2nd Street Players

New Year’s Eve Bash w/The 2nd Street Players
Rocking the stage this New Year’s Eve, we have the 2nd Street Players!
Now regular performers on our stage, this band makes for a definite fun night out! Playing tunes anyone can dance to, the 2nd Street Players deliver a high-energy show with great vibes every time.
Get your tickets now! Cost is $15 when purchased before Xmas, $20 the night of. Admission includes a midnight champagne toast and party favors in addition to a night of great music and much fun! - David Laponte

2nd Street Players
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2ND Street Players is a unique blend of extraordinary musicians and vocalists, with a magical chemistry that has evolved from playing music, shared experiences, and deep personal relationships. These friendships have lasted over many years. They have collectively accompanied and shared the stage with many legendary musicians and performers. But most of all this is just an amazingly authentic, soulful, and spiritual band with an unparalleled reputation for infusing energy into their shows and making their guest feel really good. Our objective is to get every pair of feet in the building on the dance floor.
2nd Street Players is a type of band that can satisfy any musical appetite, be it R&B, Jazz, Funk, POP, and yes even Gospel. The band consists of a Drummer/Leader - Dean Collins, Keyboards - Arron T. Clarke, Bass Guitar- Al Johnson, Percussions-Rob "Papi" Melendez, Lead Guitar - Bobby Pooler, Saxophone - Von Stupart and three outstanding Vocalists. Nicole "Nikki" Betancourt, Terri Moore-Smith "The Voice", and Katrina Meyers-Gray "Lady Soul".

Venue Information:
Sherman Theater
524 Main Street
Stroudsburg, PA, 18360
http://www.shermantheater.com/ - Sherman Theater

StroudFest returns Saturday, set to take over downtown Stroudsburg with music, food, crafts and other attractions. For the Sherman Theater, which presents the annual event, community — and bringing in those outside of it — remain key to StroudFest’s success.
“We live in such a diverse community, and it is a heavily visited tourist area with much to do during any given season,” said Lorna M. O’Farrell, Sherman Theater’s community liaison/special events coordinator. “The Sherman has a history of community participation. We don’t just stop at one event. We bring people to the area, contributing to the local economic development by shopping in our stores, staying at our hotels, eating at our restaurants, buying gas at our gas stations and many more benefits that come from each of our events.
“Vendors come back year after year, looking forward to our events and we see the need to support them, so we have other events such as Winter Craftfest, MayFest and HarvestFest.”
Entering its 12th year, StroudFest will offer an outlet for those with a knack for entertaining. “The Pocono Great Talent Event 2,” benefiting the Fine Arts Discovery Series, will hold auditions from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Sherman Showcase on Main Street. In the competition, 25 contestants vie for a $1,000 grand prize, an opening-act slot for a Sherman Theater show, and bragging rights as the first act signed for Shawnee Riverfest VII.
According to O’Farrell, about 10,000 people attend StroudFest annually. With the popular Pocono Garlic Festival also held over Labor Day weekend, O’Farrell believes there’s “no competition whatsoever. Many can enjoy more than one in a given weekend.”
StroudFest music
The night prior to StroudFest, Young Lion will perform at Sarah Street Grill, with Chris Ross performing there on Saturday night.
Three bands will perform on StroudFest’s Main Stage. Chris Ross and the North will open at noon and alternate sets with Young Lion, each doing two. Then, the 2nd Street Players Band will close out the afternoon with one long set, going from 4:30 p.m. to 6 or 6:30 p.m. Also, between noon and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the following acts will perform on the Showcase Stage: Keep Flying, We Are Space Horses, Maxx Moor, The Greater Victory, Statues and Stories, Gordon Thomas Ward, and Crippled From Exhaustion.

IF YOU GO
Stroudfest
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: downtown Stroudsburg
COST: Free
INFORMATION: 570-420-2808, shermantheater.com
Returning to StroudFest for a second consecutive year, the 2nd Street Players Band performs R&B, funk, pop and gospel music. The group, based in Stroudsburg, consists of: Dean Collins, drummer and band leader; Dave Raby, lead guitar; Al Johnson, bass guitar; Rob “Papi” Menendez, percussion; Arron Clark, keyboards; and Katrina Meyers-Gray, Nicole Betancourt and Teresa Moore-Smith, vocals.
Mary Clyburn, the band’s manager, said last year’s crowd “was very energetic and very welcoming. We were so excited to be in our hometown. Everyone enjoyed themselves. We were walking on a cloud after our performance. We also loved the other bands, especially Coyote Ugly.”
Together for six years, members of 2nd Street Players anticipate a better show this year. “We were a little nervous last year,” Clyburn said. “This year, we have put a lot of thought into our show. Every member participated in the selection of songs for StroudFest. We want to keep the audience dancing with smiles on their faces. We want them to go home and talk about StroudFest 2017 to everyone they know and tell them what they missed.”
Barbecue, jewelry and more
Atomic Hogs Pit BBQ & Catering of Effort, a mobile barbecue caterer in operation for more than three years, has participated in StroudFest since 2014. Harold G. Wentz, owner/pit master, has a clear objective for appearing at StroudFest.
“Our objective is to introduce to the Pocono region the best and authentic barbecue anywhere,” he said. “We have a 28-foot catering rig with four ovens, four sinks, refrigeration, a 160k fish fryer, and on-demand hot water.”
In operation for about five years, Spoon Sisters of West Wyoming has participated in several Stroudfests. Susan Gilroy, who makes jewelry and accessories from vintage silver-plate flatware, created the home-based business with her friend, Linda Tarence.

“We’ve always had a great time at StroudFest,” Gilroy said. “We look forward to the great music entertainment every year — our booth is really close to the stage. It is a very well-organized event. Some customers return every year to see any new items we have.”
‘Have it all’ in Stroudsburg
Once StroudFest 2017 concludes, O’Farrell hopes attendees put the event in their 2018 calendars and return, as “the Sherman Theater loves our community and hosts a heck of a party.”
While Clyburn naturally wants the 2nd Street Players Band to shine during StroudFest, she hopes festival goers enjoy all the musicians, as well as the town’s amenities.

We hope that everyone who attends StroudFest will recognize the talent in this area,” she said. “All your shopping and entertainment needs can be met right here. The Sarah Street Grill has first-class entertainment and food. We perform there all the time. Dave LaPonte, the owner of Sarah Street, is incredible to work with, and loves and appreciates all genres of music.

“The Sherman Theater showcases top musicians — we can’t wait to get the opportunity to grace their stage, Clyburn continued. “You can have it all right here in Stroudsburg. People should invest in the talent that is in the area.” - By Jim Radenhausen, Pocono Record Writer Posted Aug 31, 2017 at 7:00 PM