The University of Scranton Noel Night Concert Performance Music at The University of Scranton will kick off the holiday season with its 55th annual Noel Night concert on Saturday, Dec. 3. Beginning at 8 p.m. in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, the concert will feature The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Doors open at 7 p.m., with a prelude beginning at 7:05 p.m. Admission to the concert is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. The University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night has been a beloved holiday tradition for numerous Scranton-area residents since its beginnings more than a half-century ago when it was founded by Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J. This year’s concert will feature music by composers J.S. Bach, Randall Alan Bass, Vaclav Nelhybel, Mark Sirett and others, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. Pianist and harpsichordist for the evening is Ron Stabinsky and organist is Christopher Johnson. Performance Music’s fully restored Steinway grand piano and Austin Opus 301 symphonic organ will be heard on the program, and the evening will feature the debut of the department’s newly donated and restored Zuckerman harpsichord. Remarks and readings will be offered by Rev. James Duffy, S.J., M.D., superior for the Scranton Jesuit Community; Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., vice president for University advancement; Leonard Gougeon, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Department of English and Theatre; Hal Baillie, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Philosophy Department; and senior student members of the ensemble.
The University of Scranton Events November and December Events Planned at The University of Scranton Through Nov. 18 Art Exhibit: “Mayan Narratives: San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala” photographs by Byron Maldonado. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Nov. 6 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu. Nov. 8 7:30 p.m. 36th annual Henry George Lecture: “Still Worth the Trip? Modern-Era Busing and other Lessons from Urban School Reform” presented by Parag Pathak, Ph.D., professor of economics, MIT. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu. Nov. 10 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “On Democracy, Inequality and Jazz Improvisation” presented by Wayne Winborne, Ph.D., executive director, Institute of Jazz Studies, assistant professor arts culture and media, Rutgers University-Newark. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov. 12 7:30 a.m. Schemel Forum bus trip to New York, New York, to August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” $150. Registration required before Sept. 30. Spaces are limited. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov. 12 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 17 7 p.m. Lecture: “Forced Removal of the Lenape People: History and Homecoming” presented by Curtis Zunigha, enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians and co-founder/co-director of the Lenape Center. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Nov. 17-19 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Rent” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Call 570-941-7401 or email livaartscompany@gmail.com. Nov. 18 6 p.m.. Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program: The Royden B. Davis, S.J. Distinguished Author Award Event honoring Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter. McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov. 18 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Dec. 2 Noon. Schemel Forum’s Munley World Affairs Luncheon Series: “How Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Changed the World” presented by Trudy Rubin, Worldview columnist, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Dec. 3 8 p.m. Performance Music: “54th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Dec. 5 5 p.m. Community Relations Roundtable: “The Journey from ‘Immigrant’ to Citizen” featuring local resource speakers from a range of backgrounds, in collaboration with the Schemel Forum. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. PNC Board Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Dec. 9 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Process of Peace, Palermo: An Experience, a Model” presented by Leoluca Orlando, professor, former mayor of Palermo, honorary mayor of Palermo Huila Columbia and cofounder of Global Parliament of Mayors. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Dec. 11 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert.” Performance Music student musicians perform solo, duet, trio and small group renditions of a variety of Christmas favorites. Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a monetary donation. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. The University of Scranton Will Present a Recital by Pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-werner On Sunday, Oct. 23, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a recital by critically and popularly acclaimed award-winning pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. Conductor and Director of Performance Music Cheryl Y. Boga says, “I first became of aware of Llewellyn and his incredible talent when my son (Joseph) would text me from his classes at Juilliard to tell me about this amazing 13-year-old who was already enrolled in pursuit of his undergraduate degree and – according to Joseph – ‘played piano like craaaazy!’ Now, at age 25, he is already one of the most virtuosic, vibrant and socially committed musicians of his generation.” Described as “a gifted virtuoso” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Sanchez-Werner has been performing with orchestras since the age of 6. The California native has played internationally with the Royal Concertgebouw in the Netherlands, CultureSummit Abu Dhabi, the Louvre and Grenoble Museums in France, Smetana Hall in the Czech Republic, State Philharmonic Hall in Slovakia, Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Ashford Castle in Ireland and the Gijon International Piano Festival in Spain. In the United States, he has performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center and National Sawdust in New York City, Mary B. Galvin Hall in Chicago, Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University, Paramount Theater in Oakland, and the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Art Museum and Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Ayad Akhtar Honored at University of Scranton Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar will receive the 2022 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award from The University of Scranton’s Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library on Friday, Nov. 18. The award will be presented at a reception and dinner in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. Reservations and tickets are required for the dinner and award presentation, which begins at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Library Endowment Fund, which supports special gifts for the Weinberg Library collections and services. Akhtar was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2013 for his play “Disgraced,” which also received a Tony Award nomination. The play examines the role of religion, politics and identity in post-9/11 America. His play “Junk,” about junk bonds and Wall Street culture of the 1980s, won the 2018 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History. His work has been published and performed in over two dozen languages. Akhtar is the author of “Homeland Elegies,” which The Washington Post called “a tour de force” and The New York Times called “a beautiful novel…that had echoes of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and that circles, with pointed intellect, the possibilities and limitations of American life.” His first novel, “American Dervish,” was published in over 20 languages. In addition to “Junk” and “Disgraced,” his plays include “The Who & The What” and “The Invisible Hand,” which received the Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award and Olivier, among other accolades.
