NEPA Scene

In Episode 40, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the NEPA Scene Podcast by going way, way back to the origins of NEPA Scene in a roundabout way. There was once a great little weekly newspaper in Scranton called Go Lackawanna, where co-host Rich Howells got his first full-time job in journalism as the staff writer. Our guests Chris Hughes and Jason Riedmiller served as the editor and main photographer at the paper, respectively, so with the old band back together, we recall the ups and downs of the two years we spent there fighting the good fight and delivering honest, unbiased journalism with a meager budget and a lot of heart. We discuss the difficulties we faced from our much larger competition and even our own parent company, breaking new ground in the area and leaving a lasting impression, the need for different perspectives and checks and balances in media, some of our best and worst memories on the job, corporate takeovers and poor management decisions, and why the award-winning publication ultimately closed, eventually leading to new ideas and the foundation of NEPA Scene.

In The Last Word segment, we look back at what we learned from our experiences with Go Lackawanna and what we hope others take away from it.

Professionally recorded every Monday at The Stude in TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton and released exclusively on nepascene.com every Tuesday, the NEPA Scene Podcast is a free supplement to the website, expanding on the arts and entertainment stories covered on the site and going beyond them to discuss other news and entertainment topics.

Each week, the unedited and uncensored podcast features Rich Howells, NEPA Scene founder and editor; Mark Dennebaum, president and owner of TwentyFiveEight Studios; and Lauren Quirolgico, commercial and content strategist at Lavelle Strategy Group and editor at TwentyFiveEight. Every episode streams on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

In Episode 39, we are joined by Diva Productions Artistic and Managing Director Paige Balitski and Technical Director Bob Balitski, along with Helen Lavelle, CEO and chief creative officer of Lavelle Strategy Group, to discuss theatre in Scranton and Diva’s latest production, “The Lion in Winter,” before their rehearsal later that night. We talk about Diva’s original location and movement from place to place before settling at the Olde Brick Theatre in North Scranton, Helen’s creative consulting and her role as an actress in “The Lion in Winter,” the play’s historical figures and how the show transcends this setting to reach modern audiences, collaborating with all types of artists at the theater, supporting original work by local playwrights and nurturing artists, taking chances on unconventional shows, working with an unpredictable live audience, what Diva will open with in 2016, and why the community of Northeastern Pennsylvania is so creative.

Directed by Paul J. Gallo, “The Lion in Winter” opens at the Olde Brick Theatre (126 W. Market St., Scranton) on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. and runs Dec. 4, 11, and 12 at 8 p.m., Dec. 5 at 4 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. Call 570- 209-7766 to make reservations in advance.

Professionally recorded every Monday at The Stude in TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton and released exclusively on nepascene.com every Tuesday, the NEPA Scene Podcast is a free supplement to the website, expanding on the arts and entertainment stories covered on the site and going beyond them to discuss other news and entertainment topics.

Each week, the unedited and uncensored podcast features Rich Howells, NEPA Scene founder and editor; Mark Dennebaum, president and owner of TwentyFiveEight Studios; and Lauren Quirolgico, commercial and content strategist at Lavelle Strategy Group and editor at TwentyFiveEight. Every episode streams on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

In Episode 38, we sit down with Jesse and Anthony Viola, two of the three members of Scranton psychedelic alternative rock band Family Animals, who are also brothers, and discuss their eclectic style that mixes many musical influences; how they’re able to read each other’s thoughts while performing and improvise during songs; recording their new album “I Must Have Missed It” at home and how it compares to their previous self-titled album; their upcoming CD release show at The Bog in Scranton on Saturday, Nov. 14 with Doghouse Charlie, Mock Sun, and Esta Coda; their Halloween and Christmas EPs; the difficulty of finding gigs and putting shows together when your music is so different from what others are doing; and what’s next for the band.

Lauren also introduces her new segment, Rapid-Fire Qs, where she asks our guests a series of quick random questions, and in The Last Word, we discuss the Beards of Scranton photography project and 2016 calendar.

Professionally recorded every Monday at The Stude in TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton and released exclusively on nepascene.com every Tuesday, the NEPA Scene Podcast is a free supplement to the website, expanding on the arts and entertainment stories covered on the site and going beyond them to discuss other news and entertainment topics.

