While the People’s Choice Festival is known for its art vendors, it is also filled with a wide range of musical performances that are put on from Thursday through Sunday.
Head to the South Stage for all things entertainment at People’s Choice this year.
The first day of the festival, Thursday, July 11, will feature six different performances:
Group Therapy — 10:30 a.m.
Group Therapy, originally formed by Jon Bojan, Maggie Davis, Jim Herbert and Joe Pelick, has grown a reputation in Centre County over the last three years for its diverse musical style, which includes Americana, bluegrass, contemporary country pop and folk rock. The band gained recognition after winning first place in the 2016 Happy Valley’s Got Talent Show. Most recently, the band has played at several local festivals, including the Lemont Strawberry Festival and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
Currently, Group Therapy features Eva George on keyboard, rhythm guitar, hand percussion and lead vocals; Jim Herbert on rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Joe Pelick on drums; and Charlie Rury on fiddle, banjo, ukulele and vocals.
Stars in Sapphire — noon
Stars in Sapphire is a pop/rock band located in central Pennsylvania. The band is comprised of four former Penn State music students and features Bernadette Bratina as the lead vocalist. The band made waves after a performance at THON 2024, playing songs by Stevie Nicks, Dua Lipa, ABBA, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and more.
In March of this year, Stars in Sapphire dropped a single, “Illuminate,” which can be streamed on Spotify.
Western Range — 1:30 p.m.
If you like a southern sound to your music, this band, which “performs authentic toe-tapping Texas Swing, Honky Tonk and Vintage Rock,” according to its website, is a must see. Western Range features Susan Chiovarou as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Mac Himes as lead guitarist, Kyle Haust on drums and Phil Burlingame on bass.
The band has made a name for itself performing around central Pennsylvania at different taverns, brew pubs, music festivals and events. Western Range specializes in “harmonic vocals, foot-tapping rhythms and guitar solos,” according to its site. The band performs songs by Loretta Lynn, June Carter, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and more.
The Dance Loft — 3 p.m.
The Dance Loft hails from Altoona and is an elite dance program that offers classes in a variety of dance styles for children aged 2 to 18. It is owned by Mackenzie Counterman, who established the company at age 22 in 2019. Students from The Dance Loft have performed at the Bryce Jordan Center, Petersen Events Center, Saint Francis University, the Altoona Curve and more. They will continue their performance streak at the People’s Choice Festival.
Code Blue — 4:30 p.m.
Code Blue debuted in the ’90s performing a range of blues and soul covers and original songs. The band features Terri Parker on vocals, Chris Younken on guitar, Harry Werner on bass, Jerry Zolten on guitar and John Raiser on drums.
Code Blue has toured regionally, performing in shows with the likes of Otis Clay and Billy Price in Pittsburgh, Queen Bee and the Blue Hornet Band in Lancaster and Al Green in Philadelphia.
U245 “Tribute to U2” — 6:30 p.m.
Fans of rock band U2 won’t want to miss U245’s tribute to the original band. Based out of Pittsburgh, the band likes to put on shows that “focus on the songs, the tones and the sounds that make U2’s music so enduring,” according to its site.
The second day of the festival, Friday, July 12, has another impressive lineup of six performances, including:
State College Rock Camp — 10:30 a.m.
State College Rock Camp is a summer program for local music students looking to learn about music composition, arrangement, improvisation and playing in a group. It was started in 2010 and has since grown to include songwriting, studio recording and production elements, as well as public concert performances. One of these performances will be during this year’s People’s Choice Festival.
Jeff Gibble, Zeb Crews & Zach Humphreys — noon
Jeff Gibble is an electric and acoustic progressive rock and jazz fusion guitarist, according to his site. The trio has played performances around Centre County and throughout central Pennsylvania.
JR Mangan Band featuring Veronica — 1:30 p.m.
J.R. Mangan has been a part of the Centre County music scene since 1984, performing at a wide range of venues and festivals over the years. Mangan and Veronica Auger joined forces with band members Mark Toce on guitar, Jason Ebersole on bass and vocals and John Lynch on drums and vocals. They perform a range of classic rock songs.
The Make Mine Country Band — 3 p.m.
Five central Pennsylvania artists make up The Make Mine Country Band, which is known for its country sound, upbeat rock and roll hits, bluegrass songs and some classic blues, heavy metal and punk songs. It features Jim Wilson on pedal steel guitar and vocals, Shelby Nestler on rhythm guitar and vocals, Jody Shover on drums, Pat Aumiller on lead guitar and vocals and Curt Nealman on bass guitar and vocals.
The Make Mine Country Band has performed not only around Pennsylvania, but also on Broadway in Nashville, in West Virginia and more.
The Deacons of Dixieland — 4:30 p.m.
The Deacons of Dixieland is a seven-piece traditional jazz band that hails from central Pennsylvania. The band plays traditional Dixieland music in addition to blues, waltzes, polkas and country western songs. The band has performed since 1988 throughout central Pennsylvania.
Joe Bonson and Coffee Run “Tribute to George Jones” — 6:30 p.m.
Joe Bonson and Coffee Run are “keeping the tradition of country and gospel alive in Pennsylvania,” according to its website. Bonson has been singing country music all of his life, but the band has taken on performing together for more than 20 years.
The band consists of drums, bass, acoustic, lead, steel, fiddle and vocals. The band has an album titled “Love Train” that features a range of unique country and gospel inspired songs.
The third day of the festival, Saturday, July 13, features another six performances, one of which audience members might recognized from the tv show “The Voice.”
Free Range — 10:30 a.m.
This central Pennsylvania cover band plays a range of classic songs, including anything from Janis Joplin to Nora Jones, U2 and Post Malone, according to its site. It features Doug Arnold, Steve McDonald, Janet Mylin and Tom Vella, who cover a range of two guitars, drums and vocals. “We love to play great songs,” the band’s website noted.
Caryn Dixon — noon
Caryn Dixon is an Americana/country artist who splits her time between central Pennsylvania and Nashville. She has written for American Idol contests and has had songs placed in both television shows and movies. She recently released her single, “Here I Am,” which can be streamed across all streaming platforms before the festival.
A Rock Show — 1:30 p.m.
Don’t go to this event expecting classical music, blues or country. As the name suggests, this band puts on a rock show filled with fan favorites. The band has performed around Centre County and beyond. The band’s Facebook page notes that the idea for the band formed in 2020.
Chiz Rider — 3 p.m
Chiz Rider is a ministry band that aims to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. “We never approach any concert with our own agenda, but with an open heart to first serve God and then the congregation to which we are playing to,” its website states.
Jimmy Mowery (as seen on “The Voice”) — 4:30 p.m.
Jimmy Mowery hails from Altoona and is a self-taught guitar player. Mowery competed in 2019 on the musical competition show “The Voice,” where he placed in the top 24 and worked with Adam Levine and John Legend during the show. He now lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with his wife, Heather, and plays around 200 shows a year, one of which will be at the People’s Choice Festival.
Radio Petty and the Chart Toppers “Tribute to Tom Petty” — 6:30 p.m.
Tom Petty fans will enjoy this tribute performance by Pittsburgh-based band Radio Petty and the Chart Toppers — also known as Petty 45. The band “focuses on the songs, the tones and the sounds that make Tom Petty music so enduring,” according to its site.
The final day of the festival will feature three performances and a church service. On Sunday, July 14, the Centre Hall Council of Churches will hold a service, followed by three different bands.
Kick the Footlights — noon
Kick the Footlights features Larry Boggess and Steve Hinckley, who play classic country music spanning from the ’50s to the ’80s. The duo is known for performing pieces by music legends like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Willy Nelson, Loretta Lynn and more.
The Coal Aly Band — 1:30 p.m.
This cover band is based in State College and includes three vocalists and a five-piece horn section. While the band covers a wide range of music, including Motown, funk, rhythm and blues and rock and roll, from the ’60s until present day, the band’s website notes songs by Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, ABBA and Amy Winehouse as some of the top hits they like to perform.
Joy Marie and the Gill Street Band — 3 p.m.
This central Pennsylvanian band is a nine-piece band that plays classic funk, soul and R&B music. The band has made its rounds at Pine Grove Hall, Elk Creek Café, First Friday and more. Close out the festival by enjoying the sounds of Joy Marie and the Gill Street Band.
