Matt Rife has exploded as one of the fastest growing comedians through his viral content and remarkable engagement on TikTok, where he has amassed over 5 Million followers, and more than 260 million views globally. Rife brings forth his refreshingly genuine presence along with elevated material that is quick witted and vulnerable.
From Columbus Ohio, Matt started performing at the age of fifteen opening for comedians such as Dane Cook, Ralphie May, and DeRay Davis.
He made his television debut on MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out” as the youngest cast member in history for four seasons before moving on to other MTV properties, such as hosting the reboot of “TRL” and appearing on “The Challenge.” Other credits include: “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, “Fresh Off The Boat”, BET’s “North Of The 10”, and most recently NBC’s comedy competition show “Bring The Funny.” In 2021, Rife self-produced and distributed through YouTube his first one-hour comedy special, “Only Fans”.
As one of the hottest comedians in the business, Rife has been selling out at comedy clubs and theaters all across the country, and is gearing up to embark on his biggest tour yet in 2023.
Daughtry brings his Acoustic: Bare Bones Tour to Wind Creek August 25
Daughtry, one of the most visible and consistent Rock & Roll torchbearers of the 21st Century, has sold over 9 million albums and 16million singles worldwide as well as selling out concerts across the globe.
Their debut album, the self-titled Daughtry, was the top-selling album of 2007, producing 4 Top 20 Platinum-selling singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the fastest-selling rock debut album in Soundscan history.
It was also nominated for 4 Grammy Awards and won 4 American Music Awards and 7 Billboard Music Awards including Album of the Year. The subsequent albums, Leave This Town (2009), Break The Spell (2011), Baptized (2013) and Cage To Rattle (2018) were all certified Gold and placed in the top 10 in the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.
In 2020, Daughtry released their newest single, World On Fire, which marked their return to their rock roots and the top of the Rock Charts in the US.
Donny Osmond Sings his Biggest Hits at Wind Creek Center July 29
Throughout an illustrious six decades long career, Donny Osmond has earned 33 gold records: selling over 100 million albums becoming a worldwide music legend. He has made history by celebrating 6 decades in show business with the release of his latest album “Start Again” which debuted in the Fall of 2021, a milestone 65th album for the performer.
The album was directly inspired by Donny’s own unique career journey of constant reinvention over the course of his six decades as a globally recognized performer.
Winner of “Best Show”, “Best Headliner” and “Best Singer” for the 2021 Best of Las Vegas awards as well as “Best Production Show”, “Best Family-Friendly Show” and “Best Resident Headliner/Performer” for the 2022 Best of Las Vegas Awards, Osmond’s show is a dynamic, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recognized entertainers in the world.
Fans are treated to Osmond’s engaging performances throughout the show including the fan favorite and showstopping “Auto-rap-ography” – a rap song accompanied by milestones photos and videos from his impressive career of six decades.
Donny also does a full Broadway production of his classic Disney hit from Mulan, “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You.” The show also includes an audience interactive segment where anyone can request any song he’s ever recorded.
Kittenpalooza, cat rescue nonprofit, returns to Purr Haus in Emmaus June 3-4
Kittenpalooza, a family friendly celebration and fundraiser for two of the Lehigh Valley’s hardest working small cat rescue nonprofits will return to Purr Haus in Emmaus on the weekend of June 3-4.
From 2pm til 5pm on Saturday, June 3 and 11am til 2pm on June 4, volunteers from Aunt Helen’s Cats in Need of Hellertown and Crazy Cat Chicks Rescue from Kunkletown will be on hand to introduce visitors to adoptable kittens and share information about cat rescue.
There will be a basket raffle and Purr Haus will provide complimentary refreshments and donate a portion of sales during the event.
Attendees can win a door prize by bringing a donation of kitten food, litter, KMR or other items. A full list of requested items can be found on Purr Haus’ Facebook page.
The event coincides with “kitten season,” the time of year when feral and stray cats are most likely to give birth. Many kittens fall prey to predators, parasites and car accidents and die before reaching si months of age.
“Kittens born outside suffer.”
said Purr Haus owner Laurie Mason
Schroeder.
“We need to support cat rescue volunteers who care for homeless kittens and work to decrease the feral cat population in the Lehigh Valley.”
Photos and videos are encouraged during the event.
