Author Archives: Maddie Conley

Bartender’s Choice: Take a High Dive into high-end cocktails

August 28, 2025 | by Randy Gross

Dustin Isbert.
Photo by Will Masters

High diving may seem like a risky sport to some. Transforming a former dive bar into a high-end cocktail bar could be considered even riskier. But the High Dive Cocktail Bar in Harrisburg is defying the odds, thanks to a cocktail-forward concept that, unlike diving, puts teamwork ahead of the individual.

Bartender Dustin Isbert, a south Jersey/Philly boy who worked at nightclubs near and around Atlantic City for over 15 years before relocating to the capital city, has been valuing High Dive’s teamwork since its grand opening last Dec. 31.

“I feel that a lot of bars don’t have the camaraderie that we have,” he said. “It’s a very close-knit group.”

That group has been integral to the R&D behind the innovative cocktail menu at High Dive, but its membership extends beyond the two full-time and five part-time bartenders.

“We’re very fortunate here to also have a prep team that gives us so much back-of-house support, so that, when we come on bar, it’s all very fluid,” said Isbert.

That prep work includes sous vide preparation for various drink ingredients, including all the chocolate and strawberries used for one of High Dive’s most popular drinks, the Negroni.

“Our team is always working with us and utilizing tools that the owners have given us to bring the best product we can to Harrisburg,” Isbert said.

As evidenced in the trio of drinks mixed by Isbert during our visit, the word “best” is spot-on.

The Spicy Manhattan is a flavorful combination of Cocchi Storico Vermouth, Alma Tapec smoky chili liqueur, choice of bourbon, plus some Bittermens Hellfire bitters (“to boost the spicy notes,” said Isbert).
The 50/50 Margarita (recipe below) is a colorful reimagining of the classic margarita that replaces tequila with an even mix of mezcal and sherry—ideal for a crisp fall evening.
Finally, the Navy Grog is perfect for celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Jaws.” It features Demerara rum, Jamaican rum, grog syrup (Coca-Cola, allspice and sugar), acid-adjusted grapefruit juice, Angostura bitters and saline, all served in a special shark glass freshly anointed with drops of “blood” (aka Peychaud’s bitters).

Sounds to me like they may need a bigger shark glass.

High Dive Cocktail Bar is located at 1400 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.highdive717.com. Photos by Will Masters.

ISBERT’S CHOICES

Words of advice to home mixologists

Have fun, that’s it. Making drinks is a blast; making drinks that you love leaves lasting impressions. Watch YouTube videos, read literature, explore, learn brixing (measuring and balancing sweetness), understand how to fatten cocktails, etc. Never stop learning in anything in life!

Favorite spirit straight

Maker’s Mark 46

Recommendations for two or three spirits to try

Campari, add it with some club soda on a hot day, pair it with Fernet for a Ferrari shot, or in your best Negroni.

Alma Tapec, smoky chili liqueur. I’ve been working it into margarita variations and spicy Manhattans a lot. Complements mezcal well, too.

Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherry, a fortified wine with sweet notes of molasses and dates. Blends well with smoky liqueurs and chocolate.

Most commonly ordered drink(s) at your bar

Negronis. Tried and true, nothing better in my opinion.

Your day job (if bartending isn’t your only occupation)
I work in real estate with RSR, where my biggest focus is helping people grow, whether it’s their first time buying a home, expanding on their real estate investment portfolio, building their business, or expanding their business.

Days you normally work at High Dive
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

DRINK FOR SEPTEMBER

50/50 Margarita
.25 oz agave
.5 oz Bauchant orange liqueur
.75 oz lime juice, squeezed
1oz mezcal of choice
1oz PX sherry of choice

Shake, pour in a rocks glass with 1-to-1 ice. Garnish with a Tajin rim and lime wedge.

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Community Corner: Notable September Events

August 28, 2025 | by Missy Smith

September Community Corner

Scavenger Hunt
Sept. 1-30: Kids are invited to New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, to see how many Pokémon they can find at the library. Find all the scavenger hunt items around the Children’s Room and win a fun prize. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Luminary Awards
Sept. 4: West Shore Chamber of Commerce will honor two local female professionals at the Luminary Awards luncheon, Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. www.wschamber.org

Calm the Mind
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Learn short, easy 15-minute meditations to help calm the mind on Thursdays, 12 to 12:30 p.m., at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. The meditations are suitable for people of any background. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Jazz Walk
Sept. 5: Central PA Friends of Jazz and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation present the Harrisburg Jazz Walk, 6 to 9 p.m., at locations in Midtown Harrisburg, as part of the Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival. Relax at one venue or stroll the neighborhood. www.friendsofjazz.org

Barnyard Jazz
Sept. 5: Bring your lawn chairs and BYOB for a night of live jazz under the stars at the Hershey History Center’s Barnyard, 40 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey. The barnyard opens at 6 p.m. and will host live music by Third Stream. www.hersheyhistory.org

Community Days
Sept. 6: Faith Immanuel Presbyterian Church and Cub Scout Pack #256 host Community Days on Colonial, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 1801 Colonial Rd., Harrisburg. The free family festival will include games, activities, food and children’s books. www.fipc.org

HBG Flea
Sept. 6: Explore the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

