Sarah Gross, fresh off releasing her fourth studio album earlier this month, leads the entertainment coming to local and regional venues over the next couple of weeks.

The folk/Americana singer-songwriter, whose 2023 album “The Killjoy” preceded her new set “The Old Side of Being Young,” plays Mauch Chunk Opera House.

In 2024, Gross won the “Battle of the Instant Songwriters” segment on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Other entertainment highlights include John Waite at Penn’s Peak, The Mahoning Drive-In Theater’s 10th Schlock-o-Rama and fourth Muppets Take Mahoning events, and Musikfest in Bethlehem.

MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE

14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe

570-325-0249, mcohjt.com

• Sarah Gross, 8 p.m. Friday. The folk/Americana singer-songwriter, based out of Long Island, New York, released her debut album in 2020. In 2024, Gross performed with country star Zach Bryan and appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show.” The indie artist, whose music also includes elements of country and pop, released her fourth studio album “The Old Side of Being Young” on July 10.

• Bennie & the Jets, 8 p.m. Saturday. The act performs the music of singer-songwriter Elton John, taking its name from John’s 1974 hit “Bennie and the Jets.”

• The Steepwater Band, 8 p.m. July 31. Formed in 1998 in Chicago, the blues-rock group released its eighth studio album “Re-Turn of the Wheel” in 2022. The single “A Long Time (and No Time at All)” followed in 2025.

• Awaken, 8 p.m. Aug. 1. The group pays tribute to English progressive rock band Yes, taking its name from Yes’ same-titled 1977 track.

• The Cold Stares, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Formed in Evansville, Indiana, the rock trio released its ninth studio album “Texas” in early May.

PENN’S PEAK

325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe

866-605-7325, pennspeak.com

• Jessie’s Girl: “Back to the Eighties,” 8 p.m. Friday. Hailing from New York City, the 1980s tribute act takes its name from Rick Springfield’s same-titled 1981 hit. Artists such as Bret Michaels, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dane and the late Rob Base have performed at “Back to the Eighties” shows.

• John Waite, 8 p.m. Saturday. The British pop/rock singer-songwriter, who fronted bands the Babys and Bad English, scored his biggest solo success with the 1984 album “No Brakes” and single “Missing You.” Waite’s late-1970s Babys hits include “Isn’t it Time?” and “Every Time I Think of You”; late-1980s Bad English hits include “When I See You Smile” and “Price of Love.” Waite released an EP, “Anything,” in 2022. Singer-songwriter/guitarist Jeffrey Gaines will open.

• Matinee Shows, 1 p.m. Lineup: July 28, Still Surfin’, Beach Boys tribute; and July 29, The Country Jamboree, tribute to country music legends.

TAMAQUA COMMUNITY

ARTS CENTER

125 Pine St., Tamaqua

570-668-1192, tamaquaarts.org

• “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” July 31-Aug. 2, The Stitch. Center Stage Community Theatre presents the musical, in which Jackson, half-blood teenage son of Greek God Poseidon, tries to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt to prevent a Greek gods war. The show, adapted from Rick Riordan’s 2005 book “The Lightning Thief,” features a book by Joe Tracz, with music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki. The musical premiered off-Broadway in 2014 and on Broadway in 2019.

• Gallery Opening: Rebekah Davis, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Based in Schuylkill County, acrylic painter Davis spent decades as a school teacher. Her artistic practice has evolved into a therapeutic practice of reclamation and healing, her artistic journey intertwining with her journey as a survivor.

VIC’S JAZZ LOFT

AT THE STABIN MUSEUM

268 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe

570-325-5588, vicsjazzloft.com

• Laura Dubin, 7 p.m. Friday. Hailing from Rochester, New York, pianist/composer Dubin performs with her husband, drummer Antonio H. Guerrero. Jazz pianist Fred Hersch mentored Dubin, who fuses her classical training with jazz. Fusions include Chopin with Chick Corea and Beethoven with the Great American Songbook.

THE MAHONING DRIVE-IN THEATER

635 Seneca Road, Lehighton

484-613-1314, mahoningdit.com

• Schlock-O-Rama X, 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The theater and Exhumed Films present the eight-film 35 mm event, with titles including 1965’s “Village of the Damned,” “I Saw What You Did” and “Motor Psycho.” The event also includes a DJ, raffles and cosplay. Showtime at sundown.

• “The Neverending Story,” 6 p.m. Sunday. The theater will screen Wolfgang Petersen’s 1984 fantasy film “The Neverending Story,” with a life-sized Falcor head for attendees to fly upon, courtesy of Rascal Salvage Vintage. Showtime at sundown.

• Muppets Take Mahoning 4: Christmas in July-ish Edition, 6 p.m. Aug. 1. The theater and The Barretta Brothers Vodcast Podcast present the event, which includes a screening of Brian Henson’s 1992 film “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” A secret feature follows. The event also includes themed Muppet vendors, costume contests, a Muppet sing-along and a variety show.

WIND CREEK EVENT STAGE

AT PNC PLAZA (STEELSTACKS)

711 E. First St., Bethlehem

610-332-1300, artsquest.org

• Musikfest Headliners, 7 p.m. except where noted, July 30-Aug. 9. Lineup: Grupo Niche, July 30; Russell Dickerson, July 31; John Mulaney, 8 p.m. Aug. 1; Third Eye Blind, Aug. 2; Train, Aug. 3; “Weird” Al Yankovich, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 4; T.I./DaBaby, Aug. 5; Bailey Zimmerman, Aug. 6; Parker McCollum, Aug. 7; Yellowcard/Taking Back Sunday, Aug. 8; and AJR, Aug. 9.

SHERMAN THEATER

524 Main St., Stroudsburg

570-420-2808, shermantheater.com

• Willie & the Poor Boys II, 8 p.m. Saturday. High school friends Willie Fisher, Gary Gravatt and Scott Lollis formed the Poconos band in 1985, with Joe Ecker and Rob Sawyer later joining. The group, which primarily played Grateful Dead music, returns for a reunion performance.

• Piter Albeiro, 8:30 p.m. July 31. The Colombian comedian will celebrate 30 years as a performer.

• “Elton vs. Billy,” 8 p.m. Aug. 1. Philadelphia Freedom presents the show, with Doug Delescavage and Danny V. performing the music of singer-songwriters/pianists Elton John and Billy Joel.

• Nonpoint, 7 p.m. Aug. 4. Formed in 1997 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the nu metal band released its major-label debut studio album “Statement” in 2000. Nonpoint, which scored 16 entries on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock airplay chart, plans to release a new studio album, “The Last Word,” in September.

SHAWNEE PLAYHOUSE

552 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware

570-421-5093, shawneeplayhouse.org

• “Matilda: The Musical JR.,” Friday through Aug. 8. In the story, based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel “Matilda,” book-loving Matilda Wormwood uses intelligence and telekinetic powers to combat abusive parents and a tyrannical headmistress. The Tony winner, debuting on Broadway in 2013, spawned a 2022 film adaptation, with a Dennis Kelly book, and Tim Minchin’s music and lyrics.

• “Nunsense,” 2 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6. In the musical comedy, most of the sisterhood dies from botulism after eating vichyssoise that Sister Julia Child of God prepared. The remaining nuns then stage a talent show to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. “Nunsense,” which made its off-Broadway debut in 1985, features a book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin.