NEPA Scene

During the live recording of Episode 42 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on Jan. 3, 2018 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Scranton folk rock singer/songwriter Mike Mizwinski, better known as MiZ, closed the show with this acoustic version of his original song "Heroes," dedicated to the many great musicians we’ve lost over the last few years.

The award-winning podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene's Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond.

In Episode 41, we sit down with a panel of scruffy-looking nerf herders on the anniversary of Carrie Fisher’s death to record a special episode of the NEPA Scene Podcast - a Holiday Special, if you will. FilmBuffOnline editor Rich Drees, comedian Ted Hebert, NEPA Scene and Geek Art Photo photographer Jason Riedmiller, and singer/songwriter Connor Langan of new band Willrow Hood (named after an obscure “Star Wars” character) join us to talk about “Episode VIII - The Last Jedi” in-depth and decide if writer/director Rian Johnson brought balance to the franchise or left it in darkness with the latest “Star Wars” film. This is a spoiler-filled discussion, so if you haven’t seen the movie yet, then why did you even click on this?

As we geek out, we drink Beer Boys crowlers of Blood Orange IPA by Tommyknocker Brewery, Mine Fire Blackberry Jalapeño Ale by Breaker Brewing Company in Wilkes-Barre, and Devious Imperial Pumpkin by Fegley’s Brew Works in Bethlehem and Allentown.

We talk about the controversy surrounding this movie, “Star Wars” fandom, avoiding spoilers and ruining childhoods, the movie’s twists and whether or not they were genuinely surprising, the different structure and tonal shifts in “The Last Jedi,” the perspective of younger “Star Wars” fans versus older fans, the much-maligned casino subplot on Canto Bight, Mark Hamill’s comments being taken out of context and Luke Skywalker’s arc in the movie, Captain Phasma’s short role, Kylo Ren being the best part of the movie, the debate over Supreme Leader Snoke, General Hux and white nationalism symbolism, the Rey and Luke scenes, the new Force powers on display, Carrie Fisher passing away and the effect this had on her role, taking ideas and characters from the old “Star Wars” Legends canon like Grand Admiral Thrawn, the new characters Rose and DJ, the way these episodes are being written and produced versus the original trilogy, “Star Wars” characters who need their own spin-offs, how “The Last Jedi” changed the direction of the series, the big Amilyn Holdo moment, feminism and other themes in the script, what should happen in "Episode IX," and more.

We also answer some questions and react to comments from live viewers.

The opening and closing music is a remix of the “Binary Sunset/The Force Theme” by DJ AG so Disney won’t sue us for using the original John Williams music.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The V-Spot, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 40, we sit down with Shavertown native Justin Mazer, guitarist for Gatos Blancos, Starbird, Ryan Montbleau, and many other bands over the years, including Tom Hamilton’s American Babies, Leroy Justice, and MiZ. His longtime Led Zeppelin tribute act Misty Mountain will reunite for two shows with special guests at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains on Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23.

Before and during the interview, we drink Beer Boys crowlers of BennyFest, an Oktoberfest-style lager by Benny Brewing Company in Wilkes-Barre, Maple Mistress Imperial Pumpkin Ale by Saucony Creek Brewing in Kutztown, and Quinannan Falls IPL by Bell’s Brewing. Each one ended up being flavorful and perfect fuel for a discussion after Justin’s long drive.

We talk about how Justin started as a young guitarist, spending an average of 175-200 days on the road and playing in at least 40 states, his travel highlights, how the local music scene influenced and boosted his career, the importance of open mics to his development as a guitarist and to other artists, the recent Cabinet hiatus announcement, how he effectively juggles different projects and practices consistently, the musicians that started at and grew out of the River Street Jazz Cafe, what our scene can learn from other music scenes across the country, his celebrity run-ins with artists like Jim James from My Morning Jacket that didn’t go as planned, his crazy story of flying from gig to gig, the origins of Misty Mountain and its ambitious 10th anniversary show this weekend, and more.

