Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The arts and music venue opened in the old PEAK Center location on West Main Street in Lansdale in April. It is owned by Rocky Dean and Cathy Griffo, owners of The Attic secondhand store on the same block.
While Lansdale Borough works toward reviving a former arts center at 311 W. Main St., an arts and music revival is already underway next door at the former PEAK Center location. The Griffo family has pressed play on the Lansdale Music Factory at 315 W. Main St. and, so far, what it offers is music to the public's ears. A stroll through the doors at Lansdale Music Factory—located between 311 W. Main St. and the Dresher Arcade—shows off everything for the local music fan: an agenda of upcoming concerts, a room stuffed with vinyl and CDs, and a stage with cafe. Even the hallway leading from the lobby to the theater is lined with vinyl. Unfortunately, the vintage 1983 Atari "Star Wars" arcade coin-op in the back is not working right now. …
The six-piece family mariachi band performed at Lansdale First Friday recently.
With El Mariachi Flores, mariachi folk music is as traditional as it gets for the Philadelphia area. "I'm the youngest, and we all came together little by little," said Ernesto Flores, of Douglassville, on Friday during a break from the family band performance at Lansdale First Friday. "We are all brothers, so we've been together for the last 25 years. I've been doing it for longer." The sextet El Mariachi Flores wowed the crowd at First Friday, as it performed in Railroad Plaza, complete with vihuela and guitarron, singing tunes in many styles, from bolero (romantic) to son jaliscense (aggressive). While the brothers' roots are in Mexico City, Mexico, they now live locally in towns like Wyndmoor, Upper Darby and Media. At least one …
Monday, May 6, 2013
Go Commando and El Mariachi Flores were the featured acts of the First Friday event in downtown Lansdale Friday night, presented by Discover Lansdale and Margaritas in Towamencin.
Downtown Lansdale was muy caliente Friday night. Discover Lansdale presented a Cinco de Mayo Celebration for its First Friday event, that ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., sponsored by Margaritas Mexican Restaurant. Margaritas is nearing the end of its five-day "Bash for the Stache" event. Naturally, it was fake mustaches galore on pedestrians and attendees of the First Friday. Lansdale Music Factory was abuzz with music acts and discounted vinyl, thanks to owners Dean and Cathy Griffo. Wood Street was packed for the multi-decade cover song spectacle from Go Commando. Ernesto Flores, of Douglassville, and his four brothers made up El Mariachi Flore at Railroad Plaza. Meanwhile, it was all purple balloons, courtesy of Milestones in Music, and …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Discover Lansdale Chairwoman Mary Fuller announced plans for an off-season First Fridays event to benefit potential and current sponsors and businesspersons in and around Lansdale
First Fridays continue, even in the off season. Discover Lansdale Chairwoman Mary Fuller, who also serves as a Lansdale Borough Councilwoman and Parks and Recreation Committee Chairwoman, updated said committee Wednesday night of plans for an open house for business owners and sponsors to see how their money benefits First Friday, and how First Friday benefits their businesses. The open house is tentatively set for Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Building. Fuller promoted it as a PowerPoint presentation, along with food and beverages. "Our plan is to invite business owners, particularly ones in the downtown, and potential sponsors, and spend some time one-on-one talking to these people about how First Friday …
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Lansdale Councilwoman and Discover Lansdale Chairwoman Mary Fuller reviewed the success of December's First Friday at a recent committee meeting
Santa Claus came to town on November 30, and that meant letters. Tabora Farms donated the Letters to Santa Writing Station at Discover Lansdale's First Friday that night, and what resulted was a big sack of wish lists. "The Discover Lansdale elves want to tell everyone they will, in fact, get what they put on their list," said Fuller. Fuller reviewed what is considered a successful First Friday to wrap 2012 at the parks and recreation committee meeting last week. First Friday will return in April 2013. Discover Lansdale already has some musical acts booked, including Beatles tribute band Almost Fab and Philly Funk Authority. Discover Lansdale has been in contact with the bands Where's Pete?, Slimfit, The Mighty Manatees and singer-…
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Santa Claus, Little Miss Lansdale and Mayor Andy Szekely marked the beginning of the Christmas season Friday night with the lighting of the traditional Christmas tree in Railroad Plaza. It was also First Friday
