Entertainment for everyone
Several performers, marking notable album anniversaries this year, lead the entertainment highlights set for local and regional entertainment over the next two weeks.
Rock band Tommy James and The Shondells, playing Penn’s Peak, released debut album “Hanky Panky” in May 1966, with the title track hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Country singer Josh Turner, also performing at the Peak, released sophomore album “Your Man” in January 1996. The set’s title track and “Would You Go With Me” hit No. 1 at country radio.
Two acts performing at Wind Creek Event Center, meanwhile, also mark 30 years of notable recordings this year. Comedian Bill Engvall released his debut comedy album “Here’s Your Sign” in 1996, the same year jazz songstress Diana Krall issued “All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio.”
PENN’S PEAK
325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe
866-605-7325, pennspeak.com
• Green River, 8 p.m. Saturday. The act, paying tribute to rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and CCR co-founder John Fogerty, takes its name from CCR’s same-titled 1969 album and song.
• Josh Turner, 8 p.m. Feb. 12. Born in Hannah, South Carolina, the country singer-songwriter released his debut album “Long Black Train” in 2003. Turner’s hits include “Long Black Train,” “Your Man,” “Would You Go With Me,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and “Hometown Girl.” Turner released his 10th studio set, “This Country Music Thing,” in 2024.
• Tommy James and The Shondells, 8 p.m. Feb. 14. Formed in 1964 in Niles, Michigan, the rock band released all eight of its studio albums from 1966 to 1970. Hit singles include “Hanky Panky,” “Crimson and Clover,” “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Mony Mony.” James scored 1970s solo hits such as “Draggin’ the Line,” “I’m Comin’ Home” and “Three Times in Love.”
MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE
14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe
570-325-0249, mcohjt.com
• FJ, 8 p.m. Friday. The band, featuring actor and 2005 “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis, pays tribute to rock bands Foreigner and Journey.
• The ELO Tribute Show, 8 p.m. Feb. 13. The act performs the hits of English rock band Electric Light Orchestra and ELO co-founder Jeff Lynne, plus Lynne-produced artists.
• Calamity Chang Presents: “Saints & Sinners: A Burlesque Cabaret of Divine Desires,” 8 p.m. Feb. 14. Chang hosts the show, also set to feature Gin Minsky, Mister Gorgeous, Lelu Lenore, Jack Barrow, Tequila Divine and Broadway Brassy. Also, Persimmon Peaks and Violet Syncope.
COUNTRY JUNCTION
6565 Interchange Road, Lehighton
610-377-5050, countryjunction.com
• Meet the Makers Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15. Local and regional artisans showcase creations such as handcrafted jewelry and textiles, woodworking and ceramics.
WIND CREEK EVENT CENTER
77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem
610-224-4625, windcreekeventcenter.com
• Bill Engvall, 8 p.m. Friday. Born in Galveston, Texas, the comedian/actor made early-1990s appearances on sitcoms such as “Designing Women” and “Golden Girls” spin-off “The Golden Palace.” Engvall’s comedy-albums discography includes 1996’s “Here’s Your Sign,” 1998’s “Dorkfish” and 2007’s “15° Off Cool.” Engvall’s other credits include the 2000s Blue Collar Comedy Tour franchise, three books, TBS sitcom “The Bill Engvall Show” and horror film “The Neighbor.”
• Diana Krall, 8 p.m. Feb. 13. Born in British Columbia, Canada, the jazz pianist/singer released her debut album “Stepping Out” in 1993. Three of Krall’s albums, including 2001’s “The Look of Love,” each topped 1 million in domestic sales. The singer’s 15th studio set, 2020’s “This Dream Of You,” was her final project with longtime producer Tommy LiPuma, who passed away in 2018.
MUSIKFEST CAFÉ
101 Founders Drive, Bethlehem
610-332-1300, steelstacks.org
• The Nerds, 7:30 p.m. Friday. The New Jersey rock ‘n’ roll cover band has shared the stage with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Hootie & the Blowfish, Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Go-Go’s. Rockers such as Dickey Betts, of The Allman Brothers Band, and Jon Bon Jovi have performed with The Nerds.
• Yacht Lobsters, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. The act performs 1970s/early-1980s soft rock from artists such as Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Hall & Oates. The Yacht Lobsters also perform original music.
• Strawberry Fields, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The band, featuring cast members from the musical “Beatlemania,” takes its name from the Beatles’ 1967 song “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
STATE THEATRE
453 Northampton St., Easton
610-252-3132, statetheatre.org
• Dan Tyminski Band, 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Born in Rutland, Vermont, the bluegrass singer-songwriter was a longtime member of Alison Krauss’ band Union Station. Tyminski, whose solo albums include 2008’s “Wheels” and 2017’s “Southern Gothic,” performed a cover of “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” in the 2000 film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” The singer featured on 2013 Avicii single “Hey Brother.”
• “Swan Lake,” 7 p.m. Feb. 18. Classical Arts Entertainment presents the show, based on Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s 1895 revival of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s 1877 ballet. “Swan Lake” features principal dancers from Ukraine and international ballet artists. The production includes numbers such as “Dance of the Little Swans,” “Swan Theme” and Odile’s 32 fouetté turns from the “Black Swan Pas de Deux.”
SHERMAN THEATER
524 Main St., Stroudsburg
570-420-2808, shermantheater.com
• Pocono Winter Wine & Food Festival, 1 p.m. Saturday. The festival includes local wine, food and artisan goods. A second session begins at 3:30 p.m.
• Gubbulidis, 7 p.m. Feb. 19. The duo features bassist Zdenek Gubb and guitarist/vocalist Mihali Savoulidis. The twosome founded jam-rock band Twiddle, which performed from 2004 to 2023.
MOUNT AIRY CASINO RESORT
312 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono
877-682-4791, mountairycasino.com
• Slippery When Wet NJ, 8 p.m. Feb. 14. The tribute act, hailing from New Jersey, performs the music of rock band Bon Jovi. Slippery When Wet takes its name from Bon Jovi’s same-titled 1986 album.