Angel-voiced Jackie Evancho in Concert at The Palace; Mr. Smalls Hosts LoFi Delphi EP Release Party (Fri., 12/1/17)

1) Who knew there was a world-class voice talent living in the Pine-Richland area? Well, evidently, Jackie Evancho knew! She started out by entering talent contests, including St. Barnabas’ Kean Idol. Acting was also in Evancho’s early repertoire. She performed in Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s version of High School Musical in 2007. She cut an independent album, Prelude to a Dream, and what a prelude to a dream it was. Evancho posted videos of her performances to YouTube. She was turned down twice in auditions for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” The third time was indeed the charm. The ladder to mega-stardom presented itself in 2010 after the nation heard her incredible classical song performances on “America’s Got Talent.” She came in second. Since then, she has recorded five albums, all of which achieved success on the music charts, and is the youngest artist ever to achieve platinum sales status. She sang the national anthem at President Trump’s inauguration in January and has released her latest album, Two Hearts, in March.

Jackie Evancho performing in a 2013 concert. Photo: Joan Hall and Wikipedia.

Her work has included numerous singing appearances, acting roles such as playing Robert Redford’s daughter in the 2013 film The Company You Keep, and some modeling. She is active in many charitable organizations and was named one of the Ten Best-Mannered People in 2011 by a national organization. Needless to say, Kanye West didn’t make that list. Evancho will be performing Hits and christmas songs. What a great opportunity to see a hometown gal done good. 8 p.m. Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg.

Tyler Jessup (l. to r.), Becki Gallagher, Andrew MacDonald, and Andrew Belsick of LoFi Delphi. Photo: Rick Handler.

2) LoFi Delphi are celebrating the release of their third EP, Tilt, with a party at Mr. Smalls. The title track employs pinball as a metaphor; appropriately, Starport Arcade and Pub in Morgantown, WV, will lend a play-for-charity pinball machine. The local quartet formed in 2014 and consists of wife and husband Becki Gallagher (vocals/keys) and Andrew Belsick (bass) plus Tyler Jessup (drummer) and Andrew MacDonald (guitar). That same year, they released their first EP, Victor, and followed it in 2016 with another EP, Always the Quiet Ones. They are mainstays at local music festivals, such as RANT in Lawrenceville. Live, Gallagher shows off her vocal range all while playing the keys effortlessly. Belsick threads bass lines through guitarist MacDonald’s strumming and Jessup’s drumming, weaving a tapestry of hook-filled indie rock. And in case that wasn’t enough, peers Wreck Loose, Essential Machine, and Telephone Line open. 8:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

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