Q & a with the Pride of Erie PA Los Angeles Band Finds

CorEy Harris & THE Tony GrEy Trio rasTa BluEs ExPEriEnCE Sunday, August 4 at 6 p.m. Saturday, August 3 at 6 p.m.

KEnny nEal Saturday, August 3 at 8 p.m. JErEmy PElT QuinTET Sunday, August 4 at 8 p.m.

Erie Art Museum 21st Annual Blues & Jazz Festival Free Event at Frontier Park • Entire lineup at erieartmuseum.org

2 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 CONTENT FEATURE CULTURE July 24, 2013 9 The 21st annual 7 THEATER REVIEW Editors-in-Chief: "The Bad Haircut" Brian Graham & Adam Welsh blues and jazz fest Managing Editor: Erie Art Museum Brings in 12 If We Were You... Ben Speggen Top Acts Once Again Contributing Editors: Here’s what we would do Cory Vaillancourt 14 TO-DO LIST Jay Stevens NEWS AND NOTES Copy Editor: Beer on the Bay, Funktapuss Alex Bieler 4 UPFRONT Contributors: Satellites 16 MUSIC Alex Bieler Album Reviews, The Pride of Erie PA Pen Ealain 5 STREET CORNER SOAPBOX Matthew Flowers The Numbers Are In 15 DISCOVER PRESQUE ISLE Leslie McAllister A cascade of colorful art, summery Rich McCarty Ryan Smith 6 THE WAY I SEE IT music, and support for our state park Jay Stevens The Ripple Effect of Snowden Rebecca Styn 20 You Ought to Know Bryan Toy 6 TECH WATCH Corey Cook Designers: More on Erie's Fiber Optic Future Mark Kosobucki Burim Loshaj Cover Layout: But “accident” is an accurate and the song. Mark Kosobucki From the Editors appropriate word. It seems clear While accidents will happen – it’s Photographer: from the video that the rider didn’t likely that next year we’ll see an Ryan Smith ou probably heard it liding with two pedestrians after intentionally hit the two people in increase in police and traffic safety Jessica Yochim – the overwhelming taking off in a line of motorcycles at the street, although Erie Police, as – inviting Jackyl, offering them our rumbles and roars. And the corner of 10th and State streets of Monday night were still trying to mainstage, and letting them scream Interns: you probably saw it – the around midnight Saturday, July 20. identify the driver, who, as reported “cock” with no artistic purpose or Adam Kelly throngs of motorcycles lined up and While an investigation is still pend- on GoErie.com, fled the scene after reason in sheer misogynistic fashion Ryan Maloney down State Street, processing from ing, those struck by the motorcycle, the accident. is controllable. Tom Shannon Y the Casino to downtown to Presque according to WICU/WSEE’s Lisa Approximately 100,000 people – There should be vetting – some sort Adam Unger Isle, all in participation of the 2013 Adams reportedly “got up, walked just 1,779 more than the number of of research done on bands and their 32 W. Eighth St. #500 Roar on the Shore. around, and refused hospital treat- views the clip had as of 11 p.m. – vis- catalogues – not to ban songs or cen- Erie PA, 16501 While the final numbers aren’t yet ment.” GoErie.com reported that ited our city and this remains one of sor artists, but to specifically know [email protected] confirmed, the seventh annual bike one pedestrian suffered a leg injury only several accidents reported and what messages will ring throughout rally was expected to bring 100,000 in the accident. the only filmed accident gone viral. downtown, casting an image of “this The Erie Reader is Erie’s only free , bikers to the Gem City and trig- Those friendlier videos, the ones This was an “accident,” something is Erie; welcome to our city.” Maybe independent source for news, culture, and ger a $20 million boon to an Erie of riders not colliding with people, that unfortunately happened that worse, there was research and this entertainment. The Erie Reader is a forum economy that needs all the help it have a decent number of views – the wasn’t anticipated, and over which was accepted as something okay, for ideas and discussion, and seeks to drive can get. Whether you enjoy the rev- highest topping out near one-thou- we had little control, and right now, something acceptable to bill as hey, two-way communication with its readers. At ving of the engines and the weekend sand – but the 14-second “accident” it’s coloring the entire three-day welcome to Erie – listen to this! the Erie Reader, we endeavor to highlight the of downtown congestion, the Man- clip had 74,993 views as of 6 p.m. event and the year’s worth of plan- Roar on the Shore isn’t billed spe- best of Erie by providing in-depth, magazine- ufacturer & Business Association Monday, a twenty-thousand-view ning aimed at helping our city. cifically as a family-friendly event, style journalism that cuts to the heart of the event not only raises money for the increase from earlier that day around But you may have heard something so if kids were present and heard issues that matter to Erie. The Erie Reader Boys & Girls Club of Erie, it also noon. Local mainstream media else, something over which we did the song, well, that’s at the parents’ is published every other week at The Corry benefits the city’s struggling econo- outlets all had the video, posted by have control: Jackyl and a less than discretion, but it is billed as an Erie- Journal, 28 W. South St., Corry, Pa. 16407. The my by drawing in visitors, growing user TheDJK97, front and center on tasteful song the band choose to play specific event, one designed to “serve Erie Reader is distributed at over 250 high foot-traffic locations in Pennsylvania from our tourist industry, and each year their websites Monday, and people to the gathered crowd of thousands as a major fundraising event in the North East to Girard to Edinboro. The Erie exposing more people to the beauty both near and far continually took to of people Friday night. Erie region... to experience the best Reader is also available by mail subscription; we have here on the lake, potentially commenting. The song starts out like the quint- of the Great Lakes region.” one year (26 issues) for $49.99. Send check or inviting more people to Erie each Some commenters blame the pe- essential ‘80s metal/rock song, with When we welcome in bands like money order payable to Flagship Multimedia, year. destrians for standing too close to the lyrics: “See the bird on the bar- Jackyl at the same time we’re wel- Inc., to the address below. In addition to But you may have seen and heard the pack of riders who were clearly stool, she's waiting on a jerk. If yes coming thousands upon thousands appearing in print, Erie Reader adds new something else. departing. Others blame the rider she likes the way he looks she'll put of people to our city, we’re telling content daily at www.ErieReader.com as If you YouTube “Roar on the for being reckless in a tightly packed his ass to work. And you know she's them that this is our city – from the well social media sites. All rights reserved. Shore,” several videos pop up in crowd of people. Regardless of been all around the block. Tried a shores of Presque Isle to the grape All content © Flagship Multimedia, Inc, 32 W. the search results, mostly of riders where the blame falls – remember, doctor, lawyer, even tried a jock.” fields in North East to the bands Eighth St., Suite 500, Erie, Pa, 16501. No part casually cruising through Erie. But an investigation is still pending as of But then comes the line: “But she performing on the stages we con- of this publication may be reproduced without there’s one that contains the word Monday evening – people are talk- loves my cock,” which then contin- struct downtown. So the question permission. Direct inquiries to 814.314.9364 “accident” – and it’s gone viral. ing, and when they’re talking about ues with the rest of the band joining remains: Is this how we want to be or [email protected]. By now, you’ve likely already seen Roar on the Shore and Erie, this is in for a round of “Loves my cock. seen, and is this the image we want it, the video, shot several stories up what’s being talked about. This is the Loves my cock. Loves my cock,” to bill as “Erie,” amidst the growth from what appears to be the Avalon image now being associated with the which serves as the song’s refrain. and development we’re so desper- Hotel, which captures a rider col- event and with Erie. And that’s not even the worst line in ately trying achieve? July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 3 UPFRONT News Satellites of the

By: Cory Vaillancourt Weird o, not everything is about you, Dave By: Chuck Shepherd Matthews Band fans, so return to your barn-dancing and bad tattoo- acquiring. But what would you say if I told you that sat- Priorities Nellites – in my eyes, like a diamond in the sky – were zooming through the clear Erie summer t a June hearing, a Philadelphia judge be- atmosphere, right above your head, all the time? came so exasperated at defendant Robert What, you didn’t know? Williams'A seeming cluelessness about his need to I think you did know. You’ve just never thought keep his probation appointments that she ordered about it because you’ve been both under the table him to take "etiquette" classes before returning to and dreaming. court. Williams, a rap singer and budding music So, know ye this: Zooming 400 miles above mogul still under court supervision on gun and your head at almost 17,000 miles per hour, right drug charges from 2008, cavalierly defended his this second, are approximately 3,000 hunks of inability to find time for his probation officer by metal ranging in size from that of a garbage bag explaining that he was a busy man, working with to that of a garbage truck. seven "artists," with a demanding travel schedule, And the big stinkin’ daddy of them all is the In- and uninhibitedly using social media (creating ternational Space Station. Which is significantly posts that, allegedly, led to threats against the larger than a garbage truck. probation officer). (Williams, of course, was ac- Launched in sections and assembled beginning NASA companied to court by a several-man entourage.) in 1998, the ISS is the size of almost 400 garbage Believe it or not, the International Space [Philadelphia Inquirer, 6-30-2013] trucks, which is a terrible analogy, considering Station is visible with the naked eye that the ISS is considered the supreme technical achievement in the history of humanity despite look that jabber square in the eyes like a big eyed reflection of the sun over the horizon. Accord- the fact that we’re still all quite obviously just fish and feel that spiky satellite splinter strike. So ingly, it moves at a speed befitting its status as Ironies proud monkeys. No disrespect to you, garbage ain’t no durned International Space Station gon- a divine messenger, tracing an arc all the way truck, O noble hauler of refuse, regret, and bad na sneak up behind me; in fact, I keep track of all across the sky and hastily heralding the impend- n atheist "church" in Lake Charles, La., decisions. You make everything new again. Ev- of those ever-looming chunks of space murder, ing arrival of Helios’ solar-steed-drawn flaming run by lapsed Pentecostal Jerry DeWitt, erything. and you should, too. One killed a cow once. chariot. conductsA periodic services with many of the trap- Anyway, the ISS a habitable artificial satellite. Luckily, The National Aeronautics and Space As you can probably imagine, I myself have pings expected by the pious -- except for the need It’s logged more than 1.5 billion miles, contains Administration has a website to protect me. And seen this awe-inspiring spectacle times too nu- to believe in a supreme being. Such "churches" almost 14,000 cubic feet of living space, and has you. And your cows. If you go to spotthestation. merous to recount, most recently, yesterday. It (reported The New York Times and Washington hosted more than 200 human visitors – all while nasa.gov/sightings and poke around a bit, they’ll came at me from almost due north, and for a Post in coincidental stories the same day in June) operating in one of the most extreme climates tell you exactly where it is at any given moment; few terrifying moments that hunk of impending can help soothe the "biological" needs for surviv- in existence. The temperature in space has been even better, if you enter your country, state, and cosmic spike jabbery seemed headed right at me al and avoidance of loneliness by congregational described as “not very warm” [citation needed], city into the ‘Location Lookup’ section, it will tell – until it harmlessly and silently passed directly rituals (such as celebrating a sabbath) and in and brain-cooking radiation blasts forth from all you exactly how and when to see it. over my head. helping find meaning "in something other than corners of the cosmos, all the time. That’s right – you can see the International Space The entire encounter seemed like hours; in real- (oneself )." For example, atheist Sigfried Gold Furthermore, as long as artificial satellites have Station with your naked eye. And it’s remarkably ity, it was but minutes. And I’m happy to report praised a "rigorous prayer routine" (beseeching existed they’ve had a tendency to outlive their easy. Even if you’re tripping billies like a drunken that I didn’t get jabbed. But I was ready. And so a "vivid goddess he created") in overcoming his usefulness and return to Earth as a burning ex- soldier and just happen to be looking in the gen- should you be. weight problem. [New York Times, 6-24-2013; emplar of humanity’s hubris. Even worse, some- eral direction thereof, there’s no way you’ll miss Over the next two weeks, there are several Washington Post, 6-24-2013] times they stray from their orbits and crash into sighting opportunities available, primarily in the each other, leading me to fear they’d crash… into early morning hours. So if you’re just waking up he business website Quartz reported in June me – like that Dave Matthews song “Crash into Zooming 400 miles above (or still awake) between 3 and 5 in the morning that a popular consumer item in North Ko- Me,” except with less whining. and have a decent, darkened view of the northern rea'sT perhaps-improving economy is the refrig- The North American Aerospace Defense Com- your head at almost 17,000 horizon – look up at the sky. Into the Bible-black erator, made in China and increasingly available mand estimates that between manslaughter- firmament. Ponder humanity’s ultimate role in as a reward to stellar performers among civil ser- hungry satellites and stabby fragments thereof, miles per hour, right this the universe. Ponder your own role as one of vants and other elites. The appliances, however, there are about 8,000 objects greater than 10 cen- the ants marching through existence. Then hide cannot reliably store food because the country's timeters in size, orbiting our earth, just waiting to second, are approximately your cows. Then ponder the space between, and electric grid is so frequently offline and are most- fall out of the clear blue and jab you in the eye or 3,000 hunks of metal remember that you’re so damn lucky just to be ly just status symbols. One item Quartz says of- some other awful place on your body. The head alive and it won’t be long until the gravedigger ten gets displayed in the refrigerator: books. [Qz. of the European Space Agency's Orbital Debris ranging in size from that is digging a ditch, and when finally we lie in our com, 6-18-2013] Office, Heiner Klinkrad (which is totally not a graves and say goodbye, grace is gone. made-up name) recently told livescience.com of a garbage bag to that Or maybe that’s just…too much. obert Dugan, 47, a full-time patrolman for “The annual risk of a single person to be severely the Delaware County (Pa.) Park Police, injured by a re-entering piece of space debris is of a garbage truck. Cory Vaillancourt is a brilliant writer/com- Rwas charged in June with illegally impersonat- about 1 in 100,000,000,000." plete hack and can be complimented/heckled at ing a police officer. According to authorities in Those odds are still too high for me, because if cVaillancourt@ErieRead- Brookhaven, Pa., Dugan had accosted a woman there’s a 1-in-whatever-brazillians chance some- this thing. It is distinctly different from all other er.com. Find him on Twit- double-parked outside her home to pressure her thing crazy like that could happen, chances are it heavenly bodies you may come upon. ter @VLNCRT. To follow into moving the car, but she refused. Dugan alleg- will. To you. Or me. And I don’t know about you, It does not blink or flash like an aircraft; it is this story or comment, scan edly claimed he was an Upland Borough police but if it’s gonna go down like that, I want to be slightly orangish in hue, because it employs no the QR code or go to http:// officer with authority to write parking citations stabbed in the front, not in the back; I want to external lighting and is illuminated only by the erirdr.com/xxxx and make arrests, which he did not actually have. 4 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 The Litigious Society

