April showers bring May flowers… and of course, more music!
March at the OM Lounge!
Joy Street had a blast playing contemplative music for a yoga class at the OM Lounge in East Liberty! No pictures of us, but you can imagine our smiles. Eventually the whole room was practicing asanas in rhythm to our music.
Coming up in April!
On Friday April 5 I’ll be joining in a Songwriters’ Showcase at the Red Hawk Cafe in Sharpsburg (6:30pm, 1019 N. Canal St. in Sharpsburg). Join me and other songwriters, including Michelle Hall and Caleb Johnson for two hours of great music, coffee, and treats.
Then on Saturday April 27 I’ll be performing with Mary Fleck and other members of Joy Street for a private garden party.
And don’t forget, on Sunday April 7 at 8pm, SongSpace alum Joe Crookston will be performing live at the Club Cafe! One of the finest songwriters, performers and artists on the circuit today. I’m not performing in this one, but I’ll be there with my ears on!
Wait, what? March is here already? Actually as I sit here on a sunny 62 degree Tuesday, I could believe it’s even later!
It was so much fun to play a two-hour set for Music Sundays at Ruckus Cafe on February 4th! We had a nice full audience, and I was joined on some individual special songs by Mary Fleck, Deborah Brooks and Susan Spangler (all of Joy Street), as well as Lenni Green on clarinet for a classic Bill Monroe number. (Lenni will be playing at SongSpace later this month — more on that below!).
As if that weren’t enough, Joy Street played to a full house at the Sunburst School of Music on February 17! There was much laughter and joy (and banjo tuning!) as we played for family, friends and fans. Sunburst is a warm and cozy place to play, and its owner/founder Alex Stanton is a class act. So great!
Then on February 25, I got to witness the birth of a new performer, opening for Michelle Hall at Steamworks Creative. This was Michelle’s solo debut and she was well supported by Shane McLaughlin, Beth Claussen and Paula Graham, and an absolutely packed house! And if you were there, you got to witness this reticent old Minnesota boy trying to scat! Walkin’ on the wild side…
In the month of March I have just one thing scheduled so far, as part of Joy Street (see at right or below) but there is so much other good music in the ‘burgh! Here are a few things to watch for:
Sunday March 10, 6pm: Come dressed for yoga and bring your mat to practice at OM Yoga Lounge in East Liberty while listening to some chill music from Joy Street! Lesson rates apply.
Friday March 22, 7pm: Stellar Scottish duo and SongSpace alums The Black Feathers will be returning to Pittsburgh to perform with Elise Leavy at Brad Yoder‘s Hospitality House house concert series. Super acoustic music!
Saturday April 7, 8pm:SongSpace alum Joe Crookston will be performing live at the Club Cafe! One of the finest songwriters, performers and artists on the circuit today.
Welcome to Winter! Don’t blink or you’ll miss it! It seems like we have a new season every 3-4 days here in the ‘burgh…
Joy Street had a blast playing the Starlite LoungeSongwriters’ Invitational on Saturday January 6! We started a little late to accommodate the Steelers’ playoff game, but the bar was filled with friendly faces (and some new faces too!), who stayed long after the game to listen to our music.
I ended up missing the Let Freedom Sing celebration on January 15, because of a family-related event in Detroit. But I heard it was great (and I saw one of the choirs reprise some of the music the following weekend), so I hope you got a chance to go out to the Kelly Strayhorn Theater to see and hear it!
February Music!
On Sunday February 4 from 6pm to 8pm, I’ll be the Music Sundaysguest at the Ruckus Cafe. This is a great coffeeshop just outside Millvale that opens its doors to all sorts of music and community events. I’ll have some friends from Joy Street join me for some lovely harmonies, and it looks like there may be a clarinet and an accordion involved as well! Come on out for cafe food and drinks, and lots of music to ward off those grey winter blues!
Then on Saturday February 17 at 7pm, Joy Street returns to the Sunburst School of Music. This is where the band got its start, and we’re looking forward to returning to this welcoming, comfortable space!
Hey there! I hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season so far, and I hope the rest of the season is rewarding for you as well! Next week will be one of my favorite parts, The Week Between The Years…
It’s a little early for this note, but there’s a Joy Street show coming up in early January that I want to make sure you are aware of …and of course lots more to chase away winter chills!
December Memories…
Had a great time playing old-time Appalachian tunes with friends on December 2 at the Edgewood Library. No pictures, but the hall was chock-full of arts and crafts for the holidays (and pizza for the musicians!). Come next year — you won’t regret it!
