Tag Archives: Bucktown Music Fest

Dunmoreans of the Month: Brian McGurl & Tom Hallinan

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Bucktown Music Fest kicks off 2024 concert series

By Steve Svetovich

The 2024 Bucktown Music Fest is kicking off another summer of free music on the streets of Dunmore, beginning this month through September.

Dunmore’s Brian McGurl and Tom Hallinan once again are co-chairmen for the annual event.

This year, the series will feature 10 concerts with 20 different bands performing.

In addition to eight of the concerts held at Dunmore Corners, two of the free shows will be held at different sites: the 400 block of Chestnut Street near the Fireside Martini Grill, and the 1600 block of Clay Avenue near Buddy Clarke’s Tavern.

Daddy-O and the Sax Maniacs and the East Coast Trio kick things off Sunday, June 9, at 5 p.m,, at Dunmore Corners. The 12-piece highly energized  Daddy-O features Nick Costanzo,and Sal Scrimalli, of Dunmore. The band is a long time local favorite.

The East Coast Trio consists of Dunmore’s McGurl, Phil Rossi and Chuck Scrimalli, with their blend of folk and jazzy rhythm and blues.

Black Tie Stereo and The 335, a classic rock cover band, will blast out onto Drinker Street Sunday, June 23, at 5 p.m. This will be the popular Black Tie Stereo’s first time appearance at the Bucktown Music Fest. Both bands are sure to be big hits.

The Bucktown Music Fest will make its way to the corners of Chestnut, Elm and Pine Streets Sunday, July 7. There, outside of the Chestnut Street Tavern and Martini Fireside Grill, Dunmore’s Joe Ferguson opens up festivities with Rattlin’ Bones. EJ the DJ will be on hand between sets to perform fan favorites. Headlining will be Friends of Family, featuring Dunmore’s James McGurl and Nick Bush.

The Saturday, July 13, show will feature two very popular Dunmore bands, Strangers Rock and QBall. Strangers Rock will open at Dunmore Corners at 5 p.m. featuring Dunmore’s P.J. Stoko on bass guitar. Watch him enthusiastically jam with talented guitarist Bob Taylor, who is originally from Green Ridge. Chuck Gudaitis is the hard rocking drummer. Strangers Rock plays the Stones to the Ramones and everything in between. 

QBall, featuring Dunmore’s McGurl and the highly-talented John Quinn, will bring their quartet with the music of Journey, Tom Petty, The Doors, The Beatles, Bowie, and other classics.

The Fabulous Fortunes and The Luongo Brothers will perform at Dunmore Corners on Sunday, July 21, beginning at 5 p.m. The Fabulous Fortunes are led by longtime local music legend Stan Svetovich, now in his 77th year of performing, on drums. The group has performed throughout the years in Northeast PA and the Pocono Mountains region and also includes Jack Mead, Tom Gavern, Firp Edmunds, and Stan’s grandson Ryan Svetovich, Dunmore.

Nick and Pat Luongo are two more luminaries in the local music scene who have long been associated with classy entertainment. The duo always  shows their audience a great time.

Country bluegrass favorite Old Friends and POP (Past Our Prime) will perform Saturday, July 28, at Dunmore Corners, at 5 p.m. 

Old Friends, featuring Jack Bordo, has been performing for the past 50 years with high harmonies, guitar, twanging banjo and harmonica. POP features Joe Pappa, Phoebe Beckage, Tom Boylan, Sean Loughney, and Lenny Carlucci, all of Dunmore.

Mike Kwaitek and his band along with Corner Pocket Blues will perform at Dunmore Corners Sunday, August 4, at 5 p.m. Kwaitek is a longtime Dunmore favorite who will perform electrifying versions of Elton John, Billy Joel and other favorites. 

Corner Pocket Blues consists of Dunmore natives Dan Cox, Jim Kernan, Joe Pannick, and noted sax player Jack Garvey.

The Wanabees, featuring Ron Pascoe and Fran Festa, and a Friend of the Gypsy perform Sunday, August 18, at Dunmore Corners, beginning at 5 p.m. The Wanabees perform classic rock from the 50’s to the 80’s and have a huge local following. Ron and Fran are sure to entertain the crowd. Friend of the Gypsy perform a mix of a Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, classic rock and jam band favorites and are  

The popular Picture Perfect will bring its 11-piece band to the 1600 block of Clay Avenue off Green Ridge Street Sunday, August 25, at 5 p.m. The wedding, show and party band will perform outside of Buddy Clarke’s Tavern. Jim Cullen, Jack Bordo, and Sharon Ambrosia will open the show.

The finale for the 2024 Bucktown Music Fest is set for Sunday, September 8, at Dunmore Corners, at 5 p.m. Shindig/Dunmore’s Got Talent will feature numerous Dunmore musicians performing on the showmobile stage. These shows have offered memorable performances over the past few years. The Dunmore Music Fest invites anyone who can sing and play an instrument to perform in this event. Anyone interested in performing can contact McGurl via email at: mcgurl@gmail.com.

