University of Scranton Announces Planned Spring Semester Events

Note: Access to the campus is currently limited to members of the University community, invited guests and others as listed in the Royals Back Together plan. Campus access and other health and safety information will be updated throughout the semester and can be seen on the Royals Back Together webpage. 

Feb. 3     5 p.m. Book Discussion: “Freedom: An Unruly History” led by Matt Meyers, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, University of Scranton. The event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project’s second theme, “The U.S. Citizen and the American Founding.” Offered in-person or in a virtual format. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 4 through Mar. 4       Art Exhibit: “Beneath the Surface, Behind the Horizon: Sculptures and Drawings by Cynthia Myron.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 10     noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Our Common Home: Vatican and Multifaith Engagement on Environment and Climate Justice” presented by Rabbi Daniel Swartz, spiritual leader, Temple Hesed and executive director, Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 13     3 p.m. Performance Music: “Valentine’s Day Eve Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with special guest Arnt Arntzen, banjo, guitar and voice. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 18     noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Is Liberal Democracy Already History?” presented by Elzbieta Matynia, Ph.D., professor of sociology and liberal studies and director of the Transregional Center for Democratic Studies at the New School for Social Research. Kane Forum, Edward Leahy Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 20     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring John Wilson, pianist. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 1     5 p.m. Lecture with Q&A via Zoom – “Freedom and Our Founding: What do they mean for us today?” The event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project’s second theme, “The U.S. Citizen and the American Founding.” Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. 

Mar. 3     noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Linneaus’ Legacy: Corrupting Color to Serve Discrimination and Exploitation” presented by Kathy Johnson Bowles, executive director of the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 14     noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “A Remarkable Tale of Law, Politics, and Religion: The Making of Kiryas Joel, a Hasidic Town in Upstate New York” presented David N. Myers, Ph.D., Sady and Ludwig Kahn professor of Jewish history at UCLA and director of the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy, and Nomi Stolzenberg, founder and co-director of the USC Center for Law, History and Culture. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 21 through Apr. 29        Art Exhibit: “Shinnecock Sites and Portraits: Photographs by Jeremy Dennis.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 22     7 p.m. Public Dialogue on “Freedom and Our Founding: What do they mean for us today?” The event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project’s second theme, “The U.S. Citizen and the American Founding.” Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.   

Mar. 23     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring The University of Scranton Performance Music students in solo, duo, trio and small ensemble performances. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 24     noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Window Into the Presidency: The White House Tapes and Their Meaning” presented by Fredrik Logevall, Ph.D., Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs, Harvard University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 26     9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to The University of Scranton’s class of 2026. Various locations on campus. Call 570-941-7540 or email admissions@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 2      7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Kako Miura, violinist and friends. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 6     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “14th Annual Gene Yevich Memorial Concert” featuring Dr. Wycliffe A. Gordon with The University of Scranton Singers and Scranton Brass Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 7     4 p.m. 2022 Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium: “HEALTH’y Employees Lead to HEALTH’y Patients: Strategies to Support the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 484-632-6605 or email brooke.devers@scranton.edu. 

Apr. 7     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Dr. Wycliffe A. Gordon with The University of Scranton Jazz Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 20     4 p.m. Henry George Spring Lecture: “Evolution of Conventions of Behavior” presented by Andrew Schotter, Ph.D., professor of economics, New York University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu. 

Apr. 22     noon. Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Russia and the Post-Truth Society” presented by Jill Dougherty, former CNN’s Moscow bureau chief for almost a decade, Russian expert, adjunct professor at Georgetown University and a CNN on-air contributor. Kane Forum, Edward Leahy Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 25     5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum Collaborative Program with the Jesuit Center, The University of Scranton: “A Schemel Legacy: The Engineer and the Monk” presented by Christopher F. Schemel, Ph.D., president Delta Q Consultants, Inc. and courtesy professor of chemical engineering, University of South Florida, and Brother Mario Joseph, Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Georgia. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall or remote, reception follows. $25 fee. Registration required. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 27     4:30 p.m. Annual Math Integration Bee. Calculus based competition for both high school and college divisions. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Registration required. Call 570-941-6580 or email stacey.muir@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 30-May 1     9 a.m. Saturday; noon Sunday. Friends of the Library Book and Plant Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 30     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “39th Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir premiering two new commissioned works by guest composer/conductor Javier Nero. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

May 9-13     Art Exhibit: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

May 7     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring John Romeri, organist and John Romeri, flautist. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

May 14     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with special guests. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

May 21     TBA Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.  

