The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, currently on its “All the Good Times” Farewell Tour, will lead entertainment highlights at local and regional venues over the next two weeks.
The country group, which named its tour after its 1972 studio album, will perform at Penn’s Peak.
Country singer-songwriter Phil Vasser and rock band 38 Special will also perform at the Peak, and Mauch Chunk Opera House will once again welcome Central Pennsylvania’s The Buddies.
Outside of music, comedian Wanda Sykes brings her “Please & Thank You” show to the Wind Creek Event Center. Meanwhile, Mahoning Drive-In Theater will welcome “Mystery Science Theater 30000” creator and star Joel Hodgson to the “MST3K” fan event.
Penn’s Peak
325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe
866-605-7325, pennspeak.com
• Phil Vassar, Oct. 5, 8 p.m. The Lynchburg, Virginia-born country singer-songwriter has released ten studio albums. Vassar’s hit singles include “Carlene,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” and “In a Real Love.”
• Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. Formed as a jug band in California in 1966, this country group includes founding members Jeff Hanna and Jimmy Fadden. Nitty Gritty, who has released more than 20 studio albums, had a mainstream hit in the early 1970s with their cover of “Mr.” Bojangles. ”
• 38 Special, Oct. 11, 8 p.m. This rock band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1974 and features founding member Don Burns.
mauschunk opera house
14 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe
570-325-0249, mcohjt.com
• Nyke Van Wyk & Friends, Oct. 5, 8 p.m. Violinist Van Wyk combines classical and Celtic music with contemporary styles.
• The Buddies, Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m. A roots rock band formed in Selinsgrove in 1990, featuring artists such as Pete Palladino and Brett Alexander. The Buddy Lees’ 1995 album River Songs produced the hit single “Angeline Is Coming Home.”
vix jazz loft
At the Stavin Museum
268 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe
570-325-5588, vicsjazzloft.com
• Todd Marcus Quartet, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. Besides Marcus on bass clarinet, the quartet features Charlie Ballantine on guitar, Evan Gregor on bass, and Hugh Clyne on drums.
• “For the Birds,” Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m. The gala, sponsored by the Carbon County Environmental Education and Rehabilitation Center, will include live owl music and jazz performances.
mahoning drive in
635 Seneca Road, Lehighton
484-613-1314, mahoningdit.com
• “Mystery Science Theater 3000” Fan Event, Oct. 4-5. Joel Hodgson, the creator and star of “MST3K,” and Harold Bucholz, executive producer and screenwriter of “MST3K,” will be in attendance. “Joel’s Drive-In Pick” follows the “MST3K” episode that premiered in 1988. VIP admission at 4 p.m. General admission opens at 6 p.m.
• Halloween-A-Thon II, Oct. 11 and 12, 6 p.m. Unearthed Movies and Theaters will be showing four films from the original “Halloween” series, including the 1978 original film. Two other films besides “Halloween” will also be shown: 1988’s “Night of the Demons” and 2007’s “Trick R Treat.” Showtime at sunset.
signature event center
137 Erin Lane, Broadheadsville
570-872-1444, secpoconos.com
• Voices of Rock, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. The lineup includes former Great White member Terry Ilous of XYZ, as well as Tora Tora’s Anthony Corder, Tyketto’s Danny Vaughn, and Trixter’s Ben Hans.
• Metal Fest, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. New Jersey band Incognito Theory celebrates the release of their new album, Days of Reckoning. The band fuses Southern rock, groove metal, and grunge rock. Surrender to Eden and Madworld will also appear.
• Stand-up Comedy, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. The lineup includes Joe Galletti, Taylor Andrews, Todd Lawrence, Jeff Nye, Russell Austin, AJ Hiller, and Gene Mettuette.
Becky’s Drive In
4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport
610-767-2249, beckysdi.com
• 36th Annual Lehigh Township Benefit Festival & Car Show, Oct. 6, 8 a.m.; This event benefits Dream Come True — Blue Ridge Chapter. Rainy day: October 13th.
• 12th Annual Trunk-or-Treat No. 1, Oct. 12, 4 p.m. Patrons can distribute manufactured packaged candy to children and decorate their trunks. The event will also include a costume contest and a Halloween movie.
Wind Creek Event Center
77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem
610-297-7414, windcreekeventcenter.com
●Wanda Sykes, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and raised in Maryland, the comedian began his stand-up career in the late 1980s. A writer, actress, and producer, Sykes has appeared in six stand-up specials and has appeared and provided voice acting in a variety of films and television series.
state theater
453 Northampton St., Easton
800-999-7828, statetheater.org
• “Vampire Circus,” Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. Veteran Cirque du Soleil performer Francisco Santos has created a show that combines circus cabaret and theater. Set in 19th century Bohemia, Count Dracula contemplates plans for world domination and decides to open a traveling circus with his gypsy bodyguard.
• “Bluey’s Big Play,” Oct. 17, 6 p.m. The Australian children’s series Bluey premiered in the U.S. on Disney Junior in 2019. In this theatrical version, when Dad feels like it’s Sunday, Bingo and the Bluey brothers have other plans. – Afternoon timeout.
sherman theater
524 Main St., Stroudsburg
570-420-2808, shermantheater.com
• Dirty Honey, Oct. 6, 7:45 p.m. Formed in Los Angeles in 2017, the then-unsigned rock quartet reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart with their 2019 debut single “When I’m Gone.”
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will perform at Penn’s Peak on October 10th.
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