Busy weekend around county with festivals, concerts, more
LANSDOWNE » Visit borough on Sunday for an Inside Out Lansdowne Poetry Walk starting at the Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., at 2 p.m. The walk features poetry inspired and/or related to paintings on display throughout Lansdowne, with readings at Hays Park, the Library, Art Space, Borough Hall, Veterans Park, and Lansdowne Landing, 31 N. Lansdowne Ave.
Leonard Gontarek, a Philadelphia Poet Laureate finalist and author of six books of poems, leads the pack of poets, which includes Hannah Litvin, Cathleen Cohen, Shane Koyczan, Sekai’afua Zankel, Anthony Campuzano and David Kertis. If there is rain, the readings move to the borough library, 55 S. Lansdowne Ave., in the Bany Room.
For information, search of “Lansdowne Inside Out” on Facebook.
Spotlight on young musicians
In conjunction with the second annual Kids Music Day, founded by Delaware County-based Keep Music Alive and celebrated Friday at music schools and stores around the U.S. and Canada, several events are set for this weekend, Oct. 7-8, around Delaware County showcasing young musicians:
• Delco Rock School, MacDade Boulevard, Folsom, holds an Instrument Petting Zoo with Alice Marie from noon-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
• Darlington Arts Center, 977 Shavertown Road, Garnet Valley, holds a Back to School Arts Party from 6-8 tonight, Oct. 7.
This year, Keep Music Alive is partnering with hundreds of music schools across the nation and beyond to help spotlight the importance of including music in children’s education. Events being held by participating music schools include open houses, student music performances, community/family jams, instrument petting zoos, instrument donation drives and more.
Keep Music Alive is an organization dedicated to promoting the value of music. For information, visit www.keepmusicalive.org and www.kidsmusicday.org
Greek fest weekend at St. George’s
MIDDLETOWN » St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 30 E. Forge Road, Media, holds “A Taste of Greece,” its 38th annual Greek festival through Sunday.
The rain or shine event features free admission and free parking. Festival hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday.
Come out for authentic Greek food and outdoor dining, Greek music and dancing, and souvenirs and activities. Lunch and dinner feature over 30 menu options including Gyro, Souvlaki, Pastichio, Chicken Riganati, Moussaka, Baklava and more. There are 10 percent senior, military and student discounts. A variety of homemade Greek pastries are available. Outdoor dining areas serve Greek beer, wine, Ouzo and other beverages. Take-out food is available, ready to refrigerate or freeze.
There are free Greek folk dance performances by the are’s best dance groups, and music from all parts of Greece played throughout the festival. Enoy activities, raffle drawings, Greek venodrs with unique items and jewerly and more. The church’s sanctuary is open during the festival for prayer.
To call ahead for take-out food, call 610-459-1015. For information, call 610-459-0366 or visit www. stgeorgefestival.com
Historic church turns 325
CHADDS FORD » Brandywine Baptist Church celebrates its 325th anniversary with a focus on religious liberty during a celebration on Sunday, Oct. 8. The church, the oldest continuously operating Baptist church west of Philadelphia, invtes the public to two special services on Sunday to commemorate the anniversary.
The church traces its origins to a group that met in the home of Thomas Powell in Upper Providence, near Media, for the first time on Oct. 12, 1692, and was formally organized as Brandywine Baptist Church in 1715. Members met at a log meeting house, located on the present site of today’s stone church.
The 10:30 a.m. worship service recreates the type of service from the church’s earliest days with period costumes, acapella singing and a focus on religious history in America.
Terry Wolever, nationally known Baptist historian, is special guest speaker at the 10:30 a.m. service. Wolever is an author and editor of The Particular Baptist Press, a Missouri non-profit organization established in 1995 to revive the doctrine and history of Particular/Regular Baptists of old, both British and American.
Choir Director Rodney Arment leads the congregation in acapella hymns and special music will be provided by acclaimed mezzo soprano Charlotte Daw Paulsen, who performs Vivaldi’s “Gloria in D Major,” one of sacred music’s most uplifting works.