May 22     TBA Commencement Baccalaureate Mass. Byron Recreation Complex. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.  

Schemel Forum Courses 

Tuesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 & Mar. 1, 8         6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “James Bond and the Cold War” presented by Sean Brennan, Ph.D., professor of history, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Thursdays: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 & Mar. 3, 10     6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Moral Citizenship: The Enlightenment Vision of the Ethical Community” presented by Christopher E. Fremaux, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

Wednesdays: Feb. 9, 16, 23 & Mar. 2, 9, 23     6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Police as Guardians in a Time of War” presented by Michael J. Jenkins, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of sociology, criminal justice and criminology and executive director, Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Crime, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.  

The Scranton Cultural Center Presents FREE Concert

Enjoy a concert given by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on February 13 at 2:00 p.m.  The concert is free and open to the public.

For eight decades, the USAF Heritage of America Concert Band has educated, inspired and entertained over 1.5 million people annually, by providing music for events that support Airmen and their families, honor our Nation’s veterans and build relationships of trust between the American people and their Air Force. The Concert Band is comprised of over 40 professional Airman-musicians who captivate audiences on regular tours throughout the East Coast with a variety of renditions of great orchestral classics, marches, Broadway hits, jazz standards, movie music and patriotic favorites.

PLEASE NOTE: As per the guidelines of the United States Air Force, all attendees eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination must show proof of vaccination to gain entry to the performance. All non-vaccinated attendees must show proof of a negative FDA-approved COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the performance to gain entry.  Additionally, masks are required inside the Scranton Cultural Center for all patrons.

The United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band concert is presented by Gibbons Ford and sponsored by LT Verrastro.  It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 2:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m.  Concessions will be available for purchase.  Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission.  They can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. Convenience charges apply when claiming online or by phone.  For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.

Marywood University to Host Wind Symphony Concert

Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance department recently announced that the University’s Wind Symphony will present the world premiere of the John Burns’ work, Fairest Morning on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 4 p.m., in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. The concert is free and open to the public.

Patrick J. Burns will direct the band for the premiere. Mr. Burns is an adjunct professor of music at Montclair State University, New Jersey, where he teaches courses in music theory, orchestration, and composition. As a clarinetist, Mr. Burns has performed with many professional ensembles in the New York metro area including: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Ballet Orchestra, the pit orchestra for the Broadway revival production of Camelot starring Robert Goulet, and with the New Jersey Chamber Music Society in broadcasts for National Public Radio and New Jersey Network Television.

Also, on the program for that evening will be Omar Thomas’ Of Our New Day Begun. The Marywood Wind Symphony was part of a commissioning body that led to the creation of this powerful work. Of Our New Day Begun was written to honor nine beautiful souls who lost their lives to a callous act of hatred and domestic terrorism on the evening of June 17, 2015 while worshipping in their beloved sanctuary, the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (affectionately referred to as “Mother Emanuel”) in Charleston, South Carolina.

This special performance was a collaborative effort among various groups across the Marywood campus including the Honors English classes who wrote program notes, created posters, and interviewed guest artists and participants. It will be a day of reflection, remembrance and celebration.

For additional information about the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony Concert at Marywood University, please email dromines@marywood.edu, or call the music, theatre, and dance department at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6268.

Scranton Cultural Center Announces “A Brother’s Revival” Concert

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will present “A Brother’s Revival” on November 12 at 7:30 PM in its Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre.  “A Brother’s Revival” proudly features David Goldflies, who was a member of the Allman Brothers Band from 1978-1982 as well as Mike Kach from Dickey Betts Great Southern.