Jazz & Wine Fest
Sept. 6-7: Join Dauphin County Parks and Recreation at Fort Hunter Park to enjoy national, regional and local recording artists. Visit Pennsylvania’s top wineries and browse craft and food vendors. Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets. www.forthunter.org

Doll Show
Sept. 7: Central Penn Doll Collectors Club hosts a doll and bear show at Lebanon Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Rd., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors offer antique, vintage, modern and reborn dolls, clothing, furniture, bears and more. www.centralpenndollcollectorsclub.org

Hershey Horticulture
Sept. 8: Hershey Horticulture Society presents a talk on “Rebuilding Biodiversity” at the Brownstone Masonic Lodge, 215 W. Caracas Ave., Hershey, 1 p.m. Hear from Eiyse Jurgen, owner of Waxwing EcoWorks, on being an ecological gardener. www.hersheygarden.org

Restaurant Week
Sept. 8-19: Harrisburg’s premier dining event returns, spanning two weeks, Sept. 8 to 12 and Sept. 15 to 19. Explore and enjoy the many flavors of Pennsylvania’s capital city. www.HarrisburgRestaurantWeek.com

Planting Webinar
Sept. 9: Penn State Extension hosts a webinar on “Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success,” 12 to 1:30 p.m. The webinar is $5 and will review site selection, planting techniques and follow-up care for newly planted trees. www.extension.psu.edu

Mega Mixer
Sept. 11: Join Carlisle Area, Mechanicsburg, Shippensburg and West Shore chambers of commerce and Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp/Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau for the Cumberland County Mega Mixer at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, 500 Marketplace Way, Enola, 5 to 7 p.m. www.wschamber.org

Food Rally
Sept. 11: Explore the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m., to grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants. Enjoy shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Creek Float
Sept. 12: Explore Yellow Breeches Creek with Susquehanna Outfitters on a guided float, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., through the creek’s clear water, riffles and bends, offering a challenging but rewarding experience. www.susquehannaoutfitters.com

Film Friday
Sept. 12: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “Lunana—A Yak in the Classroom” from India at 2 p.m. Guests are encouraged to join for a discussion following the film. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Contra Dance
Sept. 12: Harrisburg Area Contra Dance Association hosts a second Friday contra dance with live music, 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Rd., Mechanicsburg. Free beginner lesson starts at 7:30 p.m. www.harrisburgcontra.org

Plant Sale
Sept. 13: Spruce up your landscape at the Hershey Horticulture Society’s Fall Plant Sale, 7:30 to 11 a.m. Find a variety of plants perfect for the season and get advice from members. www.hersheyhorticulture.com

Wreath Workshop
Sept. 13: Join Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to design and decorate a fall wreath out of natural materials, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Supplies provided, but participants may bring embellishments. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Arts Festival
Sept. 13: The 43rd annual Hummelstown Arts Festival will be held in Hummelstown Square, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with works by more than 150 juried art vendors, children’s activities, a food court and more. www.hummelstownartsfest.com

Stories at Midtown
Sept. 13: Dauphin County Library System staff will host stories, songs and more at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, for families with children of all ages, 10 to 11 a.m. www.dcls.org

Sneaker Ball
Sept. 13: Join the Harrisburg Police Athletic League for its Sneaker Ball 2025, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg. Enjoy a three-course dinner, live DJ, silent auction, guest speakers and “Sneaker Strut”—a showcase of stylish sneaker fashion. www.harrisburgareapal.org

Volunteer Day 
Sept. 13: Get outside in nature at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to help with park and habitat enhancement projects, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided and refreshments available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Wellness Fair
Sept. 14: Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg will host a Health and Wellness Fair at the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, 2986 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy vendors, mini-sessions and speakers, focused on ways to improve health and wellness. www.jewishharrisburg.org

Gallery Walk
Sept. 14: Explore Harrisburg galleries and venues for art, music and refreshments during the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 37th annual Gallery Walk, 12 to 5 p.m. Find the full lineup of 17 participating venues on AAH’s website. www.artassocofhbg.com

Heart Walk
Sept. 18: Join American Heart Association’s Capital Region Heart Walk at FNB Field, City Island, Harrisburg, 5 to 8 p.m. Registration begins at 5 p.m., and the walk starts at 6 p.m. www.heart.org/capitalregionwalk

Wild Weekend
Sept. 18-21: Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Rd., York, presents the Wild & Uncommon Weekend, celebrating local food, crafts and nature in the Lower Susquehanna Riverlands with tours, tastings and educational experiences. The signature York County Pawpaw Festival is on Sept. 20. www.hornfarmcenter.org

Shoe Strut
Sept. 19: Join Salvation Army Harrisburg for its annual Shoe Strut benefit, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr. Enjoy a networking lunch, auctions, contests and more. Each ticket provides one shoe voucher to a local child in need. www.shoestrut.com

History Talk
Sept. 19: Join author Jimmy Rosen for a book signing and conversation, 6 to 8 p.m., at Historic Harrisburg Resource Center, 1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. His books tell the architectural history of the area’s 20th century gas stations. www.historicharrisburg.org

