Scott Tady: Loud, funky guitarist gets sensitive in Sewickley; Hopewell-shot film opens in U.S.

They're using that word "Fri-yays" to hype the Folk February concert series in Sewickley.

I'll allow it.

These are, indeed, some shows to say "yay" about at the Sweetwater Center for The Arts, that cool building you see every time you're sitting at the Sewickley Bridge traffic light southbound.

The Turpentiners, an acoustic quintet that plays rural swing, kick off the series Feb. 9, followed by Pittsburgh's nationally touring Buffalo Rose on Feb. 16.

Buffalo Rose's sweet harmonies and excellent musicianship were a sound to behold at the 2022 Cabin Fever Music Series at Beaver Station.

Folk February continues Feb. 23 with Byron Nash, the beloved Pittsburgh rocker who's cultivated a loyal fan base in the Beaver Valley, via shows in Ambridge, Beaver, Beaver Falls and Bridgewater. Nash is a versatile guitar slinger, who can crank up the heat or provide an oh-so-satisfying simmer (like his cover of The Cure's "Lovesong") so it will be interesting to hear how he tackles folk music.

"What many don’t know is that I play a lot of acoustic guitar and it is my primary songwriting instrument," Nash said. "I know that I’m known for my funky, loud, rock and blues guitar playing, but the truth is I have this very sensitive, delicate, singer songwriter side that I rarely have shared with the public. I have quite a few songs in that style that I have finally decided to share with the world.

"Playing this event is a personal commitment to me believing in and releasing the material," Nash said. "I think I was a little shy or insecure about showing that side of me … until now. I think many would be surprised on how it sounds."

Back by popular demand after a successful 2023 debut, Folk February Fridays takes place in Sweetwater’s Community Room.

Here's the venue's sales pitch: "Folk Fridays is an opportunity for gathering community members, as well as ‘folks’ who have not seen Sweetwater. Cozy up for an evening of community, cocktails, and live folk music. Your $25 ticket provides access to the venue, as well as (Sweetwater's) Chef Alvarez’s hors d’oeuvres. Adult beverages will also be available for purchase."

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served. Tickets are at sweetwaterartcenter.org.

Hopewell-shot film debuts

If you haven't already, you'll soon see trailers for "Drive-Away Dolls," the Ethan Coen road trip comedy that filmed in Hopewell Township and Pittsburgh.

Focus Features will release the film to select theaters on Feb. 23.

Oscar-winner Coen ("Fargo," "No Country For Old Men") directed and co-produced the film that stars Margaret Qualley ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"), Geraldine Viswanathan (HBO's "Bad Education"), Beanie Feldstein ("Lady Bird"), Colman Domingo (HBO's "Euphoria"), Pedro Pascal (HBO's "The Last of Us"), and Matt Damon.

The studio's plot synopsis: "This comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way."

Pittsburgh radio news

Val Porter joined the 3WS morning show this past week, teamed with Jonny Hartwell.

Porter joins the classic rock station after 22 years as a morning show news personality on sister rock station 102.5-WDVE.

Meanwhile, country station Y-108 hired Chris Mack as its new afternoon host.

Mack comes from sister station 93.7 The Fan, where he'd been handling digital and substitute roles after previously co-hosting mornings for five years on the sports-talk station.

According to trade site Radio Insight, Mack takes over the Y-108 afternoon shift from Tom "Cadillac Jack" Kapsalis, who joined the station as a morning host in July 2022 and switched to afternoons last April.

Give 'Loudermilk' a look-see

If you're looking for a good TV binge this winter, I'd recommend "Loudermilk" added this month to Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Starring an excellent Ron Livingston ("Office Space") as a jaded ex-music critic who now runs a substance abuse recovery group in Seattle, the dark comedy originally appeared on DirecTV and AT&T's short-lived Audience network between 2017-20.

Season Two reveals one of the ensemble characters is a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan who name-drops players like Evgeni Malkin and Michel Briere.

A pivotal scene in Season Three happens in front of a poster for The Gotobeds, a real Pittsburgh alt-rock band signed to Seattle's famed Sub Pop label.

Music geeks will appreciate the hipster rock band references weaved seamlessly into storylines. Almost every one of the 30 "Loudermilk" episodes is titled after an iconic song.

The cast also includes folk-rocker Lissie, who's performed at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale, and standup comedian Brian Regan who's headlined the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.

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

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Byron Nash gets folky in Sewickley; Hopewell-shot movie opens national