Each week, the unedited and uncensored podcast features Rich Howells, NEPA Scene founder and editor; Mark Dennebaum, president and owner of TwentyFiveEight Studios; and Lauren Quirolgico, commercial and content strategist at Lavelle Strategy Group and editor at TwentyFiveEight. Every episode streams on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

In Episode 37, we return after two months and explain why we’ve been gone for so long (hint: it has something to do with the gigantic fire at the Sandone Tire warehouse right next to the studio and almost losing everything) before talking to our guest, Tom Borthwick, who is a teacher in the Riverside School District, the communications director for his union, an adjunct professor at Marywood University, a political blogger, and a science fiction writer. We discuss the local and national elections; disenfranchised voters and why they’re not coming out to the polls; the working conditions of teachers and the current state of education; teachers’ strikes, particularly in Scranton; the increasing challenges of teaching modern students; Northeastern Pennsylvania politics and the role that media plays in informing voters; blogging and making enemies; and Borthwick’s firsthand experience running for school board and working with the John Kerry presidential campaign. We also get into “Solacium,” the indie film adaptation of one of Borthwick’s short stories, and what it’s like seeing his writing come to life. Jer Tobin of Big Idea Photo and Video Productions fills in for Lauren this week.

In The Last Word segment, we talk about the prevailing negativity in NEPA and on social media and how to combat it, which leads us to a funny idea for a new series.

Professionally recorded every Monday at The Stude in TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton and released exclusively on nepascene.com every Tuesday, the NEPA Scene Podcast is a free supplement to the website, expanding on the arts and entertainment stories covered on the site and going beyond them to discuss other news and entertainment topics.

Each week, the unedited and uncensored podcast features Rich Howells, NEPA Scene founder and editor; Mark Dennebaum, president and owner of TwentyFiveEight Studios; and Lauren Quirolgico, commercial and content strategist at Lavelle Strategy Group and editor at TwentyFiveEight. Every episode streams on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

In Episode 14, we sample Weyerbacher Brewing Company’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Monkey Business Banana IPA by Burn ‘Em Brewing, and ReDANKulous Imperial Red IPA by Founders Brewing Company and talk about the awesome artwork on Burn ‘Em Brewing bottles, cheesy eco horror movies and the awfulness of “The Happening,” anime movies like “Vampire Hunter D,” Japanese Spider-Man, the hilarious dubbed Spike TV show “MXC,” our favorite NES games, writing to Nintendo Power, “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” the “American Horror Story” cycle of love and hate every season, and why paranormal investigation shows and Ouija boards are full of crap.

Derek Warren’s popular How to Pair Beer with Everything column on nepascene.com is now a podcast! Joined by NEPA Scene founder and editor Rich Howells and beer enthusiast George Zvirblis, they’ll try a different brew each week and examine it through all the senses, diving into personal experiences and opinions, pop culture, news, or whatever comes to mind. While Derek is an experienced beer reviewer and aficionado (and co-host of the Beer Geeks Radio Hour on WILK 103.1 FM) and George is a beer collector who travels to breweries nationwide, Rich is more of a casual craft beer drinker (and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast), so they’ll both offer their own uncensored perspectives and ask guests to share their own.

Every episode is available on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

In Episode 13, we have a full house as Derek, Rich, and George are joined again by Matt Dapkins of Massive Beer Reviews and a very special guest - Peculiar Culinary Company chef and owner Gene Philbin! We talk about our upcoming Peculiar Dinner with the Dead on Wednesday, Oct. 21, which pairs a scary menu of unknown items with beers selected specifically to celebrate the Halloween season during a screening of George A. Romero’s classic zombie film that started it all, “Night of the Living Dead.” We also discuss our love/hate relationship with “The Walking Dead” and nothing but animosity for the spin-off, “Fear the Walking Dead,” making movies into video games, cooking with beer, restaurants and breweries, and much more! Those who make it to the end of the episode earn special rewards, especially if you join us on Oct. 21 at Peculiar Culinary Company (30 Center St., Hughestown)! The beers sampled in this week’s episode are Dawn of the Red and The Devil Went Down to Oregon by Ninkasi Brewing Company, Blood Lust by Spring House Brewing Company, Shallow Grave and Evil Twin by Heretic Brewing Company, The Dread by Elysian Brewing Company, Speedway Stout by AleSmith Brewing Company, Big A IPA by Smuttynose Brewing Company, and The Audacity of Hops by Cambridge Brewing Company.

Derek Warren’s popular How to Pair Beer with Everything column on nepascene.com is now a podcast! Joined by NEPA Scene founder and editor Rich Howells and beer enthusiast George Zvirblis, they’ll try a different brew each week and examine it through all the senses, diving into personal experiences and opinions, pop culture, news, or whatever comes to mind. While Derek is an experienced beer reviewer and aficionado (and co-host of the Beer Geeks Radio Hour on WILK 103.1 FM) and George is a beer collector who travels to breweries nationwide, Rich is more of a casual craft beer drinker (and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast), so they’ll both offer their own uncensored perspectives and ask guests to share their own.

Every episode is available on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

This week, I give advice on committing to your artistic output, even though I'm probably the worst person to take advice from on commitment. I also discuss the black and white issue of drawing in negative space. Finally, I ask for feedback on a piece that I don't actually need feedback on.

Drunk Illustration Tuesday is a weekly column/podcast on nepascene.com featuring the distinctive work and alcohol-fueled musings of Scranton artist Brendan Howells, who currently resides in Japan.

