Entertainment

Music Monday: Rob Stoneback

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:29:45 GMT

Rob Stoneback has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry including The Temptations, Johnny Mathis and Connie Francis.

He's part of the Rob Stoneback Big Band, but today he joins us for a solo performance!

Music Monday: Bobby Syvarth

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:57:02 GMT

From Birdland in New York City to the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, Bobby Syvarth straddles the musical worlds of jazz and pop effortlessly. This week, the New Jersey star is shared his talents with us. He stopped by 69 News at Sunrise for Music Monday, along with Timmy Carbone, from the group Railroad Earth, who accompanied Bobby on fiddle .

www.BobbySyvarth.com

Music Monday Sydnie Keddington

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:51:45 GMT

Our guest for Music Monday is Sydnie Keddington of Macungie.

She's a singer-songwriter just coming off a pretty active performance schedule over Memorial Day that included a gig at Mayfair. She performs covers and original songs.

https://www.facebook.com/keddington.sydnie?hc_location=timeline

Music Monday: Sailing Sweater

Mon, 27 May 2013 15:40:11 GMT

They're five friends who make music that they call "Sunshine Rock and Roll."

Tyler, Nick, Jarrett, Jonathan and Chris, or Sailing Sweater, stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to explain exactly what their style is and to treat us to a Memorial Day edition of Music Monday.

www.SailingSweater.Bandcamp.com

Music Monday: Doreen Taylor

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:07:45 GMT

She's a bi-coastal, award-winning country singer, but she calls the East Coast home, and we're happy to report that Doreen Taylor is back in Pennsylvania and treating her fans to a big show at the World Cafe in Philly! Doreen and some members of her band stopped by 69 News to give us a preview on Music Monday.

WORLD CAFE LIFE TICKETS: http://doreentaylorlive.brownpapertickets.com

www.DoreenTaylor.com

It's official: 2013 Freddy Award nominations announced

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:34:03 GMT

Ready for the FREDDYS? The nominations are in!

Those nominated for the 2013 FREDDY awards were announced Thursday during the 69 News at Noon newscast by Ed Hanna and Shelley Brown of the State Theatre.

The FREDDYS recognize excellence in high school musical performances for Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County in New Jersey.

Freedom and Parkland high schools lead the list with 15 nominations each.

Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra

Bangor Area HS Annie

Easton Area HS The Music Man

Nazareth Area HS Anything Goes

Northern Lehigh HS Little Shop of Horrors

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Phillipsburg HS Once On This Island

Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer

Taylor Phillips as Eliza Catasauqua The King and I

Vanessa Ruggiero as Reno Sweeny Nazareth Area Anything Goes

Haley Hall as Somewhere Ballet Dancer Northwestern Lehigh West Side Story

Michael Guerriere as Marcellus Washburn Notre Dame The Music Man

Loretta Doyle as Ti Moune Phillipsburg Once On This Island

Tyler Martin as Andy Lee Southern Lehigh 42nd Street

Tara D'Aiuto as Dancer Warren Hills Regional Godspell

Outstanding Use of Costuming

Dieruff HS Aida

Freedom HS Les Miserables (School Edition)

Hackettstown HS Annie Get Your Gun

Nazareth Area HS Anything Goes

North Warren Regional HS Anything Goes

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Phillipsburg HS Once On This Island

Outstanding Performance by a Featured Male Ensemble Member

Connor Goerk as Chief Sitting Bull Hackettstown Annie Get Your Gun

Evan Richter as Mr. Cricker/Durdles Moravian Academy The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Dylan Ashton as Mr. Mayor of Whoville Northampton Area Seussical

Alex Bobbyn as Action Northwestern Lehigh West Side Story

Houston Herman as Papa Ge Phillipsburg Once On This Island

Dan Noel as Herald Pius X Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella

Shane Fischetti as Cinderella's Prince/Wolf Warren County Tech Into the Woods

Outstanding Performance by a Featured Female Ensemble Member

Alison Bancroft as Shelly Belvidere Changing Minds

Savanah Hughes as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn Easton Area The Music Man

Charlene Jean as Madame Giry Parkland The Phantom of the Opera

Christianna Pepingco as Little Ti Moune Phillipsburg Once On This Island

Danielle Renner as Ann Reilly Southern Lehigh 42nd Street

Jordan Allen as Mae "Mama" Peterson William Allen Bye Bye Birdie

Outstanding Achievement in Lighting

Dieruff HS Aida

Freedom HS Les Miserables (School Edition)

