Sunstone Studios / Lighthouse Lounge

By Junior Warshington

If you haven’t noticed already, there’s a bunch of new businesses coming to Phoenixville. While I’m pretty excited for the new Smoothie joint Strawberry Fields, I couldn’t help but note a rehearsal space just opened its doors. Enter Sunstone Studios / Lighthouse Lounge, a service to all things band related.

Housed in the old Phoenix Karate location, Sunstone Studios was originally conceived as a rehearsal space for rent. The studio is fully equipped with a drum kit, bass amp, guitar amps, and a PA system. Bands can rehearse by the hour ($25/hour, $45/2 hrs) or they can become members. This is a much-needed service in Chester County, as bands have had to travel to Manayunk or Collegeville for a decent rehearsal spot. While much closer, the Studio only has one rehearsal space.

“As we contemplated how best to do that, we realized that we would need a sitting/hanging out area outside the room for bands to wait their turn in the studio,” said co-owner Don Chittick.  “My partner Dave (Yocum) had a ping pong table, which was followed by a couch and a fridge.  And just like that, the seed for the Lighthouse Lounge had been sewn.”

The Lighthouse Lounge is an artistic triple threat as it a performance venue, art gallery and a library. The stage began to take shape soon after the rehearsal studio was up and running, and has since evolved into a two-tiered performance space with seating for up to 75 people (standing room up to 100).  The Lounge hosts performances every Friday and Saturday night, with a comprehensive booking of acts ranging from jazz, funk and blues to reggae, punk, bluegrass, metal, rap and R&B.

“We are excited to be able to bring such diversity to the Phoenixville music scene,” said Chittick. The Lounge also hosts an Open Mic/Open Jam every Wednesday starting at 8:30pm (admission is $2).

So how did the visual art space take shape?

“The art gallery/store grew out of a desire on our part to give creative people an opportunity to share and show (and sell) their work. We had the building, we had the foot traffic, and we were surrounded by creative people,” said Chittick of the local collection the business has amassed.

Chittick is planning on custom installations of new artwork as well. With one mural (a faux-finish work with a music staff and aquatic coloring and patterns) already completed by local artist Sharon Fisher, more are in the works.

The studio also has resident artist of sorts. IKRU is an artist/poet from Jamaica, whose 23 years in the U.S. have led him to The Lighthouse.  IKRU sits at a table by the front door of Sunstone Studios and paints/draws/sculpts as he greets visitors and shares his thoughts and ideas and stories with them.

Here’s some recent musings of his…

If you are looking for a place to perform or polish up your act (or even borrow a book!), this business has you covered.

Sunstone Studios are available 5-11 pm Monday-Saturday. The Lighthouse Lounge is open Noon-10 pm Monday-Saturday. Call 610-310-1916, email SunstoneMusicStudios@Gmail.com or check out http://www.sunstonemusicstudios.com for more information.

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admin, August 20th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Reviews

Painted Blue Returns To Pickering Creek Inn (2/5)

By Washington Washington

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Painted Blue will return to the Pickering Creek Inn with a whole new lineup this Friday, February 5th. OneNineSixFourZero was unable to acquire details on these changes, so we’ll just have to go to the show to find out (we would have anyway).

Painted Blue’s skilled brand of folk and bluegrass (or “newgrass” as those in that genre call it) is a nice change of pace, making them a much welcomed monthly musical addition to the acts playing around town.

Tim Dodson (guitar and vocals) leads the group through songs about old-timey topics, train travel, and a myriad of emotions. As the master mood maker, Dodson’s gentle demeanor lends itself well to the overall vibe of the band. His guitarmanship is mega-legit and establishes the professionalism of the band.19460

As strings set the tone, Nichole Campanale definitely delivers on the fiddle. Not to be outshined, Mike Spillane makes magic on the mandolin, and Jerome McCaffrey is bangin’ on the upright bass. The chemistry between them is charming… It’s heartwarming drinking music.

Painted Blue conjures up images of fun in autumn. Even their songs with a more somber aesthetic seem to feel comfortable and warming. It’s the kind of thing that never gets old, even if it’s not modern.

Their first release Time Rolls On (2007) displays their skills wonderfully, but they’ve progressed as a band since then. Hopefully, they’ll record and release a new record soon.

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admin, February 4th 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Previews

Firebird Festivities – PART I “The Lead Up”

by Washington Washington

Well, it’s here again… And there’s a ton of stuff going on this year! Below you’ll find a schedule of events leading up to and including the burning of the bird. Part II will focus on the after parties.

