Musicians from Western Pa., other states booked for Latrobe's virtual banana split festival

Musicians from the region and beyond are lined up for Tuesday’s virtual Great American Banana Split Celebration in Latrobe.

Because of pandemic restrictions on large gatherings, the annual festival this year won’t have any public participation in downtown Latrobe. Instead, it will feature a day of entertainment and activities streamed beginning at 11 a.m. on the event’s website and Facebook page.

Just like the frozen treat with chocolate, strawberry and pineapple toppings that Latrobe claims as a local invention, the related festival’s musical offerings cover a variety of flavors — ranging from pop and rock to folk and country.

Among several Pittsburgh-area performers on the bill are a rising young guitarist and vocalist who is a sophomore at Point Park University and a trio of friends from Aliquippa who have reunited to evoke good times — as well as the region’s grit — through their music.

Elias Khouri, 19, is studying entertainment management and business at the Pittsburgh university while also making strides in his budding career as a musician.

Inspired by classic artists like The Beatles, James Taylor, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, he mixes acoustic numbers with funk, soul and rock. He’s played at area venues including Mr. Smalls Theatre and the Andy Warhol Museum and has released an original single, “I Got You on My Mind.”

He said his acoustic set for the banana split celebration will include original material as well as a cover of a number that should bring back memories for those age 45 or older.

The virtual festival is providing artists like Khouri one more way to connect with audiences while the pandemic has limited opportunities for in-person performances.

He’s had some gigs at area wineries and gathered a backing band for a socially distanced performance at a rented warehouse. Mostly, he said, “It has given me a lot of time to hone in on my skills. I’ve been listening to many jazz records and making connections. When I do come out of this (pandemic) I will be ripe and ready to get right back into the game.”

“Have fun and rock on” is the motto of The High Level — featuring Swissvale residents Mark Bodrog, on guitar, and Tom Persson, on drums, along with bass player Robb Turnbull, who still lives in the trio’s hometown of Aliquippa.

After separate, sometimes overlapping, projects, they came together in their current band more than three years ago, focusing on original music ranging from rock to funk.

“It’s pretty positive music,” said Bodrog, who shares vocals with Turnbull. “We emphasize just having a good time, but we also have some chilled-out grooves,” Bodrog said.

The band members have released a five-track EP and a video of one of the songs, “Blackout.” Bodrog said they’d anticipated a busy festival season before dates were cancelled by the covid-19 pandemic.

Instead, they’ve made backyard acoustic “COVIDEOS” and posted them on their Facebook page. They retreated indoors to record performances for the banana split stream.

“We’ve got some local artists, but because the event is virtual, we’re able to bring in some musicians from out-of-state as well,” said Isaac McDaniel of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, who is event director for the banana split celebration. “It’s really cool to be able to expand our reach this year. It’s the silver lining of this whole process.”

Country musicians who will be checking in from outside Pennsylvania include Ohio native A.C. Jones, teen singer and guitarist Daelyn Avril Ellis, from Texas, and Andrew Mack, an Indiana County native who relocated to Nashville.

Nebraskan folk artist and singer-songwriter Orion Walsh also will be featured.

Other slated performers with area ties include: Western Pennsylvania-based band Flying Blind, with a variety of rock and country music; singer-songwriter Aubrey Burchell from Irwin, an “American Idol” competitor in 2018; Vanessa Clarke-Deaver, who has performed in musical theater productions in the Latrobe area; the festival’s own Banana Band; and The Crystal Blue Band, featuring original members of Tommy James and The Shondells — Westmoreland County natives Mike Vale, Ron Rosman and Eddie Gray.

Other portions of the banana split stream will offer: Red Tie Variety, a juggling act; selection of the banana split princess and court; a virtual pie-eating contest; an interview with former Steelers lineman Craig Wolfley; art projects and other activities.

Those who want to participate in the virtual Banana Run race have until Aug. 31.

Visit bananasplitfest.com for more information.