Northern Lehigh HS Little Shop of Horrors

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Saucon Valley HS Anything Goes

Southern Lehigh HS 42nd Street

Outstanding Chorus

Freedom HS Les Miserables (School Edition)

Notre Dame HS The Music Man

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Phillipsburg HS Once On This Island

Southern Lehigh HS 42nd Street

Wilson Area HS Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance

Alanna Dent, Justin Chesney & Rebecca Fish “Easy Street” Bangor Area Annie

Emily Anderson, Lex Donatelli &Hannah Arnold

“Heart Full of Love” Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Vanessa Ruggiero, Zachary Esposito & Braxton White “Friendship” Nazareth Area Anything Goes

Brian Mulligan & Laura Pachnos “Friendship” North Warren Regional Anything Goes

Tyler Fernandez & Madeline Prentice “Till There Was You” Notre Dame The Music Man

Madison Pope, Alexis Washburn & Emily Reiter “Matchmaker” Wilson Area Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Emily Anderson as Cosette Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Hannah Arnold as Eponine Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Mikaela Esposito as Bonnie Nazareth Area Anything Goes

Rebecca Stahl as Carlotta Giudicelli Parkland The Phantom of the Opera

Kimberly Casey as The Artful Dodger Whitehall Oliver!

Sarah Leonhardt as Golde Wilson Area Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Justin Chesney as Rooster Hannigan Bangor Area Annie

Adam Conti as Thernadier Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Braxton White as Moonface Martin Nazareth Area Anything Goes

Brian Mulligan as Moonface Martin North Warren Regional Anything Goes

Dylan Rex as Riff Northwestern Lehigh West Side Story

Michael Guerriere as Marcellus Washburn Notre Dame The Music Man

Adam Groff as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny Parkland The Phantom of the Opera

Outstanding Use of Scenery

Emmaus HS Legally Blonde

Freedom HS Les Miserables (School Edition)

Northern Lehigh HS Little Shop of Horrors

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Saucon Valley HS Anything Goes

Southern Lehigh HS 42nd Street

Whitehall HS Oliver!

Outstanding Choreography

Dieruff HS Aida

Hackettstown HS Annie Get Your Gun

Nazareth Area HS Anything Goes

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Phillipsburg HS Once On This Island

Southern Lehigh HS 42nd Street

Whitehall HS Oliver!

Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance

Rebecca Nixon “Someone to Watch Over Me” Bethlehem Catholic Crazy For You

Nina Attinello “Goodnight, My Someone” Easton Area The Music Man

Daniel Youngelman “Bring Him Home” Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Hannah Arnold “On My Own” Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Madeline Prentice “My White Knight” Notre Dame The Music Man

William Marshall “Music of the Night” Parkland The Phantom of the Opera

Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor

Luke Ciraky as Brad Belvidere Changing Minds

Andrew Stewart as Mereb Dieruff Aida

Greg Adams as Javert Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Connor McInerney as Mr. Cartwright / Mayor Sapsea Moravian Academy The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Liam Young as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh North Warren Regional Anything Goes

Davis Weaver as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh Saucon Valley Anything Goes

Jonah Winkler as Motel Wilson Area Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress

Alessandra Fonseca as Paulette Buonofuonte Emmaus Legally Blonde

Megan Keller as Mrs. Prysock / Princess Puffer Moravian Academy The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Madison Lahr as Gertrude McFuzz Northampton Area Seussical

Nicole Dischinat as Zaneeta Shinn Notre Dame The Music Man

Loretta Doyle as Ti Moune Phillipsburg Once On This Island

Shelby White as Maggie Jones Southern Lehigh 42nd Street

Outstanding Production Number

Bethlehem Catholic HS “I Got Rhythm” Crazy For You

Freedom HS “One Day More” Les Miserables (School Edition)

Nazareth Area HS “Anything Goes” Anything Goes

Parkland HS “Masquerade” The Phantom of the Opera

Saucon Valley HS “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” Anything Goes

Southern Lehigh HS “We're In the Money” 42nd Street

Wilson Area HS “The Dream” Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Stage Crew

