Beaver Falls concert series announces ’22-’23 season
Scott Tady – Beaver County Times
Published 10:56am ET July 19, 2022
Beach Boys, Jersey boys, Kenny Rogers, Jackie Wilson and Broadway.
Classic sounds and songs from famed musical acts will be recreated in the five-show Beaver Valley Community Concert Association’s 2022-23 season.
“We are expecting another stellar season,” Rhonda Ficca, co-president and spokeswoman for the Beaver Valley Community Concert said. “One of our shows will be a makeup due to COVID rescheduling, so it will be another five shows this year when it is normally four.”
As always, shows take place at Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium.
Announced this week, the 2022-23 season includes:
*Sept. 20: Atlantic City Boys.
*Oct. 8: Nic + Desi, Broadway Song, Dance & Romance.
*Nov. 17: Sail On! The Beach Boys Tribute.
*April 20: Chester Gregory, Tribute to Jackie Wilson & Friends.
*May 3: Through The Years, with the Kenny Rogers Band.
Showtimes are always 7:30 p.m.
Subscription prices are $60. Purchase by calling Peggy McCullough, BVCCA membership chairwoman, at 724-846-3203 or online at bvcommunityconcert.org
Tickets for individual shows cost $25 ($5 for students.)
“We are so excited to kick off our season with the Atlantic City Boys,” Ficca said. “Their ’50s and ’60s (style) will thrill all. Nick and Desi will entertain us next, with song and dance and romance, a theatrical group that tours the world with music and many dances. The Beach Boys tribute is show No. 3. With lots of sun and fun, they’ll pay homage to the iconic band.
“Chester Gregory’s tribute to Jackie Wilson and Through the Years (Chippewa Township native Don Gatlin and Kenny Rogers’ Band) is how we’ll end our season spanning many decades of awesome songs with incredible imitations.”
The Nashville-based Through The Years says in its bio, “We’re really not a tribute band, we ARE the band…. who toured with Kenny Rogers for over 40 years, and more than 5,000-plus shows worldwide. What we are offering, is not only the sound that backed Kenny over the years, but in addition, we offer firsthand stories of being on the road with Kenny as well as a viewpoint of Kenny’s music that can’t be proffered by anyone else. In addition, we feature a section of the show, we call the ‘Kenny Speed Round’ … where we ask the audience to call out their favorite song that they haven’t yet heard in the show that night, and since we’ve been Kenny’s band for so long − we know them all − and will do a portion of the song for the fans right then and there. This has been an ‘over the top’ success and favorite portion of the show because the fans really feel a part of the performance… and of course it keeps us on our toes, too.”
The performance of Rogers classics like “The Gambler” and “Lucille” features vocalist Gatlin, who along with his brother Darryl Gatlin, were national recording artists from Beaver County in the early 1990s.
Atlantic City Boys do a setlist that includes hits by Frankie Valli, The Drifters, The Five Satins, Neil Diamond and more.
Nic and Desi sing, dance and share their love story in a celebration of classic and contemporary Broadway. Following star turns on Broadway and in numerous nationally touring musicals, theatrical power couple Nicolas Dromard and Desireé Davar created this new duo act to share their love of song and dance. Song selections include favorites fromGreat American Songbook standards (“Shall We Dance,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “I Won’t Dance”) to hits from their favorite roles in Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” “West Side Story,” “Oklahoma!” and “Wicked.”Gregory is a multi-award-winning actor and singer who played the lead role in the critically acclaimed stage play “The Jackie Wilson Story,” which had a three-year run at the Black Ensemble Theatre in Chicago and culminated at New York’s legendary Apollo Theater, receiving rave reviews from the New York Times. In 2003, Gregory’s award-winning depiction of Wilson, a soul music pioneer whose string of 1950s and ’60s hits included “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me)Higher and Higher” gave him the opportunity to perform for the famed Michael Jackson, who gave Gregory a standing ovation. That same week, Gregory made his Broadway debut as Seaweed in the Tony Award-winning “Hairspray,” and he went on to originate and star in many Broadway musicals including “Tarzan,” “Cry-Baby,” “Sister Act” and August Wilson’s “Fences” and “Two Trains Running.”