I’ve also been having fun learning and playing a few Christmas songs… Been trying them out at the Starlite Lounge Wednesday Open Mic, and I think I’ll be playing some of them at the Tuesday Open Mic at G’s on Liberty on Tues Dec 19.
January and February Music!
January starts off with a bang — Joy Street is playing the Starlite LoungeSongwriters’ Invitational on Saturday January 6, 6pm-8pm. It’s a happy, fun time, in a classic, music-centric dive bar with some of the best pierogis in town!
Then on Monday January 15, Let Freedom Sing puts on its 17th Annual Concert Celebration of Martin Luthor King Jr. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Come to hear some wonderful Gospel music (I’ll be in the Tenor section!) and to celebrate a true American hero.
On Saturday January 27, 7:30pm, Bertha and the Belles are playing SongSpace, with special guest Gray Buchanan. I’m not playing in this one at all, but you won’t want to miss it!
On Sunday February 4 from 6pm to 8pm, I’ll be the Music Sundays guest at the Ruckus Cafe. This is a great coffeeshop just outside Millvale that opens its doors to all sorts of music and community events. Come on out for cafe food and drinks, and lots of music to ward off those midwinter blues!
Then on Saturday February 17 at 7pm, Joy Street returns to the Sunburst School of Music. This is where the band got its start, and we’re looking forward to returning to this welcoming, comfortable space!
December is upon us! Things are winding down for me for the holidays, and I look forward to taking some time learning and writing some new songs. More to come in the new year!
November Memories…
The “deconstructed version” of Joy Street that played a benefit on November 12 at Local Provisions for Garden Home Ministriesturned out to be just Susan Spangler and me. But good things can come in small packages, and we had a blast, playing to members and supporters of GHM — as well as a
few bemused customers coming in just to shop! A portion of the sales proceeds that day went to support GHM, which is dedicated to the prevention of human trafficking, and the rescue and restoration of its victims. Thanks to all who came out!
to open for another show by Jim Hawley & Friends; I also accompanied Jim and his friends on banjo for a few tunes… The place was packed and a good time was had by all!
Then, about a week later, I played a nice long set as part of the Songwriters’ Invitational at Ronnie “Moondog” Esser’s Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. My set was between a shorter one by David Lesondak and another full set by Debbi Pace, who I accompanied on mandolin for a few songs. This series is getting a reputaiton, and the place was packed with people who love beer, pierogis, and great acoustic singer-songwriter, blues and Americana music! Check it out any Saturday 6-8pm!
December and Beyond!
Saturday December 2, from 11am to 1pm, I’ll be playing old-time Appalachian music with
friends for the Christmas Market at the Edgewood Library. The whole arts and crafts fair runs from 9am to 4pm, and if you come between 11 and 1 you get music too!
Nothing else is scheduled for December but here is one of my very favorite Christmas songs, “Upon a Christmas Eve” by Hugh Prescott. Click the picture to hear it!
You might see me elsewhere too! As usual, for a fuller listing of my events, audio and video recordings, and more, see brianjunkermusic.com.
Yesterday was Election Day! Hope you took a break from your day to vote; it’s how we make our government better! I voted by mail myself, and then stood to greet voters at the polls.
Looking Back at October Music…
On October 14, Joy Street played for the St. Andrew’s Church Fall Fest in Highland Park! I don’t have any photos of the event, but here’s a nice montage of Joy Street from one of our summer shows…
There was a great turnout for the Fall Fest, and since it was rainy outside, we had the pleasure of playing in the St. Andrew’s beautiful looking, and beautiful sounding, sanctuary.
Then on October 20, I got to play with Jim Hawley and Friends at Steamworks Creative on Route 8 in Gibsonia! It was a great retrospective of 70’s folk rock and beyond, with 15 or so separate performers.
dedicated to the prevention of human trafficking, and the rescue and restoration of its victims. Because of space and scheduling we’ll be a slightly deconstructed Joy Street, with BJ leading from 4pm to 5pm and Deborah and Susan leading from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Stop by anytime from 4 to 7 for a bite and some great, uplifting music!
to open for another show by Jim Hawley & Friends at 6pm Nov 12, and I’ll accompany them on banjo for some of their music. Ruckus is a great intimate space for just this sort of music.
Saturday November 18 I’ll round things out as part of the Songwriters’ Invitational, 6pm-8pm at Ron “Moondog” Esser’s Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. In addition to a set of my own music, I’ll back up blues & classic rock singer Debbi Pace on mandolin for a couple of her songs. The show will open with a couple short sets by other musicians, so I’ll start around 6:30pm. It’s a chill, fun time, in a classic, music-centric dive bar with some of the best pierogis in town; see you there!
