Scott Tady: Fans truckin' to Economy brewery for Deadfest; Hopewell-made film's opening postponed

As the Dead & Co. traffic fiasco at Star Lake recently reminded us, people in these parts still love the Grateful Dead.

So, expect a good crowd and hearty fun Aug. 19, when Big Sewickley Creek Brewing hosts its first Deadfest.

The music begins with the acoustic John Charney's Classic Rock Experience from 2-5 p.m. While Charney, himself doesn't perform Grateful Dead tunes, his covers of bands like Led Zeppelin, late-Beatles and Jimi Hendrix sets the mood for an era when the Dead thrived.

From 7-10 p.m., Reuben's Painted Mandolin commands the outdoor stage, playing a tribute to The Dead's iconic Jerry Garcia featuring music from the Jerry Garcia Band.

Grateful Dead songs will be played on the sound system between sets.

The Economy brewery mentions "groovy giveaways" on the event's poster that bears the hippie message "Turn in, Tune in & Tap in" and shows the likeness of a Grateful Dead skeleton clutching a pint of beer. That skeleton's got a real death grip on that glass, you might say.

Kilimanjaro's Flavors will be the food truck, serving Tanzanian cuisine like Zanzibar Coconut Chicken or Shrimp (with a "Ripple" of coconut milk), and sides like naturally sweet plantains (no "Sugaree" added.)

Sorry, I couldn't resist adding those song titles.

If you're like me, a big Dead fan who never got into the June 5 Pavilion at Star Lake show because the venue's parking and traffic tie-ups reached biblical proportions, then consider heading to Big Sewickley Creek Brewing to soak in an infinitely more laid-back and organized celebration.

"Extra parking will be available for Deadfest," the brewery's Facebook page promises.

Last weekend, I caught a classic-rock performance at the brewery starring Bobby Thompson and Rich Mannion. Situated on the creek with a spacious outdoor lawn, Big Sewickley Creek Brewing is a lovely place to savor live music. The beers are refreshing, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the brewery encourages dog owners to bring their leashed and well-behaved pooches.

Open mics

Open mics keep popping up in the valley.

One of the newest ones happens every other Tuesday, from 6-9 p.m. on the outdoor patio at Patrick's Pub in Moon Township. Co-hosted by Dave Gratta, Frank Piscopo, Ray Fernandez and Dean Bernola − from local bands like Hat Trick, SlapShot and The Project Band − this acoustic open mic welcomes solo musicians, duos or bands to sign up then play.

"People get called up in order," Gratta said. "They are given a set number of songs, usually three, based on how many musicians are there. They can either play alone or ask for backup from the hosts or other musicians. If you don't play an instrument, the musicians will play for you."

"If someone is looking for a relaxing evening in the middle of the week supporting local music, Open Mic at Patrick's Pub offers the perfect atmosphere," Gratta said. "The Open Mic offers a collection of hidden local musical talent that consistently shows up to entertain the guests. The musicians come to play purely for the love of music."

More: Hot August nights: 50 ideas for fun in the Beaver Valley & beyond

The next Patrick's Pub open mic is Aug. 8, rotating every Tuesday with another new-ish weekly open mic − that's both acoustic and fully plugged in − on the patio at Zooky's Sports Tavern in Fallston co-hosted by Piscopo and his Project Band bandmates Bob Spak and Mike Como.

The next Zooky's open mic is Aug. 15 from 7-10 p.m.

More: August concerts include Willie Nelson, Guns N' Roses, Ted Nugent, Rod Stewart & Jelly Roll

'Oppenheimer' screen talk

For this Sunday's matinee "Oppenheimer" screening, the Lindsay Theater will remind moviegoers the world's first commercial atomic power plant operated in Beaver County.

Just prior to the 2:30 p.m. Aug. 6 screening at Sewickley's theater, Jim Clark, current nuclear operator at the Beaver Valley Power Station and docent at the Beaver County Industrial Museum, will give a free presentation on how J. Robert Oppenheimer's invention of the atomic bomb brought to life technology that was first used for peacetime purposes with the dawning of the nuclear age in Shippingport. A pictorial exhibition, on loan from the museum, will be part of the presentation.

Reserve a ticket for the critically acclaimed "Oppenheimer" at thelindsaytheater.org

Hopewell-PGH movie update

The release date for Ethan Coen's locally made film "Drive-Away Dolls" has been pushed back five months to Feb. 23. Blame the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes for delaying the opening from its originally scheduled September release.

The film's full-length trailer shows a scene that looks very much like the interior of a Hartford Drive, Hopewell Township, home where filming took place in 2022.

Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal are double-barrel support for "Drive-Away Dolls," which stars Margaret Qualley as a free spirit reeling from a breakup and convincing her shy friend (Geraldine Viswanathan) to take a road trip to Tallahassee, unwittingly crossing paths with a group of incompetent criminals.

Ambridge grad on the Fringe

Chrissie Kahler, a 2004 Ambridge grad, will perform this month at the famed Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland.

An improv comedienne, Kahler lives in New York where she's a longtime cast member of "Batsu!" a popular improv comedy show based on a live Japanese game show. A theater major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she’s lived in New York for about 15 years.

You may have seen travel documentaries profiling the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe, described as "one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet."

So long, CW

WPCW-TV ends its relationship with the CW Network on Aug. 31, and has filed permission to change its call letters to WPKD.

The Pittsburgh area TV station still will broadcast KDKA-produced newscasts and the “Nightly Sports Call," though according to Pittsburgh TV and radio experts PBRTV.com, "what will fill the rest of the day’s lineup remains to be seen."

Anti-Flag calls it quits

Pittsburgh's internationally known punk band Anti-Flag has broken up in the wake of sexual assault allegations made on a podcast against the singer of an unspecified "political" band. Some online sites speculated that band was Anti-Flag, though that band's lead singer, Justin Sane, issued a statement publicly denying any wrongdoing.

"These stories are categorically false," Sane said.

In a separate statement, his three Anti-Flag bandmates said "a core tenet of Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse. The recent allegations against Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband."

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Beaver County brewery invites you to turn on and tap in at Deadfest