They get around
Based in Nashville, Sail On plays the music of The Beach Boys at over 80 shows a year, bringing one of pop music’s greatest legacies to audiences everywhere, in the quest of “Fun, Fun, Fun.”
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times, and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.
By Scott Tady
2022 News
Posted 2-25-2022
A Beaver Falls concert series replaced one acclaimed crooner with another accomplished singer.
Michael Evans now will headline the March 31 Beaver Falls Middle School concert that’s part of the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association (BVCCA) series.
Evans has toured the world with The Atlantic City Boys, and is a lead vocalist for The Headliners Band. His career highlights include performing with John Williams, David Foster, Jackie Evancho, Frankie Valli, The Temptations, The Village People and Lee Greenwood.
“We expect an exciting, upbeat, amazing show,” Rhonda Ficca, the BVCC co-president, said. “Plenty of tickets will be available at the door. Doors open at 6:45 for the 7:30 show. $20 adults and $5 students if you don’t have a season pass.”
Evans replaces Mark Kingswood as the headliner of this fourth show in the five-concert BVCCA ’21-’22 season. Kingswood, from the United Kingdom, has been facing travel restrictions and extreme cost issues due to COVID, Ficca said.
2021 News
Posted July 22, 2021
BEAVER FALLS — Tributes to John Denver and Seals & Crofts, a rocking Broadway revue, and a musical group that performed on NBC, will entertain Beaver Falls concertgoers.
It’s all part of the expanded Beaver Valley Community Concert Association 2021-22 season.
Shows are:
•Sept. 21: “Let’s Rock Broadway” starring The Diamonds
•Oct. 21: Seals & Crofts 2, a tribute to the 1970s pop band
•Nov. 7:John Denver Musical Tribute starring Ted Vigil. Matinee show.
•March 31: Mark Kingswood
•April 28: Sons of Serendip
All concerts take place at the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of the Sunday, Nov. 7, show at 3 p.m.
“We are delighted and eager to bring these exciting groups and live music back to the Beaver Valley,” Rhonda Ficca, co-president of the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association, said. “They are fast-paced and a treat for all ages. The Diamonds will open our season and have you rocking in the aisle. Seals and Crofts 2 will have you singing along with every hit of their relatives. John Denver Tribute will take you back to the famous songs you love. Mark Kingwood’s voice will blow you out of your seat. Sons of Serendip stunned the audience on ‘America’s Got Talent’ and has opened for John Legend. Believe me, you don’t want to miss this incredible season we have planned for you.”
Season tickets are $50 for adults, $10 for students. Call Peggy McCullough at 724-846-3203 to purchase, or for more information. Tickets for individual shows will be available at the door for $20 (students $5).
Longtime series subscribers will notice it’s not the regular four-show series. BVCCA is making up for two shows canceled during the coronavirus clampdowns.
“We are making up one show this season that was lost because of COVID and one show next season because of COVID, so therefore we will run five shows this year and next year,” Ficca said.
Their bios say:
“Let’s Rock Broadway” features hits from big Broadway musicals, such as “Jersey Boys,” “Grease” and “Mamma Mia,” plus Motown and The Diamonds’ signature hits, “Silhouettes,” “The Stroll” and “Little Darlin’.”
“Let’s Rock Broadway” kicks off the Beaver Valley Community Concert series.
Seals & Crofts 2 helps people experience the music of the original ’70‘s rock duo with hits “Summer Breeze,” “Diamond Girl,” and “We May Never Pass This Way (Again),” artfully re-imagined with a reverent nod to the past. Seals & Crofts 2 is Brady Seals (cousin to James “Jim” Seals) and Lua Crofts (daughter of Darrell “Dash” Crofts) who also have new songs.
Seals & Crofts 2 will play Beaver Falls.
John Denver tribute artist Ted Vigil, a man who, according to the late Steve Weisberg (long-time Denver guitar accompanist) closely resembles the “Sunshine on My Shoulders” singer both physically and musically, has been touring since 2007. “Ted is not an impersonator, but rather sings a tribute to this great man. His gift for the music and polished and energetic performing style presents a warm and delightful evening through some of the world’s most popular music.”
