West Reading will host its 27th annual Art on the Avenue, Berks County’s premiere art and music festival, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., June 19, on Penn Avenue. The event, sponsored by Customers Bank is rain or shine and showcases the work of local and regional artists, crafters, vendors, West Reading businesses, musicians and other talents. The entire festival, spanning four pedestrian friendly blocks and boasting close to 150 vendors, is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Art on the Avenue is hosted by the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation (WRCRF), a non-profit organization. West Reading’s Main Street Manager, Mark Ratcliffe noted, “This will be the first event for over 20 of our new businesses on the Avenue. We are excited to have this new mix of businesses out on the Avenue and we look forward to a great Saturday.”
Prior to the opening at 11 a.m., Safe Berks (formerly Berks Women in Crisis) will hold its “Walk for No More” against domestic abuse, which begins at the 700 block and will continue east on Penn Avenue to the 400 block. Reading City Church, located on the SE Corner of 7th And Penn Avenue, will sponsor a free “Kid’s Zone”.
Prior to the Art on the Avenue, 35 artists from six states will spend time capturing the beauty and character of West Reading and Berks County on canvas. Their best work will be unveiled at a private patrons’ preview at the Olympian Ballroom on Friday night, and on Saturday the whole show moves outside and opens to the public across from Art Plus Gallery at 605 Penn Avenue.
Thirteen live bands will perform on the 6th and 7th Avenue stages sponsored by West Reading businesses Customers Bank, Nitro Bar and Lilibea’s. The Nielsen Trust (featuring Rick Nielsen and Daxx Nielsen of Cheap Trick) will be the headliner on the 6th Avenue stage. DJ Entertainment by Pollen Consolidated will liven the 400 block of Penn Avenue.
Main Stage / 6th Avenue
12:00 – 12:35: Egon and the Slimers
12:45 – 1:20: Mr. Nice Guy
1:35 – 2:10: Non Zero Sum Jazz Guitar Trio
2:30 – 3:05: Cloud Party
3:25 – 4:00: The Chairman Dances
4:20 – 4:55: thequietcampaign
6:00 – 7:15: The Nielsen Trust
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7th Avenue Stage
12:30 – 1:10: Allison Favila
1:25 – 2:00: Horns of Pan
2:15 – 2:50: Aaron Parker
3:10 – 3:50: Beautiful Red Panda
4:10 – 4:45: Kick Out Before 3
5:05 – 6 PM: Milou Sky
The Nielsen Trust is a new band featuring Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick and his family. The Nielsens are a pretty talented family. Of course, there’s Rick. The legendary guitar player from Rock n Roll Hall of Fame band, Cheap Trick. For the past 10 years, Rick’s son Daxx has been the drummer for Cheap Trick. Another one of his sons, Miles, has his own successful project, Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts. Miles’ wife, Kelly Steward, is an accomplished singer and songwriter in her own right.
They have all jammed together at various times in the past but now it’s official. This family band is called The Nielsen Trust. They recently made their debut at the Castle Theatre in Bloomington, Illinois. It was an added surprise for the fans attending the album release party for Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts. Rick and his family continue to bring the heat with an eclectic mix of reimagined Cheap Trick songs and original tunes. Currently (as of 4/19/21) Cheap Trick held the #1 spot on the ROCK sales chart in the USA with their 20th studio album “In Another World”.
The current tour of The Nielsen trust is only a few weeks long before Cheap Trick resume their hectic tour schedule. The show in West Reading is the only area appearance. The band will hit the stage at 6th and Penn avenues at 6 PM sharp.
You can find this information on our Facebook Event Page https://www.facebook.com/events/170997221519100
or our website http://www.visitwestreading.org
