Be Thankful for Live Music!

Before and after you gorge on turkey and pumpkin pie over the Thanksgiving holiday, make live music a part of your holiday celebration. The weekend features a busy slate of live music events, and Wednesday – Thanksgiving Eve – is also busy with musical activity.

Among the anticipated highlights during this weekend and coming week, former Altoona rockers Banditos will reunite on a local stage Saturday night. The roster of singer Wally Archer, bassist/singer Bill Nusom, guitarist/keyboardist Jim Ricotta, guitarist Phil Wagner and drummer Kevin Siegel will reunite at Shaw’s Bar in Juniata.

Another highlight will be the return of former Like A Movie singer/guitarist Jimmy Mowery, who comes back to perform in his hometown for the first time in a year this Tuesday night. Now based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Mowery will celebrate the release of his first solo EP with a CD-release party event at The Island.

Among the Thanksgiving Eve slate of performances is one swan song. After a successful 10-year run on area stages, Bad Daze will close the book on their career with a final performance at Davey’s Lounge in Hastings on Wednesday night. The band members are separating to join other projects; bassist Paul Rainey is joining Huntingdon County country performers Chris Woodward & ShinDiggin,’ and drummer Jim Bagrosky and singer Tim Howsare are joining guitarist Matt Day in a new mach edition of former area modern rockers Stept On.

And Felix & the Hurricanes’ Thanksgiving night tradition returns on Thursday night with the annual Turkey Night Jam, this year taking place at Shaw’s Bar in Juniata. The Hurricanes will seek to cure the audience’s turkey-induced slumber tendencies with their generous dosage of blues and classic rock, and guest musicians will likely provide part of the entertainment.

Here is a full listing for live music on area stages this weekend and the coming week:

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Stephen Johnopolos at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Conner Gilbert at Zach’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Samara, Submachine and Dislexya at Aldo’s, Altoona

The House Band at the Heidelberg Club, Altoona

Flight 19 at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

Felix & the Hurricanes at Sokols Club, Lilly (members and guests)

Disorganized Crime at Jay’s Place, Ebensburg

Juke Left and Ben Dumm & the Deviants at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg (Toys for Tots benefit)

Acoustic Stew at City Hotel, Northern Cambria

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Doug Whitfield at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Screaming Ugly at Aldo’s, Altoona

The Boomers at Family Pizza & Pub, Altoona

Banditos at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

The Hawks Blues Band at Pellegrine’s, Altoona

Giants Of Science at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

Hair Force One at 30 Something, Altoona

Fueled By Ignorance (FBI) at Glenn’s Place, Claysburg

Emberstitch at Magoo’s, Cresson

Rapid Fire at Sunshine Bar & Grill, Coalport

Fred Myers & the Redneck Majority at Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, Osceola Mills (starts 9 p.m., benefit for Wendy Sharpless)

Locked and Loaded at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

Andy Lubert & Kenny Jubas at City Hotel, Northern Cambria

Brian Stetchock Benefit at County Line Inn, Mount Union; featuring Timber Tantrum, Drop Dead Sarcasm, The 3rd Degree and Ganister

SUNDAY NIGHT:

Felix & the Hurricanes at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

TUESDAY NIGHT:

White Shadow at Green Avenue Towers, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)

Ty Ayers (acoustic) at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

Jimmy Mowery at The Island, Altoona (CD release party)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT (THANKSGIVING EVE):

The Felons at Family Pizza & Pub, Altoona

Xs for Eyes and Nobody’s Heroes at Aldo’s, Altoona

Wertz & Co. at 4D’s Lounge (upstairs), Altoona

Open Mic/Jam Night at Pellegrine’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Without Zerb at Belmar Hotel, Altoona

Velveeta at Champs Sports Bar, Altoona

Saving Jake at Glenn’s Place, Claysburg

Locked and Loaded at Magoo’s, Cresson

Bad Daze at Davey’s, Hastings

White Shadow at Thirsty Dawg Taverne, Patton

Pistol Peg & the Beer Kegs at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

LeVeL at Judy’s Place, Shellsburg

THURSDAY NIGHT:

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

Felix & the Hurricanes at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

Drew Dodson at Pellegrine’s, Altoona

(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. theprofessor@gmail.com.