hower rooms in health clubs are slippery Street Corner enough, but Marc Moskowitz, 66, cited the Sone at the Bally Total Fitness gym on E. 55th St. in New York City as especially dangerous, ac- cording to his recent lawsuit to recover expenses Soapbox for a broken shoulder suffered in a fall. Moskow- itz claimed that so much gay male sex was occur- The Numbers Are In ring in the shower and locker-room area (unsu- pervised by Bally) that he had probably slipped on semen. [New York Daily News, 6-19-2013] By: Jay Stevens

he numbers are in from the recent television ads, events, yard signs, T-shirts, bum- a lot of money. Compelling Explanations May election. The Democratic candi- per stickers, magnets, and just about any other “So winning an election and raising money dates for the Erie County Executive kind of media you can think of. It also requires do go together, just as rain and umbrellas go to- ame: (1) Rodger Kelly was arrested in St. primary election spent nearly a quar- a network of volunteers knocking on doors and gether.” LGeorge, Utah, in June for rape of a female ter of a million dollars in campaign funds. Well, handing out literature, and calling voters on the To most of us, $215,000 is a lot of money. But neighbor, but he told police that he committed moreT precisely, they spent just over $215,000. telephone. for a very competitive countywide election in an the act only to "save" her, since he had discovered Despite losing the primary, incumbent Barry The county executive candidates have a bigger off-year and, thus, happening within a virtual her "cold" and unconscious. He had violated her Grossman outspent his challenger (and victor), obstacle, too: Erie County is big. It comprises media blackout, it’s actually chump change. And body only "to try and get her temperature up," ac- Kathy Dahlkemper, $119,000 to $95,000. more than 280,000 people spread out across given the importance of local government, the cording to the police report. (2) The low-price air “I find these campaigns – in terms of money more than 1,500 square miles. The city of Erie millions of dollars to allocate from the city and carrier GoAir of New Delhi announced in June spent,” said Grossman in an interview with the itself has a wide array of voter demographics; the county budgets, and the effect these offices have that in the future it would hire only females for Erie Times-News, “obscene.” difference between far-flung communities in the on our everyday lives – on crime, emergency re- the cabin crew -- because they weigh less than But is that true? Given the factors in the May county is even greater. Not only does this mean sponse, on streets and traffic, on our businesses, men (and expects eventually to save the equiva- election, I’d say no. Grossman and Dahlkemper needed to send more jobs, and schools – the money spent on the recent lent of $4 million annually in fuel based on av- For starters, municipal primaries are always mailers, they had to tailor messaging and media county executive race seems small. erage weights). [Salt Lake Tribune, 6-10-2013] outreach to different groups of voters. [The Times of India, 6-28-2013] Naturally, all of this requires money. Jay Stevens can be contacted But campaign money isn’t the evil most make at [email protected], and n May, former schoolteacher Kathleen Caw- The county executive it out to be. you can follow him on Twitter thorne, 33, of Rustburg, Va., successfully “Money doesn’t necessarily cause a candidate to @Snevets_Yaj. To follow this Inegotiated a reduction in her 11-year sentence candidates have win,” wrote Stephen Dubner on the Freakonom- story or comment, scan the QR for having sex with an underage student. Caw- ics blog, “but rather, that the kind of candidate code or go to http://erirdr.com/ thorne's punishment was set at only four months a bigger obstacle, who’s attractive to voters also ends up attracting x2kq1 in prison when she presented the judge with a clinical diagnosis of "hypersexuality," supposedly too: Erie County showing that she had little ability to control her desire to seduce the boy. [New York Daily News, 5-24-2013] is big. It comprises

Perspective more than 280,000

loridians Standing Their Ground: In May, a people spread out jury in Tampa decided that Ralph Wald, 70, Her happiness Fwas not guilty of murdering a 32-year-old man across more than he had shot in the back three times. He said he had caught the man having sex with his wife 1,500 square miles. (successfully claiming that he thought the man is in the bag. was a dangerous intruder in his home). How- ever, Marissa Alexander, 34, of Jacksonville, was sparsely attended. It’s easy to blame voter indif- sentenced last year to 20 years in prison for "ag- ference, but other conditions are responsible for gravated assault" for merely firing a warning shot the low turnout. Lack of news coverage of the during an altercation with her estranged husband. local candidates and issues is the prime culprit. The man, Rico Gray, is a serial domestic abuser A candidate in a secondary race – like, say, for and admitted that he was threatening Alexander Erie County Council – is assured of only one that night and that she never actually pointed her 15-second spot on local television during the en- gun directly at him. However, the judge denied tire election cycle. Even the marquee races – like Alexander use of the "stand your ground" defense this year’s county executive election – come up because she had declined to simply walk away short in the competition against murder, home from Gray. [Tampa Bay Times, 5-30-2013] [Mi- invasion, and weather, the usual fare of our lo- ami Herald, 5-28-2012] cal television news. Local newspaper coverage is the shops at the colony only marginally better. 2602 west 8th street Fetishes on Parade It’s then left to the candidates to tell voters they exist, to tell them what they believe, and to (814) 833-5311 ccording to Chicago police, Gerardo Perez, tell them what their goals for local government 50, broke away while on a tour in May of are. The candidates even have to tell voters when www.lescrago.com theA Chicago Animal Care and Control Facility and where the election is. This isn’t easy. A voter because he had been struck with a sexual attrac- has to see a candidate’s name a number of times tion. He was discovered minutes later on his before they even recognize it on the ballot. And hands and knees beside a pit bull, "appearing to more impressions are needed before a voter un- have just had sex with the animal," according to a derstands and remembers a candidate’s platform. report on WMAQ-TV This work requires mailers, newspaper and July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 5 though. As a result of his ef- the KINBER network could streamline efficiency forts, he gave up his cushy Tech watch and productivity for public media organizations TheTH rippleE effect WA of Snowden.Y I SEE IT $120K-a-year salary and and hospitals. If one media organization special- home in Hawaii to seek asy- More on Erie's Fiber Optic Upgrade ized in radio production and another in the pro- lum in…Russia – a country duction of high-quality video projects, the fiber that ranks as the third-most By: Dakota Hoffman, Epic WebStudios optic network would allow the two organizations By: Rebecca Styn depressed and suicidal in the to interface with one another and exchange work. world. And while I’m one for I’ve been in Erie for a couple years now, and using moral judgment on is- hen it comes to bringing tech- I’ve become familiar with what’s called the “brain dward Snowden. The name alone sues, he seems to believe the one he made trumps nical solutions to local areas, it drain effect,” a large-scale emigration of citizens evokes extreme reactions from all cor- that of our entire political and court systems makes sense to enlist the aid with skills or expertise to other areas. With the ners of the world. and tens of thousands of his coworkers. And of a local business. That’s what introduction of the KINBER network, organiza- The American technical contractor the damage is potentially so great that NSA has happened when Velocity Network was chosen tions are hopeful this could slow the effect, in- for the United States National Security Agency taken one of its most respected senior operations asW a partner for the Keystone Initiative for Net- crease Erie’s industry expertise, and start keeping E(NSA) and a former employee of the Central officers off mission tasks to lead the damage as- work Based Education and Research (KINBER), our Behrend – along with the Gannon, Mercy- Intelligence Agency (CIA) leaked details of sev- sessment effort. helping to bring advanced networking technol- hurst, and Edinboro – graduates here. Because by eral top-secret U.S. and British government mass And then there are the obvious operational ef- ogy to Erie. facilitating growth within our hospitals, schools, surveillance programs to the press. fects of informing our enemies of American in- Velocity is a last mile provider – the best way to and various industries, we create value in the city Now he’s on the lam. Except we all know where telligence procedures, tactics and techniques. But describe what that means is to think of KINBER, of Erie that can be communicated to our gradu- he is. At the time I write these words, he’s living this goes beyond the “what” and into the “how,” a “middle-mile provider,” as a giant tree. That ates. in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo which makes the information he has twice as tree spreads across Pennsylvania to major cities After all, Erie is the fourth largest city in Penn- International Airport. This reminds me a bit of dangerous. Although Snowden has promised not and hubs connecting one location to another’s to reveal this data, there are already national re- network. Velocity then spreads the connection ports of counterterrorism targets changing their from KINBER along smaller branches to Erie The unique local perspective There's now a lack of confidence communications patterns. And, honestly, I would sites – the “last mile” of connectivity. Velocity has of Velocity creates a deeper in the ability of the United lose respect for Russia if they haven’t at least tried created branches connecting WQLN and Penn to harvest this treasure trove of information. State Erie, The Behrend College to the network. understanding of local States to do anything secretly or Moreover, there's now a lack of confidence in “That’s a big part of what we do,” said Velocity discreetly. Which, in turn will the ability of the United States to do anything Director of Business Development, Matt Wier- needs and puts KINBER secretly or discreetly. Which, in turn will further tel, in an interview with the company’s execu- where it needs to be. further sully our relations with sully our relations with other countries around tives. “We connect those pieces.” other countries around the world. the world. I had the opportunity to sit down with Wiertel House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike and Velocity Network CEO Joel Deuterman to sylvania. While this may not seem big, consider Rogers said it best about Snowden: “He may as discuss Velocity’s involvement in greater detail for a moment, how many areas our size have five well just go to North Korea and Iran to round and learn more about this fantastic technology colleges – one a medical school – and hospitals as the movie “The Terminal” with Tom Hanks. Ex- out the ‘Government Oppression Tour.’” And if coming to Erie. advanced as we do? cept Hanks' character was this lovable guy who Snowden’s efforts were truly based on what he Velocity boasts 300 miles of fiber optic cable We may not be the biggest city, but our indus- dances a delicate balance between comedy and deemed to be the “greater good,” he should face placing its range at a greater distance than other tries are at the forefront of their capabilities. If sadness, enriching the lives around him through the music. Running from problems never made locally-based competitors. And while Velocity is anything, Velocity is a testament that Erie has his simplicity and attitude and giving his coun- them go away, or does it? a locally owned and headquartered small busi- enormous potential to grow, and we have the terparts a softer look at the world around them. I guess that depends on what his motivation ness, there is no profit in the KINBER network local tech businesses willing to do their part to And Snowden, well, isn’t that guy. truly is. And only time will tell. at this time, so larger companies such as Verizon see it happen. With the implementation of KIN- It is the classic scenario. One kid in the class wouldn’t touch it. BER we can be sure that Erie never loses its edge. takes advantage of the system, breaks or ignores Love? Hate? Agree? Disagree? I want to hear from The unique local perspective of Velocity creates the rules, and everyone else suffers for it. Some- you. Contact me at rStyn@ a deeper understanding of local needs and puts Dakota Hoffman can times I find these types of situations refreshing, ErieReader.com, and follow KINBER where it needs to be. The company is be contacted at Epic@ but because our bilateral relations with many me on Twitter @rStyn. To also working on setting up an access point on ErieReader.com. To follow foreign nations are already rocky, I question the follow this story or comment, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s campus this story or comment, scan value of Snowden’s decisions. scan the QR code or go to as well. the QR code or go to http:// He must have thought it was the right one, http://erirdr.com/quera Wiertel and Deuterman also highlighted how erirdr.com/rqodt