Ted Vigil brings his John Denver tribute to Beaver Falls.
Mark Kingswood is a modern-day English crooner. He and his four-piece band perform original compositions but also more traditional songs of the genre and some audiences might not expect from a 21st-century crooner, done in his own special flair.
Mark Kingswood will croon in Beaver Falls.
Sons of Serendip create beautiful music through the use of harp, piano, cello and voice. The Billboard-charting quartet is gaining popularity by offering fresh interpretations of popular music with unique instrumentation. Some notable performances include the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops and TV’s “America’s Got Talent.”
Sons of Serendip will entertain at the Beaver Falls Middle School as part of the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association’s 2021-22 season.
Scott Tady is the local Entertainment Reporter for The Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He’s easy to reach at stady@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @scotttady
2020 News
The four concerts, all starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium:
• Savannah Jack, Oct. 15.
• Salute to Glenn Campbell with Jeff Dayton, Nov. 5.
• Shades of Bublé, a three-man tribute to Michael Bublé, April 6.
• Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute, May 7.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students at the door.
For $50, you can get a season pass to all four shows.
For tickets, contact Peg Denhart, membership chairwoman, at 724-843-2941, or send a check, payable to the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association, attention Denhart, at 604 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
Savannah Jack, of Nashville, is fronted by Blackhawk High School graduate Don Gatlin, a Beaver Valley Musicians Hall of Fame inductee. The group drew sizable crowds at a string of annual shows at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland. Savannah Jack has headlined a Royal Caribbean Cruise and opened arena shows and large festival dates for Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, the Doobie Brothers, Lady Antebellum and Kenny Rogers.
Dayton, the November act, was Glen Campbell’s right-hand man, bandleader and guitarist for 15 years. Together, they toured the world, played all 50 states and appeared on “The Today Show” and Campbell’s PBS-TV special with the South Dakota Orchestra.
Shades of Bublé also have headlined Royal Caribbean cruises, playing a show that honors but doesn’t imitate multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist Michael Bublé while adding the three-part harmony sound of vocal groups from the 1950s and ’60s.
Sail On: The Beach Boys tribute band is from Nashville and includes guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Jason Brewer, who worked with the Beach Boys and the band’s Brian Wilson.
2019 News
’Cause that’ll be the day Not Fade Away: The Ultimate Buddy Holly Experience launches the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association’s 2018-19 concert season at Beaver Falls Middle School.
This is no meek tribute band, Not Fade Away boasts on its website, backing that up with a YouTube sizzle reel that shows its musicians cranking out early rock/rockabilly tunes by Holly and his tour mates Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.
“Not Fade Away wants to create a new show that will keep this music relevant, give it edge, bring it into today’s music scene, while not forgetting the importance of the music’s place in history and the impact it had on the world,” the website said.
Not Fade Away and its colorful stage show won’t just dwell on Holly and the gang’s fateful final flight and “The Day the Music Died,” instead playing up the angle that he and his contemporaries were rock pioneers. Remember: The Beatles took their insect name in homage to Holly’s band, the Crickets. Holly hits like “Not Fade Away,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue” and “Everyday” have stood the test of time.
Not Fade Away said it hopes “to revamp and re-gift those songs to a new generation so that they may last another 50 years.”
Another tribute band will bookend the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association’s new season.
Beginnings: The Ultimate Tribute to Chicago will perform May 16, 2019, at Beaver Falls Middle School, treating the audience to hits by classic-rock band Chicago, such as “Saturday In the Park” and “You’re The Inspiration.” Beginnings began in 2002, and has played Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos and Disney’s Epcot Center.
Here’s the BVCCA’s full 2018-19 season:
Oct. 9 — Not Fade Away (the Buddy Holly Experience).
Nov. 14 — Pop! Goes the Classics, featuring Mac Frampton.
April 15, 2019 — Malpass Brothers a retro/classic country group.
May 16, 2019 — Beginnings: The Ultimate Tribute to Chicago.
“The officers and board of the BVCCA are very excited about this season because we feel it offers our subscribers great variety, starting with the Buddy Holly Experience, keeping music of the past pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll relevant for today,” concert series spokeswoman Rhonda Ficca said. “Then we are bringing back world-renowned pianist Mac Frampton, whom we have had several times over the years, but this time with Pop Goes the Classics that is sure to bring the house down.”