As always, for more info on the festival check out www.firebirdfestival.com

SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

2 – 3:30pm – John Cassidy and David Smith (Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street) – Magic, mayhem, juggling, and balloon sculptures will prevail as these two take over the theatre. A laugh-a-minute show of juggling, sideshow, and comedy, $7 per person.

3 – 7pm – Local Author Vincent Martino, Jr. will be on hand to sign copies of his recently published book “Around Phoenixville” (Wolfgang Books, 237 Bridge Street)

4pm – Theater of the Stars, holiday marionette show – Fumblefingers the Elf (301 Bridge Street, Creperie building)

4 – 5pm – Local community story teller Dagmar Hoell tells the Lenni Lenape story of transformation “Rainbow Crow”  (Wolfgang Books, 237 Bridge Street)

4 – 5pm – Marina Gresham and friends – bluegrass (Phoenix Village Art Center, 207 Bridge Street)

4 – 10pm – Firebird Arts Bazaar (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street)  – A diverse selection of our region’s fine artists and artisans. Shop for holiday gifts. Get inspired. Support regional small business

5 – 6pm – Rock & Roll After School performance (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street). Students (ages 8 – 18) in this innovative music school in Phoenixville learn guitar, bass, drums, keys, vocals and Djing. They explore their musical pursuits and learn to write and play their own music! Come check them out!

5 – 6pm – Michael “Cougar” Reddy, long-time singer-songwriter and twelve-string guitarist. (Earth Mart, 235 Bridge Street). His original songs are rooted in folk .He creates intense lyrics, and tells it like it is. Sing-alongs and classic folk covers make him an engaging performer.

5 – 7pm – Paul Wentworth band – folk/fusion guitar (Phoenix Village Art Center, 207 Bridge Street)

6pm - Firebird Improv Orchestra and The Phoenix Myth (Colonial Theatre) – What is this Phoenix story all about? Come here the myth told by Storytelling Irma, known for her interactive storytelling style. She will be accompanied by the Firebird Improv Orchestra – a group of eclectic musicians and instruments from didgeridoos to violins. This show is interactive, spontaneous and fun for all ages.

6pm – The Marionette Theatre of the Stars (301 Bridge Street, Creperie building). Founded in 1997 by Peter and Tina Bruckner, the outfits seeks to bring a magical experience of puppetry, storytelling, and live music to a wide audience of all ages and cultures. $ 5 per person.

6 – 7pm – The Sun Stone Project (Phoenix Karate Center , 224 Bridge Street) – Ecclectic music, with Don on Guitar and keyboard, Dave on Drums and Jim on Harmonica.

6:30 – 7:30pm – Spirit Wing performance, one of the most popular Native American groups in the region (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street). They has been together for ten years, performing at the Philadelphia FolkFestival, Bethlehem Music Fest, New Jersey Folk Festival and many other venues in the tri state area, including performing at the Firebird Festival in Phoenixville since it’sinception. They have been nominated for a Native American Music Award in 2006, 2007 and 2009. Their background is a strong Americana/Folk/Blues sound. Barry Lee of Spirit Wing is the master of Ceremonies

7 – 7:30pm – Firedancers for the Firebird Festival are provided by The Playing Mantis (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street) They’re very excited to be attending this unique and exciting community event, and are looking forward to a great burn! Based out of Wilmington, DE, The Playing Mantis travels the east coast providing fire performance, instruction, and supply. Their featured performers will be: SnapDragon, Mantis, Omni, and Smokey.

7:15pm – The Children’s Procession of Light – Starting from the Colonial at 7:15 pm Children will join the drum parade with handmade paper mache lanterns, lit with battery operated votives, and move into a spiral shape in the parking lot, near the Artisans, for a luminous finale!

7:30pm - Peace Birds – Giant puppets parade and Drumming for Sanity Percussion Ensemble (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street)

7:45pm -Great Quintini  – a performance artist and a sculptor. Making costumes and musical sculptures out of found materiels. In his shows he wear costumes, play musical sculptures, and tell humorous stories; acting out the parts that defy words. These stories are often from his life experience.

7:50pm – Raffle draw (find out if you’re the one to light the Firebird) and invocation by Mia Bosna (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street)

7:55pm – Didgeridoo ensemble (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street)

8pm – LIGHTING OF THE FIREBIRD (Firebird Site, 347 Bridge Street) On stage as the Firebird burns – Music by Mystic Song with Lynn Miller’s phenomenal voice and Eric Miller’s fast moving fingers on Guitar and Mandolin, Ramesh Vaghela on harmonium & voice and Ron Kravitz on percussion.

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Firebird Festivities – PART II “The After Parties” coming later this week…

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admin, December 7th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized
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