NEPA Scene Staff

Live event industry offers venues and workers to help with COVID-19 vaccine rollout in letter to President Biden

Live event industry offers venues and workers to help with COVID-19 vaccine rollout in letter to President Biden

From a press release: In a letter to President Joe Biden today, AEG, Bandit Lites, Broadway League, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, International Association of Venue Managers, Live Nation, the National Association of Music Merchants, the National Independent Talent Organization, the National Independent Venue Association (whose members include many Northeastern Pennsylvania venues and festivals), […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

First-ever Scranton Ice Festival debuts downtown on Feb. 5-7

First-ever Scranton Ice Festival debuts downtown on Feb. 5-7

From a press release: In the hopes of bringing visitors to downtown Scranton to support small businesses during a difficult year and historically slow retail month, a planning committee has formed to host the inaugural Scranton Ice Festival, led by a small grassroots group of community-minded volunteers in partnership with First Friday Scranton, Scranton Tomorrow, […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

NEPA Penn State campuses host free virtual programs on entertainment, business, and more from Jan. 25-April 26

NEPA Penn State campuses host free virtual programs on entertainment, business, and more from Jan. 25-April 26

From a press release: Penn State University’s northeast region campuses will host a spring virtual program series featuring topics ranging from movie promotion and the entertainment industry to chocolate and family business, NASA, forensics, bingo, children’s books, current weather, and nature. These free programs are open to the public and will be held in the […]

 Rich Howells

VIDEO: State Street Grill in Clarks Summit discusses COVID-19 impact on bars and restaurants

VIDEO: State Street Grill in Clarks Summit discusses COVID-19 impact on bars and restaurants

Pennsylvania bars and restaurants have been able to reopen at 50 percent capacity this week, but some small businesses may never fully recover from the effects of COVID-19 and the shutdowns. Scranton video production company TwentyFiveEight Studios has been examining the true impact of the coronavirus pandemic on this industry and how mitigation was handled […]

 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 […]

 Rich Howells

Scranton entrepreneur makes deal on ‘Shark Tank,’ Click & Carry available now at Gerrity’s

Scranton entrepreneur makes deal on ‘Shark Tank,’ Click & Carry available now at Gerrity’s

Kim Meckwood holds the record for the most attempts to get on “Shark Tank.” On Friday, she proved that “persistence pays off.” In the latest episode of the ABC reality series that features entrepreneurs hoping to strike business deals, the West Scranton native pitched her hands-free Click & Carry gadget for carrying shopping bags to […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Shop at small businesses and win $50 a day with Scranton Chamber’s #SupportLackawanna contest

Shop at small businesses and win $50 a day with Scranton Chamber’s #SupportLackawanna contest

From a press release: The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is giving away $50 a day through Friday, Dec. 25 as part of its “#SupportLackawanna: Shop Small. Shop Safe.” campaign with Lackawanna County. The giveaway is free and open to the public, and easy to enter. Participants just have to use the hashtag “#SupportLackawanna” in […]

 Rich Howells

‘Shirts for the Scene’ online store helps NEPA musicians affected by pandemic

‘Shirts for the Scene’ online store helps NEPA musicians affected by pandemic

This year has been difficult for everyone, but those in the arts and entertainment industry have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. For musicians, live streams are great, but they cannot replace concerts in front of a live audience, whether they’re trying to make a living or playing purely for the love of […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Hatchet Factory in Forty Fort opens rage room to release the stress of 2020

From a press release: The owners of The Hatchet Factory in Forty Fort have announced a new addition to their unique business with the grand opening of Rage at the Factory, the area’s first rage room. Denise Ogurkis, Nicole Smith, and Nicholas Smith have expanded their presence in Luzerne County by taking over a space […]

 NEPA Scene Staff

Downtown Wilkes-Barre Holiday Pop-Up Shops open on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28

Downtown Wilkes-Barre Holiday Pop-Up Shops open on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28

From a press release: The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Diamond City Partnership will officially open the new Downtown Wilkes-Barre Holiday Pop-Up Shops with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10:30 a.m. on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square. Starting this weekend, nine of these individual and socially distant shops […]