Cocktails & Cannonballs
Sept. 19: Enjoy a night out at Cocktails & Cannonballs 2025 at the National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, with historians, regional cuisine, a silent auction, a cigar bar and wine pull, trivia, raffles, a live cannon firing and more, 6 to 8:30 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

3rd in The Burg
Sept. 19: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Coin Show
Sept. 19-20: Explore the Harrisburg Coin Show at the Scottish Rite Entertainment Complex of Harrisburg, 2701 N. 3rd St., with 70 exhibit tables, a raffle, door prizes, food and free seminars. www.harrisburgcoinclub.com/coin-show

Walking Tour
Sept. 20: Join Historic Harrisburg Association, 1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, for a free walking tour of “Lost Service Stations of Harrisburg” with author Jimmy Rosen, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Discover the stories behind these structures and their impact on the city. www.historicharrisburg.org

Clothing Swap
Sept. 20: Teens can refresh their wardrobes at the East Shore Area Library’s Fall Clothing Swap, 12 to 4 p.m., at 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg. Participants can bring their old clothes to find new homes and search for fresh pieces. Event is for ages 13 to 18. www.dcls.org

Trail Run
Sept. 20: Join the Tröegs + NSCNA Rugged 5K Trail Run, a fundraiser to support the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art’s conservation efforts and trail maintenance. The race starts at 5 p.m. at 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg, followed by live music and refreshments. www.nedsmithcenter.org

Fall Fest
Sept. 20: Messiah Lutheran Church, 901 N. 6th St., Harrisburg, hosts its annual Fall Fest to benefit the church’s capital improvements and the Harrisburg Area Food Pantry. Enjoy gourmet hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music and a silent auction, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. www.messiahhbg.org

Three Creek
Sept. 21: Harrisburg Bicycle Club will host its annual Three Creek Century event starting at Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company, 1750 Pine Rd., Newville. Choose from scenic routes ranging from 20 to 100 miles. www.harrisburgbicycleclub.org

Cleanup Day
Sept. 21: Wildheart Ministries hosts a Love the Hill cleanup event, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers will pick up trash, do basic landscaping, help with dumpsite removal or plant flowers in the neighborhood. www.lovethehillpa.com

Fort Hunter Day
Sept. 21: Celebrate fall with family fun, including arts and crafts, children’s games and activities, historic demonstrations and exhibits, entertainment, food and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. www.forthunter.org

Shop Local
Sept. 21: Shop local at Stay Apparel Co.’s Makers Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr. Discover unique creations from local artists, enjoy treats and pick up fresh-cut flowers. www.stayapparel.com

Cemetery Tours
Sept. 21: Join tours of Harrisburg Cemetery, co-hosted by Historic Harrisburg Association and Camp Curtin Historical Society. Different tours each hour at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. $10 per tour or three for $25. Meet at 521 N. 13th St. www.historicharrisburg.org/events

Dance Night
Sept. 21: Dance enthusiasts are invited to join Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 for a cha-cha lesson at 2 p.m., followed by three hours of social dancing, at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. Admission is $15, $10 for members and $5 for students. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009 Harrisburg Area PA

Digital Detox
Sept. 25: William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library presents a five-week book club at 200 W. 2nd St., Hummelstown. Participants will read “How to Break Up with Your Phone” by Catherine Price, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., to learn practical steps for improving their relationship with technology. www.dcls.org

Celebrate Wildwood
Sept. 27: Help celebrate Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, with a nature-themed afternoon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about butterflies and birds, paint a pumpkin, get creative with crafts, enjoy live music and go for a guided walk. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Free Music Festival
Sept. 27: The Colonial Park United Church of Christ will be holding a free Music Festival from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Festival will feature three live bands (Lower Paxton Variety Band, Blue River Soul, and Janie Womack and Jodie Echterling). Plus there will be a Basket Raffle, Kids’ Zone, Food Truck, and appearances from the local police and fire department. Fun for the whole family! The Festival will be held on the CPUCC grounds at 5000 Devonshire Road, Harrisburg 17109.

Author Event
Sept. 27: Explore Books Books Books 2025 at “The Barn” at Wyndham Resort, 2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, featuring a variety of authors selling and signing books, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online. www.bit.ly/BooksBooksBooks2024

Harvest Dinner
Sept. 27: Susquehanna Folk and Beshore Hill Farm, 2529 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg, are teaming up for their fourth annual Harvest Dinner, with a hyper-local dinner at 5:30 p.m. and live music at 7 p.m. www.susquehannafolk.org

WoofStock
Sept. 28: Central PA Animal Alliance presents the 20th annual WoofStock, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Riverfront Park, Harrisburg. Enjoy vendors, entertainment, a pet costume contest and more during the annual festival celebrating all-things canine. www.centralpaanimalalliance.org

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Happenings: Our September Calendar of Events

August 28, 2025 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Tailgate Travelers—Classic Station Wagons,” through Oct. 17

“Don Allen Chevrolet Dealership Retrospective,” through Oct. 17

“The Corvette Then and Now,” through Oct. 17

“Husqvarna—Get Your Husky On,” through Oct. 25

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“The 7 Lively Artists: 70 Years of Excellence,” a retrospective exhibit celebrating one of Harrisburg’s most important and enduring painting groups, through Sept. 4

“Villains, Misfits & Anti-Heroes,” fall membership exhibition, Sept. 12-Oct. 16

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

“Observations & Intuition—Seeing Beyond the Obvious,” works by Jonathan Frazier, Paul Nagle and Julie Riker, Sept. 5-Oct. 2; reception: Sept. 5, 5:30-7 p.m.

