Monday, October 20, 2014

Late October events in NEPA

Well, the closing of the Vintage in Scranton has been a big blow to the Northeastern PA writing community, resulting in the loss of a home base for the Third Thursday Open Mic Night (currently on indefinite hiatus) as well as the now-discontinued Writers' Showcase series. Still, there are events coming up throughout the area!

Book release party for "Bangs" by Amye Archer
Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM AFA Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton

William & Williams: Short Plays Poking Fun at Shakespeare & Tennessee
Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m.
Keystone College, La Plume, PA
Tickets are $10 each or $5 for seniors.

Kick Out the Bottom Open Voice Reading 
Friday, October 31, 7:00 - 9:00, AFA Gallery, Scranton,  2nd Floor
NEW LOCATION! FIRST ANNIVERSARY! HALLOWEEN!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

The Vintage is closing: The Last Third Thursday at the Vintage

It came as a bit of a shock this week to hear that the Vintage in Scranton, the home base for the NEPWC and the setting for our Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Nights, will be closing at the end of August. The group will go on and the show will go on, just in a different location still to be determined. But we're not done at the Vintage yet: there are several events to go, including one last Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night. KK has even set up a feature, Justin Rowles. We're thinking there may be a big turnout with a lot of people wanting to perform at the Vintage one last time, so be prepared for a long, emotional, poetry-packed night!

The LAST Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night
Thursday, August 21, 2014
The Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, Scranton
Presented by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers' Collective
Sign-ups at 8:00, poetry begins at 8:30
Free admission (donations always welcome)

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

August events at the Vintage!

Here's a just-released list of events coming up in August at the Vintage! Come and see what makes it Northeastern Pennsylvania's favorite artspace!

The Vintage Theater
326 Spruce Street / Downtown Scranton PA 18503
(570) 589 0271
www.scrantonsvintagetheater.com

Calendar of event at the Vintage in August

7th - Concert: Afflictions, Conquest PA, Skin Walker & more. Doors at 5:30 pm / Music at 6:00 pm. Tickets $10

8th - Allegro Summer Music Showcase: Crock Pot Abduction, Big Awesome, Lions, Hodera, Eye on Attraction (acoustic) and Roek (acoustic). Doors at 7pm / Music at 7:30 pm. Tickets $10 (one night) or $15 (both nights).

9th - Allegro Summer Music Showcase: Family Animals, Give Us Your Bones, Cody Searl (acoustic) and more! Doors at 7pm / Music at 7:30 pm. Tickets $10 (one night) or $15 (both nights).

10th - Concert: Lilac Daze, Those Clever Foxes and Karate Camp. Doors at 6pm / Music at 7pm. Tickets $5 - $7 (sliding scale)

13th - Art Opening: Marc Ciocca, linocut prints. Opening reception for this exhibit will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Free & open to all (complimentary refreshments, donations encouraged).

16th - Concert: Sleeping Patterns, Esta Coda and Sean Walsh. Doors at 7pm / Music at 8pm. Tickets $10

21st - NEPAWC (Northeastern PA Writers Collective) poetry open microphone: This resident literary group of The Vintage hosts this Third Thursday open microphone. Sign ups at 8:00 pm / Open Mic at 8:30 pm. Free & open to all (donations encouraged).

22nd - Concert: Katie Kelly + MORE TBA. Doors at 7pm  / Music at 8pm. Tickets $10

23rd - the lamp post . chapter one: velveteen (an evening of movement, music and art). Doors at 7:30 pm / Performances at 8:30 pm. This event is presented thanks to a dynamic partnership with the lamp post . chapter one. Tickets $10

29th - Scavenger Hunt: The Vintage is proud to be a partnering venue for the University of Scranton Community Relations department downtown scavenger hunt. 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

30th - Comedy Show: A hilarious showcase of regional based stand up comedy, improv and sketch - hosted by Unorganized Business. Doors at 7pm / Show at 8pm. Tickets $10

THE VINTAGE GOODBYE PARTY: The Vintage will be closing its doors for the last time at the end of August. On Saturday, August 30, it will be hosting a goodbye party, starting at 6:00. Free and open to all. Donations are welcome.

The Vintage Theater
326 Spruce Street / Downtown Scranton PA 18503
(570) 589 0271

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Third Thursday July 2014

The July 2014 edition of Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage was a great success! Thirteen readers and two musical acts (one a duo, one solo) bared their hearts and souls and presented them to an appreciative audience. If you missed it, don't fret - the next Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage will be held August 21, 2014!














Sunday, July 13, 2014

Third Thursday and other literary events in July!