JUST TOYIN’ WITCHA By: B. Toy

6 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 “The Bad Haircut” Reviewed Brilliant, Timely, and Necessary – a must-see for Erie

By: Ben Speggen Boler’s new, original comedy “The Bad thing ever needed and wanted but Haircut: A Disconnected Comedy,” doesn’t actually sell any of its products now on stage at the Renaissance The- – looking for someone simply to pay man walks onto the stage atre. attention to her, since she feels severed and sits down in a chair. From there, the play moves quickly from the world around her. Moyar’s He connects a long cable in the form of – as the title suggests – protagonist, now an employee there, streaming from a televi- disconnected sketches, set into motion connects with her, finding solace in sion situated at the top of the set to with the versatile Leslie Ford (who knowing he’s not alone in his feel- aA laptop. We see what he sees: a pic- also directs the show) playing a Rus- ings of disconnectedness. Jones deliv- ture of an adorable cat – the audience sian barber who gives the narrator his ers a powerful monologue, perhaps awwwws; a provocative image of two fated bad haircut, which sets him off the show’s best – a diatribe fueled by people embracing – the audience ohh- on a journey to find himself by head- barbed one-liners railing against what hhhs; he continues searching – the ing west. America’s become and is becoming – audience learns in, waiting to see what An intellect’s delight, “Haircut” is leading to one of the most genuine comes next. a thinking man’s play, grappling with connections between two characters in But something is wrong. These the notion of humanity’s disconnect- the play. fleeting images, culled from simple edness through religion, philosophy, Brilliant, timely, and necessary, “The searches, fail to satisfy beyond a mere psychology, medicine, materialism, Bad Haircut” demands us to think moment – that’s a cute cat, but it’s not and spiritualism while using comedy and deserves our attention. Those al- his, or our, cat; that couple is feeling some- as the vehicle to drive through the ready tuned in to Boler’s observation thing, but we’re not them, we’re not there, myriad challenges and issues we face that “something is wrong” will revel in we’re not present. in contemporary culture, keeping the that feeling of connectedness through production ground in a disturbingly shared disconnection. For those not poignant humor. tuned in, this may just be the neces- The entire cast – six actors taking on sary alarm in the form of cultural Brilliant, timely, multiple roles – breathe life into Bo- commentary via comedic theater that ler’s cuttingly written archetypal char- challenges us to think about the world and necessary, acters as people populating everyday and the people around us. And if it’s life. From an overly obsessed craft beer not a wakeup call, it’s still one hell of “The Bad Haircut” trendster – a wonderful interpretation an enjoyable and thoughtful ride. by Scott Frisina – who’s playing fantasy demands us to fantasy football to a trio of women out Three performances of “The Bad Haircut:

on a girls’ night glued to their smart Contributed Photo A Disconnected Comedy” remain: July 24 think and deserves phones – the troupe transcends ste- to 26. Friday and Saturday performances reotypes to reveal a very human aspect Only one weekend (July 24 to 26) remains are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee our attention. of all of the characters, resulting in a to see this outstanding original play. is at 2:30 p.m. All performance are at the touching element all too often missing Renaissance Theatre, 1001 State St. from sketch comedy. make reservations at a bed and break- continually shouts, overly enunciating The young man unplugs the laptop Two particularly strong scenes reveal fast while stuck in the loop of a voice- “something else,” each time hanging Ben Speggen can be contacted at bSpeg- and the TV screen goes black, and Boler and crew’s ability to use humor mail tree. Connected to a recorded on the audiences’ laughter. But Sche- [email protected], and you can fol- with hunched shoulders and a fur- in unnerving situations rooted in dis- automated response, who’s played linski’s endearing recording tries her low him on Twitter rowed brow spins his chair, turns to the connection to examine Boler’s notion on stage by Karen Schelinski, Stock- best to help him, unable to empathize @ERBenSpeggen. audience, and confirms our concern: of inertia and “stuckedness.” hausen’s HR rep just “wants to talk with his frustration, which then transi- To follow this “Something is wrong, something’s… First, John Stockhausen – playing to somebody.” With the selection of tions into a beautifully haunting song story or comment, happened. an HR worker too self-engrossed to “make a reservation” not being an op- sung by Schelinkski. scan the QR code “All we can do is try to understand,” realize an employee has no idea what tion, the computer system ushers him Second, Camille Jones enters Y-mart or go to http:// laments Justin Moyar, star of Richard he actually does at work – struggles to along in the process, and Stockhausen – a store featuring just one of every- erirdr.com/r2kss

July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 7 Incredible teachers start here.

Charlene always knew she wanted to be a teacher; but, it was Mercyhurst who inspired her to pursue her M.S. in Special Education, a program that offers evening hours and comparably low tuition. Landing a full-time graduate assistantship at a local elementary school, Charlene worked in a Mercyhurst-supported classroom where she taught students with autism. “My experiences in this program have been, in one word — incredible. After Mercyhurst, I’ll be a better teacher because of the education and opportunities I was given.” Start your journey to incredible teaching today!

Enroll now. Visit mercyhurst.edu/graduate, call 814-824-3384 or e-mail [email protected].

Charlene Lichtinger ’12 & ’13 M.S. in Special Education Concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis

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8 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 The 21st Annual Blues and Jazz Festival Erie Art Museum Brings in Top Talent Once Again Contributed Photo

Eight-piece Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Red Baraat headlined the Blues and Jazz Festival's Sunday lineup last year

By: Cory Vaillancourt edge of the unending azure sky. John Vanco, executive director of the Erie Art the festival. Because when the big grey finally segues to the Museum, laughing. “And it’s BYOB. Those are “I remember going to it as a little kid and just he lazes all winter. big blue, she doesn’t waste a minute of it. two big things, but I think they love it too be- being amazed at how huge it was,” she says, like She smells the peppery smoke She loves the Downtown Partnership’s Block cause it’s always fresh, there’s always somebody that wide-eyed child she must have been. “I never from chimneys unseen, while Party series because she cherishes the historic they’ve never heard of before, and it’s in a beauti- dreamed I’d one day be helping to produce it.” weathering wave after wave of charm of State Street. She dances there, as the ful setting.” Perhaps it’s stories like Eller’s that solidify the arctic air. She listens to the hushed big blue begets a padparadscha pink. Erie Art Museum Director of Marketing and legacy of the Blues and Jazz Festival – a festival roar of heavy snowfall, and eagerly She loves the Erie Port Authority’s 8 Great Public Relations Carolyn Eller has a slightly dif- much of Erie grew up attending. eyes the seemingly perpetual deck Tuesdays because she adores the cozy beauty of ferent – although no less valid – take on Erie’s “It is family-oriented,” Vanco reminds us, citing of noctilucence. the Bayfront. She sits there, pondering the pro- affinity for the fest. the availability of children’s activities all day long. You see, she – that vivacious vital vibrating vivid tective peninsular paw. “It’s a great community event. People of all ages “We could make a lot of money, and God, I hope vixen we call Erie – she knows all too well the She loves the UPMC Sunset Music Series be- can look forward to it,” she says. “It’s an oppor- we never get forced into it, but if we sold beer fleeting nature of our short summer sabbatical cause she treasures the sandy beaches of Presque tunity to be outside at the largest blues and jazz on site, we could make a lot more money. We’ve Sfrom the savagery of the salty season. But she Isle State Park. She wades there, in the shimmer- festival in the region.” been offered some very tempting sponsorships by has a sixth sense for summer, so when she smells ing shine of the setting sun. Eller and Vanco make a pretty good team; he beer companies, but it changes the nature of the the sickly sour-sweet stink of grass in the air, and And she loves the Erie Art Museum’s Blues and brings more than 20 years of taking Erie’s musi- event.” hears the faint opening strains of jangly quarter Jazz Festival in Frontier Park because she loves cal temperature and prescribing the proper musi- It may be stunning to some that Vanco and the notes dancing over the water, she adorns herself outdoor music above everything else. cal elixirs, and Eller – an Erie native and 2013 EAM would willingly turn down the opportu- with naught but a wet warm blanket of tropical Well, almost everything else. Erie Reader 40-under-40 alum – brings the nity to earn more money, but in a town where al- temperatures, and ventures forth to stare at the “Erie loves this festival because it’s free,” says perspective of someone who grew up attending cohol is often the main attraction of every event, July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 9 it’s refreshing to attend something that keeps the Museum is always looking for volunteers to keep focus where it belongs – on families listening to the park clean during the event. Likewise, this live music. “I think one of the reasons people love year, the bucket brigades will be out in full force, the festival is because it is the way it is,” he said. encouraging the purchase of buttons, which help And so it shall be; the fest needs no fixing be- defray the cost of the fun they manufacture each cause it’s not broken, but any finely-tuned ma- year. The suggested donation is just a fin, but feel chine needs periodic tweaks. No, you still can’t free to drop a sawbuck or a Jackson. camp out overnight unless you want to end up “It’s not a fundraiser,” Eller says of the fest. sleeping in the greybar hotel; nor can you cook “We depend on corporate sponsorships to pay out, lest ye accidentally unbind Prometheus; nor for the acts, and we really don’t net anything.” can you bring your pet llama del Rey. But you But this year, in an interesting twist on the usual can bring your own beer, chairs, cooler, food, procedure, teams of up to 15 bucket brigaders friends, tent (if you set it up after 9 a.m. and tear can sign up to compete against other teams, with 8 GREAT TUESDAYS it down each night), or wagon, and you can look the victors receiving what Eller calls “a sweet, forward to a very welcome addition to lineup of sweet prize.” vendors – hometown fave Frankie and May. Erie loves sweet, sweet prizes. She also loves “Part of our motto is ‘Good for you, good for free festal fun, featuring five fine performances your community,’ and we feel that the Blues and every two hours from noon until 8 p.m. two days Jazz Fest is a great opportunity for people in the in a row. And she also loves that moment – that TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013 community – in addition to hearing all the great inevitable moment – during one of the perfor- music – to enjoy something that differs from mances, probably near the end of the fest, when traditional fare,” says Anthony Perino, general you can literally hear summer split open and **SPECIAL 6 PM START** manager of Frankie and May. melt, and see the season turn the corner to assess Another hometown fave, Chef Marc Berar- the looming glance of the big laze. ducci, - still basking in the glow of becoming HEADLINER: Jake’s Blues a best-selling cookbook author – will do all the The Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival OPENING ACT: Nikki Hill cooking, as if Erie needed yet another reason to takes place from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, love this fest. Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 in Frontier Park. And again this year, the Blues and Jazz fest For a complete rundown on this year’s lineup, will be as green as ever; vendors like Frankie be sure to check out our guide to the festival on and May must utilize recyclable or compostable the next page. To volunteer for the cleanup crew utensils, and must not use foil or single-use con- or to sign up for the bucket brigade, contact TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013 diment packaging. Recycling bins will be set up [email protected] or call 459.5477. throughout the park, and a monitored bicycle For more information on the festival itself, corral leaves festivalgoers no excuse to pollute visit www.erieartmuseum.org/performances/ [6:30PM] either the air, or the earth. bj_fest/. Follow Cory Vaillancourt on Twitter But pollute some cretins will, so the Erie Art @VLNCRT. HEADLINER: Thumpdaddy OPENING ACT: Stiletto

• FREE admission! • Voted Erie’s favorite concert series! • Food, beverage and merchandise vendors onsite! Free shuttles starting at 5pm from the Intermodal Transportation Center, the Bayfront Convention Center and the Thomas C. Hoffman Bayfront Hub (12th & Lincoln).

