That’s A Wrap: Long wait pays off for ‘The Irishman’
A tasty steak, a loaf of Italian bread, a bottle of Canada Dry and ice cream for dessert. These things would make a nice, carbolicious meal, but they’re also the components that bind nearly five decades of mobsters, killing and betrayal in Martin Scorsese’s epic “The Irishman.” Starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe […]
Mike Mizwinski, while finding success in Nashville, returns home for special holiday show
For more than 10 years, Mike Mizwinski has been regarded as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s best guitarists. And on Thanksgiving Eve, he’ll be paying tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all-time. “MiZ plays Clapton, with special guest Justin Mazer,” will blast the River Street Jazz Café on November 27 with a show featuring […]
‘Everybody’s Everything’ stands as a touching tribute to late Lil Peep
There will always be a difficulty in releasing posthumous albums. Unless the artist passes away in between the completion of the record and its release, there’s no way to know for sure if the album is what the artist would’ve wanted, or if it’s just a simple cash grab. And while it’s still not easy […]
Christopher Vernon to debut first book, entitled ‘Dancing in a Hurricane’
Christopher Vernon is a special unassuming guy, not because he was honored with the Best Customer Service Award in the Abington Journal’s Best of the Abingtons Readers’ Contest. But, because he is a man who owns his story and is sharing it with the world. “Dancing in a Hurricane” is an engrossing tell-all. It’s a […]
FKA twigs shows she can write compelling, thought-provoking pop better than anyone else on ‘MAGDALENE’
Sometimes, it’s really hard to avoid clichés while writing. I mean, that’s why clichés exist, right? They’re easy. And with an artist as consistently impressive as FKA twigs, it would be far too easy to say something like “‘MAGDALENE’ is another classic for FKA twigs” or “FKA twigs has done it again.” What will make […]
Earl Sweatshirt’s surprise EP not the rapper’s best work, but still stunning
Last Thursday, by total surprise, Earl Sweatshirt announced he’d be releasing a new EP called “FEET OF CLAY.” The circles of the internet that I follow — you know, populated by insufferable liberal arts rap nerd types — all lost their mind, as Sweatshirt has become a bit of a wunderkind over the past few […]
Local blues band looks back at legacy of Stevie Ray Vaughan at Kirby Center show
WILKES-BARRE — It’s been 30 years since Stevie Ray Vaughan brought Double Trouble to our area, but if you’re in downtown Wilkes-Barre Saturday night, you’ll have the chance to be transported back to the late blues guitarist’s Kirby Center performance. Locally-grown blues guitar trio Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen will be the latest band […]
That’s A Wrap: ‘Jesus Is King’ walks by sight, not by faith
No wonder the staff at Regal Cinema & IMAX did not know what they were showing. On Monday evening, I ventured to the movie theater in Dickson City to watch “Jesus Is King.” After I waited in line at the box office to buy a ticket, a staffer had to ask a manager if the […]
Kanye drops frustrating ‘Jesus Is King,’ his worst record to date
If you told me a year ago that I’d be reviewing a new Kanye West album that’s all about Jesus for the Halloween edition of the Weekender in 2019, I’d have laughed at you. Who’s laughing now, though? It’s certainly not me, because West’s latest record, “Jesus Is King,” is simply not good. The ironic […]
Local business celebrates art
WILKES-BARRE — Driving past Wet Paint Printing + Design, at 152 Horton St., one is bound to notice the building. Painted black and covered in art, owner Stephen Taren hopes the site impacts the community. “I celebrate art. I want to share something with the neightborhood — this neighborhood needs life and color,” Taren said. […]