NEPA music and entertainment venues receive $10.7 million in COVID-19 relief funds
From a press release: Last week, State Representative Matt Cartwright (D-Moosic) announced that 12 venues in Pennsylvania’s 8th District will receive a total of $10.7 million from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program. Cartwright voted to establish the program through the bipartisan COVID-19 relief package passed in December of 2020, then enhance it by helping […]
Lackawanna County offers recovery grants to musicians and DJs affected by COVID-19
From a press release: Many local musicians struggle to make ends meet as it is, so when COVID-19 hit last year, it dealt a crippling blow to their livelihoods. The economic collapse of the live music industry affected not only the musician themselves, but countless other professionals, including managers, sound technicians, stage crew, lighting directors, […]
Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton saved from demolition after outpouring of online support
Joe Bob Briggs often says, “The drive in will never die,” and today, he is more right than ever before. As the cult film critic, television host, and well-known drive-in supporter prepares to kick off his inaugural Joe Bob’s Jamboree this weekend at the Mahoning Drive-In Theater, the historic Lehighton venue is celebrating a personal […]
Planned solar farm threatens to ‘demolish’ historic Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton
Over the past year, drive-in theaters went from rare relics of a bygone era to essential venues for entertainment and social gatherings, providing safe ways to enjoy movies, live music, graduations, and other events during the pandemic and reminding everyone of the historic and cultural significance of these outdoor venues. How quickly people forget. Yesterday, […]
Mayors of NEPA unite against consumer fireworks in letter to legislators
From a press release: During the pandemic, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown began meeting with other Northeast Pennsylvania mayors to pool resources and work on common issues in the area. On June 24, they joined together under the banner of “Mayors of Northeastern Pennsylvania” to write a letter to express their distress with the increased […]
Scranton residents and nonprofits volunteer for ‘City Pride’ cleanup June 5-12
From a press release: After a year-long hiatus due to COVID-19, Scranton City Pride cleanups and plantings are returning to the Electric City. Today, organizers announced the week-long event will be reintroduced in neighborhoods throughout the city and the downtown business district thanks to a partnership between Scranton Tomorrow, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the city […]
Gov. Wolf will lift all COVID-19 restrictions in Pa. on Memorial Day, except for masking
From a press release: Governor Tom Wolf’s administration, in coordination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Joint Task Force, announced today that mitigation orders except masking will be lifted on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31 at 12:01 a.m. This includes capacity restrictions on bars, restaurants, theaters, casinos, and other entertainment venues, as well as indoor and outdoor […]
Lackawanna County seeks local artwork to ‘beautify’ Government Center in Scranton
From a press release: Today, Lackawanna County announced that it is seeking artwork for a “Beautify the Building” initiative. Area artists are invited to submit images of artwork celebrating Lackawanna County. The program’s goal is to showcase local artwork throughout its Government Center, located on Wyoming Avenue in the old Globe Store in downtown Scranton […]
Recovery grants for Lackawanna and Luzerne County hospitality businesses open in March
From press releases: Both Lackawanna and Luzerne counties will release millions of dollars in grants to help restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in the hospitality industry following an exceptionally difficult year. In February, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 1 of 2021 into law, which set aside $145 million to establish the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery […]
NEPA music venues still await federal relief funds from Save Our Stages legislation
As part of the $900 billion pandemic relief package that Congress passed at the end of 2020, “$15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions,” according to a Dec. 20 statement from Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. However, as February comes to a close, those businesses have […]