DePietro’s Pharmacy is thrilled to be part of the rhythm of Bucktown Musicfest by making a $500 donation to help keep the beat alive and bring people together with live music. Shows start June 9 at the Dunmore Corners! Shown at the presentation are Tom DePietro and Tom Hallinan, cochair of the festival.

New this year are vendors for arts and crafts. Food vendors from local restaurants will once again be a constant at the events. A Bounce House for children will be set up along East Drinker Street June 9 and 23.

“I love being active in my community and enjoy helping people whenever possible,” said Hallinan. “Dunmore Music Fest is a great opportunity for the whole town to enjoy free entertainment and a fabulous social event with friends and neighbors.”

Hallinan, a Dunmore councilman for the past 11 years, is a Dunmore High School graduate. He attended Penn State and retired after 35 years working for the PA Department of Transportation. He was assistant county manager for Susquehanna County. 

He and his wife Alicia, a Dunmore police officer, have been married for 35 years. The couple has four children: Atty. Meghan Hallinan, 33; Molly Hallinan Smith, 31; Tommy Hallinan, 26, and the late Kelcey Hallinan who passed away in 2013.

Tom is past president of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association and member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and San Cataldo Club. He is co-chairman for the annual food drive for ICC in memory of Father Sica and coached biddy basketball in Dunmore.

“This town is unbelievable when you think of all the people who donate to make these free concerts happen,” said McGurl. “The events themselves are so great. Everyone comes together enjoying the music and each other’s company, young and old, generations of families, all in the heart of the town.”

McGurl grew up in Dunmore and attended St. Mary’s Grade School before his family moved to Clarks Summit. The Abington Heights graduate received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Scranton in 1980 as well as an master of science degree in education from the University of Scranton in 1991. 

McGurl was a crisis intervention specialist for the NEIU from 1985 through 1997 and a teacher in the Dunmore school district from 1997 through 2003. He was drama director for the Dunmore School District from 2004 to 2019.

He and his wife Dawn have four sons: John, Joseph, Michael (and wife Emily) and James (and wife Rose). The couple has one grandchild, Abigail Grace.

McGurl has been performing in the local music scene for the past 50 years. The talented keyboard player has been performing with the popular group QBall since 2018. He performed with East Coast in the 1980’s. He has been with the East Coast Trio since 2002 and performed with the Hometown Boys in 1980’s and 1990’s.

“The Bucktown Music Fest concert series has become a cherished summer tradition in Dunmore, bringing vibrant music and community spirit to the borough, ” said Dunmore Mayor Max Conway. “Special thanks to Dunmore councilman Tom Hallinan and Brian McGurl for their dedicated organization and effort in making this event a success year after year.”

Doin’ Dunmore: Bucktown Music Fest to wrap up this month

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  • Corner Pockets Blue Band consisting of Danny Cox, Jim Kernan, Jack Garvey and Dr. Joe Pannick recently performed at the Bucktown Musicfest.
  • A large crowd is shown at Dunmore Corners enjoying Bucktown Musicfest. The popular event will come to a close for the season on Sept. 17.
  • Mike Kwiatek and Sons Band are shown performing at Bucktown Musicfest this summer.

By Steve Svetovich

Do you want to have some fun?

Dunmore’s finest musicians will take the stage for the Grand Finale of the second annual Bucktown Music Fest at Dunmore Corners on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Tom Hallinan and local musician Brian McGurl are co-chairpersons for the event, the sixth this summer.

Former Dunmore mayor Patrick “Nibs” Loughney will emcee the event.

The Corner Pocket Blues Band, a four-piece group, will open the festivities. The group consists of Danny Cox, Jim Kernan, Jack Garvey and Dr. Joe Pannick.

Kevin Rogan, a Dunmore graduate who now resides in Philadelphia, will then take the stage with his guitar and vocals.

Timmy LaTorre, another Dunmore graduate, will follow Rogan with his guitar and vocals.

Other performers will include Janice Gambo-Chesna on guitar and vocals, Luke Tinklepaugh on guitar and vocals, POP (Past Our Prime) consisting of Joe Pappa, Tom Boylan and Rick Beckage and finally the East Coast Trio consisting of McGurl, Phil Rossi and Chuck Scrimalli.

McGurl said the festivities with conclude with a Shin-Dig of all-star Dunmore musicians.

“There will be a full band backing up a large group of Dunmore musicians who will perform about 15 songs to conclude the music festival,” said McGurl. “All of these musicians are from Dunmore.”

The Dunmore graduates involved in the Shin-Dig include Rick DelAmico, Lenny Nole, Dunmore music teacher Katie Errico, Mike Stoko, D.J. Stoko, Donna Polizzi Loughney, Sean Loughney and Lenny Carlucci,

“We decided do this a couple of years back,” said Hallinan. “I was driving through Dunmore corners during COVID and wanted to bring some life to the town. I called Brian and he said let’s do it. It has become a huge success.

