ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

by Wendy Maopolski

Never A Dull Moment

Grab your shades - the future of NEPA's cultural climate has never looked so sunny and bright. With the summer completion of the Coors Light Amphitheater at Montage as well as the brand-spanking new First Union Arena in Wilkes-Barre, national acts have been heading into town faster than a steaming locomotive on a greased downhill incline. But even beyond that, there's been such a wealth of new cultural events throughout the area that area social types have been joyously clicking their collective heels as they head off on yet another rousing night on the town. Without further ado, EC brings you the Readers Poll results of what you deemed the very best within the local arts and entertainment community.

Best New Cultural Event

Winner: Happy Hour at the Everhart

Runners Up: The Pennsylvania Film Festival, First Night Scranton!

A "Shrimps" on the Wall is Not Worth Two Kegs in the Asian Gallery

Raise your cosmopolitans high and join us in a toast to this unprecedented event which has blown the doors away on area social gatherings. The very first Happy Hour at the Everhart kicked off back in June, and since that first night, its audiences have more than doubled. Why, at the August Happy Hour alone, more than 1,000 patrons poured through the Everhart's doors for a summer night chock full of culture and cocktails. What's more, the fantastic event, which is co-sponsored by Electric City, has helped raise more than $25,000 for the financially strapped museum - in a mere three nights.

"The Parties in the Park have opened so many doors for our museum," said Everhart executive director Dr. Michael Illuzzi. "Not only are they important when it comes to fund-raising, they've also helped invigorate a keener awareness of this beautiful museum for the public at large."

For the hundreds of "Best Of" voters who deemed this event their favorite night out on the town, there's more great news in store. Another Everhart Happy Hour has been slated for Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m., the blockbuster night before Thanksgiving. "Plymouth on the Rocks" will set the party's theme and once again, organizers anticipate it will be another rousing success.

Cannes. Telluride. Sundance. And Now, Scranton?

Speaking of rousing successes, The first annual Pennsylvania Film Festival also scored high on the E.C. reader's poll. That event, which provided area theater aficionados with more than 105 hours of film, a dozen educational seminars and enough fun and fanfare in the form of parties to please attendees from all walks of life - was held at United Artists Theaters at Steamtown in September.

The five-day local film festival - spearheaded by Scranton Tomorrow - kicked off Wednesday, Sept. 20, with a tribute to Jason Miller at the Trolley Museum and culminated Sunday, Sept. 24, with a screening of locally produced film, "Rat Bastard," by Dunmore's Mike Stivala. In between those five jam-packed days, there was a jazz in the streets party, highlighted by a Penn Avenue concert by jazz legend Little Jimmy Scott, and a midnight, 25th anniversary screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," preceded by "The Rocky Horror Night Ball" held in the back room of Whistles Pub & Eatery and sponsored by Electric City. Plans for next year's PA Film Festival are already in the works and you can bet we here at EC are already gearing up to do the Time Warp ... Again!

First Night - The Second Time Around

Another Scranton Tomorrow project, First Night Scranton, came in third place in the reader's poll for best new cultural event. Held on New Year's Eve in downtown Scranton, the very first First Night exceeded all expectations when it comes to success stories. While more than 10,000 area revelers welcomed the new millennium while gathered around Courthouse Square, the buzz amongst the crowd was one of wonder and surprise at how perfect the massive event turned out. With street performers galore, a glorious "People's Procession of Self-Expression" parading through the streets, and indoor venues hosting an assortment of musical, theatrical and dance performances, the night was pure magic.

"I think that it's wonderful," exclaimed Scranton Tomorrow's Sarah Hailstone when told that three of her projects scored the top three spots on the reader's poll. "It's great that the community is so excited about these events because they're all events we plan on continuing. But what really is so especially wonderful is that it's your readers and voters that made these things happen in the first place. I think that it's awesome we scored so well and really just goes to show what our community is looking for when it comes to entertainment."

If you missed out on last year's New Year's celebration, fret not. Scranton Tomorrow will once again be offering First Night Scranton this New Year's Eve in and around the downtown Scranton Area. Anyone seeking more information or wishing to volunteer for First Night should contact the Scranton Tomorrow Offices at 963-0524.

Best Local Historical Attraction

Winner: The Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour

Runner Up: Steamtown National Historic Site

We've Got Friends in Low Places

Who'd of thunk that jumping into a coal car and descending 300 feet into the bowels of the earth could be so much fun? Hundreds of "Best Of" voters, apparently. The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, located at McDade Park, takes visitors beneath the earth to experience the cold, dark caverns where miners labored under the most extraordinary conditions. A real, live coal miner leads groups through three different veins of coal, pointing out various points of interest. There's a breaker boy to greet you along the way, mining tools and artifacts, and even the most disturbing of images, like the crampiest caverns where miners actually had to lay on their backs in order to rip the coveted coal from its veins. Whenever you experience a really bad day at the office, head on over to the Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour. You'll never bitch about that piece of shit fax machine again.