It's been a while since I've done one of these...sorry about that!


Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night is this Thursday, July 17 at the Vintage in Scranton!  Come to read, to listen, or to cheer on your favorite local poets. Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. This month's event will be preceded by the event Crooked Lines for Crooked Times / Live Ink, Slide Show: Courtroom Illustration and Live Music Drawings by Ted Michalowski, which is scheduled to start at 7:00 and run for 45 minutes with a Q&A immediately afterward. Come for one, stay for both! Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night is presented by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers' Collective and will be hosted by Harold Jenkins. The event is free and open to all, but donations to the Vintage are welcomed and encouraged!


And that's not all that's going on in the area...


Friday, July 18, Wilkes-Barre
THIRD FRIDAY SPOKEN WORD ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BASH w. KIM COSCIA! This will be the last of the Third Friday Spoken Word Series at Arts Seen on the Square in Wilkes-Barre and is scheduled to begin at 8:00.


Saturday, July 19, Scranton
Gettysburg Poets at the Library Express at the Mall at Steamtown, second floor. Begins at 3:00.

Join us for a special poetry reading featuring the Gettysburg Poets! Featured poets include, Martin Malone, Katy Giebenhain, Dana Larkin Sauers, and Gary Ciocco.


Friday, July 25, Scranton
Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading! NEPA's most exciting open mic returns for another go. From the Facebook page description:

KICK OUT THE BOTTOM
open voice reading
held every last Friday of the month

continuing July 25th, 2014

at Embassy Vinyl
352 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA

sign-ups at 6:45 pm, reading at 7 pm
3-5 minutes of voice:
poetry, short fiction, rap, performance art, and all-things-word

first come, first serve, 13 slots
(long distance poets can contact me about holding a spot)

no feature/everyone is featured
standing room only/b.y.o.c. (bring your own chair)

hosted by Charlotte Rusalka
bookwormearthworm@yahoo.com

"if you want a revolution
return to your childhood
and kick out the bottom"
--from Tombstone as a Lonely Charm, Part 3 by D.A. Levy

From its host, Charlotte Rusalka:

This month's reading falls on my birthday. I am very excited about that. I couldn't ask for a better birthday gift, other than ya'll bringing your brave words.

This reading there will be another splendid raffle, to raise some funds for Energy Justice Summer. They are an organization I am so excited to participate in, because they are doing great things together with our neighbors in NEPA. EJS has already raised enough money for a family from Dimock to have an expert witness to challenge Cabot Oil & Gas in court, because they were responsible for water contamination. Free workshops are being provided to the community, like a water quality testing training at Salt Springs State Park on July 16th.

Check out the facebook page to keep updated on events for Energy Justice Summer and how you can get involved: 

https://www.facebook.com/energyjusticesummer?ref=br_tf


Friday, July 25, Tunkhannock
Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theatre, 60 E. Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. Friday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.  Doors open for sign ups at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Laurel Radzieski. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Dietrich Fundraising Committee.

Open to audiences and performers of all ages.  Musicians, poets, comedians and performers of all types are invited to share their talents.  Then the Breaking Ground Poets, a Tunkhannock-based youth poetry group, will storm the stage armed with original works sure to make waves.  These young people with a mission will perform at the Dietrich shortly after their return from Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival, the largest youth poetry completion in the world.  Seating is limited. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details.


Every Sunday, Stroudsburg
Open Mic at the Living Room, featuring music, singing, dancing, and even some poetry and prose. Signups begin at 6:30. Located next door to the Sherman Theater. Follow the link for more information!


Keep the Breaking Ground Poets in your thoughts as they go off to Philadelphia this week to participate in the Brave New Voices Poetry Slam! If you've seen them in action, you know what they're made of, and you know that they will make NEPA proud!


*BONUS PREVIEW OF AUGUST!*
Saturday, August 2 at noon through Sunday, August 3 at noon
The return of 24 Hours of Art at the Vintage!

This celebration of the visual, literary and performing arts will be held for one day (that's 24 hours non stop) starting on August 2nd @ noon and continuing till August 3rd @ noon. All events/programming are offered FREE to the public (donations encouraged) 

The 24 Hours of Art will take place both indoors (@ The Vintage) and outdoors (directly outside The Vintage as well as within the PNC Plaza space on corner of Penn & Spruce)

MUSIC/FILM/THEATRE/ART/VENDORS/IMPROV/ETC. 
Community partnerships with Mission Yoga, Scranton StorySlam and more have made this event possible! 

Full schedule to be released early July 2014. 

Presented in part by a generous grant from the Lackawanna County Department of Arts & Culture.