10 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 The Erie Reader Guide to the 2013 Blues and Jazz Festival

By: Cory Vaillancourt So after all these years we get to bring her back, any of those who were lucky and I’m happy she’s still doing it.” What award- enough to attend last year’s Erie winning children’s entertainer Susan Goodman Art Museum Blues and Jazz Fes- is doing is using her saxophone to make music tival privately worried that Erie with a message – raising awareness about so- Art Museum Executive Director John Vanco cial justice and bullying. Sort of like a real-life Mhad finally set the bar too high with his willful grown-up Lisa Simpson. wizardry; headliners Super Chikan, Oliver Mtu- 2 p.m. – Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle kudzi, Lee Konitz, and Red Baraat managed to blow the roof off a joint that ain’t even got no on’s got an interesting quandary – as a blues roof. harmonica virtuoso, he carries around one I’m happy to report that such quiet fears are Rof the lightest instruments in existence, but as wholly unfounded; Vanco’s once again invoked a Hammond B3 player, he’s got to lug around a an effulgent ensemble of talent, and summoned 550-plus pound vintage block of wood and wire. Contributed Photo them to appear in that magical corner of Fron- Luckily for us, he manages both with skill and tier Park. I sat with him recently, where he gave grace, backed by local well-knowns Eric Brewer, Blues and Jazz Fest packs Frontier Park for two days of live music. me a preview of the exquisite enchantments he’s Ralph Reitinger, and Ron Sutton. “They’re re- conjured up for us in this, the 21st year of the ally excellent,” Vanco said. “I think everybody Born at last month’s pARTy on the Patio that ments, and I had a whole series of performers Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival. locally knows them. They’ve done extremely well Vanco apparently decided to give them a spot in who played resonator guitars, and he was one of in terms of getting out into the rest of the world another choice EAM gig. “I’ve known them all them. It was the probably the late ‘90s.” Since Saturday, August 4, 2013 and performing, they’ve done well at the blues in different bands for years and years,” he said. that visit, Harris has risen to relative stardom Noon - Susan Goodman competitions, and they were a big favorite at the “They’re great players and have an extensive rep- in the blues world as the standard-bearer of the Pittsburgh Blues Festival last year.” ertoire. It’s good, danceable music.” acoustic blues revival of the late ‘90s alongside don’t remember when I started doing a 4 p.m. – The Breeze Band performers like Keb Mo’ and Taj Mahal. In family act for the opening act, but it was a 6 p.m. Corey Harris 2003, he appeared in Martin Scorsese’s “Feel “Ilong time ago,” said Vanco. “I did children’s acts his versatile, funky local ensemble com- & the Rasta Blues Experience Like Going Home,” where he revisited the for quite a few years – you know, performers who prised of veterans Barry King, Maurice connection between American blues and the are on ‘Sesame Street’ and the like, and the only Troop,T Kenny Hollis, Kevin Sapper, and Rah- orey was here years ago,” Vanco said. “I African folk music from which it is derived by one who was really musically valid was Susan. man Hooks did such a good job opposite DJ “Cdid an exhibition of resonator instru- visiting Mali and performing with [Cont. on 21] An EBC Education Opens Doors BUSINESS HEALTHCARE HOSPITALITY COMPUTERS LEGAL

Accounting Home Health Aide Hotel, Restaurant Information Paralegal & Institutional Technology Administrative Medical Assistant Management Office Professional Medical Coding/ Business Billing Management Medical Secretary Classes Start August 26. Entrepreneur Nurse Aide Essentials Erie Campus erie business center Practical Nursing 246 West 9th Street Executive Secretary center for business careers Rehabilitation Erie, PA 16501 center for computer careers Online Web Design Technician (814) 456-7504 & Marketing center for healthcare careers New Castle Campus Web Marketing center for hospitality careers 170 Cascade Galleria center for legal careers New Castle, PA 16101 www.eriebc.edu (724) 658-9066 Visit our website for important consumer information. erie business center center for business careers July 24, 2013 eriereader.comcenter for computer| Erie Reader careers | 11 center for healthcare careers center for hospitality careers center for legal careers JULY 24 - AUGUST 6 If We Were You... end, folks, so enjoy the Block Party while sum- read Matthew Flowers’ piece in this issue. WEDNESDAY 7.24 mer is still here. When: Starts at 7 a.m., continues TUESDAY 7.30 When: 6 to 10:30 p.m. through the weekend FILM at the Erie Art Museum Where: 28 North Park Row Where: Presque Isle State Park Jake’s Blues at 8 Great Tuesdays Contact: 838.5138 "To the Wonder" Contact: 455.3743 This particular Tuesday marks the halfway point, With an all-star cast including Ben Affleck, “Leading Ladies” since it’s Tuesday No. 4 out of 8. And it’s being Olga Kurylenko, Rachel McAdams, and Javier If you haven’t seen this Erie Playhouse produc- SATURDAY 7.27 headlined by locals Jake’s Blues, a rock, blues Bardem, this Terrence Malick-directed film is an tion yet, we suggest you plan on it - Struggling powerhouse in The Gem City. Expected to re- exploration of love in its many forms. Show up Shakespearean actors Leo Clark and Jack Gable TREC Garden Tour lease a new album soon, the band just may be early to chat with fellow movie buffs, eat good fight to survive on the Moose Lodge circuit in If you’re looking for something a little more testing out some new material, as well as churn- food, and enjoy a drink in the beautiful Erie Art 1950s Pennsylvania. How far they will go to calming than Beer on the Bay, take a free walk ing out past favorites and searing covers of blues Museum. make it big? through the garden at Tom Ridge Environmen- legends. Oh, and this event features Erie’s favor- When: 6 p.m. When: 7:30 p.m. tal Center. Garden Coordinator Jen Salem will ite F-word – that’s right, FREE – since admis- Where: 10 E. Fifth St. Where: 13 W. 10th St. be there to tell you about the best way to grow sion to this event won’t set you back at all. Contact: Facebook.com/FILMErieArtMuseum Contact: 454.2852 a healthy garden. Meet at the TREC welcome When: 6 to 10 p.m. desk. Where: Liberty Park, 726 W. Bayfront Pkwy THURSDAY 7.25 FRIDAY 7.26 When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Contact: 455.7557 Where: 301 Peninsula Drive Erie Downtown Partnership Discover Presque Isle 2013 Contact: 833.7424 WEDNESDAY 7.31 Block Party Friday is the opening day for this year’s Discover Cocomama at the Romolo This week, The I-90’s and Geek City hits Park Presque Isle, a celebration of the crown jewel of Chocolates Summer Music Series Molly Gene One Whoaman Band Place and The Boardwalk for the Block Party! the Gem City, Presque Isle State Park. Crafts, Local confectioner Romolo Chocolates has plen- While some bands feel the need to pack enough Get all the food, beverage, and entertainment volleyball, sand sculpture contests, bonfire, live ty of cocoa on its premises, but on this Saturday, people on stage to fill a venue to capacity with you can fit into your Thursday night and help entertainment, and plenty of food can all be the Summer Music Series is about to get a big just its percussion section (we’re looking at you, benefit Therapy Dogs United. July is nearing an expected; for even more information, be sure to shipment of Coco. International all-female act The Polyphonic Spree), others manage to rock Cocomama will bring their Afro-Cuban, Jazz, with just a single person. The Molly Gene One and South American-styled tunes to the sweet Whoaman Band is coming to the crooked i with Saturday series, a treat for fans of world music. enough soul and grit to pack the State Street es- When: 6 to 9 p.m. tablishment even without robed backup vocalists. Where: 1525 W. Eighth St. When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Contact: 452.1933, romolochocolates.com Where: 1013 State St. The Irving Klaws w/ The Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie Couchriders and Planet Claire When it comes to fun Saturday night activities, THURSDAY 8.01 we like to suggest going out and having fun with friends, perhaps seeing a cool show like garage- Erie Downtown Partnership rock band The Irving Klaws at the crooked i. Of Block Party course, you could always just hang out in your This free outdoor event at the Plymouth Tavern garage with gardening tools and that rusty can of not only features the musical talent of Stiletto leftover paint that you always forget about. We’ll and New Wave Nation, but the event will benefit Summer Block Party kindly stick with garage rock instead. the Autism Society of Northwestern Pennsylva- Thu. July 25 When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. nia as well, so it’s a party with a purpose! with I-90s and Geek Army Where: 1013 State St. When: 6 to 10:30 p.m. Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie Where: 1109 State St. Contact: 453.6454 Fri. July 26 Geek Army SUNDAY 7.28 FRIDAY 8.02 Third Annual Afternoon for Equality Fundraiser Coconut Joe's Happy Hour with Sat. July 27 Drunk in Memphis According to their website, the greater Erie Al- Small Town Revolution liance for Equality is a non-profit organization Enjoy the sound of Small Town Revolution, a whose mission is “supporting the region’s LGBT popular local band, while you drink. The sounds Fri. Aug. 2 Saving Abel community and its straight allies through educa- of their guitars, bass, and vocals lend one a better tion, open dialogue and public visibility.” So, if appreciation for Erie culture. Happy hour sees no Waiting for Never: you are or know an L, a G, a B, a T, or an ally cover charge until 10 p.m. Sat. Aug. 3 thereof - which should be pretty much everybody When: 4 p.m. 10 Year Anniversary Show - you’ll want to get your tickets to this event, Where: 28 North Park Row (held in the stunning La Rue Dix just off State) Contact: 814.455.4705 to support this worthy cause. Ode to Fran the Art Man When: 4 to 7 p.m. All of Erie loves Fran the Art Man Schanz - so Where: 21 W. 10th St. much, in fact, that a certain subset thereof has en- 508 State Street 18-20 North Park Row 814-453-7760 Contact: [email protected] or 866.229.1974 deavored to construct a lyrical stanza comprised of a strophe, an antistrophe, and an epode. Okay, 12 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 maybe they didn’t literally create a classical greek grunge for fans of old and any newcomers to for their 10th year together, but instead, we’ll be ing with life and beauty, and this hour-long fam- ode, but they did create a figurative ode to him at their musical craft. treated with a blast of hardcore metal through- ily friendly “interpretive boat tour” will get you PACA - an art show, which is much more fitting When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. out the night. up close and personal with both! Sign up at the for Fran than an ornately crafted epic poem. Where: 508 State St. When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Pontoon Pavillion at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m., 1 or When: 7 p.m. Contact: 453.7760 Where: 508 State St. 2 p.m. launches, and experience a side of nature Where: 1505 State Street Contact: 453.7760 most people never see. Contact: paca1505.comMovies Eerie Roller Girls Double Header! When: Varies Movies at the Arboretum SATURDAY 8.03 So we’ve been absolutely ga-ga over the Eerie Where: Peninsula Dr. Steal away from your laptop, tablet, smart phone, Roller Girls all season long - we love our home Contact: trecpi.org and television by escaping into the sublime nat- The Tony Lelo Project team; we love their home rink, the Presque Isle ural beauty of Frontier Park - for a movie! Yes, Not all projects are that fun. Take re-tiling the Skating and Events Center (formerly Evan’s it’s kind of a contradiction, but who cares? The bathroom for example. Well, instead of the ol’ Skateland); we love the sport of roller derby, TUESDAY 8.06 Lorax, that’s who. He looks mean enough to rip grout and pout, try something much more excit- and we especially love the players and their silly your face off and wipe his fuzzy little feet with ing in your life by heading out to Sandbar Draft names. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of see- Thumpdaddy at 8 Great Tuesdays it, but in reality he just want to hug trees, and House to see The Tony Lelo Project dole out ing Meredeath Loosewheel, Sally Jesse Rough- Call him the Sultan of Slap, the General of the after screening this 2012 animated feature, you plenty of smooth original R&B tunes, as well as as-Hell, and the Naughty Professor in action, Groove, the Bastion of Bass -- Thumpdaddy probably will too. some choice covers. this evening’s doubleheader should do the trick. is bringing his bottom-note-heavy R&B, soul, When: Dusk When: 8 p.m. When: doors at 6:30, bouts at 7 and 8:30 p.m. and funk to the Bayfront. So head down to get Where: The Arboretum at Frontier Park Where: 2835 W. Eighth St. Where: 3162 West Lake Road down -- and while you’re there, swing by the Contact: Leaferie.org Contact: 464.8880, sandbarerie.com Contact: EerieRollerGirls.com Erie Reader tent to grab our August 7 issue a Saving Abel day early, so that you can tell your friends you got We can probably conclude by now that the guys Waiting for Never “tomorrow’s news today.” from Saving Abel are fans of The Flagship City. After a decade, Waiting for Never is still going SUNDAY 8.04 When: 6 to 10 p.m. The Biblically-named hard rock band from strong, so Sherlock’s is ready to throw them an Where: Liberty Park, 726 W. Bayfront Pkwy Corinth, Miss. is returning to Sherlock’s, ready anniversary party. Traditionally, we should be Lagoons by Pontoon Contact: 455.7557 to give Erie another taste of Southern post- getting the local band a tin or aluminum gift The lagoons of Presque Isle State Park are teem-

July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 13 To-do List By: Alex Bieler

