Winter Blues Guitarmageddon Blues Festival Returns, Blues Legend Joe Louis Walker Set to Headline on February 25

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is pleased to announce that its 6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon will return on February 25 and continue as a one-night Blues festival featuring an eclectic mix of local, regional, national, and international touring artists. Grammy-nominated, six-time Blues Music Award Winner and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Louis Walker is confirmed to headline.

“We are beyond excited to be back this year as a one-night mini-fest, with plans of expanding to a weekend event in 2023,” says organizer Maria Santomauro. “The last two years were challenging, but we are grateful to be back presenting live music to the greater Northeastern Pennsylvania regions again!”

Boasting a career that spans over 50 years, Headliner Joe Louis Walker is regarded by NPR as a “legendary boundary pushing icon of modern blues” and is a true guitar powerhouse with distinctive vocals. He has toured the world’s most renowned music festivals sharing the stage with Muddy Waters, Thelonious Monk, Ronnie Woods, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Charlie Musselwhite and John Mayall, to name a few.

In addition to his own twenty-five albums, Walker has played on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton and collaborated with a diverse group of first-rate artists including Branford Marsalis, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. His latest album “Electric Electric,” features a diverse mix of blues-stomping and horn-powered originals as well as a few out of the ordinary covers, like “Werewolves of London” (Warren Zevon) and “Hotel California” (The Eagles).

Adding to the lineup is King Solomon Hicks, who returns by popular demand after his debut in Scranton at Winter Blues Guitarmageddon: Next Generation in February 2020. At that time, he was just releasing his latest work “Harlem”, which was awarded Best Emerging Artist Album at the Blues Music Awards. The album was produced by three-time Grammy Winner Kirk Yano, who has worked with Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey and more.

Rounding out the lineup are local blues rock power trio Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen and the soulful, Philadelphia-based Deb Callahan Duo featuring Allen James.

The concert will take place in the Scranton Cultural Center’s Grand Ballroom at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Seating is reserved and tickets range from $40-50 in advance and $45-55 day of show. They can be purchased at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.

The 6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon is sponsored by UGI Utilities, Inc. and LT Verrastro. It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

PLEASE NOTE: Masks are required for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. They can be removed for eating or drinking in the designated area, which will be located on the Lower Level. For additional information about the SCC’s current COVID-19 Mitigation Policies, visit SCCMT.org/COVID.

For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.

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.

Tribute to The Beatles at Scranton Cultural Center

It’s time to GET BACK to where you once belonged with the return of live shows at the Scranton Cultural Center. RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES opens its 2021 Tour in Scranton on Wednesday, October 6.

Tickets, priced at $35, $45, $55, and $65, are on sale NOW at BroadwayInScranton.com and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center box office (M-F 10A-2P). A $3.00 facility fee is added to each ticket and additional handling charges apply to online and phone orders. For group rates, call the Broadway Theatre League office at 570.342.7784.

This mind-blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press). Experience the world’s most iconic band and come celebrate The Best of Abbey Road Live with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES. In addition to the updated sets that include state of the art LED, high-definition screens and multimedia content, RAIN will bring the Abbey Road album to life with the launch of the 2021 Tour.

Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. Let RAIN take you back with all of the greatest hits along with all of your other Beatles favorites! This adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!

Like The Beatles, the onstage members of RAIN are not only supreme musicians, but electrifying performers in their own right!

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.BroadwayInScranton.com

Join the conversation with RAIN on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RainTribute, follow RAIN on Twitter @raintribute, Instagram: @RainTribute and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RainTribute

For additional information and electronic images, contact Ali Basalyga (ali@nacentertainment.com).

Scranton Cultural Center to Host Final Summer Concert

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host the final show in its free outdoor summer concert series on September 10 with alternative rock/punk band Blind Choice.  The show will take place outside the Scranton Cultural Center at 420 N. Washington Avenue.

“This concert series has been such a great success, and we’ve loved providing live entertainment for our community again.  It was a great way to lead into our upcoming season,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.

Blind Choice is an alternative rock & punk trio from Pennsylvania, Blind Choice was formed with its current members in March 2017. The band, with four years under its belt, has quickly gained success and has shared the stage with artists like Richie Ramone (The Ramones), Bowling For Soup, Drake Bell, Diamante, Sponge and TRAPT Official just to name a few! With well over 150 shows performed, the trio continues to perform throughout the tristate region playing at iconic music venues from The Bitter End to the Stanhope House, H*MAC, Chameleon Club and Mount Airy Casino & Lodge. The band is performs a mix of originals and covers, and stripped down raw acoustic tunes.  Band members include Dylan Pysher (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Matt Habrial (Bass/Backup Vocals) and Tanner Snyder (Drums).

