TimesLeader.com

Duo’s talent talk of town

By Don McGlynn dmcglynn@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

It’s not often in this day and age that a band of any kind can make a living without putting out a CD or starting a Web site, but Leah and Fritz Valanches are the exception to the rule.

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Rev. Bill Carter with PresbyBop will perform at the First Presbyterian Church Sweet Heart Cafe.

Abington Journal File/Laura Ancherani

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The duo, who will be performing at the Clarks Summit Festival of Ice, this weekend, at the Community Bank, have been pounding the pavement for years, performing weddings, anniversaries, parties, funerals and anywhere else that would have them with their light classical music.

The husband and wife violinists have kept themselves busy for the last five years securing gigs based on word of mouth.

“We get a lot of bookings based on other jobs we’ve done. We’ll be doing one job and someone will come up to us and ask if we’re available for their party, or someone will hear us and recommend us to their friend” said Fritz.

In addition to playing as a duo, the two also play with their band the Strad Quartet or as duo, they run a youth orchestra, and Fritz is a member of the NEPA Philharmonic. All of this keeps them very busy.

So busy in fact, this is the first year the two have been available to perform at the Ice Festival.

“We’ve been asked to perform the last few years, but we’ve always been booked with other shows,” said Fritz. “We’re really excited about doing it this year, it sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Fritz and Leah will be performing at Community Bank on Friday, Feb. 13 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

In addition to performing, the two also teach violin, piano and viola out of their house, for more information call 344-1746.

If you go

FRIDAY

Abington Community Library: “Pick-a-Penny: Read!” In Honor of Lincoln’s 200th Birthday and President’s Weekend. “Lucky Lincoln Pennies” Children will pick a penny, if the date corresponds todate on printed list - pick a paperback book; Basket of Books Raffle. All ages stop by to enter. From 4 – 6 p.m. Anime/Manga Club for grades 7 -12; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. /

Un-Valentine’s Day for Grades 4 – 6.

Abington Travel: complimentary party mix, lemonade; $25 off vacation packages booked by April 30, 2009, vacation valued at $1,500 or more, new bookings only; 9 a.m. – 5p.m.

Ambience Wallcovering: complimentary hot cider, hot pretzels; drawing for a $50 gift certificate; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.-

Chinchilla Wine & Spirits Shoppe: Ice Wine tasting, 6- 8 p.m.

Community Bank and Trust: complimentary refreshments; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; live music with Fritz and Leah Valenches (Classical violin duo), 9:30 -11a.m.

Everything Natural: Friday, Feb 13 Sample Mate Factor Tea (Chai), 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Gallery Opening and Artists’ Reception, “Through the Looking Glass: Three Perspectives”, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Gymboree Play and Music: complimentary hot chocolate, winter art projects for children ages 0-5 when accompanied by an adult, 3-5 pm.

James Simrell Designs: complimentary refreshments, treats, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Lee’s Denim Diner: complimentary refreshments, up to 50% off on selected merchandise, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Penn East Federal Credit Union: stop in to receive a complimentary mug and hot cocoa packet, while supplies last, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.

Pennstar: complimentary morning coffee, donuts at Clarks Green branch location courtesy of Summit Frameworks

PNC: complimentary coffee, cookies, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Sanderson State Street: complimentary samples, refreshments; register to win a gift basket worth $150 of products

Versailles: live music featuring “A Long Way from Chicago” jazz trio, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.