Philadelphia Photographer Derek Jecxz at Dakota Ridge Gallery

Philadelphia photographer Derek Jecxz opened his work on December 2nd at the Dakota Ridge Gallery, a fine art photography gallery across from the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe.

Mr. Jecxz focuses on the landscape. The scale of his work is quite large and dramatic and makes his compositions considerably more compelling than if you were to evaluate them online.

Images by Derek Jecxz

The title of each work doesn’t include a location, which is appropriate since they seem to occupy spaces in the mind that might differ for each viewer.

For example, the kinetic Contemptuous Seas might have been captured in Maine, or northern Canada, or perhaps someplace overseas, but that isn’t what is timeless about the piece.

All of Mr. Jecxz’ images seem to recall a private experience or time that each viewer can relate to in some individually unique way, perhaps according to a cherished memory. Return contemplations of Leaves in Brackish Water reveal that indeed water is an important element in the image, but it isn’t what you first notice. Or perhaps it is. You seem to recall the scene, or maybe you’ve been there – but the thing is that the image is an especially beautiful embodiment of your recollections.

Middle Room in Dakota Ridge Gallery

The moody Stream to the Sea straddles both worlds, perhaps of the nearby Jersey shore or quite possibly someplace very far from here. Torn Ice Leaf poetically communicates the damp frostiness of a mid-autumn morning that we’ve all experienced and put away in our memories.

Each piece is exceptionally well-produced, right down to the 8-ply matboard and the signature embossing that Mr. Jecxz favors. As an image to be displayed in a living area, each excels in different ways, but none would be ignored by a visitor, and all easily occupy large wall spaces of virtually any color.

In the middle room the gallery is currently showing samples of several artists’ work. The luminous black-and-whites of nationally-collected artists Daniel Jones, Chip Forelli, and Madagascar-based Pierrot Men are on display, along with color images from Pennsylvania photographers Matt Dallos and David Bazzel.

A current exhibition of images focuses on a sampling of owner Dan Hugos‘ recent travels in Bosnia and Croatia.

The Allentown Band to Perform at the Opera House February 19

A prominent feature of nineteenth-century musical Americana is the concert band, and the renowned Allentown Band has kept that tradition alive for over two hundred years. Drawn from within a fifty-mile radius of the Lehigh Valley, the band’s musicians share one common goal: to create and preserve concert band music at a level of excellence rarely heard from a community band.

You will be able to hear that sound on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 5 PM at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in a performance organized by the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce. Theaters such as the Opera House were built for community bands, and John Philip Sousa and his band were regular performers here.

Get program as Word document

DONNA FISHER / THE MORNING CALL / November 10, 2011

Many of the Allentown Band’s members teach music in schools and in private studios. Others are engaged in engineering, accounting, sales, insurance, medicine and dentistry, or in various office work or building trades. When they meet to perform, however, all effort is concentrated toward creating the most enjoyable sounds these exceptional musicians can produce—whether it be an overture transcribed from opera, a modern composition written especially for concert band, or a Sousa march.

John Philip Sousa’s influence on the band and its distinguished history is profound. More than twenty local musicians were recruited to perform with Sousa, and then returned to Allentown remembering and sharing stylistic traits unique to the famous Sousa band.

DONNA FISHER / THE MORNING CALL / November 10, 2011

Significantly, Albertus L. Meyers, cornet soloist with Sousa in the mid-1920s, later served as conductor of the Allentown Band for fifty years. Today, under the direction of Ronald Demkee, the Sousa style continues as an integral part of the band’s twenty-first-century sound.

Their schedule typically includes around forty annual performances. The venue fluctuates—from concert stage to baseball park, from church picnic to university commencement, from Allentown’s Symphony Hall to New York’s Carnegie Hall. In addition to providing free concerts for the greater Lehigh Valley’s younger school children, the schedule includes a yearly event where talented secondary-school student musicians are invited to sit in for joint performances.