Beer on the Bay expanded, with a hookah bar, brewery meet-and- greets, a quartet of food purveyors, and Presque magine walking into a local beer-shilling Isle Ice Cream providing sweet treats. establishment to pick up your preferred Of course, with the beer being plentiful, it’s UPCOMING EVENTS fermented adult beverage when you notice always a good idea to have a ride, so designated Isomething on the shelf. It could be a shiny bottle driver passes can be purchased for $20, giving or a vibrantly colored can that catches your eye, these fine citizens access to the VIP lounge for leading you to a whole new brew, a brand new their good deeds. taste you’ve never had. As tempting as that ba- “Nobody leaves there not having a good time,” con-and-maple-donut-infused ale in the bright Chamber Vice President Claudia Thornburg FUNKTAPUSS pink bottle may be, you still walk on by and snag says. “It’s not really stressful – you’re on the water. your go-to six pack, not wanting to have to pur- The venue there is exceptional.” JULY 25 // THURSDAY @ 10:00 chase a product you’ve yet to taste. For a complete list of participating breweries, Still, that exciting, unknown brew could be check out eripa.com/beer-on-the-bay. Regular something wonderful. If only there was an event tickets cost $30 and VIP $45 before the event where you could go and try different drinks from and $5 more at the door for a day in the suds a wide variety of breweries. and sun that can help you expand your craft beer HUMAN ANIMAL Well, you’re in luck, because Beer on the Bay is mind. WITH SPECIAL GUESTS KILLER OF SHEEP, right around the corner – if you live right around Funktapuss STARVE, AND MALA SANGRE ove over, mythical animal combina- JULY 26 // FRIDAY @ 10:00 “We were very lucky tions, there’s a new creature concoc- tion on its way to Erie. to have the support Okay, maybe Funktapuss isn’t so much a com- THE IRVING KLAWS Mbination of two animals like a griffin and more of the local and of just a fun portmanteau, but the five guys in WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE COUCHRIDERS this New England band do have funk ingrained AND PLANET CLAIRE regional breweries and in their brains. JULY 27 // SATURDAY @ 10:00 “The saxophone player, the drummer, and I distributors to come and have been playing together for 16 years,” bass- ist Brian “Beek” Vanderbeek says. “We started in support the event so that high school. Our original band in high school MOLLY GENE ONE was called Purple Monkey Dishwasher.” beer fest-goers would Eventually, Beek and company switched from WHOAMAN BAND primates to mollusks, adding members to form have a great time and a Funktapuss four years ago. Fast forward to today JULY 31 // WEDNESDAY @ 10:00 and the quintet will bring their sweaty, smooth great selection of beers.” funk to the crooked i Thursday, July 25, ready to give the State Street crowd a healthy serving of their exciting show. the corner from the Burger King Amphitheater “[We’re] balls to the wall,” Beek says. “We aim THE MANHATTAN PROJECT at Liberty Park. The local beer fest will host doz- to blow the roof off of every place we play. We’re ens of brewers and representatives from across very high-energy. A lot of it is improvised.” WITH SPECIAL GUEST ZACK ORR COLLECTIVE the nation – and even a couple from Europe – The day after playing at the crooked i, Funk- AUGUST 2 // FRIDAY @ 10:00 Saturday, July 27, including local guys Lavery tapuss will head west to The Gathering at Brewing Company as well as California’s Sierra Chaffee’s, which you may have read about in fel- Nevada Brewing Co., all to help people grow low writer Matthew Flowers’ fine cover story in their appreciation of one of the oldest and most our last issue. According to Beek, the band will beloved beverages in the world. play some new, funky material for both nights in “That was the whole idea: To get people to addition to past favorites. ZUCK S TURKEY FARM try beers that they normally wouldn’t on their “We’re in the midst of writing our second al- ' own,” says Becky Niemeyer, sales manager at bum,” Beek says. “It’s coming along slowly but AUGUST 3 // SATURDAY @ 10:00 Erie Brewing Company, the local brewery that surely. We’re doing a lot of new writing tech- started Beer on the Bay six years ago. “We were niques. We’re trying to branch out and do dif- very lucky to have the support of the local and ferent stuff, maybe add a little more technology.” regional breweries and distributors to come and Now armed with new songs and old, Funk- support the event so that beer fest-goers would tapuss is ready to wow Northwest Pennsylvania, have a great time and a great selection of beers.” a five-headed funk monster raring to make your Beer on the Bay is comprised of two different night fun. tasting sessions – one from noon to 3 p.m. and another from 4 to 7 p.m. – for hop heads and Alex Bieler can be contacted at aBieler@ TUE: Songwriter Showcase & Vinyl Night lager lovers to sample some suds. As the event ErieReader.com, and you SUN: Open Mic & Jam has been growing under the watch of Erie Brew- can follow him on Twitter ing Company and the Erie Regional Chamber @Catch20Q. To follow this and Growth Partnership, an organization that story or comment, scan the joined in halfway through Beer on the Bay’s run QR code or go to http://er- to help with promotion, the VIP section has been irdr.com/2o0lz 14 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 Discovering Discover Presque Isle A cascade of colorful art, summery music, and support for our state park hits the PI shores July 26 to 28

By: Matthew Flowers playing children. usic. Art. Music. Art. Music. Art. Beyond the playground, proceeds were also The recreational waves of Erie used to build the new Turtle Observation Deck summers are rolling in without in the lagoons. The viewing stations don’t cost a calm water in sight. Hold on penny but the sights are worth every one of them. to your swimming trunks, as this weekend will The newest blueprint on the drawing board is Mbe no exception since another surge is headed a creative play place for children, that Steve says straight for the peninsula. will “connect young kids with nature,” and at the Discover Presque Isle hits the shore July 26, 27, same time, “be very educational, fun, and chal- and 28, bringing with it a cascade of colorful art, lenge kids’ creativity.” summery music, and support for our state park. This year, the fundraising buttons will sport a It’s safe to say most Erieites have taken a drive new design – a little frog donning 18th century around the peninsula, taken a dip in the lake, or garb to commemorate the Perry 200. There is also devoured a couple of hot dogs at Sara’s, but there a mystery button, one that could earn you a cool is so much more to be discovered. “It’s a three- $1,000 if it has the winner number. day event that shows all the various ways that you The peninsula is one of Erie’s most valuable can enjoy Presque Isle,” says Steve McDermott, assets and events like this remind us of this pre- executive director of Presque Isle Partnership. cious location. Discover Presque Isle adds more Over the years Steve has helped add to the list to the map each year, and its funds help make this of ways locals and tourists can enjoy this water- city’s very own State Park a place to be proud of. front park, with these lakeside events including

classics like kayaking and pontoon boat rides Contributed Photo Matthew Flowers can be contacted at MFlow- which he calls “Presque Isle’s best kept secret.” [email protected], and “If you go on a pontoon boat tour or kayak in Thousands of locals and visitors will take to Presque Isle for a you can follow him on the Lagoons, in ten minutes you’ll feel like you’re weekend to enjoy all that Erie's landmark gem has to offer. Twitter @MFlowersER. not even at Presque Isle and you’re at a completely To follow this story or com- different park,” Steve adds. When admiring the Band, and Pittsburgh alt-rocker’s JD Eicher & hood obesity.” Shipped from Germany, the play- ment, scan the QR code or park from the placid waters of the lagoons, the the Goodnights, and to set the mood, a big ol’ ground is built like a barge, made to take a beat- go to http://erirdr.com/ view looks foreign; you could be looking at the bonfire will be lit Saturday around 8:45 p.m. ing from Erie’s harsh winters and a lot of hard id7xp lush greenery of a Louisiana swamp or be gaz- “It’s the only time out of 365 days of the year ing at the flat waters of a Florida marsh, teeming that you’re going to see a bonfire that big at Pr- with life – substitute the alligators for common esque Isle,” Steve says. map turtles – but what you’re really looking at Along with providing a plethora of activities, all one of the many hidden facets our city’s state of Discover Presque Isle’s proceeds get funneled park has to offer. back into the park to keep the peninsula ship- If you’re not up to getting wet but still feel like shape while also being able to add new attrac- working up a sweat, this year’s first Three Mile tions. Judging by past years – when the weather Isle lets runners navigate through some unex- is right – the whole weekend event can take in plored grounds between Beach 10 and 11, the about $90,000. 4th Annual Presque Isle Beach Brawl tests the In 2005, this money helped build the one-of- strength of wrestlers and non-wrestler’s alike, and kind playground in the Waterworks area. you can catch some sunrays during the volleyball “You won’t find another playground like that tournament. around here anywhere,” Steve says with confi- But Discover Presque Isle is also about kicking dence. However, this unique design is not only back and enjoying the sights and sounds. Beach a great place for kids to play, but it also serves a 8 is hosting the Sand Sculpting competition, live purpose. “We chose that [playground] because it music from singer/songwriter Matt Thomson, requires kids to really have to work hard to play Fire and Ice, local favorite The Sam Hyman there. The whole point of it was to fight child-

July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 15 To follow this story or com- ment, scan the QR code or MUSIC go to http://erirdr.com/ REVIEWS d9ldr Jay Z Magna Carta…Holy Grail Hebronix Roc Nation Pet Shop Boys Unreal Editors Electric ATP Jay Z’s conflicted. He’s found The Weight of Your Love x2 ultimate success and retired PIAS Another year means it’s once already. But he’s still After 28 years with Parlo- time for another oddly young-ish, and still creative- The music a person chooses phone, British electro-pop named project for Daniel ly minded. How to handle to listen to can often re- legends Pet Shop Boys Blumberg. The London that conflict? Release an al- flect their mood. Doom and moved on to their own la- musician is no stranger to bum that goes platinum before it hits shelves gloom can call for a sad tune bel, releasing latest album setting aside new bands – and explore that conflict on said album. “I’m and joyous songs can per- “Electric” on x2. Despite hav- for even newer ones, but never satisfied, can’t knock my hustle,” he raps fectly accompany a bright ing been able to retire com- his departure from Yuck after just one excellent on “Picasso Baby.” “I wanna Rothko, no I wanna disposition. If one were fortably due to past successes, Neil Tennant album still managed to raise some eyebrows brothel. No, I wanna a wife that f--- me like a to guess how you felt when listening to “The and Chris Lowe still sound fresh after 30 years. among listeners and critics. Like his work with prostitute.” Jay Z continues to navigate such Weight of Your Love,” it would likely be bored. Unlike last year’s more subdued “Elysium,” Yuck, Blumberg’s new project Hebronix packs conflict, but he seems to lose interest before The latest album by Birmingham, England “Electric” is very much a dance record, an ex- debut album “Unreal” with plenty of catchy the song finishes and seems breathless – both band Editors continues their downward trend citing blast of synths, beats, and samples over guitar hooks, but now he replaces the punchy, bored and tired. Album opener “Holy Grail,” of recycling old British ‘80s acts without really the course of nine songs. Opener “Axis” is more fuzzed-out guitar rock of before with a slow, strikes an even more unnerving chord, with Jay putting their own stamp on it. Shades of dark of a straight up ‘80s-driven club track whereas sprawling six-pack of songs, much like if Blum- Z namedropping Kurt Cobain, welcoming Jus- Depeche Mode synths, some U2 balladry, and “Love is a Bourgeois Construct” starts off with berg took the reverb out of excellent “Yuck” tin Timberlake to croon an adapted “And we’re the unavoidable Joy Division connection given a gorgeous string section before shifting into closer “Rubber” and replaced it occasionally all just entertainers. And we’re stupid, and con- singer Tom Smith’s deep croon permeate the lyrically-focused track with very British sensibil- with a string section. There’s plenty to like on tagious.” Jay Z is an entertainer, his music – the album, but it all amounts to a group of songs ities, no surprise for fans of Pet Shop Boys. “Elec- “Unreal,” although a lot of it gets lost in Blum- beats, the wordplay, the execution – all conta- that, while not necessarily bad, never grab your tric” isn’t the most groundbreaking of albums, berg’s sonic landscapes, often topping seven gious. But while he’s not stupid, he’s bored and attention, aside from the occasional clichéd lyr- but Tennant and Lowe show that even after 30 minutes in length. “Unreal” could have used tired – and it shows in this mediocre album. ic., making for an album that’s just rather bor- years in the business, they’re still big players in some editing, but the album still contains plen- - Ben Speggen ing. - Alex Bieler the electronic music game. - Alex Bieler ty of bright spots. - Alex Bieler

