10. Rediscover music
Making a trip to the symphony — or to DirtyRamen Skate Shop in downtown Butler — could open the door to a year of live music performances.
John Furman, executive director of the Butler County Symphony Association, encourages locals to experience the high-caliber musical performances that are a rare treasure in a small town.
“There are cities that would kill to have orchestras like this,” he said.
The symphony, celebrating its 75th anniversary, has played pieces ranging from classical music to pop renditions. It puts on six performances during its season. “Romeo and Juliet,” conducted by Andrés Cárdenes, will mark the symphony’s first event of the year on Feb. 3.
“(The symphony) broadens people’s view of music in general,” Furman said. “It also highlights contemporary pieces and it helps, through educational outreach, reach younger kids about the possibility of music careers.”
“I think music is part of our soul,” Furman said. “I think music heals. It soothes, it lifts you up, it takes you to another place. It’s a universal language, and it's a part of who we are as human beings.”
Down the street from the symphony’s office on South Main Street, Butler’s “do-it-yourself” music scene is growing.
Stop in DirtyRamen Skate Shop or Benjamin Beetle to pick up a hand-drawn zine published by local metal musician Everett Foster in collaboration with local artists that lists a number of local shows happening that month as well as interviews with local musicians.
Foster, whose band Animus is local to Butler, described the local punk music scene as “growing and repopulating.”
On occasion, the shop hosts acoustic rock shows, Foster said.
To learn more about local rock shows, Zelienople-based musician Jacob Beck, of rock band Fisherman’s Paradise, suggested people also explore live music venues in Pittsburgh, such as Mr. Roboto and Mr. Smalls.
“There is always interesting stuff going on nearby,” Beck said.
“I like to think that the first time someone goes to a local show is a real door-opener,” Foster said. “We're trying to get people to care. We're trying to get more shows in local areas. And me, I perform better when there are more people watching me play. I perform way better; my energy on stage is way better. But if there's nobody there, it's like kind of dry, you know? The community definitely, definitely helps with ... keeping the local music going.”