Frequently seen on local television, the Allentown Band is recognized worldwide, having twice appeared on national TV—Charles Kuralt’s Good Morning America, and the PBS series The American Experience in a feature called “If You Knew Sousa.” They are regularly heard on Philadelphia’s WRTI, and as far away as Sydney, Australia, for a program called “Music That Is Band.” In addition, the band has undertaken four European concert tours, performing in four Swiss cities, two in Austria, and, most recently, La Croix Valmer, France.

Many leading figures of the music world have appeared as guest conductors with the Allentown Band, most notably early greats of the concert band tradition—Herbert L. Clarke, Edwin Franko Goldman, and Arthur Pryor. More recently, such world-renowned musicians as Frederick Fennell, Donald Hunsberger, and W. Francis McBeth, as well as many of the past and present conductors of the United States military bands of Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

DONNA FISHER / THE MORNING CALL / November 10, 2011

The honors and awards they have accumulated over the years, from various state and national music and music educators’ associations to the John Philip Sousa Foundation, are too numerous for complete listing here. Words from the 1991 Allentown “Arts Ovation Award”—“significant contributions to the cultural life of the community”—summarize the Allentown Band’s commitment to the community at large.

Tickets are available online at MauchChunkOperaHouse.com, and at SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe, either by visiting or calling them at 570-325-4009. You may also call the Opera House box office at 570-325-0249.

Blackbread Cafe a Most Welcome Surprise

A Race Street Northern Italian Bistro

It was only a year ago we returned from Italy, marveling at the simplicity and tastefulness of the food – whether it was from one of the ubiquitous neighborhood pizzerias, or someplace a bit fancier, tucked into a sidestreet.

That’s how we felt after an evening at the Blackbread Cafe, located on Race Street, in one of Jim Thorpe’s 1845 brick rowhouses. Actually, it’s two, stitched tastefully together. My brother and sister-in-law had just come in from Chicago, and the warm atmosphere felt perfect for a pre-Christmas dinner.

Presently a BYOB, the Blackbread staff was still well-versed in how to present a nice bottle of wine, even though we brought it, and they did it without any hint of stuffiness. The place is fun!

We started off appropriately enough with an Italian bruschetta of ripe summer tomatoes, fresh garden basil, and garlic.  The four of us set upon that, and the night was on. It set us up perfectly for our delicious crabcakes appetizer, drizzled with a snappy, pleasing sauce. Smiles all around.

Then it was time for entrees, and here’s what we tried: Chicken Trieste, Salmon, Penne California, and an evening special - gnocchi with vodka sauce. It seemed like a nice sampling of what the chef could do, and he passed our very unofficial test with flying colors. The chicken – hearty, tasty, but not too much. The gnocchi – great texture, and with the complement of a little sauce, just excellent flavor. Same with the salmon and penne: delicious.

OK, bravo!

We were pretty well satiated and at first declined dessert, but thought about it a bit more. We were glad for that. A lovely sorbet arrived, enveloped in lemon, along with a fine, not-too-sweet cake.

But the highlight was the tableside preparation of Bananas Foster. And it wasn’t just about the show: the sauce was just right, the slivered almonds a great touch, and the bananas not at all overcooked.

To top it all off, owner Mark Pawlitchek availed us of some complementary dessert wine – again not too sweet, and just an outstanding finish to an excellent meal. The Blackbread is understated and relaxed, much like its Northern Italian cousins.

Check it out – open Thursday through Sunday during winter.

Tartan Terrors Adopted by Jim Thorpe

For tickets to any Opera House show visit their website or call SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe at 570-325-4009.

From the Stage to Parades, JT Loves the Terrors

In December 2005, the Opera House looked ahead and decided to host the following year’s St. Patrick’s Weekend performance and had selected The McKrells, a fine Celtic bluegrass band from upstate New York. Then, with about a month to go, a random check of the group’s website revealed that they were having difficulties with management, and had been booked elsewhere for that date.

Jim Thorpe, we have a problem.

What to do with just over a month to go? Very little time to find anything, come to terms, and promote it. Maybe a show just wasn’t in the cards.

Or maybe it was.

Opera House management had noticed one particular from Ottawa, Ontario the summer before at the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA and saw how the crowd reacted enthusiastically to their mix of comedy and theater, and all-out, bagpipes-oriented music. They were called The Tartan Terrors.