16 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 all the time. The number-one thing I love about Erie is that my family lives here and nothing in the world is bet- ter than being close to the ones you Street Fashionista love the most and the ones who love you the most. Any fun summer gigs planned? I Lindsay Vendetti By: Leslie McAllister took a little break from singing when I moved home just to regroup and get myself settled in. Now I am finally t’s a magical thing. It’s an extraordinary being comfortable, but I would say soul with a getting into some things and thank power. It’s often discounted just how in- little bit of edge and a lot of girl. I could go on, God because I have been itching to fluential and just how awe-inspiring these but in all honestly I’m constantly changing daily. get back on stage. I will be sitting talented musicians can be to a fellow young Sometimes I want to wear a dress with bows and in with Stiletto on August 1 for the one. lace and sometimes I want to wear a studded Block Party. I started singing with IAttending a Taylor Swift concert recently with jacket with 5-inch hooker heels. To answer the them before I left for LA, and I love my favorite girls (Olivia and Marni), I was truly question, I'd say my style is a smorgasbord of me. them all dearly, along with the band, star-struck. Like mouth agape, tears rolling down If you were a dress, what kind of dress would so I’m really excited for a reunion my cheeks, mind blown, proud to be a girl all you be? Color? Style? Vintage? Party dress? gig. Also keep your ears open for an rolled up into a heart-shaped-balloon-covered- Garden dress? Hmmm, this is a really hard one, acoustic act I'm putting together with in-sparkling-red-sequins kind of feeling. but if I had to pick a dress to represent me it my fellow musician and ridiculously Yeah, it was that deep. would be a ‘60s Go-Go dress, really short with talented Eric Brewer. Some good Tiny Miss Swift was a sensation, a lady, a muse, flared sleeves with black and white polka dots. things are in the works, and I can’t a teacher. Above all, a standup, strong, positive Last indulgent purchase? There’s way too wait to get back out and start singing role model for 57,000 women, girls, men, and many of these a week. I just got my hair done, for my amazing city. boys. And what did I take away beside the fact which went along with purchasing hair products. that her performance was stellar? Her costume Today I bought two bathing suits and two cover- Find me out on the town and chal-

changes. No words. ups – all of which I already have, but it’s a new Leslie McAllister lenge yourself to get noticed by the Erie Here’s what I love about pop culture – every- season, right? I have to restock this closet, ugh, it Reader! thing she will wear on this tour will be huge should be illegal the amount of money I spend on clothes, shoes, hair, makeup, etc. But hey, these along the way, without me even knowing it, I fell Leslie McAllister can be contacted at lMcAllister@ are true loves of mine so why not? madly in love with. I didn’t even realize this until ErieReader.com, and you How would you describe your closet? A mess! I took myself 3,000 miles away. I love the beauty can follow her on Twitter @ I can’t find anything, and once a month I attempt of the sunsets, the summer night breezes, the ShopJuJus. To follow this I love Erie because to fold and hang everything; this lasts about 2 to beaches, the lake, the gorgeous fall leaves and the story or comment, scan the 3 days. Then it’s back to crazy town and I have no first snowfall. I love driving only 15 minutes max QR code or go to http://erirdr. it's real. The people idea where anything is. to get anywhere and I love seeing familiar faces com/kru5x Fashion inspiration: Where does it come are real, the mood from? Celebrity? Art? Landscape? Architecture? I honestly don’t know how to answer this ques- is real, and the air tion. Music really inspires my wardrobe. A lot of times I'll put on Spotify while I'm getting ready and whatever I’m listening to I tend to dress like. smells like home. For instance, Patsy Cline will come on and I’ll throw on a button-up dress with a collar, high- waisted belt, and some cute flats. Pink will be for fall fashion. Color: RED; Texture: Sequins; playing and I’ll put on leggings, a tank, a cut-off Theme: Parisian Carnival; Vibe: Parisian ‘40s shirt, big earrings, and studded flats or platform glamour, lady-like softness, goddess-inspired di- heels. This one happens more often because I’m aphanous gowns. a raging pop-star lover. Then Bruno Mars will Just heavenly. Just perfect. Transcendent and come on and I just won’t put any clothes on at superb. all…whoops did I say that out loud? The best part about pop-diva style is anything You just moved back from LA; what was the goes. It is all about you. What makes Taylor is style vibe out there? What trends have not yet that her style is genuine. Oh sure, performers reached the East coast? LA has been very into have stylists (dream job), but much of what they the floral prints for about two years, bralets, and wear comes from their inner fashionista. combat boots with shorts and skirts. I’m just now So here’s what you are going to do to tap into noticing it here too; Pac Sun at the mall is all your inner pop diva – be you. Yup. Just you…and LA all day long. The thing that was really awe- maybe some sequins. some about LA was that people just dressed how Who? Lindsay Vendetti they wanted. You would go into a ridiculously Where? Stairwell at the Erie Art Museum nice restaurant and see girls completely head Why Lindsay? A local pop diva in her own to toe decked out in glamour – then you'd see right, Lindsay has been awarded best female some girls in jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers. That vocalist at the Rock Erie Music Awards. She really allowed everyone to embrace their own continues to sing around Erie with such acts as style. I felt more comfortable wearing whatever Stiletto (she was one of the original singers) and I wanted, wherever I wanted there as opposed to other fun projects on the rise. Beyond that, the Erie. Here, I feel people put dress codes on dif- girl loves fashion. Her signature platinum blonde ferent places. streak and bouffant hair make her immediately Why do you love Erie? Oh I don’t think you recognizable, and her ever-changing styles and want me to give you all the reasons; we would be trends define her inner pop priestess. here for days. I'll give you my shortest answer: I What We Want to Know love Erie because it's real. The people are real, the Describe your style: I would say my style is a mood is real, and the air smells like home. There little bit of a lot of things. Comfort to start. I love is something about this town that somewhere July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 17 SIDENTS A RE ARE RIE Y E 12 B 1, ' , '1 '10 IN W RO N A S I AR V YE OT ER 3 ED BEST CATER

The region’s premier craft beer festival

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18 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 Q & A with The Pride of Erie PA Los Angeles Band Finds Inspiration in Erie

By: Matthew Flowers Thing you Do” that would be really cool,’ because I love that movie and I love that vibe and it really fits my feeling about what we are trying todo ’m staring at a row of acoustic guitars in with the band and so then that name just kind of my room, waiting until the writer’s block popped into my head. resides – daydreaming of a tour that will “The Pride of Erie PA” I thought sounded someday lead my band, Falling Hollywood, funny because obviously we’re not from Erie, Pa., out West - when I receive a message from Con- and it’s just kind of an inside thing, you know? Itributing Editor Cory Vaillancourt about a pop- If you’ve seen the movie you would probably put rock band from Hollywood called “The Pride of two and two together that that’s what we’re do- Erie PA.” ing. My first thought – what the hell is with their I like weird band names like that, that sound name? like it’s a sentence. You’d think there would be My second thought – how is Erie, Pa. on any- something coming later but nope, that’s the body’s radar? Train frontman Patrick Monahan whole band name. is from Erie; a couple miles away Trent Reznor The funny thing is you just name your band, grew up in Mercer, Pa. but then I found it – the you don’t think twice about it really. Then a lot Peppermint Lounge house band, The Fabulous of kids online are like, ‘You guys aren’t even from Epics (later known as Orange Colored Sky) who Erie, Pa. How can you say that you’re the pride of inspired the 1996 film “That Thing You Do.” Erie, Pa.?” and we’re just sort of laughing. It’s just My third thought – let’s interview The Pride of a band name! Erie PA and find out their story. MF: What kind of comments are you getting After all, it only seems natural for two bands from Erieites? from polar opposite ends of the country, sharing BM: A lot of people get what the name is… each other’s respective geographic location in The people from Erie – most of them – are like, their names, to get to know one another, right? ‘That’s awesome; we’re from Erie.’ But then there have been a couple people that are like, ‘What?! You haven’t even been here, how can you call Contributed Photo A lot of people get what yourself “The Pride of Erie PA?’” Most of them think it’s cool. The Pride of Erie PA on a California beach. the name is… The people MF: Have you ever been to Erie? from Erie – most of them BM: I’ve been to Pittsburgh. That’s the closest MF: I’d say all you guys are seasoned musicians. MF: What are the chances of you guys coming city to it right? But your EP’s name is “Let’s Start a Band.” It to Erie, Pa. and playing a show? – are like, ‘That’s awesome; MF: It’s one of the closest “big” cities. connotes a group of greener musicians and lends BM: I’d say the chances are pretty slim at the BM: I feel like I have been there because I used itself to the idea of inexperience. How does this moment just because we don’t have any kind of we’re from Erie.’ But then to be in a band that toured the whole country. work with your song writing and your sound? touring plans. But I will say if we ever do a tour there have been a couple We didn’t play there, but I feel like we were there BM: The reason I like the title “Let’s Start a that is outside of California, we will absolutely before. Band” is it’s just kind of reflective of our philoso- play Erie, Pa. [Laughs] We have to. people that are like, ‘What?! MF: What band were you playing in? phy, which is we’re doing this for fun. A band, to MF: I’m in a band called Falling Hollywood BM: I was in a band called “Ultimate Fake- me, is something you do with your friends, first and I’m from Erie, Pa., and you’re in a band from You haven’t even been here, book.” Pretty much all the guys in the band are and foremost. Hollywood called The Pride of Erie PA. how can you call yourself from other bands. [Drummer Tony Thaxton was It’s just like, “Hey, let’s start a band.” It’s not BM: That is kind of funny – it’s perfect. swinging sticks for Motion City Soundtrack. about anything else except for that desire to make MF: Cross county gig swap? “The Pride of Erie PA?’” Guitarist Patrick Carrie played in Limbeck, once music and have fun making music. And that’s BM: Totally. signed to Dog House Records. Funny man on kind of back to the band name referencing “That MF: Seeing as you’ve never been to Erie, Pa. Matthew Flowers: Your band’s name is The bass, Mike Phirman is part of the television show Thing You Do” – the great part of that movie is what do you think this city looks like? Pride of Erie PA. Where and how did you come “The Nerdist” on BBC America, and works with just how innocent and new that band is and it BM: Really, I just sort of think about the up with that? Chris Hardwick on the comedy music project just so happens they get big. movie. It’s not a super small town but it’s not a Bill McShane: Basically there is the movie Hard n’ Phirm.] Everybody that I know starts playing music well-known mega-city by any means, so I kind called “That Thing You Do” that came out a while MF: Is the content of your songs serious or because it’s fun. So that [album name] is just to of imagine it as a mid-size city, like Pittsburgh. back that is set in the ‘60s. It’s about this young comedic? give the vibe that we’re going for, it’s very light- MF: Did you know we have a beach here in high-school rock ‘n’ roll band that ends up hav- BM: It’s kind of just sounds about girls, you hearted. We all love pop music – great sing-a- Erie? ing a hit song and becomes a No. 1 band. The know. [Laughs] Like typical pop songs. People long type songs and shit. It give you that feeling BM: I didn’t really realize that until some band is called “The Wonders,” and they are from that like bands like Weezer or Fountains of that I kind of miss, it’s just about bands, opposed people started commenting on our video be- Erie, Pa. There are a couple parts in the movie Wayne or The Beatles and Ramones kind of fla- to a scene, or trying to be huge. It’s about having cause some people thought we had filmed it at where they’re like, “Back off, man; I’m from the vor I think would dig it. It’s just kind of like short fun in a band. the beach in Erie and then they realized it was Erie, Pa.…” I kind of like that idea, kind of like songs, sing-a-long melodies. MF: How long have you guys been playing Malibu. [Laughs] the Beatles – they came from Liverpool, and MF: Are The Beatles, Ramones, Weezer, and together? they made Liverpool famous. So this band in the Fountains of Wayne the bands who inspired you? BM: We’ve never played a show, actually. It Matthew Flowers can be contacted at mFlowers@ movie kind of makes Erie, Pa. famous. BM: Yeah… and I was coming from loving ’80s started as a side project. We wanted to get to- ErieReader.com, and you The reason we picked that, referenced it, and music and also heavy metal [laughs] when I was a gether and just make some music. can follow him on Twitter @ came up with the name is really just as simple kid – that’s how it started. But I liked pop bands. We want to play some shows but everybody has MFlowersER. To follow as we were trying to come up with a name and One of the bands I really got into that inspired other stuff they do so this is just kind of a side this story or comment, scan at one point I was like, ‘if there is anything we me was a band called Guided by Voices. They’re thing. We’re not planning on touring or anything. the QR code or go to http:// can think of that would be a reference to “That probably my favorite band of all time. We’re probably gonna play in LA. erirdr.com/7pyf4 July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 19 You Ought to Know: Corey Cook

