Welcome to our annual fest, fairs and events edition of Berks Country. I’m pleased to share with you where my performances and journeys for the remainder of 2024 will take me.
For me, fest and special events season has already begun and, in fact, it really never ends as one year rolls into the next. Thus far I’ve enjoyed performing at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show, the Berks Jazz Fest, Philadelphia’s Twisted Tail Blues Club, at several regional churches, at Club Med in Les Arcs, France, the Jewish Cultural Center of Reading/Berks, Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center and most recently at the Appalachian Fiddle and Banjo Association’s May Shindig up in Wind Gap, Northampton County.
In addition to live performances, I’ve kept a full calendar of studio recording sessions and am working on projects for Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Band, Busker Incognito and the SHOW and the European-based band Rednex, which you may have read about a bit ago here in the Reading Eagle.
There’s plenty more ahead this year, so now please let me share with you where I know I’ll be appearing in public, at least as of the time of this writing.
• May 29 is Muhlenberg Township’s 14th Annual Word of the Week assembly at the Muhlenberg High School auditorium. In its earliest days, I and others like former Reading Mayor Tom McMahon, were thrilled to be a part of educator Roula Elliker’s plan and vision to make learning and literacy fun for young people. And now, as a Muhlenberg Township Hall of Fame inductee, it’s my pleasure to assist and support in the school district any way that I can.
• June 1, 6 to 8 p.m.: I’ll be performing acoustic blues as The Busker Incognito Trio, with veteran musicians John King and Chuck Steinle at Quinta Las Cabanas, (formerly Blue Falls Grove), for one of their fun outdoor bashes.
• June 2, 4 to 7 p.m.: My bluegrass group, Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Band, will perform a free concert at St. John’s Picnic Grove pavilion, Pike Township.
• June 13, 6 to 8:15 p.m.: Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Band pair with Judy Henry for another series of fun-filled, delicious and memorable “foodie-music-agritainment” events at Judy’s on Cherry, one of Reading’s most iconic restaurants. Chef Judy brings in farm-fresh-to-table ingredients and our band provides a compliment of earthy bluegrass, folk and mountain music. Last year all of the dates sold out, so reservations for this year’s nights are strongly recommended. When making a reservation, request seating in the music room area so you can enjoy everything to the fullest. For reservations, call 610-374-8511.
• June 21, 3 to 9 p.m.: Berks County Parks and Recreation present its second annual Americana Fest at the Gring’s Mill Amphitheater along the scenic Tulpehocken Creek in Spring Township. Free to the public, bring lawn chairs and blankets. If you play an acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin or such, bring it and participate in our Americana/bluegrass/blues workshop and jam in the pavilion, hosted by me from 3:30 to 4:30. At least one food truck will be on-site. Concert schedule: Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Band, (bluegrass music), 5 to 6; The Youngers, (country/Ameripolitan/Americana music), 6:15 to 7:15; and wrapping up with Philly’s Mikey Junior Blues Band with a special surprise female guest guitarist.
• June 28, 5 to 9 p.m.: BethelFest 4 at New Bethel Church, Albany Township. I’m looking forward to hosting this fest, now in its fourth year of fundraising for upkeep and outreach with the historic church and for the David L. Kline Family Mountain Folk Music Scholarship Fund administered by the 501c3 Reading Musical Foundation. Set in the folkloric and scenic mountains of northern Berks, this is a community-based event and everyone is welcome to enjoy it for free. Funds are raised through the sale of food and beverages. Music ranges from bluegrass to gospel to folk, country and more. Each act performs for 15 minutes. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. In case of rain, the event is held inside the church.
The schedule:5:15: Miss Laurie Ann;5:30: Steve Brendlinger;5:45: Dee Tricks;6: Lucy Muth;6:15: Berks County’s “Singing County Commissioner” Christian Leinbach;6:30: Evangeline Salveterra;6:45: Serafina Salveterra;7: Jakob Wiswesser;7:15: Owen Kutz;7:30: Shakey Joe and Brian X; 7:45: Tony Tedesco;8: PA Bootleggers;8:15: Days of Old;8:30: Dave Kline;8:45: Grand Finale Jam.
