F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts — Attraction in Wilkes-Barre

I've visited the Kirby Center for many events and shows ranging from children's, magic, and concerts of many genres over a decade span. I desperately want to give this theater 5 stars but I'm struggling for 3. Among all the venues visited, I have the hardest time seeing anything here. I'm nearly 6 ft tall so I'd attribute it to row spacing, height, and seat alignment. I just don't know. Always craning to see around the head in front of me means the patron behind is also looking at the back of my head. The sound isn't always fantastic. I left the Dwight Yoakam show early. Not a technical sound person so bear with me. Every time a loud or high part of a song hit, there was loud audio distortion. Timed it to once every minute on a very conservative estimate. I cannot believe the performers could keep playing like that. Dwight even commented on it to the crowd. I hope to pick up a show elsewhere as this was a gift from my wife knowing I'd wanted to see him for years. Another time the sound suffered was the Gene Ween show. He played in the lobby right inside doors. Most of the crowd was consigned to the darkened stairwell in the back and it was tough to not only miss the audio quality but also seeing the performer. I can't carry a pocket knife in. Is this a big deal? Not really I guess but Ehhhhh. It's goofy. Checked it at the last show like it looked 25 other people did too according to the weapons basket. I could tell the woman got sick of checking them. I don't know how concealed firearm patrons feel or fare, but that's a big issue in the area. There's a beverage involved man: I know it's industry standard but paying more for a reasonable number of drinks at a show than one does the ticket always feels dirty. I'd like to enjoy this theater in the future but it will be an uphill battle. I hope your experience differs from mine or the issues I mentioned aren't ones that might deter you...

I have been to a number of shows at the Kirby Center. A couple Bisco and Rat Dog, Dark Star Orchestra, Billy Strings, Umphrey's McGee, and my first time at the venue all the way back in 2002 for a truly effed up night of Moe. That night I attempted to pull off a masters level party stunt called The Candy Barrel Roll, as we all know is a Candy Flip enriched with K, and as bat schitt insane as it is stupid. The Kirby is a bit of an anomaly in the spectrum of venue quality. Some nights, more specifically sell-outs, and it feels like they had no idea there was a show scheduled, and a capacity crowd surprised the bejesus out of em, appearing out of no where by means of some nefarious wizard magick. No joke, the employees look down right terrified, as if they were irreversibly traumatized by the magnitude of the inadequacy of their command and control capabilities which were quickly made universally known by the mysterious horde of faded invaders, and the realization that they are going to have to work way harder then they thought they would have to. On these special occasions the Kirby Center becomes the world's largest live action RPG LineSim. You can challenge your patience, and build your waiting skills in their olympic sized line simulator, which you will participate in whether lines are your thing or not. On a night with a lower capacity crowd, it's merely a Div II (A) LineSim, so for some people hitting it up for Weird Al, or Celtic Fruit-boot Dancing might be a better fit for a night on the Square. Important to note, the presence of Law Enforcement is rather scarce inside the venue, and the security check in process for entry is refreshingly tantamount to worthless, but exiting the venue get's a lil spicier, with contemporary times seeing the possibility of an appearance on Live PD tossing some Ghost Pepper flakes all over your show...

I’m going to preface this review by saying if you enjoy dancing and letting loose during a concert, I would not recommend the Kirby center.

I attended Get the Led Out on December 28th 2023. This is a Led Zeppelin tribute band for anyone who’s not familiar. This is a band I cannot sit in my seat for. I purposely purchased tickets in the orchestra left area because I knew I would want to dance & I figured there would be more room & I would be less likely to block someone’s view.

Long story short, I start dancing in the aisle (which was quite spacious) & the security guy approached me & said I can’t block the aisle. Understandable, even though there wasn’t much activity by our seats. He then waves me down & says “you can dance here in this corner” which was a spot near the stage. Sweet!

Once the song was over he tells me to go back to my seat & that I could only dance for one song. It made no sense! I have never heard of such a thing. Thank god the third seat in our row was empty because I danced there. Even though I was not blocking anyone’s view, the security guy was still eyeing me in my seat! Needless to say, I still had a great time, but I felt let down & I’m aware other people felt the same. This venue should not host shows where there are people who want to dance & have fun. That’s the purpose of a concert for many people. I felt like I was inhibited from expressing myself & like I was in preschool being scolded. I’ve seen other shows here, such as Jerry Seinfeld & Donovan, & this venue works for shows like that. I would not attend a rock...