By Wayne Laepple
It’s time for more fall festivals. I know of three this weekend that offer music along with all the other fun stuff. Grape-stomping? Face painting? Arts and crafts? Got ‘em all this weekend.
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On Saturday and Sunday, the Shade Mountain Winery on Route 104 between Penns Creek and Middleburg will hold their annual Fall Harvest Weekend. On Saturday, along with the grape-stomping, a pig roast and a display by T&D; Cats of the World, the Pepper Street Band will perform from 4-6 p.m. There are also events on Sunday, though no music. Saturday’s fun is from 10-6, and the more sedate Sunday activities are from noon-5 p.m.
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Also on Saturday, the Barn Cats Band will be playing acoustic blues and rock at the Covered Bridge and Arts Festival at Forks from 12-noon to 2 p.m., followed by the McAlum Band’s Celtic music. Forks is on Route 487, north of Bloomsburg. Turn right on Winding Road in Forks and right again on Twin Bridges Lane.
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And on Sunday, the Friends of Shikellamy State Park have their third annual Fall Harvest Festival lined up at — where else? — Shikellamy State Park. It’s from noon-5 and features music throughout the afternoon by the Folk Justice Band, local produce, a number of food vendors, activities for kids by the Sunbury YMCA and lots more. There’s even a hayride in the park.
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Tonight, Sink or Swing is at Selins Grove Brewing Co. with their wonderful mostly acoustic blend of old-time swing tunes, some really crazy topical things and even a few originals. That’s from 7-10 at the brewery, on Market Street in Selinsgrove.
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Tomorrow night, the King Street Coffeehouse at the Savoy will feature Alf Bashore with his wonderful mountain dulcimers, rock blues and jazz from Catmanstu. To wrap up the evening, the Folk Justice Band with some classic rock. Music starts at 7 and goes until 10 or thereabouts. You can get a nice buffet dinner or a yummy dessert from about 6 on. Cover is $6. King Street Coffeehouse at the Savoy is at 221 Front St., Northumberland. Look for the Frigidaire sign.
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Saturday night, Threadbare will be at Ye Olde Meeting place, Route 405 between Milton and Watsontown, starting around 9:30.
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Winding up the weekend, if he’s in town, Chris Whitmer will host a Sunday afternoon acoustic jam at the Selins Grove Brewing Co. Market Street, Selinsgrove, from 2-4 p.m. Otherwise, someone else will host, I guess.
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Here are a few regular gigs you might have missed out on. Every Wednesday, the Burgess-Mitchell-Seal Trio is at the Parkview Room on Sixth Street in Lewisburg from 6-9 p.m. with some nice jazz, blues and standards. $5 cover there, and food and drink is available.
The trio also has a regular gig every Sunday at the Bullfrog Brewery on Fourth Street in Williamsport. The Jazz Workshop runs from noon to 4 p.m., and in addition to wonderful jazz, the band invites other musicians to sit in, which often results in some magical moments.
On Thursday nights, the Lowlander Highlanders are at Puirseil’s Irish Pub on Sixth Street in Lewisburg from 6-8 p.m. with a mix of Appalachian and Celtic music. And on Friday evenings, Lux Bridge is at Puirseil’s from 8-9 p.m. with wonderful Celtic music, followed by a jam session.