The afternoon service at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 features guest Larry Denver, president of the Faith and Freedom Coalition Pennsylvania, speaking on the future of religious liberty in America, and Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. The church’s Brandywine Praise Ensemble performs a medley of “Amazing Grace” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Charlotte Daw Paulsen reprises her performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria in D Major.”
The church history is illustrated for the event with a visual timeline with historic photos and documents, including the church’s first property deed from 1719. In important ways, Brandywine Baptist’s history reflects the history of America — it is located in the middle of the largest land battle of the American Revolution and served as site of General George Washington’s encampment one night, and Hessian Lt. General Wilhelm von Knyphausen and his troops the next night. Church members were split during the Civil War, as many Baptists were, as the church supported the government. During the Cold War, the church was designated a First Aid Center with its own power source.
A trivet, with a picture of the church, will be sold to raise money for the church and its works. Brandywine Baptist Church is located at 1463 Baltimore Pike. For information, call 610-459-1302 or visit www.brandywinebaptist.org
Dig Bandstand sound, salute vets
UPPER DARBY » Upper Darby Township salutes veterans with an “Oldies Night” featuring live performances by the celebrated Bobby Rydell, Lou Christie and The First Ladies of Rock and Soul at 7 tonight, Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill.
Tickets are $40 for reserved seating; $35 for veterans. The show is hosted by radio personality Lou Costello of Cruisin’ 92.1 WVLT FM. Mayor Tom Micozzie recognizes local Veterans to kick off the show.
“Part of the ticket proceeds will help to jump start a Veterans Memorial within Upper Darby Township,” said Lou Ballezzi, who is producing the show and who produces and performs with The First Ladies of Rock ‘n Soul.
Appearing along with legendary teen idol Bobby Rydell and distinct falsetto performance of fellow ‘60s hit-maker Lou Christy, the First Ladies of Rock and Soul start off the evening by performing the best of the ‘60s girl groups.
The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is jointly sponsored by Upper Darby Township Mayor and Council and the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors through the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services.
For tickets, call the box office at 610-622-1189 or visit w w w.udpac.org
Grist mill fall fest in Concord CONCORD » Visit historic Newlin Grist Mill from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Saturday, Oct. 7, for family fun its annual Fall Harvest Festival.
This year’s festival features over two dozen different demonstrations of historic skills and trades, including blacksmithing, open-hearth cooking, Native American skills and more. Hear music from the Colonial Revelers, learn colonial dancing, and enjoy performances by Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre. Enjoy traditional festival activities including pumpkin painting and hayrides. Visitors can shop in the festival’s Colonial Market for handmade soaps, colonial games, pumpkins, and cornmeal ground in the site’s 1704 grist mill. Traditionally-made pretzels from an onsite bake oven are available for purchase. The Concord villeChad d’ s Ford Rotary Club’s food truck has food for sale throughout the day. For adult guests, a Colonial Tavern is open from 1-3 with Twin Lakes Brewing Company on hand to sell beer, including an exclusive English Ale that was brewed onsite at Newlin Grist Mill.
Admission is free. Parking is $5 per car. Additional costs apply for hayrides and pumpkin painting. Visitors must be 21-plus to drink in the tavern. For information, visit www.newlingristmill.org or call the site at 610-459-2359.
Lansdowne Theater marks 90 years
LANSDOWNE » Lansdowne Theater celebrates its 90th anniversary with “The Lansdowne at 90: A Salute to the Silver Screen” from 7-9 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Oct. 7. Metropolitan Opera stars Daniel Mobbs, bass-baritone and Margaret Mezzacappa, mezzo-soprano, with Erik Flaten at the piano, honor the theater’s past and highlight its future with performances of music from the great movie musicals which were frequently seen at The Lansdowne. The performance is held in the grand auditorium of the pre-restored theater. Cost of $50 per person includes hors d’oevres along with beer and wine in the pre-restored lobby of the theater. Proceeds benefit the ongoing restoration of the Lansdowne Theater.
For tickets and information, visit www.lansdownetheater.org