Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

THIS WEEK: DEC. 29, 2006 to JAN. 4, 2007

The Dave Liebman Trio, the jazz saxophonist performs with bassist Evan Gregor and drummer Mike Stephens. Deer Head Inn, 5 Main St., Delaware Water Gap. Tonight, 7 to 11. 424-2000.

Railroad Earth, the veteran touring jam band in concert. Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg. Saturday at 8 p.m. $20. 420-2808.

.38 Special, the hard-rock band rings in the New Year at Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. Sunday at 9 p.m. $60, $55. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.
FUTURE CONCERTS

Holiday Concert by the Orpheus Choral Society of Wyoming Valley. Holy Family Church, 828 Main St., Sugar Notch. Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. 287-2944.

The Singing Boys of Pennsylvania, a Christmas concert including “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten, “Charm of Lullabies” and the Christmas carol arrangements of Hungarian musician Kalman Halasz. Gate of Heaven Church, 10 Machell Ave., Dallas. Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. 675-2121.

Wyoming Seminary Jazz Band in a concert of big band music including works by jazz composers Paul Clark, Dean Sorenson and Chris Sharp. Buckingham Performing Arts Center, Sprague Avenue, Kingston. Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. Free. 270-2190.

America’s Hits on Parade with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra & the Pied Pipers, led by trombonist Bill Tole and lead singer Nancy Knorr. Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m. $30, $25, $15. 800-432-9382.

Winter Instrumental Concert with the Wyoming Seminary Orchestra and several instrumental chamber ensembles performing music by Bizet, Prokofieff, Del Borgo, Holst and others. Great Hall, 228 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. Free. 270-2190.

April Verch Band, Ottawa Valley fiddling at its best with the fiddler/dancer and her group performing traditional and contemporary tunes from French Canadian to Appalachian, bluegrass to Celtic and Brazilian to old-time. Chicory House, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Jan. 19 at 8 p.m. $12. 825-8772.

Fiddling Around with Keys, a Spruce Street Cabaret performance by violinist Coleman Smith and keyboardist Andrew Krystopolski. Performance Space at the Jermyn, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. $15, $5 students. Proceeds benefit the Northeast Theatre. 558-1515 or thenortheasttheatre.us.

The Fault Line, a performance by the edgy a cappella rock ’n’ roll group. Walsh Auditorium, College Misericordia, 301 Lake St., Dallas. Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. Free. 674-6719.

Beatlemania Now, a Fab Four multimedia tribute show tracing the Beatles’ career from their 1964 U.S. debut to “Let It Be” in 1970. Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 day of show. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

The Dominick Farinacci Quartet, the jazz trumpeter and his group in concert. Houlihan-McLean Center, Jefferson Avenue and Mulberry Street, University of Scranton. Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Free. 941-7624.

Winter Classic: A Gathering of the Celts, inaugural festival sponsored by the Celtic Cultural Alliance. With Celtic music and dance, Highland athletes, Celtic crafts and food. Performers include Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, Solas, the Barley Boys, Burning Bridget Cleary, Seamus Kennedy, the Laura Cortese Band, the Campbell School of Highland Dance, the O’Grady-Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance and more. Stabler Arena, 124 Goodman Drive, Lehigh University, Bethlehem. Feb. 2, 4 p.m. to midnight ($15); Feb. 3, 10 a.m. to midnight ($18). 877-772-5425 or celticculturalalliance.org.

Goo Goo Dolls, the platinum-selling, chart-topping trio perform in concert at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. $39.50, $32.50. 826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.

The Pink Floyd Experience, a re-creation of a performance by the influential theatrical rock band complete with mind-blowing lights and sounds. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. $32.50, $22.50. 826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.

From the Met to Broadway, a pops concert by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic including Italian opera arias and American musical theater selections. Feb. 9, 8 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton; and Feb. 10, 8 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. $55, $47, $39, $27, $18. 457-8301 or nepaphil.org.

Tanglefoot, the powerhouse Canadian folk band returns with its trademark vocal harmonies, performing selections from its newest CD “Dance Like Flames.” Chicory House, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. $12. 825-8772.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance with Bill Haley’s Comets, fronted by John “Bam Bam” Lane performing the original hits of the group’s early days of rock ’n’ roll. Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. $42. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

A Tribute to the Piano Man, a Billy Joel tribute performance led by Robert Eric and his five-member band. Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe. Feb. 10 at 8:30 p.m. $20 advance, $23 day of show. 325-0249.

Breaking Benjamin, the modern rock band in concert at the Stabler Arena, 124 Goodman Drive, Lehigh University, Bethlehem. Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. $28. 610-758-6613.

Sara Evans, the Academy of Country Music’s reining Top Female Vocalist and platinum-selling recording artist performs at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. $37.75. 826-1100.

