Free DIY shows return to Curry Donuts parking lot in Wilkes-Barre on May 26
Spring has sprung, and with the warmer weather comes the return of the Curry shows, held regularly throughout the summer in the parking lot of a Curry Donuts just outside of downtown Wilkes-Barre.
Organized by Cody Novitski of Wilkes-Barre emo rock band Black Diamond, George Rittenhouse, and the Curry staff, these free DIY outdoor concerts prove that, even with a lack of all-ages venues in the area, the local music scene will continue to thrive in fun and creative ways.
“I think that the shows are a good place for the music community to meet on common ground. Some bands can only get booked in basements, some can only get booked at bars, but everyone can come together here. They have a strong DIY ethic to them and everyone helps in some way. My friend D.J. Laury usually does the flyers, and George Rittenhouse, my bosses’ son, has always been a huge help also,” Novitski told NEPA Scene.
“My bosses Ann and Lester Rittenhouse have been letting us do these shows for years now, and it has a lot to do with them being a good thing for younger kids to do in a safe place. The shows are always free and they always will be, so no matter what, you can come enjoy some music.”
“Some of the best shows I’ve ever booked in this area have been in garages, pavilions, parks, and odd venues. The atmosphere is always excellent, and there are seldom any problems,” previous co-organizer Derek Jolley said in a 2015 interview.
“The Curry shows are always fun. All-ages, drug-free, alcohol-free, and free admission – you can’t beat that. Everyone just hangs out and listens to music. Some people skate around and sometimes we have fire dancers show up to dazzle us. It’s downtown Wilkes-Barre; you never know what is going to happen until it does.”
The first Curry show of the season is set for this Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at Curry Donuts (178 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre) with Black Diamond; psychedelic rock band Signs & Wonders; indie emo band Hold On, Caulfield; and acoustic folk punk solo artist Dennis Condusta.
Parking is available on the right side of Curry Donuts (closer to Beer Buzz) and the Holy Redeemer High School lot (159 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre). Parking on the Domino’s Pizza side of Curry may get you towed and, as always, “no booze, no drugs, no jerks!”
For more details, see the Facebook event page.
Photo by Derek Jolley
