NEWTOWN SQUARE–Music is all about teamwork and camaraderie. And on Saturday, June 18, the two performers showed exactly that. The show opener was Asia Mei, and Saturday night's performance at Burlap and Bean was her first performance in the Philadelphia area. Mei is currently on tour promoting her latest album Introverse. Mei plays a moody piano offset with her dramatic voice. Her songs are simple and passionate. The lyrics are tiny vignettes of emotions. Most of her songs deal with feelings of alienation as a result of her many travels throughout life. Mei was born in Russia then lived in …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–On Saturday, June 11, the audience at Burlap and Bean was warned that the evening's show would be slightly sinister and deviant. The triple bill was filled with three acts whose music was a little twisted lyrically, but in a good way. Each performer had a musical presence from a bygone era, actually a combination of several bygone eras—everything from the wildness of Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the alliteration of the Talking Heads and even a little 'younger' Elvis. Thom McCarthy opened his show with a few warm-ups.  Not vocals, but a few stretches. It worked because his set was …

BROOMALL–Marple Newtown Community Band is a rather large group of people who love playing music. There are about 45 rotating members. The group is very flexible with work and personal schedules because the goal is to provide an opportunity for as many people as they can get for a chance to play. On Sunday, June 5, it was a perfect summer day to celebrate the Marple Newtown Community Band's 15th season. The show was held at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Broomall. Concertgoers of all ages came out to enjoy music, free pretzels and water ice. Some brought out picnic blankets and relaxed while …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–When Burlap and Bean opened in November 2006, there was plenty of coffee, community and music. Since then, this local Newtown Square coffeehouse has been named as one of the top venues in the Philadelphia area by CBS Philly and was the 2007 Best Coffeehouse according to the Main Line Times. After five years of establishing themselves as a great place to catch a show, it was about time to make their music venue legitimate. They got a stage. Many musicians have shared in the past that they love playing at Burlap and Bean because it's more of a listening room, where the audience …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—The beige rug at local coffeehouse Burlap and Bean, referred to as "the stage," will be retiring next week and this past weekend of shows definitely gave it a fond farewell. Opener Tony Halchak brought the classic folksy Americana vibe the coffeehouse is known for, while headliner Caravan of Thieves played a set filled with more caffeine than a double espresso on Friday night. Their unique music and quirky stage show was a one-ring, Vaudeville-inspired circus with ringmaster and guitarist Fuzz orchestrating the show. Halchak and his band opened up the night, in which Halchak …

MEDIA–There is no Seacrest. There is no Steven Tyler to invent words or Jennifer Lopez who just loves everybody. This Idol is serious business. For the past half a decade Artistic Director of the Media Theatre, Jesse Cline, has been showcasing students from their theatre school and the rest of Delaware County in their Delco Idol competition. Singers, ages 14-24 can audition on Monday, May 23 and Tuesday May 24 at 6 p.m.  at the Media Theatre. You can pre-register on the Media Theatre's website and there is a $25 registration fee. Currently they have about 38 contestants already registered, …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—In the past two months, Burlap and Bean has brought a wide variety of musical genres. We've seen hip-hop, international, a British troubadour, and some heavy rock, but on Saturday night, May 15, Burlap and Bean took a turn south. The irony of course lies in the fact that neither artist really ventured north to play. Ottawa native Lynne Hanson traveled from the great north of Canada to play Newtown Square some bluegrass and even a southern murder ballad. Headliner Kyle Swartzwelder did travel from the south, but Wilmington, DE, isn't exactly real country. Hanson refers to …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Anna K. Jarosz is inspired by the wonder and beauty in the world. It's the little things in life that sometimes get missed; those are the images that peer through her lyrics. Her songs are enchanting stories that reflect her life and experiences, but Jarosz's elegant yet haunting voice is what makes her stand out in the Philly music scene. Behind the piano one can only think about Tori Amos or Carol King; and the passion in her voice is all Joni Mitchell. On Saturday, May 7, Jarosz released her latest EP, Bravest of all the Birds and celebrated by taking the headlining spot at …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Burlap and Bean has always had a sense of family and community. On Friday, a different musical flavor was given at the coffeehouse, but still kept it about community and family—literally.  Opening act The Co-Champs feature twin brothers SammyDimes and Rob Incredible, whose beats and rhymes go against the mainsteam idea of hip-hop. Headliner Kuf Knotz preached on positivity and gave the audience the real flavor of Philly, and it didn't taste like cheesesteaks.  As for the family part, his back-up singers are his sisters. The Newtown Square coffeehouse isn't known for hip-hop, …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Balloons; a dance floor; and the crowd milling inside and out all night long. These things don't make up your average night at Burlap and Bean, but when regulars Vilebred take the stage, it's something a little different. On Saturday, April 23, Vilebred played with opener A Leo Sound Wave. Leo's Muddy Waters blues was a unique pairing to the 70's and 90's rock mosh pit that is Vilebred, but the random humor in their stage presence really tied the two together. A Leo Sound Wave consists of Andrew Fiorelli, who has been playing at Burlap's open mic night for some time. Fiorelli …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Friday night was another successful evening for Newtown Square's cultural coffee and music hotspot. Burlap and Bean showcased two very diverse artists. Opener Eleanor Dubinsky brought a jazzy, eclectic and international sound, while headliner James Maddock rocked with a raw vibe that comes with years of songwriting and performing. The pair created a unique bill that treated audiences to tales and sounds from England and France. Dubinsky was born in St. Louis, but has lived in various cities throughout the world; her travels have deeply influenced her music. Dubinsky's …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—People cross paths over and over again, coming together at just the right moment. Burlap and Bean headliner Kris Delmhorst recalled playing at the Newtown Square coffeehouse around this time last year, just in time for spring. She also toured with opening act the Winterpills about two years ago. Both performers joked about living only an hour away from each other in Massachusetts, but it took a spring show in the suburbs of Pennsylvania to bring them back together, literally and musically. The opener Winterpills performed a duo show consisting of members Phillip Price and …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—For the past five years, local coffee shop Burlap and Bean has shown the community they aren't just another brick in the wall, but on Friday, April 1, they asked music fans in the area to buy 555 bricks to help them finally build a permanent stage for their renowned music series. Locally, they have been listed as one of the best venues in Philly by CBS Philly and have began booking artists down in New Jersey at their new sister venue Auburn Road Vineyards. The idea of a permanent stage isn't new; in fact, it has always been a part of the plans from day one. "The stage has …