As always, this may not even be the whole list! Let us know if there are events that need to be added!


Be sure to check the Facebook page for The Vintage to find out about upcoming events of all sorts there! Support The Vintage, home base for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers' Collective and host for our meetings and Third Thursday Open Mics!


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Celebrate the end of Spring at Third Thursday!


The Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers' Collective will once again be presenting the Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage in Scranton (326 Spruce Street) on Thursday, June 19. Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry begins at 8:30. Come spend one of the final days of Spring with us! All are welcome to read or just experience poetry! Admission is free, but donations to support the Vintage are welcomed.

Friday, May 2, 2014

MEETING ALERT: Meeting at Northern Light on Saturday, May 3

Just got word that due to staffing unavailability, The Vintage will not be opening until 4:00 tomorrow. We'll head for our fallback location of Northern Light. If the weather is nice, maybe we'll meet in the park across the street, near the shrunken head of Jason Miller.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

May open mics, readings, performances, etc., etc...

It's May! That means we're done with snow, right? ....RIGHT?! But we're not done with tons of open mics, readings, performances, and assorted literary events throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania!

I'll start off with this and add more soon:

Saturday, May 3 - Scranton

Breaking Ground Poets presents Write Bloody poet Jeanann Verlee on Saturday, May 3 at 6:00 at Studio 25/8 (rear 703 North Washington Avenue, behind Cooper's in Scranton.) Tickets are $10 apiece and are available online from brownpapertickets.com.

Jeanann Verlee is an author, performance poet, editor, and former punk rocker. She is author of Racing Hummingbirds (Write Bloody Publishing), which earned the Independent Publisher Book Award Silver Medal in Poetry. Verlee is also winner of the Sandy Crimmins National Prize for Poetry. Her work appears in a number of journals, including The New York Quarterly, Rattle, and failbetter, among others. She is a poetry editor for Union Station Magazine and former director of Urbana Poetry Slam. Verlee holds a number of local and national slam titles and has represented New York City ten times under both NYC-Urbana and NYC-louderARTS at the National Poetry Slam, Individual World Poetry Slam, and Women of the World Poetry Slam. She believes in you.


ADVANCE WARNING: The week of May 11 - 17 will be densely packed with poetry, including Second Tuesday at the Bakehouse in Kingston on May 13, Third Thursday at the Vintage in Scranton on May 15, and Third Friday at Arts Seen on the Square in Wilkes-Barre on May 16. Wednesday, May 14 will also see the first of a series of Artifact Writing Classes at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock. Complete details on these and many other events coming soon!

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Vintage unavailable for April 12 meeting - concert

Due to a special music event, the NEPWC will not be able to meet at our regular time at The Vintage on April 12.
 
Useless Beauty (Afternoon Concert)

The darlings of Manhattan, the belles of every Brooklyn Ball - the dynamic duo that is Useless Beauty will perform at a special matinee concert at The Vintage!

April 12th 2014 | 1:00 pm
Suggested Donation of $5.00

Friday, April 4, 2014

April is Poetry Month! April open mics and stuff in NEPA

April is Poetry Month! What better way to acknowledge this than by starting off the list with a non-poetry event!  (Poet Laurel Radzieski is assistant-directing, so that's the poetry angle here!)

Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5 - Theater at Brooks at Keystone College
Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 - Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock

The Laramie Project, the true story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student who was kidnapped, severely beaten, tied to a fence and left to die because he was gay. The show details the effects of his death told by the residents of a small town that was forever changed by a hate crime. Directed by Jane Honchell and Jennifer Jenkins.

  • Performances at the Theater at Brooks at Keystone College will be Friday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Performances at the Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock will be Friday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each, $5 for students and seniors.

Please call 570-945-8454 for reservations and tickets to the Keystone College performances and call 570-996-1500 for reservations and tickets to the Dietrich Theater performances.

This production of The Laramie Project was supported by a Lackawanna County Community Arts and Culture Grant, a program of Lackawanna County Commissioners Corey D. O’Brien, Jim Wansacz and Patrick M. O’Malley. Funding grants for The Laramie Project were also provided by the M & T Charitable Foundation and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.


Every Sunday - Stroudsburg
Every Sunday features the Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. You never know what you'll have there: music, dancing, poetry, storytelling... plus whatever you bring to the event! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00. (Special All-Stars edition on April 25 requires tickets; see below.)


Sunday, April 6 (rescheduled from March 30) - Tunkhannock
Breaking Ground Poets Open Mic held at the Tioga Bistro, 49 E Tioga St, Tunkhannock, this open mic is for poets twenty years of age and younger. Sign ups at 6:30, poetry at 7:00. All are welcome to attend! See the Breaking Ground Poets Facebook page for more information.


