Alex Bieler

A summer party is quite a simple concoction at heart. Comprised of one part summer weather and one part family and friends, this magical mixture results in a truly wonderful creation ? good, old-fashioned fun. Of course, sometimes a summer shindig transforms from a little get-together into a big event propelled by popular demand. Just look at The Gathering at Chaffee?s.

Glen Hansard, The Henry Clay People, Hot Chip, and Rhett Miller

Summers in Erie are chockfull of celebrations. Without even looking for them, you could stumble across a few festivals over the course of a couple of days. By combining live music and good food, you have the recipe for a fun-filled event. Really, the only thing that would be better is a musician that can serve up some grub while laying down some killer tunes.

It?s almost time for the show. The stage is all set for the band to come out and play, with instruments strewn across the performing platform ? enough for at least your standard four-person rock group. Soon, a single man takes to the stage and starts laying down a beat. When you start thinking that perhaps the rest of the band will file out one by one, he moves on to a new instrument as the original beat continues. That?s when you realize that this man is the band.

The Romolo Chocolates Summer Music Series brings several different performers to town, hosting them right at the confectionary?s outdoor piazza and parking lot. For 10 summery Saturdays, a variety of artists will play everything from latin jazz to indie rock, all right on West Eighth Street right by Frontier Park from 6 to 9 a.m.

Drawing from bands like Minus the Bear and Brand New, Instead of Sleeping started back in 2009, with Sweeney, drummer Corey McClain, bassist Tony ?Wolfman? Tortella, and guitarist and keyboardist Woody Wright making up today?s lineup.

Even if you don?t eat meat, you can still have a good time at the Rib Cook Off.

Music festivals are the musical Mecca for concertgoers. People travel far and wide to attend any of the hundreds of music festivals in the world for a chance to see a collection of bands play in a single locale. From Glastonbury, which draws 175,000 people a day, to Water Hill, where anyone can play on a nearby porch, music festivals are as diverse as they are abundant.

Scotty's Martini Lounge will be hosting the Black & Red Party at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 5.

After a busy 2011, Ron Yarosz and The Vehicle looking to keep things rolling with a show at The Brewerie at Union Station Friday, April 20.

Erie area provides backdrop for new feature film from Lyons Den Productions

Broccoli Samurai take the stage at the crooked i Friday, April 6.

Live Performance Review

Shawn and Almitra have been a boon to the cultural development of Erie. After dealing with local entertainment for decades, the couple believes in the city, and you should know them.

A sober look at Erie's favorite day of drinking