We also answer some questions and react to comments from live viewers, discussing Justin’s favorite venues, who is on his bucket list to play with, underrated bands, staying grounded, and our first albums and concerts.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The V-Spot, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 39, we sit down with Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Friends Chelsea Rixner and Alex MacNamara, who are also board members, to clarify that the orchestra is far from finished, even after making the highly publicized decision to suspend their 2017-2018 season, and dispel any rumors that they’re not going to be performing or working on any new programs in 2018.

Before and during the interview, we drink Beer Boys crowlers of Monkey Barrel Milk Stout by Thomas Creek Brewery, Trodac Soul Ale by Pizza Boy Brewing Company, and Summit Keller Pils by Summit Brewing and successfully convert Chelsea into a beer drinker.

We talk about why these women are involved in the local arts community and why they became Philharmonic board members; why the NEPA Phil is so important to the area; surprising diversity in the audience; comparing orchestral music to wine; staying relevant and reaching audiences of all kinds with something for everyone; “converting” people into fans of different types of music; the impact of their mentorship program on students; why people want the Philharmonic to stay; the importance of marketing; how they compare to other Philharmonics across the country and how their problems aren’t unique; the perception of orchestras and classical music versus reality; the challenge of getting people in the door; the overwhelming support of the community; orchestral music in movies, cartoons, television shows, and video games; arts funding being cut in the area and nationally; supporting the arts before they’re gone; their favorite Philharmonic venues; their next full year of programming; Lawrence Loh’s final concert and his 12-season legacy with the NEPA Philharmonic; and more.

In The Last Word, we talk about the NEPA Scenefest fundraiser last weekend and how miscommunication and a dirty joke ended up derailing the event before The Keys came to the rescue and made it all work out. Despite the issues, the fan-organized event was a success and a testament to how much people care about the work we do.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The V-Spot, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 38, Brittany talks about her eighth annual Shots for Tots holiday party with her brother and co-organizer Bryan Boote. Shots for Tots will be held at Bart & Urby’s in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. with music by AJ Jump and Nick Driscoll, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, giveaways and, of course, copious amounts of booze. It is a $15 suggested donation at the door.

Before and during the interview, we drink crowlers of Hop Tart brewed by Pizza Boy Brewing Company in Enola, Front Street Wheat by Berwick Brewing, and Framboise by Fegley's Brew Works in Allentown, combining the Front Street Wheat and Framboise to create a Dirty Hoe. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Shots for Tots podcast without a few shots.

We discuss how Shots for Tots started as a Christmas/birthday party, the Boote family’s history of throwing huge parties, past events and how Shots for Tots has evolved over the last eight years, starting the Erin Boote Scholarship for the Arts in their mother’s name, how Shots for Tots became a charitable foundation and advice on how to start your own, arts funding in danger locally and nationally, growing their organization and picking the right students, looking at Wilkes-Barre and places like Sherman Hills in a different light, future plans to improve the area and help those in need, and more.

In The Last Word segment, we talk about the upcoming fan-organized NEPA Scenefest fundraiser at the Backyard Ale House in Scranton on Saturday, Dec. 9 and look back at this season of the NEPA Scene Rising Talent open mic and talent contest, which ends with the Finals Showcase on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at The V-Spot in Scranton.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 35, we sit down with Wilkes-Barre blues rock trio Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen before their upcoming Stevie Ray Vaughan Retrospective tribute show at the F.M. Kirby Center on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

Before and during the interview, we drink crowlers of Block House Double Chocolate Bock by Pittsburgh Brewing Company, Atwater Vanilla Java by Atwater Brewery, and Sköll Och Hati by HammerHeart Brewing Company that was put through a Randall of Tootsie Rolls, which was made exclusively at Beer Boys. These dark beers warm everybody up on a cold night.

