Music

The Eerie Horror Film Festival and Expo and Big John Bates round out this week's To-Do List.

Catching up with the folk/punk troubador at the Grog Shop

Rebecca Styn talks with Erie's own Queen of Jazz, Mary Alice Brown.

Big Leg Emma and the GAA round off this week's To-Do List

Introducing the To-Do List! Let Alex Bieler take you on a tour of the events you just can't miss.

The Avett Brothers, Cat Power, Animal Collective, and Divine Fits all reviewed for your listening pleasure.

Music belongs to everyone. This philosophy continues to inspire Gabrielle Dietrich, the new artistic director of the Young People?s Chorus (YPC) of Erie, to continue her work in enriching others through musical performance and education.

Andrew Dolan is a fan of opportunity. When he was growing up, the Collegiate Academy senior had the chance to explore the world of music more intimately with the aid of his parents, beginning a learning process that grew into a love of the art.

You could call it folk rock, but if CSN is wine, Falling Hollywood is whiskey. You could call it pop punk, but if Green Day is menthol, Falling Hollywood is reds. You could call it cow punk, but if Jason and the Scorchers is bathtub gin, Falling Hollywood is PBR. You could call it rogue folk, but if the Pogues are a Guinness, Falling Hollywood is, well, still a PBR.

Buckinghams not your bag? Not feeling Frehley? Like many, we?ve openly criticized this festival in the past; however, we would be remiss to ignore the fact that there are a lot of live, loud, and local musicians playing in the festival.

Curious about the acts taking the stage at this year's Blues and Jazz Festival? Luckily Cory Vaillancourt offers some insight to each group in preparation for Erie's big weekend.

Once again, Erie Art Museum director John Vanco has cobbled together a strong lineup culled from several genres and sub-genres of Blues and Jazz. I recently sat with him to discuss the lineup for this, the 20th Annual Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival.

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.

Although Erie apparently loves Kansas, and the Buckinghams, and Vanilla Ice, Erie knows music, and Erie?s got soul, which is why she loves Blues and Jazz. She loves being outside, on the grass, listening to these distinctly American art forms at the summer?s best fest ? so you know she?ll be at the 20th Annual Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival in Frontier Park August 4 and 5.

Over the past 20 years, Rob Van Winkle - a.k.a. Vanilla Ice - has seen more ups and downs than an elevator, yet, he's still here - at peace with himself, and moving forward.