4 Central Pennsylvania musicians showcased at Allen Theatre event

Four singer/songwriters from Central Pennsylvania performed Friday night at the Allen Theatre, playing a combination of released music and new songs, some never-before-heard by the public.

From 7 to 10 p.m., theatergoers could hear performances from Matt Tarka, Olivia Basar, Same Each, and Alex Stanilla.

Matt Tarka

Lancaster-based Tarka, the first to perform Friday night, described his music as a blend of Americana, power pop, traditional folk, and other inspirations.

“It all just becomes, for me, this amalgamation of things that are part of my record collection,” said Tarka, who releases music on vinyl as well as through streaming services like Spotify.

Tarka released music as early as 2011. On Friday he played a combination of his older songs, newer songs, and songs that haven’t been released.

He said events like this give him a chance to connect with other songwriters and build community, as well as better his art.

“I find a lot of the songwriters around here to be really interesting people, and when we have conversations away from the stage, other songwriters more often than not wind up inspiring me,” said Tarka. “When you surround yourself with really interesting people and you pay very close attention, that can kind of help you turn a phrase or something like that. I feel lucky to be a part of this community.”

Olivia Basar

Harrisburg-based Basar said her music is a mix of pop and rock with folk elements, noting that though her live performances lean on acoustic guitar, her recordings often include more filled-out instrumentals.

Like a few of her peers, Basar tried out songs that had never been performed in front of an audience before, as well as some of her released pieces (Spotify).

Basar, who already knew the other musicians to perform Friday, said collaborations and partnerships are common and even necessary as a small musician.

“I’ve met some of you through other shows and other muscians,” she said. “So it’s cool to make those connections, and then you meet new people and you set up shows with them, so it keeps the local music scene momentum going, I think.”

Same Each

This community focus was accentuated by Chick as Same Each, who noted during their set that they are looking for bandmates.

“Whether you’re in Central PA or you’re in the big city, you can’t really go it alone in the music scene; you almost have to be someone that can work with other people and can bring a community aspect to it, or else you’re not gonna get very far,” said Chick. “People want to work with people where it’s a mutual support system and I think that’s what makes a small scene work.”

Chick described their style as lyrically centered folk, taking inspiration from bands like the Mountain Goats.

Chick has not yet released music under the stage name Same Each, though they encouraged the audience to look up their former band Spiderglass on Bandcamp. The songs they performed Friday have yet to be released publicly.

Alex Stanilla

“I work here and I’ve always dreamed of this moment,” Stanilla said of performing in the Allen Theatre before he began his set campfire-style, in front of the audience rather than on the stage.

Lebanon-based singer/songwriter Stanilla, with releases on Spotify and other platforms, described his style as indie-alternative. His songs are often inspired by film and other forms of storytelling.

For one song, he taught the audience a portion to sing along. For others, he performed harmonica solos while playing guitar.

Stanilla also spent much of the night behind the scenes, working on sound design for the other musicians before he performed last.

---

Tarka, who organized the event, said it came about after he and Stanilla played a house party together and started planning. They already knew Basar and Chick from previous performances and community events.

“The four of us decided to build a bill together, maybe test out some new material,” said Tarka. “We all kind of know each other from doing different things in the south-central Pennsylvania music scene, and it seems like a really good room to try some new material out.”

Tarka explained he reached out to Michael Cantor, who co-owns the Allen Theatre and Salamander Bookstore Cafe alongside wife Cindy Vejar, about his idea, and the location was quickly set.

Cantor said he sees the need for more community spaces and events both for creatives and people who want to support those creatives.

“I think there’s a real need for people who just want to come out and play because they love to play, and they love their art and want to share that,” he said. “There’s something sacred about the live performance. I think there’s something about the caveman brain that requires and lusts, wants, needs the communal, organic experience of a three-dimensional world, hitting as many senses as you can.”

The theater hosts a First Thursday jazz series, a Third Thursday Songwriters Round, and a variety of other performances, which are viewable on the theatre’s website. Cantor said he has also been thinking about starting a Monday magician performance series.

Cantor lamented the growing cultural distance in communities, observing that coffeeshops — a classical hub for discourse and community — are closing earlier, and people have less chances to connect with others. He said he hopes that his business, which bridges entertainment, culture, and food (with a cafe component of the bookstore) can serve as that type of space.

“People just aren’t out like they used to be, and I think a lot of growth and moving forward is by chance meetings amongst people you serendipitously came across,” he said. “That’s why I find sometimes sacred places are, like, coffeeshops because you never know who’s gonna be there.”

The last single-screen theater in the county, the Allen Theatre has pivoted towards community events and a classic films (such as the classic horror showcased this month) and veered away from trying to compete with chain theaters.

Read More: New Allen Theater owner brings along bookstore, and optimism on film & books

“You also have to be pragmatic and throw in the economics,” explained Cantor. “Movies theaters, especially single screen, seating this many people, is a very very tough nut to crack, especially in a rural area.”