You might see me elsewhere too! As usual, for a fuller listing of my events, audio and video recordings, and more, see brianjunkermusic.com.
News Flash! — The harmony group has a new name: Joy Street! Joy Street consists of consists of Susan Spangler on mandolin, Mary Fleck and Deborah Brooks on guitars, Lutie Rodriguez on cello, Jan Hamilton on fiddle, and me on banjo, accompanying Susan, Mary and Deborah in some of the prettiest harmony singing you’ll hear!
Coming up in October and November…
This coming Saturday October 14, Joy Street will be playing from 2pm to 4pm for the St. Andrew’s Church Fall Fest in Highland Park! As always, great harmonies and much joy and laughter (if it’s rainy, the festival and the music will move inside the church, so come rain or come shine, but come see us!).
Then on Friday October 20 at 7pm I’ll be backing up Jim Hawley and Friends on banjo for a fun night of familiar, and not so familiar, songs and tunes at Steamworks Creative on Route 8 in Gibsonia!
The very next day, Saturday October 21, will be the last Swissvale Farmers’ Market jam of the season with the East End Appalachian Jam, noon-2pm.
And then on November 18 I’ll be part of the Songwriters’ Invitational, 6pm-8pm at Ron “Moondog” Esser‘s Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. In addition to a set of my own music, I’ll probably back up blues & classic rock singer Debbi Pace on mandolin for a couple of her songs. It’s a chill, fun time, in a classic, music-centric dive bar with the biggest pierogis in town!
You might see me elsewhere too! As usual, for a fuller listing of my events, audio and video recordings, and more, see brianjunkermusic.com.
Shoyer in Swissvale), where I got to sing with friends Deborah Brooks and Bill Collinge, and the Bloomfield Saturday Market (10am-noon, on Liberty Avenue across from the Honda Dealership in Bloomfield) where friend Lutie Rodriguez
came out to listen (next time she might bring her cello!). Summer’s winding down, so there are not many of these farmers’ market gigs left on my schedule (see at right, or below if you are on a cell phone).
Playing at Three Rivers Outdoor Company on August 14 got cancelled because of rain, but fortunately we could reschedule for September 1 (just this past Friday!), where both Susan Spangler and Deborah Brooks joined in on
mandolin and harmonies. Lots of people stopped by to listen, beer or coffee or soft drinks in hand. It was a lovely way to welcome Labor Day Weekend (and try out the Loudon Wainwright III song “Summer’s Almost Over”).
Had a great time with the harmony group Subject to Change, doing a full show to a full house at The Breezeway Home in Point Breeze. Subject to Change consists of Susan Spangler on mandolin, Mary Fleck and Deborah Brooks on guitars,
Lutie Rodriguez on cello, and me on banjo, accompanying Susan, Mary and Deborah in some of the prettiest harmony singing you’ll hear! Our fiddler Jan Hamilton was off in Europe, so Stephen Weiss of the Bastard Bearded Irishmen did a yeoman’s job subbing for her. Jan should be back in town this week — we’re looking forward to playing with her again!
One of the other projects I work on is SongSpace at First Unitarian, a concert series for folk, Americana, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, old-time, and world music, featuring local, regional and national artists, that takes place at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside. The new season has been announced, and it looks great!
Had a blast playing the opening set for the Sweet Lizzy Project at Summer Sounds‘ free concert series in Greensburg! Special thanks to the Pittsburgh Songwriters’ Circle for making the connection with Summer Sounds, and to Beth Claussen for helping me figure out how to present my music to a larger audience. There are still some great shows left in the season – check it out!
June 21 was a beautiful day at The Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze, and a great day to play music on the lawn beside the cafe there. I was joined by Susan Spangler and Deborah Brooks, 2/3 of the singers in the harmony group named (literally, for now!) Subject To Change.
Thanks especially for Caito Amoroso, curator of performance events at The Frick, for hosting us and taking these pictures!
Joy Street had a blast playing contemplative music for a yoga class at the OM Lounge in East Liberty! No pictures of us, but you can imagine our smiles. Eventually the whole room was practicing asanas in rhythm to our music.
On Friday April 5 I’ll be joining in a Songwriters’ Showcase at the Red Hawk Cafe in Sharpsburg (6:30pm, 1019 N. Canal St. in Sharpsburg). Join me and other songwriters, including Michelle Hall and Caleb Johnson for two hours of great music, coffee, and treats.
Then on Saturday April 27 I’ll be performing with Mary Fleck and other members of Joy Street for a private garden party.
