The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

February 4, 2010

Annual festival starts tonight

By Wayne Laepple

Lewisburg’s annual Ice Festival kicks off at 5:30 this evening with an a cappella songfest at the Campus Theater featuring Bucknell University’s four a cappella singing groups.

You’ll hear some hoary old chestnuts, some lovely ballads, and some new arrangements of classic rock and roll tunes. Tickets are $5 at the door.

On Friday, the Campus hosts the premier showing of the new music video, “With or Without You,” from Earl Pickens and Family. The video is Pickens’ country version of the seminal “Joshua Tree” album by U2 and features a cast of central Pennsylvania natives.

Proceeds from the $10 admission support the continued existence of the Campus Theater.

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Three other musical offerings Thursday of note. Brian Crane of Danville will be at the Old Forge Brewing Co. on Mill Street with his original music from 7-9, and the Burgess-Mitchell- Seal Trio is at La Fontana on Market Square in Bloomsburg from 6-9 p.m. with a nice selection of jazz, blues and ballads.

Finally, music man Doug McMinn will appear solo at Selins Grove Brewing Co., Market Street in Selinsgrove, from 7-10 p.m. tonight.

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Friday’s musical offerings include Greg Burgess, Steve Mitchell and Bill Stetz at BJ’s Steak and Ribs on Mill Street in Danville from 6-9, and the EVE Jazz Trio featuring Andy Seal on bass, Jeremy Hummel on drums and Alex Callenberger on guitars at BJ’s in Selinsgrove from 6-9 p.m. Meanwhile, Jim Wetzel and friends will be at Mya’s Cafe on Market Street in Lewisburg from 6:15-8 p.m. If you’re in Williamsport, drop by the Bullfrog Brewery on Fourth Street for Octavia and the Earthblood Blues Band starting at 10 p.m.

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On Saturday, Van Wagner, Danville-area singer, songwriter and historian, will be at the Montour Preserve near Washingtonville at 1:30 p.m. with a program including videos and live music. Also Saturday afternoon, Ed and Kim Rhoads will perform at the new location of Page After Page Bookstore on Route 45 in Vicksburg to entertain you at 2 p.m.

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Other Saturday entertainment includes Greg Burgess at Penn’s Tavern, on Route 147 south of Sunbury, from 6-9 p.m. Call 286-2007 for reservations. And up the road in Milton, the Trucksurfers will hold forth at Ye Olde Meeting Place, Route 405 north of town, starting at 9:30 p.m.

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If you’re not into the Super Bowl, the Burgess- Mitchell-Seal Trio is at the Bullfrog Brewery on Fourth Street in Williamsport from 1-4 p.m. Sunday for the jazz workshop, and Chris Whitmer is hosting the monthly acoustic jam at the Selins Grove Brewing Co. starting around 2 p.m.

Sunday.

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A couple of things next week: on Tuesday, Celtica will be at the new Page After Page at 7:30, and on Wednesday, you can catch Burgess-Mitchell-Seal at Puirseil’s Irish Pub in Lewisburg from 6-9 p.m.

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Further out, mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 20, when award-winning boogie-woogie and blues pianist and vocalist Ann Rabson will headline a benefit for Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition and Peaceful Measures at the UUCSV in Northumberland.

I’ll have more details for you next week.