Philadelphia Funk Authority Creates Celebitrix Stir

Truly delivering what many bands only promise, the Philadelphia Funk Authority prides itself on providing the ultimate party and dance experience, regardless of venue.

Specializing in getting the crowd out on the dance floor with the best soul, R&B, funk, dance and party music from the past 40 years, PFA is a group of dedicated, experienced and professional musicians ready to provide you with the perfect entertainment for your event.

The Philadelphia Funk Authority guarantees an unforgettable party experience! Who's on the guest list is your job. Who's on the dance floor is ours!

Jimmy and the Parrots Coming to Musikfest - Celebitrix

Grab your beach chair, your suntan oil, and your favorite drink, and get ready for a trip to the islands! From the West Indies and Jamaica to cities all over the east coast, Jimmy and the Parrots have been playing to delighted crowds for over 9 years. The band has performed at the annual Meeting of the Minds Parrot Head conventions in Key West, Florida, as well as well-known Key West venues such as Schooner Wharf, Sloppy Joes, The Rum Barrel, and Rick's Cafe. Additionally, the band has rocked the original Margaritaville Café stage on Duval Street several times, including New Year's Eve week, 2006.

Internationally, the band has traveled to Ocho Rios, Jamaica (where they performed at both Beaches Boscobel Resort as well as the Ocho Rios Margaritaville) and to Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies, where they performed at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort as part of the Turtle & Hughes Circle of Excellence 2007 trip. In 2009, they will travel with Turtle & Hughes once again, this time to the brand-new Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic.

The title track from their debut CD, “Yea Mon,” was included in a beach music compilation CD entitled, “Thongs in the Key of Life, Vol. II.” In October 2004, they released their CD of all-original tunes, “Better Than New,” to rave reviews. In March 2006, they released “Island Jam,” a 3-CD set, which has already sold over 37,000 copies nationwide. This summer, the follow-up to "Island Jam," "An Island Party with Jimmy and the Parrots," will be released.

One of the most requested Jimmy Buffett cover bands in the country, Jimmy and the Parrots perform not only all the great Buffett songs you love, they also play new and classic rock ‘n roll, as well as outstanding original songs written by lead singer/guitarist Jimmy Maraventano. Their cover songs include favorites by the Beach Boys, Paul Simon, Jerry Jeff Walker, Harry Belafonte, and Bob Marley, among many others. The band truly appeals to all ages and all musical tastes.

Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers Recieve Celebitrix Recognition

Rott ‘N’ Roll. The title originated with Grayson Capps’ fans in New Orleans as an explanation of his music. Prostitutes, alcoholics, vagrants and drifters often inhabit the southern troubadour’s songs, while his live performances are ignited by sanctified Southern soul, howling back-country stomp and raucous roadhouse blues.. Slowly, but surely, the phrase spread from one city to the next as the definition of the Grayson Capps experience. For Grayson himself, Rott ‘N’ Roll has come to represent the state of mind needed to play uncompromising roots music as a means for survival in the Dirty South; the yin and yang between the debauchery of life on the road and the come down upon returning home.. Yet, as Grayson makes clear on “Back To The Country,” the album’s opening track, when Rott ‘N’ Roll is the credo, even the serenity of home means, “eating cornbread and raising hell.”

Girls, Guns & Glory Receive Numerous Awards with New Releases

Girls, Guns & Glory formed in Scituate, Massachusetts in the winter of 2005 when former band-mates and high school friends, Ward Hayden (lead vocals/acoustic guitar) and Bruce Beagley (bass), teamed up to record Ward’s original compositions. They entered Noise in the Attic Studio and began work on the GG&G debut CD “Fireworks and Alcohol.” The success of that release fueled the formation of a 5-piece lineup that began to work the New England club scene in earnest. Their sophomore release, “Pretty Little Wrecking Ball”, in February of 2007, proved to be the catalyst in a break-out year for the band as they collected 2 Boston Phoenix awards, numerous articles in the press, and lots of radio play - culminating in a Boston Music Award for “Outstanding Americana Act of the Year”. The band solidified it’s lineup as a strong 4-piece featuring John Graham on drums and Colt Thompson on guitar.

Flamin Caucasians - Celebitrix Hotlist Check

Playing a consistently busy schedule of club dates, private parties, and special events since 1983, the Cauc's performance is now tighter and more exciting than ever. Numerous repeat bookings and thousands of satisfied fans and clients proclaim the Caucasians' ability to rise to
any occasion.

