By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Each of the county seats in suburban Philadelphia have similarities in the arts such as music festivals and resident theaters.Chester County has the Turks Head Music Festival and Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester.
Delaware County has the Rose Tree Music Festival and the Media Theater in Media.
Lancaster County has the Longs Park Music Festival and the American Music Theater in Lancaster.
Montgomery County has the SHE — Women’s Empowerment Music & Vendor Festival and Theatre Horizon in Norristown.
The SHE Festival still has its roots in Norristown but this year, for the first time, the festival will be held at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, www.ardmoremusic.com) – which is still in Montgomery County.
After five years of bringing women, music, local businesses, and community together, SHE Fest is taking its celebration to a bigger stage.
The Sixth Annual SHE — Women’s Empowerment Music & Vendor Festival will make its Ardmore Music Hall debut on August 30 from 4-8 p.m., bringing its signature combination of live music, women-owned businesses, community
connection, and charitable giving to one of the Main Line’s premier music venues.
Founded in 2020 on the 10×10 stage at Vinyl Closet Records/Coffee Closet in Norristown by co-owner Angela McFarland, SHE Fest has grown from a grassroots community event into an annual celebration of the women who make the local music and business communities thrive.
“For years, I’ve had live music inside my record store,” said McFarland, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from Vinyl Closet Records/Coffee Closet, which she co-owns with her husband Jason McFarland.
“Back in 2020, I was inspired by three young women who sang. I decided I wanted to have a festival in 2021. I wanted it to have women playing music.
“I wanted it to have female vendors. And I wanted it to be a fundraiser for women-fronted non-profit organizations in our area.”
This year’s move to Ardmore Music Hall marks a new chapter for the festival, while keeping the heart of SHE Fest exactly where it has always been — celebrating strong women, supporting local businesses, bringing people together through music and giving back to the community.
According to McFarland, “Six years ago, SHE Fest started as a small idea on a little stage in Norristown. It has grown into an incredible celebration of women, music, local businesses, and community.
“Most importantly, it gives us an opportunity to come together and give back to organizations doing important work right here in our area.”
McFarland has been involved with the music scene for a while.
“My husband and I have had this shop for 15 years,” said McFarland, who grew up in Norristown’s West End (which is the same neighborhood where Igrew up).
“After being laid off from three jobs back then, I didn’t want to work for other people. I wanted to start my own business.
“We’ve been here 15 years. We’ve survived a pandemic and near recession and we’re still here. We just had to figure out how to navigate and do things the right way.
“During the pandemic, we opened a coffee store. Later, we started a non-profit for autism. It’s run by our son Jacob, who is 25 and has autism.”
The August 30 lineup will feature Kat Rivers & Second Sight, The Ladies of SHE backed by the Vinyl Closet Band, and the Sharon Lia Band, along with 13 female-owned businesses, raffles, a 50/50 fundraiser, and opportunities to support local nonprofit organizations.
“Kat Rivers plays original music – rock-and-roll,” said McFarland. “It’s straight-up rock. The Sharon Lia Band plays all originals.”
The Ladies of SHE feature musicians representing a wide range of local bands and musical projects, including Maple Maloney, Ashley Grey, Peggy Becker-Dellisanti, Cory Remolde Despirito, Cecelia Montalbano, Kristen Conrad, Reenie Stanko, Colette Dietsch, Mikayla Montalbano, Ava Difiore and Lynn Amelio.
“The Ladies of SHE has 11 musicians from different area bands,” said McFarland. “We have a committee and we pick the theme. This year’s theme is ‘Music of the 60’s.’
“Each of the girls gets to suggest three songs and we pick two of them. This year’s setlist ranges from 60’s pop to Motown to 60’s rock.
“There are 24 songs altogether in the set list. We’ve been rehearsing every Monday night for the last three months.”
