PocoNotes Newsletter 2008-4: June 4, 2008



Another Summer is upon us!  Can you believe how quickly the years fly - once you hit the legal voting age?!  (In our day, you could drink at 18 and vote at 21...but there's no need to date ourselves here!)

There's been lots of exciting news lately...and it hasn't been all ours!  Still, we're happy to share it with you.  So - here goes:

Dan Brennan and The Antenna have come up with another great way to do what they do best:  give voice to the Scranton arts scene.  It's “ The Scranhattan Project”...an arts festival that will serve as a showcase for a diverse assortment of medium by local and regional artists that will be displayed at public venues throughout Beautiful Downtown Scranton...while it educates, enlightens and encourages.  This "think globally...act locally" project is taking place on July 5th and 6th - and will add a fitting touch to a holiday that celebrates other forward-thinking individuals that took the necessary - at times, scorned - steps to follow their dream.  So, take a look for yourself at The Antenna.  If you need still more information, let them know.  We know they'd love to hear from you!  (By the way, tell them PocoNotes sent you; it may get you nothing but a smile - but, hey, that's not all bad!)

Then, there are the latest and greatest glimpses of the fame and fortune that's going to take Billy Rogan to all sorts of exotic places in the near future.  For one thing, he was not only one of 55 - out of thousands of applications - that was granted an audition for Music Under New York...he was chosen!  That means that he'll be one of those musicians that you see in and around the transportation hubs in New York City - like Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station - playing for some of the most hurried people on earth:  commuters.  But that's not all:  it seems the MUNY people liked him so much that they're introducing him to their contacts in The Big Apple where he's been playing at a variety of venues...not the least of which is Birdland!!  We called it when we said that he'd be trading small stages for much larger ones, but we've already made a deal with him for lifetime backstages passes!  How smart are we!

Charles Havira is creating his own buzz, as well, with the imminent release of his long-awaited CD by the same name..."Charles Havira."  In fact, his appearance in our very own upcoming June 28 Hear 'Em At The Comm event is a part of his extended CD release celebration.  Be there and see for yourself another talented NEPA musician whose career will take him away - sooner than later!

Okay...here's a little about us:  We are the proud, appreciative and humble recipients of the Spotlight Small Business Award for July!!  This a joint effort by MetroAction, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce (of which we are a member!), First Liberty Bank and Trust and "The Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal" to recognize local small businesses for their contributions to the community.  So, as you can imagine, we're just thrilled.  While we certainly qualify as "small," it is flattering to be in the company of other noble recipients of this award...like June's winner, Happenings Magazine!  Well, you can read all about it - and even see our picture in the July issue of "Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal," which just happens to be one of our favorite publications - even before this honor was bestowed upon us.  We feel that it has the proverbial 'something for everyone' so check it out:  The Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal .  It's a great way to keep up with what's going on in the area - from a human interest perspective and a genuinely informed one.  (Find out who really bought that property next door to you...and what they plan to do with it.)  It's good stuff!

So...of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that we're hoping to see you ALL at our next event as we welcome world-renowned Toby Walker to the Waverly Community House.  He's the blues guitar virtuoso that was hired by Carnegie Hall to create an "American Roots" program for the entire New York City Public School System.  So, with decades of experience playing some of the most incredible blues you'll ever hear, he'll appeal to both blues afficionados and blues novices alike.  Both are welcome, and both will have a great time.  After all, haven't you heard?  PocoNotes  only puts on a great show!!

Still, we can't do it without you - so grab a friend and a few neighbors and join us at The Comm, which is a delight in itself.  It is an 80-year-old community landmark that actively pursues its vision to be an educational and cultural hub for the area's residents and proudly welcomes visitors to share their delight in her grand beauty.  What can we say?!  We are enamored of lovely establishments like this and The Mellow Theater and consider it to be part of our larger mission to have people that need to be heard...heard --- and places that need to be seen...seen!

Call us now...right now at (888) 800-POCO and get your tickets - or, if you'd prefer, visit us at PocoNotes.com or our ticketing partnering at NEPA Tickets.  $20...two musicians...three hours of music!!  There's no popcorn, but you will get to meet some awesome "Scouts" - Boy and Cub - from Troop 322 of Dickson City!  Not to mention that you'll be able to meet - really meet - our musicians.  Stay for a while after the show to say hello, have your photo taken and some CD's autographed.

Show us a military ID - active, retired or supportive spouse - and enjoy the show as our guests!  If you're a musician, come and meet us.  Comp tickets will be awaiting you, but you're gonna have to tell our ushers that you "play" and we know none of you would ever fib to a Boy Scout!

As always, be good to each other - and remember to support live music.  The day will come when an artist you've been meaning to see will stop touring - so be sure to let them know how much you appreciate them while you have a chance.  The same goes for local musicians.  Treat them well - or they'll be playing in someone else's neighborhood!

Until then - peace... really!

Dolores & Pat
"It's About the Music!"

P.S.  There are some AWESOME photos of our April 12th "Hear 'Em at The Comm" event with Patrick Sweany and Billy Rogan that were taken by an incredible local photographer, Mike Letwinsky, and are now proudly posted at PocoNotes.com.  Take a look!

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