Countless fans still remember the Caucasians' gig as the house band for the popular Morning Zoo with John De Bella on Philadelphia radio station WMMR. Their energy and musical chops, as well as their spontaneity, won them the chance to "rock the house" starting at 6 AM and back
up an impressive list of recording stars, comedians and celebrities, including Southside Johnny, Warren Zevon, Gregg Allman, Alan King, and Sinbad.

Deb Callahan Band - Celebitrix Highlight and Musikfest Performer

Philadelphia’s blues and soul drenched vocalist and songwriter, Deb Callahan grew up in the Boston area but has been a fixture on the mid-Atlantic music scene since the late 90’s. During this time she has gained a reputation for writing creative blues, soul and roots influenced original music and using her powerful, emotionally expressive voice and engaging stage presence to deliver a unique, high energy live show. Deb’s 2002 debut CD If the Blues Had Wings, garnered her positive acclaim from the blues and roots community and was featured as the hot debut in the October/November 2004 issue of Blues Revue Magazine . Blues Revue referred to her as the next Bonnie Raitt and raved "Philly’s Deb Callahan has the pipes, the songs and the raw talent to graduate to the next level". Deb she teamed up with Philadelphia producer and song-writer Chris Arms for her sophomore CD The Blue Pearl in November 2005 as well as the release of her latest CD Grace & Grit in September of 2008. The Blue Pearl is a well crafted, contemporary sounding CD with all the elements of timeless blues, soul and rock music. From the New Orleans blues/funk of the title track "Blue Pearl Moon" to the marriage of traditional and modern in the "Credit Card Blues ". Deb incorporates thoughtful and often funny lyrics to tell a modern day blues tale. In a review of The Blue Pearl, Living Blues described Deb as a “gifted song-writer whose voice is matchless in the ring of sultry blues singers”

Butterjive Gets Jiggy With It at Musikfest - Celebitrix

Formed in March of 2006, Butterjive is an upbeat instrumental quintet that thrives on improvisation and groove in a live atmosphere. Having solidified their line-up upon the arrival of drummer Derek Smith in the fall of '07, Butterjive is making moves in the studio and on the stage in 2008. Expect the unexpected when listening to their music. Full of twists, turns, and genre-bending compositions, Butterjive's catalog contains everything from funk to rock to reggae to latin and beyond. Think Medeski, Martin, and Wood jamming with the Wailers and Santana, sans vocals, and you're in Butterjive's ballpark. With too many influences to list, it's easy to see why this band has something for everyone.

Butterjive has played Musikfest, which is among the largest music and arts festivals in the country, as well as many intimate venues such as PhilaFunk Live, The Pillar Lounge, The Funhouse, and Grape Street Pub, to name only a few. The band has been broadcast and interviewed on local radio stations in addition to making a television appearance on "Arts in the Valley" - a local arts-focused television show broadcast on PBS. Based in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, the band plays regularly in the state's Southeast Region and is looking to branch out into the east coast jam band scene in the near future.

Top-notch musicianship, articulate and diverse originals, energetic live shows, and true dedication to their craft make Butterjive a musical experience you won't want to miss night after night.

Burning Bridget Cleary Becomes Celebitrix Favorite

Burning Bridget Cleary took form on St. Patty's day of '06 when Genevieve Gillespie joined forces with the father-daughter duo, Lou and Rose Baldino. The combination sparks a blaze of Celtic sound that is perceived way beyond the sum of its parts!

The girls front the band with their fiery fiddles, bringing a lively flair of youthful intensity and exuberance to traditional tunes. Lou‘s guitar bestows the dynamic rhythm and bass end, tastefully embellished with distinctive chording. Weaving in some choice vocal numbers and building the energy with some spirited stepdancing, Burning Bridget Cleary has wowed packed audiences at the Scottish-Irish Fest in Green Lane (2006 and 2007), the Celtic Classic (2006 and 2007), the 2007 Celtic Winter Classic, the Mayfair Festival of the Arts (2008), the Spring Gulch Folk Festival (2008), the Shawnee Mountain Celtic Fest (2008) and many more popular venues.

Rose and Genna met five years ago at Granny McCarthy’s Irish music sessions in Bethlehem PA- both have been first-place trophy winners in the Celtic Classic fiddle competitions. Their debut CD, Catharsis, was released in September, 2006. Their new CD, "Everything is Alright", was released November 25, 2008.