• June 29 through July 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily: Come one, come all to the 74th annual Kutztown Folk Festival, Kutztown Fairgrounds. I’ll be at the Main Stage every day, and my good Dutchie buddy, Lester Miller, will be at the Lester Miller Family Hoedown Stage every day as well. In fact, there are more than five stages, seminar and entertainment areas around the fest grounds. And with entertainment, activities, craft demonstrations and dozens of food and beverage stands, there is truly something for everyone. Visit kutztownfestival.com for ticket prices, schedule and more. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy the festival, and many of us who have been performing there think of it as an annual family reunion of sorts. One of my favorite activities is watching the Stitzel family’s sheep shearing demonstration. They show the old way and the more modern way of shearing, and it’s kind of mind boggling that farmers in days past had the stamina and energy to shear sheep with the old-time tools. Either way, it looks like backbreaking work, so I’m happy to let the Stitzels do their thing while I grab my trusty guitar and croon.
• Aug. 10, 5 to 7:30 p.m.: I’m looking forward to returning to the idyllic St. John’s Hain’s Church Grove, Lower Heidelberg Township, to perform with the Mountain Folk Band, (bluegrass), for their annual church grove picnic. With more than 50 veterans of the American Revolutionary War buried in the nearby cemetery (within easy walking distance), this place exudes a hallowed aura of time, place, purpose and the spirit of freedom and independence. A beautiful and highly functional bandshell makes the concert portion of the event a treat for audience members and musicians alike. And the homemade food that they serve is delicious, nutritious and a real bargain. Their ice cream is a perennial favorite. A friend and fundraiser for the church and its grounds upkeep and outreach, money from food and beverage sales empower the church and its flock to keep up the fine work they’ve been doing for many decades. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
• Aug. 25, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Mount Penn Preserve Partnership, Reading Liederkranz, Dave Kline Productions, Reading Musical Foundation and the David L. Kline Family Mountain Folk Music Scholarship Fund present the Mountain Folk Bluegrass Fest at the Reading Liederkranz, 143 Spook Lane, Lower Alsace Township. Ticket fee is $25 for admission for the entire day, folks under 18 get in for free, and food and beverages are available. Proceeds benefit all of the presenting organizations and are plowed right back into our community to support and present other events and opportunities. Rain of shine, in the comfort and beauty of covered pavilions nestled on scenic Mount Penn, you’ll enjoy the vibe. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Tickets at ticketleap.events/tickets/mount-penn-preserve/mountain-folk-fest
Here’s the schedule:
Gate opens at 10 a.m.
11 a.m. to noon: The Oley Rollers are rooted in and around the lush backwoods of the Oley Valley and Hex Highway region. They are an eclectic traditional acoustic music group that enjoys playing Celtic, bluegrass and old-time music.
12:15 to 1:15 p.m.: Martha Spencer & The Wonderland Band. A singer, songwriter, flatfoot dancer, mountain country musician of old-time and original music, hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountains and Virginia’s historic Crooked Road, Spencer grew up in a musical family and plays music with passion derived from home, hearth and the mountains. She also plays in the Whitetop Mountain Band, Blue Ridge Girls and with Larry Sigmon as well as the Wonderland County Show Band.
1:30 to 2:30: Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Band is an award-winning mainstay group from the folkloric Blue Mountain and Hex Highway section of Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. Original songs and tunes, as well as covers of beloved traditional bluegrass folk and mountain music, make each performance something special. Founders of the David L. Kline Family Mountain Folk Music Scholarship Fund, administered by the 501c3 Reading Musical Foundation, which has raised more than $100,000 to assist music students interested in acoustic folk, mountain, old-time and bluegrass music, Kline and the band consistently reinvest in the future of Appalachia’s glorious root music tradition.
2:45 to 3:45: Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass continue to be deeply rooted in tradition and the group’s latest release, “Bluegrass Troubadour,” was nominated for IBMA’s Album of the Year and earned significant chart action, with the song “Blink of an Eye” spending several months at the No. 1 spot on the bluegrass music charts. It was also nominated for IBMA Song of the Year. Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned and intense traditional bluegrass and carry on a legacy set forth over six decades ago by Danny’s father, Bob Paisley, gathering fans at each event; Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass look forward with renewed energy as they bring their unique sound to audiences near and far.