Purr Haus, located at 27 S. 7th Street in Emmaus is Lehigh Valley’s only cat-themed boutique, offering “The Best Stuff for Cats and The People Who Love Them.”
They carry a carefully curated stock of products emphasizing brands that promote cat health and give back to the cat rescue community.
The Hershey Park Stadium summer concert series begins on May 18.
Starting Thursday, May 18 country singer Morgan Wallen on his One Thing at a Time world tour kicks off the concert series at the historic stadium.
Below is a full list of concerts happening at Hershey Park Stadium this summer:
Thursday, May 18: Morgan Wallen on the One Thing At A Time World Tour with EARNEST and Bailey Zimmerman
Saturday, May 27: Blink-182 with Turnstile and White Reaper
Saturday, July 1: Zac Brown Band on the From The Fire Tour with King Calaway
Sunday, July 2: Big Time Rush on the Can’t Get Enough Tour with MAX and JAX
Thursday, July 13: Luke Bryan on the Country on Tour 2023 with Chayce Beckham, Ashley Cooke, Conner Smith, and DJ Rock
Friday, July 28: Jason Aldean on the Highway Desperado Tour with Mitchell Tenpenny, Corey Kent, and Dee Jay Silver
Friday. Aug. 4: 2023 Outlaw Music Festival
Saturday, Aug. 5: Pantera with Lamb of God
Thursday, Aug. 10: The Chicks on The Chicks World Tour 2023 with Ben Harper
Friday, Aug. 11: Guns N’ Roses
Sunday, Aug. 27: Nickelback on the Get Rollin’ Tour with Brantley Gilbert and Josh Ross
Saturday, Sep. 9: Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top on the Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour with Uncle Kracker
Hershey Park stadium reminds concert-goers that the stadium prohibits bags inside the venue that exceed 5″x 8″x 1″ for the safety of guests. Hand clutches, wristlets, and small purses are permitted subject to search but may not exceed the size limit mentioned.
The venue is also cashless, with cash-to-card kiosks located under the east and west grandstands at no additional fee.
Hersheypark Stadium events take place rain or shine.
In the event of inclement weather, updates will be posted on the Hersheypark Stadium Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
Concertgoers wishing to go to Hersheypark on the day of, the day before, or the day after the event can receive a discounted ticket to the park by presenting their event ticket at Ticketing Services.
Six-Time Platinum Rockers Blues Traveler Head to Poconos Sherman Theater on May 14
Blues Traveler will perform the hits that defined their 36-year career at the Sherman Theater in downtown Stroudsburg, PA on May 14 at 7:00 PM.
American blues, funk, and soul saxophonist, singer and songwriter, Vanessa Collier will open for Blues Traveler and local singer/songwriter and former contestant from NBC’s The Voice, Christian Porter, will open the show.
Blues Traveler have announced a series of 2023 shows to coincide with the impending release of their Live and Acoustic: Fall of 1997 limited edition, double EP (Spring 2023).
Tickets for the “Blues Traveler 2023″ show go on sale Friday, January 27 at 10:00 AM EST and can be purchased at shermantheater.com.
During the shows, the band will perform a bevy of songs spanning more than three decades and 14 hit albums – including the iconic four, which went six-times Platinum and spawned the definitive “Run-Around” (garnering their first Grammy®Award).
Audiences can also expect to hear the band’s Billboard-topping smash singles like “Hook” and “But Anyway,” as well as their new, jam-infused renditions of some of their favorite classic blues songs, originally recorded by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Freddie King, Big Mama Thornton, and Little Willie John.
Blues Traveler will also be promoting their forthcoming spring 2023 release of Live and Acoustic: Fall of 1997, which is a selection of highlights from the ensemble’s legendary tour 25-years-ago.
The 25th-anniversary limited edition double LP will include unreleased,remastered material from the initial two-track soundboard recordings.
Live and Acoustic: Fall of 1997 captures moments from the band’s historic acoustic performances, with the release doubling as a 25th-anniversary celebration of the ensemble’s late-’90s live delivery.
36 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler
About Blues Traveler: 36 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler – John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and the late Bobby Sheehan – gathered in their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, NJ to jam. From these high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release a total of 14 studio albums, four of which have gone gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum-selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide.
