Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square: May Shows
Photo: Ted Colegrove
The Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square has been bringing the community together for over 3 years, presenting FREE live music every Summer! With the warm breeze drifting, crack open a cold Yuengling and place a food order at the bar for maximum relaxation amongst the sweet sounds of Summer. Get your plans off on the right start at SteelStacks with one of these upcoming May performances…
Friday, May 20th
9:00pm – Mosey Beat
With powerful momentum in the NEPA area, progressive funk rock group Mosey Beat combines their high energy performances with dance grooves and mellow waves that create a unique listening experience for patrons at their shows. The group is made up of Taylor O’ Connor (guitar, vocals), Blair O’ Connor (drums, vocals) and Thomas Hart (bass). Composing their entire discography together, the genre fusion they incorporate will have you energized to celebrate the exciting weekend ahead!!
Saturday, May 21st
9:00pm – The Wild Hymns
Dreamy and sweet, York, Pennsylvania natives, The Wild Hymns will be performing May 21st at 9pm with their mystical performance of original songs. The duo consists of singer/songwriter Megan Woodland Hewitt (née Donley) and her husband, guitarist Jeff Hewitt. Inspiration for their compositions are derived from the connections made by human relationship, emotion, nature and mysticism, reclaiming the word “hymn” to celebrate the natural world, free human spirit and cosmic love!
Thursday, May 26th
9:00pm – Open Mic
Open Mic night is at a special venue this memorial day weekend as it will take place outdoors, live on the Highmark Community Stage! Share your talents in an uplifting environment as you spend time with those you love during the long weekend with ArtsQuest. If you’ve found yourself sitting on a new composition without the audience to share it with, now’s the time for you to step into the light and give your material the proper introduction on Air Products Town Square. So what do you say? Will we see YOU this Thursday, May 26th?
Friday, May 27th
9:00pm – Cousin Curtiss
If blues and bluegrass had a baby, you’d witness the birth of Cousin Curtiss. His Award Winning Rootstop music has gained recognition by Business Insider, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbull and more. When you enter his world during a performance, you’ll experience a fiery dynamic that is very unusual for a solo act to possess, full of positive energy and serious performance experience.
Saturday, May 28th
3:00pm – Ed McKendry
After retiring from a 30-year business career with Air Products, where he was a guitarist/vocalist with the company’s award-winning band, The Difference, Ed focused on producing an EP of his own original music.
His album “Blue Steps” is a 7-song self-produced project where he wrote all the songs and performed all the instruments and voices. The “Blue Steps” record was recorded at home during COVID-19 lockdown and mixed by his friend, Phil Joly, a multi-Grammy winning engineer/producer.
Since teaching himself to play guitar at a young age, Ed’s performance highlights have included playing at the old Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA, the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, clubs and private events in the Philadelphia area and popular Lehigh Valley venues inc
5:30pm – Hydraulic Lime
A 3 piece power rock trio resembling the music of Grand Funk Railroad and Budgie. Hydraulic Lime plays a mix of original and covers songs. The band has been in existence since 2010 and plays at many different venues throughout the Lehigh Valley. The members include Todd Patnaude on bass, John Sekella on guitar, and Reed Thomson on drums.
9:00pm – Rock Steady
Rock Steady is a Lehigh Valley based acoustic trio. Focusing on 3 part vocal harmonies, the band covers artists such as The Little River Band, The Eagles, Boston, Gerry Rafferty, and many more from the 1970’s and 80’s.
Sunday, May 29th
3:00pm – Sing for America
Sing for America is a group comprised of 5 siblings whose mission is to raise funds for families of active serving military through concert and theatrical performances. Sing for America performs a variety of music from Broadway to patriotic to oldies and is enjoyed by audiences of all ages. They also produce full scale musical Productions throughout the year that allows them to bring the community into their mission. Sing for America has raised over $60,000 for military families since their inception. Go to www.SingforAmerica.com to check out more or to help by sending a donation.
5:30pm – Acoustic Kitty Project
Born in Houston, TX and raised in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Carter Lansing grew up in the shadow of a decaying industrial landscape and rapidly disappearing farmland. He found his escape in 1970’s FM radio. Steeped in the classic singer-songwriter tradition mixed with rock and country sensibilities, Carter writes songs about love and loss, sorrow and sweetness. Real songs about real things for real people.
“If Steve Earle and Roseanne Cash had conceived and abandoned their spawn in the back of C.F. Martin’s guitar factory to raise itself on a steady diet of Johns, Prine and Updike, and macaroni and cheese – Carter Lansing would be that weird, gifted baby. His songs are both sensitive and literary. He links the past and the present through a personal narrative that taps deep into the vein of folk with raw passion that sucks it dry and then cracks open the bones and sucks out the sweet, sweet marrow. It is quietly brilliant and your reward grows upon repeated listening.” – Ryan Woodring (The Elucidator, Spring 2014)
9:00pm – Roi and the Secret People
Renowned for their exhilarating live shows, rock band Roi and the Secret People (RSP) features songwriter Mike Roi on lead vocals and guitar, Ed Golden on guitar, Glen Radomski on bass, Madelaine Elizabeth on vocals, violin and keys, and Pete Ciccone on drums. Roi, who hails from South Florida, has toured all across the country, lived and rocked in the cities of Philadelphia and New York, and finally put his roots down in Easton, PA. From here he set out to assemble a group of talented, experienced, and like-minded musicians to create the version of rock music he was raised with, a mix of sultry swamp, classic rock, and alternative music.
Monday, May 30th
3:30pm – SwingTime Dolls
The SwingTime Dolls is an all female vocal group consisting of three of the area’s most accomplished vocalists that shine a new light on the tunes of the American Hit Parade of the 1940s and the 1960s classics of the Vietnam era. Drawing on inspiration from The Andrews Sisters, the Dolls pride themselves on tight and intricate harmonies that are sure to keep any listener engaged. Because all three women are well versed in musical theatre, The SwingTime Dolls brings another facet of entertainment to their audiences with pin-up styled costumes and energetic choreography. A SwingTime Dolls show is sure to capture the hearts of any age with the original covers of timeless classics such as Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood” and even some modern hits like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. The Dolls will take you on a sentimental journey back in time with a show you’re sure to remember.
5:30pm – Stefanie Johnson Trio
Singer songwriter Stefanie Johnson’s professional musical experience is varied and significant. Her style ranges from a soaring pop artist to rock singer with a slight country timbre as well. Similarly, her music and songwriting style traverse those same motifs. In addition to the local scene, Stefanie has performed at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe and 12th & Porter, as well as the Rock and Roll of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Stefanie has also made her mark in the music licensing business. Her song “In my Shoes” has been featured in the 2018 film Affairs of State. In addition, her song “One Life” was featured in the film Red Rocket released December 2021. Most recently, her song “Everything You Need” will be featured in Daniel Roebuck’s Hail Mary which is currently in post production.
Teaming up with super talented guitarist Michael Anthus and singer songwriter/guitarist Erin Kelly who has opened up for artists including Hunter Hayes, Frankie Ballard most recently Aaron Lewis at the Sands Event Center, this trio delivers a mix of country, classic rock, and pop that is sure to provide something for everyone. The combination of two powerhouse vocals with exceptional harmonies and outstanding guitar playing is a performance you don’t want to miss.
