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Ukuleles, Strumbellas and an Agent In Chains This Weekend!

Here is a listing of Altoona area live music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, April 21 through Thursday, April 27.

As the temperatures heat up with spring season, live music activity increases with some outdoor events now beginning to enter the picture.

One of those events happens Sunday evening at Altoona’s Railroaders Museum. Presented by Penn State Altoona’s Campus Activities Board and Student Activities Fee, “Ivyside Off the Rails” features live music on the Museum’s flatcar stage from two rising names on the national music scene. Opening the show will be El Paso, Texas-based performer and RCA recording artist Khalid, whose style blends elements of R&B and other pop elements. Khalid’s debut single, “Location,” last year peaked at #20 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart. Mixing alt-country and indie rock influences, Toronto-based group The Strumbellas have been a rising name in alternative music, and have performed on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Both performers were selected from a survey of Penn State Altoona students for their most “sought-after bands.” The event begins at 5 p.m., and will feature the music plus art displays, food and refreshments. Admission at the gate is $10 for Penn State students, and $20 for the general public. Those attending are invited to bring their own chairs.

Another outdoor event happening this weekend is the Hemlock Groove VI festival, taking place Friday and Saturday at the Port Royale Farm south of Bedford. A wide assortment of local and regional bands and artists will perform during the event’s two days. Overnight camping, food and refreshments are also available. For the band line-up for both days, see the listing below.

For ukulele enthusiasts, the fourth annual Allegheny Ukulele Soiree will take place this weekend at Laurel Lodge near Altoona. Presented by the Allegheny Ukulele Kollective, this year’s Soiree event will feature concerts, skill workshops, a trade show, vendors, open mics and networking among ukulele fans. Some of the featured performers and workshop presenters this year include Lil’ Rev (author of several instructional ukulele books in the Hal Leonard series), Stuart Fuchs, Ben Carr, Gracie Terzian, Rachel Manke, Mim of Mim’s Ukes, Curt Sheller and Amber Rozel. Registration for the weekend is closed, but some day passes for Saturday ($50/person) may still be available.

Marking the 15th anniversary this month of the passing of Alice In Chains lead singer Layne Staley, the area group Agent Smith, along with some special music scene guests, will celebrate the music of Staley and Alice In Chains with their special “Agent In Chains” performance on Saturday night at McGarvey’s. The music will start at 10 p.m. Joining the Agent Smith roster of singer Steve Oswalt, guitarist Phil Wagner, bassist Mike Stanley and drummer Shawn Gioiosa will be Black Sun members Jason Feathers on guitar and Todd McKeone on vocals.

McGarvey’s features two other noteworthy shows during this weekend and upcoming week. Alt-folk/country artist Jayke Orvis – currently a member of popular touring band The Goddamn Gallows – will perform at McGarvey’s on Friday night, along with special guests Cousin Boneless (from Pittsburgh) and local favorites Nobody’s Heroes. The music starts at 10 p.m. And Thursday night marks the return of former Misfits singer Michale Graves, who will perform an acoustic set of his solo career music plus some Misfits favorites. Nanty Glo rockers One Adam 12 will open the night, with music starting at 10 p.m.

And a benefit show to help out a family who recently lost their home to fire will take place on Sunday afternoon at Club Kryptonite (formerly 30 Something) in Altoona. The “Music for Meg” benefit will start at 2 p.m., and feature music from Time with Donny Burns, Rokkandy, Centralia and The Bigs. Donation at the door will be $10/person; proceeds will help out the Eardley family, whose home along Homers Gap Road was destroyed by fire early on March 5.

Check out and support the area live music! And if you celebrate heavily while doing so, please designate a sober driver or call a taxi to get you home.

FRIDAY 4/21:

“Hemlock Groove VI” Festival at Port Royale Farm, Bedford; featuring Optimus Groove, Tektonic, Yam Yam, Fletchers Grove, The Phryg, The Nick Miller Project, Deer Groove in the Forest, UFO Crash Site, Funky Dojo and Doug Robinson (starts 3 p.m., weekend tickets $50/person)

FRIDAY NIGHT 4/21:

Allegheny Ukulele Soiree at Laurel Lodge, Altoona; featuring Lil’ Rev, Stuart Fuchs, Ben Carr, Gracie Terzian, Rachel Manke, Mim of Mim’s Ukes, Curt Sheller and Amber Rozel (starts 5 p.m.)

“Friday Wine Down” with Bill Ferrell at Oak Spring Winery, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Asbury Lane at Railroad City Brewing Company, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)

Dreadnot at Family Pizza & Pub, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Jayke Orvis, Cousin Boneless and Nobody’s Heroes at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)

The Chrome Hearts at Heidelberg Country Club, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

The Boomers at Bavarian Aid Society, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)

Conner Gilbert at U.S. Hotel, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)

Lizzie & the Yee Haw Gang at Horn O’ Plenty Restaurant, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)

D.D. & the Pub Crawlers at Huntingdon Elks, Huntingdon (starts 7 p.m.)