Former Allman Brothers Band bassist David “Rook” Goldflies has brought the driving energy and joy of the Allman Brothers Band’s music to life with his group, “A Brother’s Revival.” Adding to the band’s deep southern roots is vocalist/keyboardist Mike Kach from Dickey Betts Great Southern.

“A Brother’s Revival” captures the beauty and intensity of the soaring double leads of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts. The drumming of Butch Trucks and Jaimoe, along with the unique timpani performance mid-show, are brought to life by “A Brother’s Revival’s” two drummers who drive the band like a freight train rolling down the Georgia train tracks.

“A Brother’s Revival” is sponsored by The Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, LT Verrastro and Fidelity Bank.

Tickets for “A Brother’s Revival” will be on sale on August 26 at 10:00 AM.  Tickets range from $28.25 – $48.25 (includes fees) and are available for purchase at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.

Billy Strings Extends Headline Tour Through December

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Billy Strings will continue his extensive headline tour through the end of the year including a newly confirmed show at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Friday, November 19th at 8:30pm. Tickets for the Wilkes-Barre show go on-sale this Friday, July 16th at 10:00am at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena. Full details can be found at billystrings.com/tour.

The new dates add to a landmark year for Strings, who was recently named Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic at the 2021 Pollstar Awards after continuing to perform consistently, both in-person and virtually. Reflecting on his recent shows, Pollstar declares, “The hottest hand in jamgrass mastered pandemic touring…in a fraught year, Strings and those around him parlayed that fervor into the rare pandemic success story, blazing trails in livestreaming, drive-in touring and socially distanced podded shows while remaining true to their core values of authenticity and fan engagement.” Additionally, Relix featured Strings on the cover of their April/May issue praising, “Strings’ exuberance speaks to the boundless, resourceful spirit of his music…beyond his technical mastery, it’s his authenticity that continues to animate his music and, in turn, the fans who are drawn to that music.”

Furthering his recent success, Strings taped his PBS “Austin City Limits” debut last week, which will appear as part of the legendary program’s upcoming 47th season, and recently released two new collaborations: “Wargasm” featuring special guest RMR, and a new version of Bill Monroe favorite, “Midnight on the Stormy Deep,” with bluegrass legend Del McCoury, of which Jambands praises, “Their live performance swells with fine mandolin and guitar runs, as the 82-year-old and 28-year-old harmonize their respective high tenor and soulful euphonious voices.” Adding to an already triumphant career, Strings won Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards forhisacclaimed 2019 record, Home. Released on Rounder Records, Home was produced by Glenn Brown and furthers Strings’ reputation as “one of string music’s most dynamic young stars” (Rolling Stone). Of the album, The Associated Press proclaims, “it is his creative musical storytelling, paired with solid vocals on Home that should seal the deal, pleasing fans of the genre and creating some new ones…the perfect blend of pure talent and pluck,” while The Wall Street Journal praises, “Billy Strings has clearly emerged as a premier guitar flatpicker of this era.” Strings and the album also topped Billboard’s 2020 year-end chart in both Bluegrass categories: Top Bluegrass Artists and Top Bluegrass Albums

Michigan-born and now Nashville-based, Strings arrived on the music scene as one of the most compelling new artists with the release of his 2017 debut LP, Turmoil & Tinfoil. Since his debut, Strings has been awarded Guitar Player of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the 2019 International Bluegrass Music Awards, selected as one of Rolling Stone’s 2017 “New Country Artists to Know” and performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and PBS’ “Bluegrass Underground.” Often playing over 200 shows per year, Strings keeps the improvisational tradition of bluegrass alive while incorporating elements of several diverse genres. WXPN’s World Café declares, “a bona fide phenom…with his virtuosic guitar playing front and center, Strings fuses bluegrass to psych rock, country and jam music, without fussing over what bluegrass should be.

Scranton Cultural Center to Host Second Free Outdoor Summer Concert

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host its second free outdoor summer concert with Erin Malloy & Friends on July 9.  Erin Malloy will be joined by Jim Waltich (piano), Tommy Hamilton (saxophone), Doug Smith (bass), Mark Montella (drums) and Denise LaBamba (percussion).  The show will take place outside the Scranton Cultural Center at 420 N. Washington Avenue.

