WHAT IS A LISTENING ROOM?
The idea of a listening room event is right in the name: to provide a space directly and exclusively for an audience to listen to an artist perform. Many musicians and other vocal artists find venues where they have to compete with other noise: the background chatter in a restaurant, patrons and orders in a bar, sports, and even other music playing on TVs and over speakers. What a listening room provides is a space free from those distractions, and invites an audience who is present for one reason: to listen to the performance.
Listening rooms have grown in popularity for a wide range of artists, from acoustic singer-songwriters to spoken-word performances and more. They are typically held in relatively small spaces and are often modeled to provide a more intimate experience than would be found in other settings.
At the CommUnity Zone, we offer this deep listening experience for both local artists who want the chance to perform for a small, focused audience and for listeners who want to hear the artist! Additionally, we provide a selection of food and drinks at the events!
The idea of a listening room event is right in the name: to provide a space directly and exclusively for an audience to listen to an artist perform. Many musicians and other vocal artists find venues where they have to compete with other noise: the background chatter in a restaurant, patrons and orders in a bar, sports, and even other music playing on TVs and over speakers. What a listening room provides is a space free from those distractions, and invites an audience who is present for one reason: to listen to the performance.
Listening rooms have grown in popularity for a wide range of artists, from acoustic singer-songwriters to spoken-word performances and more. They are typically held in relatively small spaces and are often modeled to provide a more intimate experience than would be found in other settings.
At the CommUnity Zone, we offer this deep listening experience for both local artists who want the chance to perform for a small, focused audience and for listeners who want to hear the artist! Additionally, we provide a selection of food and drinks at the events!
COLLABORATION WITH THE LEWISBURG MUSIC COLLECTIVE
We are excited to be working with our partner, the Local Music Collective, which began in September 2024. Music takes place on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Each show includes performances from two performing acts.
At the CommUnity Zone, our hope is to offer this deep listening experience for both local artists who want the chance to perform for a small, focused audience and for the audience members who want to listen to the artist! We do plan on offering a selection of food and drinks at the events and hope to have both curated events with established artists as well as 'open nights' when the stage might be open to anyone who wishes to perform.
These shows are held in the Community Partnerships building at 328 Market Street, Lewisburg, PA. The maximum seating capacity for audience members in the space is 80. Cost of admission for the event will be $10 per person, with children under 12 admitted free.
FEBRUARY 11TH / 6:30PM
MARIA BALCELLSMaria Balcells is a singer-guitarist and has played in a wide range of styles with various local bands, from indie-folk/Americana, gothic blues, and experimental no-wave noise to ‘70s-style hard rock and glam. As a solo performer, she is influenced by artists such as Ani Difranco, Patti Smith, and Bonnie Raitt. Her original songs are chock-full of philosophical reflections and poetic symbolism, leavened with a good dose of wry, whimsical humor. Maria is also the host of the monthly Songwriters' Open Mic at the Brasserie Louis.
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NOM DE PLUMENom De Plume is an eclectic indie rock band fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Aris Karabelas, along with bassist Michael Magee. Their sound has a surprising pop sensibility that incorporates folk-rock, Americana, classic, and progressive rock elements to create their own resonant style.
Formed in Baltimore and later rooted in Boston's vibrant original music scene, Nom De Plume released two full-length albums, Lovely Land and Ashes to Argyle. After a period of quiet collaboration, the band has reemerged with new music that affirms their creative bonds and artistic vitality. Their most recent work includes a series of singles and their third studio album, Circle The Dream. |
MARCH 11TH / 6:30PM
KAREN MEEKS & JOHN GORDON
Karen Meeks, Singer/Songwriter, delivers a beautiful voice with a fun, interactive performance. She has years of experience writing and performing music. Several songs from her albums 7 simple songs part 1, 2, and 3, were on the preliminary ballots for the Grammys.
Karen brings a soulful versatility to the stage that captivates and entertains audiences across many genres of music. Karen will have you dancing in the aisles and smiling all the way home! |
ANDY TOLINSAndy Tolins is an award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and singer. His repertoire includes bluegrass, Celtic, blues, rock& roll, and swing. Tolins sings and arranges both his own tunes and traditional fiddle tunes, blues, and other roots-oriented music. He plays guitars, National steel, mandolin, and dobro, and his technique has earned him a reputation as a fine soloist. He arranges and produces both his music and that of other musicians as well.
