Country Cruise

The opportunity for adventure is upon us! With bluebird days and mild spring time temperatures, the time is right to explore uncharted territories or that new section of pavement to the unknown.

In this article I am trying something new for the readers and the folks who just are looking for a nice road bike ride while spending time in the Jim Thorpe area. Most cyclists nowadays use a GPS unit to keep track of their ride data, and or download rides to their GPS unit when traveling into a new area where the roads are unknown.

Below is a link to a very nice, 25 mile road bike ride that starts and ends in Jim Thorpe.

The ride takes cyclists on a warm-up towards the Mauch Chunk Lake to a short punchy climb into the Mahoning Valley. Riders will then hit some rolling terrain through the Valley towards the grueling climb up the South side of Flagstaff Mountain.

After summiting, riders will descend back into Jim Thorpe.

Enjoy the ride and remember to keep your path bright!

Ride link:  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/292662692

Submitted by Treadhead 5/8

May is Music Month in Jim Thorpe

May brings an exceptionally busy schedule to the Mauch Chunk Opera House and Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe! Anyone into live music should be able to find something they like.

Dark Star Orchestra

The Dark Star Orchestra rocks Penns Peak on Friday, May 17.  Interested in experiencing a show that happened long before you were born?  Well, now is your chance!  Dark Star Orchestra performs the Grateful Dead just like the Grateful Dead did during their 30 years of touring.  You could experience a show based on an exact set list from one of their many tours or it might be an original songs and often played covers kinda night.

Or, join the Peek- A-Boo Revue Burlesque Show at the Opera House that night for tales of titillation, tease, and hilarious folly.   The Revue mixes it up again with top-shelf Vaudeville and Burlesque entertainment at one of the oldest vaudeville theaters in America. Peek-A-Boo’s ladies-of-burlesque will striptease to please as they dance and romance your hearts and souls. The Boo’s very special guest, Maria Bella – Baltimore’s Sicillian Queen, will come to your rescue and deliver you to burly-q paradise.

We switch gears with the Commander Cody Band’s time-tested rockabilly combined with the Professor Louie and the Cromatix Louisiana sound on Saturday, May 18. One of the true characters of rock ‘n’ roll for almost 40 years, the Commander performs classics like Hot Rod Lincoln and Smoke that Cigarette, and much more, with the very able help of guitar-slingin’ sidekick Mark Emrick. Look out for this show!

May 19th features Lehigh Valley favorites Craig Thatcher and Nyke Van Wyk at the Opera House and lots of friends for a CD Release Party starting at 5 PM. Entitled From the Valley to the World, we celebrate at this special Opera House event. The first set will focus on their acoustic work, while during the second set they will bring out several of their very talented friends to perform with them, so we think it’s safe say there will be plenty of surprises.

Jon Herington Band

The Opera House switches gears on Friday, May 24th with the remarkable Jon Herington Band.  He’s long been the guitarist of choice for Steely Dan, for both recording and touring, and has toured with Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Bette Midler, Phoebe Snow and countless others, most recently with the Dukes of September, a supergroup with Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, and Michael McDonald.

The 25th sees the return of the great Pink Floyd tribute Childhood’s End to the Opera House. They present the complete multi-media Pink Floyd concert experience with note-perfect renditions of the classic catalog are enhanced with video projection, intelligent lighting and cutting-edge sound, raising the experience to near perfection. They absolutely knocked ‘em dead last Labor Day and we’re looking for more.

If Country is your thing, then Lee Brice visits Penn’s Peak on Thursday, May 30. Lee is not new to the country scene, but he is new to being in the spotlight.  He began, as most musicians do, as a songwriter.  Soon enough, word of his talents spread and he was touring with Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson and Luke Bryan. His second album, Hard 2 Love, features the hit song “A Woman Like You” which became iTunes number five most purchased song and quickly sold more than 30,000 copies a week.

Penns Peak closes out the month on May 31 with Skid Row. They were born as a band in 1987, but it was not until two years later when their debut album hit that they really became known.  The album went on to sell more than five million copies and they began an around the world tour.  Their second album shocked the music world when it debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts.

Smooth Sailing

Now that the new season has tickled us with some much needed warmth, it is time to do the same to our tools of adventure. In order to maintain a smile while out on the road or trail, our bicycles need a fresh tune-up for the hard miles to come.

