By Wayne Laepple
For The Daily Item
— Well, this is another one of those weeks with lots and lots of music. But first I have to report some sad news. Tomorrow evening marks the conclusion of jazz Friday evenings at both BJ’s Steak and Rib locations in Danville and Selinsgrove.
At the Mill Street Danville restaurant, Greg Burgess, Steve Mitchell and Bill Stetz have delighted diners with an eclectic mix of jazz standards, old-time favorites and Greg’s originals. In Selinsgrove, the EVE Jazz Trio — Andy Seal, Jeremy Hummel and Alex Callenberger — have provided sophisticated arrangements of jazz and rock numbers to diners. It’s been a great run for both bands, but I guess all good things must come to an end. Make your reservations now for the swan songs. In both locations, the music runs from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Now, on to the good stuff. Past Country is in the gazebo in Cameron Park, Sunbury, this evening from 7-9 p.m. And of course, the Lowlander Highlanders are at Puirseil’s Irish Pub on Sixth Street in Lewisburg from 6-8 p.m., and the Burgess-Mitchell-Seal Trio is at La Fontana in Bloomsburg from 6-9 p.m.
Friday is loaded with music throughout the region. Jim McClinsy entertains at the Northumberland County Fair at the Sunbury Armory with two shows at 6 and 8 p.m. Down the road a piece, PA Crude is at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse, 18 E. Sunbury St., Minersville, from 8-11. Up at Montage Mountain, Candlelight Red, featuring Herndon drummer Josh Hetrick, takes part in the Uproar tour, which starts at 3 p.m. Check out the Common Ground Coffee House in Middleburg at 7 p.m. Friday, with an open mic time, followed by performances by Kenny Jenkins and Michi Egger.
And kicking off “Three Days of Peace and Triathalon,” two bands are performing free shows at the Shikellamy State Park Marina. Lumpy Gravy will be in the Point Pavilion with rock, funk, jazz and blues from 5:30-7:30, followed by bluegrass band Backwoods Experiment from 7:30-dark. Other events leading up to Sunday’s Triathalon include a Zumba show at noon on Saturday, topped off by fireworks from the Shikellamy Overlook at dark Saturday. The Triathalon itself starts at the marina at 8 a.m. Sunday.
Finally, there is a community street dance in Lewisburg from 6:30-8:30, complete with live music by Total Hip replacement. The dance takes place on Third Street between Market Street and Cherry Alley. Bruce Young will call and teach all dances, and best of all — it’s FREE!
Saturday, Danville folk singer and historian Van Wagner has two gigs. At 2 p.m., he’s in New Berlin, taking part in New Berlin History Day with his Tall Timber program, which describes the history of logging in central and northern Pennsylvania and includes him singing some of his original songs. Then from 7-9 p.m., Wagner’s at Puirseil’s Irish Pub on Sixth Street in Lewisburg for a show.
Also Saturday, McGuigan’s Public House in Sunbury will host “An Evening with Reptileland,” playing social music from 10-1.
We wrap up the weekend with a show by Flipside at Skeeter’s BBQ in Shamokin Dam from 6-9 p.m.
