Tomorrow night, a handful of local bands will come together at The State Theatre to pay their respects to the lasting influence of women in rock music.
Produced by singer-songwriter Jason McIntyre and benefiting the theatre as well as Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania, “BeCause the Night: A Celebration of Women in Rock” will treat audiences to covers of iconic anthems courtesy of the genre’s finest female performers.
McIntyre previously collaborated with Easter Seals a year ago for the theatre’s “Heart of Gold” benefit concert, which showcased bands putting their own spin on classic Neil Young tunes.
He and the theatre also partnered with the Bestwick Foundation last July for a similar show that saw artists covering prominent British acts like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Liz Wainright, development specialist for State College for Easter Seals Central Pa., said the organization serves more than 2,600 children and adults with disabilities and that Saturday’s concert was able to sell out “by the end of last week.”
“It’s not your normal fundraiser,” Wainright said, adding that the organization split $35,000 with the theatre following the “Heart of Gold” concert. “People really respond to it.”
Jennifer Wagner-Lawlor, a Penn State professor of women’s studies and English, will emcee Saturday’s concert, which derives its name from the Patti Smith song of the same name.
In addition to McIntyre himself — who will be joined onstage by his former Rustlanders bandmate, guitarist Junior Tutwiler — “BeCause the Night” will include performances from Pure Cane Sugar, Ted McCloskey & the Hi-Fi’s, Erin Condo & the Hoofties and Miss Melanie & the Valley Rats, all of which have become regular staples of McIntyre’s shows.
McIntyre also promises the show will not adhere to one specific musical time period and will feature contributions from Smith, Fleetwood Mac, Amy Winehouse, Linda Ronstadt, Cyndi Lauper, Wanda Jackson and Grace Potter, to name a few.
“Some people might not like that, but I don’t like to set any parameters,” McIntyre said. “We just play whatever we feel would add to the show.”
Some of the newer scheduled acts, including Altoona’s Chris Vipond & the Stanley Street Band and Huntingdon’s Hannah Bingman, will be their making debut performances at the theatre.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the regional State College acts bring their A-game and cover a wide variety of material,” said Vipond, who will also be sitting in on keyboards with Erin Condo & the Hoofties at the end of the show. “We’re honored to be a part of it.”
Bingman, meanwhile, said the theatre would certainly be a departure “from the bar crowd or coffee shop” she normally caters to, and shared her enthusiasm at the notion of playing for a good cause.
“I’m definitely glad people are coming out to support that,” Bingman said.
The concert is set to begin at 7 p.m. Those who purchased gold circle seating and reception tickets will be treated to a pre-concert gathering at The Green Room at Indigo Nightclub.