“This brings all of the people in Dunmore together. You see people you haven’t seen in 10 years. It’s a meeting of old friends. It’s like a family reunion. People look forward to it each week.”

McGurl performed with his band, Q Ball, the initial week this summer. “You look out and see everyone in the town having a good time,” he said. “It’s a great feeling. It’s great seeing people having fun at Dunmore Corners. The musicians are mostly Dunmore people.”

Many of the local restaurants and shops at Dunmore corners open for the event. Honeychild’s Bar, Three Jacks, Two Brothers Pizza, Cara Mia’s, Dunmore Candy Kitchen and Dunmore VFW are among the businesses open.

“This does not happen without the sponsors and a grant from the Lackawanna County Commissioners,” said Hallinan.

Other bands who performed at the Bucktown Music Festival this past summer include The Wannabes, Dashboard Mary, the Luongo Brothers, Friend of the Gypsy, and Michael Kwiatek and Sons.

Doin’ Dunmore: Bucktown Music Fest Kicking Off This Month

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  • Thomas Hallinan
  • Brian McGurl
  • Patrick Loughney

By Steve Svetovich

Ready for the music, fun and dancing? 

The anticipated Bucktown Music Fest will kick off at Dunmore Corners on four Sunday evenings July 11, July 18, July 24 and August 1, all from 5 to 8 p.m,

Admission is free. Those who attend are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to sit and relax, enjoy the music and dance in the streets.

Dunmore Councilman Tom Hallinan, former Dunmore Mayor Patrick “Nibs” Loughney, and local Dunmore musician Brian McGurl are chairpersons for the event. 

Dunmore Borough is sponsoring the four Sunday evenings through a grant from the Lackawanna County Commissioners and donations from local businesses. 

“On behalf of Dunmore Mayor Tom Burke and Dunmore Borough Council,” said Hallinan, “we want to thank Lackawanna County Commissioners Notariani, Domenick and Chermak and the local merchants for their generous support of events. We will continue to accept business donations right through the Festival dates to help offset ongoing expenses.”

Opening night on Sunday, July 11 will feature music by the Luongo Brothers Band, Dunmore’s own Pat and Nick Luongo. The duo, formerly of The Poets, have been performing for decades. The Luongo Brothers will be joined by veteran favorites Alan Shield and Rich Marmo.

Sunday, July 18, will feature the Dashboard Mary Duo, the spinning grooves of the popular E.J. the D.J., and a special appearance from “Old Blue Eyes” himself in the form of Chris DiMatteo singing the hits of the late Frank Sinatra. Dashboard Mary features Dunmoreans Rob Roman and Joe Del Rosso who have been performing for the past three decades.

Sunday, July 25, will feature QBall with Dunmoreans McGurl and John Quinn along with Jim Davis and Bob Crossman. QBall plays classic rock, including the music of The Doors, Tom Petty, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones. 

Sunday, Aug. 1, will be a “Dunmore Musicians Family Reunion.” Young musical performers will come together for three hours at Dunmore Corners to play together and entertain the crowd. It will be a true celebration.

Dunmore residents have filled the rosters of many of the area’s top bands over the past seven or eight decades. The Shindig shows at Dunmore High School in the 1960’s and 1970’s were incubators for so many talented performers. The same can be said for Dunmore’s marching band and school talent shows, class nights and plays at Dunmore and Holy Cross High Schools. Many young performers show talent and promise which will be exhibited Sunday, Aug. 1, at Dunmore Corners.

“I think it is going to be a great night of music for the young and old,” McGurl said regarding the final event on Aug. 1. “Everyone is volunteering their time and talent and it is going to be a lot of fun.”

Bands, singers and musicians slated to perform the final night include the East Coast Trio, The Violet Sisters, Corner Pocket Blues Band, The Mesos, Dashboard Mary Duo, Pappa, Beckage, and Boylan; English, Tim McGurl, Janice Gambo, Katie Errico, Donna Polizzi Loughney, Luke Tinklepaugh, Emma Pasko, Julia Pasko, Lenny Carlucci, Mike Kwaitek, Dan Zayac, Paul Arduino, Len Nole, Jack Garvey, Kevin Regan, Mike Seamon, Joe Pannick, Marty Ort, Chuck Scrimalli, Brian McGurl, Phil Rossi, Mara Hennigan, Dan Cox, Jim Kernan, Dom Fortese, Rob Roman and Joe DelRosso. 

“I first thought about this while driving through Dunmore Corners one Sunday about 5 p.m.,” said Hallinan. “It looked desolate, like a bit of a ghost town. I thought it would be nice to bring some life back to Dunmore Corners. What better way than with music?

“Music would be the best way to bring people back together after months of isolation due to COVID. I ran the idea through Brian McGurl. He thought it was great and we ran with it. 

“Now Dunmore Borough can’t wait for all of the music and entertainment. It’s going to be a lot of fun at Dunmore Corners.” 

Dunmoreans Vito Ruggerio, Sally Judge and Jean Hill also assisted with the coordination of events.