Jan 27, 2026 | Entertainment
First-ever event to take place in the Keystone Grand Ballroom on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00pm
WHAT: The NEPA Philharmonic is excited to present its inaugural Battle of the Bands, presented by ROCK107, on Saturday, January 31st at 7:00pm at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Keystone Grand Ballroom. Tickets are available at nepaphil.org or by calling the NEPA Philharmonic Box Office at (570) 270-4444.
WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, January 31st
7:00pm
Keystone Grand Ballroom
IN DETAIL: This groundbreaking, dynamic, live-judged music competition showcases eight talented local bands across a wide range of styles, from jazz fusion to country and heavy metal to pop rock, with cash prizes and a chance for one band to perform with the Philharmonic. Over 40 talented bands from across Northeastern Pennsylvania applied to compete, with eight finalists selected to take the stage: So Much Hope, Buried; Gracie Jane Sinclair & The Band; Chasing Ashlee; Tori V & The Karma; The Sorters; Rogue Chimp; One Revived; and the Jay Orrell Band. These bands will compete in the live-judged event for their chance to win the $5,000 Grand Prize and perform with the NEPA Philharmonic in their 2026-2027 season. A $1,000 runner up prize and a $1,000 audience choice prize will also be awarded, giving audience members an opportunity to cheer on and vote for their favorite band.
John Popko, host at Rock107 and Fuzz 96.1, will be the emcee for the event. The event will be judged by a panel comprised of the following individuals:
- Mélisse Brunet — Music Director, NEPA Philharmonic
- Chason Goldschmitz — Executive Director, NEPA Philharmonic
- Ruotao Mao — Concertmaster, NEPA Philharmonic
- Kait — Co-Host of the Prospector Show, Rock107
- Jennifer Ducharme — Director of Events, Mohegan Pennsylvania
- Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski — Pennsylvania State Representative, 121st District
- Rick Hoffenberg — Co-Director, Marywood University School of Visual & Performing Arts
“Mohegan Pennsylvania is thrilled to be part of this incredible celebration of music and artistry,” said Jennifer Ducharme, Director of Events at Mohegan Pennsylvania. “Supporting the arts is an essential part of our commitment to the community, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening.”
For additional information on NEPA Philharmonic’s Battle of the Bands at Mohegan Pennsylvania, 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.
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Apr 7, 2025 | Entertainment, General News, Wise Crackers
Winner receives a cash prize and emcee bookings at comedy venues across Northeast Pennsylvania
WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 7, 2024) – Calling all comedians! Wise Crackers Comedy Club at Mohegan Pennsylvania is excited to host the first ever NEPA’s Funniest Competition. This competition is open to the public, and those who think they’ve got what it takes can take center stage and battle for the chance to be the first to claim the title of “NEPA’s Funniest”. The comedian who is crowned “NEPA’s Funniest” will receive a $500 cash prize and be booked to emcee at Wise Crackers Comedy Club inside Mohegan Pennsylvania, Emmaus Theatre in Emmaus, PA and Soul Joel’s in Pottstown, PA. Comedians who come in second and third place will also receive cash prizes.
The first round of the competition takes place every Sunday from June 1st through July 20th (excluding July 6th) and each comedian will get one, five-minute set. Those who advance to the second round will get ten minutes to compete in a Sunday slot from July 27th – August 17th. Semi-finalists will have 12 minutes to crack up the crowd on Sunday, July 24th, and the finalists will go head-to-head for the top spot with 15-minute sets on Sunday, September 7th.
Those looking to support the comedians can purchase seats in the audience for $10. The audience will also have the chance to vote in every round except for the finals, where a panel of judges will select the winner.
Entries can be submitted via the Wise Cracker’s website until Sunday, May 25th. All entries include a $25 fee. For more information, visit moheganpa.com/wisecrackers.
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.
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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.