Tuesday, April 8 - Kingston
2nd Tuesday Open Mic At The Bakehouse, 152 South Wyoming Avenue, Kingston. Hosted by Carlton Farnbaugh.

Come one, come all! Bring.your friends and check out NEPA's newest Open Mic Event! The second Tuesday of each month at 7pm, we'll be at The Bakehouse spotlighting YOU!  Do you play original music? Do you write words you're proud of? Do you do some sort of David Letterman-esque stupid human trick that won't gross me out? Then this is for you! Come on by for our first foray on April 8th at 7pm and we'll have a good ol' time!


Friday, April 11 - Scranton
Swandive Publishing Company presents Everyday Escape Poems Book Release Party, Friday, April 11 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the AFA Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave Scranton.

The night will include readings from Dale Wilsey Jr., Stanton Hancock, Andrea Talarico McGuigan, Eric Wilson, Dawn Leas, Kait Burrier, Sarah Zane Lewis, and Barbara DeCesare. There will also be time to meet the poets and get your copy of the book autographed. 


Thursday, April 17 - Scranton
Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage: April is Poetry Month Edition, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers Collective! Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. Come celebrate the first day of Spring with poetry! This is a free event, but donations to support the Vintage are encouraged and appreciated.


Friday, April 18 - Wilkes-Barre
Third Friday Spoken Word Event W. Featured Performer: Dawn Leas! at Art Seen On The Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Hosted by local theatre personality Paul Winarski. Open Mic plus the poetry of local poet and educator Dawn Leas, one of the local poets featured in Swandive Publishing's new anthology Everyday Escape Poems (see event for Friday, April 11.) Copies of the book will be available for purchase.


Saturday, April 19 - Scranton
Breaking Ground Poets presents the FINAL YOUTH SLAM of the Season, TwentyFiveEight Studios, Rear of 703 North Washington Street, Scranton  (behind Cooper's) from 5-7 PM. Hosted by Conor O'Brien. Tickets will be on sale there for Jeanann Verlee. See the event's Facebook page for more information.

***THREE EVENTS (so far) for Friday, April 25!***

Friday, April 25 - Scranton
The seventh edition of Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading at Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, hosted by Charwonica Dziwozony! Limited to thirteen readers, signups begin at 6:45, poetry begins at 7:00! This continues to be one of the most vibrant and exciting readings in the area, featuring brand new talent month after month. Competition is fierce for the thirteen spots, so get there early! NOTE: The event is BYOC - Bring Your Own Chair - so be sure to bring along a folding chair, stool, inflatable lounge chair, or other form of posterior prosthetic as needed!


Friday, April 25 - Tunkhannock
Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theater, 60 E Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. Open mic, followed by The Keystone Poets will performing in honor of National Poetry Month.! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00. Open to audiences and performers of all types.  Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. Hosted by Laurel Radzieski.


Friday April 25 - Stroudsburg
Open Mic All-Star Show at The Living Room, 522 Main Street, Stroudsburg. "Fresh performing artists ready for their debut. Rap, spoken word and acoustic performances! 4 shows for $7. Doors open at 5:30 show starts at 6. There will be a bar for over 21!" Featuring Sick Antelope Party, Sunnyshading, Justin Rosario, and Crock113. Capacity is limited, so these shows can sell out fast. Buy your tickets early!


As always, this may not even be the whole list! Let us know if there are events that need to be added!


Be sure to check the Facebook page for The Vintage to find out about upcoming events of all sorts there! Support The Vintage, home base for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers' Collective and host for our meetings and Third Thursday Open Mics!


Sunday, March 16, 2014

March poetry and related events in NEPA

I've dropped (or at least bobbled) the ball on this month, folks: there were already a few special poetry events taking place in NEPA (specifically, in Scranton) in the early weeks of March which didn't get reported on last month's posting. Sorry, everybody! I'm sure those events were fantastic! Here are the more regularly-scheduled events (and several irregularly-scheduled events) coming up for the second half of March:


Thursday, March 20 - Scranton
Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage: First Day of Spring Edition, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers Collective! Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. This month's host will be Alvin K. Nurse. Come celebrate the first day of Spring with poetry! This is a free event, but donations to support the Vintage are encouraged and appreciated.