Remarkably, they were somehow available – and so they were booked. A rush campaign of promotion was undertaken, and the first St. Patrick’s weekend show in Jim Thorpe in years was ready to go.

That first time in March 2006, the Terrors weren’t able to bring Sean McKeown, the world-champion bagpiper, but they had no problem plugging in another talented musician, and the crowd of 250 laughed and carried on with the band all night. They finished up with a spirited and semi-rowdy march through the crowd and promised to be back soon.

Soon enough, it was time to begin planning for St. Patty’s 2007. Too early to bring the Tartans back? Would people respond?

The decision was made to go ahead with it, given that some had called to inquire whether they would be on the schedule, and surely at least breaking even was a pretty solid possibility. And they would have Mr. McKeown on bagpipes.

That show sold out nearly 2 weeks in advance. People’s noses were pressed against the doors waiting to get in. The show itself was clearly a changing and evolving entity, with new routines and dances added to the proceedings. And we heard Sean’s remarkable bagpiping, seemingly like four rolled into one.

And the crowd applauded, whistled and otherwise roared its approval.

On a night when the Opera House had obtained a temporary liquor license to help raise needed money for the house, unofficial records were clearly being set – for beers bought for the band, much less the audience itself.

This show needed two nights!

The following three years saw The Terrors not only filling the house both nights, but participating in Jim Thorpe’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and wowing the street crowds with 80′s tunes being played from the back of a truck – with bagpipes. At the reviewing stand downtown in front of hotel, you could say the proceedings were appropriately bawdy.

The other thing was – they were fearless. One night, they raised money for one of their pet causes, working towards a cure for breast cancer. The Tartan-esses went up and down the aisles like part-church collectors and part-cigar ladies, and audiences gave generously.

Since in spite of the progress we’ve made, we still have plenty of work to do with the Opera House, we took notes.

Since then, the inevitable happened, and we were sorry to hear that the Terrors management was looking at a much bigger venue than the Opera House for St. Patty’s 2012. C’est la vie in the music business, but nonetheless a bittersweet day in JT.

OK, so we move on.

Why not a Christmas-season show? Talk about a group that ought to be able to pull that off: merriment, imagination, theater, comedy, and classy Celtic music.

Hence the concept for the Day-Before-New-Year Show was born.

Perhaps along with another Jim Thorpe tradition. We’re looking forward!

For tickets to any Opera House show visit their website or call SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe at 570-325-4009.

New Year 2012 at Flow Restaurant

From the Desk of Executive Chef and General Manager Zachary Michael Pelliccio:  

Wishing you warmest greetings as you gather to celebrate the upcoming Holiday season. My first year at Flow as Executive Chef has been amazing and I would like to start by thanking everyone, including my friends and family, who have visited Flow this year. I would also like to extend special thanks to the small family farms that have supplied Flow so well this year.

I have made a lot of great friends and contacts that will last a lifetime.  Moving from Philadelphia to the Jim Thorpe area was a big step in my life and my career, all of you have made me feel very happy in this decision.  The restaurant staff is the happiest and most helpful group of people I have ever worked with, and their hard work is key to  the restaurant’s success.

Joan Morykin, co-owner of Flow, has helped me with every detail each step of the way, and her contributions are immeasurable.  Victor Stabin,  has helped design every inch of the building and provided the unreal setting.  Along with his artwork, it completes the perfect ambience of the restaurant.  Without their full support, advice, and friendship none of this would have been possible for me and Flow would not have had the popularity, the critic acclaim, and the overall success we achieved this year.

So to give a gift of sorts and to thank everyone for their support, I am extending an invitation to you to join us for a dining experience like no other in the area: a 10 Course Chef’s Tasting Menu for our New Year’s 2012 celebration.  Main entree options include Short Ribs (beef), Quail (game), Halibut (fish), or a Vegetarian option for only $85 per person.

I wanted to design a menu that let you experience some classics and also some items you may never get to taste again.  There will also be a recommended, chef selected wine and beer pairing for the Chef’s Tasting Menu.  There are four seatings: Friday, December 30, at 5 pm and 8 pm and Saturday, December 31, at 5 pm and 8 pm, to allow for a maximum amount of availability.  Our full bar will be open both nights, featuring over 50 hand selected microbrews.

