Another summer of outdoor music kicks off this week offering area concertgoers a lineup of rock, reggae, folk, and soul.
Folk singer-songwriter Birdie Busch takes the stage June 12, at Mt. Airy's Park Jams series in Allens Lane Park, while The Revolving Door performs classic rock the same evening at the Cisco Park in Springfield Township.
A few miles away, the Ambler Arts & Music Festival returns to the borough’s downtown with two days of free live music featuring local rock band Steal the Night, June 13, and funk-soul group Ndichu, June 14, who will perform with R&B pioneer Charlie Ingui, cofounder of the Philadelphia-based band the Soul Survivors.
“It’s a time for everyone to come out and celebrate,” said Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier, Ambler’s main street manager who has coordinated the Arts and Food festival for over a decade. Warm weather, good music, and the chance to shop with local vendors promise to bring the Ambler community together at the start of the summer season, Kunzier said.
Festivalgoers can sample tasty cuisine from local restaurants, and two beer gardens and a wine tent will offer beverages. Face painting, spin and sand art, and moonbounces will be available for youngsters and their families.
Amblerfest began as a multistage, indoor-outdoor day of local shops and activities in 2011. Now, the outdoor event highlights local vendors on the street and performers on the stage. Volunteers and audiences come from all over the area.
“We try to showcase people who are up-and-coming and want to get out there,” Kunzier said. Performances start at 6 p.m. on Friday with Steal the Night, a local rock band featuring Wissahickon High School graduates.
Funk-soul band Ndichu, who performed at Ambler’s Oktoberfest and Arts Fest in 2024, return to the borough stage for the summer music event. They’re excited to get the crowd dancing again on Saturday night.
Music that moves
“Seeing a positive response from them is always encouraging,” lead singer Liz Ndichu said. The Kenyan-born songwriter met bassist Frank Pagliante in a Manayunk bar 20 years ago. They’ve been musical partners ever since.
Those 20 years were spent experimenting with different groups and sounds until they found the right one. Ndichu formed in 2018 as a fusion of funk, reggae, soul, and rock. The nine-piece band personifies Kunzier’s desire for moving music with upbeat ballads like “Raindrops” and rousing anthems like “Speak Your Mind.”
“We’ve been honing our original music,” Liz Ndichu said. While performing around the area, they are also recording their next album. Amblerfest will hear their original music and covers.
“At the end of our show, we’re bringing Charlie Ingui from the Soul Survivors out, and we’re gonna do a short set of Philly music,” Pagliante said. Philadelphia music power duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff earned their first Billboard hit with Soul Survivors’ “Expressway (To Your Heart).” Pagliante and keyboardist Kevin Irvine played in the Soul Survivors’ band for more than a decade.
“They’re great to watch,” Kunzier said. “From the top end to the bottom end of the avenue, there’s something to do day and night. All the music is free, so the only thing you have to do is buy beer and food, and then you can stay here for two days straight.”
Music at the Ambler Arts & Music Festival starts June 13 at 6 p.m. Vendors open June 14 at 11 a.m. and the first band plays at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information visit, amblerfest.org.
The Revolving Door performs for Cisco Park’s Summer Concert series on June 12, 6-7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show. The park is at 199 W Montgomery Avenue. For more information, visit springfieldmontco.org
Birdie Bush performs in Allens Lane Park on June 12, 6-8 p.m. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show. The park is at 601 W Allens Lane. For more information, visit allenslane.org/theater.