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

“Along the River & Beyond: Landscapes by Jonathan Frazier and Carrie Wissler-Thomas,” Sept. 28-Dec. 14 (select dates); reception: Sept. 28, 12-1:30 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“Elevate—Honoring the Ordinary with Scotte Meier & Becky McDonah,” through Sept. 13

“Wild Elegance,” a retrospective of works by Anne Cherry, through Sept. 13

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the month: Joe DeLutis

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

“Limelight on Local Artists—Brenda Fernsler and Craig S. Bomberger,” through Sept. 30

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Featured artist of the month: Connie Betz, Sept. 3-27

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, hallway gallery, through Oct. 23

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, community room, through Nov. 29

Historical Society of Dauphin County
John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion
219 S Front St., Harrisburg
717- 233-3462; dauphincountyhistory.org

Mansion tours, Tuesdays-Friday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery
847 Cumberland St., Lebanon
LebanonPictureFrame.com

16th Annual “12 & Under Small Works Group Show,” through Sept. 27

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Metanoia,” works by Stephen Althouse, Sept. 5-Oct. 12; artist talk and reception: Sept. 5, 4:30 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Linda Benton McCloskey, Reina 76 Artist, Julie Iaria, Spencer Jackson, Tina Berrier, Jemar Sweets and Kristen Fava, through Sept. 14

New works by Ann Benton Yeager, Kristin Livelsberger, Kathy Mina, Ambria Michelle, Caren Shelley, Caleb Smith and Tami Bitner, Sept. 16-Oct. 12

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

2025 Youth Art Contest winners exhibit, through Sept. 27

The Photography of Melissa Penley Cormier, through Nov. 1

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Art in the Stacks—Alissa Kachel and Beth Moore Sept. 1-30

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Color Meets Canvas—The Way I See the World” By Marilyn LaDieu, through Sept. 20

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

Art of the State, the 58th annual juried exhibition of Pennsylvania’s rich artistic heritage, featuring a diverse range of works, through Sept. 14

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across PA in diverse fields

“Bannered Heroes—Celebrating Pennsylvania’s African American Veterans,” presented by Beta Pi Boulé, the Harrisburg chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé)

“Home Improvements—New to the Collections,” artifacts designed and marketed in the first half of the 1900s as modern conveniences

“Portraits of Identity—HAAPI Through The Lens”

“Horse2Auto: A Transportation Revolution”

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

“Common Ground—Works by Betsy and Gerry Bannan,” oil paintings and representational drawings, through Oct. 5

“Future Fossils,” imagined relics by international artists that depict a future apocalypse, offering a preserved, contemporary snapshot of present-day life, through Nov. 2

“Collage Philadelphia Presents: Tactile Shift,” featuring three collage works by Philadelphia-based artists Jason Chen, Jake Dombroski and Florence Weisz, through Nov. 30

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

“Wendy Red Star—Her Dreams Are True,” Sept. 26-Feb. 7

“Viewing the Indigenous Landscape,” an exhibition exploring different artistic perspectives on the American landscape and Indigenous cultures, through Oct. 12

The Trout Gallery
Dickinson College
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

“Imprint—Selected Gifts from Eric Denker ‘75,” celebrating donations from Dickinson College alumnus and art historian Eric Denker, through Sept. 13

“To Listen Deeply,” through Dec. 13; reception: Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

“Walela—Wings of Nature,” photographer James Wheeler captures a hummingbird mother’s journey from a new nest to egg laying and rearing young to their fledge, Sept. 10-Oct. 11; reception: Sept. 20, 2-5 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; explorewildwoodpark.org

“Art in the Wild,” a community outdoor environmental art exhibit with works composed of mostly natural materials to blend with Wildwood’s natural setting, through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

Sept. 3: Date Night With Glassblowing, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 3, 17: Watercolor Painting Step-by-Step, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Introduction to Figure Drawing, 6-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: Acrylic Painting, 1:30-3 p.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: Figure Drawing Studio, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 23: Create Amazing Pictures with your iPhone, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 16: Pottery For All (ages 15+), Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 16-Oct. 28: Functional Pottery, Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 16-Oct. 7: Next Steps for the Very Beginner in Watercolor, Tuesdays, 3-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Galaxy Watercolor Workshop, 3-5 p.m.
Sept. 16: Garden Gnome Needle Felting Workshop, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Poppy Bouquet Watercolor Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 18-Oct. 9: Beginning Drawing, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 18-Oct. 9: Pottery Wheel Throwing, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 18-Oct. 9: Intermediate/Advanced Pastel Painting, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 18: Sensational Silk Scarves, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 18: Sunflower Basket Weaving Workshop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 28: Watercolor for the Very Beginner, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7: Cartoon Drawing (ages 9-14), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9: FUNdamental Drawing (ages 9-14), 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

