Proceeds from the show will benefit the Danny DeGennaro Foundation, which awards scholarships to aspiring artists
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Some people just have it. That spark. The thing that keeps their vibrant energy alive even after they’re gone.
It’s been almost seven years since a line of loved ones stretched for blocks out of Penndel’s Our Lady of Grace Church, all wishing to pay their respects to local musician Danny DeGennaro. On Dec. 28, 2011, the acclaimed guitarist was fatally shot in his Levittown home, a tragedy that shook the community to its core.
Though family and friends mourned DeGennaro’s all-too-early death, they didn’t want his passion for music and aiding young artists to die with him. In 2014, the Danny DeGennaro Foundation was established to assist up-and-coming creative professionals through mentoring and scholarships.
On Sept. 28 at the Bucks County Community College’s Zlock Performing Arts Center, a handful of students who are reaping the benefits of the foundation’s efforts will join forces with a slew of musicians for the fourth annual Creative Inspiration concert. Proceeds from the show will benefit the annual scholarship award.
At 7 p.m., the Bucks-based rock band All Lit Up will kick off the evening of entertainment. New Orleans jam band George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners is the headliner of the main stage, and singer/songwriter/guitarist Cara Cartney is headlining the VIP area.
Thirty-year-old Cartney, of Levittown, was taken under the wings of foundation mentors Johnny Betz and saxophone player Mike Reinig three years ago after she received the Danny DeGennaro music scholarship. Ever since, the duo has assisted her with creating a number of videos highlighting her open mic nights at Sparky’s World Famous, in addition to recording an upcoming EP.
“When I first started, I was afraid to even perform in front of people. I was working on just doing cover songs,” Cartney said. “It’s amazing to me what I can do now. Now I’m ready to help other people and work more on my originals.”
At the Creative Inspiration concert, Cartney will play alongside Reinig and foundation member Steve Burke, who, in addition to playing bass, will back her up with cello and violin.
“They’re amazing musicians,” Cartney said. “I love everything they do. They just have so many great ideas. They hear things that other people don’t hear. They’ve been doing it for so many years.”
Burke, who teaches strings and piano at Pro Line Music in Falls Township, played alongside DeGennaro in the Torpedoes during the ’70s.
“The whole idea with the foundation is to find people with a creative spark and see if you can fan it,” Burke said. “Every kid I’ve met in the program is above average. They want to be performers and have some of the nuts and bolts figured out already.”
Three of these aspiring artists will be present at the Creative Inspiration concert, each a 2018 scholarship recipient. Levittown’s Sylvia Salas, a BCCC psychology major and one of this year’s music scholarship winners, will sing a pair of songs — “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey and “Stay” by Rihanna — accompanied by a string trio featuring violinist Alyssa McGarvey of Newtown.
For Salas, having the chance to perform alongside such a high caliber of talent is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially given the story of how she was introduced to music. In middle school, Salas despised the idea of reading, yet her class was required to participate in a reading enhancement program. The only way a student could get out of the program was by joining the chorus. Salas signed up to avoid the dreaded books, but quickly found herself falling in love with the art of performance.
Ever since, singing has remained a favorite hobby of Salas, who has performed in a talent show at the Oxford Valley Mall and starred in her school’s musical. Still, she said these experiences pale in comparison to the opportunity provided by the foundation, which she expressed gratitude toward. Even though Salas isn’t a music major, it still recognized her passion for the arts.
“I think their foundation is really wonderful,” she said. “They really are trying to give opportunities to students.”
Sharing a similar sentiment was Bee Niranon, the second 2018 music scholarship winner who is halfway through his BCCC studies in computer science. Since his years at Newtown’s George School, music has been a major force in Niranon’s life. Whether he was teaching guitar classes at the School of Rock in Princeton or touring with his band Along the Way, which released a self-titled album in December 2017, Niranon was constantly surrounded by the arts and is thrilled to craft a set for the Creative Inspiration concert.
The talents of incoming BCCC fine arts freshman Vanessa Pasqualone will also be featured at the show, though in a more subdued way. As this year’s 2018 art scholarship winner, the recent William Tennent High School graduate will have her portrait of the college’s Danny DeGennaro sculpture showcased and auctioned.
“It’s cool,” she said of having her first piece available for purchase. “I’m excited to see how many people want it.” ••
If you go…
The fourth annual Creative Inspiration concert will be held Sept. 28, from 7 to 11 p.m., with a 6 p.m. VIP concert, at the Zlock Performing Arts Center at Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $50 for a VIP reception, which includes beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased at the Zlock Performing Arts Center box office, by calling 215–968–8087 or visiting bucks.edu/tickets. Discounts are available for Bucks alumni, military and seniors (65-plus). Contact the box office for savings code.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
