DAILY SCHEDULES:  Children's Day July 11   ~   July 12   ~   July 13   ~   July 14   ~   July 15

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ~ Thursday, July 12, 2012

B = Button required for admittance

Festival Locations Map

Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

Thursday, July 12

Today’s Sidney Friedman Park Stage is sponsored by AccuWeather.com

Today’s Sidney Friedman Park Performances are sponsored by the East Highlands Neighborhood Trash Crew

Today’s Allen Street Stage is sponsored by Moyer Jewelers

Heritage Brass
11:30 a.m.; Allen • brass
Comprised of music teachers – past, present and (one hopes) future – Heritage Brass has played at many festivals and events in Central Pennsylvania, including the Christkindl Market in Mifflinburg, Music in the Park in Lebanon, and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Jim Ressler (717) 250-4393

CPFA Silent Auction
Sponsored by Corvette America
Noon - 8 p.m.; 100 Block of Sout Allen Street

The CPFA Silent Auction, which raises money to support Festival programs, is an unqualified success due to the generosity of exhibitors, the able and enthusiastic leadership of the Festival volunteers, and the shopping of hundreds of Festival-goers.

Located in the 100 block of South Allen Street, the Silent Auction features a wide array of fine art and craft donated by Sidewalk Sale exhibitors.  Many patrons use a visit to the Silent Auction as their jumping-off point before heading out to check out the artists in the Sidewalk Sale & Exhibition.  People see something they like in the Silent Auction and take note of whose work it is so that they are sure to stop at the artist’s booth.  The proceeds of the Silent Auction help to pay for the Festival, and artists have found that having a piece in the Silent Auction is a great way to bring patrons to their booths. The Silent Auction will open on Thursday, July 12, at noon. It will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours will be from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Erin Condo and the Hoofties
1:30 p.m.; Allen • Americana/rock
In the last few years, Erin has lived in different parts of the country- from Texas to Northern California, to North Carolina, along the way composing a new set of songs that draw from soul, swing, bluegrass, country, and good old rock and roll influences.  Her new songs tell stories of Texas prostitutes, cheating motel owners, colorful dresses, coal mining towns, and trouble with a capital “T.”   Erin currently lives and plays in central Pennsylvania, reuniting with long-time collaborator Bill Wilgus. Bassist John Kennedy and drummer Kevin Lowe round out the band.  

Vinegar Creek Constituency
2:30 p.m.; Shell
Vinegar Creek Constituency channels the venerable old ghosts of the American folk tradition through inventive, imaginative original songs delivered with rock’n’roll intensity. Like their forerunners in the roots music of Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, the whaling towns of New England, and the Oklahoma dustbowl, the songs call out from the crossroads of light and darkness. The musicians of Vinegar Creek Constituency come from diverse musical backgrounds that range from formal classical performance to experimental garage rock to traditional old time string band music. (717) 877-9681

The Show Twirlers
3:00 p.m.; Park
The ShowTwirlers Competitive Baton Twirling Team is comprised of baton twirling athletes from all over central Pennsylvania. The Altoona based studio is home to current National, State, and local baton twirling champions. The teams that perform at the Festival will be going to the University of Notre Dame to compete at the National Baton Twirling Championships, July 16th. Members of The Show Twirlers perform for their schools football fields across Pennsylvania, and also compete individually at local, state, and national competitions.

The Insomniacs
3:30 p.m.; Allen • pop
The Insomniacs have played together for three years playing an engaging mixture of tunes from the 80s through today. They are regular performers at State College’s Summer’s Best Music Fest, and at Boalsburg’s Tussey Mountain Wingfest. Dave Skipper (814) 883-4192.

Chris Mincer Suzuki Guitar Students
4:00 p.m.; Park
Chris Mincer’s students will perform on the classical guitar, which they are studying via the Suzuki method. This was style of instruction was developed by Japanese violinist Shin'ichi Suzuki in the mid 20th century.

Keystone Society of Swing
Sponsored by the Village at Penn State Retirement Community
4:30 p.m.; Shell • big band
The Keystone Society of Swing is a community based band composed of musicians from the central Pennsylvania area. It plays music of the Swing Era (1930-50's) throughout central Pennsylvania. Raymond Najjar (814) 933-7521

Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz
5:00 p.m.; Allen • indie
Portland- based Philadelphia native, Christine Havrilla, brings her “well-built, catchy, smart tunes” back to the Festival this summer. Touring nationally with her new band Gypsy Fuzz, Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty audiences quickly embrace.  The band’s premier album, Searching. Finding. Living,was listed on The Advocate magazine’s “Best Overlooked Albums of 2011!”

Jay Vonada Trio
5:30 p.m.; Friedman Park • jazz
Trombonist Jay Vonada has played in a variety of groups in Central Pennsylvania. He has studied at Mansfield University and the Berklee College of Music. His trio recently released a new CD of all original material, Red Pajamas. The band can regularly be heard at Zola New World Bistro in State College.