“We had a great turnout for our first show with Young Lion, and we are looking forward to featuring Erin Malloy,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.  “We have enjoyed being able to connect with our audiences virtually through the past year, but we are so grateful to be able to welcome back our community with this free concert series.”

All current CDC Guidelines will be followed at each performance with any updates being shared via social media.  All performances will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM; a cash bar with light fare will open at 6:00 PM prior to each show.

Additional performers in the series include The Mule Team (August 13) and Blind Choice (September 10).  To learn more about the Scranton Cultural Center and its upcoming events, visit SCCMT.org.

The free outdoor summer concert series is sponsored by LT Verrastro, Truly Hard Seltzer, UGI Utilities Inc. and Fidelity Bank.  It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

Alabama to Perform at Mohegan Sun Arena

Country Music Hall of Fame group ALABAMA will bring their “50th Anniversary Tour” to the ASM Global managed Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, July 23rd, 2021 at 7pm with special guest Tracy Lawrence.

The event was originally scheduled for April 12th of 2019 before being postponed due to health concerns within the band and most recently due to COVID-19. All tickets purchased for the original performance dates will be honored on July 23rd. This includes any tickets purchased for the previous dates including April 12th, 2019, August 29th, 2019 and October 2nd, 2020.

The Alabama concert will be the first live music concert hosted inside the venue since March 6th, 2020. The venue will be at 100% capacity per the state of Pennsylvania’s loosening of restrictions on indoor venue capacities.

“This is the night we’ve been we’ve been waiting for,” said Will Beekman, ASM Global General Manager of Mohegan Sun Arena.  “On July 23rd, we are officially back.  We are a better, stronger, safer venue for having gone through what we’ve gone through, but we are putting that behind us. It’s time to move on. It’s time to go live again.”

ASM Global reminds everyone attending this event to please adhere to the new hygiene and security policies in place consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidance for the safety of all participants, guests and employees at the Mohegan Sun Arena including:

  • Face coverings and social distancing for guests who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required. All vaccinated guests are free to continue to wear face coverings if they choose to do so.
  • All guests two years of age and older who are not fully vaccinated must wear face coverings during their visit except while actively eating or drinking.
  • Guests do not need to show physical proof of being fully vaccinated. However, if guests are not fully vaccinated, they must follow the current guidance and continue to wear a face covering.
  • We will rely on our guests to accurately follow the guidelines based on their vaccination status.

If a guest is experiencing any of the following, we ask that you stay home:

  • A guest who has COVID-19 symptoms.
  • A guest who has a COVID-19 test result pending.
  • A guest who is under a healthcare provider’s care for a positive COVID-19 test.
  • A guest who has been exposed to COVID-19 (unless fully vaccinated).

Mohegan Sun Arena continues to maintain our enhanced cleaning, sanitization, and disinfection standards through the activation of the ASM Global VenueShield program, providing the highest levels of safety, security and consumer confidence, in alignment with approvals from local government officials and health care experts. 

For additional information, please visit www.MoheganSunArenaPA.com


Limited tickets are still available at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena and Ticketmaster.

Nay Aug Park Wednesday Concerts

June 16TOM HAMILTON JAZZ SEXTET6:00 pm
June 23WEST 3RD STREET JAZZ/FUNK BAND6:00 pm
June 30FORTUNES6:00 pm
July 7ELECTRIC CITY STEEL DRUM BAND6:00 pm
July 14ERIN MALLOY & FRIENDS6:00 pm
July 21JUNG BERGO6:00 pm
July 28BOBBY BAIRD DIXIELAND BAND6:00 pm
August 4KERRY KENNY BAND6:00 pm
August 11OLD FRIENDS6:30 pm
August 18BARNEY BOYS6:00 pm
August 25SHADES OF TIME
with Paulette Cost		6:00 pm
August 28THE NEW PARAMOUNTS
featuring Paulette Cost		6:00 pm
September 1LENOXVILLE BAND6:00 pm

Funded by Scranton Recreational Authority with additional funding from City of Scranton, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Lackawanna County Department of Arts & Culture produced by Scranton Recreational Authority and Scranton Music Association.