Wally Wine Fest
Wally Wine Fest returns to the Lake Wallenpaupack region from Friday, April 8, through Sunday, April 10, with a full schedule of events.
The festival opens Friday with a 7 p.m. Tuscan dinner featuring Banfi Wines at the Settlers Inn, 4 Main Ave., Hawley. Admission costs $200, which includes a platinum wine ticket, or $125 for the dinner only.
A wine tasting with small plates then will take place Saturday and Sunday at Silver Birches resort, 205 Route 507, Hawley, with sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and guests can also check out the festival marketplace and silent auction. Musicians Sean O’Flynn and Eric Rudy will perform Saturday and Sunday, respectively, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the pub. Tasting tickets cost $60 for general admission, $200 for the platinum level and $30 for designated drivers. Reservations are recommended.
Wine seminars will take place Saturday and Sunday at Silver Birches; tickets cost $35 to $50.
The Settlers Inn also will host a “Bubbly Brunch” on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $55 and include a tasting flight of sparkling wines, a prix-fixe menu and live music by Julie Eschler.
For tickets or more information, visit wallywinefest.com.
Mélisse Brunet
‘Fifty Years of Pops Favorites’
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic continues its celebration of its 50th anniversary with its next mainstage concert, “Fifty Years of Pops Favorites.”
The concert will take place Friday, April 8, at 8 p.m. in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts at Marywood University, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. Marywood’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance and Spot-on Entertainment are co-hosting the show.
The orchestra will perform some of its best-loved songs from its pops series from the past five decades.
Tickets cost $36 to $59. For tickets or more information, visit nepaphil.org or call 570-270-4444.
University of Scranton concerts
Several University of Scranton music ensembles will take to the stage this week.
The 14th annual Gene Yevich Memorial Concert will take place Wednesday, April, 6 at 7:30 p.m. and feature renowned musician, composer, conductor and arranger Dr. Wycliffe A. Gordon. A veteran of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and an original member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Gordon will perform with the U of S Singers and Scranton Brass Orchestra.
Gordon also will participate in a concert on Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m., this time alongside the U of S Jazz Band.
Both concerts are free and will take place at the university’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Jefferson Avenue and Mulberry Street.
For more information, visit scranton.edu or call 570-941-7624.
F.M. Kirby Fest
F.M. Kirby Fest: A Night of Pints, Pinot and Performing Arts comes to the downtown Wilkes-Barre venue on Saturday, April 9, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The fundraiser will feature local beer, wine, food tastings and live entertainment. There will be a silent auction with memorabilia signed by various stars. All proceeds will go toward the community outreach and children’s programming at F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, 71 Public Square.
Tickets cost $25 for Kirby members and $30 for nonmembers and increase to $35 at the door. For tickets, call 570-826-1100 or visit the box office or kirbycenter.org.
Scranton Taco, Beer and Tequila Festival
The Scranton Taco, Beer and Tequila Festival takes over Montage Mountain Resorts, 1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton, on Saturday, April 9.
The day will feature more than 15 taco vendors as well as beer and tequila tastings, a guacamole pavilion, a churros and chocolate pavilion, and multiple margarita bars. Guests also will have a chance to vote for the best taco.
Several sessions and pricings are available. VIP Session 1 runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and VIP Session 2 runs from 5 to 9 p.m.; each costs $65.
General admission Session 1 takes place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and General Admission Session 2 follows from 6 to 9.
Guests must be at least 21 to attend. For more information or tickets, visit montagemountainresorts.com.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