The Vinyl Closet Band is a powerhouse ensemble featuring some of the region’s most sought-after musicians: Michael Natalini, drummer and band leader; Russ Montalbano, bass; Michael Yasich, keyboards; Charles Montalbano, lead and rhythm guitar; and Michael Duva, lead and rhythm guitar.
The opening act will be Kat Rivers & Second Sight. Serving as master of ceremonies will be Freddie Geller of Nat Attack and Dog Bite Money.
The Sharon Lia Band will close the festival. Lia is also the founder of Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause, continuing the event’s tradition of combining live music with charitable giving.
The festival will feature a wide array of female-owned businesses in the vendor area, offering guests the opportunity to shop for everything from apparel and home goods to makeup and flash tattoos.
The event will also feature raffle baskets, a 50/50 fundraiser, opportunities to make monetary donations, and the ability for attendees to bring needed donations to support the event’s charitable partners.
This year’s SHE Fest will support local nonprofit organizations including Jake’s Barista’s, Sloane’s Roses, and Living Life and Loving It.
Jake’s Barista’s is a non-profit program working to assist the teen and adult special needs population with vocational, social and customer service skills as well as an in-depth Interview readiness program.
Sloane’s Roses is a non-profit dedicated to providing financial assistance and other resources to families in need that have suffered a child-related tragedy resulting in death or serious injury.
Living Life and Loving It is a group dedicating to supporting the life of Lori Fucci and all who have been touched by Cancer. It is a positive forum to support individuals and families with their journeys through cancer detection, prevention, treatment, and research.
According to McFarland, “From the beginning, SHE Fest has been about more than putting on a great show. It’s about creating a space where women can share their talents, local businesses can connect with customers, the community can come together, and everyone can make a difference.”
Video link for the Sharon Lia Band – https://youtu.be/TAxqs3-D2ik?si=J98667mtxW0lE4gC.
SHE Fest will run from 4-8 p.m. on August 30 and features free admission.
Brandon Victor Dixon
Brandon Victor Dixon, who will headline a show at the Loft at City Winery (990 Filbert Street, Philadelphia, www.citywinery.com) on August 28, is a Grammy Award winner, Emmy and Tony (3x) nominated and Telly Award-winner.
He is a Global Music Award-winning actor, singer, songwriter and producer with an impressive career on Broadway.
Dixon has crossed America on national tours of Broadway shows and performed in cities around the country as a solo artist.
But Brandon Victor Dixon has never performed in Philadelphia.
That will change Friday evening when he visits town for an event billed as “City Winery Philadelphia Presents An Evening with Brandon Victor Dixon.”
“In the last couple years, I’ve performed in L.A. Chicago, D.C., Pittsburgh – all over,” said Dixon, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from Pittsburgh, prior to his show that night at the City Winery in Pittsburgh.
“Friday night’s show will be my first time to do a show in Philadelphia – my first time in Philly ever.”
Recently coming off his Grammy Award-winning and Tony nominated role of Davis in Broadway’s “Hell’s Kitchen,”
Dixon has Broadway and television credits that include his Emmy and Grammy nominated role of Judas in NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar”; Fox’s “Rent: Live”; and Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.”
He has logged Tony nominated roles as Eubie Blake in “Shuffle Along” and Harpo in “The Color Purple”; Berry Gordy, Jr. in “Motown The Musical”; and Billy Flynn in “Chicago.”
“I was born in the D.C. area – in Gaithersburg, Maryland,” said Dixon. “I went to an elementary school that stressed art into education.
“Then, I went to high school at St. Alban’s and performed in shows there. While there, I studied at British American Drama Academy in England.
“I went to Columbia University as an economics major. I left school for a while and then came back as a theater major.”
Theater proved to be the right path for the versatile singer/actor.
“I was auditioning for Broadway shows and tours when I was still at Columbia,” said Dixon.
“I was Simba in the national tour of ‘The Lion King.’ There were two tours and mine was the Cheetah Tour.
“Then, I created the role of Harpo on Broadway in the musical, ‘The Color Purple.’”
