Bethlehem bluegrass band Serene Green celebrates new album with release shows Aug. 2-9

From a press release: Bethlehem bluegrass band Serene Green will celebrate the release of their second studio album, “Have at It,” with a series of five regional shows starting this Friday, Aug. 2 at The Stonehouse in Carbondale and running through next Friday, Aug. 9 at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains. Announced last […]
BEHIND THE BEAT: For Prince fans, ‘Nothing Compares 2’ Dean Ford and the Beautiful Ones

The stage, cloaked in fog, is still. Because the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains is perfect for an intimate show, we’re close – real close. The band is in place, and they are not moving. The crowd has been waiting. We’re ready. You can hear short clips of Prince’s songs mixed with dialogue from […]
REVIEW/PHOTOS: Starwood, Disposable, and These Idol Hands channel alien energy at Jazz Cafe in Plains

It’s no surprise that when Philadelphia’s resident alien rock band Starwood landed in the Wilkes-Barre area, they brought with them a diverse musical lineup that would strike most crowds as strange, but those gathered at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains were ready for a strangely fun night on Saturday, Feb. 9. A week […]
Big D and the Kids Table brings ska back to River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on May 3

From a press release: It was announced today that Boston ska punk band and Vans Warped Tour mainstays Big D and the Kids Table will return to the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on Friday, May 3 with punk rockers Blanks 77 and ska trio Disposable, both from New Jersey. Doors at the Jazz […]
Philly alien cyborg band Starwood beams into River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on Feb. 9

Philadelphia “cyber art rock” band Starwood, who have some local musical connections, will return to Northeastern Pennsylvania to headline a show at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains this Saturday, Feb. 9 with New Jersey ska/surf punks Disposable and Scranton “sleaze rock” band These Idol Hands. Founded with members of defunct but memorable Scranton […]
15-year-old guitar virtuoso Brandon ‘Taz’ Niederauer shreds at Jazz Cafe in Plains on Dec. 7
While Brandon “Taz” Niederauer describes himself as “just a kid who loves playing music,” anyone who has seen what he can do with a guitar knows that there’s much more to his talent than that. By the age of 15, he has shared stages and received accolades from everyone from Slash to Dweezil Zappa to […]
PHOTOS: ‘For Tommy: A Celebration of Life’ benefit at River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains, 08/12/18

Every time there is a benefit or charitable cause raising funds in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the local music scene is always there to donate their time and talent, so when it came time to do so while honoring one of their own, they delivered in spades. Tommy Wynder, a loved and respected drummer, music teacher, father, […]
Following Peach Fest debut, Gatos Blancos return to River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on Aug. 25

Following their well-received first performance at the Peach Music Festival in Scranton, Gatos Blancos will return to the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on Saturday, Aug. 25. The group, who made their hometown area debut at the Jazz Cafe last year, features members of popular Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jamgrass band Cabinet (who recently reunited for their […]