Irwin's Music in the Streets draws crowd

Maybe it was the opportunity to get outside, listen to music, have a bite to eat and bit to drink that drew hundreds of people to downtown Irwin Thursday evening for the popular Music in the Streets.

It was the type of gathering that would be the envy of many towns in Westmoreland County, especially in this time of social distancing. Some people wore masks as they walked around, sat at tables outside restaurants and a microbrewery and shopped at stores that kept their doors open into the evening.

At The Lamp Theatre’s Harper Family Courtyard, the crowd listened to Aubrey Burchell, a former “American Idol” contestant, belt out tunes from Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper — “Shallow” — and Janis Joplin — “Piece of My Heart” — and a sultry version of Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush. “

On Fourth Street, between Main Street and the alley, Gail, Kevin & Company set up shop as Gail Macioce, who also serves on Irwin Borough council, took listeners back a half-century with her version of Patsy Kline’s “Crazy.”

Judi Figel and Dave Crisci sang at Brandy’s On Main and Thom Book entertained at the Colonial Grille.

The Music in the Streets typically draws a crowd to the downtown business district, said Lois Woleslagle, president of the Irwin Business & Professional Association. On a “normal” year — without a pandemic that forced the cancellation of so many activities — the business organization usually sponsors about 19 events, Woleslagle said.