Mohegan Sun Arena Keith Urban’s Tour Keith Urban’s “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR” shifted into overdrive today, with news that Tyler Hubbard, lead singer of the multi-platinum-selling, record-breaking duo Florida Georgia Line, will join Urban’s fall lineup, that already includes 3x GRAMMY® nominee Ingrid Andress. Urban, whose shows are a legendary combination of freneticism and unpredictability debuts his new lineup, a musically explosive trifecta on September 3rd at The Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. The tour will hit Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Thursday, October 20th. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster or in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena. “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR,” which brought Urban back to the road late last month after nearly four years, continues through the summer with Andress, before taking on Hubbard for more than two-dozen shows to run through November. For information on where to get tickets go to www.keithurban.com. Urban’s shows feature many of his 24 No. 1 hits, some not played in years, as well as new songs never performed live. In addition, Urban’s set list includes his latest single “Brown Eyes Baby,” as well as songs reworked specifically for “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR.” “I’m psyched that my brutha Tyler Hubbard is gonna come out and join Ingrid (Andress) and me on the fall leg of my “SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR,” said Urban. “…it’s like some Ocean’s 11 sh#t, and it’s gonna be a BLAST!!!!!” Hubbard brings to the tour his trademark high-energy performance style, as well as songs from an upcoming new album. The project’s first single, “5 Foot 9,” has over 40M global streams and is quickly moving up the charts. The second track from the project, “35’s” has over 1M global streams and his next song, “Way Home,” will be released July 15. “I’ve been writing and recording a lot of new music for my first solo album, songs that are made to be played live,” says Hubbard. “I am so excited to be joining Keith (Urban) on his fall tour and can’t wait to play them for the first time for fans across the country.” Critics from around the globe have hailed Urban’s concerts as ones “not to be missed,” as unpredictable as they are explosive. Combine his infectious showmanship, virtuoso guitar playing, effortless spontaneity with a fist-pumping, arena-ready arsenal of hits and “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD” TOUR promises to be one of the concert event of the summer. “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR” September 3 Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre September 8 Phoenix Footprint Center September 9 San Diego North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre September 10 Los Angeles The Kia Forum September 15 Salt Lake City USANA Amphitheatre September 16 Denver Ball Arena September 17 Wichita INTRUST Bank Arena September 22 Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena September 23 Columbus Nationwide Arena September 29 Kansas City T-Mobile Center September 30 Oklahoma City Paycom Center October 1 Ft. Worth Dickies Arena October 6 Lexington Rupp Arena October 7 Nashville Bridgestone Arena October 8 Atlanta State Farm Arena October 13 Savannah Enmarket Arena October 14 Knoxville Thompson Boling Arena October 15 Charleston Charleston Coliseum October 20 Wilkes-Barre Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza October 21 Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena October 22 Belmont Park UBS Arena at Belmont Park November 4 Peoria Peoria Civic Center
