Not sure if this is a Monarch headed south or one of their cousins that look similar, but it's still beautiful. It's a good day too remind ourselves there is beauty in this world.
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 Last weekend Oil City High School hosted its annual Music in Oil Country marching band showcase featuring 12 high school bands and one college, Westminster, all performing their halftime routines. Dubbed, 'where it's halftime all night long, these schools joined to help the Oiler Marching Band raise money for its program's needs in providing music education throughout its district. Spanning several counties,schools represented were host Oil City, Franklin, Titusville, CASH, Cambridge Springs, Keystone, Lakeview, Warren, Fort LeBoeuf, Brockway, Mercer and Central Clarion. Below are more photographs from the event and a story about Titusville's showcase this weekend.  And there's moreTitusville will be hosting its own showcase this weekend at Carter Field.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Parking is located in the Titusville Middle School parking lot. General admission is $5 (cash only) at the gate. 
 For more Music in Oil Country photos please visit: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p112986757
 For more Music in Oil Country photos please visit: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p112986757 
 
The festival also made the list in 2023, when it was ranked 64. “Every year the chamber and our CORE committee dedicate countless hours to put together a quality event. We look for ways to improve on past successes, bring in new features and events, and continue to offer the programs everyone has come to love,” Lewis said. “Moving from 64 to 29 puts a spotlight on that work and how it is paying off for our businesses, visitors and vendors.”  To determine the 200 Best, artists cast ballots from February through April to nominate their highest money-making shows from 2024. As part of the nomination process, Sunshine Artist asks respondents to list the 10 most profitable art and/or craft shows where they exhibited during the previous year, indicate their level of gross sales at each event, and note whether they considered themselves fine artists or craftspeople for each event. The results were tabulated using a weighted scale based on four sales levels to ensure all events competed against each other fairly, according to the magazine. Sunshine Artist’s 200 Best focuses solely on artists’ show revenue, because that is the most objective indicator of a show’s future success. Subjective attributes, such as artist treatment, amenities, attendance levels, management, and overall quality, can impact sales but are harder to gauge and therefore have no direct bearing on the rankings.  “As we move into September, we get into the busiest time in the preparations for Applefest, The Best Three Days of the year," Lewis said. “Come join us October 3, 4 and 5 in downtown Franklin and see why we were voted one of the best festivals in the entire country.” Applefest is an annual festival organized by the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce through the work of the CORE committee, the best volunteers, and with the financial support of numerous area businesses. The festival includes more than 250 craft and food vendors, three days of live entertainment, the area’s largest car show, and other special tours and events. Findout more online at franklinapplefest.com or by following the festival on Facebook at @ApplefestFranklinPA.  
   "The bridge got really packed," said Bridgefest coordinator Kay Woods. "I am super happy, it was an excellent night." The annual two night festival had perfect weather for experiencing art and music as well as family friendly activities on Friday on the Center Street Bridge and slightly more adult flavor on Saturday on Veterans Bridge.
Scroll down for more pictures and to read another perspective on the annual Franklin event. 
The following account of the event is from the Guppy Gazette's confluence writer Clint "can't hook me" Dobber. Below the surface, rock skipping isn't all fun and games Mayor Charlie Bass and councilmmember Pete Trout were scheduled to meet Saturday to discuss the matters of the confluence. The water has been low this summer and it has the underwater community a bit concerned. Bass was late and Trout was growing more nervous and worried with each passing second.  There have been a lot of fisherman on the river lately and he was suddenly scared for his colleague and friend. That, and the low water has trapped others in small pools cutoff from the rest of the stream.  Off in the distance he thought he saw through some murky water what appeared to be Charlie swimming erratically as if he didn't seem to know where he was going. Heading towards the murkiness Trout shouts "Charlie is that you? Are you OK." "Huh?" Trout hears answered, though not very clear. As he got closer he sees it is Bass, but he has a huge lump on his head and one eye is closed from the swelling. "Holy mackerel Charlie what happened to you, are you ok?" ask Trout. “Those dang rock skippers are back in town," Bass replied finally seeing his friend. "I hate those guys," Trout said still concerned. "Its like we're being bombed non-stop all day long." "There I was trying to swim around where they were throwing and I was sure I was far enough away when all of a sudden I hear 'next up Kurt "the Mountainman" Steiner," Bass started to explain. "Oh that guy," Trout interrupted. "He once beaned two of my cousins one right after the other as they were enjoying a peaceful day up in Red Ridge. He throws rocks an inhuman distance."  "Yeah, but he hurt his shoulder so I figured I was good," Bass continued. "Apparently this Rock in River thing was all tied up with 40 skips and Steiner, who apparently hadn't exactly been throwing great, had one more stone left. I see him looking right in mt direction and I froze. He threw it right at me. I really thought it would stop before it got to me. It was losing speed and I was counting 35, 36, 37 and I swear it wasn't going to make it another and I was safe. 38 and surely on 39 it was going under. Nope it skips off the water right at me , 40 and I wince as it neared down on me and clocks me square in the temple and bounced off my head on the 41st and I start seeing stars as I listen to the people on the bank cheer. It nearly knocked me out cold. I thought I was a goner." "you mean he would've tied the others but it bounced off your head?" Trout asked. "Yep. He owes me one." "We used to put out a notice every time these guys were in town to stay clear of the area, guess were gonna have to start doing that again." Trout said. "I Hate those guys," "Oh they're ok, it was my fault," Bass said wishing he took a different route to the meeting. "Maybe the Mountain Man will throw me some of the fudge he won." "Let's get you some ice for that lump, I saw some campers dumping out their cooler a little while ago. over near the bridge." "OK." 
