jules at Boal City Brewing Co., Boalsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Chris Walker at Bellefonte Moose, Bellefonte (starts 8 p.m.)
Three Of Hearts at Windber VFW, Windber (starts 8 p.m.)
The Kiara Smith Band at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Southmont Gardens, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
The Platelets at The Haven, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
My Hero Zero at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Phyrst, State College (starts 10 p.m.)
Giants Of Science 90s at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10:30 p.m.)
Lowjack at The Brewery, State College (starts 10:30 p.m.)
SATURDAY 2/24:
Anna Pearl & Sam Christensen, Stone Creek Blues and Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s at Zeno’s, State College (starts 4 p.m.)
“Halfway to NickieFest” with Mixtape Madness, Jeff Perigo & Friends, Dave D’s Pan Fried Masterpiece and guests at The Crow’s Nest, Tire Hill (starts 5 p.m., proceeds benefit the Arkadia Triangle Fund, Boswell Helping Hands, and the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank)
Pat McGinnis at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Pat Kelly at Olde Bedford Brewing Co., Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
Southbound at Angel Walk Winery, Allport (starts 6 p.m.)
The Frick Brothers at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 6 p.m.)
Jae Smith at Tap 814, Johnstown (starts 6:30 p.m.)
Marshall Neff at Spring Dam Brewing Co., Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Lauren & Joe at Juniata Brewing Co., Huntingdon (starts 7 p.m.)
“12th Annual Rock The 80s Concert” with Anchor & Arrow, Collapse, Crush, Genuine Red & the Issues, JR Mangan Band, Kevin Briggs Blues Experience, The Extractors and The Long Afternoon at State Theatre, State College (starts 7 p.m., proceeds benefit The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund)
Jim Colbert at Dead Canary Brewing Co., Philipsburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Ronnie Burrage & Holographic Principle at Pine Grove Hall, Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
Samantha Press at Coal Country Brewing, Ebensburg (starts 7 p.m.)
Justin Garman at Fetz’s Sports Pub, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Billy Price Band at Elk Creek Cafe, Millheim (starts 7:30 p.m.)
Moe Taters & the Gravy Train at Venue Of Merging Arts (VOMA), Johnstown (starts 7:30 p.m.)
High Noon (Southern Classic Rock) at Arcadia Theater, Windber (starts 7:30 p.m.)
“Brian Walker’s Birthday Bash 2024” with Toy the Band, The Buckos, Hardtack and The BSXpress at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Amped Up Acoustic at Molly’s Pub, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Autumn Rising at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Eric & Chet at Bavarian Aid Society (downstairs), Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Bone Jacked at Juniata VFW (Fort Apache), Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Matt Pletcher at Argonne Cafe, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Felix & the Hurricanes at Blue Knob Clubhouse, Blue Knob All Seasons Resort (starts 8 p.m.)
91 Stitches and Big Red acoustic at Happy Valley Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Granma Ben at Boal City Brewing Co., Boalsburg (starts 8 p.m.)
Night Train at Windber Moose, Windber (starts 8 p.m.)
That Oldees Band at Moonshine Mine Saloon, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
Fall, Together at Stadium Pub & Grille, Johnstown (starts 8 p.m.)
100 Proof at Glenn’s Place, Claysburg (starts 9 p.m.)
Biscuit Jam at The Bar, Boalsburg (starts 9 p.m.)
Manic Mango at Portage Moose, Portage (starts 9 p.m.)
Silver Screen at Windber Slovak Club, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
The Rusty Shackles at Windber Hotel, Windber (starts 9 p.m.)
From The Top at Beaverdale American Legion, Beaverdale (starts 9 p.m.)
Shallow 9 at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 9 p.m.)
Freedom Rocks at Bellwood Eagles, Bellwood (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Velveeta at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Donny Burns & the 3rd Degree at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 9:30 p.m.)
Giants Of Science at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)
The SuperAlrights at Woodside Bar & Grill, Johnstown (starts 10 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 2/25:
“Brunch” with Bree Gearhart at Bella Terra Vineyards, Bedford (starts 11 a.m.)
“Brunch” with Bob Clawson at Boulevard Grill, Johnstown (starts 11:30 a.m.)
“Music Brunch” with Pat McGinnis at Webster’s Bookstore & Cafe, State College (starts 12 noon)
Derek Heidel at Pisano Winery, Millheim (starts 2:30 p.m.)
Ma’aM lite at Elk Creek Cafe, Millheim (starts 5 p.m.)
Kick The Footlights at Pine Grove Hall (upstairs), Pine Grove Mills (starts 6 p.m.)
The Band OZ at Newburg Fire Association Social Hall, Altoona (starts 7 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 2/26:
3 Dots and Gorinto Productions present “Secret Planet” with Ken Vandermark’s Edition Redux and Moth Bucket (starts 7 p.m.)
TUESDAY 2/27:
“Weekly Listening Series” with Nondi at 3 Dots Downtown, State College (starts 7 p.m.)
Derek Heidel at Doggie’s Pub, State College (starts 8 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 2/28:
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.)
Matt Wagner at The Fifth Local Eatery and Alehouse, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Jam Night at Dively’s Tavern, Johnstown (starts 9 p.m.)
THURSDAY 2/29:
Anchor & Arrow at Titan Hollow, Bellefonte (starts 6:30 p.m.)
Wasted Talent at Roaring Spring VFW, Roaring Spring (starts 7 p.m.)
Lord Forest at Pine Grove Hall (upstairs), Pine Grove Mills (starts 7 p.m.)
Home Planet at Elk Creek Cafe, Millheim (starts 7 p.m.)
Steve Ferguson at Boulevard Grill, Johnstown (starts 7 p.m.)
Veronica Auger & friends at Happy Valley Brewing Co., State College (starts 8 p.m.)
Donny Burns & the 3rd Degree at Cafe 210 West, State College (starts 8:30 p.m.)
The 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.
