Jazz legend Ron Carter steps in as special guest with the Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band on Sunday, August 9 at 6:00 PM ET, inside the historic Scranton Cultural Center. Carter’s bass work has anchored some of the genre’s most iconic recordings, and pairing him with a full big band in a room built for acoustic warmth is the kind of festival moment worth building your evening around.
Getting there
The National Weather Service calls for a high near 90°F on Sunday, with mostly sunny skies through the afternoon and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM. Wind stays light, just 0 to 5 mph out of the west, so it won’t be a blustery walk. By the 6:00 PM downbeat, you’re past the highest heat of the day, but if a stray shower is still lingering as you head from your car to the door, a few minutes outside in near-90° heat and humidity is enough to work up a sweat. Budget extra time for parking near the Scranton Cultural Center and for the walk in, especially if you’re arriving right at showtime. Once you’re through the doors, none of this matters — the performance is fully indoors and unaffected by the forecast.
Gear for the show
This is a big band show built around Ron Carter’s bass, so leave the festival gear at home. There’s no need for sunscreen or rain protection once you’re inside — save your bag space for what you’ll actually want at your seat.
Practical tips
Give yourself a cushion before the 6:00 PM ET start to park, walk in from the heat, and find your seat without rushing. Cultural centers and theaters often run their air conditioning cold to offset a full house, so a light layer or jacket is worth tossing in your bag even though the forecast outside says summer heat. It’ll feel like overkill walking in from 90°F, but you may be glad to have it by the second set.
With temperatures easing after sunset and only a slight chance of storms passing through earlier in the day, conditions should be calm for your trip home. The bigger story Sunday evening is inside the hall, where Ron Carter and the Big Band take the stage.