New open-air concert hall Harmar opens with local bands in October

While fans will have to wait another nine months to be taken “Back to Chicago,” the Mountain View Amphitheater in Harmar is slated to open in October with a show featuring three local bands.

The venue was originally scheduled to be christened on September 18 with a concert featuring drummer Danny Seraphine, a co-founding member of the legendary rock band “Chicago” and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

However, some lingering permission issues forced the owner of the amphitheater, Gary “Gus” Francis, to postpone the Seraphine show until June 25, 2022.

Seraphine’s current band, California Transit Authority, will perform many Chicago hit songs from the 1970s and 1980s as part of Seraphine’s “Take Me Back to Chicago” tour. The special guest is regional rock legend Joe Grushecky.

Longtime Pittsburgh concert promoter Rich Engler, who produces the show, said all previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date and there is no need to change tickets.

“I am anxious and more than excited to move forward to the new date,” Engler said. “I have spoken to Danny Seraphine and he is looking forward to it.”

In the meantime, a “Halloween Band Bash” featuring local artists AC & The Resistors, Tina Daniels Band and Curtis and the Shakers is scheduled for Oct. 23 pending the building’s inspection and approval, officials said. Harmar.

Cans, bottles or coolers are not permitted on site, but food trucks and other refreshment facilities will be available.

Parking is available next to the property.

The Mountain View Amphitheater is located at 10 Rich Hill Road, off of Route 910. It is located up the hill in the Harmar business district and not far from the Allegheny Valley exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

It is a flat, grassy area that can accommodate 1,000 to 5,000 people, most of whom can watch live shows from their own lawn chairs. Seats will also be provided in an area close to the stage. As part of the development of the region, Francis plans to build a baseball field for young people in synthetic turf.

Harmar’s supervisor, Bob Exler, called him “a winner, everyone’s winner.”

“It’s tax money for a property that wasn’t bringing in a lot of tax revenue,” he said. “To build a ball field there for the kids who like sports and to set up a concert hall there for the people who like it, I think that is an asset for the township.”

Ticket information is available online. For more information on the amphitheater, call 412-390-5466.