Harpo was a role for which Dixon received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
“That was an affirmation for me,” said Dixon. “That was my first tour of America and I got a nomination.
“I’ve done seven Broadway shows and my most recent was Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” a few years ago.”
Dixon is also familiar to television fans from his roles on “The Best Man” (NBC/Peacock); “Power” (Starz); “She’s Gotta Have It” (Netflix); “Modern Love” (Amazon); “The Good Wife” (ABC); “This Is Us” (NBC); “Firebuds” (Disney), and the leading role in the feature film “88” (Starz, Hulu, Apple).
Dixon also produced the Tony Award-winning “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” and the political thriller “88.”
Recently, Dixon has released two new recordings, his original song “Maybe,” and his rendition of the iconic The Eagles’ song, “Hotel California.” Both songs will be on his soon-to-be-released album.
Dixon’s live concert appearances have included his own solo concerts as well as performing alongside such stellar talents as Jennifer Hudson, Nathan Lane, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Wynton Marsalis, Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli, Kelli O’Hara and David Hyde Pierce.
“I have a few things coming up in the next few months,” said Dixon, who currently resides in New York City.
“There is going to be a reunion concert of the cast of ‘Shuffle Along’ at the Lincoln Center in mid-September. And there will be a TV show on Amazon – ‘The Greatest,’ which is about Muhammad Ali.”
Before all that, Dixon will have his Quaker City debut.
“My show at City Winery will have one set,” said Dixon. “It’s a piano cabaret show with pianist Isaac Harlan and me.
“There will be 17 songs – Broadway, pop and soul. There will be songs by Donny Hathaway and Ray Charles.”
Coincidentally, Dixon shares a birthday with Ray Charles – September 23. Other “notables’ sharing the birth date are John Coltrane, Julio Iglesias, Bruce Springsteen, Typhoid Mary – and me.
“I’m looking forward to playing a show in Philadelphia,” said Dixon. “It’s fun to check out a new city – and get some new fans.”
Video link for Brandon Victor Dixon — https://youtu.be/OY8LJHCxV6Q?si=WwPBWOZsFltG0dMt.
The show at the Loft at City Winery will start at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $42, $48 and $54.
Other upcoming shows at City Winery are Lyfe Jennings on August 27, The Ultimate Doors on August 28, Lukas Arnold on August 29, Jackie Greene on August 30 and Alex Marley on September 2.
This will be the opening weekend for “Hershey Felder & Jonathan Silvestri — Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” at People’s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, www.peopleslight.org)
Hershey Felder, who created the show “Monsieur Chopin” at People’s Light in 2025, returns to Malvern in his newest hit, starring as the virtuoso pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.
“Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” features the most beloved compositions by this last great representative of Russian romanticism, including “Prelude in C# Minor” and the “2nd Piano Concerto.”
The new show at People’s Light is running now through September 20. Ticket prices start at $59.
2026 Concerts Under the Stars series at the Upper Merion Township Building Park (175 West Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, www.concertsunderthestarskop.com) will have Spafford on August 28 and Los Lobos on September 3.
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting “YESTERDAY’S GONE: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac!” on August 29.
Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) is presenting Gypsy Joe and the Perpetrators on August 27, Sarah Lynn and Rachel Eve on August 28, The Dirk Quinn Band on August 29 and Gypsy Joe and the Perpetrators on August 30.
The Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will present Larry & Joe on August 28 and “Broadway at the Colonial Theatre: West End Hits” on August 29.
The Candlelight Theater (2208 Millers Road, Wilmington, Delaware, www.candlelighttheatredelware.com) is presenting one of the all-time favorite family musicals – “Annie-“ – and tis is the penultimate weekend for the run.
The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever. It has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years.
The beloved score for “Annie” includes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”
The Candlelight’s production of “Annie” is running until August 30.
Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) presents “TRO Plays Buffett for 4th Annual Buffett Party!” on August 29 and The Furious Bongos Play Zappa on September 2.