The ideal maintenance your bicycle needs depends on how often you ride, or plan on riding in the approaching months. If your goal is to get out once a week, a basic tune-up is all you need. This will cover tire inflation, lubing of the chain and vital mechanical parts, and an adjustment of the brakes.

If your cycling goals are a bit more extensive, then a complete overhaul of your bicycle is in order. This procedure will include a complete dismantle and rebuild of your entire bicycle, repacking bearings, replacing worn out bushings, and replacing all cables to the shifters and brakes. A suspension rebuild will cost extra.

Maintaining your bicycle properly will afford smiles for miles and extend the life of your investment. The best place to breathe freshness into your steed is of course your local bike shop. Build a lasting relationship with your mechanic and they, in turn, will impart the service you need to keep you rolling on a bright path.

Tribute to the Boss

Many call them the original tribute band, having followed the developments in Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band for over 30 years.

Others just call them a tireless band from nearby Jersey that happens to do Springsteen, does it well, and totally rocks the house, no matter where they play.

Either way, The BStreet Band is always happy to oblige. They perform this Friday night, 3/29, at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe.

And if you call 570-325-4009, get 2-for-1 tickets – only $25!

Originally known as Backstreets, the band was formed in Asbury Park, New Jersey in May of 1980 by musicians Will Forte and the late Bob Chipak. Since that time, the band has performed from Maine to the Bahamas for well over 3 million people.

Whether it’s opening for Bruce and the E-Street Band at the Philadelphia Spectrum Final Four Shows, entertaining Hard Rock Chairman/CEO James Allen and fans at both the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl,  rockin’ Duke University and the graduating classes of Harvard and Princeton, the list goes on and on.

Over the last 30 years, the band has been estimated to have played in over 800 different nightclubs and 200 colleges through 20 different states and is now considered to be the longest running tribute band in the world.

Whatever you may call them, the Opera House calls it a great time for the entire family. Hope to see you!

Reserve your seats online at the Mauch Chunk Opera House website or call SoundCheck Records at 570-325-4009.

The JT Bike Blog: Finding Freedom

Editor’s Note: This is the inaugural JT Biker’s Blog article. They will appear about twice a month, or as our author experiences new adventures in the JT countryside that should be shared with you, our readers. Thanks for visiting!

As the grip of winter begins to loosen, a rebirth advances over the Northern hemisphere with the entrance of spring.

This is when the Earth rejuvenates with life, and so does the human spirit, towards outdoor adventure. There is no better way to free yourself from cabin fever than experiencing the world on two wheels.

The goals of each cyclist exiting the winter months are varied. Some look to a competitive race season, others look to be in better shape than their riding companions, while most cyclists want to achieve a comfort level on a bicycle more in tune with family fun & vacations.

Regardless the reason, a distinct freedom is afforded to the individual who is the cyclist. Detachment from the high tech, day to day, to interact with the natural world and get a little exercise defines the essence of the human spirit.

Whether you are crushing technical single track, spinning on your favorite country road, or hitting the rail trail on a family outing, keep your path bright and freedom will be found.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration by Manhattan Lyric Opera

St. Patrick’s Day in Jim Thorpe isn’t just about the parade (held the weekend before). Far from it!

On Sunday, March 17 at 5 PM, the Manhattan Lyric Opera presents a St. Patrick’s Day program of familiar Irish songs and Broadway classics at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

When the Opera House was built in 1881, performers couldn’t lean on microphones to project their voices – they had to do it themselves. So the typical singer of the day was trained operatically, in the skills used to project so that everyone in a venue could hear.

In that spirit, while this performance is certainly about an amazingly talented operatic singer, Anne Tormela, and also baritone Nat Chandler and pianist Renee Guererro, it is also about beautiful music being performed as it was meant to be.

For a fascinating interview with Anne Tormela, founder and artistic director of MLO, click here.

To learn more about the show, and to buy tickets, click here, or call 570-325-0249.

Tickets only $20 for adults, $15 seniors, and $10 children under 12. Doors 4 PM, show at 5 PM.

There will be a complementary shuttle from the downtown train station to the venue, before and after the show. If you’d like to reserve in advance, call (484) 226-0007.

Outdoors Life in Carbon County

Year-round, there are endless options for outdoors fun in Carbon County.

Click www.CarbonCountyOutdoors.com to find out!