Dietrich Theater announces Summer Fest 2025

The Dietrich Theater invites film lovers to immerse themselves in a cinematic celebration like no other with Summer Fest 2025, running from Friday, July 11 through Thursday, July 31. Featuring 18 carefully curated films in 21 days, the festival showcases the best of independent, foreign, documentary, and art house cinema for $8.50 per ticket. Whether it’s sweltering summer sun or an unexpected downpour, the Dietrich Theater has you covered, literally, with air conditioning, and a movie lineup worth escaping into.

With ‘F1,’ rising star Damson Idris enters Hollywood’s fast lane

Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that’s a little difficult at a Formula One race.

Stop setting off illegal fireworks!

The season of illegal fireworks has already begun and will hit full boom this week, prompting our annual plea: If you absolutely feel you must set off explosives, especially the airborne variety, be courteous and responsible.

Marie Rahill celebrates 105th birthday

Marie Rahill celebrated her 105th birthday with a party Thursday afternoon at The Meadows in Dallas, where she is a resident.

Diamonds to Summer at Sem, coal to car thieves

Diamonds to Wyoming Seminary and the YMCA for teaming to offer Summer at Sem, Explorations with the Y, a 3-week program that drew 113 youngsters to Sem’s Lower School Campus in Forty Fort for a wide array of science and learning expertly disguised as fun — oh, and some stuff that was just plain fun. Children learned the best way to make homemade bubble solutions, program LEGO robotics, and practice photography, among many other activities. Our area is blessed with many such opportunities for students of varying age groups throughout the year, but summer versions give parents a break, while letting kids socialize, learn, burn off energy and, well, get to enjoy childhood. Sem has been doing this since the 1990s, but joining with the Y opened the doors to students from other schools. Camp Director Sara Hargadon Michaels put it nicely when she said “It’s a beautiful partnership.” May we see many more like it.

Keke Palmer’s ‘Just Keke’ album channels public relationship drama into reclamation

NEW YORK — A sheer dress silhouetting a black body suit, Usher’s signature crowd interaction and a tweet from her child’s father: that concoction created a nearly two-week social media frenzy starring Keke Palmer back in 2023. Now, the multi-hyphenate creative has channeled that experience into her new album, “Just Keke.”

Movie Review: In ‘28 Years Later,’ a zombie pandemic rages on

Most movies are lucky to predict one thing. Danny Boyle’s 2002 dystopian thriller “28 Days Later” managed to be on the cutting edge of two trends, albeit rather disparate ones: global pandemic and fleet-footed zombies.

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Food and Restaurants

Drink like an Egyptian: Black Earth Magical Cafe is area’s first alcohol-free bar

OLD FORGE — With a King Tut coffin and hieroglyphic mural designs, Black Earth Magical Cafe is like being inside a pharaoh’s home — or final resting place. Paintings on the wall depict dogs as pharaohs, just some of the Egyptian-themed restaurant and sanctuary’s decorations.

Drink like an Egyptian: Black Earth Magical Cafe is area’s first alcohol-free bar

OLD FORGE — With a King Tut coffin and hieroglyphic mural designs, Black Earth Magical Cafe is like being inside a pharaoh’s home — or final resting place. Paintings on the wall depict dogs as pharaohs, just some of the Egyptian-themed restaurant and sanctuary’s decorations.

Wayne County Farmers Market opens May 24, celebrates 50 Years this summer

HONESDALE — The Wayne County Farmers Market kicks off its 50th anniversary season on Saturday, May 24, marking half a century of connecting local growers, bakers, and artisans with the community.

Dave’s Hot Chicken opens first NEPA location

DICKSON CITY — For spice lovers and chicken lovers alike, there’s a new HOT spot opening in Dickson City. The vibrant air of the casual dining restaurant smelled like pickles and good times — or good brine I should say!

Abbiocco has new owner, same great taste and vision

CLARKS SUMMIT — Rose Brutico Fazio has owned Abbiocco for almost nine years and now ownership is shifting to Andrea Araujo, but don’t worry — the food, values and atmosphere of the restaurant will continue on.

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NEPA Live Music List: May 22 to May 25

Although it may not look like barbecue weather for this long holiday weekend, it's always live music weather! There's plenty of outstanding live entertainment across our local towns to play you through this Memorial Day Weekend.

Hardcore for Husvar advocates for suicide prevention and honors a local legend

SCRANTON — Hardcore for Husvar is a benefit concert taking place at St. Mary’s Center over Memorial Day Weekend to honor the life of NEPA-native Neil Husvar as well as raise funds for Suicide Prevention.

Teenage Dirtbags are forever! Wheatus heads to Sherman Theater

STROUDSBURG — The Sherman Theater announced that Wheatus, the band behind the iconic global hit “Teenage Dirtbag,” will take the stage on Friday, May 23, with special guest MC Lars and Good Stuff.

Mayday Parade celebrates 20th anniversary at Sherman Theater this spring

STROUDSBURG - Emo and pop-punk icons Mayday Parade hit the road in 2025 to celebrate their incredible two-decade career with the “Three Cheers for 20 Years” Tour, stopping at the Sherman Theater on Friday, May 24.

Joywave’s spring tour headed for Sherman Theater

STROUDSBURG — Rochester-based indie trio, Joywave brings their “Here To Perform… Spring 2025 Tour” to the Sherman Theater on May 22, 2025.

The Vindys to join Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at F.M. Kirby Center

WILKES-BARRE – The Vindys are set open for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at their F.M. Kirby Center show on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m.

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