Bowfire! A lineup of fiddle and violin virtuosos presenting a fast-paced show of jazz, classical, bluegrass, Celtic, rock, gypsy, world, Texas swing, Ottawa Valley and Cape Breton styles with step and tap dancing. Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg. Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. $47, $37, $27. 420-2808.

The Fabulous Greaseband, the seven-member party band playing rock and roll hits from the fifties to the nineties. Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. $15 advance, $20 day of show. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

The Truth About Love (and some of the usual lies), a Spruce Street Cabaret performance by vocalist Jessica Medoff and pianist Steven McGhee on the ups and downs of love. Performance Space at the Jermyn, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. $15, $5 students. Proceeds benefit the Northeast Theatre. 558-1515 or thenortheasttheatre.us.

Flynn, the Irish Bono-like singer with an ethereal guitar style performs compositions drawn from Celtic and techno influences. Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe. Feb. 17 at 8:30 p.m. $15 advance, $18 day of show. 325-0249.

Jefferson Starship, the sixties San Francisco rock group with original Jefferson Airplane member Paul Kantner. Joined by psychedelic Haight Ashbury band Quicksilver Messenger Service with David Freiberg. Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. Feb. 17 at 8:30 p.m. $80 Gold Circle, $25 advance, $30 day of show. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

Engelbert Humperdinck, the British romantic balladeer performs in concert at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. $59.50, $49.50, $34.50. 826-1100.

Garrison Keillor, the host of “A Prairie Home Companion” brings his homespun humor and quirky stories to a concert at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. $55, $40, $25. 800-432-9382.

Rod Stewart’s North American Tour rolls into the Wachovia Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township, celebrating the singer’s recent return to his rock roots with his chart-topping album “Still the Same – Great Rock Classics of Our Time.” Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. $97.50, $55. 693-4100.

Big Shot – The Ultimate Billy Joel Experience, a tribute band led by sound-alike singer Mike DelGuidice, performing top hits and lesser-known songs of the “Piano Man.” Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. $15 advance; $20 day of show. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

The Singing Boys of Pennsylvania, sacred and secular works as well as American and international folk music presented with costumes and choreography. Presbyterian Church of Tunkhannock, 51 Putnam St., Tunkhannock. Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. 836-3274 or singingboys.org.

Mid-Winter Concert performed by the Children’s and Youth Ensembles of the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania. St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. March 3 at 7 p.m. $10, $8 seniors and students. 343-6707.

A Festival of (Guitar) Strings with acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Tim Farrell, blues artist Bradley N. Litwin and the Classical Guitar Trio of Philadelphia performing rock, folk, blues, ragtime and classical music along with original compositions. Carver Hall, Gross Auditorium, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg. March 3 at 7 p.m. $15, $5 children. 389-4409.

The Irish Tenors, traditional and contemporary melodies performed by Anthony Kearns, Finbar Wright and Karl Scully. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. March 3 at 8 p.m. $57.50, $47.50, $37.50. 826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the 33-piece ensemble conducted by Ignat Solzhenitsyn, performing Mozart’s Overture to “Le Nozze di Figaro,” Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor and Haydn’s Symphony No. 99 in E-Flat Major. Presented by Scranton Community Concerts at the Mellow Theater, 501 Vine St., Lackawanna College, Scranton. March 3 at 8 p.m. $45, $35, $25. 342-4137.

Kansas, the progressive folk-rock band who topped the charts in the sixties and seventies (“Dust in the Wind,” “Carry On, Wayward Son”). Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. March 9 at 8 p.m. $38, $33. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

The Tartan Terrors, Celtic music, dancing and comedy with the kilted ensemble including two-time World Piping Champion Sean McKeown. Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe. March 10 with doors at 7:30 p.m. and show at 8:30 p.m. $28, $25. 325-4439.

Musica Misericordia, a concert of classical music by faculty members. Walsh Auditorium, College Misericordia, 301 Lake St., Dallas. March 14 at 8 p.m. Free. 674-6719.

The Irish Rovers. The international ambassadors of Irish music deliver a rollicking and rousing performance celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas St., Hershey. March 15 at 8 p.m. $25 to $48. 717-534-3405 or hersheytheatre.com.

An Intimate Evening of Strings, a Masterworks concert by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic with special guest cellist Julie Albers. Included: Handel’s Concerto Grosso No. 1, Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D Major and Mozart’s Symphony No. 29. March 16, 8 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton; and March 17, 8 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. $55, $47, $39, $27, $18. 457-8301 or nepaphil.org.

A Planxty for St. Patrick, a celebration of Irish music, stories and humor by the eight-member a cappella group the Lyric Consort. Shopland Hall, Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. March 17 at 8 p.m. $10. 344-1111 or lyricconsort.com.

