Rich Howells

Save Our Stages Act benefiting NEPA music venues included in COVID-19 relief bill

Save Our Stages Act benefiting NEPA music venues included in COVID-19 relief bill

After stalling for months, Democrats and Republicans in Congress finally agreed on a $900 billion pandemic relief package on Sunday that incorporates the Save Our Stages Act, setting aside “$15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions,” according to Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Sheetz releases vanilla donut hole beer in NEPA stores in limited quantities on Nov. 27

Sheetz releases vanilla donut hole beer in NEPA stores in limited quantities on Nov. 27

From a press release: This week, Sheetz announced a limited edition craft beer brewed with Shweetz Glazed Vanilla Donut Holes. Dubbed “Project Happy Hole-idayz,” this first-ever beer was brewed in partnership with Wicked Weed Brewing Company and will be released this weekend. Brewed with one pound per barrel of the brand’s vanilla doughnut holes, the […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Independent music venues form new foundation led by Pennsylvania owner as federal relief stalls

Independent music venues form new foundation led by Pennsylvania owner as federal relief stalls

From a press release: As its nearly 3,000 members anxiously await the passage of the Save Our Stages Act in Congress, the National Independent Venue Association has announced the formation of the National Independent Venue Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to partner and fundraise through individual, corporate, and foundation donations to expand upon […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Scranton Comedy Club reopens in Dunmore with NYC comic Wellie Jackson on Nov. 28

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the Scranton Comedy Club was on a roll, opening in a newly remodeled location with successful monthly shows until the statewide shutdown. Now, after months of delays due to COVID-19, the club is coming back with a limited occupancy event at the Holiday Inn Scranton East in Dunmore on Saturday, Nov. […]

 Rich Howells

Save Our Stages legislation moves forward as NEPA music venues await federal aid, among other small businesses

Save Our Stages legislation moves forward as NEPA music venues await federal aid, among other small businesses

Since COVID-19 shut down music venues across the country, the National Independent Venue Association has been pushing legislation that will help those businesses stay afloat, including several venues and festivals in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Half a year later, it is finally starting to pick up steam in the state and federal government. The Save Our Stages […]

 Rich Howells

Holiday Peeps and other Just Born candies from Bethlehem won’t be available until 2021

Holiday Peeps and other Just Born candies from Bethlehem won’t be available until 2021

Over the weekend, Just Born Quality Confections in Bethlehem revealed that its popular candies like Marshmallow Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales will not be available for Halloween or Christmas this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. While designated as an “essential business” by the state and federal government, Just Born temporarily suspended production […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

NEPA music venues join National Indie Venue Association to save industry and request funding

NEPA music venues join National Indie Venue Association to save industry and request funding

From a press release: Formed at the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown, the National Independent Venue Association now has nearly 2,000 members in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including venues like Stage West in Scranton and State College, the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, and ArtsQuest’s Musikfest Cafe and […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Musikfest in Bethlehem goes virtual in 2020 with 80 online and TV performances July 31-Aug. 9

Musikfest in Bethlehem goes virtual in 2020 with 80 online and TV performances July 31-Aug. 9

From a press release: More than 80 performers and 30 partners are joining with ArtsQuest to keep the music alive and free for the community during a very different Musikfest on Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 9. The 2020 Musikfest will include 40 all-new exclusive concerts shown via musikfest.org as part of Virtual Musikfest, […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks in Bethlehem presents free live streaming concert series starting May 28

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks in Bethlehem presents free live streaming concert series starting May 28

From a press release: Free live streams by artists like The Slackers, Kat Wright Acoustic Trio, American Dinosaur, and Yam Haus, as well as a glimpse of the virtual programming being offered by all eight Levitt Pavilions across the country, highlight the start of the 10th year of the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks in Bethlehem as […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Grammy-winning Infamous Stringdusters jam at Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg on April 9

Grammy-winning Infamous Stringdusters jam at Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg on April 9

From a press release: After recently wrapping up over 20 dates across the country, including stops in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver, Grammy Award-winning jamgrass band The Infamous Stringdusters will begin the month of April with a concert at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg on Thursday, April 9. The group has performed locally […]