OTS 248 - Bark Culture and Holden Bitner - Friday Aug 14, 7pm
Friends, please join Outside the Spotlight as Philadelphia-based Bark Culture returns for a free ($10 suggested donation) show this Friday, August 14 at Lexington Scottish Rite (553 Rosemont Garden). We are very excited to have Bark Culture returning again this year, as past shows have been big hits! This will be a show you can bring your less-musically-adventurous friends to, and they will have a good time. Please come, and bring a friend (or two)!
Local cello performer Holden Bitner will open the night, with music starting around 7pm. If you can't come until a little later, don't sweat it. This is a relaxed environment and all are welcome!
Poster for OTS 248 - Bark Culture and Holden Bitner
Bark Culture is a Philadelphia-based trio led by vibraphonist Victor Vieira-Branco, featuring Joey Sullivan on drums and John Moran on bass. The band is touring their new record, "The Giant is Awkward," released on June 5th, 2026.
“The Giant is Awkward” is five pieces that mirror the prismatic nature of a sound Vieira-Branco has been tirelessly crafting with the group since 2021. The band’s 2024 debut, “Warm Wisdom”, received high praise, with New York Times jazz critic Hank Shteamer listing it among his top debuts of 2024, as well as landing a spot on Bandcamp’s Best of Jazz for September 2024.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks5jWMzIDKQ
Bitner is an accomplished orchestral musician, currently pursuing his doctorate in cello performance at the University of Kentucky with professor Benjamin Karp. Bitner has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Chamber Orchestra, as well as many other regional orchestras as well as performing with groups Fomo Sapien and Lava Lamb.
Posted Aug 12, 2026, 8:12 PM UTC