 Closer to home, they will be traveling to Mercer for the first game of the season, before the FHS football home opener in week two. They will be also performing at an Erie Otters game later this year.  This year's band set list includes a lot of new music.  "Our band front is going to do a feature to 'Thunderstruck' using a lot of choreography from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. So we're super excited about that, That is going to be something that is going to be very special and unique to our group." Johnston emphasized how great this's year's band front is and that they can handle complex routines.  He also noted that while the band overall is younger than in the past, his experienced musicians are among the best he has ever had.  This year's half-time performance has a very special "Easter Egg" salute to the popular kid's toy LEGO.  Johnston says his numbers are about the same as they were a year ago - in the 80s. Overall the music program is seeing a big uptick at the elementary level, which saw participation decrease during COVID.  It is a good sign for the longevity of the marching band, a program that truly combines several arts - music, dance and visuals - in a unique way.  Your first chance to catch the art in action will be during half-time of the 7 p.m. game at Mercer on Aug. 23. Their home field debut will be during the 7 p.m. game on on Aug. 30.
 
 This show will make you chuckle as you wipe tears from your eyes and then make you cry again as you relate to what the character is experiencing. And it will make you think.  One of the longer monologues delivered by Cindy Heffern playing the part of Nat, the mom/grandmother figure of the five person play, reminds us that the weight of grief we carry is ok because it is all we have left of our lost love ones. She reminds us that it is not a solution to recovery but it allows us to still hold on to that deep love.  The main story-line of grief recovery comes from a couple, Becca and Howie Corbett played by Elizabeth Williams and Evan O' Polka, whose son was killed chasing after the family dog into a street where he was hit by a car driven by Jason, played by Nate Boley. The couple is drifting apart, each dealing with the loss differently and not finding common ground to heal upon despite it being months.  In the process, the extended family is growing. Becca's sister Izzy, played by Kachina Earhart, announces she is pregnant which brings up a whole series of very complex emotions.  It's not fair to say that Heffern steals the show, because each performance is complex. But she gets to make the audience laugh with her off-the-cuff comments and stories that weave into the fabric of the show's meaning when she talks about the "cursed" Kennedy family. They parallel to her own family with generational losses as her own son died 11 years earlier from a drug overdose.  And though her grief for the loss of her son is real and painful, it is pointed out that it is not, nor should be compared to her daughter's grief or loss of her own son. Grief is different and individual.  Just as joy is. And this theme is observed in many complicated ways throughout the story's vignettes.  The play also explores the weight of being a young driver of the car that hit a child who ran out into the road and and how the teen struggles to move on from that. And then there is a the complex emotions of blaming or not blaming someone for something that wasn't their fault or being jealous of a sibling who is building a separate happiness while the cloud suffering still hovers over the family.  What a complex play this is and this cast is delivering the emotions in a real way and showing the complexity of the human condition in the fragility of happiness. This is not for the meek, but it is a show for understanding each other a little better. (Scroll down below for a full review of the show.)  There will be five performances - 7:30 p.m. on August 8, 15 and 16; and 2 p.m. on August 10 and 17. (Note: there is no show on August 9.) Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at barrowtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 814-437-3440. Audience should take note that the show features some adult language.   Art can only delivered when the artists' are real
 Kachina Earhart's character has to walk on eggshells, something the "bold one" of the family isn't used to doing. She stumbles through trying to be helpful and yet giving hope and advice that isn't always listened to seriously but is ultimately taken for the most part. But she also lost a nephew she adored.  Her trying to be the lighter side of the situations adds to the complexity of the family dynamic - helping to soothe in some cases and escalate in others. Not an easy character to play at all.  Heffern is a mom many can relate to. She sticks her nose in to help when it's not the best time, to gets frustrated when her help doesn't work and isn't appreciated, and then finally, delivers exactly what moms do - insight that comes from wisdom. It’s truly a remarkable play, and the small cast in this Off-Barrow performance worked very hard to tap deep into their own guts for honest and powerful expression-filled performances. Bring tissues and don't be afraid to cry... and laugh. 
