Things to do in Scranton / Wilkes-Barre
Slide On Over
The Tedeschi Trucks Band visits the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Tedeschi Trucks Band is an 11-member collective. Formed in 2010 by husband-and-wife Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the outfit features two harmony singers, a three-piece horn section, keyboards, bass and a pair of drummers.
Tedeschi Trucks Band has taken its roots-rich musical mix to audiences across the globe and become a proven powerhouse on stage. Driven by Trucks’ signature slide-guitar sound and Tedeschi’s honey-to-husk voice, the group consistently delivers an electrifying blend of blues, soul, jazz and rock drawing from an ever-evolving song list.
They have headlined the venerable Newport Jazz Festival, co-headlined tours with B.B. King and The Black Crowes and have played to packed houses in the world’s most celebrated venues, from Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Beacon Theatre to the Hollywood Bowl and Royal Albert Hall.
The band’s debut release, Revelator, earned both a Grammy and Blues Music Award. The group is currently touring in support of its second studio effort, Made Up Mind.
Tickets can be purchased at the Kirby Center box office, online at kirbycenter.org or by phone at (570) 826-1100. — tg
(Really) Frozen
The Clarks Summit annual Festival of Ice celebrates “Frozen Fairy Tales” this weekend, with nearly 60 fairy-tale-themed ice sculptures placed around the borough’s downtown. The sculptures, with themes like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Cinderella,” will all be done by Lakeville-based Sculpted Ice Works. Family Fun Fair at the Gathering Place on the first floor of the borough building, 304 S. State St., kicks off the festivities on Friday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m. Later that evening, a parade will begin at 7:30 p.m., featuring live ice carvings, costumed fairy-tale characters, juggling, animals and Cinderella’s horse-drawn carriage.
The live music and ice carvings (along with carriage rides and other events) continue throughout the weekend around Clarks Summit through Sunday. For a complete list of Festival of Ice events, visit the Abington Business and Professional Association’s website or Facebook page. — tg
Rap Rep
Female rapper and producer K.Flay performs at The Other Side (119 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) on Friday, Feb. 13. The 21 and older show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are $5. Before the show, she’ll be taking part in the Fuzz 92.1 Private Artist Showcase at the Fuzz Radio Theater in Scranton at 1 p.m. Get your tickets by texting FLAY to 88474.
Born in Wilmette, Illinois, the 29-year-old alumnus of Stanford University in California was originally signed to RCA Records and spent her formative years in the industry trap until she was freed from her contract and allowed to release her first full-length, Life as a Dog, last year. Since the project’s inception, K.Flay has performed opening sets for the Snoop Dogg, Passion Pit, Icona Pop, Theophilus London and 3OH!3. She has also appeared on “Last Call with Carson Daly” and large festivals, such as Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and the Governors Ball in New York. — tg
Book Bliss
Brandon Halsey, author of Bliss, hosts a reading and signing event at Le Manhattan Bistro in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Autographed copies of Halsey’s book may be purchased during the event. Complimentary food and drinks, including burgundy escargot, pate crostini, smoked salmon and tuna tartare will be served by nationally-renowned chef Gwen Le Pape. Cocktail attire is requested.
“After two years of hard work I’m finally ready to unleash Bliss upon the public,” Halsey said. “Writing is a very lonely and solitary task; a book release party is one of the few times authors actually get to be social.”
Halsey is the author of books, poems and essays. Bliss is his first novel. Bliss is available for purchase on all major online merchants and brandonhalsey.com. — tg
Country Crooner
Lee Brice, one of country music’s newest superstars, visits the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. The show is sold out.
Brice began his career as a songwriter, penning tunes for heavy hitters like Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and more, but it was when he began performing his own work that the former Clemson University lineman found country music stardom. His debut record, 2012’s Hard to Love, was certified gold, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard country charts and selling nearly a half-million copies. Brice is currently touring in support of his latest album, I Don’t Dance, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album’s title track peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and Brice’s current single, “Drinking Class,” is climbing right behind it. Brice spent much of the past year playing major arenas as support for fellow country stars Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley. — tg