Thanksgiving is over, and though many people had their holiday decorations up early this year, the NEast Philly staff wanted to wait for the official beginning of the season. So we give to you The 12 Days of NEastmas, a Northeast version of a classic holiday song.

You can click below for an instrumental version of the song, with our original NEast-y lyrics. Tip: start singing at about 17 seconds, and follow the lyrics to the tune and pattern of 12 Days of Christmas. continue reading »

By Shannon McDonald

The Fantastic Party Dolls – a ’60s and ’70s tribute band -  will play Pennypack Park’s Summer Music Festival tonight at 7 p.m. Don’t forget your chairs, blankets, snacks and bugspray.

Next up is the B Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen tribute – on July 22. You can see the full list of events here, or check back with us for updates. Need directions? We’ve got ‘em.

By Shannon McDonald

Simply the Best, a tribute to Tina Turner, will play Pennypack Park’s Summer Music Festival tonight at 7 p.m. Don’t forget your chairs, blankets, snacks and bugspray.

Next up are the Hooligans and the Bogside Rogues for Irish Night on July 8. You can see the full list of events here, or check back with us for updates. Need directions? We’ve got ‘em.

Check back with us later today for weather updates.

By Shannon McDonald

Here is the list of the remaining performances for this summer’s Pennypack Park Concert Series. All events begin at 7 p.m. and usually run until 9:30. Chairs, blankets, food and drinks are permitted, but alcohol is not. Need directions? We’ve got ‘em.

• June 24 – Simply the Best, a Tina Turner tribute
• July  8 – The Hooligans and the Bogside Rogues (Irish Night)
• July 15 – The Fantastic Party Dolls, popular ’60s, ’70s and ’80s covers
• July 22 – The B Street Band, a tribute to Bruce Springsteen
• Aug. 5  – Liberation, a tribute to Chicago and Kick it Out, a Heart tribute band
• Aug. 19 – Guitar Legends Night: tributes to Eric Clapton and Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix
• Sept. 2 – Forever Young’s tribute to Rod Stewart
• Sept. 16 – The Soul Cruisers

Check back with NEastPhilly every Wednesday afternoon for a peek at who’s playing that night.

Photo by Ari Michelson

The details remain sketchy, but Mayfair-native Joanna Pacitti was booted off American Idol after the 23-year-old made it to the semifinals on Tuesday.

Dubbed “the Ringer” because of past, professional music-industry work, the latest news suggests Pacitti got the pink-slip because of past professional relationships with executives involved with the Idol show.

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Tim Laigaie, of Holme Circle, performs with friend Nick Passio at the North Star Bar in Fairmount on Jan. 13, 2009. Photo by Christopher Wink.

By Christopher Wink

The acoustic rock sound of Northeast Philadelphia’s own Tim Laigaie capped off a night of new comers at the North Star Bar in Fairmount yesterday night.

Tim, 21, played a handful of songs from his debut album Out of Focus with his friend Nick Passio, skirting his full band accompaniment. Nearly 100 fans were on hand in the lively showroom at the North Star, just inside the bar’s slower, drearier Tuesday night bar scene.

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Tim Laigaie of Holme Circle plays at the North Star Bar in Fairmount on Jan. 13, 2009.

See the video below of NEaster Tim Laigaie singing his song “Quicksand” tonight at the North Star Bar in Fairmount. Check out a review, more photos and a full-length video of him singing his song “Everything” tomorrow here at NEastPhilly.com.

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By Shannon McDonald

“Music is a powerful thing and I know that if I can get my music out there it may be able to affect others in the same positive way it has affected me.”

Dan Marafino lives in the NEast, and he might be the next big name on the charts. His debut album, Trials, features songs about growth and discovery. The Holme Circle resident began playing guitar nine years ago. After six frustrating months with a teacher, he took some time off before picking the hobby back up and playing along with CDs. But for Dan, music is more than a hobby.

“It’s something supplemental to who I am,” he says.

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Some changes are coming to NEastphilly.com.

We’ve got a few new interns we’re excited to introduce you to in the coming weeks, and they’ll bring with them more coverage and newer content.

Keep an eye out for our restaurant column, scheduled to run every other Thursday. Our food columnist will review NEast eateries and tell you which ones have the best deals, which offer the most diverse menus, and which are best to avoid.

We’ll also feature a profile on a NEast guy who just released his first album. You can read about his journey to the debut and get a taste of his music.

There’s much more to look forward to on NEastPhilly in 2009!

Wanna contribute to NEastPhilly or tell us about something you think needs more attention? Contact us here.

By Shannon McDonald

It’s a NEastmas Extravaganza!

This Saturday, Dec. 27, four NEast bands will come together at the Oxley Post at Torresdale and Decatur.

Good For Nothing, Ceasefire, Bear Number 141 and Thru It All will play sets from 7 p.m. – 11p.m. in an effort to establish a legitimate NEast music scene. The cover is $8 for all ages, but also includes an open bar.

The Oxley has hosted this event twice before with great turnout, and there will be an after party at Tom’s Sportsman Pub on Frankford and Brighton.

For more information, contact Tom Reamer at TomGFN [at] yahoo [dot] com, or check out the MySpace pages of Good For Nothing, Ceasefire, Bear Number 141 and Thru It All.