Brittany Ann Robinson - Celebitrix Hottest Opera Singer

Soprano, Brittany Ann Reneé Robinson, is currently living in Denver, Colorado and studying privately with world renowned soprano Martile Rowland in Colorado Springs. While in Denver Brittany has had great success by becoming a district and regional finalist at The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Having grown up in Minneapolis, Minnesota she was able to have a good foundation in classical vocal repertoire. While in Minnesota she has won numerous awards at the Minnesota-NATS Auditions (National Association of Teachers of Singing), as well as other competitions around the Twin Cities. A few years ago she won the St. Paul chapter of the NAACP ACT-SO Competition, and has sung at several annual Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther King celebrations in Minnesota and Maryland.

Bethlehem Area School District Guitar Camp Creates Celebitrix Profiles

Bethlehem Area School District Guitar Camp Coming to Musikfest 8/4

BC and Company Entertainment

We take pride in our extended and diversified repertoire, our broadly experienced personnel, and our commitment to provide the finest quality entertainment.

Whatever it is you are seeking, we can accommodate. Be it a selection of jazz standards and show tunes for a sophisticated banquet gathering, light classical pieces for a wedding ceremony, dance band music of the 1940's swing era, or rock n' roll dance music of the 50's thru 90's. We have the background and flexibility to provide the mixture of musical styles you require.

Regardless of the function you are planning, be assured that BC & Company will remain sensitive to your specific needs and will provide a unique and memorable musical atmosphere.

Baze and His Silly Friends - A Celebitrix Highlight

What happens when you put 4 dads with tons of energy into a room filled with musical instruments? You get 4 dads with tons of energy in a room filled with musical instruments.
Put them on a stage in front of a bunch of kids who want to sing and laugh till water comes of their noses. Then Throw in a bubble machine?

You get Baze And His Silly Friends The silliest, funniest and rockinest kids band this side of the equator.

Bay Street Brassworks Bonanza Coming to Musikfest

Bay Street Brassworks (YAMAHA Performing Artists), is one of America's finest and busiest brass ensembles. Founded in 1995, this versatile brass quintet performs a wide variety of musical genres ranging from classical music to Dixieland jazz; show tunes, classic rock, movie music, and anything in between. This professional brass quintet is based in Baltimore, Maryland. The ensemble is also part of the touring rosters of both Producers, Inc., Tampa, Florida, and "Live on Stage" LLC, Nashville, Tennessee, bringing the music of Bay Street Brassworks to audiences throughout the United States and abroad.

Barynya - Russian Music, Dance and Song Ensemble

The Russian music, dance and song ensemble Barynya (Russian Барыня), established in the year 1991 in New York City, is a world renowned group that enjoys exalting stature as the premier Russian folk ensemble outside of Russia. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Jewish and Russian Gypsy traditional dancing, music, songs, and virtuoso performances on instruments including the balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion), balalaika contrabass, bayan accordion, Gypsy guitar, violin, and the domra. Barynya has been invited to perform at some of the most prestigious cultural venues in the United States, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institute of America in Washington D.C., the United Nations in New York, and the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C.

The Arrogant Worms - 8/8 and 8/9 at Musikfest

Three quarters of a quarter of a century ago, something magnificent happened in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Sensing a desperate public need for musical comedy, The Arrogant Worms was formed. The Arrogant Worms began as a comedy troupe performing songs and sketches on the campus radio station in 1991. As the live show developed, the songs delighted the audience. The sketches - not so much.

It began as a hobby, making fun of a big dumb world. Luckily, the world is still dumb and The Arrogant Worms (Mike McCormick, Chris Patterson and Trevor Strong) still have plenty to sing about. The shows are fast, furious and family friendly. The wit is quick, the satire is biting and the musicianship is second to none. Their appeal has earned them fans from kids to parents to grandparents to Princess Leia.

The Arrogant Worms have sold more than 150,000 copies of their 12 albums and played on three continents to crowds as large as 100,000. They were recognized in 2003 as the Touring Act of the Year by the Canadian Arts Presenters Association. The Worms have entertained at corporate functions, sung anthems at sporting events and emceed at major festivals. Their songs are in school lesson plans, in textbooks and even played on the Space Shuttle. On earth or in space, everyone digs these Worms.

The Arrogant Worms are as comfortable on the radio or on camera as they are on stage Their energy and showmanship were captured on the DVD of their concert with the renowned Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The DVD also features appearances by Worm pals figure skating champion Kurt Browning and actors Tom Cavanaugh (Ed, Love Monkey) and Nathan Fillion (Saving Private Ryan, Desperate Housewives).