If you would like to reserve your tickets please e-mail us at jmorykin@verizon.net or call 570-325-8200 for availability, and to purchase tickets.  Please call as soon as possible to be guaranteed your optimal time. It is a first come, first serve basis. Reserve your seats today.

I would love for everyone to experience this event!

Ciao

Executive Chef Zachary Pelliccio

About Chef Zachary Pelliccio

Raised on a farm in Lancaster, PA, Chef Pelliccio’s parents taught him about hard work and farm fresh food.  He started his culinary career apprenticing under chef Anthony DiStefano.  Later, he attended The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Philadelphia, and started his Philadelphia culinary career at Patou Restaurant working with Exec Chef Patrice Rames.

Pelliccio followed chef Colin Thompson to the famous farm-to-table restaurant Farmacia, where he worked with other renowned chefs such as Jesse Fellows and Kevin von Klause.  Pelliccio’s career continued to other Philadelphia institutions such as Barclay Prime and Public House at Logan Square, where he reunited with DiStefano.

Chef Pelliccio has remained loyal to supporting small, local farms and his inventive, bold yet simplistic style has brought a wonderful renaissance to Flow’s menus.

Something for Everyone at the Opera House in November

(Tickets to all Opera House shows are available online. You can also visit SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe (across the street from the Inn at Jim Thorpe) or just call them anytime for tickets at 570-325-4009. Tickets are also available at the Opera House box office 570-325-0249.)

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams

We kick off December in a big way with Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams on Friday, December 2, for our first Christmas-themed show of the year! First appearing in Jim Thorpe way back in 2004, GMSCD have become big favorites here in town, with their great rock n’ roll (Tom Petty and Bob Dylan performing Pink Floyd – with the scent of incense in the air – comes to mind) and their uplifting and steadfastly positive outlook (not to mention the great coffee they sell over at the merch desk!).

On both December 3rd and 10th, Jim Thorpe playwright Joe Hiatt features his adaptation of A Christmas Carol in 11 AM and 1 PM showings to highlight Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas Celebration and benefit the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce. The Dickens classic is affectionately re-imagined by Mr. Hiatt, celebrating Scrooge and Marley along with other classic elements of this tale, and placing them in in Coal Country, USA.

Peek-A-Boo Revue on Dec 3

Philadelphia’s bawdy and hilarious Peek-A-Boo Revue completes the weekend with some more holiday season cheer on Saturday, December 3. Entering their 15th year, they are an ensemble capable of almost anything onstage, having performed for a wide range of audiences over the years, at many high-profile events, festivals and causes.

Four Celtic Voices on Dec 9

The Friday, December 9 Four Celtic Voices show is a spellbinding  journey of large ensemble numbers and solo performances. Each of the performers’ talents is individually showcased in her own spotlighted performance of songs that recall Ireland and Celtic Lands in alluring music for the entire family.

The noted Lehigh Valley guitarist  Craig Thatcher assembles a host of A-list musicians from around Carbon County and the Lehigh Valley on Saturday, December 10, capping the weekend with A Rockin’ Christmas, a show that has become a popular and much-anticipated Christmas-season favorite in Jim Thorpe. Seasonal classics and surprises characterize this popular show led by Mr. Thatcher,  whose various projects have developed a broad and enthusiastic following here in Carbon County, PA.

Bach and Handel at the Opera House

The Opera House presents a complete performance of all three sections of Handel’s oratorio, Messiah, on Saturday, December 17 by Carbon County’s Bach and Handel Chorale.  Randall Douglas Perry, founder, artistic director and conductor will lead the 38-voice Jim Thorpe-based chorale, which includes four world-renowned soloists and 19-member Festival Orchestra in the performance.

Tartan Terrors cap off 2011

We cap of a great 2011 with a lights-out performance by the Tartan Terrors, the renowned Celtic Comedy group that over the years has become a huge favorite here in Jim Thorpe. We can think of no better way to wrap up a great year! Check out some live performance!