Tolins also leads both the Triple A Blues Band and the Tolins' Bluegrass Revue. Triple A's debut CD, Highwater, earned Billboard/Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Band Competition. The quintet is a powerhouse of urban and country blues, featuring Tolins' vocals and steel and electric guitars, accompanied by organ, piano, and wailing harmonica. The band released Pork Chop Money, their second CD, and they are working on a new project now. Tolins' Bluegrass Revue is a bluegrass- and folk-driven quartet whose music features classic and contemporary bluegrass, country, and fiddle tunes, and Tolins' original tunes. Tolins is a member of The Screaming Ducks, the favorite classic rock & roll band in the State College region. Tolins is active in the local chapter of the International Musician's Union, A.F. of M. Local 660. He teaches music and works with many musicians in the area, and is also known as a fine cook within the State College community. |
MARCH 4TH / 6:30PM
FRANK CLOKE, JOE STANFORD, BILL GROSE, URIE KLINE,
& JERRY BRESEE
The Frank Cloke Quintet is back on Wednesday, March 4th! Learn more about the members:
Frank Cloke (Bass) is a jazz bassist and music educator from East Stroudsburg, now based in Central PA. He is the Band Director at Mifflinburg Area High School and runs the concert and marching bands as well as the modern band program. He studied jazz at Penn State University (2024) and has performed with the PSU Centre Dimensions jazz ensemble, Crooner and Co. Swing Band, and the Zeropoint Big Band.
Joe Stanford (Tenor Saxophone) is from Langhorne, PA, and studied music education at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. He studied classical saxophone with Dr. James Umble and jazz studies with Dave Kana, Kent Engelhardt, and Dave Morgan. He currently teaches general music at Mifflinburg Intermediate School.
Bill Grose (Trombone) is a music educator based in Selinsgrove, PA, currently teaching in the Mifflinburg Area School District. Bill has performed with a variety of ensembles, including the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra, Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, The New York Wind Symphony, Penn Central Wind Band, Billtown Brass, Williamsport Symphony, Lycoming Trombone Consortium, Spencer and the T-Bones, and A Long Way from California.
Urie Kline (Drums) is a versatile percussionist active in Williamsport, Lewisburg, and State College. He performs regularly with the Cadillac Cats, Eric Ian Farmer, La Fiesta Latin Band, and the eponymous Urie Kline Band. He currently teaches at Lycoming College, Bucknell University, and Robert M. Sides. Urie currently resides in Williamsport with his wife and two cats.
Jerry Bresee (Guitar) has experience on the Washington DC jazz scene, playing with the 18-piece Loudoun Jazz Ensemble for 12 years, the Mad Dog Jazz quintet, the String Theory Jazz Trio, and here in Central PA with Jazz on 16 Strings, a quartet based around two guitars and bass.
Frank Cloke (Bass) is a jazz bassist and music educator from East Stroudsburg, now based in Central PA. He is the Band Director at Mifflinburg Area High School and runs the concert and marching bands as well as the modern band program. He studied jazz at Penn State University (2024) and has performed with the PSU Centre Dimensions jazz ensemble, Crooner and Co. Swing Band, and the Zeropoint Big Band.
Joe Stanford (Tenor Saxophone) is from Langhorne, PA, and studied music education at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. He studied classical saxophone with Dr. James Umble and jazz studies with Dave Kana, Kent Engelhardt, and Dave Morgan. He currently teaches general music at Mifflinburg Intermediate School.
Bill Grose (Trombone) is a music educator based in Selinsgrove, PA, currently teaching in the Mifflinburg Area School District. Bill has performed with a variety of ensembles, including the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra, Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, The New York Wind Symphony, Penn Central Wind Band, Billtown Brass, Williamsport Symphony, Lycoming Trombone Consortium, Spencer and the T-Bones, and A Long Way from California.
Urie Kline (Drums) is a versatile percussionist active in Williamsport, Lewisburg, and State College. He performs regularly with the Cadillac Cats, Eric Ian Farmer, La Fiesta Latin Band, and the eponymous Urie Kline Band. He currently teaches at Lycoming College, Bucknell University, and Robert M. Sides. Urie currently resides in Williamsport with his wife and two cats.
Jerry Bresee (Guitar) has experience on the Washington DC jazz scene, playing with the 18-piece Loudoun Jazz Ensemble for 12 years, the Mad Dog Jazz quintet, the String Theory Jazz Trio, and here in Central PA with Jazz on 16 Strings, a quartet based around two guitars and bass.