Nov 10, 2025 | Entertainment, Special Events
Mohegan Pennsylvania to also Host Qualifying and Semi-Final Rounds leading up to the Inaugural Competition
WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 10, 2025) – Mohegan Pennsylvania is excited to announce that NEPA Philharmonic’s inaugural Battle of the Bands is set to take place in the Keystone Grand Ballroom on Saturday, January 31, 2026, presented by ROCK107. Leading up to the live performance competition, Mohegan Pennsylvania will also host the qualifying and semi-final rounds in Breakers, where bands will battle it out for the final spot in Battle of the Bands.
Starting at 7:00pm on Saturday, January 31st, selected bands will each perform live on stage in front of a panel of judges, including Music Director Mélisse Brunet. The judges will be looking for the best, boldest, and most original local talent – anywhere from rock, indie, folk, funk, bluegrass, metal, experimental, and beyond. The Battle of the Bands champion will receive up to $5,000 cash and a chance to perform live with the NEPA Philharmonic during their 2026-2027 season. Tickets to NEPA Philharmonic’s inaugural Battle of the Bands competition are on sale now via the NEPA Philharmonic website.
The NEPA Philharmonic has just announced the eight finalists who have already been selected to perform on the January 31st date: So Much Hope, Buried., Gracie Jane Sinclair & The Band, Chasing Ashlee, Tori V & The Karma, The Sorters, Those Dudes, Rogue Chimp, and One Revived. These bands will be up against each other, as well as one other band who will be selected by Mohegan PA throughout December and January.
Breakers at Mohegan Pennsylvania will host qualifying rounds on Thursdays, December 4th, 11th, and 18th, where three bands will be battling it out each week. One band from each qualifying round will be selected to move on to the semi-final round on Thursday, January 8th. Only one band will move on from the semi-final round and have the opportunity to compete in the Battle of the Bands competition on Saturday, January 31st. Breakers will be open to the public from 6:00pm – 11:00pm and bands will be performing from 7:00pm – 11:00pm on each qualifying and semi-final round date. Breakers will also hold happy hour from 6:00pm – 7:30pm on each date, featuring $6 You Call It’s.
Bands who did not apply during the initial selection process can apply on the NEPA Philharmonic website from Monday, November 10th – Friday, November 14th for a chance to compete in the qualifier events. Selected bands will be announced on Friday, November 21st.
For additional information on NEPA Philharmonic’s Battle of the Bands at Mohegan Pennsylvania, presented by ROCK107, visit the Mohegan Pennsylvania website.
ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a newly renovated 238-room hotel with an on-site spa, adjacent to a 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It features nearly 75,000 square feet of gaming space, including close to 60 live table games, over 1,500 slot machines and electronic table games, a sportsbook, a variety of dining options, nightlife, entertainment, and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram and view us on YouTube. Gambling problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER.
ABOUT THE NEPA PHILHARMONIC
The NEPA Philharmonic is a fully professional symphony orchestra performing classics, pops, holiday, chamber, and July 3-4 concerts. The Philharmonic’s educational and community programs are centered around the significant benefits of engagement with music and the arts for community health and childhood development, especially for youth and older adults. The annual Young Peoples’ Concert brings the orchestra to over 1,300 students from across the region, many from schools in lower-income neighborhoods. Philharmonic musicians likewise frequently visit schools, libraries, senior centers, and public parks across Northeastern Pennsylvania, sharing the joy and creativity of music through interactive performances for all ages and backgrounds. A juried mentoring program allows talented high school students, regardless of income, to study with Philharmonic musicians and perform side-by-side with the orchestra. New in 2025 are Sensory Friendly concerts; an Angel Ticket program, providing free tickets to low-income community members; and RxArts NEPA, prescribing arts activities to older adults at risk of social isolation. The Philharmonic’s community programs aim to foster a love of music and offer aesthetic experiences that provide accessible pathways to creativity, independent thinking, and improved mental health for all ages, regardless of income or background. The focus of the NEPA Philharmonic is to provide opportunities for everyone in our community, regardless of means, to have access to the health and emotional benefits and the joy of live music.
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Feb 8, 2016 | Battle of the Bands, Breakers, Entertainment
Unfortunately due to a lack of submissions, Mohegan Sun Pocono regretfully is unable to host the highly-popular Battle of the Bands competition this year.
Beginning on Thursday, March 17th, Breakers Karaoke Party will resume in its place.
Visit mohegansunpocono.com for more details and for future events.
Dec 7, 2015 | Battle of the Bands, Breakers, Entertainment
Call for entries now through January 29th
WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 7, 2015) – Does your band have what it takes to
reign supreme? Mohegan Sun Pocono wants to know! The sixth annual Battle of the Bands competition kicks off on Thursday, March 17th at Breakers, and starting now Mohegan Sun Pocono is looking for the best bands in NEPA to compete!
Don’t wait! Now through January 29th, interested bands can submit an entry to be crowned this year’s winner, and for the chance to win cash prizes at the grand finale on May 26, 2016, including the $10,000 grand prize!
To express interest in competing in this popular event, bands must submit the following no later than 5:00pm on Friday, January 29, 2016. 32 bands will be selected and notified no later than Monday, February 29th.
- Demo CD, EPK, website and/or flash drive containing no more than three songs. This should be as close as possible to proposed live performance; cover music preferred. Please note in writing with submission if there are overdubbed parts or guest artists who will not be part of the competition.