Over an illustrious career, Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.” Their latest album Travelers Blues (Round Hill Records) was released in 2021 and featured reimagined and recharged classics from the American blues songbook and a few surprises. The group’s first official blues album, it was nominated for a Grammy® for “Best Traditional Blues’ Album” in 2022.
Their movie credits include Blues Brothers 2000, Kingpin, Wildflowersand others. A television favorite, they have been featured on “Saturday Night Live,” “Austin City Limits,” “VH1’s Behind the Music” and they hold the record for the most appearances of any artist on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Show: Blues Traveler
Sherman Theater, 524 Main Street, Stroudsburg PA
Sunday, May 14
Doors at 6:30, Show at 7:00
The Sherman Theater is Monroe County’s only nationally ranked, non-profit theater and performing arts center. Located in downtown Stroudsburg, PA, the Sherman Theater has proudly served the Pocono region for 90 years.
The Theater and Performing Arts Center is committed to strengthening the community by producing culturally-diverse, nationally-known professional acts and festivals at the theater and at satellite locations throughout Monroe County for people of all ages, by providing an opportunity for local artists to perform, and by creating economic development in the region. The Sherman Theater projects and events attract over 100,000 visitors to the Pocono Region annually.
Live Wire – The Ultimate AC/DC Experience Plays Penn’s Peak October 28, 2023
LIVE WIRE offers the most complete and authentic reproduction of AC/DC’s sound and stage performance in the world.
LIVE WIRE’s live show is the most accurate duplication of the original band that AC/DC fans worldwide have come to love.
Live Wire – The Ultimate AC/DC Experience Plays Penn’s Peak October 28, 2023
Established in the year 2000 and hailing from the New York metro area, LIVE WIRE has performed for audiences on FIVE continents around the world including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The band has performed for audiences across the United States, Canada, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Venezuela, Peru, Honduras and many other regions.
Lead singer Francis Crouse brings to you an unmatchable emulation of Brian Johnson himself, portraying AC/DC’s frontman of the last 40 years with a powerful delivery of voice and stage presence like no one else!
The trio of Bill’s: Rhythm guitarist Bill Voccia, bass guitarist Bill Bowden and drummer Billy Rauff hold down the rhythm section, the driving force behind the AC/DC juggernaut of sheer rock ‘n roll power and wall of sound. Last but not least, the Ultimate ANGUS YOUNG clone in North America rounds out the band to deliver to you the most unforgettable and undeniably most authentic AC/DC experience on the planet.
Live Wire – The Ultimate AC/DC Experience Plays Penn’s Peak October 28, 2023
LIVE WIRE emulates the pure essence, power, and electricity of what an AC/DC show is all about and has proven to audiences time and time again that you can’t stop rock ‘n roll. High Voltage rock ‘n roll at its best.
LIVE WIRE performs the best of AC/DC from the early roots of the bands Australian club circuit days, to the superstar worldwide status of their present hits. Complete with a full stage performance, just as if Angus Young and the boys were rocking before your very eyes. The closest you’re gonna get to the real thing™…let us electrify an audience near you!
Tickets on sale Friday, April 28th at 10AM at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. Penn’s Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only, no phone orders.
General Admission
Advance: $25.00
Day of Show: $30.00
Penn’s Peak, a beautiful mountaintop entertainment venue
Penn’s Peak, a beautiful mountaintop entertainment venue located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, can comfortably host 1,800 concertgoers. Enjoy a spacious dance floor, lofty ceilings, concert bar/concession area and a full service restaurant and bar aptly named Roadie’s. Complete with a broad open-air deck for summertime revelry, Penn’s Peak patrons enjoy a breathtaking overlook of nearby Beltzville Lake, plus a commanding, picturesque 50-mile panoramic view of northeastern Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains. Choose Penn’s Peak for your next wedding, banquet or special event and treat your guests to an event truly “Above the Rest”.
Geographically convenient to residents of major population zones in Hazleton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Stroudsburg, the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and New York City, Penn’s Peak is an ideal location for any event. It is located only four miles from Exit 74 of the northeast extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
For more information on Penn’s Peak, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.
The Music of John Williams at Allentown Symphony Hall Sat May 6
The music of John Williams is known for some of the most famous and popular movies in our history: Indiana Jones, ET. Jaws, Star Wars.