In recent years the Worms have been pleased to donate their time and talent to the cause of literacy in Canada through Frontier College and were awarded the Peter Gzowski Award for their efforts.

So The Arrogant Worms will continue to provide tuneful and silly escapism for everyone who needs it. And if you think you don't need it, well you're wrong. You do. The Arrogant Worms know what's best for you and what's best for you is The Arrogant Worms.

Anne Hills w/ Jay Ansill & Strings Becomes Fan of Celebitrix

Jay Ansill is a composer and folk musician, known primarily as a Celtic harpist and fiddler. Ansill has released several solo albums including Origami, A Lost World (an adaptation of poems by Robert Graves), and three privately released tributes to The Incredible String Band. Jay Ansill has worked as a collaborator with Robin Williamson, Tony Trischka, Maria del Mar Bonet, Rodney Anonymous (of the Dead Milkmen), Marah, and Honeychurch.

Jay is also an accomplished practitioner of Origami and has written two books on the subject; Mythical Beings and Lifestyle Origami. The two books were published as a single volume in 2004 as The Origami Sourcebook.

Andrew Portz - A Valued Celebitrix Addition

Andy Cohen (born in 1973 in Miami, Florida) has written music in a wide variety of styles for a wide variety of media. He has composed classical instrumental works for orchestra and chamber groups, jazz pieces for radio airplay, music and sound design for dance and theatrical performances, and songs for rock and pop bands. His compositions have been performed by such groups as the Minnesota Orchestra and he has written music for PBS TV and United Nations Radio. He has also written music for symphonic band and Jewish-themed works for performances in Synagogues.

His theatrical compositions have been performed in numerous venues in New York City and in the Northeastern U.S. region. His works have been played in such venues as Lincoln Center, Fordham University, off-Broadway at Theatre Row, La Mama, HERE, the Ohio Theatre, Theater for the New City, Expanded Arts, and the New York International Fringe Festival, where he was a 2000 "Excellence" Award Winner as music director of the John Cage/Kenneth Patchen play The City Wears A Slouch Hat.

Recent projects have included the original musicals Charlie Chang and the Mysterious Salami (which won the "Golden Pineapple" award for "worst musical" as part of the 2008 Bad Musicals Festival) and Ripcords (at the NY International Fringe Festival; Charlie Chang and Ripcords both feature book and lyrics by Anne Berlin), Kabbalah and Mountain Jews at the Triad Theatre, Jane Ho at Theatre Row, scores for the Drama League¹s Directors Fest, the Chekhov Now! Festival, and the dance score Taro for the Mariana Bekerman Dance Company at the Joyce Theatre in SOHO.

In addition to composing music, Andy also music directs plays and musicals, and performs on piano, synthesizers and other electronic keyboards (including the Lumiano), guitar, bass, mandolin, trumpet, bagpipes, percussion, and more unusual instruments like bamboo flutes and vintage 1980's drum machines. He currently resides in Brooklyn (Cobble Hill) and is working on several original projects, including musicals and classical commissioned works.

Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos - AMLA Celebitrix

AMLA stands for Artistas y Músicos Latino Americanos, or Artists and Musicians of Latin America. AMLA is based in the Hunting Park neighborhood of North Philadelphia.

Since 1982, AMLA has promoted the development, dissemination, and understanding of Latin music and culture in the Philadelphia area. AMLA's programming emphasizes youth and family participation in the arts! Please see About AMLA for more about the organization's history and dynamic partnership with Esperanza.

Philadelphia's Alo Brasil Featuring Brazilian Music at Musikfest

Alô Brasil, consisting of twelve Philadelphia musicians spanning three generations, was born out of a passion for Brazilian music. Accompanied by stunningly costumed dancers, the band draws audiences into a "tornado of rhythm and sound" (Philadelphia City Paper) — an irresistible, full body-and-soul experience. Whether parading down Broad Street, opening for gala events or awards ceremonies at Philadelphia's top venues, or captivating hundreds of revelers at local nightspots, Alô Brasil never fails to enchant. The band’s repertoire is rooted in African influenced rhythms (samba batucada, samba reggae, pagode, maracatú, ijexá), and others, from many different regions of Brazil.