Sept. 2: Wheel 101, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Oil Painting, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 6: Put Your Color Pedal to the Metal, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 9-Oct. 14: Fundamentals of Photography, Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 10-Oct. 15: Create Amazing Pictures with your Phone Camera!, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 17: Suicide Loss Survivors, 5:30-7 p.m.
Sept. 17, 24: Pastel Pet Drawing, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 17-Oct. 15: Beginning Hand Building—Dinner for One, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 19: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 20: Abstract Painting Workshop, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 22-Oct. 27: Wheel 102—Dinner for One, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 23: Sensational Silk Scarves, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 27: Creative Collage, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 27: Can you Guess the Word Workshop (ages 9-14), 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Sept. 11: Southern Hospitality, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 25: Fast and Flavorful Pasta, 6-9 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

Sept. 9: Books on Tap at Rubber Soul Brewery, Hummelstown, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Stories at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 13: Reading Rainbow at LGBT Center of Central PA, Harrisburg, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

Sept. 1: The Stitch Sitch, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: Figment Forge, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Around the World in 12 Fairytales, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Sip & Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24: East Shore Cinema—“To Kill a Mockingbird,” 3 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Card Making Group, 5-7 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Homeschool Happening, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Fiber Artists, 3-6 p.m.
Sept. 6: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 13: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 20: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 27: Board Game Meetup, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

Sept. 9: Sound Meditation, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 11: Art Heals—Mosaic Pumpkin Workshop, 5:30-8 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Sept. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 1, 15: Fredricksen Writes, 7-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 2: Curl Up with the Classics, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 2: Computer Basics, 2-3 p.m.
Sept. 3: Embroiderer’s Stitch In, 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 3, 17: Zen Meditation, 2-3 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Baby & Toddler Story Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 4: Ikebana, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Fredricksen Knits, 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 5: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: The Puzzlers, 1-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: Paint With Us, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 8: Mock Interview Sessions, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 9: Resume Writing, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 9: Card Games for the Fun of It, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 23: Read to Dogs, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11: Gardening with Nature Series, 7-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: STEAM Discovery Play – Preschool, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 12: Indie & Foreign Film Fridays, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 15: Genealogy Club, 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 15: Zoology Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 26: Peaceful Poses Yoga for Adults, 9:15-10 a.m.
Sept. 26: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime for Preschoolers, 10-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 26: Solopreneur Roundtable—Taking Control: Project Management Strategies for Solopreneurs, 12-2 p.m.
Sept. 27: Teen Game Day—Life Size Club 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 28: Game Day for All!, 1-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: Pokémon Club, 3-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: iPhone Basics, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Sept. 13: Hammered Leaves, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 14: Tie Dye, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 20: Needle Felted Pendant, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 21: Sunflower Basket, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Beginner Watercolor, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

George & Hettie Love Memorial Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

Sept. 13: Knit One, Crochet Too!, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Silent Book Club, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 23: Engineering Simple Bots, 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 30: Coloring for Adults, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Sept. 13: Workshop—Objects As Metaphors, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 13: Workshop—Where Are We?, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 15: Workshop—That Reminds Me, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Sept. 3-17: Introduction to Plein Air Painting, Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 4-Oct. 23: Water Media, Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 15-Oct. 27: Oil and Acrylics, Mondays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

Sept. 1-30: Spice of the Month: Dill
Sept. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30: Penn State Hershey Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 3: LEGO Club, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Community Crochet Night, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 4: Walking Hershey Gardens at Hershey Public Library, 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Teen Time, 2:30-4:15 p.m.
Sept. 4, 18: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Chess Club, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29: Storytime for Everyone, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25: Storytime for Everyone, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 16: Tween Tuesday, 4-5 p.m.
Sept. 16, 30: Silent Book Group, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 24: Cybersecurity with Members 1st, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Read to a Hockey Player, 4-4:45 p.m.

Historic Harrisburg Resource Center
1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-4646; historicharrisburg.org

Sept. 5: Jazz Walk live music, with Central PA Friends of Jazz, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: Harrisburg Gallery Walk, featuring photographer Jeff Wiles and oil painter Rebecca Keim Shirk, plus historic gas stations by Jimmy Rosen, noon to 5 p.m.

Sept.19: 3rd in the Burg open house, with Wiles, Keim and Rosen exhibits, plus book signing and brief talk by author Jimmy Rosen, 5 to 8 p.m.

Sept. 22: Fourth Monday Program, “Harrisburg History and the Kelker Family,” as revealed in “Immigrant Family: Three Centuries in America” by Norman Kelker, 6 p.m.

Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
4945 Horn Rd., York
717-757-6441; hornfarmcenter.org

Sept. 7: Wild Abundance—Late Summer Foraging Walk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 7: Introduction to Nature Journaling, 1:30-4 p.m.
Sept. 14: The Art of Pressing Flowers, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 19: Pawpaw Preview—Exclusive Tour and Tasting, 5:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 27: Pollinator Planters—Container Gardening for all Conditions, 10-11:30 a.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 4: LEGO Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Sept. 13, 27: Block Party!, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 13, 27: Puzzle Party, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Craft-A-Palooza, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: Tales for TAILS!, 6-7 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways, 2 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
Sept. 13: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

Sept. 17: Sip & Speak, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Coloring for Adults, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: STEAM Club, 6 p.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tiny Tots Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Wee Readers Storytime, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Teen Time, 4-5 p.m.
Sept. 13: Family Board Game Days, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Sept. 6: An Evening with Drew Hart and Peter Enns, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: “The End of the World As We Know It—New Tales of Stephen King’s ‘The Stand,’” a conversation with Brian Keene, Somer Canon, Chuck Wendig and Richard Chizmar, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Storytime at the Scholar, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 20: An Evening with Jill Lepore and Malcolm Kenyatta, 7-8 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Sept. 6: Paint & Be a Dreamcatcher, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 20: Painting Large Acrylic Abstracts, 9-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 26: Abstract Expressionism in Oil and Cold Wax, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Sept. 22: Equinox Night Walk, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Fungi Foray, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Sept. 1-5: Back to School LEGO Contest (ages 5 and older)
Sept. 1-30: Fall Into Reading Challenge (ages 0-18)
Sept. 1-30: Pokémon Scavenger Hunt (ages 0-12)
Sept. 3: Piece Seekers, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20: Take and Makes (ages 0-12)
Sept. 6, 20: Library Book & Media Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 9: Shelf Love, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 9: Organizing Your Genealogy Research, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: Storytime STEAM (ages 3-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Sept. 11: Toddler Time (ages 2-3), 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 11: Pumpkin Painting (ages 3 and older), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 12: Tumble Tots (ages 0-3), 10:30-12 p.m.
Sept. 13: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
Sept. 15: Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 15-Oct. 20: Retro Storytime Series (ages 3-5), Mondays, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Sept. 17: Family Fort Fest (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 17: Outdoor Sports-Themed Minute to Win It (ages 6-12), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 18: Movers and Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 18: Teen Tarot Club (ages 12-16), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 19: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 21: Cultural Series—“Our Beginnings” with Charles Stone, 3-4 p.m.
Sept. 23: Junior Scientists (ages 5 and older), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 25: STEM Sort & Match with Fall Sensory Bins (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 25: STEAM Scene (ages 6-12), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 26-Oct. 24: 1,2,3 Play With Me (ages 0-3), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 27: Crafty Crafters Club, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

Sept. 1: Genealogy Group, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Strength & Stretching 50+, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 8: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 18: Debut Author Book Club @ Book Bar, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: BYO Craft Nights Adults 18+, 4:30-6:45 p.m.
Sept. 22, 25, 29: Little Explorers Early Learning Classes, 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 25: Little Explorers Early Learning Class, 1:30-2 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Sept. 2: Paint Your Pet, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 16: Mosaic Maple Leaf, 6-8 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

Sept. 3-27: Legends of the Night Sky, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 3-28: Two Small Pieces of Glass
Sept. 3-28: We Are Aliens
Sept. 5, 20: Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28: Violent Universe, 12-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: Homeschool Program—Celebrating Art and Food, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 19: Virtual Program—Discover Dairy Beyond the Fridge, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Sept. 24: Fall Leaves, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 26: Curiosity Kids—Apples, 11:30 a.m.

Susquehanna Outfitters
333 S. Front St., Wormleysburg
717-503-0066; susquehannaoutfitters.com

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Wednesday Night Workout Paddles, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 7: Full Moon float on Susquehanna, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: Yellow Breeches Creek Float, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 26: Brewery Float, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

Sept. 9: Mosaic Maple Leaf, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Fall Botanical Plates, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: Pinch Pot Pumpkins, 2-3 p.m.
Sept. 19: Ceramic Ghosties Workshop, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 26: Date Night Mugging, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 27: Glazing of the Botanical Plates, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; explorewildwoodpark.org

Sept. 9: Monarch Tagging, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 13: Fall Wreath Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’ Brake the Rake—Surprising Ways to Winterize the Garden, 9:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 18: Kids Discover—Herons & Egrets (ages 5-10), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

Sept. 13: Crafternoon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 22: Teen Silent Book Club, 3-4 p.m.
Sept. 25: Digital Detox Book Club, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Sept. 5: Gabby Barrett, Payton Smith
Sept. 6: Get the Led Out
Sept. 7: The Malpass Brothers, Wilson Fairchild
Sept. 11: The Nelsons
Sept. 14: Celtic Thunder
Sept. 15: ZZ Top
Sept. 18: Clint Black
Sept. 19: The Texas Tenors
Sept. 21: The Australian Pink Floyd Show

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Open Mic Night
Sept. 19: Zac Brown Tribute, The Jacks
Sept. 26: Bella’s Bartok
Sept. 27: 90s Rockfest with tributes to Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against The Machine, Smashing Pumpkins

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

Sept. 20: Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara
Sept. 25: The Wallflowers, Brother Elsey
Sept. 27: Black Violin

Arts on the Square
20 S. Second St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

Sept. 28: Alcee Chriss III

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Sept. 3, 17: Christine Purcell
Sept. 4, 25: Andrea Britton
Sept. 5, 19, 26: Ted Ansel
Sept. 6, 10, 24: Roy Lefever
Sept. 11, 12, 18, 20: Chris Emkey
Sept. 13, 27: Anthony Haubert

Englewood Hershey
1219 West End Ave., Hummelstown
717-256-9480; www.englewoodhershey.com