100 Proof at Mount Union VFW, Mount Union (starts 8 p.m.)

Lord Bishop at Castle Pub, Ebensburg (starts 10 p.m.)

Rick & Frick at Patton American Legion, Patton (starts 7 p.m.)

Rokkandy at Philipsburg American Legion, Philipsburg (starts 9 p.m.)

Flight 19 at Lithuanian Club, Osceola Mills (starts 10 p.m.)

Chris Woodward & Shindiggin’ at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 9 p.m.)

SATURDAY 4/22:

Allegheny Ukulele Soiree at Laurel Lodge, Altoona; featuring Lil’ Rev, Stuart Fuchs, Ben Carr, Gracie Terzian, Rachel Manke, Mim of Mim’s Ukes, Curt Sheller and Amber Rozel (starts 8 a.m.)

“Hemlock Groove VI” Festival at Port Royale Farm, Bedford; featuring Trailheads, The Phryg, Marbin, Threesound, Squaring the Circle, Mixing Numbers With Sounds, Headless Robot, Voodoo Circuit, Brent Webers Kids and Tommy Fix (starts 3 p.m., weekend tickets $50/person)

SATURDAY NIGHT 4/22:

Borrowed Time at Brookmere Wine Bar, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)

Matt Pletcher at Altoona Heritage Discover Center, Altoona (Penn-Mont Academy Fundraiser, starts 6:30 p.m.)

“Agent In Chains” (tribute to Layne Staley of Alice In Chains) featuring Agent Smith and guests at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)

No Angels at Family Pizza & Pub, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Urban Myth at Chewy’s Pizza, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Shallow 9 at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (starts 10:30 p.m.)

Felix & the Hurricanes at Cesare Batiste, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)

The Reflections at Newburg Firehall, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

The Chrome Hearts at UVA Club, Altoona (Issues Entertainment Comedy Night; comedy starts 8 p.m., music starts 10 p.m.)

Deuces Wild at Tyrone Elks, Tyrone (starts 7 p.m.)

Stormy at Argonne Cafe, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)

The Syrins at Old Canal Inn, Hollidaysburg (starts 8:30 p.m.)

Lauren & Joe at D’Ottavio’s Gran Sasso, Hollidaysburg (starts 9 p.m.)

Rokkandy at Duncansville VFW, Duncansville (starts 8 p.m.)

Reboot at Huntingdon Moose, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)

Raining Blue at Woody Lodge Winery, Ashville (starts 6 p.m.)

Craig Fitzpatrick at Park Avenue Pub, Patton (starts 10 p.m.)

Casey Surap at JD’s Wild Cherry Inn, Portage (starts 9 p.m.)

Octane at Olde Keg Inn, Portage (starts 9:30 p.m.)

Joe Quick at Castle Pub, Ebensburg (starts 10 p.m.)

SUNDAY 4/23:

Allegheny Ukulele Soiree at Laurel Lodge, Altoona; featuring Lil’ Rev, Stuart Fuchs, Ben Carr, Gracie Terzian, Rachel Manke, Mim of Mim’s Ukes, Curt Sheller and Amber Rozel (starts 9 a.m.)

“Music for Meg” Benefit at Club Kryptonite, Altoona; featuring Time with Donny Burns, Rokkandy, Centralia and The Bigs (starts 2 p.m., donation $10/person, proceeds benefit recent house fire victims the Eardley Family)

Polka Party with The Vagabonds at Croatian Club, Smoke Run (starts 2 p.m.)

SUNDAY NIGHT 4/23:

“Ivyside Off the Rails” Concert with The Strumbellas and Khalid at Railroaders Museum, Altoona (starts 5 p.m.)

The Band OZ at U.S. Hotel, Hollidaysburg (starts 6 p.m.)

Marvin at Family Pizza & Pub, Altoona (starts 6 p.m.)

Felix & the Hurricanes at Black & Gold Tavern, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Kenny Fetterman at Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford (starts 5 p.m.)

TUESDAY NIGHT 4/25:

Open Mic with the Backyard Rockers at D’Ottavio’s Gran Sasso, Hollidaysburg (starts 8 p.m.)

Open Mic Night at Bedford Tavern, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)

Jam Night at Magoo’s, Cresson (starts 10 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT 4/26:

Jam Night at Unter Uns, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)

Open Mic Night at Joe & Mary’s Tavern, Altoona (starts 10 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT 4/27:

Steve Summerhill at Jethro’s, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)

Greg Burley at Joe’s 58th Street Grill, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Michale Graves and One Adam 12 at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 10 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.

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