 Her mother Leigh-Anne Williams said "She always likes to know the story behind the song/dance/art, etc. "Kind of like being an empath…. She tries to feel what the artist was feeling when they composed/created/choreographed. So it's not that she taps into a moment in her life, but rather the story behind the work of art and the person behind it."  Today she went for the jugular with the Adele song “Easy on Me” before just playing with us all with “Show off,” a fun tongue-in-cheek foray about being tired of being in the spotlight - but not enough to not have an encore. Then after winning this year’s championship she had a true encore with perhaps her most powerful performance of the entire Taste of Talent summer with “Winner takes all,” by Abba  “A lot of the songs I didn’t know and I wanted to challenge myself,” she said. “I just listened to (the songs) over and over again to try to get comfortable singing them myself.” Williams really started singing in junior high just a few years back where her teacher Sarah Gilbert heard something special in her voice. She has also performed in school musicals and rocked the stage at Franklin High School during their many music performances. Taste is just the latest time she has brought the audience into her soul and along for the ride  "I’m incredibly proud of her. She didn’t let anyone else influence the songs she chose and she made sure that she didn’t choose anything “safe” or “easy”… I’d give her suggestions and she would say “I need something that will challenge me,” said her mon Leigh-Anne Williams. "She learned lyrics to songs that she didn’t already know. And before each performance evening she would head out to the paths in our woods with her headphones and belt away… you could hear her voice from our 30 acres of woods clear up to the house. She puts her all into every performance whether it be singing, dancing, or music theater."
Not to diminish the entertainment or community contribution of the other ten performers who gave of themselves, some for the very first time performing in front of crowd. Every single one of them has guts must of us do not process. Taste of Talent is a remarkable thing.  Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this community endeavor is that, at the end an individual gets added to a collective - a Taste of Talent family. All have entertained hundreds of folks each week looking for a reason to get out of the house and experience something original.
And every summer Taste of Talent gives this community just that, a chance to see talented neighbors and others who occasionally come from afar have the guts to get up and perform in front of a live a audience.  And though Taste is over, the talent of the area is still strong and active with many more shows coming. Rabbit Hole It is a brilliant look into life we shy away from because it is too difficult to imagine. This play will make you laugh, but then ugly cry. These are top notch performances coming at you in the little theater. This Off-Barrow production opens this week in its five show run in the Barrow-Civic Little Theatre. Shows are; 7:30 p.m. on August 8, 15 and 16; and 2 p.m. on August 10 and 17. (Note: there is no show on August 9.) Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at barrowtheatre.org or by calling the box office at 814-437-3440.  An additional 2 p.m. Saturday show has been added on August 30 at the Sawmill. There will be no show on Sunday August 31.  Franklin Retail and Business Association director Rya Rudegeair said that all 50 S'mores kits were handed out by Santa as well as over 125 coupons Saturday during the annual Christmas in July.  Despite the early rains, shop owners saw a steady flow of of traffic. "Everyone loved Santa," Rudegeair said adding that the businesses he had heard from reported things went well. 
 Since 1972, the retail association has been a Franklin networking and cross marketing group with the goal of bringing in shoppers while boosting their over 70 members' profiles and hopefully revenues. Events like Christmas in July are a part of their networking and business community building. 
He'll be helping to expand the popular gift cards that can be used at all association member businesses year round. “So many get sold around the holidays” said Rudegeair,. “They don’t expire and it’s a great customer service that can be given as a gift. The money comes back to the businesses. If you buy a gift card, a Franklin business is going to benefit from it.”   
"My little girl I’m so proud. She is my best friend. I’m beyond proud she is following in my footsteps," Kennedy said shortly after Payton was crowned. "This is a big yesr she is heading into." 