All current CDC Guidelines will be followed, with any updates being shared via social media.  Patrons are requested to wear face coverings while inside the building.  The performance will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM; a cash bar with light fare will open at 6:00 PM prior to the show.  In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors.  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., WBRE/WYOU and Fidelity Bank.  It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

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.

Broadway in Scranton Presents Rain, A Tribute to the Beatles

It’s time to GET BACK to where you once belonged with the return of live shows at the Scranton Cultural Center. RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES opens its 2021 Tour in Scranton on Wednesday, October 6.

Tickets, priced at $35, $45, $55, and $65, go on sale at 10AM THIS THURSDAY, August 19 online at BroadwayInScranton.com and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center box office (M-F 10A-2P). A $3.00 facility fee is added to each ticket and additional handling charges apply to online and phone orders. For group rates, call the Broadway Theatre League office at 570.342.7784.

This mind-blowing performance takes you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Associated Press). Experience the world’s most iconic band and come celebrate The Best of Abbey Road Live with RAIN – A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES. In addition to the updated sets that include state of the art LED, high-definition screens and multimedia content, RAIN will bring the Abbey Road album to life with the launch of the 2021 Tour. Together longer than The Beatles, RAIN has mastered every song, gesture and nuance of the legendary foursome, delivering a totally live, note-for-note performance that’s as infectious as it is transporting. Let RAIN take you back with all of the greatest hits along with all of your other Beatles favorites! This adoring tribute will take you back to a time when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends! Like The Beatles, the onstage members of RAIN are not only supreme musicians, but electrifying performers in their own right!

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.BroadwayInScranton.com

JOIN the conversation with RAIN on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RainTribute, follow RAIN on Twitter @raintribute, Instagram: @RainTribute and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RainTribute For additional information and electronic images, contact Ali Basalyga
(ali@nacentertainment.com).

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple Receives National Endowment for the Arts Funding

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple (SCCMT) was invited to submit a Fiscal Year 2021 application for the Arts Engagement in American Communities Grant Program (AEAC) and has received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support teaching artists salaries for its upcoming Youth Theatre Program Summer Camp. The Arts Endowment identified the Scranton Cultural Center as eligible to apply for and receive this grant and after submitting the application, was awarded the funding.

The National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America.

Arts Engagement in American Communities (AEAC) supports arts projects in all artistic disciplines, extending the National Endowment for the Arts’ reach to communities across the United States. These grants engage the public with diverse and excellent art in geographic areas underrepresented in our grant making portfolio. Grants are available for professional arts programming, including, but not limited to, presentation of artists or artworks, marketing and promotional activities, educational programs, and organizational planning.

The Scranton Cultural Center Youth Theatre Program Summer Camp offers in-person and virtual opportunities for young performers in PreK through 12th grade.  The program is open to all students, regardless of experience or financial means.  This year’s program runs from July 12 through August 21.

To learn more about session details and registration, please visit SCCMT.org/camp.

Scranton Cultural Center to Host Third Free Outdoor Summer Concert

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host its third free outdoor summer concert with The Dishonest Fiddlers on August 13.  The show will take place outside the Scranton Cultural Center at 420 N. Washington Avenue.

“The weather didn’t keep us down last month, even though we had to move our concert indoors.  It was a pleasure to host Erin Malloy & Friends on our stage as the first entertainment event in our theatre since last year,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.  “We’re thrilled to feature The Dishonest Fiddlers next month.”

Dave Brown and The Dishonest Fiddlers are an up and coming Folk/Americana group based in NEPA. Since 2013, they have been performing original music, honing their craft, and developing a nice fan base along the way.  Their newest studio album, “Based on a True Story” was recorded in 2019-2020 and includes 10 original hand crafted tunes.  Band members include Dave Brown (guitar/harmonica/vocals), Brendan Gosson (fiddle), Shawn Caden (mandolin/banjo), Stephen Kurtz (bass) and Jami Novak (percussion).

All current CDC Guidelines will be followed at each performance with any updates being shared via social media.  Patrons are requested to wear face coverings while inside the building.  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.  In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors.

The final concert in the series will feature Blind Choice on 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., WBRE/WYOU and Fidelity Bank.  It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

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.