Berks Jazz Fest starts 10-day run Friday
The following events are planned for this weekend throughout the region:
• The 30th Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest kicks off its 10-day run on Friday with an opening night concert featuring Chris Botti at 7 p.m. at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading. The festival features dozens of ticketed concerts in and around Reading by touring jazz and blues artists, plus many free local events. Other weekend highlights include Pieces of a Dream with special guest Maysa on Friday at 9:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Ballroom, the 30th Anniversary All Star Celebration on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram with Vanessa Collier on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom and the David Bromberg Quintet with King Solomon Hicks on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Grand Ballroom, all in Reading. For the complete schedule and ticket information, see berksjazzfest.com.
• Singer-songwriter Liz Longley, a Chester County native now based in Nashville, Tenn., headlines a show with Maggie Pope and Chris Peace of Under the Oak tonight at 8 to kick off the weekend at Ardmore Music Hall. On Friday, it’s Damn the Torpedoes — A Live Tom Petty Concert Experience starting at 8p.m., followed by Where’s the Beats? — ’80s Dance Party with DJ Frankie Who on Saturday at 8 p.m., and Jon Anderson of Yes with the Paul Green Rock Academy on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, see ardmoremusichall.com.
• The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, presents the Dove Award-winning band Sidewalk Prophets tonight at 7and Twitty & Lynn, a salute to Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn performed by their grandchildren, on Friday at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, see thecolonialtheatre.com.
• Live events return to the Keswick Theater, Glenside, with a performance by comedian and actor Jeremy Piven on Saturday at 8 p.m. Piven was a regular on the CBS series “Wisdom of the Crowd” and starred in the critically acclaimed series “Mr. Selfridge.” He is best known for his role as Ari Gold in the hit HBO series “Entourage.” For tickets and more information, see keswicktheatre.com.
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Albany Township, will host Off to a Flying Start! Migration Kick Off celebrating the magic of raptor migration with kids’ crafts and activities, live raptor programs, naturalists in the garden and more on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Admission is free. A trail fee is required for nonmembers. The sanctuary’s Autumn Migration Hawk Watch will begin Sunday. For more information, see hawkmountain.org.
• Chaplin’s in Spring City presents Wakeup John with Nervous Nikki and Aaron David on Friday at 7 p.m. and Florida Wayne Band with Venn Sung and Dave Karaban on Saturday at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Reserved seats are $15. Chaplin’s is BYOB. There is a $4 per drinker fee for those who would like to bring beer or wine. For tickets and more information, see chaplinslive.com.
• The Univest Performance Center, Quakertown, presents The Hooters with Mike Greer and Co. and Danny Black on Saturday. The music starts at 6p.m. The Hooters are celebrating their 40years of performing together. The Univest is an all-weather venue with outdoor seating. Reserved seating is sold out. Lawn seats are available for $30 at eventbrite.com.
• Pennypacker Mills, Schwenksville, is hosting Stacy Roth and Bob Dupre as they perform a Colonial Frolick on Saturday from 4to 5p.m. on the mansion porch. The duo will present a familyoriented program featuring rhymes, riddles, rounds and ditties from the 17th to early 19th centuries. Dupre will accompany the duo with his guitar, fife, penny whistle, drum and limberjack. Take along a blanket or chairs for this free concert. For more information, call 610-2879349 or email PennypackerMills@montcopa.org.
• Studio B, Boyertown, invites the community to meet with writers whose work appears in “My Favorite Things,” the studio’s eighth book of poetry, prose and art, on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Casual sharing of their works, their publishing experiences and an opportunity to purchase copies of their published works will be offered. Among the writers participating are Claudia and Wesley Bahorik, Theresa Rodriguez, Marilyn and Patrick Klimcho, Linda and Ted Thomas, Craig Bennett, Ashley Rupert, Sandy Seaman, John Yamrus and Bob Wood, juror for the book’s prize awards. The corresponding exhibition is on display Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 p.m. until Aug. 22. Sunday’s event is free.
• The Mount Penn Preservation Jazz Band featuring Dave Kline, Chris Heslop, Josh Taylor, Ken Kemmerer and Alan Rochlin will present Music on the Mountain, a free concert of traditional Mardi Gras and Carnivale songs with some singalongs, tonight from 7 to 9 at the Reading Liederkranz. Doors open at 5 for food and drinks. See musicotm.com for more.
• The Summer Time WineFest will be held Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Reading Motorcycle Club, Oley. Tickets include samples of wine and spirits from Pennsylvania wineries and distilleries, plus live music, contests, prizes and giveaways. Approximately 100vendors, artisans, crafters and retailers will be on hand. General admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. VIP tickets cost $30, must be purchased in advance, and include early access at 2p.m. For reservations, visit winetober.net.
• The Uptown Band will perform at Muhlenberg Wine & Dine, being held Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Jim Dietrich Park, Muhlenberg Township. Bring your own food, table and chairs. Wine can only be bought at the park. Food will be available from Oliver’s Place and Station House Grill. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. For tickets, call Bill Sandel at 610-9212620 or pick them up at the Muhlenberg Township Building, Muhlenberg Library, at the event or from Muhlenberg Lions or Rotary Club members.
• Humane Pennsylvania is hosting a free screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Danielle RuizMurphy Dog Park, Birdsboro, on Saturday night. Gates open at 7:30 and the movie starts at 8:30. Attendees are highly encouraged to come dressed up and ready to reenact scenes from the movie. Light bites, beer and wine and other light refreshments will be available for purchase. Prop bags cost $10 with all proceeds going directly to animals in need. Anyone under 17must be accompanied by a parent. For more information or to purchase prop bags, see pahumane.org.
• SoulJoel’s Comedy Dome, Royersford, presents Shuli Egar on Friday at 7 p.m., Bonnie McFarlane on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Jim Breuer on Sunday at 6 and 9 p.m. All events are bringyour-own food, drinks and chairs. General seating is $20 for Friday and Saturday and $25 for Sunday. To reserve, visit souljoelscomedyclub.nightout.com.
• Fathom Events presents a 50th anniversary screenings of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” with insights from Turner Classic Movies, on Sunday and Wednesday in select theaters. Gene Wilder stars as the eccentric candy man Willy Wonka, who promises a lifetime supply of sweets and a tour of his chocolate factory to five lucky kids. Penniless Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) seeks the priceless golden ticket that will make him a winner. Thanks to his Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson), Charlie gets the prize of his dreams. But a far more wonderful surprise than Charlie ever imagined awaits him. For locations, showtimes and tickets, see fathomevents. com.