The band released its third CD, Live at Home in January of 2012.  Featuring tracks recorded over 5 different shows in and around their hometown of Philadelphia, the new CD runs the gamut from beautiful and delicate movements to evil dissonance; from intricate and thought provoking melodies to hard driving funk and is a fantastic representation of the group's live show experience.

The band's high energy and musical interplay routinely attract listeners that are admittedly more accustomed to lyric-based music. With great melodic sensibilities, rhythmic experimentation and an accessible modern edge, the Dirk Quinn Band is jazz/funk improvisation at its most exciting! Dirk Quinn (215) 803-8382

JR and Natalie Band
7:00 p.m.; Allen • rock
J.R. Mangan, guitarist/singer, has been part of the State College music scene for over 23 years and has loved every minute of it. Natalie Berrena is J.R.’s latest vocalist joining a long line of talented female singers. She is a former Penn State field hockey star and a powerful, soulful vocalist. Also joining Mangan this year are long-time band mates Mark Toci (guitar), James Miller (bass), and with John Lynch on drums. Their show promises to be up-beat and entertaining, with songs ranging from classic rock, R&B, country, and a few originals. This will be J.R.’s 23rd Festival appearance. J.R. Mangan (814)574-4480

Atlas Soundtrack
7:30 p.m.; Park •
The group came together in 2007 and began writing what is now their catalog of over 50 original songs. Making their way across state borders in North-Eastern territory, Atlas Soundtrack brings all-original music to the table, with something for everyone to get down to. Taking elements from many genres including Hip-Hop, Reggae music, and Rock and Roll, Atlas receives heavy support from both fans and critics in central Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Dance Theatre
B 8:00 p.m.; State Theatre  • dance
Founded in 1979, Pennsylvania Dance Theatre has earned a reputation for staging intense dance theater works that are challenging and thought-provoking. Under the direction of Andre Koslowski, the company has performed on national and international stages, and has brought to central Pennsylvania the type of powerful, progressive dance experience enjoyed by audiences in cultural centers like New York and Berlin. The company's artistic vision surveys the world with an unflinching eye and seeks to reflect the full range of human experience.

With a dedication to exploring the borders between contemporary dance and other artistic disciplines, PDT actively seeks out and collaborates with internationally renowned choreographers, set designers, composers and performers. The company believes that working across boundaries creates limitless opportunities to extend the artistic possibilities of dance, and to push the discipline into exciting frontiers.

Comas 
B 8:00 p.m.; Schwab Auditorium • Traditional Gaelic
Comas, one of Europe's most sensational Celtic bands, brings together four of the most exciting musicians of their generation. From Ireland there is Aidan Burke, who has won over twenty All-Ireland fiddle championships. Belgium’s Philip Masure’s guitar mastery is readily apparent. He’s one of the most sought-after guitarists on the Celtic scene. Though now based in New York, Isaac Anderson is an All-Ireland Senior Champion on three instruments: uilleann pipes, flute and whistle.  Jackie Moran—born in County Tipperary but now living in Chicago-- is on bodhrán, on which he is considered among the world's best.

Although coming from diverse musical backgrounds, and residing in different parts of the globe, the gentlemen of Comas quickly forged a unique blend of traditional Irish music. When you hear Comas you'll know that their choice of name—which translates from the Gaelic as “power” was no mere coincidence.

Miss Melanie & the Valley Rats
9:00 p.m.; Allen •
This band came together in State College in the summer of 2010 and is comprised of seasoned veterans of the State College music scene and a new kid in town. The combination gives way to classic blues with a subtle twist. Playing blues from all eras but also original compositions, there's something for all tastes. The band features two members of the fabled Queen Bee & the Blue Hornet Band (Mark Ross & Jack Wilkinson), along with Melanie Morrison on vocals.

Primary Element
9:00 p.m.; Shell •
Primary Element is a positive hip-hop band from Silver Spring, Maryland and includes Michael Wallz, and the twins Stanley and Stephen Spottswood. The musically gifted trio was goofing around with beats and a microphone in 2008 when the group came together. The band incorporates not only hip hop but, jazz, r&b, go-go, soul, country, and, as they say, “any other type of music we can get our hands on.”

Flashback Forward
9:30 p.m.; Park • pop/rock
Flashback Forward is a State College band whose first two singles, Surrender, and Nineteen, have received favorable praise for their anthemic feel and unique sound; most notably from U.K. rock critic Neil McCormick, who has described the band’s sound as potent and atmospheric.

Yes, the band has played in the New York City subway. But they’ve also played at popular venues that do not require a fare card or transferring to an express train at Times Square to get uptown quickly. The band looks forward to recording in New York City and being signed by a label. Oh and what does Flashback Forward sound like? Some say psychedelic rock and others say 90s pop. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

DAILY SCHEDULES:  Children's Day July 11   ~   July 12   ~   July 13   ~   July 14   ~   July 15