Rock and Roller Derby!

When the bands Black Sun and SamarA provide hard-hitting musical excitement at Aldo’s this Friday night, theirs won’t be the only rock ‘em sock ‘em presence in the house. Members of the State College Area Rollers women’s roller derby association will be present as well. Providing flat track roller derby excitement in the Centre region, members of the Rollers will be on hand to provide information about their league and to spread the word about what they do. Members of the State College traveling team, the Happy Valley Dolls, will be on hand to meet fans.

The two bands will provide the hard-hitting action. Black Sun will again demonstrate their unique merger of doom-esque heavy metal and jam-styled improvisation, as they introduce expansive compositions from their original song arsenal. SamarA will provide an audiovisual spectacle on the stage, accompanying their terse brand of metal music with stage props, video screen imagery, vivid lighting and more. SamarA will introduce song material from their soon-to-be-released new CD.

Two more hard-hitting forces will come together at Glenn’s Place in Claysburg this Saturday night. Half Tempted will provide the hard-edged classic rock soundtrack as local midnight cowboys and cowgirls try their hands at riding the mechanical bull.

For fans of acoustic sounds, Northern Cambria’s City Hotel commences their fourth annual “Battle of the Acoustics” competition on Wednesday evening. For the next six Wednesday nights, acoustic soloists and groups from throughout the region will perform onstage, hoping to win enough audience and judging panel votes to advance to semifinal and final rounds, with prizes for the top three finishers. The musical action starts at 7 p.m. each Wednesday, and those wishing to cast votes must arrive before the end of the first performer’s set for their votes to be eligible and counted.

Support live music this weekend! And if you plan to celebrate heavily while doing so, please designate a driver or call a cab!

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

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Borrowed Time at Briar Valley Winery, Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)

Randy Jackson, Stephen Johnopolos and Joe Carlin at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Black Sun and SamarA (with special guests State College Area Rollers women’s roller derby team) at Aldo’s, Altoona

Giants Of Science and Highway Divide at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

Adam D at Pellegrine’s, Altoona

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

Felix & the Hurricanes at Heidelberg Club, Altoona (9 p.m., members and guests)

Spiff Jeffy & the Freezeline at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Randy Jackson, Stephen Johnopolos and Joe Carlin at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Saving Jake and Assault Method at Aldo’s, Altoona

Nobody’s Heroes at Family Pizza & Pub, Altoona

The Good Seeds at Belmar Hotel, Altoona

Half Tempted at Glenn’s Place, Claysburg

Seize Fire at Blue Knob Clubhouse, Blue Knob Ski Resort

The Sitch at Bedford Moose, Bedford

One Brick Shy at Saxton Sportsmen’s Club, Saxton

Second Edition at Saxton VFW, Saxton

Twelve at Hill Valley Inn, Mount Union

Screamin’ Ugly at Magoo’s, Cresson

Locked and Loaded at Cresson American Legion, Cresson

White Shadow at Patton VFW, Patton

Dakota at Sunshine Bar, Coalport

The Alley Cats at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

Ganister at Castle Pub, Ebensburg

Orange Fire at Our Place Pizza & Pub, Colver

Acoustic Stew at City Hotel, Northern Cambria

SUNDAY AFTERNOON:

Griff & Aaron Wolf at Mad Hatters, St. Boniface (starts 4 p.m.)

SUNDAY NIGHT:

Apollocreed, React, Assault Method, Archaic and Up Your Arsenal at Pellegrine’s, Altoona (all ages, starts 7 p.m.)

Felix & the Hurricanes at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

Ty & Pletcher at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (upstairs)

TUESDAY NIGHT:

Open Mic Night at the Ramada Cosmopolitan Lounge, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)

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

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

The Country Gentlemen at Clair’s Ashville Inn, Ashville (starts 6 p.m.)

“Battle of the Acoustics” (Round 1) at City Hotel, Northern Cambria (starts 7 p.m.)

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

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

Open Mic/Jam Night at Mug Shots, Gallitzin (starts 8 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT:

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

Felix & the Hurricanes at Pellegrine’s, Altoona

Brendon Burns (7th Gear) at the Belmar Hotel, Altoona

Tom “Ying” Yannitelli at Thirsty Dawg Taverne, Patton

(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.