In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert

Bangor Area HS Annie

Easton Area HS The Music Man

Emmaus HS Legally Blonde

Freedom HS Les Miserables (School Edition)

Northern Lehigh HS Little Shop of Horrors

Notre Dame HS The Music Man

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Southern Lehigh HS 42nd Street

Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Drey Vargas as Radames Dieruff Aida

Cory Lopes as Harold Hill Easton Area The Music Man

Daniel Youngelman as Jean Valjean Freedom Les Miserables (School Edition)

Drew Donaher as Pseudolus Liberty A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum

Zachary Esposito as Billy Crocker Nazareth Area Anything Goes

Tyler Fernandez as Harold Hill Notre Dame The Music Man

William Marshall as The Phantom of the Opera Parkland The Phantom of the Opera

Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Taisha Walker as Aida Dieruff Aida

Nina Attinello as Marian Paroo Easton Area The Music Man

Logan Beck as Elle Woods Emmaus Legally Blonde

Ally Borgstrom as Annie Oakley Hackettstown Annie Get Your Gun

Vanessa Ruggiero as Reno Sweeny Nazareth Area Anything Goes

Madeline Prentice as Marian Paroo Notre Dame The Music Man

Elizabeth Stirba as Christine Daae Parkland The Phantom of the Opera

Outstanding Overall Production by a Smaller School

Belvidere HS Changing Minds

Hackettstown HS Annie Get Your Gun

Moravian Academy The Mystery of Edwin Drood

North Warren Regional HS Anything Goes

Northern Lehigh HS Little Shop of Horrors

Wilson Area HS Fiddler on the Roof

Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical

Freedom HS Les Miserables (School Edition)

Nazareth Area HS Anything Goes

Notre Dame HS The Music Man

Parkland HS The Phantom of the Opera

Southern Lehigh HS 42nd Street

The FREDDY Awards ceremony will be aired live on WFMZ-TV 69.1 and online at wfmz.com at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.

To view clips from each high school's production, go to the FREDDYS page.

2013 Freddy nominees

2013 Freddy nominations by school

Music Monday: Charlie Brown's Notorious Groove

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:29:18 GMT

On this Music Monday we have a group recently voted the Lehigh Valley's best R & B band.

Charlie Brown's Notorious Groove is here with Charlie Brown as the lead singer.

Music Monday: Conlan Kerschner

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:46:40 GMT

His fans describe him as a little kid with a BIG personality...and a big talent!

We were thrilled to welcome 13-year-old banjo player Conlan Kerschner, from Lancaster County, to our studio for Music Monday!

https://www.facebook.com/ConlanKerschner?fref=ts

Music Monday: Connie Edinger

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:40:33 GMT

Her first performance was at the age of 5 in an elementary school musical, and Connie Edinger has taken over a lot of stages since then! She's become a Lehigh Valley favorite, and she is close to finishing a new album. Connie joins stopped by 69 News at Sunrise, along with Tommy Marchak, to tell us about their music.

www.ConnieEdinger.com

Music Monday: 2+1 Math Rocks!

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:19:17 GMT

Some local teachers are going from the blackboard to band practice.

2+1 Math Rocks! is a teacher math band that was started at Lopatcong Middle School, and its "musical lesson plans" are reaching fans around the world.

Teachesr Gary Hank and Anne Bercaw stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to tell us more in an "educational edition" of Music Monday.

http://www.mathrocks2plus1.com/

Music Monday: Quakertown High School Jazz Band

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:02:13 GMT

We have a special edition of Music Monday for you this morning, as we welcome in some local students.

The Quakertown Jazz Band recently took home the top prize at the 2013 Steelstacks Jazz Band Showcase.

A few members of the group and their director, Frank Parker, stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to treat us to a live performance and to show us what led to their big win!

www.qchsbandonline.org

www.ArtsQuest.org

Music Monday Billy Patrick

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:52:47 GMT

Our Music Monday guest takes country music to another level with upbeat rhythms and a distinct sound.

Singer songwriter Billy Patrick joins us.

https://www.facebook.com/BillyPatrickMusic

Music Monday- Soofy and the Walrus

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:27:33 GMT

Our Music Monday guest mixes indie folk with an alternative style to create songs fans say they can relate to.

