Scott TadyBeaver County Times
A top cameraman for "A Man Called Otto" will share stories and insights from the locally made Tom Hanks film at a screen talk this very Sunday at the Lindsay Theater in Sewickley.
John "Buzz" Moyer will give a free, 30-minute presentation at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 29 in the theater's Large Screening Room, just after 2:05 p.m. "A Man Called Otto" showing wraps, and before the 5:15 p.m. screening begins. Those who already have watched the film are also welcome.
I'll serve as moderator, so let me know in advance if you've got any questions for Moyer, a Sewickley Academy grad, and highly sought after Steadicam operator, who previously worked with Hanks on "The Post." Moyer has provided his steady-handed camera skills to many major films and TV series' like "West Side Story," "The Avengers," "The White Lotus," "Boardwalk Empire," "Concussion," "Dumb & Dumber To" and "The Bronx is Burning."
More:Sewickley Academy grad makes 'West Side Story' smooth
Moyer's early career work included two Beaver Valley-made films: "Prince of Pennsylvania" with Keanu Reeves and "Kingpin" with Woody Harrelson.
More:Moon students enjoy close-up time with Hollywood cameraman
Sweeter yet: The Swedish pastries (semlors) featured in "A Man Called Otto" from Stangl’s Bakery in Ambridge can be purchased in the Lindsay's lobby starting at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday.
Bakery owner LorianneStanglBurgess will be on hand. She gave a screen talk at The Lindsay last weekend and talked about how "A Man Called Otto's" production team took over her Merchant Street bakery for a month. At that screen talk, she brought six dozen of her Instagrammable pastries (seen in the film) which quickly sold out.
"We decided to limit one per customer since there were over 30 people lined up outside before we opened," Ross Nugent, director of education and special programs at The Lindsay, said. "She'll bring twice as many this week."
I did a quick screen talk last weekend at The Lindsay, too, for a wonderfully attentive audience, discussing how Ambridge has become a go-to location for Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Big Beaver bluegrass blossomed
When I pulled into the parking lot shortly after noon and couldn't find a parking place, I knew I was in the right place.
Yes, the turnout was sizable ― but manageable ― Jan. 21 at the Ramada by Wyndham Beaver Falls as the 24th annual January Ice Jam bluegrass festival made its Beaver County debut.
Two dozen tri-state bluegrass bands performed at the two-day event for fans enjoying the music and fellowship inside the Big Beaver hotel's spacious ballroom.
I located a chair in the back corner, and soon found my toes tapping to the earthy sounds of Springtime Hill Bluegrass and then Steve Ludwig and the Casual Hobos (with a lefty mandolin player.)
Banjo, fiddle, upright bass and acoustic guitar goodness carried through the afternoon with Bits ‘n Pieces, fronted by Ice Jam founder Amy George, and the John & Wendy Mackin Band.
Wish I could have stayed longer. I will next year, if the Ice Jam returns to Beaver County, which by all indications looks likely. The festival's previous home, at a Butler County hotel, was sold last year to new ownership.
The Big Beaver Ramada had booked 130 of its 150 rooms Ice Jam weekend, with many out-of-town musicians and fans staying there, George said.
"(It's) great to have a top-notch bluegrass event in the county again," bluegrass musician and Big Beaver resident Hap Wichryk said. "Local businesses once again feel the blessing of hosting a huge group of out-of-towners."
Morry's memories
The Jan. 20 fire that leveled the already battered ruins of Morry's Speakeasy gave Beaver Valley music scene people another chance to reminisce about the beloved 1970s-through-1990s concert club in Rochester Township.
I wrote about Morry's extensively in 2020 when the then-roof-less building was slated for demolition. Morry's was the club where Beaver Valley rock 'n' roll legends like the Granati Brothers and B.E. Taylor were discovered, and where Pittsburgh standouts like Joe Grushecky, The Silencers and Norm Nardini played. Into the late 1990s, after rebranded as Chameleon Junction, the former Beaver County Blues Society hosted shows there by acclaimed national artists like Kenny Neal, Jimmy Thackery, Debbie Davies, Carl Weathersby, Bernard Allison and Tinsley Ellis.
Falling into disrepair and ultimately condemned in this century, the sight of the boarded-up, caved-in structure still gave people a chance to reminisce. I thought it was really cool in 2020, when Amico 'Meex' DeMuzio, a 2022 Blackhawk grad and one of the new breed of highly talented Beaver Valley musicians, marched through the briars and woods to reach the long-abandoned Morry's building to film himself playing guitar there, as one final tribute to a local club that harbored so many memories.
It was sad for many to learn that flames took down what little remained, structurally, of Morry's. Officials say the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
I'd be quick to remind people there are so many positive, exciting things happening in the valley's music scene now; from Fermata Brewing in Ambridge hosting live album recordings and live video concerts, to Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center offering Grammy-winning and nationally touring concert artists, to Beaver Station & Cultural Event Center bringing top Pittsburgh talent to town. Factor in dependable music sites like Wooley Bully's Juke-Joint in New Brighton and Kendrew's in Aliquippa ― and the live music we can look forward to outside at The Standard and whatever the new restaurant at Thursday's in Bridgewater becomes ― and there's no need to get too sad or lost in the past.
Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.