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $20 ($5 per students) or with a $50 season subscription for adults ($10 students).
For subscriptions, call Peg Dehart at 724-843-2941 or mail a payment to 604 Sixth Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
I guess I did OK emceeing last season’s ABBA tribute show, since Ficca invited me back to emcee the Chicago tribute.
She didn’t tell me how early I should arrive, though.
I’ll assume its 25, or six, to four.
2018 News
BEAVER FALLS — The Four Freshmen and an Abba tribute group kick off the 2017-18 Beaver Valley Community Concert Association concert series.
Concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium.
“This season is a musical explosion of the past hits like the Four Freshmen and Abba Fab and two other shows that will bring the house down with the amazing talent of Sidestreet Strutters and Las Vegas headliner Tony Pace,” BVCCA spokeswoman Rhonda Ficca said.
The season:
Sept. 19– The Four Freshmen, with four-part vocal harmonies over a jazz-pop sound.
Oct. 9– Abba Fab, a multi-media tribute concert featuring the famous hits of Swedish pop group Abba such as “Waterloo,” “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen.”
April 24, 2018– Side Street Strutters, a jazz and vocal group that’s performed at numerous U.S. and European jazz festivals and entertained Disneyland guests over the past 22 years.
May 10, 2018– Tony Pace, a Las Vegas and Atlantic City headliner who performed with the show band Boston Pace and in the musical comedy “Up On The Roof” (renamed “Growing Up Italian”).
A four-show subscription costs $50 for adults, $10 for students, and is on sale now. Make checks payable to Beaver Valley Community Concert Association, and mailed to chairwoman Peg Denhart, 604 Sixth Ave., Patterson Heights, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
Tickets at the door will cost $20 for adults and $5 for students.
More information is at bvcommunityconcert.org or by calling 724-843-2941.
2017 News
The Times article by Scott Tady
http://www.timesonline.com/entertainment/local_entertainment/beaver-falls-concert-series-announced/article_21bd33fe-4db4-11e6-9c61-43900a44e2d3.html
BEAVER FALLS — Tickets are on sale for the annual Beaver Valley Community Concert Association concert series.
The 2016-17 series at the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium includes four nationally touring acts:
The Four Lads, Sept. 20.
Mac Frampton presents “That Mancini Magic,” Nov. 10.
Tenore, April. 27, 2017.
Equinox Little Big Band, May 11, 2017.
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
“We are very excited as usual about our upcoming season, but especially thrilled to bring back two acts,” Beaver Valley Community Concert Association publicist Rhonda Ficca said.
“The Four Lads were a huge hit in 2009, and so we want our subscribers to know we hear their suggestions. We have enjoyed concert pianist Mac Frampton back in seasons 2000-01, ’05-06 and ’09-10. Now Frampton is performing “That Mancini Magic” which will be a musical extravaganza with the rhythm section of bass and percussion. Our local connection to Henry Mancini — the multi-faceted composer, conductor and arranger who attended Aliquippa High School — enhances the excitement for this show as we hear music from his film and television scores.”
Individual tickets for each show cost $20 (students pay $5).
BVCC Membership, which includes a ticket to all four shows, costs $50 (students pay $10).
For advance tickets, mail a check or money order to Membership Chair Peg Denhart, 604 Sixth Ave., (Patterson Heights), Beaver Falls, PA 15010. For further questions, call Denhart at 724-843-2941.
Further bios:
The Four Lads trace their history to 1950 when the original group was signed by Columbia Records as backing singers who performed on several hits including Johnnie Ray’s chart-topping “Cry.” The Toronto group’s first gold record on its own, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” found new life in 1990 when remade as a hit by alt-rock band They Might Be Giants.
Concert pianist Frampton has played with the Boston Pops and symphonies in St. Louis, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Cincinnati and Atlanta, as well as sharing the stage with Glen Campbell and Roberta Flack.
Tenore sings classical pop-era songs, and has won Canada’s GMA and Covenant awards for faith-based artists.