BROOMALL–On March 31, Bill Conville, board member of the Friends of the Marple Library and Delaware County Symphony, began setting up rows of chairs in the basement meeting room of the Marple Public Library in anticipation for a classical concert that evening.  Conville said he enjoys inviting speakers and musicians to perform at the local library and at events like these, it's hard to judge how many chairs are needed. His programs have ranged from Jane Austin-style dancing to lectures on the Titanic.  Last fall, they featured the Penn Flutes Chamber Ensemble from the University of …

NEWTOWN SQUARE—It's late March, spring supposedly has sprung, but in Newtown Square apparently Mother Nature forgot. Thank goodness for Chris Despo. His music brought warmth and sunshine to another cold Pennsylvanian night.  Saturday, March 26, Despo played two shows at Burlap and Bean, both fully sold-out. As one of the first performers to play the coffeehouse, Despo's show proved how far both him and the venue has come in the past five years.  The double show celebrated the release of Despo's debut album I Am the Moon. His main goal with the album was to "make something people would enjoy …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Patch has reported full houses at local Newtown Square coffeehouse Burlap and Bean, but never this packed. The owners gave up the VIP table and pulled a few of the patio chairs in to accommodate the completely sold out show on Friday, March 18. Headliner (and, gasp, former American Idol contestant) Kenny Hoffpauer, along with opener Casey Cattie showed the crowd talent and charm way beyond their years. Beauty pageants aren't the first thing one thinks of when talking about folk music, but you can't always judge a book by their cover. "When I was 9, my friend suggested doing a …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Saturday was a great night for local coffeehouse Burlap and Bean.  Nancy Micciulla and headliner, John Flynn each gave performances filled with stories of sorrow, hope and good old-fashioned American bliss. The two singer-songwriters both have light-hearted stage personas paired with a classic folk-rock sound. Audiences were tapping their feet and singing along all night long. Opener Micciulla, commutes up to Philly from her home in Rehoboth Beach on a regular basis to preform. While a lot of artists count down the days until they can quit the day job, Micciulla has found the …

NEWTOWNN SQUARE–Modern folk artists have a tendency to blend the negative and the positive.  There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, but on Saturday, Burlap and Bean presented two artists that brought the audience a heavy dose of melancholy. Musically and lyrically there was no light, just the tunnel and the all the sounds in between.  Joshua Britton (a.k.a. Psalmships) and Jesy Fortino (a.k.a. Tiny Vipers) lulled the crowd into an infinite sadness and understanding of emotions that most people would prefer to sweep under the rug. Tara Endicott, Burlap and Bean's booking manager, …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Burlap and Bean has always had a family vibe and the show on Saturday proved that point even more. The evening's talent consisted of four artists who emitted a feeling of kinship with the audience. There was a revolving door of musician friends that added a little extra with each song. Even the headliners' sets intertwined with themselves. The evening was a folksy, bluesy show and tell, and the audience loved it. The show started out with Stephanie Eden whose sweet sound blended ironically with more heartfelt and soulful lyrics. She has the sound of an early Joni Mitchell with …

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Singer, songwriter, and perhaps even teen heartthrob, Matt Duke pulled in a great crowd Feb. 18 at local coffee house Burlap and Bean that included a semicircle of fans sitting cross-legged on the floor like eager groupies. The evening's vibe was a full range of emotions. Duke, along with opener Nicole Reynolds, shared quirky anecdotes with the audience paired with personal and emotional songs. Reynolds' work comes from a simple place. Her lyrics have a quirky wit and adorable sarcasm. The stories in her songs unfurl like show-and-tell. Her most recent album A Fine Set of Fools…