Friday, March 21 - Wilkes-Barre
Third Friday Spoken Word Event with THE BREAKING GROUND POETS! at Art Seen On The Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open Mic plus the poetry of the BREAKING GROUND POETS!, hosted by Sarah Scinto from The Times Tribune! Sign-ups begin at 7:30 (or whenever the sign-up sheet goes out, no less than 5-10 minutes before the readings), readings begin at 8:00. Come early and take part in the Wilkes-Barre Third Friday Art Walk!


Friday, March 21 - Tunkhannock
Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theater, 60 E Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. Open mic, followed by a performance by the Terry Wayne Goodholm band! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00. Open to audiences and performers of all types.  Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. Hosted by Laurel Radzieski.


Sunday, March 23 - Scranton
A LIE IS A VENIAL SIN (VT Stage Reading Series) - The Vintage Stage Reading Series will kick off with a reading of a work by NEPWC member Ted LoRusso!

The Vintage is proud to kick off its 2014 stage reading series (in conjunction with its newly established resident ensemble) with a live stage reading of Ted LoRusso's engaging work A LIE IS A VENIAL SIN .

Inspired by true events, it is about the lies we tell; the reasons behind the lies; and the consequences thereof.*

March 23rd / 4:00 pm @ The Vintage

Free & Open to all (donations are encouraged to support The Vintage and continue its artistic programming and outreach)

The playwright will be in attendance for a Q&A discussion following the reading. The facilitator for this reading is Maggie A. O'Brien, who also serves as the resident ensembles producing director.

*NOTE: Due to strong language and content this reading is recommenced for mature audiences only.


Sunday, March 16, 23, and 30 - Stroudsburg
Every Sunday features the Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. You never know what you'll have there: music, dancing, poetry, storytelling... plus whatever you bring to the event! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00.


Tuesday, March 25 - Wilkes-Barre
Open mic at the Barnes & Noble downtown Wilkes-Barre location, 7 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre. Held the last Tuesday of every month, for music, poetry, and short stories. Starts at 6:30 at the front of the cafe.


...and if two events on March 21 didn't seem like enough of a decision challenge, how about THREE events on March 28?

Friday, March 28 - Scranton
The sixth edition of Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading at Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, hosted by Charwonica Dziwozony! Limited to thirteen readers, signups begin at 6:45, poetry begins at 7:00! This continues to be one of the most vibrant and exciting readings in the area, and competition is fierce for the thirteen spots, so get there early! NOTE: The event is BYOC - Bring Your Own Chair - so be sure to bring along a folding chair, stool, inflatable lounge chair, or other form of posterior prosthetic as needed!


Friday, March 28 - Shawnee on Delaware
Poet, Author, Playwright, and Actor K.K. Gordon has two entries that are Finalists in the Shawnee Original Playwrights Series. Both of his short plays will be read on Friday, March 28. Readings begin at 7:00. See here for more details.


Friday, March 28 - Clarks Summit
The Scranton StorySlam series continues with Scranton StorySlam: What doesn't kill you...! From the Facebook page:

Come out and hear true, five-minute tales inspired by the theme, "What doesn't kill you..." Refreshments will be available from Duffy's Coffee House. 

The storyslam will take place Friday, March 28, at The Gathering Place in Clarks Summit (the Clarks Summit Borough Building), and is a collaboration with the Abington Area Community Classroom. The event is free with a donation of a canned food item. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online at slaminthesummit.brownpapertickets.com.

The stage is open to audience members interested in telling a tale. Bring a story inspired by the evening's theme and throw caution to the wind and your name in the hat!

Eight performers will each have five minutes to tell a true story from memory, in the tradition of old-fashioned storytelling. The theme of the slam is broad enough to allow the storytellers to take the audience in any direction, from pants-peeing hilarity to soul-wrenching heartbreak. It’s called a “slam” because it is presented in the form of a competition, which results in a high energy and engaging environment. Local judges will be invited to determine the winner.

What: Scranton StorySlam: Slam in the Summit
Theme: What doesn't kill you...
When: Friday, March 28, 2014
Doors open at 6:30 PM
Stories start at 7:00 PM
Where: Clarks Summit Borough Building
304 South State Street
Clarks Summit, PA
Cost: Free with the donation of a canned food item
Reservations recommended at slaminthesummit.brownpapertickets.com
Refreshments will be available from Duffy's Coffee House!
Ages 14 and up
Come early to get a good seat!


Sunday, March 30 - Tunkhannock
Breaking Ground Poets Open Mic
Held at the Tioga Bistro, 49 E Tioga St, Tunkhannock, this open mic is for poets twenty years of age and younger. Sign ups at 6:30, poetry at 7:00. All are welcome to attend!


...AND some previews of coming attractions for April!