Songs of Faith, a performance of the Paul Basler work along with Russian anthems and African-American spirituals. Performed by the 80-voice Symphonic Chorus of the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania. St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. March 18 at 3 p.m. $10, $8 seniors and students. 343-6707.

The Singing Boys of Pennsylvania, sacred and secular works as well as American and international folk music presented with costumes and choreography. St. Therese’s Catholic Church, 25 Old River Road, Wilkes-Barre. March 18 at 4 p.m. 822-1075 or singingboys.org.

Annual Bach Festival, presented by the Robert Dale Chorale. Concerts include:
• Organ Concert by Sarah Davies. St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton. March 23, 8 p.m.
• Chamber Music Concert with artistic director Lee Wilkins and members of the Suzuki School for Strings. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 425 Jefferson Ave., Scranton. March 24 at 8 p.m.
• Chorale Concert with the Robert Dale Chorale. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. March 25 at 3 p.m.

LA Guns, the heavy-metal band teams with hard-rock groups Firehouse and Warrant for a concert at Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. March 23 at 8 p.m. $24 advance; $29 day of show. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

Kiss Me Once: Songs from the Homefront, a Spruce Street Cabaret performance of World War II music by singer Kathy Kaefer and accompanist Stephen Bocchino. Performance Space at the Jermyn, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. March 24 at 4 p.m. $15, $5 students. Proceeds benefit the Northeast Theatre. 558-1515 or thenortheasttheatre.us.

Meatloaf, the veteran rock and roller brings his “Seize the Night Tour” to the Giant Center, 950 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey. March 30 at 8 p.m. $65, $49.50, $39.50. 717-534-3911.

John Michael Montgomery, the honky-tonk hitmaker and romantic balladeer in concert at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. March 31 at 7:30 p.m. $50, $40, $25. 800-432-9382.

The Dallas Brass performing from their repertoire of classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music. Presented by Scranton Community Concerts at the Mellow Theater, 501 Vine St., Lackawanna College, Scranton. March 31 at 8 p.m. $35, $30, $20. 342-4137.

Mannheim Steamroller, the classical rock orchestra in a multi-media production based on its “Fresh Aire” recordings. Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas St., Hershey. April 3 at 8 p.m. $50 to $80. 717-534-3405 or hersheytheatre.com.

Black Diamonds for a Blues Lady, a Spruce Street Cabaret performance by Karen Gilat, who delivers folk and blues-style music of the coal era interwoven with monologues. Performance Space at the Jermyn, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. April 7 at 4 p.m. $15, $5 students. Proceeds benefit the Northeast Theatre. 558-1515 or thenortheasttheatre.us.

Terri Clark, the Canadian country singer and five-time Entertainer of the Year performs in concert at Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. April 12 at 8 p.m. $42, $37. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

Emily Smith Band, a concert by the Dumfriesshire-born Scottish singer and her band. Winner of the BBC-Radio’s Young Scottish Traditional Musician of the Year Award. Chicory House, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. April 13 at 8 p.m. $12. 825-8772.

Horizons, the world premiere of composer Jackson Hill’s Eastern-inspired composition written especially for the eight-member a cappella group the Lyric Consort. April 13, 8 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 232 Wyoming Ave., Scranton; and April 15, 3 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. $10. 343-6707 or lyricconsort.com.

The Coronation of the King, a tribute to swing king Benny Goodman by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic with clarinetist extraordinaire Bob DeAngelis. April 13, 8 p.m. at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre; and April 14, 8 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. $55, $47, $39, $27, $18. 457-8301 or nepaphil.org.

Umphrey’s McGee, the Chicago-based progressive rock/jam band, performing in support of their newest release “Safety in Numbers.” Penn’s Peak, Maury Road and Route 903, Jim Thorpe. April 18 at 8 p.m. $17 advance; $22 day of show. 610-826-9689 or pennspeak.com.

Journey Through the Arts, solo performances by students in music, dance, theater and literature. Walsh Auditorium, College Misericordia, 301 Lake St., Dallas. April 19 at 8 p.m. Free. 674-6719.

Spring Concert by the Children’s and Youth Ensembles of the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania. Scranton High School, Mike Munchak Way, Scranton. April 22 at 3 p.m. $10, $8 seniors and students. 343-6707.

Blue Man Group, the experimental blue-painted theatrical trio, backed by an eight-piece backup band, brings its “How to Be a Megastar Tour 2.0 to the Wachovia Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. April 22 at 7:30 p.m. 693-4100.

Choral Society Spring Concert. Walsh Auditorium, College Misericordia, 301 Lake St., Dallas. April 24 at 8 p.m. Free. 674-6719.

Improvisation! The Steve Rudolph Trio teams with jazz vocalist J.D. Walter performing selections from their collaborative recording “Dedicated to You.” Carver Hall, Gross Auditorium, Bloomsburg University. April 27 at 7 p.m. $15, $5 children. 389-4409.