4 to 5: The Oley Rollers
5:15 to 6:15: Martha Spencer and The Wonderland Band
6:30 to 7:30: Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Band
7:45 to 8:45: Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass
• Aug. 31: The annual Taste of Hamburger Fest in Hamburg is certainly the best hamburger fest on the planet. Details are still being finalized, but, as in all years gone past, the day will include dozens of food and beverage stands, several stages showcasing music of all types and big smile on the faces of all attendees. I’ll be appearing this year with my American Singing Cowboy Band, the Hex Highway Rangers. Check fest’s website, tasteofhamburger.com, for updates.
• Sept. 6 and 7 (see schedule for times): The annual Bowers Chili Pepper Festival returns with two stages of live music and a park full of amazing culinary, pepper-based food stands, food products and more. Admission and parking are free. Bleachers are provided at the main stage, but feel free to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.
Here’s the band schedule for the Main Stage on Day One:10 to 11 a.m., Jack Murray and the Blue Tarp Wranglers; 11:15 to 12:15 p.m., The Busker Incognito Trio; 12:30 to 1:30, Mike and Linda Hertzog;1:45 to 2:45, Mike & Linda Hertzog; 3 to 4:15, The Dave Mell Trio; 4:30 to 5, Dancing With Donna; and 5:15 to 6, So What.
Main Stage on Day Two:10 to 10:45 a.m., Keystone Fiddlers;11 to 11:45, Mike and Linda Hertzog; noon to 12:45, Mike and Linda Hertzog;1 to 1:30, chile pepper eating contest;1:45 to 2:30, Keystone Fiddlers;2:45 to 3:30, Ganesh’s Groove; 3:45 to 4:30, So What; and 4:45 to 6, Red Hill Ramblers.
Acoustic Welcome Tent on Day Two: 11 to 11:45 a.m., Gina Ross; noon to 12:45, Long Acre Hollow Bluegrass Band; 1 to 1:45, Gina Ross; 2 to 2:45, Longacre Hollow Bluegrass Band;3 to 3:45, Blue Cadillac Duo;4 to 4:45, Valley Vision; and 5 to 6, Serafina Salvaterra & Friends.
• Sept.13, 6 to 10 p.m.: It’ll be my great pleasure to swing into Oktoberfest style and present the full, 10-piece Dave Kline and the Mountain Folk Oktoberfest Band at Boyertown’s annual community Oktoberfest celebration in downtown Boyertown. Admission is free. Oktoberfest-themed food and fare is offered for sale, as well as wine and, yes, beer. The town square is literally turned into a fest grounds, and there are plenty of picnic tables and coverage tents, but you may bring your own lawn chair.
• Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Kutztown Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center presents their annual Heemet Fescht (home festival) on their grounds near Kutztown University. The entertainment schedule is being worked on, but you can count on me being there to share some Dutchie-based music and interactive songs. The food is always great, and their folklife demonstrations and tour of the old farmhouse are fascinating. Free admission and parking.
• Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: The Berks County Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Annual Induction and Concert Happening at the Reading Liederkranz. Tickets for the entire day are $25, with under 18 admitted for free. Come and party with some of Berks County’s legendary musicians and road warriors, both of days gone by and present, with great food, huge dance floor, beverages and covered pavilion for rain or shine action. Presented by the Mount Penn Preserve Partnership, Reading Liederkranz, Berks County Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dave Kline Productions, Monick Court Reporters and the Reading Musical Foundation, this is a party you don’t want to miss. I’ll be performing with my blues band, Busker Incognito and the SHOW. Tickets at ticketleap.events/tickets/mount-penn-preserve/bcrrhof
This is a fundraiser for three nonprofit community organizations: The Berks County Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Mount Penn Preserve Partnership and The Reading Liederkranz. We’re back to a day-long party for 2024, and it’ll surely be one of the region’s highlights as far as musical happenings.
The schedule:
11 a.m. to noon: Dragontooth. Great music from the ’60s on, this band will get you up and dancing.
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Daze of My Youth.Specializing in performing tribute music from the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin, this band will get you going with a whole lotta love as you and they rock down memory lane.
2 to 3: Josh.Hits, grooves and dance music from the ’60s and ’70s are this band’s calling card.
3:30 to 4:30: Sanction.Metal and shredding jolt you to your feet when this band takes to the stage.
5 to 6: John King Band.Smooth and refined, able to make rears leave seats from the very first notes of their set, get ready yo! Here come the most beloved dance hits ever.