Friday, April 11 - Scranton
Swandive Publishing Company presents Everyday Escape Poems Book Release Party, Friday, April 11 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the AFA Gallery, 514 Lackawanna Ave Scranton.

The night will include readings from Dale Wilsey Jr., Stanton Hancock, Andrea Talarico McGuigan, Eric Wilson, Dawn Leas, Kait Burrier, Sarah Zane Lewis, and Barbara DeCesare. There will also be time to meet the poets and get your copy of the book autographed. 


Saturday, April 19 - Scranton
Breaking Ground Poets Poetry Slam, 25/8 (behind Cooper's) from 5-7 PM. Hosted by Conor O'Brian. Tickets will be on sale there for Jean Ann Verlee.


As always, this may not even be the whole list! Let us know if there are events that need to be added!

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Happy Hour benefit for The Vintage, Thursday, March 6



This Thursday, March 6, come on down to Trax at the Radisson Hotel (700 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton) for a Happy Hour from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM to support our home, the Vintage! Suggested donation $10.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1402737979982306/

Sunday, February 16, 2014

February open mics and stuff in NEPA

February may be the shortest month, but it's packed with events - so packed that some of these events are in conflict with each other!

Thursday, February 20 - Scranton
Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers Collective! Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. Witness the triumphant return of longtime host K.K. Gordon - for real this time! Bring your poetry and add your voice to the fray! This is a free event, but donations to support the Vintage are encouraged and appreciated.

Friday, February 21 - Wilkes-Barre
Third Friday Spoken Word Event W. Featured Performers MOCK SUN! at Art Seen On The Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open Mic plus special musical feature Mock Sun, hosted by Special Guest M.C. Alex Devirgilis! Sign-ups begin at 7:30, readings begin at 8:00.

Sunday, February 16 and Sunday, February 23 - Stroudsburg
Every Sunday features the Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. You never know what you'll have there: music, dancing, poetry, storytelling... plus whatever you bring to the event! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00.

And we have two events scheduled for Friday, February 28 - which isn't as bad as March, when there will be three (and possibly four) events scheduled for March 28!

Friday, February 28 - Scranton
The fifth edition of Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading at Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, hosted by Charwonica Dziwozony! Limited to thirteen readers, signups begin at 6:45, poetry begins at 7:00! This continues to be one of the most vibrant and exciting readings in the area, and competition is fierce for the thirteen spots, so get there early! NOTE: The event is BYOC - Bring Your Own Chair - so be sure to bring along a folding chair, stool, inflatable lounge chair, or other form of posterior prosthetic as needed!

Friday, February 28 - Tunkhannock
Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theater, 60 E Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. Featuring Brian Fanelli! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00. Open to audiences and performers of all types.  Poet Brian Fanelli will be reading from his new book All That Remains. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. Hosted by Laurel Radzieski.

BONUS: Some events in March!

Saturday, March 1 - Scranton
Not an open mic, but a damn fine show: Writers Showcase at the Vintage, 7:00 PM. Hosted by Brian Fanelli and Jason Lucarelli. Featured poets and prose writers include Laura Duda, Jeff Rath, Kevin McDonough, Amanda J. Bradley, and Le Hinton. Admission is free, but donations to the Vintage are strongly encouraged.

Friday, March 28 - Shawnee on Delaware
Poet, Author, Playwright, and Actor K.K. Gordon has two entries that are Finalists in the Shawnee Original Playwrights Series. Both of his short plays will be read on Friday, March 28. Readings begin at 7:00. See here for more details.


As always, this may not even be the whole list! Let us know if there are events that need to be added!

K.K. at the Shawnee Original Playwrights Series

K.K. Gordon has two entries in this years Shawnee Original Playwrights Series! Plays will be read through at these performances. Those in attendance will vote on their favorites, and the winners will be produced and performed at the Shawnee Theater.

Here's the list of Shawnee Original Playwright Series finalists and the dates that the readings will be Both of K.K.'s plays are being presented on Friday, March 28 at 7:00. Head on down to the Shawnee Playhouse and support KK!

