“The enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it; tranquilizes it and yet enlivens it; and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigoration to the whole system.” -Frederick Law Olmstead

Roxbury Bandshell and Park Gallery

The last time I posted a photo of the Roxbury Bandshell, it was, literally, moments away from destruction. But then, something wonderful happened. A group of local citizens was organized, and, for the first time in decades of landmark demolition and parking lot construction, declared, “Enough!” The Roxbury Bandshell Alliance, shovelling against a rising tide, and against all odds, managed to scratch up the necessary resources, and, with demolition equipment lurking in the parking lot, saved this historic structure from the wrecking ball.

The group continues working tirelessly to this day to preserve this bit of Johnstown, PA’s heritage, but, in this observer’s mind, they did more than secure this piece of local history. From the day the Bandsehll was saved, a recreational domino effect has rippled along the Stonycreek and Conemaugh Valleys and up over the surrounding Laurel and Allegheny ridges. Since this watershed moment, the region has seen:

• development of a whitewater mecca along the Stonycreek River
• a growing trail system, locally reaching from Riverside to Johnstown’s Sandyvale Cemetery, that will eventually stretch through Mineral Point and South Fork to Cresson, and downstream through the Conemaugh Gap, someday to join with the developing Pennsylvania Greenway;
• progress on river access and a recreation area along Johnstown’s Somerset Street
• development of a cultural and historic district in Cambria City

…and many more initiatives that, when all added together, mean a much improved quality of life for local residents.

Now, certainly, we’re finally seeing fruition of labors that were already in progress before the formation of the Bandshell Alliance, but, it seems that, since that remarkable day in the city’s life, the region has finally seen more things being built than are being torn down.

And so, I have added the following heroes to my personal pantheon. It’s also worth noting that many volunteers involving themselves in community efforts have no idea of the actual work and commitment that will eventually be required. In spite of that common under-estimation, the people below, and many others, have worked tirelessly to preserve and maintain the Roxbury Bandshell, and to provide the community with a continuing slate of first class family entertainment.

I am, and the community should be, humbled by, and proud of, this group’s achievements: Chris Verbano, Mary Borkow, Joe Balon, Joseph Guydo, Lester McDaniel, Luke Speicher, Helen Speicher, Debbie McDaniel, Matt Danchanko, Ron Heinlein and Tim Burns.

A couple of other names worth mentioning: I don’t shoot much at the Park. Bill Rogers (ishootmuscians.com) and Brian Krise (johnstowncafe.com) do outstanding jobs with event coverage. If you haven’t seen their work, check it out now.

Striped Maple Hollow is:
Adam Milkovich: mandolin and guitar
Michael Mood: guitar and banjo
Sonya Giuffre: vocals
Jayna Mood: vocals and guitar

the VOMA: What are you waiting for? Get there.
Striped Maple Hollow: Check ‘em. And remember who told you.

Caught Denise Krestal-Baldwin @ the VOMA a few weeks back. Sorry for the delay in posting, but I’m backlogging again. Denise is a remarkable talent: hypnotic vocals, accessible jams, and engaging lyrics. It’s a lot of fun just sitting back and letting yourself be entertained. Meanwhile Johnstown PA’s VOMA is turning into a happnin’ place to be. No excuse for missing the venue or the artists performing there while you’re slouching back complaining there’s nothing to do. Catch Denise and a few of her exceptional tunes on her ReverbNation page and VOMA’s got a page of their own. Be there.

Denise Krestal-Baldwin on ReverbNation
the Venue of Merging Arts – VOMA

Related Links:
The laurelight 2nd Sunday gallery
Satori Gallery

Moxham and culture: two words you would have never used together in a sentence back when I was waiting behind Diamond Drugs for the Old Man to come striding through the US Steel gate at the end of his shift: “Take me to the Stonycreek.” Moxham was Moxham and culture was the occasional Country and Western show tearing up Cochran’s auditorium on a tear through the nation’s third class cities.

Everything changes. Diamond Drugs, US Steel and Cochran Junior High School (what you young’uns call “Middle School”) are all gone, but Moxham continues to grow as a cultural center in Johnstown (yes, that’s what I said) when, this coming Sunday, June 14, Satori Gallery presents A Satori in Johnstown, an all day celebration of music and art taking place around the neighborhood’s Village Street Shops. Dave DiStefano, Satori’s proprietor, says it better than I can, so here’s the gist of his latest email:

“Satori Gallery on Village St. will be presenting “A Satori in Johnstown” an art & music street festival on Sunday, June 14. It will be taking place in front of the Village Street Shoppes in Moxham and will last from noon – dusk.

This is a free festival composed of all local talent showing and performing their own original works. ALL are welcome and encouraged to attend in hopes of raising awareness of our local art scene here in Johnstown.

The music lineup includes: The Wheels, Dave DiStefano w/Grand Hadron, Endless Mike & the Beagle Club, The Jeff Perigo Opus, Inside Out, The Sunflower Spectacle, Emmett and Mary, Dallas Zimmerman, Justin Garman, AM Radio, & Glenn Henry.

Johnstown’s Songwriting group “Songworks” will be performing as well as hosting an open mic all day. All artists of the area are invited to show their work. Registration with the gallery required. There will be an open drum circle at sundown, and refreshments by Village St. Cafe. Schedule updates and artist details are provided at www.myspace.com/satorigallery. Thank you all for supporting local art & music!!!!”

and theatre, too…

And, as long as we’re talking Moxham, culture and awareness, check out the Satori site (linked above) for details on this week’s presentation of When the World was Green, Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaiken’s “elegiac” and “stately” exploration of exhaustion and…sensual pleasures that exist only in recollection.” (Ben Brantley, New York Times). Performances are Thursday & Friday @ 8. Admission is $10. Proceeds benefit the Keystone Chapter of the American Red Cross. Reservations are strongly recommended. Reserve your seats by emailing unapologeticproductions@gmail.com or by calling (814) 244-3135.

Of course, I’ve got no photo’s from this week’s party (yet), so, to get you warmed up, here are some shots from August 08′s Second Sunday featuring, I think, Jazz in Your Face.

Related Links:
The Laurelight Big Oaks Gallery
The Front Porch Country Band
Green Valley Recording
The Midlife Cowboys
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Scores of hidden gems are waiting to be discovered in Pennsylvania’s Southern Highlands. One of these little-known jewels is the music and arts fest presented annually on Ridge Road by Dan and Geeg Eash. Of course the Eash’s use the event to showcase Dan’s hand-made pottery, but the primary purpose is to give back to the community and share their joy of music, antiques and the good life with neighbors, friends and friends-to-be.

Entertainment at the 2008 event included Dr. Gary Stoner, OB/GYN, singer, songwriter, member of the Midlife Cowboys and composer of the song Johnstown Pride, written in the wake of the 1977 Johnstown Flood; and Richard & Alison Rupert, singers, songwriters, members of the Back Porch Country Band, and proprietors of Green Valley Recording Studio. Dan Eash, as well as gracing the crowd with a tune, provided a pottery demonstration during the course of the day’s activities. Geeg was everywhere, organizing, introducing and worrying a little more than she needed to.

It was a wonderful afternoon, complete with flawless performances of classic country and bluegrass tunes, beautiful and original pottery, spectacular scenery, and the sort of friendly, casual company you would expect of a Highlands gathering. To top it off, the Eash’s are gracious hosts, going so far as to babysit for several months a piece of equipment forgotten by a neglectful photographer. I look forward to a similar event this year.