Soofy and the Walrus joins us.

http://www.soofyandthewalrus.com/

Music Monday: Robbi Kumalo

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:50:17 GMT

Multiple award-winning vocalist Robbi Kumalo's beautiful voice has graced TV and radio commercials, as well as numerous live venues nationwide. She's performed back-up vocals for superstars like Diana Ross, Jewel, Aretha Rranklin, and more! This morning, we're happy to have Robbi behind the microphone here at 69 news for Music Monday.

www.RobbiKumalo.com

FOR TICKET INFORMATION:

https://allentownsymphony.secure.force.com

Music Monday: Celtic Rebels Band

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:33:25 GMT

American by birth, Irish by heritage, Jimmy Farrell has been playing Irish folk music in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area for more than 30 years. This morning, Jimmy and his group, the Celtic Rebels Band, stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to help us get the St. Patrick's day celebration started a little early.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celtic-Rebels-Band

Music Monday: Allie Santos

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:20:28 GMT

She got her start at just 14 in the Lehigh Valley Idol program, now, people in the Lehigh Valley and beyond are starting to know the name Allie Santos, from Allentown. Allie stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to help us start the week with Music Monday.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Allie-Santos/161638850543251?fref=ts

Music Monday: Hunter Monroe

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:21:26 GMT

She's a two-time American Idol finalist from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and she's making quite a name for herself in the music industry. This morning, Hunter Monroe is waking us up with what her fans describe as her honey and whiskey sound and crisp vocals. We welcomed Hunter, and some of the members of her band, to our studio for Music Monday.

www.HunterMonroe.net

Music Monday: Sandlot Heroes

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:15:35 GMT

Armed with catchy pop/rock songs and talented members, Sandlot Heroes is committed to a new kind of sound.

Monday, two of the group's members - Dan Kastelnik and Chris Morrison- treated us to a live, acoustic performance on Music Monday.

A glimpse behind the scenes of 69 News

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:39:36 GMT

Every day you see us bringing you the news, but have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at 69 News? Here's a behind a scenes tour of WFMZ.

The news day begins early.

“Hi Samantha, it's Fred Cilurso calling from Channel 69 News."

Before 9 a.m., assignment editor Fred Cilurso is already calling on potential stories.

“I wanted to see if you or somebody from your office might be available to talk to us today.”

He's also getting the agenda ready for the morning editorial meeting, where reporters, photographers, and producers all decide which stories you'll see on tonight's news.

“We're looking at a combination of news that we feel people need to know," said WFMZ news director Brad Rinehart. "And we're also looking at news that we think people may want to know about."

Longtime reporter Jaccii Farris has her assignment for the day.

"Basically today we're catching up with the folks at the Pocono Dome," she said. "When we were there last, it had a dirt floor and they had put up the shells. And now it's huge."

As Jaccii and her photographer head up to the Poconos, other crews are heading out as well.

While the noon news is on, night shift reporter Catherine Hawley is getting her marching orders.

"We are doing a story about Bethlehem recently being featured on Zagat's 20 Awesome Winter Foodie destinations," she said.

It's a hectic day.

"It's non-stop," said Hawley.

She will have to get three interviews and weave them together into two full-length stories -- in just two hours.

"Every single day you are working on a deadline," said Hawley. "We'll probably go over to where our live shot is going to be on Main Street in Bethlehem. We'll load up all the video into the laptop and then I will start logging all the sound, which is basically me listening to the interviews and typing out all of the sound bites that I like."

While Hawley is writing, photojournalist Lee Jenkins must set up her live remote. Lee raises a tall mast over surrounding buildings to beam a signal back to the station. He has to aim the dish just right or the station can't see his signal.

With the signal now set, Hawley is ready to record the voiceover for her story.

"3, 2... Vail, Montreal, the Caribbean -- and Bethlehem," she reads aloud.

Jenkins edits together the finished product, feeds the story back to the station, and Catherine Hawley is in your living room.

Of course, a lot of people want to know what goes on inside the station to put a newscast together. Thursday on 69 News at 5, we'll take you into the control room to see how it all comes together.

Music Monday: Lehigh Valley Harmonizers

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:15:18 GMT

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and, this morning, we're getting in the spirit with some singing valentines, courtesy of the Lehigh Valley Harmonizers. Bob Kriebel, Jim Gasper, Sean Feyrer and Steve Adams stopped by to "share the love" and to help us start the week with Music Monday.

www.LVHarmonizers.com

New Monopoly token announced as iron gets the boot

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:52:18 GMT

The wait is over Monopoly fans!