Marywood University Announces Fall Events Marywood University’s Music, Theatre, and Dance department has announced its fall semester concerts and performances. SeptemberFriday, 9/30Dancing at Lughnasa7:30 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsTheatrical ProductionOctoberSaturday, 10/1Dancing at Lughnasa2 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsTheatrical ProductionSaturday, 10/1Dancing at Lughnasa7:30 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsTheatrical ProductionSunday, 10/2Dancing at Lughnasa2 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsTheatrical ProductionSunday, 10/2Dancing at Lughnasa7:30 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsTheatrical ProductionSaturday, 10/15String Celebration7 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertSunday, 10/23Northeastern Youth Wind and String Ensemble4 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts ConcertNovemberSaturday, 11/5Nomadic Chromatics7 p.m.Room 104, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertSunday, 11/6Tutti Ensemble2 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertSunday, 11/6Wind Band4 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertThursday, 11/10Opera: The Magic Flute for Students10 a.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsOpera PerformanceSaturday, 11/12Mary West and Elisa Kovacs3 p.m.Marian ChapelSenior RecitalSaturday, 11/12Opera: The Magic Flute7 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsOpera PerformanceSunday, 11/13Opera: The Magic Flute2 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsOpera PerformanceMonday, 11/14General Voice Recital8 p.m.Marian ChapelGeneral RecitalFriday, 11/18Jazz Ambassadors7 p.m.Marian ChapelJazz ConcertSunday, 11/20Concert Choir2 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertTuesday, 11/29Percussion Ensemble5 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertTuesday, 11/29Evening of Strings6:30 p.m.Marian ChapelConcertWednesday, 11/30General Recital8 p.m.Marian ChapelGeneral RecitalDecemberThursday, 12/1 String Ensemble7 p.m.Marian ChapelConcertSaturday, 12/3Junior Wind Band Celebration7 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertSunday, 12/4Chambers Singers2 p.m.Marian ChapelConcertMonday, 12/5String Project6 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcertTuesday, 12/6Guitar Ensemble7 p.m.Marian ChapelConcertSaturday, 12/10Orchestra2 p.m.Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsConcert
RadioBOLD Music Festival at Mohegan Sun Pocono The RadioBOLD Music Festival – Livin’ On The Edge – is a free day-long music concert event featuring Radio Flashback, The Idol Kings, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen and more! This music festival will take place at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Outdoor Concert Venue. In partnership with Mohegan Sun Pocono, BluElefante, & the Bold Gold Media Group family of local radio stations, The RadioBOLD Music Festival is a listener appreciation event in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Bold Gold’s award winning RadioBOLD Mobile App. The all-day music event is free and open to everyone 21 and over, and will feature food, fun, drink specials, prizes, contests, magic, surprises and some of the greatest music to ever be played over the radio airwaves! Headlining the Event: Radio Flashback: This is not just a classic rock band, it is a tribute to the music, the artists and the experiences that we all remember. A “Radio Flashback” performance is like tuning into your favorite radio station and listening to all of the songs you love, as well as incredible “rock blocks” of your favorite artists, such as Bad Company, Doobie Bros, ZZ Top, Styx, Foreigner, Steve Miller Band, Wings, Boston, Cheap Trick, ELO, Badfinger and Aerosmith. The Idol Kings – A Tribute to Journey, John Mellencamp & REO Speedwagon: For over twelve years the Idol Kings have been traversing America and thrilling audiences with their spot-on recreations of your favorite songs complete with costume changes! Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen: Northeast Pennsylvania’s own premier blues-rock power trio combines sexy grooves, infectious rhythm, and soaring guitars and vocals. An experience not to be missed! WHAT: The RadioBOLD Music Festival – Livin’ On The Edge WHEN: Saturday, September 10th from 2:00pm – 9:00pm (Doors Open at 1:00pm) WHERE: Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Event is free, but guests must be 21+ to enter. A portion of proceeds raised during the event will go towards local NEPA charities: The Women’s Resource Center and Here For A Reason. Download the free RadioBOLD Mobile App to stay informed about additional information and updates regarding The RadioBOLD Music Festival. The RadioBOLD App will also be your key to entering for your chance to win special prizes during the day of the Festival!
