September 27, National Entertainer, Phil Ventura at Carol's to Benefit Miracles for Marissa

The historic West End has a heart in Carol Carmichael of Carol’s Restaurant & Hometown Sports Deli. Folks around here know you can have a generous home cooked meal at an everyday price, plus a world-class smile and greeting from Carol at no extra charge... But now She’s added to that a mission... which is to raise funds for a phenomenal young lady... a very spunky and brave little girl named Marissa, who is struggling with the complications caused by Spina Bifida... the “Miracles for Marissa” campaign is an ongoing fund-raiser hosted at Carols (410 South Main St. in Pittsburgh historic West End) and powered by area Musicians and Friends who share their talents for the benefit of this sweet and delightful Girl they have all come to know and love.


Along with all of the challenges or recent surgery, the Webb family has had a fire destroying the first floor of their home. A local hometown guy who has not been around in years discovered Miracles for Marissa and has taken the mission to heart.




Phil Ventura to appear in a day long telethon type fundraiser for Miracles for Marissa.

That’s right... the same fella who played and sang the hits at Langley High Dances with his Rock Band 1969-1970’s... member of the Class of ’71 at Holy Innocents High... veteran of 1001 gigs at places like West Park Fireman’s Club, the Avalon and Gateway Party Liner...

Ventura is coming September 27th
2 Carol’s for 3 shows
His first public appearance to the
Tri-State Area in over 2 Decades

In keeping with the diverse musical and ethnic heritage of his Hometown,
He will perform 3 distinctly separate shows on September 27th
12:00 - 2:00 cool Jazz, hot Swing plus Sinatra
5:30 - 7:30 Continental Dinner party plus Dino & Contemporary Euro Pop
8:00- 10:00 Golden Oldies through Hippie era Rock and Roll and beyond!

Our Jazz Luncheon will include all your favorites from “Take 5” through the complete
“An American in Paris” into fully orchestrated Big Band Classics... Ventura sings from the Great American Songbook like the Sinatra/Nelson Riddle arrangement of “Under my Skin”

For Dinner, our music will reflect Ventura’s travels in Europe, and the Music he brought home from Italy, Germany, and France, to go with some ethnically complementary food special Carol is cooking up! Maybe he’ll sing some Dino... even in Italian!

After 8:00 we’ll return to our roots and Rock Out! Let’s remember those songs we Laughed and Loved to as Teen’s... awesome local Dreams: “I Only have Eyes for You” hot hits: Darrin’s “Dream Lover” great classics: Redding’s “Dock of the Bay” on through some hippie era Songs that will help you remember the thoughts, hopes and ambitions
we shared during that amazing period of American History.

Bike Run and Family Fun Schedule

West End Wiggles and Rocks Right Along with Carol's

This past week-end was a bit of Main St. Americana in the West End and it did not look as though it was closed as Penn Dot and the Media have been touting. You may have had to walk a little further for parking but it was definitely booming.

The James Center was bustling with a blooming bride and her guest the Gallery was a buzz with an artistic event on Saturday, April 26 and so was Carol's. Carol was entertaining with another episdoe of Miracles for Marissa with a jazz trio on Saturday and Vinnie Pelligrino singers on Friday evening.

What a great place to be on a Saturday night. One new visitor to Carol's commented it was like walking in to a neighbor's house and sitting down for a bite. Fun and hugs abound with Marissa Web in the middle.

News alert about Marissa--265 foot walk this week and she has learned the entire chorus to the Big Bopper's Chantilly Lace. She is now working on the sixties hit, the Birds and the Bees. Look out Pittsburgh her repertoire is building as quickly as her friends.

An architect has taken up Marissa's cause and has volunteered to design her wheel chair ramp for her home and weekly new musicians add their names to the list who entertain in the West End to benefit Miracles for Marissa.