552 River Road
PO Box 159
Shawnee on Delaware, PA 18356
570-421-5093
www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com

S.O.P.S 2014 READING SERIES FINALISTS

March 7, 2014 -- 7 pm
The Nam Gig by Kenneth M. Tyler
Thornrose by Michael DeMaio
Christmas Eve Memoirs by Arlene Rinkerman Metrione

March 14, 2014 -- 7 pm
Strange Bedfellows by Jason Boies
The Dead Indian Museum by Paul Kodiak
Few Thy Voice by Colin Speer Crowley
Making God Laugh by Sean Grennan

March 21, 2014 -- 7 pm
Dracula - Live on Stage by Leroy Clark
Lark Eden by Symons
Immortaling Raymond: How to Live Forever by James Rosenfield
Rings by Lawrence Esposito

March 28, 2014 -- 7 pm
More Than You Can Bear by Kevin Hillman
LAPSED by Dan Eash
Birdie by Scott E. McIntosh
The Waiting Room by Rich Strack
Man's Inhumanity to Missy by K.K. Gordon
Finding the Inner Chuck Norris by K.K. Gordon

Monday, January 13, 2014

January Open Mics and related events in NEPA

2014 is off to a great start with a full load of poetry open mics, plus plenty of other events relevant to your interests!

Thursday, January 16 - Scranton
Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers Collective! Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. Witness the triumphant return of longtime host K.K. Gordon! The last few sessions have been jam-packed with poets and poetry. Can we keep the momentum going?

Friday, January 17 - Wilkes-Barre
Third Friday Spoken Word at Art Seen On The Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open Mic plus features Charlotte Lewis and Ed Dructor! Sign-ups begin at 7:30, readings begin at 8:00.

Saturday, January 18 - Scranton
Vintage Theater Five Year Celebration. Come celebrate five years of The Vintage!

Sunday, January 19 and Sunday, January 26 - Stroudsburg
Every Sunday features the Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. You never know what you'll have there: music, dancing, poetry, storytelling...plus whatever you bring to the event! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00.

***ADDED 1/14*** 
Friday, January 24 - Tunkhannock
Open Mic Night at the Dietrich Theater, 60 E Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00. "Open to audiences and performers of all types.  Watch local talent, then sit back and enjoy featured artist Wolf Critton, war veteran and singer/songwriter.  Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details." Hosted by Laurel Radzieski.

Friday, January 31 - Scranton
A strange alignment of the dates means a gap of two weeks from the Third Friday event in Wilkes-Barre to the last Friday event in Scranton - plenty of time to polish, refine, or come up with new material! The fourth edition of Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading at Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, hosted by Charwonica Dziwozony! Limited to thirteen readers, signups begin at 6:45, poetry begins at 7:00!

Saturday, February 1
Breaking Ground Poets will be holding a Poetry Slam at TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton (rear, 703 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18509).  This will be a "group slam" and will be hosted by Conor McGuigan. See the Breaking Ground Poets Facebook page for more information.


***BONUS***

Poet, Author, Playwright, and Actor K.K. Gordon will be performing as Chief Bramden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at The Little Theater in Wilkes-Barre (537 N Main St, Wilkes-Barre) on January 17 and 18 at 8:00 PM and January 20 at 3:00. You can see a scene performed live in the WBRE studios for PA Live! by clicking here.


This may not even be the whole list! Let us know if there are events that need to be added!

Meeting location for January 18, 2014

Due to the prep work being done for the Fifth Anniversary celebration at The Vintage, we will be holding our meeting at an alternate location on Saturday, January 18. We will be meeting at Northern Light, 536 Spruce Street in Scranton at 1:00 PM.

Monday, December 16, 2013

December Open Mics and related events in NEPA

Just like November, December in Northeastern Pennsylvania is jam-packed with Open Mics and related events! See if you can get your ticket punched at every one!

Thursday, December 19 - Scranton
TWO, TWO, TWO EVENTS IN ONE LOCATION! Show up for one and stay for both! You'll be glad you did.

Winter Open House at the Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, Scranton, starting at 5:30.
"The Vintage Theater's Board of Directors warmly invites all members of the community to its Winter Open House. This party is perfect for all those familiar with The Vintage and those who have never been before! Complimentary food, drink, artisan vendors (including Boutique Libertina) and prizes! Featuring Chelsea Collins (of A Fire With Friends) on piano, information to the inner workings of The Vintage and did we mention complimentary drinks?!? Open & Free To All!"

Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers Collective! Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30. This month's host is the incomparable Wendell Bullock!

Friday, December 20 - Wilkes-Barre
Third Friday Spoken Word at Art Seen On The Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open Mic plus feature Brian Fanelli! Sign-ups begin at 7:30, readings begin at 8:00.

Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 - Scranton
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at the Vintage. Tickets are going fast for this scandalous behind the scenes tell-all about what really goes on with the team that pulls Santa's sleigh!

Sunday, December 22 - Stroudsburg
Every Sunday features the Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. You never know what you'll have there: music, dancing, poetry, storytelling...plus whatever you bring to the event! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00.

