BY GABRIELA L. LARACCA

tneditor@tnonline.com

Any other time of year, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts own the streets of Jim Thorpe but during this season of cold noses and fond memories, while the parks are blanketed with snow and the lake is kissed with ice, this historical little town’s night-life takes the stage.

The Mauch Chunk Opera House, a nearly 140-year-old vaudeville-style theater situated within walking distance from downtown Jim Thorpe, is set to host an assortment of musical fun this upcoming week, beginning Friday with Blues-rocker and guitar virtuoso Gary Hoety with guest Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen, and mellowing out to Dead On Live, the Premium Grateful Dead Experience on Saturday.

The opera house doesn’t stay silent for long, taking only a few days break before bringing in the beloved one-man jam-band Keller Williams on Feb. 6 and legendary Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk performing Feb. 7 and 8.

Hoey is a world-renowned rock guitarist who, with the help of Ozzy Osbourne, has taken the nation by storm since 1992, when he released the cover “Hocus Pocus.”

Since then, he has been labeled one of the top 100 guitarists of all time.

For Grateful Dead fans, Dead on Live is a unique take on the band’s classics and focuses on their recording period of 1973 and 1974.

From “Wake of the Flood,” “Mars Hotel,” and “Live at the Keystone,” this cast of musicians will sure to create a unique jamming experience.

Williams is known as a one-man jam-band due to his frequent use of live phrase looping with multiple instruments. He also explores several genres in his music including rock, reggae, electronica/dance, jazz, funk, as well as others. Considering the diverse range of genres he jams to as well, his ability to make the sounds of a full-set band come out of one artist, Williams has established an adoring fan base over the years.

Tusk is a band that thousands of fans throughout the country deem the best Fleetwood Mac tribute band to ever grace their ears.

Tusk completely captures their attendees, both young and old, with a sound that sounds eerily similar to their inspiration — but with a rockin’ twist. The talent of lead singer Kathy Phillips is mind-blowing, making attendees question if the legendary Stevie Nicks is right there in front of them.

Dan Hugos, general manager and co-owner of JTAMS, the business that runs the theatre, had plenty of positive things to say about the theatre but also of the artists themselves.

“We have bands that come back year after year,” Hugos said. “We wish every band could do that.”

Neither Tusk, which has become a regular at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, nor Williams fail to fill the theater’s seats with fans, both loyal and new.

“There’s something about Tusk, not only are they very good, but people just feel a bond with them and keep coming back to see them, even though we usually book them at least twice a year,” Hugos said. “There is something that’s universally appealing about them and the Opera House as a venue.”

“(Keller) does seem to be an awfully sincere and nice guy. There’s something about him that makes his audience definitely revere (him),” Hugos said. “Generally, we don’t book during the week or Sunday, we don’t want to take the chance, but with him, people will come out regardless if they have work coming up or whatever.”

These shows all begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets for these shows are all available online at mcohjt.com; by phone at 570-325-4009 or 570-325-0249; at SoundCheck Records during business hours or at the opera house box office on the day of the show.