Entertainment around the area
Cult-classic TV stars, visiting area drive-ins, lead the entertainment highlights coming to local and regional entertainment over the next couple of weeks.
“Mystery Science Theater 3000” creator Joel Hodgson and fellow host Jonah Ray will attend The Mahoning Drive-In Theater’s “MST3K” fan event. “MST3K” originally ran from 1988 to 1999, with new episodes airing on Netflix and online platform Gizmoplex in recent years.
Becky’s Drive-In, meanwhile, welcomes Butch Patrick, aka Eddie Munster on 1960s sitcom “The Munsters.” Becky’s, celebrating its 79th anniversary, marks Patrick’s first stop in the “Dive in at the Drive-In” Summer Scream Series, for which he will film a scene at Becky’s.
Among other entertainment, the 16th Happy Together Tour and blues-rock guitarist Robin Trower will play Penn’s Peak, and country singer Jon Pardi performs at PPL Center.
PENN’S PEAK
325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe
866-605-7325, pennspeak.com
• Happy Together Tour, 8 p.m. June 12. The show features late-1950s/-1960s hitmakers such as The Turtles (“Happy Together”), The Archies’ Ron Dante (“Sugar, Sugar”), Little Anthony (“Tears on My Pillow”) and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (“Young Girl”).
• Robin Trower, 8 p.m. June 13. Born in London, the blues-rock guitarist recorded five albums as a member of Procol Harum from 1967 to 1971. The rock band’s hits include “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and “Homburg.” Trower, who briefly reunited with Procol Harum in 1991, released his first solo album in 1973, with his latest “Come and Find Me” out in May.
• Summer Deck Parties, 6:30 p.m. Big Bone Daddy, a rock/blues cover band, will perform June 14. Boots and Bangs, playing country covers, performs June 19.
MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE
14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe
570-325-0249, mcohjt.com
• Hunkajunk, 8 p.m. June 6. The group, formed in 2015 and based in northeast Pennsylvania, performs retro hits, modern classics and original jams.
• Jingo, 8 p.m. June 7. The tribute act performs the music of rock band Santana, taking its name from a same-titled cover appearing on Santana’s 1969 debut album.
• Meet Loaf, 8 p.m. June 14. The act pays tribute to the late singer/actor Meat Loaf.
TAMAQUA COMMUNITY
ARTS CENTER
125 Pine St., Tamaqua
570-668-1192, tamaquaarts.org
• Kricket Comedy, 8 p.m. June 13, The Stitch. Bob Marsdale and Vince Valentine will perform.
• Gallery Opening Reception: James V. Spieles, 6 p.m. June 12. Spieles, retired firefighter, began oil painting at age 16, later picking up acrylics and pencil. Civil War history inspired Spieles, with the artist then selling his art locally and in Gettysburg. After moving back to the Schuylkill County area, Spieles started to work in watercolor.
VIC’S JAZZ LOFT
AT THE STABIN MUSEUM
268 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe
570-325-5588, vicsjazzloft.com
• Bill Washer and Jon Ballantyne: Mode for Joe Duo + 2, 7 p.m. June 6. The act features guitarist Washer, pianist Ballantyne, bassist Evan Gregor and drummer Bill Goodwin.
• Kelly Green Quartet, 7 p.m. June 13. The group consists of: Green, piano and vocals; Elijah J. Thomas, flute, alto flute and piccolo; Luca Soul Rosenfeld, bass; and Evan Hyde, drums.
• Brett Andrew, 7 p.m. June 19. Lehigh Valley guitarist/vocalist Brett Andrew will perform his rock/funk originals. Andrew’s band includes pianist Adam Ahuja, who will open the evening with an alternative jazz live-looping set.
THE MAHONING DRIVE-IN
635 Seneca Road, Lehighton
484-613-1314, mahoningdit.com
• “Mystery Science Theater 3000” Ultimate Fan Event, 6 p.m. June 6 and 7. “MST3K” creator Joel Hodgson and fellow host Jonah Ray, among others, will attend. The event includes Hodgson-selected episodes of “MST3K,” which premiered in 1988. The show‘s premise involves mad scientists forcing a trapped human host to watch an endless stream of cheesy movies. To survive, the host and robot pals riff the movies. VIP entry at 4 p.m.
• “The Phantom of the Opera,” 6 p.m. June 8. The theater will screen the 1925 silent Universal Monster classic “The Phantom of the Opera.” Ian Fraser will provide live organ accompaniment to the film. Gates open at 6 p.m.; show time at sundown.
• Classic Cruisers Night: “Grease” and “Grease 2,” June 14. The theater will screen 1978 musical “Grease” in 35 mm and 1982’s “Grease 2,” the latter presented digitally. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the vendor market and classic car show. Show time at sundown.
COUNTRY JUNCTION
6565 Interchange Road, Lehighton
610-377-5050, countryjunction.com
• Strawberry Weekend, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and 8. The weekend includes fair food and drinks featuring strawberries, plus a strawberry brunch and bingo on June 8.
• Father’s Day Weekend, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14 and 15. The event includes a kids coloring area, petting zoo, carnival rides, gem mining, pony rides, fair food and drinks.
SIGNATURE EVENT CENTER
137 Erin Lane, Brodheadsville
570-872-1444, secpoconos.com
• Country Music Fest, 4 p.m. June 8. The event includes line dancing, plus live music from Jeremiah Scott & the Revival, Jase Mathews Band, George James and Joey Lannigan.
BECKY’S DRIVE-IN
4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport
610-767-2249, beckysdi.com
• 79th Anniversary Celebration, 5 p.m. June 14. The event, with a June 21 rain date, includes a DJ, karate, trackless train/fire engine rides, a moon bounce, mini cows, twist balloons, magic, fireworks and a double feature.
• Butch Patrick, 6 p.m. June 17. Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on the 1964-1966 CBS sitcom “The Munsters,” will visit Becky’s as part of the “Dive in at the Drive-In” Summer Scream Series. Patrick will film a scene for the series at each drive-in on the tour, with his custom-built TV coffin vehicle Drag-U-La and the Eddie Chopper on hand at Becky‘s. The 1966 film “Munster, Go Home!” begins at dusk.
PPL CENTER
701 Hamilton St., Allentown
610-224-4625, pplcenter.com
• Jon Pardi, 7 p.m. June 7. Born in Dixon, California, the country singer-songwriter released his debut studio album in 2014. Pardi’s hit singles include “Head Over Boots,” “Dirt on My Boots,” “Heartache Medication” and “Last Night Lonely.” Latest studio set “Honkytonk Hollywood,” released in April, includes the single “Friday Night Heartbreaker.”
SHERMAN THEATER
524 Main St., Stroudsburg
570-420-2808, shermantheater.com
• Disney’s “Frozen Jr.,” June 7, 8, 13 and 14. In2YouArts presents the show, based on Disney’s 2013 film. “Frozen Jr.,” featuring signature song “Let It Go,“ includes music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and a book by Jennifer Lee.
• Juneteenth Freedom Festival, 2 p.m. Courthouse Square. The African American Network and Sherman Theater present the event, which includes music, vendors and food.