The Equinox Little Big Band has been described as “a cross between ‘Prairie Home Companion’ and the ‘Dean Martin Variety Show'” by Hazleton, Pa., newspaper the Standard Speaker. The group’s covers range from Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., Roy Orbison, Ray Charles and Johnny Mercer.
2016 News
By Scott Tady stady@timesonline.com
BEAVER FALLS — Paul McCartney music, Broadway show tunes and ’50s-’60s rock ‘n’ roll hits are on tap for the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association’s 2015-16 concert series. Subscriptions go on sale Sunday for the four-show lineup, which, as always, offers a variety of live music and colorful storytelling in the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium.
The schedule:
Sept. 28 –“Wonderful Wizard of Song,” an off-Broadway multimedia show celebrating the life and music of Harold Arlen (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”). Produced by BVCCA regulars Matt Davenport Productions, with a multitalented cast of five accompanied by piano and bass.
Nov. 5 — Brian Roman, a singer whose repertoire includes Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Paul Anka, Rod Stewart and Van Morrison.
April 27, 2016 — “Bandstand Boogie,” featuring the Diamonds, a quartet that sings rock ‘n’ roll from the 1950s and early ’60s, including their original lineup’s million-seller “Little Darlin’.”
May 17, 2016 — “The McCartney Years.” A tribute show re-creating the magic of a 1970s-era Paul McCartney & Wings concert, which also includes Beatles gems such as “Let it Be” and “The Long and Winding Road.”
While boasting of famous and familiar songs, the four-show series still is capable of expanding musical minds, BVCCA spokeswoman Rhonda Ficca said.
“As Americans, we need to know about all genres of music,” Ficca said. “Adults can bring their grandchildren to any one of these shows and be educated with world-class entertainment of classic songs.” Ficca said Roman “will remind us all about being a dreamer with his incredible voice, as he left his insurance job to pursue music. He was one of our biggest hits a couple years ago and is back by popular demand.” The Diamonds, too, are back because so many people thoroughly enjoyed their last Beaver Falls show, Ficca said. “We anticipate another extraordinary season that will appeal to all ages,” she said.
What: Beaver Valley Community Concert Association subscriptions are on sale now. All shows take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Beaver Falls Area Middle School Auditorium.
Cost: $40 for adult season tickets ($10 for students).
Ticket prices at the door will be $20 for adults, $5 for students.
For advance tickets, mail a check or money order to Membership Chair Peg Denhart, 604 Sixth Ave., (Patterson Heights), Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
For further questions, call Denhart at 724-843-2941.
2015 News
Singing Nelsons honor their dad in Beaver Falls – Beaver County Times
Remembering Ricky in Beaver Falls – Come to the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium. $20 at door Adults, $5 Students, or use your season pass with the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association!!!!
August 24th Ad – Beaver County Times
Beaver Falls concert series announced – Beaver County Times
2014 News
BEAVER FALLS — From Music City and a bunch of “Jersey Boys,” to ol’ Blue Eyes and a rising pop-opera talent, a wide span of music will be celebrated in the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association’s 2014-15 season.
Four concerts are slated for the Beaver Falls Middle School Auditorium, starting Sept. 15 with “Live from Nashville” starring singers and dancers from Matt Davenport Productions performing to songs ranging from Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to today’s country stars.
The next show, Oct. 15, features Fernando Varela, who finished fourth out of 75,000 hopefuls on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” and is under the tutelage of musical star-maker David Foster.
“The pop-opera crossover tenor Fernando Varela show is going to blow you out of your seat,” BVCCA spokeswoman Rhonda Ficca said. “We were lucky to book him, and even Barbra Streisand says he’s going to be a star.”
The BVCCA season continues in 2015 with a March 23 “Simply Sinatra” show starring Las Vegas and national touring artist Steve Lippia backed by a 10-piece band.
The April 30 season finale, “Let’s Hang On,” features eight seasoned entertainers preserving the music and style of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.
Season subscriptions are $40 for adults and $10 for students.
Individual tickets at the door cost $20 for adults and $5 for students.
For more information call Claire Mervis at 724-846-4378 or visit www.bvcommunityconcert.org.
8-3-14 TimesOnline By Scott Tady stady@timesonline.com