While Rich is away this week, Derek and George have a few too many with Matt Dapkins of Massive Beer Reviews and discuss their favorite breweries, confusion over beer pricing, fall traditions, and listening to emo music like Texas Is the Reason, Mineral, and Elliott, among other topics, before thing descend into drunken ridiculousness. Beers sampled in this episode include Almanac Beer Company‘s Dark Pumpkin Sour and Citra Sour, Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery‘s Bourbon Barrel Champion Ground, Due South Brewing Company‘s Caramel Cream Ale, Sixpoint Brewery‘s 4Beans Imperial Porter, Goose Island Beer Company‘s Bourbon County Stout, Lagunitas Brewing Company‘s Cappuccino Stout, and Horseheads Brewing Inc.‘s Pumpkin Ale.

Derek Warren’s popular How to Pair Beer with Everything column on nepascene.com is now a podcast! Joined by NEPA Scene founder and editor Rich Howells and beer enthusiast George Zvirblis, they’ll try a different brew each week and examine it through all the senses, diving into personal experiences and opinions, pop culture, news, or whatever comes to mind. While Derek is an experienced beer reviewer and aficionado (and co-host of the Beer Geeks Radio Hour on WILK 103.1 FM) and George is a beer collector who travels to breweries nationwide, Rich is more of a casual craft beer drinker (and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast), so they’ll both offer their own uncensored perspectives and ask guests to share their own.

Every episode is available on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.

As part of the 2015 Electric City Music Conference, NEPA Scene presented a “State of the Scene” panel discussion in front of a live audience at the AfA Gallery in downtown Scranton on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Moderated by Mark Dennebaum, president and owner of TwentyFiveEight Studios in Scranton and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast, the former and current state of the Northeastern Pennsylvania music scene is discussed, problems are addressed, and creative solutions are offered. Towards the end of the program, they take questions from the audience.

The panelists are Rich Howells, Joe Caviston, and Greg Shaffer.

Rich Howells is an award-winning journalist, blogger, podcaster, poet, and photographer from Scranton. Covering the local arts and entertainment scene for over six years, he is the founder and editor of NEPA Scene, host of the NEPA Scene’s Got Talent open mic and talent contest, and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast. He has also performed his original poetry at First Night Scranton, Scranton Zine Fest, Synaesthesia Social with improvised musical accompaniment, and at many local venues, including the F.M. Kirby Center.

Joe Caviston is the co-producer of the Electric City Music Conference and the Steamtown Music Awards and recently co-founded Meat and Potato Productions. He has been part of the Scranton music scene for 15 years and has worked in the music industry in one form or another for the last 10 years. As the former owner of Burnt Carbon Productions, he promoted concerts at Fagan’s, Tink’s, Crocodile Rock Cafe, the Sherman Theater, and various other venues throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey from 2005-2008. He also spent time working with East Coast Independent Concerts, which allowed him to work with legendary music festivals like the Vans Warped Tour and Bamboozle. Additionally, Caviston had a part in the music festivals Big Giant and the Extravaganza and Heart On Fest and served on the advisory board of the original Steamtown Original Music Showcase.

Greg Shaffer owns and operates NEPA-based promotion company Glory Torch Productions, which specializes in live music, DJs, event planning, and stage management. Glory Torch is rapidly becoming the go-to entity in the area for emerging and established artists alike to get their music heard in front of a crowd.

With George out this week, replaced by a talking plastic skull Halloween decoration, Matt Dapkins of Massive Beer Reviews joins us as we sample Ensorcelled by The Rare Barrel, Worker’s Stomp Barrel-Aged Saison by Two Roads Brewing Company, and Freak of Nature Double IPA by Wicked Weed Brewing. We discuss Lagunitas Brewing selling 50 percent of its company to Heineken and Dogfish Head Brewery’s very kind and classy cease and desist letter to Pizza Boy Brewing Company that Pizza Boy posted online and attempted to make a big deal out of, touching on craft beer fans and their online discussions of both situations. We also get into Disney taking over Marvel and Lucasfilm, the “Star Wars” franchise, public relations nightmares, “Weekend at Bernie’s,” Carvel ice cream cakes, The Onion, Naked News, and more!

Derek Warren’s popular How to Pair Beer with Everything column on nepascene.com is now a podcast! Joined by NEPA Scene founder and editor Rich Howells and beer enthusiast George Zvirblis, they’ll try a different brew each week and examine it through all the senses, diving into personal experiences and opinions, pop culture, news, or whatever comes to mind. While Derek is an experienced beer reviewer and aficionado (and co-host of the Beer Geeks Radio Hour on WILK 103.1 FM) and George is a beer collector who travels to breweries nationwide, Rich is more of a casual craft beer drinker (and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast), so they’ll both offer their own uncensored perspectives and ask guests to share their own.

Every episode is available on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and nepascene.com.