Sept. 6: Josh Krevsky
Sept. 20: Curtis Smith
Sept. 27: Dan Kibler & Amy Simpson

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Sept. 12: The Villones

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

Sept. 13: First Listen, free performance by talented youth—Daniel Qi
Sept. 13: Michelle Cann, Tommy Mesa

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Sept. 6: Skydxddy, Demi the Daredevil
Sept. 12: Instinctual Self-Slaughter
Sept. 14: Dragonforce
Sept. 13: The Nu-Metal Values Tribute Festival
Sept. 14: Kickin Valentina, Bad Marriage

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

Sept. 27-28: Symphonie Fantastique

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; www.hollywoodpnrc.com

Sept. 5: Luv Gods
Sept. 6: The Edward Twins
Sept. 12: Emily’s ToyBox
Sept. 13: Stonewood
Sept. 19: The Uptown Band
Sept. 20: South Penn Dixie
Sept. 26: Amish Outlaws
Sept. 27: The Unusual Guests

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

Sept. 10: George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Sept. 24: Engelbert Humperdinck

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

Sept. 24: Balourdet Quartet

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Sept. 7: The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own
Sept. 18: Paragon Ragtime Orchestra

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Sept. 19: Messiah University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Sept. 6: Real Diamond

Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

Sept. 12: The Kathleen Parks Band
Sept. 21: Open Mic Night

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

Sept. 5: Nicks in Time Tribute to Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac
Sept. 6: Several Species—The Pink Floyd Experience
Sept. 10: Burning Witches
Sept. 12: Allen Stone
Sept. 13: Steel Panther
Sept. 20: Nirvani—A Nirvana Tribute
Sept. 27: Finger Eleven & Alien Ant Farm

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; www.westshoretheatre.org

Sept. 18, 19: Sweet Baby James
Sept. 26: The Unforgettable Big Band
Sept. 27: The Flying Circus Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Sept. 28: Erica Lyn Everest

The Stage Door

The Belmont Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

Sept. 12-21: “Titanic The Musical”

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Sept. 3-7: “Songs For a New World”

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Sept. 3-20: “Buddy—The Buddy Holly Story”
Sept. 26-Nov. 1: “A Chorus Line”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Sept. 17-Oct. 4: “Little Red Riding Hood” (Popcorn Hat Players)
Sept. 19-21: “Three Queens”
Sept. 26: TMI Improv

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

Sept. 5, 6: Tom Daddario
Sept. 12, 13: Erik Terrell
Sept. 19, 20: Steven Rogers
Sept. 26, 27: Psychic Comedian Peter Antoniou

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Poetry Night at H*MAC

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center (HCPAC)
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; thehcpac.org

Sept. 19-20: “Bingo Spells Murder”

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Sept. 5: Free Improv Mixer, Goose Parade, Bondfire Society, Barn Bitches
Sept. 6: Free Improv Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Lil’ Stinkers, Ham Juice
Sept. 12: Team Z, Girl’s Trip, Left Unsupervised, Tater Tot Dish, Spice Crones, Neighborhood Gossip
Sept. 13: Free Improv Mixer
Sept. 19: Free Improv Mixer, Goose Parade
Sept. 26: Free Improv Mixer
Sept. 27: And Another Thing—A Sketch Show

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

Sept. 11-14: “13”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

Sept. 4-8: “Broadway Bound”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Sept. 14: “Pirate School—Sea Dreams”

Open Stage
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

Sept. 6-21: “Come Together—A Celebration of The Beatles”
Sept. 11: EFF Live!
Sept. 28: Court Street Cabaret

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill
717-737-6768; www.oystermill.com

Sept. 5-21: “Misery”

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

Sept. 12-21: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; www.westshoretheatre.org

Sept. 14: “Messing with Lehr: A Night of Improv” w/Susan Messing & John Lehr

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Creative & Crafty: Nearby art classes let youth express themselves, practice skills

August 28, 2025 | by Gina Napoli

Illustration by Aron Rook

It wasn’t until last summer when I finally created a fridge-worthy painting.

As a child, I’d taken art classes, my creations later shoved into the back of my shame-drawer. Most of my art teachers (God bless them!) tried to teach me, but they soon identified with the nuns’ comments on my report cards: “Impervious to instruction.”

I’d thought (incorrectly) that art is an “anything goes” experimentation sesh. What I realized as an adult is that art classes teach more than mixing colors and buying the right kind of sketchpad. Kids must learn rules and correct techniques before strategically flaunting them.

Most art styles are forgiving, allowing experimentation … but not pottery class. Bob Cappelluti, a self-taught pottery teacher and owner/president of Riverbottom Pottery in Swatara Township, stressed the need for kids to follow directions.

“If they don’t follow the steps, the piece doesn’t make it,” he said.

Although the atmosphere is fun, Cappelluti expects kids (ages 7 and older) to learn, to apply critical thinking in 3-D, and to communicate with instructors, all six of whom used to teach elementary school.

In pottery class, “there’s a sense of satisfaction that they’ve successfully materialized something,” Cappelluti said. “Whatever piece they make, they take through the whole process.”

