Editor Josh Noll
Merry Christmas!! HO HO HO!! All That Jazz.
I can’t believe it’s December. 2023 is about to be a distant memory, so let’s make the best of the busiest month of the year. Please remember this holiday season to shop local. Along with our cover story, Coexist Glass Gallery, we have a plethora of local options. Places like Woodshed Guitar Works, Players Exchange, Guitar Villa, Guitars on Main, Guitars on George, Creter Music, Artistic Image, Mike’s Music all offer great options for holiday shoppers. These shops support local live music and need your support this holiday season more than ever. There are still plenty of great shows and events happening all around the area, so let’s get right into it.
First, I would like to welcome new advertisers Crow Hill, a full bluegrass band out of Berks County PA. When I say full, I mean a complete 6-piece bluegrass band featuring Emily Roeder, Mark Strauss, Bob Entler, Andy Wlasniewski, Matt Wlasniewski, and Steven Simpson. They play a lot of outdoor festivals and are looking to add some bookings for 2024. You can check them out at facebook.com/crowhillbluegrass or for bookings, email Matt at: martind28@comcast.net. Check out the ad in this issue and give them a like and a follow on Facebook. You can catch one more show this year on the 21st at the Gring’s Mill Recreation Area’s Festival Of Lights; the show starts at 5:45 and they will be picking some Christmas favorites along with some of their regular tunes.
717 Entertainment has you covered over at Lovedraft’s Brewing in Mechanicsburg for the cold winter months. Starting with an Emo night featuring The Warped Band playing all your favorite warped tour covers on the 9th. Any Given Sin on the 13th with the “7 Sins of Christmas Tour” with support from Dead Eyes, Rise Among, Sick Century, and Lives Lost. Then, hold on to your Santa hats for the “20th Anniversary 7th Layer Christmas Special Variety Show” on the 23rd featuring 7th Layer with support by a star-studded cast of bands. Check out the back cover for the full details! Mal Havock had this to say about the show, “Two decades of 7th Layer, overcoming initial dislike due to our theatrics, we endured, garnered appreciation, and expanded our fan base. This show is a tribute to fans and the new generation that learned about our music from their parents. Don’t Miss IT!” Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the doors, which open at 6:00 pm. Nick finishes out the month with The Family Values Festival on the 29th. With heavy hitters Go Ahead and Die in Feb. and Powerman 5000 in March.
If you are in the Reading area, head over to Reverb to get your holiday in full swing on the 8th with Josey Scott’s Saliva followed by The Keystone Holiday Tattoo Jam on the 16th featuring H2O, Madball, E.Town Concrete, Krutch, Ill Bill, and more. On January 12th, Reverb will be invaded by Obey Your Master! a, you guessed it, Metallica Tribute band, followed by Mr. Crowley “The Ozzy Osbourne Experience” on the 26th.
As winter is kicking in, the Racehorse Tavern is adding more music options throughout the week to keep you moving and shaking. Every Tuesday night from 5:30 to 8:30, it’s classic country from Tall In The Saddle Band, and every Thursday is now Karaoke on the main stage with DJ Dutch out in the new 4 seasons patio room. For December, Racehorse has Rock Hollow, T.G.I.R., and Stonewood on the 1st, Dying Breed on the 2nd, DIO tribute Silver Mountain on the 8th, Emily’s Toybox on the 9th, Out Of Nowhere on the 15th with The Rockoholics on the 16th. WOW! For Christmas week, they kick off with Bad Sister on the 22nd, Six Whiskey Revival on the 23rd, Ravens Edge on the 29th, and a special Blues Vultures show on the 30th featuring Ronnie 10/10 from Kix with special guests. Racehorse always has you covered for a good time, so make plans now!
XL Live is cooking up some holiday cheer as well with the “Jazz is Dead Tour” on the 1st, Lil Skies “World Rage Tour” on the 2nd, The Maine on the 7th presented by Harrisburg University, Caligula Blushed & The Gathering Gloom on the 8th with EPMD on the 9th. Things really start singing with The Dirty Sweet and Friends on the 15th, Big Something with The Ries Brothers on the 16th topped off with XL Live’s Winter Solstice on, you guessed it, the shortest day of the year the 21st. This is a customer appreciation party and is a free event with music by DJ Bliss and musical performances by Smooth Like Clyde. If you missed the Warped Tour band earlier in the month, never fear you can catch them again at XL on the 22nd followed by Back in Black on the 23rd with Road Case and Steel! That’s a heavy metal hair-slinging party not to be missed. After X-mas, you can catch Start Making Sense on the 29th followed by the Observe The 93rd Album Release show “Eternalism” on the 30th (Hmm, wonder where Rachel Rocks will be?). Ring in the New Year (WHAT!!) with Yam Yam on the 31st.
Speaking of New Year’s Eve shows, Ten Ton Stone will be at the Shermans Creek Inn ringing in the new year loud and clear for all to hear. The Shermans Creek has been adding some interesting adult-themed events lately, and you can join in on some holiday cheer on the 17th when Troy and his team of merry elves host “the Santa Baby Naughty Costume Contest”. I can’t wait to see what Troy is wearing. Should be a fun event kicked off with Naughty Adult Bingo at 5:30 and the costume contest at 8:30. Check out the full schedule for the Creek on page 2 with performances throughout the month by Lucid Ruby, Little Rock Band, Shine Through the Shade, Screamin Daisys, Cody Ross Smith, Stricken, Nailed it, Tommy B, and more.
Wow, hard to believe it’s going to be 2024. Be careful out there on New Years and throughout the entire holiday season remember to party like a wise man and always designate a driver or take an uber. It’s just not worth it. The Holidays are better with everyone safe and sound. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Fricking New Year, and I’ll see you all in 2024. If you want to join in on the fun or have questions, give me a ring at 717-636-4203 or shoot me an email: joshnoll@pamusician.net