Scranton Cultural Center to Host Third Free Outdoor Summer Concert The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host its third free outdoor summer concert with The Dishonest Fiddlers on August 13. The show will take place outside the Scranton Cultural Center at 420 N. Washington Avenue. “The weather didn’t keep us down last month, even though we had to move our concert indoors. It was a pleasure to host Erin Malloy & Friends on our stage as the first entertainment event in our theatre since last year,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to feature The Dishonest Fiddlers next month.” Dave Brown and The Dishonest Fiddlers are an up and coming Folk/Americana group based in NEPA. Since 2013, they have been performing original music, honing their craft, and developing a nice fan base along the way. Their newest studio album, “Based on a True Story” was recorded in 2019-2020 and includes 10 original hand crafted tunes. Band members include Dave Brown (guitar/harmonica/vocals), Brendan Gosson (fiddle), Shawn Caden (mandolin/banjo), Stephen Kurtz (bass) and Jami Novak (percussion). All current CDC Guidelines will be followed at each performance with any updates being shared via social media. Patrons are requested to wear face coverings while inside the building. All performances will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM; a cash bar with light fare will open at 6:00 PM prior to each show. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. The final concert in the series will feature Blind Choice on September 10. To learn more about the Scranton Cultural Center and its upcoming events, visit SCCMT.org. The free outdoor summer concert series is sponsored by LT Verrastro, Truly Hard Seltzer, UGI Utilities Inc., WBRE/WYOU and Fidelity Bank. It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.
Billy Strings Extends Headline Tour Through December Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Billy Strings will continue his extensive headline tour through the end of the year including a newly confirmed show at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Friday, November 19th at 8:30pm. Tickets for the Wilkes-Barre show go on-sale this Friday, July 16th at 10:00am at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena. Full details can be found at billystrings.com/tour. The new dates add to a landmark year for Strings, who was recently named Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic at the 2021 Pollstar Awards after continuing to perform consistently, both in-person and virtually. Reflecting on his recent shows, Pollstar declares, “The hottest hand in jamgrass mastered pandemic touring…in a fraught year, Strings and those around him parlayed that fervor into the rare pandemic success story, blazing trails in livestreaming, drive-in touring and socially distanced podded shows while remaining true to their core values of authenticity and fan engagement.” Additionally, Relix featured Strings on the cover of their April/May issue praising, “Strings’ exuberance speaks to the boundless, resourceful spirit of his music…beyond his technical mastery, it’s his authenticity that continues to animate his music and, in turn, the fans who are drawn to that music.” Furthering his recent success, Strings taped his PBS “Austin City Limits” debut last week, which will appear as part of the legendary program’s upcoming 47th season, and recently released two new collaborations: “Wargasm” featuring special guest RMR, and a new version of Bill Monroe favorite, “Midnight on the Stormy Deep,” with bluegrass legend Del McCoury, of which Jambands praises, “Their live performance swells with fine mandolin and guitar runs, as the 82-year-old and 28-year-old harmonize their respective high tenor and soulful euphonious voices.” Adding to an already triumphant career, Strings won Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards forhisacclaimed 2019 record, Home. Released on Rounder Records, Home was produced by Glenn Brown and furthers Strings’ reputation as “one of string music’s most dynamic young stars” (Rolling Stone). Of the album, The Associated Press proclaims, “it is his creative musical storytelling, paired with solid vocals on Home that should seal the deal, pleasing fans of the genre and creating some new ones…the perfect blend of pure talent and pluck,” while The Wall Street Journal praises, “Billy Strings has clearly emerged as a premier guitar flatpicker of this era.” Strings and the album also topped Billboard’s 2020 year-end chart in both Bluegrass categories: Top Bluegrass Artists and Top Bluegrass Albums Michigan-born and now Nashville-based, Strings arrived on the music scene as one of the most compelling new artists with the release of his 2017 debut LP, Turmoil & Tinfoil. Since his debut, Strings has been awarded Guitar Player of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards, selected as one of Rolling Stone’s 2017 “New Country Artists to Know” and performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and PBS’ “Bluegrass Underground.” Often playing over 200 shows per year, Strings keeps the improvisational tradition of bluegrass alive while incorporating elements of several diverse genres. WXPN’s World Café declares, “a bona fide phenom…with his virtuosic guitar playing front and center, Strings fuses bluegrass to psych rock, country and jam music, without fussing over what bluegrass should be.