Come on Baby, Do the Locomotion

The iron horse rides again in downtown Scranton at the Steamtown National Historic Site, the only national park in the country solely dedicated to railroading. Established on October 30, 1986, to further public understanding and appreciation of the role steam railroading played in the development of the United States, Steamtown ran neck-in-neck with the Coal Mining Tour when it came to the EC Reader's Poll. And how could it not? At the site, you can stroll through the working roundhouse, peruse the history and technology museums or take a rail excursion "up da line" before turning around and heading right back from whence you came. Of course, you must chant "I think I can, I think I can" as you start out, followed by a refrain of "Come on ride the train, you can ride it, oh. Chugga, chugga, woo, woo!" as you head back.

Best Performance/Concert Venue - Best Performance Venue Food & Beer

Winner: Coors Light Amphitheatre at Montage

Runner Up: First Union Arena, Wilkes-Barre

Eat, Drink and Fall in a Quarry

The super new amphitheater at Montage snagged wins in both these categories, with more than 70 percent of our voters preferring the outdoor concert venue over the stadium on ice. Sure, walking through Montage's "under construction" parking lot meant taking your life into your own hands, but once you make it over the bridge and through the woods to the pearly new gates, you couldn't help be stare in awe at the awesome new digs. Barely completed in time for the inaugural Harry Connick Jr. concert last June, the amphitheater's finishing touches were applied throughout the summer concert season, which culminated with September's Furthur Festival.

Throughout the three months of fun, concert fans were able to devour the most delectable dining fare in the form of pierogies, funnel cakes, tacos, mini pizzas, chili, pizza frita, and the fattening like. In addition to frosty cold beers, strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas were served up with verve and hey, any concert venue that has its own cigar stand rates right up there in our book.

Best Concert of the Year that You Showed Up At In Skivvies Because You Sold Your Clothes for the Must-Have Tickets

Winner: The Kiss Farewell Tour at Montage Mountain

Runner Up: Elton John at the First Union Arena

Shout It, Shout It, Shout It Out Loud

Without makeup, surely they must look like little old men by now. But on stage sporting Spandex, big hair, moon boots and grease paint, Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter rocked Montage Mountain like it has never been rocked before. The veteran boy band thrilled a sold-out crowd this past summer, blowing away all other concert entries on this year's "Best Of" ballot. Whether you whimpered while Peter crooned "Beth," pounded your fists in the air during Gene's rendition of "Detroit Rock City," strummed your own air guitar while Ace screeched "Shock Me," or just went plain out of your mind during Paul's swinging interpretation of "Love Gun," truly you must agree that this was the concert to end all concerts.

What? You didn't go?

Please immediately put down this issue of Electric City and don't let anyone else catch such an unhip, out-of-touch, sorry ass rock fan reading our publication. We like to distance ourselves from people like you.

Best Museum

Winner: The Everhart

Runner Up: The Houdini Museum

Nay Aug's Crown Jewel

Matisse, schmatisse. There's much more to Dr. Isaiah Everhart's loving legacy to our area than a crappy, pseudo-impressionist piece that probably has Henri rolling in his grave knowing that it's actually on display. Aside from countless paintings (including a Warhol) and a gallery of stuffed animals (as in taxidermy, not Gund) the Everhart boasts an Asian Gallery, where Chinese castration devices (i.e. ball crackers) are on display, the Egyptian Room, which includes mummified cats and birds, the Native American Exhibit, which boasts an ancient Indian canoe found in our region, and the brand new Orientation Center, where arts and science meet. Oh yeah, did we mention the bees?

Back on the Chain Gag

Owned and operated by Dorothy Dietrich and Jerry Bravo, the kitschy Houdini Museum is truly a labor of love for this couple who very well could be the area's most unique man-and-wife team. Both are professional magicians who formerly co-managed New York's Magic Towne House performance/dinner theater for 15 years until they packed it in and headed for Scranton to open their famous Houdini Museum, located at 1433 N. Main Avenue. The two now spend their days paying homage to the amazing showmanship of the Hungarian-born magician, Harry Houdini, who actually passed through this area more than a few times back in the early 1900s. Houdini's bewildering escapes from sausage skins, jail cells, coffins, and countless locks and straitjackets are recalled in a short video presentation, followed by a tour of the museum's vast collection of Houdini's favorite tricks, mechanisms, and scrapbooks. There's even a delightful live magic show. While there, don't forget to ask Dorothy about her dental plan. She is, after all, the first woman in history to accomplish the one trick Houdini refused to perform: catching a bullet in her mouth!

Best Art Gallery

Winner: The AFA Gallery, Scranton

With Love, From the Bottom of Their Art

The AFA gallery - which stands for Artists for Art - actually began as a concept some 25 years ago. Back then, a clique of local creative types thought it a great idea to form a support group of sorts for the area's artistic community. Since then, the idea has blossomed with its roots grounded at the gallery's Lackawanna Avenue location.

"We didn't start out as a gallery," explained gallery director Amy McBride. "We started out as a place where individuals could meet and share their art."

