Scott Tady: Mummies, organs, Ballers & Joni bring music to celebrate locally

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times

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Organ virtuoso Michael Kearney's performance a few weeks ago drew a nice-sized crowd at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beaver.

Catch Kearney in action again, Nov. 4, joined by Dutch-Canadian organist André Knevel in a free 7 p.m. concert at First Presbyterian Church, 1103 Eighth Ave., Beaver Falls.

The duo will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the 1773 rhyming of the Dutch Psalter.

"We will play a variety of musical selections inspired by the melodies of that historic psalmbook, with opportunities for the audience to sing along," Kearney, of Monaca, said.

Michael Kearney, a Monaca resident, has played organ concerts both sides of The Atlantic.
Michael Kearney, a Monaca resident, has played organ concerts both sides of The Atlantic.

Knevel travels to western Pennsylvania for two special events, also entertaining at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Epiphany Roman Catholic Church in downtown Pittsburgh, the beautiful red church next to PPG Paints Arena.

Dutch-Canadian concert organist André Knevel has a Beaver Falls performance.
Dutch-Canadian concert organist André Knevel has a Beaver Falls performance.

Born in the Netherlands and immigrating to Canada in 1975, Knevel regularly tours throughout Canada, the U.S., and the Netherlands, and also has played in South Africa, Germany, Romania, the Czech Republic, Finland, Poland and Russia. One career highlight was his performance in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Knevel also was invited to do a recital in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2020, a show postponed by a fire at the famed structure.

"It has been a dream of mine to bring an organist of André Knevel's caliber to Pittsburgh and Beaver County," Kearney, himself an international touring organist, said. "Besides his outstanding performing career, André appreciates and conveys the spiritual depth of the music. First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls holds a special place in my own heart because of its long association with The Genevans choir and Geneva College. Geneva's Reformed tradition includes a tenacious commitment to music based on the Psalms, and André will help to introduce our audience to a beautiful tradition of psalm-based organ music coming from the Netherlands."

Psalms will be celebrated in a Beaver Falls church concert starring two internationally touring pianists/organists.
Psalms will be celebrated in a Beaver Falls church concert starring two internationally touring pianists/organists.

Mummies ruled

They didn't do "The Monster Mash."

No graveyard smash was necessary, as Here Come The Mummies were too busy ripping through their own songs touting a live-life-to-the-fullest philosophy embraced by a jam-packed Jergel's Rhythm Grille on Oct. 19.

An eight-piece Nashville funk band whose anonymous members wear mummy costumes and stay in character, Here Come The Mummies launched their show with a drum line march from Jergel's upstairs greenroom, down the steps and through the dance floor throng, banging colorfully lit percussion instruments the whole time,

Nashville funk band Here Come The Mummies entertained a Jergel's Rhythm Grille crowd.
Nashville funk band Here Come The Mummies entertained a Jergel's Rhythm Grille crowd.

An excellent and dynamic four-piece horn section powered the booty-shaking funkiness, though the guitarists found spots to gloriously wail, too.

Prowling the stage nonstop, while not getting tangled in their bandages, two singers shared lead vocals, keeping the spirit lively with songs like "House Party," "Ra Ra Ra" and "Threeway on The Freeway." Two mummies waved large flags for the irresistibly grooved "Freak Flag," which dispenses sage wisdom like "There's no shame in just being who you are/On the dance floor is a perfect place to start."

Oh, we danced, all right, like no one was watching (or we didn't care if they did.)

Here Come The Mummies concert virgins had no trouble learning lyrics on the spot, as heard with the "Hey babe, bring that down, bring that booty down" refrain in "Bring That Down."

Nashville funk band Here Come The Mummies entertained a Jergel's Rhythm Grille crowd.
Nashville funk band Here Come The Mummies entertained a Jergel's Rhythm Grille crowd.

For "Friction," one mummy operated a power tool that shot sparks all over the stage.

Fans cheered a rare double flute solo, and later a saxophonist playing two saxes at once because, hey, why not?

Next time Here Come The Mummies head back our way, get your freaky self there.

Nashville funk band Here Come The Mummies entertained a Jergel's Rhythm Grille crowd.
Nashville funk band Here Come The Mummies entertained a Jergel's Rhythm Grille crowd.

Ballers celebrate hip-hop's 50th

Straight outta Beaver County, Fistful of Ballers celebrate the half-century history of hip hop at a Nov. 3 show at the Hard Rock Cafe, Pittsburgh.

The six-piece band will perform anthems from Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Lizzo, 50 Cent, Eminem, ODB, Cyprus Hill, Fugees, and more.

"There will be booties shakin', gettin' low, and backing up all night long," touts Fistful of Ballers, who command the stage from 9-11 p.m., following a guest set at 8 p.m. by DJ-EN4K spinning old school wax.

General admission is $10, and you can reserve a bar seat ($15) or table on Eventbrite.com

Beaver County's own Fistful of Ballers headline the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh.
Beaver County's own Fistful of Ballers headline the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh.

More: Mariah Carey will bring Christmas tour to PPG Paints Arena

Happy birthday, Joni

The iconic Joni Mitchell soon turns 80, prompting a standout lineup of regional musicians to honor her with a special “Songwriters in the Cellar” show Nov. 4 at the original Pittsburgh Winery.

Each artist will perform their favorite Mitchell songs, as well as their own originals demonstrating her influence.

The lineup: Bob Banerjee, Clark Slater (Push, Bill Deasy Band),,Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School student Ashley Marina, Lauren DeMichiei, Leah Hohman Esser, Heather Kropf, Megan Paullet (Damaged Pies), Mirabelle Skipworth and Trinity Wiseman, who will fly in from Nashville for this show.

Trinity Wiseman at the Renaissance Hotel in Pittsburgh.
Trinity Wiseman at the Renaissance Hotel in Pittsburgh.

Tickets are $20 in advance at pittsburghwinery.com or etix.com; $25 the day of the 7:30 p.m. show in the newly expanded Pittsburgh Winery.

Mirabelle Skipworth will be part of a Joni Mitchell tribute at Pittsburgh Winery.
Mirabelle Skipworth will be part of a Joni Mitchell tribute at Pittsburgh Winery.

In Mitchell’s honor, ladies' night drink specials will be featured.

I'd pour an extra-large glass to anyone arriving via a big yellow taxi.

Recording artist Ashley Marina, a student at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, will entertain as part of a Joni Mitchell tribute.
Recording artist Ashley Marina, a student at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, will entertain as part of a Joni Mitchell tribute.
Leah Hohman Esser is part of the Joni Mitchell tribute at Pittsburgh Winery.
Leah Hohman Esser is part of the Joni Mitchell tribute at Pittsburgh Winery.

Local musicians, national TV

Charles Wesley Godwin and his Beaver County backing band, The Allegheny High, will get national TV time.

Catch a segment on the alt-country band Nov. 4 on "CBS Saturday Morning."

Charles Wesley Godwin singing at a sold-out Stage AE.
Charles Wesley Godwin singing at a sold-out Stage AE.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times. Reach him at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Mummies, Ballers, organists & Joni bring music to celebrate locally

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