By Ryan Smith an hour before my late-morning meeting with Cook. The arrested suspect, according to police, or Corey Cook, drum stools have always was a 16-year-old Erie boy. served as driver's seats. He sat down at Cook said he had friends who got into trouble the first one, he said, to get away from similar to that when he was growing up. Some, he having to use his voice. said, were selling drugs in high school – others, At 14 years old, "I hated singing. I couldn't sing in middle school. There was a period, Cook said, Ffor a lick," Cook, now 29, said with a quiet laugh when he found himself starting to head down the during a recent interview. same path. So, early-teen Cook told his parents – who'd But, ultimately, the music beat out any other required that their children be involved in their distractions. Over the last 15 years, Cook said, church's music program – that he wanted to play it's afforded him a host of once-in-a-lifetime op- drums instead. They said sure – and, from the portunities, putting him behind kits throughout moment he first picked up those sticks at Shiloh Erie and beyond, in much larger metropolises Baptist Church, "it was an automatic love," he like Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia. Along said. the way, he's met and collaborated with many And ever since, "I've been known as a drum- other artists, honing his crisp, virtuoso drumming mer," said Cook, a crisp-dressed, mannerly, style (and putting considerable work into piano, well-spoken man who seems reserved, but not among other instruments) while also getting a shy; he carries an air of quiet confidence, looks real-time education in what modern music – as me directly in the eyes as he politely answers my an ever-evolving, ever-more-tech-driven indus- questions. try – is all about. For over half of his life now, music has "really And now, at the inner-city Erie schools he at- been my voice," he said. "That's really where the tended, Cook's taking the musical experience joy comes in: Having that voice, and being able to that's always been a vehicle for him and turning Ryan Smith communicate it through music." it into a pilot, directing itself toward providing In many ways – maybe in every way – the born- kids growing up in the same neighborhoods he's Amidst real problems, Corey Cook is making real solutions. and-raised, lifelong resident of Erie's lower east always called home opportunities to learn all about music – and to see, and show, just where their talents (once realized, encouraged and lessons in modern music production and other for what wants to do through LifethruMusic is worked for) could take them. music-related career opportunities. Being taught showing itself. Cook's new, comprehensive LifethruMusic by Cook along with his brother, the Rev. Darrell "I feel this program has the potential to reach Music "is the program is launching this fall with 25 initial Cook of Christ Community Church as well as many youth in a positive and meaningful way," student participants from Erie School District's other local participating musicians, the Lifethru- state Rep. Pat Harkins, whose 1st District rep- East High and Wayne Elementary schools, all Music coursework has been developed to cover resents Erie, stated in an official letter of support language of between grades 4 and 12. An outreach program everything from instruments, music-reading, issued in May for LifethruMusic. "With our cul- of the local faith-based nonprofit Life in Fulfilled chord structure and voice training to CD, video ture's current interest in performance and music, humanity. It Excellence (LIFE) Inc., the program has a stated and live-performance conceptualization, produc- reaching young people in this way can be very mission of facilitating "mentorship and network- tion and even marketing, according to Cook. effective, adding tremendously to their discipline, ing opportunities that seek to nurture and inspire In short, he said, it will provide a host of learn- confidence and self-esteem. [LifethruMusic] bridges the gaps the talents of young musicians ... [providing] a ing opportunities and experiences that the ma- has the potential to impact participants in very platform for young musicians, composers, and jority of the kids involved wouldn't likely have positive ways, often when traditional classroom artists to develop and enhance their musical otherwise. endeavors have not." between a lot of abilities." The long-range goal, according to LIFE Inc., is "I was raised in music," said Cook, and he's "We really want to enlighten some of the kids "to empower economically disadvantaged youth seen, first-hand and time and time again, the differences." in this area," Cook said, and let those who have to break the cycle of poverty and become self- power to unite that's within it. the talent and want to put in the work know that sufficient citizens of the Erie community." Music "is the language of humanity," said Cook. "music, right now, has the potential to be a career Growing up, Cook said, "I experienced all the "It bridges the gaps between a lot of differences." for you." same sorts of things that kids growing up here One of the profile pictures on Cook's Facebook side said, that joy and the drive to it, realized, All of the kids participating in the pilot pro- experience today," and, in his experience, hav- page is an image of him, walking away from a encouraged, and labored for early on, "was what gram have been identified as disadvantaged ing "time in a positive environment" can mean a backdrop of Erie city buildings and looking off kept me grounded. Music was that thing that youth, according to Cook and LIFE Inc. (which whole world of difference. into the horizon. On the image stands a quote: kept me out of trouble. ...It really kept me out of is run by Cook's sister, Erica Willis). Some are "The types of support I had from my parents "Where you are does not determine where you a lot of trouble." low-income students who aren't yet proficient (and) the impact my parents had on me was are going." The kinds of real trouble, Cook said, that many in different areas of study, or who receive free huge," said Cook. And, along with his parents' "I'm right in the middle of everything," Cook kids in those same city neighborhoods continue or reduced meals at school. Some are kids who support and urgings to become and stay involved said, and "I know good things can come out of to be exposed to today: Drugs, violent crime, and are in the foster care system; others have parents after seeing that early spark, "the church has been the lower east side of Erie." other problems. who are incarcerated or struggling with alcohol the biggest influence in my life as far music goes." A couple of days after interviewing Cook, or drug problems. In implementing LifethruMusic (which has Ryan Smith can be contacted at rSmith@ I came across a local news brief reporting that As part of the participating students' regular come at an initial cost of about $35,000 in pub- ErieReader.com, and you Erie City police had recovered a stolen car and school-day curriculum, Cook said LifethruMusic lic grant and community-raised funds), Cook can follow him on Twitter made an arrest after a man allegedly had his car classes – each two hours long, three days each said he's continued collaborating with church @RMSmithPlens. To fol- and cash stolen at gunpoint at an east side in- school week – will offer fundamental instruction leaders and, now, with school and community low this story or comment, tersection. The report said the robbery had hap- in a variety of instruments and general music officials. "I've talked to different community scan the QR code or go to pened the same day, some blocks away and about practice theory, while also integrating hands-on leaders throughout the city," he said, and support http://erirdr.com/q7p0f 20 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 trifecta by closing the festival with his quintet. “He’s tearing it up these days,” said Vanco. “Lots of great press. Playing with lots of ensembles. It’s mainstream stuff and will be well received.”

For audio and video of this year’s artists as well as exclusive interviews with Corey Har- ris, Kenny Neal, Tony Grey, and Jeremy Pelt, be sure to visit www. ErieReader.com. Fol- low Cory Vaillancourt on Twitter @VLNCRT. To follow this story or com- ment, scan the QR code or go to http://erirdr. com/9rjcp Contributed Photo

After 21 years, still Erie's favorite free festival.