He will be performing at Musikfest on 8/2

Allegro Dance Company - The Hottest Italian Stallions

Allegro Dance Company is located in Wheeling, WV and was formed in 1994 by Anna Pishner Harsh out of love and inspiration of being an Italian-American. Allegro educates, entertains and enriches audiences about the Italian culture. Allegro combines traditional Italian dance along with other styles for a unique experience. They have toured throughout the US and Italy at festivals, concerts, universities, public schools, parades and cultural celebrations. Allegro provides an explosive and entertaining showcase of dance that leaves the audiences energized.

Alison Brown Quartet - A Valued Celebitrix Addition

Alison Brown has composed and played her way into the affections of fans of jazz-hued acoustic music with a unique voice on a relatively unexplored instrument, the 5-string banjo.

“Alison Brown left a career in investment banking for
a life as a banjo musician. Anyone who thinks this
was a foolish move hasn't heard her play.”
New Yorker

“Like James Taylor’s voice or B.B. King’s guitar,
Alison Brown’s banjo is an instrument
possessed of a unique sonic signature
and an inescapable beauty.”
Billboard Magazine

Alex Meixner Band Arrives at Musikfest on 8/9

Alex Meixner carries on a Family Tradition of music brought to the USA by his Austrian great grandfather. Building upon this foundation and extensive performances/ touring with his father in The Al Meixner Trio for many years, Alex has developed a fresh musical voice that has made him one of the most exciting performers on the American polka scene.

Alex’s high energy performances of everything from old time polkas and waltzes to more jazz and pop influenced repertoire has won over audiences throughout North America and continues to attract new fans. Equally at home with traditional and contemporary styles, performances on about a dozen instruments (including the 12 foot long Swiss Alphorn and trademark Meixner Button Box sound) and vocals in English, German, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech and more- the band’s reputation continues to grow.

From dynamic polkas and waltzes to Gypsy folk songs to Rocktoberfest parodies, Swing, Latin and Country dance music- the dizzying array of music is perfect for everything from World Music Concerts and family friendly folk festivals to a frenetic non-stop dance party.

The Afromotive Coming to Musikfest on 8/8

A fan once said, “It’s sounds like James Brown’s band went to Africa.” Furthering the connection between traditional African rhythms and American funk and dance music is precisely what Afromotive is doing with their style of afrobeat music.

Based in Asheville, NC, this large ensemble stays true to the elements that started afrobeat music- West African rhythms, song forms, and instrumentation- while bringing the music to the 21st Century through strong composition, improvisation, and heavy dance beats.

Thirty-third generation djembe player Adama Dembele from Cote d‘Ivoire, West Africa brings his vast musical knowledge and touring experience to the Afromotive. These traditional West African rhythms combined with a mentality for upbeat funk music is what the Afromotive brings to its audiences. They have created a sound that crosses musical and ethnic boundaries.

On their debut album "Scare Tactics," The Afromotive takes the raw energy of their live performance into the studio. This album is an elaboration on the language of afrobeat music, yielding a truly unique sound that is rooted in tradition.

The Adler's Band - Coming to Musikfest on 8/9

Jimmy's guitar playing is steeped in the old-school styles as exemplified by Otis Rush, B.B. King, T Bone Walker, Buddy Guy, and Elmore James. He is also influenced by contemporary players like Anson Funderburgh, Ronnie Earl, Little Charlie, and Duke Robillard.

Adler is a practitioner of stingingly sweet slide guitar as well as a player with elegant phrasing and clean fat tones.

Acoustic Roadshow Performing at Musikfest 8/4

The mission of the Acoustic Roadshow is to provide opportunities for musicians to perform in front of live audiences.

This format gives novice musicians valuable experience and exposure, and seasoned performers venues to try material and hone skills.

The Acoustic Roadshow is different things to different people. For some, the Acoustic Roadshow has become a starting point for a career in music - for others, fun and fellowship. Members of the Acoustic Roadshow form a musical family, each one supporting and encouraging others.

3D Ritmo de Vida Performing at Musikfest on 8/7

A tight, bright, infectious blend of island rhythms, contemporary jazz . Very accomplished, very musical a world-music hybrid of salsa, soca, frocuno and gospel ...3D draws from this multitude of influences to create a cohesive musical whole.

Drummer Michael Tate and guitarist Chris Amelar formed 3D in 1999 to write and perform music that is diverse, dynamic and danceable. While their recordings feature original material, live performances by the band also include inspired interpretations of a wide variety of popular music.

Kris Allen named next American Idol Superstar

Kris Allen's smooth vocals and boy-next-door image propelled him to "American Idol" victory Wednesday, turning the theatrical powerhouse Adam Lambert into the most unlikely of also-rans.