The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts will kick off its 2026 Thorn Alley Stage concert season on Friday, May 1, with a performance by Berks County-rooted band Frog Holler.
The opening night event will feature two sets by Frog Holler on the outdoor stage, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and music beginning at 7 p.m. The concert coincides with the reception and award ceremony for GoggleWorks’ Annual Juried Exhibition, taking place inside the building.
Frog Holler, known for blending mountain blues, roots rock, and Americana, has received national attention for its sound. According to the press release, The Washington Post once described the group as “Neo-hillbillies with a twist,” noting that the band’s music is both rooted and modern.
The May 1 concert marks the start of an expanded season at the Thorn Alley Stage, an outdoor venue designed to bring live music and events to downtown Reading. The lineup includes a mix of national and regional artists, as well as festivals, films, theatre and dance performances, and community events throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
The concert series follows the recent opening of Thorn Alley Kitchen, a new restaurant located beside the stage. The venue is intended to create a central gathering space where visitors can enjoy food, drinks, live entertainment, and gallery exhibitions in one location.
Most performances in the series will follow a pay-what-you-wish model, supported by grant funding from the Reading Musical Foundation and the Regional Foundation, with advance registration required through GoggleWorks.
“This season is about making great live music accessible while creating a new cultural rhythm in downtown Reading,” said Levi Landis, executive director of GoggleWorks. “A host of local promoters and community organizations assembled to make Thorn Alley Stage a remarkable live music venue this season. It will be a vibrant addition to our broad roster of creative programs.”
Following the opening performance, the season will continue with appearances from a range of artists, including Hubby Jenkins, Jeffrey Gaines, Alexis P. Suter, and Johnny Rawls.
Additional programming, including theatre performances, farmers markets, educational events, and World Cup watch parties, is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Organizers say the Thorn Alley Stage is part of a broader effort to create a welcoming outdoor arts destination for residents, artists, and visitors in Reading.