The gallery is now all about sharing that art with the public at large. On Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., the AFA will host it Sixth Annual Art Auction, where proceeds will go towards funding for the non-profit institution. Area artists donate the artwork to be raffled off and the $20 entry fee entitles you to free-flowing champagne, gourmet fare and music by the Dave Smith Trio. The gallery's regular hours are Thursday, Friday & Saturday from Noon to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

Best Movie Theater

Winner: Cinemark 20, Moosic

This Silver Screen is Worth its Weight in Gold

Hmmm, 20 theaters, relaxed stadium seating, digital surround sound, extra wide rows and the decadent Studio Eats Cafe? It's no wonder EC's "Best Of" voters deemed this mammoth movie theater complex the Best Local Movie Theater.

The theater's parent company, CINEMARK USA, INC., is one of the largest motion picture exhibitors in North America, with 2,860 screens in 32 States and internationally in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Peru. Brand new to Glen Maura National Blvd, Cinemark 20 more than rolls out the red carpet for its patrons: It brings the Hollywood Hills right here to NEPA.

Best Radio Station/Best Local DJ's

Winner: Rock 107 & Daniels and Webster

D & W and The Most Classic Rock Rocks!

Once again, Daniels and Webster wiped out their on-air competition in Electric City's heated "Best Of" deejay contest. The marauding Rock 107 morning personalities received yet another Best In Show, while their mother station received yet another blue ribbon in the "Best Of" radio station category.

D & W's John Webster was orgasmic following yet another "Best Of" win.

"You...you like me. You really like me! I really appreciate the fact that so many people took the time to vote...period! And to vote us number one again this year?!? WOW! Thanks and I really mean that. It is really gratifying to know that the little radio program we labor over day in and day out is actually something people enjoy listening to. And the nice thing is, this is the kind of success that our boss loves to see too. Of course when something like this happens, we usually ask him for a raise. Then he laughs and says, "Uh-huh...you make more than you're worth already. Be happy you're not working at Maid-Rite."

But I don't mind when he says that kind of thing. I just go home and write it all down. I figure I'll need it in court someday. So we were really number one? That's great. And the station was number one? And you guys at Electric City pulled out all the ballot stuffing from our program director? I mean, was it legitimate this year? Anyway, thanks again to everyone who voted for us. We really do appreciate it and we're very grateful for everyone who listens and who reads our column in Electric City. You know, we've been on the air here in NEPA for going on sixteen years and when we first started, everyone wondered if we'd last. Well I'd say so far, so good.

And to think that if it were not for a sudden case of appendicitis, I would have made it to the state police employment test 20 years ago and right now I'd be getting ready to retire with a nice pension but instead I'm monkey boy on the radio lookin' at another 20 years of this. Peace and love and Sammy Davis Jr....and I mean that."

Best College Radio Station

Winner: The University of Scranton/WUSR, 99.5 FM

Radio Daze

What are those crazy kids listening to now? They call that music?

Well, it's music of all formats over at the University of Scranton's WUSR, which rang in as Best College Radio Station, beating out the likes of Marywood University and Wilkes by a hair. DJ Rock On, whose shows are broadcast Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 p.m. until 3 a.m., says winning this award is a feather in the cap for all of those involved at his station.

"It makes me personally feel great and honored that the people recognize and realize that we are a great station."

Rock On, who's been with WUSR for about 4 1/2 years, deems the genre of his particular show 'Urban."

"We're totally urban, which is a mix of hip hop, rap, R&B. We try to take it a step further."

And taking the entire area a step further is what Rock On is all about as he uses music as his medium for opening up area minds.

"Now that I'm here, I'm here to make a change ... to make things a little bit different from the norm even if I have to do it just through music."

Best Local Band

Winner: UUU

Runners Up: Hoosier Daddy; Bliss; Tin Pan Alley; Giants of Science

Me? Me? Me? No, UUU!

Out of all the categories, the 'Best Local Band' division was by far the most heated race. Neck-in-neck up until the very end, UUU pulled ahead at the last stretch and beat out all the talented others in a true photo finish. UUU's Jason, Doug, Peter, Joe and Guido might have had some stiff competition (huh, huh, I said 'stiff'), but area music enthusiasts know that this quintessential party band is a must-see favorite when looking for a jumpin' night out on the town. With gigs up and down the East Coast, UUU packs them in wherever they go and we're pleased as punch that NEPA remains on their play list. Party on, dUUUdes.

Best Local Band with Originals That Everyone Already Knows the Words To:

Winner: Driver (formerly Strangers With Candy)

Runner-up: The Badlees

Drivin' Out the Badlees

While the "Best Local Band" category had us biting our nails until the very end, the "Best Local Original Band" left us shouting at the major upset: for the first time in history, the Badlees lost their 'original' crown to the artists formerly known as Strangers With Candy.

But for all the right reasons.

Now known as Driver - thanks to the Comedy Central show "Strangers With Candy" - this energetic ensemble is no stranger to area music enthusiasts and very well could - more like should - be on the lips of all Americans in the near future.

The Wilkes-Barre-based rock/hip hop/funk quintet inked a six-album deal with Universal Records in New York City last July, fresh on the heels of a February win on MTV's "Ultimate Cover Band" contest. Band members include lead vocalist Nick Coyle, bassist Mark Klepaski, drummer Chris Lightcap, lead guitarist Aaron Fincke and DJ/vocalist Tony "The Worm" Kruzska.