Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: Director Robert May searches for cinematic justice in ‘Kids for Cash’ documentary

ARCHIVES: Director Robert May searches for cinematic justice in ‘Kids for Cash’ documentary

When federal prosecutors charged Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan in 2009 with accepting millions of dollars from a new, privately-owned juvenile detention facility where they had harshly sentenced over 3,000 children, everyone in the country seemed to have an opinion on the scandal dubbed “kids for cash,” particularly about the corrupt judiciary. […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: Comedian Gilbert Gottfried returns to Poconos, sneaks into show business

ARCHIVES: Comedian Gilbert Gottfried returns to Poconos, sneaks into show business

Gilbert Gottfried has performed at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono before, but like most places he’s been, he can’t exactly remember it. “Whenever I go to a club or casino to perform at, I’m one of those people like in those movies where the lead character is suffering from amnesia and he’ll go […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: People (and their boutiques) are strange – The Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor opens in Kingston

ARCHIVES: People (and their boutiques) are strange – The Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor opens in Kingston

The centerpiece on the coffee table in front of the door is a human skull under glass, accentuated by severed white mannequin arms reaching up for it from underneath. Heads of deer, a ram, and other expired animals line the deep purple walls alongside taxidermied wolves and birds. Butterflies and beetles are pinned behind elaborate […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: Surviving the ‘Dead’ – ‘Walking Dead’ and ‘Dawn of the Dead’ stars Infect Scranton Sept. 20-22

ARCHIVES: Surviving the ‘Dead’ – ‘Walking Dead’ and ‘Dawn of the Dead’ stars Infect Scranton Sept. 20-22

Two years ago, a friend told actor Vincent Ward that he should be on AMC’s hit TV series “The Walking Dead.” “Why would I want to be on a show about zombies?” he replied. “A year later, I’m on a show about zombies.” Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Ward was a basketball star and […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: ‘Blacklisted’ Culture Shock headliner Aayu finds new life in name, rap music in Scranton

ARCHIVES: ‘Blacklisted’ Culture Shock headliner Aayu finds new life in name, rap music in Scranton

Aayu, the indie rapper from Bucks County who relocated to Northeast Pennsylvania a few years ago, admits his name is “a pain the ass” because of its unusual pronunciation, but unlike many hip-hop artists, it’s no gimmick. “It’s a common boy and girl’s name in India, but it’s an old, old name that translates from […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: Courting controversy again, Ted Nugent returns to the Peak on Aug. 14

ARCHIVES: Courting controversy again, Ted Nugent returns to the Peak on Aug. 14

Ted Nugent’s recent comments in the media have resulted in protests in other states, but when he returns to Pennsylvania tonight, he’s expecting nothing but love. The controversial guitarist will be performing at Penn’s Peak with opener Laura Wilde, starting at 8 p.m. His latest live album, “Ultralive Ballisticrock,” was recorded at the venue in […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: Banjos and banter – Steve Martin and Edie Brickell talk ‘Love’ and bluegrass before Wilkes-Barre performance

ARCHIVES: Banjos and banter – Steve Martin and Edie Brickell talk ‘Love’ and bluegrass before Wilkes-Barre performance

“He has the enthusiasm of a kid,” Edie Brickell says of her recent musical collaborator, Steve Martin. “I’ve worked with younger bands, younger musicians who have been disheartened or jaded somehow by what they experienced or what they do, and Steve is just bright as can be, like working with a teenager. It brings out […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: Captain, We’re Sinking reveals ‘The Future’ at acoustic record release show in Wilkes-Barre

ARCHIVES: Captain, We’re Sinking reveals ‘The Future’ at acoustic record release show in Wilkes-Barre

Captain, We’re Sinking’s new album “The Future Is Cancelled” may sound bleak, but the mostly Philadelphia-based punk rockers, who originally started in Scranton, are actually on their way up. After finishing a successful tour with his brother Greg’s band, The Menzingers, guitarist/vocalist Bob Barnett is ready, though a bit nervous, to showcase his banjo picking […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: ‘Hell yeah’ – Menzingers are back in Scranton for Steamtown Beer & Music Festival

ARCHIVES: ‘Hell yeah’ – Menzingers are back in Scranton for Steamtown Beer & Music Festival

When The Menzingers were asked if they’d like to play the first-ever Steamtown Beer & Music Festival, guitarist/vocalist Tom May felt the answer was obvious. “We love beer and Scranton, so hell yeah!” While the four punk rockers moved to Philadelphia over five years ago to better network with fellow bands, it was the Northeast […]

 Rich Howells

ARCHIVES: From Batman to Scranton – writer Scott Beatty celebrates Free Comic Book Day at Comics on the Green

ARCHIVES: From Batman to Scranton – writer Scott Beatty celebrates Free Comic Book Day at Comics on the Green

Not only is Comics on the Green in downtown Scranton offering free comics on Free Comic Book Day this Saturday, May 4, but the shop is also offering the chance to meet one of those comic’s writers. Scott Beatty, known for penning characters like Batman, Robin, Green Lantern, Sherlock Holmes, The Shadow, The Phantom, and […]