Half Moon Cafe Concerts 2020
A COOL VENUE TO HEAR TERRIFIC LOCAL MUSICIANS
Date updated: 3/29/20
Meadowood is pleased to sponsor Clay on Main's concerts in the Half Moon Cafe, a venue for local musicians & music lovers. The Half Moon is in the back of Clay on Main's building at 313 Main Street in Oley, PA.
Reminiscent of a 60’s style coffee house, the Half Moon has hosted Friday-evening concerts every spring and fall since 2007. In 2017, Clay on Main added a "Front Room" act that precedes the concert in the Half Moon Cafe. All performers are local musicians or have local ties.
Front Room artists play from 7:15 to 7:45 and receive compensation through a tip jar to which Clay on Main and concert-goers both contribute.
Half Moon acts perform from 8:00 to 10:00 and receive compensation through half of the proceeds of a $10 donation from concert-goers (age 16 and older). The other half of the donation proceeds help Clay on Main cover operating expenses for the facility.
We are pleased that Clay on Main's 2020 spring concerts will be moved to the fall, after the COVID crisis passes.
The artists will remain the same - just the dates will change.
APRIL 24, 2020
Half Moon, 8-10: Mike & Linda Hertzog
Mike & Linda Hertzog perform old Country, Gospel, & Bluegrass Music. This husband & wife duo returns to Clay on Main to combine guitar, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, & upright bass with vocal harmonies. They will cocoon us in a marvelous fold of traditional Americana music.
http://mikehertzogmusic.com/band_bio/
Front Room, 7:15-7:45: Tom & Betty Druckenmiller
Tom & Betty, a husband and wife duo, play mostly (but not strictly) old-time music -- music that people played together before the time of recorded music & radio. They combine vocals, fiddle, guitar, & banjo to transport us to a time when life had a slower pace. Come enjoy the lovely music they once again bring to Clay on Main.
MAY 1, 2020
Half Moon, 8-10: Russ Rentler
Singer, songwriter, & multi-instrumentalist, Russ returns to Clay on Main. He has been playing music since he got his first ukulele in 5th grade with S+H Green stamps. While students at Moravian College, Russ and John Gorka performed together in a band. Russ continued to perform during medical school, while a physician, and now that he's retired from medicine. He recorded on Gorka’s CD, Gypsy Life, and recorded six of his own. NPR’s CarTalk aired his song “New Car Smell.” He performs a wonderful mix of folk, Celtic and blues-inspired tunes, interspersed with off-beat humor and wry observations about life. This concert will be a delight!
Front Room, 7:15-7:45: Gene Cullison
Gene Cullison is a guitarist & singer who’s performed virtually every style of music a person can play on guitar. He is now the lead guitarist for the TimeWhy?s, and performs solo (as he will again perform at Clay on Main) with vocals and guitar. Gene will once again delight us with the tasty stuff he brings.
MAY 15, 2020
Half Moon, 8-10: Ken Gehret
Ken Gehret has played at Clay on Main twice before, once with Rich Dodson, once with Dave Kline. This time, he returns as full-strength, undiluted Kenny. For those of you who have seen this masterful multi-instrumentalist and songwriter perform, he needs no introduction. For those unfortunates who have not seen and heard Kenny strut his stuff... get ready.
Clay on Main hasts a lot of Country, Alt-Country, Singer/Songwriter, and cover artists (and Ken can and does play all of that stuff), but not so much Jazz or Classical (both which Ken plays masterfully). This evening, Ken will delight those who already love Jazz with things that are just not possible on guitar. Even those who are not so sure they like Jazz will come away from this evening pretty sure they do.
Front Room, 7:15-7:45: Berks Works
Berks Works is a newly formed jazz trio made up of three talented high school musicians. Cormick Costello (bass), Jeffrey Dalton (drums), and Isaiah Nygard (piano) have been playing in various jazz combos in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley before forming Berks Works.
Members of the trio have been part of District 10 Jazz Band, the University of the Arts High School All Star Big Band, and the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz Band. They've shared the stage with jazz greats Randy Brecker, Eric Marianthal, and Albert Riveira, to name a few. This group, serving up some tasty tune-age, is the perfect appetizer -- you will certainly want more.
EITHER MAY 29 OR JUNE 5 (RESCHEDULED FROM MARCH 27, 2020)
Half Moon, 8-10: March 27: A.K.A.
A.K.A. returns to the Half Moon Cafe for another wonderful evening. A.K.A. interprets a variety of musical from traditional folk, country standards, alternative country, as well as songs from new singer-songwriters. Band Members (from left to right) Dominique Tomme, Sandy Pluto, Mike Petrauskas, Cindy Roos, and Allan Landis pair moving vocals with a vast variety of musical sounds. Low keyed and relaxed, A.K.A.’s sound is timeless Americana. Join us for an evening of fun and great music!
Front Room, 7:15 - 7:45: Brenna Grealish
Brenna performed at a Clay on Main crafters event in 2019, and caught the attention of Mike Petrauskas (founder of the Half Moon Cafe, and lead singer for A.K.A. When we booked A.K.A. for the first concert of this season, it made perfect sense to pair Brenna with them. We look forward to hearing her fresh new stuff in the Front Room right before A.K.A. in the Half Moon. Want to sample her stuff?
OCTOBER 16 - RESCHEDULED APRIL 3, 2020
Half Moon, 8-10: Maggie Spike
Maggie Spike is a husband and wife singer-songwriter duo who perform a “mixed bag” of folk originals. Maggie & Eric Gernerd’s song writing styles combine folk/rock, jazz, acoustic pop, Celtic, psychedelic, reggae, Americana, and world rhythms. Their music combines melody, rhythm, harmony with insightful lyrics to create a sound that is easily accessible and highly entertaining. Returning to Clay on Main almost every season. Maggie Spike will give you great evening out!
http://www.maggiespike.com/about.php
Front Room, 7:15 - 7:45: Root Blossoms
Eric and Naomi Zimmerman are the Root Blossoms -- a husband and wife duo that is passionate about music and sharing it. They play traditional Celtic music on cello, fiddle, and guitar. Maggie Spike reminded us of Root Blossoms by mentioning that they recorded on tracks on Maggie Spike's most recent CD. In this first Clay on Main appearance, Root Blossoms are welcome fresh faces who you won't want to miss.
Sound Man and Emcee - Half Moon Concerts & Open Mics
Vinny Rose is the lead audio technician and emcee for the Half Moon Cafe. He sets up and runs the PA system, announces upcoming Clay on Main events, and introduces Half Moon Concert performers.
When you visit the Half Moon, please take time to thank Vinny for everything he does.