6:10 to 6:20: Induction awards ceremony. Inductees who will receive an actual physical award are Ed Aungst,Jay Denunzio,Thomas Dietrich,Peter Errich,Reggie Brown,Wayne Fisher,Mike Garner,Wayne Gratz,Charles Himmelberger,John Jarmoski, Alan Long,Sean McCullough,Joey McEvoy,Ronald Miller,Pete Patestas,Mike Richards,Rick Sky (Spittler) and Larry Wagner.Honorary mention, induction without physical award,Aaron Celsus,Chris Cook,Jason Corby,Bill DeLong,Steve Eckert,Jon Fuller,Colleen Gilpin,Paul Himmelberger,Beth Hoffert,Kyle Kantner,Mike Koharcheck,Ian Lillis,John Mattis,Mike Mercado,Mike Richards,Rich Roth,John Scherrer,Leo Sobelewski,Rob Turner and Warren Zukina,Band names to be inducted,Fatal Aggression,Flame,Josh,Marauders
6:30 to 7:30: Flaming Dick and The Hot Rods.Power dance hits from the ’50s and ’60s make this band the region’s preeminent musical time machine.
8 to 9: Busker Incognito and the SHOW. Blues, boogie, rock-a-billy, Diddley and rock-based originals are this band’s forte. Get up and get your mojo working on the dance floor.
• Sept. 25, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.: Stoneridge on Route 422 presents its second annual Oktoberfest with Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Oktoberfest Trio. Call ahead for details.
• Oct. 1-6: Oktoberfest at Reading Liederkranz (consult the club’s website, readingliederkranz.com, for daily schedule and entertainment schedule; plans are still in the works). Short of hopping a plane to Munich, Germany, this annual Oktoberfest blast (twice rated the best in the USA), is one of my favorite fall happenings. I’ll be on the fest grounds as your MC on Wednesday and Friday. On Thursday, I’ll have the full 10-piece Dave Kline and The Mountain Folk Oktoberfest Band performing, along with fest favorites Kermit, the G.T.V. Edelweiss Dance Gruppe and others, from 10 p.m. On Friday, my friend from Texas, Alex Meixner, will bring his band and frenetic energy to the fest and that night is sure to be another one for the annals of regional Oktoberfest history. With authentic, haus-gemacht, (homemade), German-style food, plenty of imported soft pretzels and Land Jaegers, (a type of German dried beef that goes great with beer), wine and beer, beer, beer…so much beer…you simply cannot miss making one or all of these nights a part of your 2024 fest planning. Tickets and more information on the club’s website and Facebook page.
• Nov. 20, 5-9 p.m.: Mount Penn Preserve and Reading Liederkranz present Reading BluesFest Night at the Reading Liederkranz with Busker Incognito and The SHOW and another act to be announced. Tickets not yet on sale, but watch the Mount Penn Preserve’s Facebook page for updated information.
Nov. 23, 1-4 p.m.: Guitar-A-Rama returns, sponsored by the WCR, Reading Musical Foundation and Dave Kline Productions. This year’s workshop/jam/masterclass and concert features two compelling styles of acoustic guitar playing in the gypsy jazz and rumba flamenca genres. New York Guitar Academy founder/guitarist/teacher Jason Hochman, with his celebrated family of four known as the Quarantine Quartet, will headline the event, opened by the Gourmet Gypsy Jazz Fusion Band, with a mixture of Django Reinhart style of jazz with some Delta blues. Tickets, limited, and workshop/masterclass reservations will be available soon through the WCR, 140 N. Fifth St.
The schedule: 1 p.m., doors open;1:30 to 2:30, workshop;2:45 to 3:45, Gourmet Gypsy Jazz Fusion Band;4 to 5:15, The Quarantined Quartet;5:15 to 5:30, final jam, all musicians and workshop students will join in.
Aside from all of these events, I’m sure I’ll be bringing the Mountain Folk Band back to Berks County Parks and Rec’s annual Festival of Lights, and I’ll be performing outside of the region and country occasion, too. So, enjoy your summer, live life to the fullest, get to as many special events, fairs and fests as you can. These are things to look forward to. They add punctuation marks to our day to day living.
Dave Kline is an award-winning writer, photographer, show host and producer, singer-songwriter, travel guide and community advocate. Reach him at davesmountainfolklore@gmail.com.
