“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.

And we’ve got photos and video to prove it. Adam Mundok, the Nagys, and Curtis Cox did NOT take it up a notch, or move to the next level the other night at VOMA. Taking up laurelight’s February challenge, they leapt everything in between and Jumpin’ Jack Flashed right to the top. Their performance was tight, focused and non-stop. Embraced by the solid, pulsing rhythms of Matt Nagy (bass), Curtis Cox (drums) and Gene Nagy (guitar), and the beguiling back-up vocals of Karen Nagy, front-man Adam Mundok and lead guitar Sean Nagy kicked it into overdrive and dragged the eager crowd on a journey two thousand light years from home (requisite Stones reference) and back again.

Performance, theatrical or musical, is all about sharing. Like some cranked-up game of hacky sack, this ball of creative energy gets kicked around, growing and glowing as it caroms from performer to performer until it envelopes the audience and comes back again. On stage, you either kick it up or you pack it up and go home. Dead Flowers chose the former last Saturday, and once this house started rockin’ there was no stopping it. It’s hard to tell where or when it began, but between Mundok’s strut, primp and pose, and Nagy’s swagger and blistering licks, the energy consumed us all. This band could play with anybody. As Ronnie Hawkins cries early on in The Last Waltz: “Big time, Bill. Big time!”

Dead Flowers is:
Gene “Street Fighting Man” Nagy – Guitar
Karen “She’s a Rainbow” Nagy – Supporting Vocals
Matt “Out of Tears” Nagy – Bass
Sean “Too Much Blood” Nagy – Guitar
Curtis “Have You Seen Your Drummer, Baby, Sitting in the Shadow” Cox – Drums
Adam “Beast of Burden” Mundok – Front Man and Percussion

Very pretty laurelight photo gallery of the Dead Flowers performance at Johnstown’s VOMA is here. Regular gallery is directly below. Scroll all the way down to check out the video.

We’ve got the vid hot off the hard drive. Another rockin’, jammin’ blues night at the VOMA. Special award to Scott Jeffreys for putting together an exceptional group of talent. Scott and Dom Peruso once again provide the steadiest rhythm section this side of Wyman and Watts: never missing a beat, and never passing on an opportunity to show us what they’re capable of. The ever-ebullient T.K. Mundok got to strut his stuff on a couple of tunes in the second set. (You’ll see one of them below.) How can anybody sing the Blues with such joy? T.K. knows. But it was Jeff Perigo and Steve Azami who brought a special character to the evening. It was like String Cheese meets Leadbelly by way of Jerry Lee.
Midnight Special indeed. We pitched our Wang-Wang-Doodle
and Howled All Night Long. All Night Long. Shoulda been there.

Blues Gathering IV @ Johnstown, PA’s VOMA:
Keys – Even Steven
Stringbender – Jeff Perigo
Harp & Choir – T.K. Mundok
Skins – Dom Peruso
Big, Big Bass – Scott Jeffreys

Find the gallery below the video, or, for a nicer view, check out the BG IV Album here.

Sorry for the jitters. Had to move early to get Steve in the shot and had to scratch my nose about half-way through.

SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC IN JOHNSTOWN PA!

You might have noticed I’m spending a lot of time (and drinking most of my wine) at Johnstown PA’s VOMA – the Venue of Merging Arts in Cambria City. That’s because it’s such a hoot. We had another wild night in January, organized by Johnstown’s most prolific bassist, Scott Jeffreys. Once again, the band, and the good times, exceeded expectations. The lineup included:
Mike Borstnar – guitar and vocals
T.K. Mundok – vocals and harp
Dom Peruso – drums
Scott Jeffreys – bass and vocals
Frank Genovese – guitar and vocals
Can’t wait till next week, and I’ve got no idea who’s gonna show up. Meanwhile, VOMA’s got a full slate over the coming months. Check it out here, and then get down there and have yourself a real good time.

Related Links
The Laurelight Jim & Jimmies Gallery
Jim & Jimmies Takeout Menu
MyJohnstownPa Jim & Jimmies Article

Shirley, from work, told me that Jim & Jimmies, a coupla country miles out the Somerset Pike from Johnstown, was open under new management after being on the market for a few months. It’d been 35 years since I’d stepped foot inside, so I thought it was time to head out and grab some photos. Of course I love the place. They serve beer, don’t they? But new owners, Amy and Jolene and extended families, have gone far beyond just opening up the taps.

The place is clean, bright and inviting, and sports a friendly crowd. And the food is great. I had me the Jumbo Jimmie each of the two times I’ve been there. Can’t beat it: Big Burger, Fries and Jumbo Draft for 6 bucks! You can’t beat that anywhere. Next time in, I’m gonna try the Rocky Dog. Two-and-a-quarter for a dog with cheese, fried onions and bacon. Can’t wait. You can check out the rest of the menu from the link above. They’ll even order out a pizza for you. Talk about service.

And they’ve got entertainment, too. If you show up there today (August 8), you’ll catch their grand opening, along with drink specials and what-not. Tonight at 9, it’s Ole 97, the Johnny Cash and June Carter Tribute Band. And MyJohnstownPa.com (link above) tells us they’ll be screening the locally produced indie film, Escape From Chickentown, next Friday evening, August 15, at 8 and 10PM. Admission: $2. I’m thinking the Balko’s found a new home away from. Somerset Pike’s always been one of my favorite roads anyway.

Brief conversation with owner Amy:
the Balko: “I love this bar!”
Amy: “I love it, too. It’s being good to me.”
C’mon out the Pike and let Jim & Jimmies and staff be good to you, too.

Jim & Jimmies
Somerset Pike
814.288.3370
Wed thru Sun: 11AM – ??