Friday, December 27 - Scranton
So how was your Christmas? Did you get everything you wanted? Well, if what you wanted was a giant pile of poetry, you'd better rouse yourself from your Boxing Day hangover and head on over to the third edition of Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading at Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, hosted by Charwonica Dziwozony! Limited to thirteen readers, signups begin at 6:45, poetry begins at 7:00!

***ADDED 12/22/13*** Saturday, December 28 - Wilkes-Barre
the joy... A special holiday event at The Lamp Post, hosted by Bianca Roman!
the lamp post, chapter one 47 North Franklin St. Wilkes Barre (3rd floor of Downtown Arts Building)
Holiday Arts & Performance Event
Dress Code: FESTIVE
Admission: please bring one wrapped gift (=approx. $5.00) we will end the night with a gift exchange for all attending members of the illumiNATION!!!

Sunday, December 29 - Stroudsburg AND Tunkhannock
OH NOES! Two events at the same time in two widely separated parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania! How will YOU see the old year out? Well, if you're not able to bilocate or astrally project, you'll just have to pick one and ask your friends to fill you in on the other!

Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. It's the holiday season, and the final open mic of the year! ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00.

Breaking Ground Poets Holiday Open Mic at 7:00 at the Tioga Bistro, 49 East Tioga St., Tunkhannock. According to Katie Watkins Wisnosky, "There will be a writing workshop @ 5 with Jim Warner beforehand at the Tioga Bistro. ADULTS - you can attend the writing workshop, too, for a $5 donation to the BGPs. We will be celebrating our TWO YEAR anniversary (woot! woot!), so there will be food, ugly Christmas sweaters, and oh yea - the best youth talent in the area! And maybe some surprise performances by mentors..."


This may not even be everything! If you're aware of additional events through the end of December (or beyond - never to soon to start getting ready!), leave a comment or send a message and we'll add them to the list!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Writing Group meeting spot for Saturday, November 30

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers' Collective will be unable to meet at The Vintage on Saturday, November 30 due to the Small Business Saturday Art & Craft Showcase (great gifts by talented local artisans, nothing over $50) being held there from 10 AM to 4 PM.  While our fall-back position in recent months has been the Starbucks at the Steamtown Mall, KK has suggested meeting at the second floor food court at the Steamtown Mall this Saturday at 1:00. (The food court allegedly has an Arthur Treacher's - the only one within a hundred miles, at least.) While this lacks the easy accessibility of Starbucks and may feature all sorts of first-weekend-after-Thanksgiving-at-the-mall shenanigans, it looks like this is where we're meeting.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

November event overload

So many events happening in November I just...can't...even...and the thing is, these events may have been going on every month without me being aware! Unless otherwise noted, all events are free, though donations are appreciated.

Friday, November 15 - Wilkes-Barre
Reports of its demise were apparently premature. That, or it's a terrifying zombie out for brains. Third Friday Spoken Word is back at Arts Scene on the Square, 21 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Open Mic plus feature Eric Wilson! Sign-ups begin at 7:30, readings begin at 8:00.

Saturday, November 16 - Scranton
The Writers Showcase will appear in its new location at The Vintage, 326 Spruce Street in Scranton. Not an open mic, this will feature several local poets and authors presenting their work, including Matt Hinton, Marissa Phillips, Dale Wilsey Jr., Kate Senecal, and special guest Jeffrey Condran. Performances begin at 7:00.

Sunday, November 17 - Stroudsburg
Every Sunday features the Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, next to the Sherman Theater. You never know what you'll have there: music, dancing, poetry, storytelling...even Roger Hammer of the Unholy Sideshow! Sign-ups begin at 6:30, performances at 7:00.

Monday, November 18 - Kingston
Writer's Showcase and Open Mic Night at the Hoyt Library. Open mic with five minute slots, followed by featured readers Amye Archer, Brian Fanelli, and Richard Priebe. 284 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston. Readings begin at 6:30.

Thursday, November 21 - Scranton
Third Thursday Open Mic Poetry Night at the Vintage, 326 Spruce Street, sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Writers Collective! Sign-ups begin at 8:00, poetry at 8:30.

Sunday, November 24 - Stroudsburg
Open Mic at the Living Room, 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg. See November 17, above.

Friday, November 29 - Scranton
Screw the orgy of Black Friday consumption, it's time for the newest and most exciting open mic of all! The second edition of Kick Out the Bottom open voice poetry reading at Embassy Vinyl in Scranton, hosted by Charwonica Dziwozony! Limited to thirteen readers, signups begin at 6:45, poetry begins at 7:00!


So. The next time someone whines "There's nothing to do around this area," you have my permission to print out this post and smack them with it.