[Cont. from 11] local musicians. Accordingly, Har- Erie native Lydia Marks is exactly what you hear ris’s stateside performances span the gaps be- in your mind when you imagine a classy, classic tween roots, rock, and reggae. No disrespect to female jazz vocalist – her sonorous-yet-cheery Kenny Neal or anyone else on the bill this year, voice beckons with clarity, composure, sparkle, but Corey Harris is my personal can’t-miss pick and sass as she saunters through the standards of of the day for Saturday, and not just because both the Great American Songbook. of us share the same first name; also, be sure not 4 p.m. – Cat’s a Bear to miss his “Meet the Artist” session at 3:30 p.m. in the gazebo near the west side of Frontier Park. f you’re from Erie, you know that this en- 8 p.m. – Kenny Neal semble is really more of a supergroup than Ianything else. “This is a band that’s been playing his year’s blues headliner is from a famed for, I don’t know, a couple of decades,” Vanco said. Louisiana musical family, which says a lot. Known for their originality, their proficiency, and LikeT the Nevilles and the Cheniers, the Neals their 80-plus years of collective professional mu- serve as both emissaries from and ambassadors sicianship, Cat’s a Bear’s dynamic and vigorous to the swampy sounds of South Louisiana, and approach to contemporary jazz – led by Berklee Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist College of Music alum Frank Singer – makes Kenny Neal – son of vocalist/songwriter/har- them an always-welcome presence in the Gem monica player Raful Neal and sibling to eight City. additional musicians – is sure to serve a heapin’ 6 p.m. – Tony Grey Trio helpin' thereof. “He’s a great blues player, and way underappreciated,” said Vanco. “He’s been t’s awful hard to call him this guy a “bass play- doing it a long, long time; he plays everything, er,” if you ask me. I prefer “soundscaper.” You does anything, and when I mention him to a lot Isee, Tony Grey is 10 feet tall, has 15 fingers, and of people, they say ‘I don’t know who that is.’ So plays the hell of out a 19-string bass (don’t quote we’ll change that.” me on those numbers) all the while engineering lush audio landscapes that will leave you wonder- Sunday, August 5, 2013 ing where the hell you are. Again, no disrespect Noon – Parade Street Dixieland Jazz Band to Jeremy Pelt or anyone else on this wonderful bill, but Tony Grey is my personal can’t-miss pick arlybirds – meaning anyone in Erie who ac- of the day for Sunday. Of Grey’s style, Vanco said tually shows up to anything on time – will that Grey is “very much in that Berklee fusion Eget classic jazz instead of a worm on Sunday. continuum; it’s contemporary, and it’s got his “They haven’t played at the festival before, and I twist to it.” That’s right, it’s back-to-back Berk- do tend to put more traditional stuff in this open- lees! ing act,” Vanco said. As a fitting segue from the 8 p.m. – Jeremy Pelt Quintet swampy sounds of Saturday, the PSDJB’s website promises that their New Orleans-style treatment ake that back-to-back-to-back Berklees! of American standards will get “your hands a- If names like Duke Ellington Big Band, clappin’ and your feet a-tappin," which is a pretty MMingus Big Band, Roy Hargrove Big Band, The bold statement that they probably wouldn’t make Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Lewis Nash if they weren’t intent on delivering. Septet, and the Cannonball Adderley Legacy 2 p.m. – Lydia Marks Band mean anything to you, then this is your night; if those names don’t mean anything to you, he’s local – intermittently – and she’s never well, they will after trumpeter, producer, and mu- “Splayed the festival before either,” said Vanco. sic educator Jeremy Pelt completes the Berklee July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 21 are really looking for a chal- Vegetarian lenge, give the ol’ Double- Triple Bypass, which packs Whole Foods Café Offer- on three all-beef patties, ing a wide variety of vegetar- ham, salami, pepperoni, ian staples, including wraps, capicola, provolone, and sandwiches, soups, pizza, American cheese all on one and seasonal specialties. ERIE’S EATS hoagie roll, a try. 1341 W. 26th St. // 456-0282 up some of Erie’s more // 734.3400 French Japanese Quesadilla is a must-try that 24 N. Park Row // 455.1072 American Fusion unique breakfast and lunch won’t break the bank but Bertrand’s Bisttro Sushi and Asian Cuisine Wings Avanti’s If you’ve only options. Their breakfast Brewpub A will definitely stretch your Suds and Grub eaten breakfast at Avanti’s, burrito is a must-try, but menu featuring local meats Fresh sushi and sashimi belt. Buffalo Wild Wings be sure to check in for fresh Brewerie Erie’s only brew- and vegetables and organ- steal the spotlight of this U Pick 6 Tap House Great you are in for a big surprise. 2709 W. 12th St. // 835.2290 Fourteen original sauces and Every Thursday, Friday, and daily specials. on-premise pub and eatery, ic and Kosher ingredients show but their support- beer meets great food at the the Brewerie is on a mission when possible. The crepes ing cast shouldn’t go unno- and 4236 Peach St. // corner of Fourth and State loads of televisions make Saturday night, this daytime 2605 Washington Ave. // 860.8187 and 4459 Buffalo BWW a great place to meet diner changes over to a to, “Revitalize Downtown and award-winning wine ticed. The Kim Chi is a Rd. // 898.1531 streets. From gourmet flat- 452.2500 Erie One Pint at a Time.” selection are more than great place to start and any breads to pizza muffins, friends for the big game. fine dining establishment. Jo’s Brooklyn Bagels A Moe’s With friendly staff Full bar menu available. Check back often since enough to encourage a trip of the noodle choices make there’s plenty of great grub walk through the door says 123 W. 14th St. // 454.2200 serving up fresh, made-to- to pair with the endless flow the menu changes weekly. to France via downtown for good choices to contin- Interchange Road it all. Well, at least it’s speak- order southwest fare, Moe’s of over 20 microbrews on BYOB Erie. ue on. With veggie-friendly is a great place for quality, (Across from Milcreek Mall) ing to your noise. Inhale Carribean options and a staff happy to tap. And with helpful serv- deeply and breathe in those 18 N. Park Row // 871.6477 on-the-go Mexican food. 868.9464 1662 W. 8th St. // 456.3096 Pineapple Eddie serve you, Sushi and Asian ers who know their beer, aromas. Fresh bagels and South- Odis 12 Award-winning Summer House Café Cuisine is a must. 2052 Edinboro Rd. this is a great place to come With coffee. What’s not to love ern regional cuisine served Gastropubs wings and affordable sit- an ever-changing menu and up with a bit of caribbean (Outside Millcreek Mall) to try the beers you’ve never about that combination? A 1014 State St. //455.0596 459.2121 down dining. Odis 12 lots of fresh baked good- flair. Featuring savory dish- Jeckyl & Hydes - Just like had but have always want- little piece of Brooklyn right oyama features over 100 differ- ies, this local favorite serves es like Creole shrimp and the title characters—wait, A Think it’s hard ed to. here in Erie. to find a daily sushi bar Middle Eastern ent flavors, including the breakfast and lunch daily andouille sausage over grits, character—this gastropub 333 State St. // 520.5419 crowd-favorite “ugly cous- and stays open for dinner 833 W. 38th St. // 520.6246 seared catfish served with seems bent on being two in Erie? Find your way to Aoyama for the hibachi Casablanca From tradi- Six Pack House of Beer in.” Thursday, Friday, and Satur- Peggy’s Restaurant A rice and beans and fresh things at once—and that’s tional to modern reci- With an ever-changing line- day. BYOB sauteed vegetables, and a good thing. While the experience combined with 664 W. 26th St. // 452.6347 landmark in the Liberty an extensive sashimi and pes, from strictly vegetari- up of brews on tap and cool- Plaza for a few decades now, grilled Angus Rib Eye steak. seating area is small, which an meals to meals centered Greengarden Tavern 2605 Washington Ave. // sushi menu. You’ll have the er wall of six-packs to go, Classic corner bar atmo- 452.2500 Peggy’s serves up quick, Deserts include grilled makes for a cozy experience, around a choice selection Six Pack also serves up some pound cake served w/fresh the tastes are big and bold. choice between hibachi- sphere, great prices, excel- itchen affordable meals and plen- of fresh meat, Casablan- cheap eats to boot. 1201 K Featuring glazed pineapple, ice cream style seating and the tradi- lent wings. Honey-hot Latin/Asian-inspired food, ty of room for conversa- 8 E. 10th St. // 456.0072 tional sit-down dining expe- ca Grille looks to provide tion. You can sit at the long and rum sauce, and luscious something for everyone 847 Pitt. Ave. // 454.1989 barbecue and cranch are this hip downtown spot lime layer cake. BYOB. rience, so your mood can do standouts. Go Browns! is full of great art, and the counter than spans nearly Irish the choosing for you. Reser- looking for a good Moroc- U Pick 6 Beer Store Off marble bar is a perfect place the entire restaurant, grab a 1402 W. 10th St. // 454.0700 vations are highly suggested. can meal—and the diversi- the downtown beaten path, 1543 W. 8th St. // 454.3367 booth upfront, or get a table ty’s a good thing too since U Pick 6 takes pride in its to try their fresh sushi. With Molly Brannigans - Got Park Tavern – Known for a menu that changes every in the back. Chinese a hankering for bangers and 970 Millcreek Mall // when it comes to Middle revolving draft beer line- 868.7999 East Mediterranean cuisine, up. With some quick eats its wings, the Park Tavern four to six weeks, be sure to 3512 Liberty St. // 866.3216 mash? Have no idea what boasts a family-friendly Golden Wok Quality the heck bangers and mash Hibachi From flinging Casablanca is it. Reserva- and sandwiches sliced up check in often. The Breakfast Place Low smoke-free environment. ingredients, affordable pric- is? Head to this authentic shrimp to slinging steak, tions are recommended. right in front of you, U Try some Herbies or crispy 1201 State St. // 464.8989 prices and big portions-- es, and consistent service Hibachi combines dinner Pick 6 draws you in for the Irish gastropub where you 2174 W. 8th St. // 452.4544 Cajuns. Buffalo Cajun is Under the Clock - Locat- just the way Erie likes it! The make this Chinese restau- with the show without beer and keeps you for the Cajun eggs are a must-try. can get your fill of Irish- Palm Market and Deli also recommended. ed in the historic Boston rant stand out among the fare and Irish drinks. From service charges or ticket fees. conversation. Store, Under the Clock 2340 E. 38th St. // 825.2727 rest. Jameson to Guinness, from If you’re fine with sitting This authentic Arabic 4205 E. Lake Road // beside your date instead of market and eatery offers 7520 Peach St. // 866.2337 899.8661 is reviving the old phrase Panos Open late night with 3202 Pitt. Ave. // 836.9657 Shepherd’s Pie to Purcell’s “Let’s meet under the across from him or her, opt delicious, freshly prepared an attentive wait staff who Fish and Chips, Molly Steakhouse Sweet Treats clock.” With a “sophisticat- will never let your coffee Delicatessens Brannigans brings the Irish for this straight-off the grill food and baked goods for ed casual”-style restaurant pub to downtown Erie. without time-to-chill dinner a very reasonable price. The mug go empty. Try the Sensory 3 Next time you’re Mighty Fine Donuts If experience, Under the Clock famous Greek omelet. Teresa’s Italian Deli experience. market offers a wide variety at Presque Isle Downs & offers lunch and dinner 506 State St. // 453.7800 of exotic food and merchan- you love donuts and are Teresa’s Deli has been a 3000 W. 12th St. // 838.2495 Casino, take a break from looking for something menus with something for 1504 W. 38th St. // 866.0517 McGarrey’s Oakwood dise. the table games and check staple in Erie for over 60 Café off the well-worn path to everyone. The steak salad Known for the award- Mediterranean 2702 Parade St. out this bar and grille If is a must-try for any self- Sidewalk Cafe Tucked years, and it’s no secret why. winning Reuben, McGar- Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy away on historic North Now in its third generation, you’re cashing in your chips Kreme, this local gem is respecting carnivore. Look- rey’s believes in big portions Petra Open since 2004, Pizza for fine dining, we bet on ing for something lighter? Park Row, you’ll find one of the Theresa’s staff still makes of comfort food served up Petra serves as Erie’s window your destination spot. downtown’s popular break- the food fresh every day, being satisfied by a fine Heralded by locals as the Try their seared ahi tuna. hot and fresh. Although to the Eastern Mediterra- Papa Joe’s With special- steak since Sensory 3 serves fast and lunch places. following the same scratch Irish in name, McGarrey’s nean. The folks at Petra want ty pizzas ranging from best donuts ever 101 Boston Store Place // recipes used since 1949. up some of the best cuts in also dishes out American you to have “a unique culi- “Vegan Demise” to “Chick- 2612 Parade St. // 455.6408 454.4700 26 N. Park Row // 455.0002 the area. 3201 Greengarden Blvd. // and Italian cuisine so that nary experience.” And with en Gorgonzola” and subs Romolo Chocolates George’s American With retro decor 864.5322 and 810 E. 38th St. you’re bound to find some- Mediterranean-inspired that go by the names of 8199 Perry Hwy // 866.8359 Tony Stefanelli apprenticed trimmed in red and black, // 459.1145 thing satisfying. items on the menu you’re “Enchanted Eggplant” and Colony Pub & Grille – with his family in the choc- lymouth avern George’s is known just as P T An Erie Picasso’s With signature 1624 W. 38th St. // 866.0552 unlikely to find anywhere “Chuck Norris,” Papa Joe’s Multiple fireplaces and three olate business for nearly 20 institution with great food much for looking like a panini-style sandwiches like else, this is a one of a kind brings more to the table intimate dining rooms make years. Where’d that get him? and drink specials every retro diner as it is for the the Lee Roslyn (Twinkie, Italian dining experience. than any commercial pizza the Colony a popular spot He’s one of only 26 master night of the week. friendly safe and great grub. joint. And to boot, they for a romantic dinner. ham, and cheese) and the 3602 W. Lake Road // confectioners and he’s right They’re famous for their lto ucina serve up a mean falafel 1109 State St. // 453.6454 DaVinci (sausage, ravioli, A C Chef Pat 838.7197 here in Erie. So for hand- mashed potatoes, but don’t and provolone), Picasso’s is Rodgers mixes the old- sandwich—something that’s 2670 W. 8 St. // 838.2162 made pieces of chocolate, be Pufferbelly Set in a get stuck on only that. Try a must-try. Great vegetarian world with the exotic. Beau- Mexican a must. Ricardo’s Opened in 1943 sure to stop by Romolo’s— decommissioned firehouse, the soups and sandwiches options available. tiful décor, with an outdoor by two brothers, Ricardo’s the Pufferbelly is full of arti- on for size too. 3826 W. Ridge Rd. // then boast to your out-of- deck for the summer El Toro Loco With a full 835.3360 serves up some of Erie’s town friends about having a facts from Erie’s fire fight- 2060 Interchange Rd. months. bar and the best margaritas finest steaks. Chef Peter 2614 Glenwood Park Avenue (Outside Millcreek Mall) Valerio’s More than just master confectioner in your ing past. // 455.0860 in town, there is something West and Cathy Merk- 866.1183 3531 W. Lake Road // Pizza, Wings, and Subs! city. 414 French St. // 454.1557 Dominick’s Famous among 835.3900 for everyone. Enjoy a little si run one of Erie’s choice Tickle’s Deli – This popu- Local Italian Restaurant & 1525 W. 8th St. // 452.1933 Calamari’s Extra-long bar, Erie’s late-night bar patrons taste of Mexico right here in restaurants that’s known Colao’s Authentic Italian, Pizzeria that has been serv- Pulakos with a large outdoor patio who swear by this place as a lar deli features good pric- downtown Erie. for its hand-cut, grain-fed George P. Pula- es and big, tasty sandwiches fresh seafood, and a cozy, ing Erie County for over western beef and delicious, kos opened his first choco- for those warm summer sure-fire hangover cure. intimate setting. 333 State St. // 454.5626 17 years. Offering a vari- nights. including the famous “Big mouth-watering ribs cooked late shop at 926 State St. in 123 E. 12th St. // 456.6891 Freddy.” Call ahead if you Latino’s With fresh ingre- ety of Homemade Italian 1903. Over a hundred years 2826 Plum St. // 866.9621 Dinners, Seafood, Daily outside year-round. Hearty 1317 State St. // 459.4276 Hyatt’s - Serving up break- can because this downtown dients and a commitment Italian fare with casual feel later, the fourth-generation- Mi Scuzi Southern Italian to serving up the authentic Lunch Specials, and Cater- fast and lunch standards for hotspot gets busy at lunch- cuisine with fresh, home- of fine dining make Ricar- run chocolate shop is still Barbecue years and is a staple in the time. Mexican-cuisine experience, ing Services. Check out do’s a must. one of Erie’s favorite plac- made pasta. Latinos is the place to go for our menus online at www. es for a wide selection of West Erie Plaza. 17 W. 4th St. // 455.5718 Three-B Saloon Beer, 2641 Myrtle St. // 454.4533 more than just the average valeriospizzeria.com. With 2112 E. Lake Rd // 455.4947 all things chocolate—and Bacon & Barbeque—the 928 W. Erie Plaza // 456.0102 Gerry’s 8th Street Deli 3 convenient locations to Victor’s Amici Ristorante With Tex-Mex experience. The –Located inside other delicious snacks too. name says it all. Featur- From the world-class deli place isn’t flashy, but with serve you, we’ll have you the Bel-Aire hotel, Victor’s Flip Cafe Tired of the dinner hours from 5 to 9 singing...Manga Italiano! 2530 Parade St. ing slow-cooked brisket, chain restaurant dishing out to the homemade soups, p.m. Fridays and Saturdays food this good, it doesn’t offers fine steak and seafood ribs, and other down-home Gerry’s offers everything Donut Connection - Just breakfast by the numbers? and a takeout menu avail- have to be. 2179 W. 32nd St. // 833- with drink specials every favorites. If you behave you’d expect from a deli. night of the week. off the corner of Peach and Then try this sweet little able Monday through Satur- 1315 Parade St. // 452.1966 2979 and 1803 E. 38th St. yourself, you may get a free spot tucked away in Edin- But with sandwich names day, Amici Ristorante dishes 825-2693 and 724 Powell Liberty streets sits a fami- slice of bacon with your like “Cluckmeister,” “Chive El Canelo With three 833-8884 // Catering Office// 2800 W. 8 St. // 833.1116 ly-owned donut shop that’s boro. Flip Cafe serves break- out fresh food at affordable locations to serve the great- 866-3193 beer. fast and lunch from morn- Turkey,” “Tongue Fu,” and prices. From wings to pizza celebrating its Golden “Breast of Times” just to er-Erie area, you’re never Steel 12 Jonesing for some Thai Anniversary this year. With 732 W. 4th St. // 451.0007 ing ‘til afternoon, so stop in to fresh perch sandwich- more than a 15 minute name a few, you’re going to Pittsburgh eats but don’t Khao Thai The only full- the “best coffee” in town and try any one of the favor- es and more, the menu drive from all the chips and Breakfast ites, including “Flip Bread.” want to keep going back to has something for every- have four hours to kill on time Thai restaurant in Erie. and a wide selection of deli- check out all of these one- salsa you can handle served a roundtrip just for some cious hand-cut donuts, this You won’t pay much and one. Call ahead one hour up with sizzling fajitas, Luckily, it’s fantastic! Try the Summer House Cafe Open you’ll go home happy think- of-a-kind sandwiches. Deli for takeout since food is grub? Hit up this Peach- drunken noodles for a spicy is a great place for a for a from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. hours run Monday through hand-wrapped enchiladas Street eat for fries on your delight. Vegetarian friend- sweet treat. ing about coming back Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. prepared fresh per order. and burritos, and a whole each day of the week, the again. sandwich and a pizza crust ly. BYOB 3842 Liberty St. // 864.8702 1518 Walnut St. // 455.0041 lot more. The Super Crab Summer House Cafe serves 2620 W. 8th St. // 836.8702 that can’t be beat. But if yinz 103 Meadville St. Edinboro 36 N. Park Row // 454.4069 22 | Erie Reader | eriereader.com July 24, 2013 July 24, 2013 eriereader.com | Erie Reader | 23 PARTY on the PATIO R D AY S • S AT U 7 P M Music By

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