Acoustic ‘String Fling’ at Scranton Cultural Center features Mike Miz, Bret Alexander, and more on April 8
From a press release:
It was announced today that the Scranton Cultural Center’s annual String Fling event will return to the Masonic Temple with a retooled “All Acoustic Evening” on Friday, April 8.
This intimate “unplugged” concert features some of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s favorite musicians performing mixed sets of original music, folklore, and more in Shopland Hall on the fourth floor of the SCC. The benches and cabaret-style seating are general admission and first come, first served. A cash bar and concessions will be available.
Nashville-based Americana singer/songwriter Mike Mizwinski, better known simply as Miz, is back in his hometown for one night only with his first NEPA show since the fall – only this time, local fans will be hearing something a little different. Along with Michael Borowski on piano and Stephen Kurtz on upright bass, Miz will bring an old-time country Americana feel to his set similar to what audiences might see in the heart of Tennessee.
Since signing with Electric 3 Records, Miz has been gaining speed with new singles like “Virginia” and “High for Now.” As described by Rolling Stone magazine, “Virginia” is a “monster of a jam rocker that, like the Stones did decades before him, pins an irresistible melody to one of rock’s most pined-after three-syllable names.”
Encouraged by both his mother and his father to pursue his passion for music, the Scranton native began playing guitar at age 7 and started writing songs as early as 12. Performing over 200 soulful and energetic shows a year, Miz has opened for Jason Isbell, Jakob Dylan, Lukas Nelson, Blues Traveler, Derek Trucks, America, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Felice Brothers, Shawn Colvin, Leon Russell, Chris Isaak, Peter Wolf, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Jackie Greene, Railroad Earth, The National Reserve, and many more.
The remaining String Fling lineup includes star-studded locals such as Bret Alexander, joined by friends Tim and Rob Husty, AJ Jump, and special guest Ellie Rose. Alexander is also no stranger to large-scale touring and recording success with many years in The Badlees, whose nationally acclaimed hits are “Angeline Is Coming Home,” “Fear of Falling,” and “Gwendolyn.”
Roy Williams (South Side Five, The Bog Swing Group, The Fiddle Tamers, Human Hands, Brother Roy, And the Moneynotes) will be accompanied by Shawn Caden as they debut their new duo Big Leaf with music made for guitar and mandolin.
Opening the show is one of the region’s best Americana singer/songwriters and storytellers, Dave Brown (The Dishonest Fiddlers), who recently moved to the Harrisburg area.
First introduced in 2018, this will be the third String Fling at the Scranton Cultural Center (420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton) after the pandemic put the event on hold for the last two years. Masks are highly recommended for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $28.25 in advance or $38.25 the day of the show, can be purchased in person at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC, online at ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 570-344-1111. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit sccmt.org.
The third annual String Fling is sponsored by UGI Utilities, Toyota of Scranton, the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, and LT Verrastro and is supported by Lackawanna County and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
See NEPA Scene’s photos of Mike Miz performing at the 2019 Rockin’ the River concert series in Wilkes-Barre here and photos of him at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre in 2017 here. Learn more about Miz, his 2018 album “A Year Ago Today,” and watch an exclusive acoustic performance in Episode 42 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
Photo by Rich Howells/NEPA Scene