It's official: the iron is out; the cat is in.

Scottie dog has a new nemesis in Monopoly after fans voted in an online contest to add a new cat token to the property trading game, replacing the iron, toy maker Hasbro Inc. announced Wednesday.

The results were announced after the shoe, wheelbarrow and iron were neck and neck in the final hours of voting that sparked passionate efforts by fans to save their favorite tokens and businesses eager to capitalize on publicity surrounding pieces that represent their products.

The vote on Facebook closed just before midnight on Tuesday, marking the first time that fans have had a say on which of the eight tokens to add and which one to toss. The pieces identify the players and have changed quite a lot since Parker Brothers bought the game from its original designer in 1935.

Rhode Island-based Hasbro announced the new piece Wednesday morning.

Other pieces that contested for a spot on Monopoly included a robot, diamond ring, helicopter and guitar.

Fans from more than 120 countries voted.

“We put five new tokens out for our fans to vote on and there were a lot of fans of the many different tokens, but I think there were a lot of cat lovers in the world that reached out and voted for the cat to be the new token for Monopoly,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, vice president for Hasbro gaming marketing.

The online contest to change the tokens was sparked by chatter on Facebook, where Monopoly has more than 10 million fans. The initiative was intended to ensure that a game created nearly eight decades ago remains relevant and engaging to fans today.

“Tokens are always a key part of the Monopoly game … and our fans are very passionate about their tokens, about which token they use while they play,” Berkowitz said.

Monopoly’s iconic tokens originated when the niece of game creator Charles Darrow suggested using charms from her charm bracelet for tokens. The game is based on the streets of Atlantic City, N.J., and has sold more than 275 million units worldwide.

To make the game relevant to fans abroad, the names are changed to well-known streets in when it is introduced to a new country.

The eight tokens are an iron, racecar, Scottie dog, a shoe, thimble, top hat, wheelbarrow and battleship. Most of the pieces were introduced with the first Parker Brothers iteration of the game in 1935, and the Scottie dog and wheelbarrow were added in the early 1950s.

The social-media buzz created by the Save Your Token Campaign attracted numerous companies that pushed to protect specific tokens that reflect their products.

That includes garden tool maker Ames True Temper Inc. of Camp Hill, Penn., that spoke out in favor of the wheelbarrow and created a series of online videos that support the tool and online shoe retailer Zappos which pushed to save the shoe, Berkowitz said.

“We’ve even had some companies like Jolly Time Pop Corn reach out and petition to have a popcorn token added to the game, even though that’s not one of the new five tokens,” he said.

Versions of Monopoly with the new token will come out later this year.

Local actress on Big Bang Theory

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:22:35 GMT

She's already made a name for herself in Hollywood and now a Northampton County native has scored a juicy prime time gig.

Kate Micucci has scored a guest star role on "The Big Bang Theory."

The Hollywood Reporter says the Bushkill Township native will make her debut in two weeks on the Valentine's Day episode of the popular CBS comedy.

Micucci has also on "Raising Hope" and "Scrubs" among other shows.

She's also one-half of the musical comedy team "Garfunkel and Oates."

Music Monday: Down Home

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:54:03 GMT

They're described as a vibrant and energetic Americana band with deep roots in Blues, Country, and Southern Rock.

Monday, we welcomed Jeff Estes and Rob Havill from Down Home to our studio this morning for Music Monday.

www.DownHomeBand.com

Music Monday: Regina Sayles

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:17:48 GMT

She started playing guitar at the age of ten, and, at 16, she was asked to join her first rock cover band.

Since then, singer/songwriter Regina Sayles, who lives in Stroudsburg, has developed quite a following of faithful listeners, and we're excited for you to hear her this morning.

Regina stopped by 69 News at Sunrise for Music Monday.

Al Pacino tapped to play Joe Paterno in new movie

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:38:31 GMT

Al Pacino has been tapped to play former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno on the big screen.

Pacino is set to star in "Happy Valley," which chronicles the coach's career and alleged role in the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

Pacino is teaming up with his "Scarface" director Brian De Palma for the film.

It's based on the best-selling book "Paterno" by Joe Posnanski.