His music has transported us beyond our imagination. To new worlds. Through heart-pounding adventures. Be there when the Allentown Symphony performs all your John Williams favorites – Star Wars and more!
The Music of John Williams at Allentown Symphony Hall Sat May 6
John Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career that has spanned seven decades, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history. Williams has won 25 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 53 Academy Award nominations, he is the second most-nominated individual, after Walt Disney. His compositions are considered the epitome of film music, and he is considered among the greatest composers in the history of cinema-as well as all time.
Lehigh Foodies want to know, what does Plant-based Honey Pair Well With?
You keep reading about plant-based honey. The environmental story, the nutrition. But how does it taste? What can you pair it with? Let’s find out in an exclusive interview with Mellody Food’s Darko Mandich.
Darko Mandich is a food entrepreneur in San Francisco. After spending almost a decade in the European honey industry as a business executive, Darko committed to reimagining the honey industry to become sustainable. Darko immigrated from Europe to California to launch Mellody, the world’s first plant-based honey brand. Darko is an advocate of saving the bees and wild pollinators.
Mellody Food’s Darko Mandich
Recently, I had a chance to talk with Darko.
You said you are a foodie. What are some incredible food pairings that you recommend with this honey?
When I like to talk about food, I always like to join food and beverage.
What does Plant-based Honey Pair Well With?
I’ll start with beverages first. I think this honey is perfect for mocktails and cocktails. It gives just enough of sweetness that someone is looking for in their alcoholic cocktail or non-alcoholic cocktail.
Will Plant-based Honey pair well With baklava
In terms of food, I would split it into savory and sweet. Sweet applications are my favorite, I just have a sweet tooth. My favorite dessert is Baklava because it comes from the part of the world where I come from. My wife, who’s a home chef, [used our honey to make] baklava and it was amazing.
We did an amazing collaboration with an upscale Italian plant-based restaurant in San Francisco Baia. They created this amazing, vegan panna cotta with our honey on top. It was culinary mastery developed by Chef Joshua Yap, who started working with Chef Matthew Kenny, who is also a well-known, plant-based chef.
Will plant-based honey pair well with a burger
In terms of savory applications, that opens a whole new world of opportunities. How we interact with stuff like pizza and honey, burgers and honey. Obviously honey and vinaigrette and olive oil, used as a dressing for salads, honey mustard, just name it.
What’s next for Mellody? What are the next steps out there for you?
Getting into as many restaurants as possible in this country. People are inquiring about the standalone product [separate from the speciality box] get it very soon at Eleven Madison Home.
Working on getting this product to as many people as possible, and just to invite everybody to participate in this mission of creating the sustainable future of honey.
I’m just excited about every tiny step in this journey until melody becomes the word for honey.
Eleven Madison Home’s The Specialty Tea and Honey Box featuring Mellody Honey
Is the honey currently available at Eleven Madison Home?
Yeah, the honey is currently available. The Specialty Tea and Honey Box launched for the Mother’s Day collection and Earth Month.
It’s a specially curated box of artisanal teas coming from different parts of the world with honey and also amazing, shortbread cookies. All plant-based, also made with our honey. That’s available right now
Sometime very soon a standalone jar [of honey] will also be available to Eleven Madison Home.
Eleven Madison Home’s The Specialty Tea and Honey Box featuring Mellody Honey
Tell us again what’s available, how to find it; and how to follow you and support you.
Yeah, follow us on Instagram and TikTok at MellodyFoods
In terms of purchasing, head to ElevenMadisonHome.com and you can purchase it there.
Saving the bees is learning more about them. Learning more about pollinators and you can do that on our social media.
And finally, if you’re equally passionate about bees and plants as we are, ask your favorite restaurant to reach out to us to offer Mellody in your favorite restaurant. It can be a vegan restaurant on non-vegan.
We are gonna work with all the restaurants that reach out to us where people ask to see our product offered, either on the menu, either within a meal, or just if you order a cup of tea and you want a side of Mellody.
Best Movie Theater in the Country? Geek Culture Host Chris Gore Reveals his Fave – “Attack of the Doc” available April 24
Attack of the Show! was unique, way ahead of its time and was a milestone that had a huge impact on geek culture. Available for streaming and more as of April 24, 2023.
