Miller Minutes
You know what has always fascinated me? Cover bands.
If you don’t know what a cover band is, it is a group of talented musicians who dedicate their time to performing the songs of famous artists. They often gig locally, but some play large venues and gain a huge amount of popularity.
Other cover bands are more eclectic, sticking to a genre of music as opposed to a particular artist. For the ones that choose to follow the work of bands like Journey, Motley Crue or Foo Fighters, they are often called upon to play the big hits, and, often, do so as well as the original group.
There is so much pressure on musicians in cover bands to exactly reproduce the music of well-known artists. I would say to be in a cover band (or even a solo musician who does covers) requires a huge amount of bravery and skill. People want things to be the same every time they hear it, and most don’t understand that really great artists take liberties with famous work to make it their own.
Art is freedom, so as much as you may want to hear “Monkey Wrench” the same way Dave Grohl always sang it, you may not hear that when you see a cover band in the Pittsburgh area. In my opinion, this is a good thing. Let artists (even those in cover bands) rock to their heart's content and put their own spin on the classics. We all could use a little deviation from the norm.
Speaking of the norm, you should go outside your normal routine and hit up a few of the events we have going on this weekend. I’m sure none of them will disappoint (and some will even have music).
Help spruce up Butler’s Main Street by volunteering from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26, with other members of Butler Downtown. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided, as well as coffee and doughnuts. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
The Butler Paranormal Conference starts at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave. in Butler Township. Vendors will be set up to give tarot card readings, and teach about asteroids and astrology. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Support the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District at the spring craft and vendor show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 121 Sparks Ave. Contact Corina at corinawack@gmail.com for more information.
The 34th annual Bike Pac Fun Run and Bike Blessing will rev their engines starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army in Butler, 313 W. Cunningham St. Breakfast will be served at that time, with the blessing an hour later. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Children will love sitting in on Hobnob Theatre’s production of “The Velveteen Rabbit,” which opens this weekend. Performances are at 2 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the studio, 134 S. Main St., Butler. To purchase a $5 ticket, visit hobnobtheatre.com.
Support the Zelienople Area Public Library by attending an 1980s-themed murder mystery buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Glade Run, 30 Glade Run Drive. You’re encouraged to dress for the occasion! Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by visiting zelienoplelibrary.org.
Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company’s last square dance of the season takes place from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at the fire hall, 313 E. Mercer St., Harrisville.
Easter ain’t over yet! Enjoy an egg hunt and shop from vendors that will be set up in Butler Memorial Park, 100 Memorial Park Drive, at 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information or to sign up as a vendor, visit tinyurl.com/egghuntvendors.
If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.
Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.