- Recent photo with names and instrumentation of all players, and an input list (preferably in digital format)
- Current song list and proposed 30-minute set list for the competition
- List of any Thursday evenings during the competition (March 17th through May 26th) that band would not be available between 7pm and Midnight
- Contact information, including email address and daytime phone number
- Verification that all band members are 21 years of age or older
Please send submissions to Battle of the Bands, Entertainment Office, Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705 or [email protected].
For additional information or questions, contact [email protected] or 570.831.2264.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
Jun 30, 2015 | 50th anniversary of racing, Breakers, Entertainment, Gaming, Holiday, Hot Summer Fun, Party on the Patio, Racing, Special Events, Terrace
Enjoy live music, thrilling gaming promotions, exhilarating horse racing and a celebrity appearance
WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 30, 2015) – It’s nearly time to celebrate Independence Day, and there’s no better way to spend the holiday than with Mohegan Sun Pocono! Join Mohegan Sun Pocono from Wednesday, July 1st through Sunday, July 5th for a fun-filled weekend, including live entertainment, exhilarating horse racing, a sizzling fireworks display and more.
The fun begins on Wednesday, July 1st when Mohegan Sun Pocono kicks off summer with their annual Hot Summer Fun celebration. This year is hotter than ever, with new chances to win every day through August 31st, including thousands in cash prizes, Free Slot Play, two cars, a VIP experience at all three luxurious Mohegan Sun properties and more! Full details on how to play every day can be found at mohegansunpocono.com/HSF.
Start your weekend on Thursday, July 2nd when Mohegan Sun Pocono kicks off NEPA’s version of the wildly successful TV show Lip Sync Battle. Kicking off at 6:00pm at Party on the Patio, six performances will heat up the stage. Local judges will narrow things down to the final two contestants and crowd feedback will determine the weekly winner, so bring your loudest friends and cheer on your favorite “singer!”
Parrotheads unite! At 7:30pm, Mohegan Sun Pocono welcomes ParrotBeach, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, to Party on the Patio for a free concert*. Get ready to kick up your heels, grab a refreshing cocktail and sing along to your favorite tunes with thousands of other Parrotheads on the track apron. After the show, step inside to the After Party in Breakers and enjoy the music of Gas Station Disco, known for igniting dance floors with their high energy stage show.
Unwind and have a drink at the Terrace with live music from Eddie Appnel on Friday, July 3rd at 6:00pm and Battle of the Bands finalist Nowhere Slow on Saturday, July 4th at 6:00pm. Also on Friday and Saturday night, enjoy a fun night of laughs with Louis Ramey, Mike Spiers and Scott Bruce at Wise Crackers Comedy Club starting at 9:00pm, or dance to live entertainment at Bar Louie and Breakers at 9:30pm.
If it’s harness racing that you’re after, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono is the place to be this weekend. Starting at 6:30pm on Friday, July 3rd, cheer for your favorite horse from the outdoor grandstand, or enjoy the outstanding view of the track and surrounding mountains while dining at Pacer’s Clubhouse. To commemorate 50 years of harness racing, grab a “Decades of the Downs” tee shirt starting at 8:00pm, then wear your shirt to The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono any Friday in July and get a $10.00 live racing voucher!
Get to The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono early on Saturday, July 4th, as former Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jim Kelly will be signing autographs and taking photos on the Sky Bridge from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Kelly, known as the greatest quarterback in Buffalo Bills history, led his team to four consecutive Super Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in his first year of eligibility. Bracelets will be distributed starting at 1:00pm; only authorized photos will be signed and distributed at the event.
The $2 Million Sun Stakes Saturday Championship is set for Saturday, July 4th starting at 6:30pm, with the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial Trot, the Ben Franklin Free-For-All Pace, the Max Hempt Memorial Pace and the James Lynch Memorial Pace being contested on this prestigious night of harness racing. Then at 8:00pm, pick up your complimentary Earl Beal Jr. official hat in the Lower Grandstand.
Finally, on Sunday, July 5th, end your holiday weekend with a bang, with a fireworks extravaganza scheduled for approximately 9:30pm**. Free and open to all ages, the fireworks will immediately follow an action-packed night of harness racing which starts at 6:30pm.
For more information on happenings at Mohegan Sun Pocono over Independence Day weekend and beyond, visit their website.
Gambling problem? Call 1.800.GAMBLER.
*In inclement weather the ParrotBeach show may be moved indoors. ** Fireworks rain date is Monday, July 6th.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
May 22, 2015 | Battle of the Bands, Breakers, Entertainment
Band awarded $10,000 grand prize
WILKES-BARRE, PA (May 22, 2015) – At the long-a
waited grand finale on Thursday, May 21st, Rock/Alternative band Stealing Neil was crowned the winner of Mohegan Sun Pocono’s 5th Battle of the Bands at Breakers, and awarded the $10,000 grand prize.
Founded in 2004, Stealing Neil has cultivated a devoted and ever-growing following thanks to the diverse talents of the band’s current lineup including lead singer and guitarist R.J. Scouton, lead guitarist Jared Scavone, rhythm guitarist Pauly Young, drummer Tony Scavone and bassist/vocalist Bruce Christian. The band’s set list is wide-ranging, thanks to the members’ eclectic and varied musical influences of Grunge, Country, Classic Rock and Hair Metal.
The 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners of the event were Nowhere Slow, Coast 2 Coast and Facing the Giants, and each was also awarded a cash prize.
To learn more about Stealing Neil and their future shows, visit facebook.com/stealing.neil.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO:
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, download our app and view us on YouTube.