This deep dive documentary features pop icons including Wil Wheaton, John Cena, Joel McHale, Peter Jackson, Kumail Nanjiani, Whitney Cummings, Danny Pudi, and many more!
“Attack of the Doc!” is written, directed & produced by Chris Gore.
Best Movie Theater in the Country? Geek Culture Host Chris Gore Reveals his Fave – “Attack of the Doc” available April 24
Let’s be honest, movie lovers take their movie theater experience very seriously.
Today I sat down with Chris Gore, the writer / director / producer of “Attack of the Doc!” to talk about where the best movie theater in th country is and what makes it so good.
You’ve been to thousands of movie theaters. Do you have a favorite movie theater in the United States?
I go to the movies minimum once a week, if not two or three times. And the movie theaters, it’s my church. I go to worship at the movies.
100%. It’s the Cinerama Dome, which was formerly the ArcLight. The ArcLight Cinemas was sort of [special]. You paid more for tickets, but the audience there, no one would think of looking at their phone during a movie or everyone’s on airplane mode.
It’s that movie theater chain which closed due to the Pandemic. It’s closed forever. The Cinerama Dome is my favorite movie theater in America. It’s a beautiful experience, old style theater.
It was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”. I didn’t even have to say anything to my friends if a big movie was opening. We all got tickets to the 7:00 PM Thursday Show at The Dome, and they would sell out like that [snaps finger]. It’s heartbreaking to me that that movie theater has closed. Quentin Tarantino’s very much a supporter of the theatrical cinema experience. He owns the new Beverly Cinema on Beverly Boulevard, where they show film prints, not digital film prints.
Cinerama Dome; my understanding is it’s sort of caught up in some legal [issues]. It’s going to reopen someday. I will be there on day one. It looks like a giant golf ball landed on Sunset Boulevard. It’s just sitting there, this domed theater, and it’s this huge complex with a lot of movie theaters in it.
“Attack of the Doc!” is written, directed & produced by Chris Gore, produced & edited by Bobby Schwartz, co-produced by Walter Areas, with additional co-editing by Anthony Ray Bench and Phillip H. Eubanks, and with an original score composed by Austin Smith. This deep dive documentary features pop icons including Wil Wheaton, John Cena, Joel McHale, Peter Jackson, Kumail Nanjiani, Whitney Cummings, Danny Pudi, Eric Andre, Jerry Stiller, Joe Rogan, Jimmy Fallen, Kel Mitchell, Anne Meara, Stan Lee, Sara Jean Underwood, Carrie Keagan, Riley Steele, Tom Green, Anthony Daniels, Michael Winslow, Joey Kern, Joan Rivers, Chris Hardwick, Robert Kirkman, Greg Nicotero, Jessica Chobot, Tony Hawk, and Alison Haislip, among others as we search for the truth.
“Attack of the Show! was unique, way ahead of its time and was a milestone that had a huge impact on geek culture. Its core audience is one of the most coveted around the globe. I think viewers of the original show will be down for learning the history of the network and the show which helped usher in the age of nerd culture. Frankly, G4TV and Attack of the Show! are responsible for making it cool to be a nerd,” states Gore. “And at the end of the day, I hope the documentary entertains fans and reminds them of a time when a TV show could be dangerous and provide some laughs without fear of being canceled. Everyone who worked on the documentary is a super fan, so this movie was made by fans for fans.”
Attack of the Doc! Synopsis
Before the rise of big tech, social media and Marvel movies, Attack of the Show! chronicled nerd culture’s unlikely acceptance as mainstream. G4TV’s flagship show launched the careers of hosts Olivia Munn and Kevin Pereira and was beloved by fans – a unique celebration of geek culture before it was cool. Diving into colossal cream pies, wearing fat suits for comedy and putting internet servers where the sun don’t shine – anything could happen on an episode of Attack of the Show! It’s been years since the show went off the air and one question has lingered: what really happened to G4TV and Attack of the Show? Enter Attack Of The Doc! — the new film written and directed by Chris Gore, promises to answer one of pop culture’s longest running mysteries.
Attack of the Doc available April 24 and watch the trailerhere.
Follow the documentary and its journey available on Video on Demand and TVOD/Digital platforms on April 24th, 2023, which is the 21st Anniversary of the launch of G4TV.
