Events happening this week in downtown Wilkes-Barre: Feb. 17-23
Every Tuesday, the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association and Diamond City Partnership release a list of events happening in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Subscribe here to receive this list via e-mail or just check NEPA Scene each week.
Downtown events
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Event: Wyoming Valley Art League Artists Social
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Wyoming Valley Art League (130 S. Franklin St., REAR)
The Wyoming Valley Art League presents Tuesday Art Social! Come and go as you please. Bring your own art and materials and work while enjoying the company and inspiration of other artists! Members only – but anyone can come and purchase their membership the same day.
More information: wyomingvalleyartleague.org or 570-288-1020
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Event: Bill Blagg’s Science of Magic
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts (71 Public Square)
Back by popular demand, Bill Blagg takes students on a exciting, never-before-seen journey that explores, firsthand, how magicians utilize science to create the impossible. Designed for fourth through eighth grade. General admission tickets are $8; school groups are $6.
More information: kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Thursday, Feb. 19
Event: Wilkes University Gardner Educational Forum
Time: 4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Location: Wilkes University Marts Athletic Center, Room 214 (274 S. Franklin St.)
Presenters Rachel Bartron and Jill Carrick, both Wyoming Seminary teachers, will speak on the topic of “Preparing Our Students for Careers in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering (STEM).” Free and open to the public; Pennsylvania certified teachers can earn Act 48 credit for their attendance and participation in Gardner Educational Forum sessions.
More information: wilkes.edu or 570-408-4686
Thursday, Feb. 19
Event: Franklin Street Sleuths
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Osterhout Free Library (71 S. Franklin St.)
Join our lively book discussion of Consequences by Philippe Djian. Light refreshments. Free and open to the public.
More information: osterhout.info or 570-821-1959
Thursday, Feb. 19
Event: Jerry Seinfeld
Time: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Location: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts (71 Public Square)
America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, returns to Wilkes-Barre to perform his signature stand-up routine at the F.M. Kirby Center! Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that relate to audiences everywhere. See Jerry live and in person! He will perform two shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 19; tickets only remain for the 9:30 p.m. show. Tickets start at $67.50.
More information: kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Thursday, Feb. 19
Event: King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo”
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: George P. Maffei II Theatre, King’s College Administration Building (N. River St.)
Ready to laugh? King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo.” This madcap comedy by playwright Ken Ludwig centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading 1950s stars on tour and grasping for one last shot at stardom. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for King’s alumni and non-King’s students.
More information or tickets: http://moonbuffalo.brownpapertickets.com, 570-208-5825, or boxoff@kings.edu
Friday, Feb. 20
Event: Osterhout Free Movie Friday: Romance is in the Air
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Osterhout Free Library (71 S. Franklin St.)
Free movie matinee every Friday during February. This week, view “Before Sunrise” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy (1995; rated R) at 2 p.m. Free and open to the public.
More information: osterhout.info or 570-821-1959
Friday, Feb. 20
Event: The “Old Stories Project” and Third Friday opening reception for “Images of Awakening”
Time: 5 p.m.-7 p.m.; reading at 6:30 p.m.
Location: WVAL Circle Centre for the Arts (130 S. Franklin St., REAR)
It’s Third Friday at the Circle Centre for the Arts! The Wyoming Valley Art League holds an opening reception for its new exhibit featuring the Art of Tibetan Buddhism. A Member’s Show will be on display in the second-floor gallery. Robert Anderson will perform “the Old Stories Project” – fairytales from Vietnam, Korea, China, and Japan, accompanied by musicians Jason Smeltzer (on the theremin) and Kathy Wang (on the guzheng). Free and open to the public.
More information: wyomingvalleyartleague.org or facebook.com/wvartleague
Friday, Feb. 20
Event: Campion Literary Society Open Mic Night
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Postupak Room, King’s College McGowan School of Business (W. Union St.)
Students, faculty, and members of the community can share creative works, including poems, short stories, drama, and creative nonfiction, or perform music or comedy. Free and open to the public.
More information: 570-208-5900, ext. ext. 5487
Friday, Feb. 20
Event: King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo”
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: George P. Maffei II Theatre, King’s College Administration Building (N. River St.)
Ready to laugh? King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo.” This madcap comedy by playwright Ken Ludwig centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading 1950s stars on tour and grasping for one last shot at stardom. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for King’s alumni and non-King’s students.
More information or tickets: http://moonbuffalo.brownpapertickets.com, 570-208-5825, or boxoff@kings.edu
Friday, Feb. 20
Event: Wilkes University Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Dorothy Dickson Darte Center (W. South St.)
“South Park” meets “Desperate Housewives” in this big-hearted musical comedy with a cheeky script and an infectious score. It’s undeniable fun as Pippi, the stripper on the run, wreaks havoc all over Armadillo Acres, Florida’s most exclusive trailer park! Tickets are $10; senior citizens/non-Wilkes students are $5; and Wilkes faculty/staff/students are free with Wilkes ID.
More information: wilkes.edu or 570-408-4540
Friday, Feb. 20
Event: Shemekia Copeland Live from the Chandelier Lobby
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts (71 Public Square)
Blues vocal powerhouse Shemekia Copeland is the next featured artist in the Kirby Center’s “Live from the Chandelier Lobby” concert series. As an heir to the tradition of soul-drenched divas like Ruth Brown, Etta James, and Koko Taylor, Ms. Copeland is a force to be reckoned with. She has opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival, scored critics’ choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic, and even performed at the White House. The Sterling Koch Trio will be the opening act. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show.
More information: kirbycenter.org or 570-826-1100
Saturday, Feb. 21
Event: One More Row Knit & Crochet Group
Time: 10:30 a.m.-noon
Location: Osterhout Free Library (71 S. Franklin St.)