We talk about their introduction to blues rock and why it stuck with them; Stevie Ray Vaughan and what makes his music continue to resonate; reproducing SRV and playing it their own way; putting this show together and performing it at the iconic B.B. King Blues Club in New York City; other bands they’ve been in, including Lemongelli, and how they informed their current work; the importance of honesty and emotion in music, as well as simplicity; their current album, “Blues 1,” and how their previous albums have evolved live; working on their next record and letting songs “happen” on the spot; standout shows they’ve played; changes to the local music scene over the years, both good and bad; performing at the Briggs Farm Blues Festival and connecting with blues fans live; and more.

We also answer some questions and react to comments from live viewers, which occasionally turn into some ball busting and a “roast” of Dustin.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 34, we sit down with Jeff Boam, an award-winning playwright, filmmaker, founder of Richlier Moving Picture Company, and movie commentator for WBRE, “PA Live,” and WNEP, before the debut of his new boxing comedy, “Man on a Canvas,” at The Olde Brick Theatre in Scranton, opening Friday, Nov. 10 and running through Sunday, Nov. 19.

Beer Boys is hosting a Sierra Nevada Brewing Company tap takeover next Wednesday, so to celebrate, we drink crowlers of their Sidecar Orange Pale Ale and Oktoberfest, as well as Imperial Pumpkin Porter by Epic Brewing Utah that was put through a Randall of pumpkin pie and cinnamon sticks, which was made exclusively at Beer Boys. Boam once worked for a beer distributor, so we talk about the beers and their various standout flavors.

During the interview, we talk about his interests as a kid influencing his writing, how his playwriting launched in college, the writing process, independent filmmaking and the creation of “Charlie Chaplin's Body,” the difficulty in getting original work made, his long relationship with Diva Productions, producing plays in the intimate Olde Brick Theatre, casting in a small area, actors interpreting his characters, his inspiration for “Man on a Canvas,” the Marx Brothers and bringing screwball comedy to modern audiences, classic comedy versus contemporary comedy, his advice to other playwrights who want to get their work produced, reviewing movies in print and on television, unexpectedly making a documentary about residents of West Pittston, his upcoming true crime work, awards he has received, preparing for fatherhood and balancing work with being a dad, and more.

We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

Showtimes for “Man on a Canvas” at The Olde Brick Theatre (126 W. Market St., Scranton) are on Nov. 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors. Call 570-209-7766 for reservations.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

During the live recording of Episode 33 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on Nov. 1, 2017 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, local folk funk band Fake Fight closed the show with this acoustic version of their original song “Blacklist.”

The award-winning podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene·s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond.

During the live recording of Episode 33 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on Nov. 1, 2017 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, local folk funk band Fake Fight opened the show with this acoustic version of their original song “Obliged.”

The award-winning podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene·s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond.

In Episode 33, we sit down with new Wilkes-Barre folk funk band Fake Fight, which features members of Half Dollar and solo artists Jordan Ramirez, Brendan Brisk, and Michael Stec with Stephen Stec. They play three original acoustic songs for us in the studio before their debut “Pete Horse” EP is released.

Before and during the interview, we drink crowlers of Sköll Och Hati by HammerHeart Brewing Company, Mass Rising by Jack's Abby Brewing, and Sidecar Orange Pale Ale by Sierra Nevada Brewing that was put through a Randall of candy corn, which was made exclusively at Beer Boys. They all go over well for very different reasons.

We talk about this new project and how it came together, what "folk funk" is and how the term was coined, the local music scene and the importance of collaboration and encouragement over competition, the quick and organic development of their sound, their other musical projects and how they informed this band, open mics, going from the name Elijah Would to Fake Fight, opening for The Wood Brothers at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, and more, including some funny stories, like that time Jordan got kicked out of a Renaissance fair.

We also read a few comments and give away free tickets to Alt 92.1's concert with Bleachers, Bishop Briggs, Welshly Arms, and The Struts at the F.M. Kirby Center.

The award-winning NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, Loyalty Barber Shop and Shave Parlor, the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.