 The obligatory .5 of the candidates   On a night they had to say goodbye to one of the constants, emcee Randy Moorehead asked each vocalist what they like most about the competition. A common response - family - how each person involved from organizers to fellow contestants become very close during the weeks, and for some, years of competing and rooting for each other to have great performances.  With the elimination of Mike Craig, the talent pool is down to eight moving into the final weekend. Craig is a second year vocalist who would be greeted with a hug after every performance by his two favorite fans, his children.  The usual Wednesday night show, will move to 7 p.m. Saturday, August 2 for the semi-finals where the field will be reduced to the top four vote getters.
Those four will return the following day at 4 p.m. where each finalist will sing two songs apiece with the top vote getter taking home the prize of 2025 Taste of Talent champion. 
Fans of local talent and a variety of styles have two more opportunities to have a voice on who will win the $1,000 prize plus several other items.  The winner of the most color coordinated with the Always Eventful sign - Sunny James. 
 
Christmas in July is one of the many promotional events the Retail Association puts on each year to draw visitors to the city’s historic and quaint business district. Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on July 26, Franklin will be a summer wonderland with Santa visiting the Curb Market handing out gifts to be used in the downtown shops. And he’ll have a limited number of smore boxes for the kids. Shops will be offering specials all day and there will be a hunt for elves hidden around town. Count them up, figure out their names and decode the secret message for chances to win gift cards. “We are expanding and trying to do more out of market marketing for our members,” said past retail director Jennifer Taylor just before she left her post in May. “We’re trying to bring in people from out of town to visit our downtown. Shop and eat here. And you can sleep here too.” The Retail Association is a Franklin networking and cross marketing group with the goal of bringing in shoppers while boosting their member’s profiles and hopefully revenues.  Events like Christmas in July are a part of the networking the organization has planned as it transitions to a newer, more dedicated organization serving its members. In May, they brought in a full-time director to work in conjunction with the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Local business owner Ryan Rudegeair, hired thanks to a grant from the McElhatten Foundation, has been tasked with promoting and advancing opportunities for business served by the two organizations. “It had become clear over the years that if we were to build, this needed to be a position where someone worked in an office, came to work every day, had access to phones and computers,” Taylor said acknowledging that since 1972 the retail association directors did their best, but had full-time jobs and personal careers. “It’s a huge increase in our capacity,” Taylor said of hiring Rudegeair. “I’m really excited that the Retail Association will have that opportunity now for the members to reach a bigger audience and bring in more money for the organization,” she said. “I think people underestimate just how much marketing has to be done for any organization or any group of businesses. It has to be done constantly and it has to be professionally done.” Rudegeair said the new website, which is set to launch soon, will have more user-friendly services like being able to purchase the association’s popular gift cards, which can be used at over 70 businesses. “They don’t expire and it’s a great customer service that can be given as a gift or just used on your own,” Rudegeair said. “The money comes back to the businesses. If you buy a gift card in Franklin, a Franklin business is going to benefit from it.” The cards can still be purchased at the Franklin Chamber, where Rudegeair’s office sits. “So many get sold around the holidays” said Rudegeair, emphasizing the cards are great birthday gift and prize giveaways. It is one way they work to promote its diverse network of members, which offer food and coffee, antiques, oddities, haircuts, cooking supplies and even new guitars, he pointed out.  “We want to promote all of us collectively,” he said. “I don’t think any of the retailers are served by being an isolated business. Everyone is served with people coming into town and shopping around town… we can be a shopping destination.”
Along with Christmas in July, the association also has an initiative in connection with the popular Taste of Talent vocal competition. They are promoting the area establishments for either dining in or ordering take out to enjoy in the park during the performances. Other Retail Association events include the Witch Walk in October, Retail Windfall in November and Olde Fashioned Christmas in December. They are amid retooling the Taste of Franklin model to better serve its restaurants’ needs in the spring. The Retail Association also helps with the growing Sip and Shop program that allows visitors aged 21 and older to have adult beverages in approved cups around town as they shop. Another way to give visitors to downtown a fun and unique experience. 