Learn, share and knit or crochet! All ages and beginners welcome. Free and open to the public. Call 570-821-1959 to register.
More information: osterhout.info or 570-821-1959
Saturday, Feb. 21
Event: King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo”
Time: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Location: George P. Maffei II Theatre, King’s College Administration Building (N. River St.)
Ready to laugh? King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo.” This madcap comedy by playwright Ken Ludwig centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading 1950s stars on tour and grasping for one last shot at stardom. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for King’s alumni and non-King’s students.
More information or tickets: http://moonbuffalo.brownpapertickets.com, 570-208-5825, or boxoff@kings.edu
Saturday, Feb. 21
Event: Wilkes University Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Dorothy Dickson Darte Center (W. South St.)
“South Park” meets “Desperate Housewives” in this big-hearted musical comedy with a cheeky script and an infectious score. It’s undeniable fun as Pippi, the stripper on the run, wreaks havoc all over Armadillo Acres, Florida’s most exclusive trailer park! Tickets are $10; senior citizens/non-Wilkes students are $5; and Wilkes faculty/staff/students are free with Wilkes ID.
More information: wilkes.edu or 570-408-4540
Sunday, Feb. 21
Event: King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo”
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: George P. Maffei II Theatre, King’s College Administration Building (N. River St.)
Ready to laugh? King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo.” This madcap comedy by playwright Ken Ludwig centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading 1950s stars on tour and grasping for one last shot at stardom. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for King’s alumni and non-King’s students.
More information or tickets: http://moonbuffalo.brownpapertickets.com, 570-208-5825, or boxoff@kings.edu
Sunday, Feb. 22
Event: Wilkes University Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Dorothy Dickson Darte Center (W. South St.)
“South Park” meets “Desperate Housewives” in this big-hearted musical comedy with a cheeky script and an infectious score. It’s undeniable fun as Pippi, the stripper on the run, wreaks havoc all over Armadillo Acres, Florida’s most exclusive trailer park! Tickets are $10; senior citizens/non-Wilkes students are $5; and Wilkes faculty/staff/students are free with Wilkes ID.
More information: wilkes.edu or 570-408-4540
Sunday, Feb. 22
Event: Music From St. Stephen’s: George Levandowski in Recital
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral (35 S. Franklin St.)
Bass-baritone George Levandowski, accompanied by Canon Mark Laubach, will perform a recital in support of the Winchester Residency and will feature works by Franz Josef Haydn, George Frederick Handel, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Stephen Sondheim, and others. Free and open to the public; a free-will offering will support the St. Stephen’s Choir’s August 2015 residency at Winchester Cathedral in England.
More information: ststephenswb.org or 570-704-7055
Monday, Feb. 23
Event: King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo”
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: George P. Maffei II Theatre, King’s College Administration Building (N. River St.)
Ready to laugh? King’s College Theatre presents “Moon Over Buffalo.” This madcap comedy by playwright Ken Ludwig centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading 1950s stars on tour and grasping for one last shot at stardom. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $7 for senior citizens, and $5 for King’s alumni and non-King’s students.
More information or tickets: http://moonbuffalo.brownpapertickets.com, 570-208-5825, or boxoff@kings.edu
Downtown exhibits
Luzerne County Historical Society Museum
(69 S. Franklin St.)
The Luzerne County Historical Society Museum is closed during the month of February for collections management and the installation of new exhibits.
King’s College Widmann Art Gallery
(Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, between N. Main and N. Franklin Sts.)
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Exhibit: Jim Gavenus: “Marchers of the Movement”
Dates: Jan. 12 through Feb. 26
Jim Gavenus is an internationally recognized documentary photographer. His intimate images and poignant storytelling are evidence of our time focusing on the human condition, social injustice, and civil rights.
More information: kings.edu or 570-208-5900, ext. 5328
The Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University
(Stark Learning Center, 150 S. River St.)
Exhibit: 2014–2015 Dr. Roy E. Morgan Exhibition, Dale Threlkeld: End of Illusion
Dates: Jan. 27 through May 17
The work of contemporary American artist Dale Threlkeld is the subject of this retrospective exhibition, organized in conjunction with the Castellani Art Museum at Niagara University. Threlkeld’s “breakthrough moment” occurred in the early 1990s, leading to the signature painting style he is known for today. Meet Dale Threlkeld at an Artist’s Opening Reception at the Sordoni Art Gallery on Thursday, Jan. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to celebrate the exhibition opening.
More information: wilkes.edu/arts/Sordoni-Art-Gallery or 570-408-4325
Wyoming Valley Art League’s Circle Center for the Arts
(130 S. Franklin St.)
Hours: Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; Third Friday Art Walk, 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Exhibit: Images of Awakening: The Art of Tibetan Buddhism
Dates: Feb. 20 through March 14
The Sandra Dyczewski Maffei Gallery hosts an exhibition of paintings by Andrea Nerozzi, together with traditional Tibetan spiritual art and artifacts from the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center in upstate New York. A Third Friday opening reception will be held from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. on Feb. 20.
Exhibit: Members’ Show
Dates: ongoing
Artwork from the WVAL’s Members’ Juried Show is currently on view in the second floor gallery.
More information: wyomingvalleyartleague.org or facebook.com/wvartleague
Walk Wilkes-Barre
This week’s historic site is:
M.J. McLaughlin Funeral Service
142 S. Washington St. (1935)
This Art Moderne gem of a building was the first purpose-built funeral parlor in the Wyoming Valley. Typical of the style, the finely incised lines of this limestone-clad structure radiate the machined precision of a 1930s radio. Still owned and operated by the McLaughlin family, whose patriarch founded the business in 1898, it continues to serve the Wyoming Valley today.
