Jeffrey Gaines CD Release show at Steel City on August 11th

“Live In Europe”, the new CD from Jeffrey Gaines, was recorded during his 25-city tour of Europe with Joe Jackson in the autumn of 2010. The CD features Gaines’ classics and fan favorites, including the hit ballad “Beyond the Beginning” and the powerful anthem “Headmasters of Mine.” Gaines’ fans have long asked for a solo-acoustic CD, and he delivers just that with these previously unheard performances. A standout track, “Five Years” captures a stirring interpretation of David Bowie’s opening song on “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” Gaines will play several east-coast dates throughout the summer to support his new "Live In Europe" release.

"Live In Europe" was released in stores on on June 26th and is currently available at amazon.com. You can hear record in its entirety at soundcloud.com.

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Firebird Theatre Presents The Wizard Of Oz

It’s not often that area residents have the opportunity to see a live musical on the historic stage of the Colonial Theatre, but this weekend offers just that chance!

This is the second year that The Firebird Theatre has teamed up with the Colonial Theatre for its summer productions, which this year are The Wizard of Oz and The Trouble in Oz. Both productions feature children and teens from many schools in the area who have spent the last few months learning about staging a musical, from blocking to costuming to orchestration.

Janet Hoehl, founder and president of the non-profit Firebird explains, “Community theatre is a great venue for children to learn how to stand up in front of a group, make eye contact and speak out! Theatre offers many intangible benefits for children: it teaches self-confidence, public speaking, the value of commitment and dedication, the opportunity to practice working in groups, to name a few.” She has dedicated the better part of her summer to producing and managing Firebird’s activities.

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Baseball Committee Receives Grant To Fund Feasibility Review

The Phoenixville Baseball Committee today announced that they have received a $12,500 grant from the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation to fund a financial feasibility review. The review, which will be conducted by the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is expected to be completed by December 2012.

For more, visit the Baseball Committee website.

Chesco Pops Concert to Benefit Phoenixville Public Library

The Chesco Pops, in partnership with the Phoenixville Public Library, will perform in concert at Phoenixville Area High School on Thursday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Titled Lights . . . Camera . . . Music! Melodies and Memories from Movies and TV, the program features medleys from American in Paris, James Bond, Oklahoma and Titanic, theme music from Chariots of Fire, Magnificent Seven, Peter Gunn, Pink Panther and Superman, and renowned Broadway songs and duets sung by Amanda Noce, soprano and Greg Kasander, baritone.

The Pops brings together 65 of Chester County’s finest instrumental players. Since its founding in 2005, it has presented 40 concerts in more than a dozen county venues. It is under the direction of WCU Professor Emeritus, Jacques Voois, who will retire as the Pops’ principal conductor following the series.

For its summer series, the Pops is partnering with local community non-profits. Concertgoers will enjoy the show and also support the ongoing activities of the Phoenixville Public Library. A percentage of ticket revenues will be donated to the Library.

Tickets will be available online at www.chescopops.org and at the door. Prices are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $5 for students and free to children 12 and under.

For more information, including locations and driving directions, please visit the orchestra’s website, www.chescopops.org, or call 610-701-5701.

Local Photographer Raising Money for New Coffee Table Book

Local photographer Vince LoGreco has set out to create a new coffee table book featuring black and white images from the Schuylkill River valley between Conshohocken and Reading, Phoenixville and the Valley Forge area included. To help pay for the costs associated with publishing his work, Vince has created a Kickstarter campaign in which you can donate to the project.

For more information on his goals for the book and to make a donation please visit http://www.blueberryarts.com/project/.

Camphill Kimberton’s Hootenanny set for July 14

Visitors enjoy live music at the annual Hootenanny, a summer festival to benefit Camphill Village Kimberton Hills. 

Camphill Kimberton’s Hootenanny, a festival of local music and food, will be held July 14 from 3-10 p.m. at 1601 Pughtown Road, Kimberton, Pa.

Musicians scheduled to perform on the solar-paneled hay wagon stage include: Mostly Maybe, Dirk Quinn, Perseverance Jazz Band, and Big Bad Wolf. Jim Crater of Recycling Services will be helping to provide solar power.

The Hootenanny has been organized to celebrate the joy of local culture. In addition to the music, there will be games, face painting, hay rides and folk dancing. Local, organic food will be available for purchase. Bring your own reusable place settings and flatware to receive a discount on your food purchase. Children will have the chance to spot cows, chickens, sheep and more on the working dairy and vegetable farm.

The admission fee is $10, $8 in advance. Children 10 and under are free. Advance tickets can be purchased by contacting bernadette@camphillkimberton.org or 610-935-8660. Attendees may bring their own blankets or lawn chairs.

Proceeds from the Hootenanny will go to Camphill Kimberton, a dynamic farming and handcrafting community that includes adults with developmental disabilities. This non-profit organization has provided meaningful work and a supportive environment since it was founded in 1972. Located on 432 acres of farm, gardens and woodlands in Chester County, Camphill Kimberton is also a local center for culture and a model for sound ecological living.

Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is located at 1601 Pughtown Road, Kimberton, Pa. Please use Google Maps for directions as most GPS systems do not recognize their address.

Visit www.camphillkimberton.org to learn more.

July Thorugh September at the Colonial Theatre

Plenty to see and do this Summer at The Colonial Theatre.

CONCERTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

BlobFest
$5-10
Jul 13–15
The Colonial Theatre's 13th Annual Blobfest is a kitschy, family-friendly event saluting the 1958 classic sci-fi movie The Blob, filmed in and around Phoenixville, PA including inside the Colonial Theatre. For complete schedule and ticket information visit www.TheColonialTheatre.com.

Harry Potter Marathon
Tickets: $10 - $20 per day.
Sat, Aug 4, 10:00 am
Sun, Aug 5, 1:45 pm
Eight films. Two days. One boy wizard. Join us for our annual summer marathon – this year it’s all eight Harry Potter films spread out over two days. On Day 1 (Sat, Aug 4) we’ll show the first five films, and on Day 2 (Sun, Aug 5) we’ll show films 6-8. Costumes are strongly encouraged!

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Local Business Spotlight: Rob Vadino Painting

Do you have dirty siding? Is your deck faded and gray? Does your interior or exterior paint need a refresher? Rob Vadino can help. Based in Phoenixville, Rob can assist with interior/exterior painting, power washing and deck staining and he uses only eco and pet friendly products.

For more information, give him a call at 484-535-1006 or email him at robertvadino@hotmail.com.