 Mixed in with numbers inspired by 80s pop hit is a message: squelching of young people's possibilities leads to a society that doesn't understand possibility and it's never too late to fix that.  And as stated prior, the has catchy tunes. So even if you don't want to expand your mind, you can at least tap a toe.  But why not do both?  This cast has a number of talented young people challenging the more experienced older actors, both in script and stage presence.  Aoife Salusky and Kyel Harry are a perfect Ariel and Ren, who take on a town and its incredibly deep pain, hoping to wash away the "sins" of an old tragedy. The young people see hope in the simple yet complex notion of cutting it loose on the dance floor. And they set out to convince the town's elders of the same.  The rest of the cast includes Shawn Clerkin, a real life minister, playing a Rev. Shaw Moore who is in the midst of wondering if he should continue honoring the dead while suppressing the living or find a way to celebrate the lives of all. His dedicated wife, Vi played by Dawn Sears, sees the longevity of living happily as perhaps a better path forward.  Chloe Preston, SJ Fox and Alex Webster are over the top wannabe's adding humor while also elevating the powers of their voice in song. And this is a strength in this musical - singing.  The young men, are well represented. Donald Dudinsky plays the lovable Willard Hewitt. Drew Martz has the unenviable task of playing a dumb monster type of controlling male, which sets up, in its stark contrast, the love story that develops between Ren and Ariel.  In the end, this take on an 80s cult classic movie has a message that is apropos today. All voices are worth listening to no matter the age. You can listen and watch the show the weekend.  "Footloose" opens Friday July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Show Dates: July 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and July 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.barrowtheatre.org.  Below are more photos from the show during dress rehearsal Tuesday.  More photos: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p717620745
More photos: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p717620745 
More photos: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p717620745 
 More photos: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p717620745
  
For the next four Wednesdays the competition is scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. All ten will perform for the next two weeks then elimination will happen until the semi-finals which are moved to Saturday at 7 p.m. where three will be eliminated to get to the final four who will perform two songs each the following day August 3 at 4 p.m. The winner will receive $1,000 prize and the three other semi-finalists will receive $200 in cash and gift certificates 
 Saturday in Venango County a small group of people organized an event of all inclusivity. Even a gentleman who stood on the bridge above Justus Park in Oil City with a different message, was welcomed in the hearts of the organizers below preaching acceptance of all.  Recent federal negation of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) initiatives didn't seem to deter the group's efforts that experienced hundreds of visitors and tent after tent of vendors and information tables.
This family friendly event showcased music, games for the whole family and color... lots and lots of color symbolizing just how diverse we are as a culture.
Last year the Pride event was at Hasson Park, this year year it seemed to more than double in size.
 How is it something called the blues can make so many people happy? A twelve bar sequence from which an individual or band can transform themselves and the audience into another realm. Notes flattened in pitch hit you between the ribs and for a few moments ... feel.
Add in some smokey barbecue with it and you have the annual Blues & Barbecue Festival in downtown Franklin. The 10th anniversary show was looking shaky weather-wise leading up to the event, but was a success as the rains mostly held off allowing for a very active Bandstand Park for two days.  The festival began as a way to showcase great blues music for this area while raising money that can be used for Venango County music education initiatives. This year the festival doled out $3,000 to Franklin High School's music program and also two individual $2,000 scholarships to a couple of Franklin students pursuing music education degrees in college. Madi Stewart will be attending Mercyhurst University and Gaby Lederer will be attending Slippery Rock University
This year featured some current heavy hitters in modern blues music like Kat Riggins and her Blues Revival, Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers and Selwyn Birchwood who was named the Albert King guitarist of the year and Blues Foundation's 2013 International Blues Challenge top band.  They were joined by some other local and national acts. Max Schang, one of the festival's chief organizers responsible for bringing in the well know blues acts also performed with his band with guest Phil Baron. The Franklin High School concert band performed with choir guests Madolyn Williams and Kendall Fonzo. The band received a standing ovation by many. Booby Thompson and the Chosen Few kicked things off Saturday followed by Meadville area Roger Montgomery Blues Band, Colin John and the Long Tall Deb and Johnny Rawls performing Saturday.  Besides the Franklin band and Riggins, The Jason Born Trio and Blues attack performed getting people up on their feet dancing in the aftyernoon.  This weekend also marked the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, Flag day and Father's Day, which was mentioned many times on Sunday at the festival.
Event organizers said the weekend was successful and they raised enough to keep it going another year.  So the organizers will be looking for good ways to help local music students and program needs in the future.
 The wind wreaked a little havoc on the kickoff event for the annual Thurston Classic Hot-Air Balloon Event. The tethered balloon handlers basically did a dance of sorts being tossed around as they tried to keep the giant inflatables from crashing in to one another.  But the hundreds of people attending still got a show getting to see these seven story tall colorful bags of hot air rise, and once the sun was down, glow.  At times it took the entire crew and others to keep the balloons upright.  The crowd was still audibly ooh-ing and ahh-ing when they lit up the dark Robertson Field at Allegheny College.  It appeared to be a fun night for all.  Even the crews working very hard to control the beasts in the wind could be heard laughing and joking with one another.  |
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