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Roadside Revolution to perform fundraiser concert for SPCA

PHOTO PROVIDED Roadside Revolution will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the 4th Street Grille & Ale House at The Genetti Hotel, 200 W. Fourth St.

Roadside Revolution, a group made up of members of The Sirens, will perform a concert and SPCA fundraiser at 8 p.m. Saturday, at the 4th Street Grille & Ale House at The Genetti Hotel, 200 W. Fourth St.

The Sirens, an all-female, five-piece band, has been together for 32 years. In the last few years, they have only performed a couple shows per year, which are very well attended due to their long-standing reputation. The band has been a staple in the local music scene for many years and has traveled all over Pennsylvania and beyond.

Performing a mix of blues, soul and classic rock songs, Roadside Revolution includes: Mary Lou Bonner on keyboards and vocals, Lori Smith on guitar and vocals, Paula Moore on drums and Shane Kelly-Woodward on bass guitar.

“We will be performing a mix of old blues standards and some soul tunes, as well as some classic rock,” Kelly-Woodward said. “We also do a number of instrumentals that showcase the skills of each member on their instruments. All the members are seasoned professionals and our shows are high energy and toe tappin’ fun.”

Born and raised in Loyalsock, Kelly-Woodward has been a professional bassist for over 40 years. In the late ’70s, he moved to Boston and then spent 25 years in Florida before returning home last year.

Smith, also the guitarist for one of the most popular blues bands in the area, Miz Ida and the Allnightas, formed The Sirens with Bonner and Moore 32 years ago. Kelly-Woodward, the only male member of Roadside Revolution, is also the lead guitarist in the local blues rock band, Mums the Word, who will be competing in the Billtown Blues Society International Blues Competition on March 25, also at the Genetti.

“Lori’s band and my band have played numerous shows together, and Lori had been talking with Mary Lou and Paula about getting out and doing some shows, but they needed a bassist — thus I immediately volunteered,” Kelly-Woodward said. “We got together at my studio one Sunday afternoon and it was magic — thus Roadside Revolution was born.”

Allen Bennett is the restaurant and bar manager at the Genetti 4th Street Grille and is also in charge of booking the musical entertainment. The fundraiser was put together as part of their Mardi Gras Queen Charity.

“The show kind of put itself together actually,” Bennett said. “Shane came to one of the shows I had a few months ago, and we proceeded to talk about everything I was doing. After that, everything just fell into place.”

“I had stopped in to see a friend’s band play and told him about Roadside Revolution,” Kelly-Woodward said. “We booked a date and it happened to coincide with the Genetti’s fundraising weekends for the SPCA. All of us being pet owners were thrilled to be part of the fundraiser.”

“We at the Genetti have always been about giving back to our community, and what better way than a weekend of shows benefiting a great local charity like the SPCA!” Bennett said. “I personally own a cat that I adopted from the SPCA, and as a whole, we think they do amazing things there.”

Roadside Revolution is currently adding shows and will be on the Hiawatha May 20 and July 15.

As far as expectations go, Bennett is extremely excited for all the shows they put on at the Genetti, and this one is particularly special for everyone involved.

“We are hoping for a great turnout with all door proceeds going to the SPCA, as well as some great specials,” he said. “Ultimately, we hope to provide as much help for the SPCA as we possibly can, while also providing any of our patrons with an amazing, fun-filled and safely enjoyed night.”

“We are excited to be a part of it, as we are all animal lovers and pet owners,” Kelly-Woodward said. “We expect the show to be a full house in attendance.”

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