With the flip of a switch, the 25-foot-tall conifer in the middle of Railroad Plaza in Lansdale lit up Friday night, signifying the start of the Christmas 2012 season in the borough. Residents of all ages and sizes packed a cordoned-off Madison Street, as Santa Claus, Little Miss Lansdale and Mayor Andy Szekely helped usher in the holiday season. The annual tree lighting also occurred during a special Discover Lansdale First Friday. Lansdale Business Association's Holiday Christmas Tree Display also opened its doors to the public at 311 W. Main St. Check out our photo gallery for all the joyful cheer from Friday. And be sure to add your own photos and videos too.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Santa Claus will arrive in the borough this evening to light the traditional Christmas tree at Railroad Plaza. Then, Santa takes a seat in the Santa House for the rest of the night. Meanwhile, it's also First Friday
Christmas comes to Lansdale tonight. Santa Claus — good ol' belly-like-a-bowlful-of-jelly St. Nick — arrives in the borough this evening, with Fairmount Fire Co. as his sleigh, to hit the switch and light up Railroad Plaza with Lansdale resident Randall Rosenberg's donated Christmas tree, signaling the start of the holiday in Lansdale. Be sure to say "hi" to Little Miss Lansdale and Mayor Andy Szekely too. Then, Santa will take a seat in the Santa House for the rest of the night. Oh, might I also mention it's December's First Friday (on the fourth Friday), courtesy of Discover Lansdale? Let's not forget — 311 W. Main St. opens its doors, somewhat, to the Lansdale Business Association's Holiday Christmas Tree Display. The Grinch will be at …
Lansdale Borough kicks off the Christmas season tonight at 6 with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Railroad Plaza
1. President Barack Obama visits Hatfield Township today, where he will tour The Rodon Group on Sterling Drive and remark on the fiscal cliff affecting the United States. Obama is expected to be in the area between 8 a.m. and noon. Citizens for Liberty, Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots, and the Valley Forge Patriots will protest at the event. 2. Lansdale Borough kicks off the Christmas season tonight at 6 with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Railroad Plaza. Santa Claus will be there. The Santa House will be open for children to visit Santa. 3. Lansdale Business Association’s Holiday Christmas Tree Display will be open at 311 W. Main Street from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It reopens every Thursday and Friday at the same time, as well as …
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
More than 350 tasters voted for their favorite chili during the Lansdale Business Association's third-annual Chili Cookoff
Not Just Sandwiches' best chili streak has been broken. Smoke Rack Barbecue took first prize in the third annual Lansdale Business Association Chili Cookoff at the Lansdale October First Friday. Coming in second and third were 63 Bistro and Lansdale Tavern, respectively. West Main Diner and Marjeane Caterers tied for fourth place. According to LBA President Doug DiPasquale, more than 350 tasters at First Friday voted for their favorite chili. DiPasquale joked that voters compared notes and even hedged bets for their h. The other participants this year included: And for those who voted, here are which chilis were which: A - Ristorante Toscano B - Not Just Sandwiches C - The Oasis D - Tabora Farms E - West Main Diner F - Molly Mcguires G - …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The Santa House and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will usher in the Christmas season at the end of November
Lansdale Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for another holiday season, which starts next month. The Santa House returns on November 30, which also coincides with the Lansdale Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. December's First Friday will be pushed forward and become Fifth Friday, as Discover Lansdale will hold the monthly event during the Christmas Tree Lighting event. Festivities on Nov. 30 begin at 6 p.m. at Railroad Plaza. The North Penn High School chorus will perform holiday music and refreshments will be provided by Hatfield Quality Meats and Rosenberger's Dairies. Santa Claus will arrive in Lansdale that evening at 6:30 to lead the tree lighting countdown. From there, Santa will head to the Santa House, which has new …
KingPin
12:49 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013
The picture with the water tower, Lansdale needs to do something about that eye sore. It would be nice to see a nice big painting on it. more ›