Sarah Kachurik said pottery classes expanded her fifth-grade daughter Tori’s creativity “beyond the typical box of crayons.” Mom said, “She stepped away from electronics and worked with her hands to create something she saw in her imagination.”

There’s also a takeaway lesson when things don’t work as intended. Tori either had to fix it, or accept that the piece wasn’t working and start over. Either way, Mom reports, Tori had fun.

Try Something New

Other types of art instructors can afford to encourage experimentation because their media are more forgiving. Art Association of Harrisburg’s Youth Drawing & Painting instructor Allison Juliana believes that, while basic guidance and structure are important, kids are there to learn something new and to use art as a means of expression.

Beyond trying new materials, like tempura paint or mixing colors, she encourages kids to “take risks, to think about materials in a new way. I show them different styles and approaches so they can learn about the many different ways to create art, maybe try something they haven’t tried before.”

Fellow Art Association of Harrisburg instructor Carrie Feidt also uses diverse art media to allow children to discover what works for them. (Feidt also teaches independently through Carrie Feidt’s Freelance Art, focusing on kids ages 5 to 14.) Feidt encourages kids “to look at the world around them in a more artistic way. They may begin to wonder how they would go about painting a scene that they see.”

Resiliency and troubleshooting are other important lessons.

“I have seen young kids learn how to be creative and fix something that they originally thought was an accident,” Feidt said.

Although she is clear in warning her students what will happen when they make certain decisions, their true understanding must stem from working with the materials hands-on.

“Kids always get excited when they can turn something they didn’t like into something they are proud of,” she said.

Making, Collaborating

I’d like to think I learned something from each teacher who tried to “correct” my art. But more important are art instructors who develop insights into their students, and those who nurture relationships—especially for kids who don’t fit into more interactive reference groups.

Tina Antonicelli, secretary of the Art Center School and Galleries board of directors and volunteer director, loves to see artsy kids come together, bouncing ideas off each other.

“Kids who don’t have athletics or music may lose their way,” Antonicelli said. “Art classes give those kids a chance to build self-confidence and experiment with different techniques.”

Katie Seward, an eighth grader who has attended several pottery and drawing classes at the Art Center, considers art itself to be a lifelong part of her friend group and a form of self-expression that allows her to be in the moment.

Her mother, Huyen Nguyen, has seen her daughter develop patience, work ethic and the ability to take her time.

“I’m starting to see her combine her two interests together: pots, plates and bowls with patterns or drawings,” Nguyen said. “One year, Katie had [drawings of] dragons and snakes swimming all over her artworks. She’s even won awards for her art pieces.”

That same spirit of collaboration and experimentation helps kids grow in other life areas, with instructors who nudge them out of their comfort zones. Although there is no typical child who enrolls in art classes, many local art classes tend to attract kids enrolled in virtual cyber schools looking for in-person interaction.

“Art classes bring kids together,” Juliana said. “They’re meeting like-minded peers, forming new relationships.”

“The first day of camp is quiet,” Cappelluti added. “But they’re old friends by the end.”

As critically formative as art classes are, they can be expensive. My daughter is currently an art major in college, and you can practically hear my two leftover nickels clinking together. In the spirit of inclusion and opportunity, inquire about scholarships, sponsorships, benefactor offerings and ride sharing for your kids. If you’re on the other side of the tin cup, thank you for supporting the arts.

For more information on The Art Center School and Galleries of Mechanicsburg, visitwww.theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com/kids-classes.

Find out more about the Art Association of Harrisburg at www.artassocofhbg.com.

Learn more about Riverbottom Pottery at www.riverbottompottery.com.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Adventure Together: It’s out with the old and in with the new as summer turns to fall and this month’s activities explore recycling and erosion

August 28, 2025 | by Natalie diSanto

We’ve done a lot of breaking down this month.

Our craft centered on deconstructing recyclables to make ecofriendly designs. Our hike took us to a spring in the mountains where water flowed out of rocks eroded over the years. Our social action focused on removing old clothes from the closet, making space for new. The summer follows suit, with trees dropping their first leaves.

To start off the month, we explored Dauphin Middle Paxton Community Park. Surrounded by views of the Appalachians, the park is a hotspot for community activity, with six baseball fields, two playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, and (my favorite) a walking trail that allows parents to keep an eye on the kids from a distance while enjoying some peace and quiet.

Spring in Your Step

Post-park, we took a short drive to Clark’s Valley Road. The road is crowded with trees, and we played peekaboo with the creek while meandering along the winding asphalt. Our hike began at an Appalachian Trail access point just before Rush Mile Marker 10. There are two options for this hike. The southbound trail starts at the parking lot with a level gravel trail. On this hike, there’s creek access with a sandy beach and toppled trees that make great hiding areas for fish, if you’re inclined to bring a hook.

The northbound trail begins across the road. Cars speed down this corridor, so hold on to your littles and look both ways and listen before crossing the street. This trail climbs Peter’s Mountain, with a steady incline and rough terrain. About a half mile in, there’s a wooden sign with a blue blaze that reads, “Spring.”

If you follow the “Spring Trail,” you’ll find a campsite for thru hikers. The site was empty during our trip, and it was fun to imagine what it would be like to carry everything we need in backpacks. We brainstormed the items we would bring, but one thing we didn’t want to carry in our pretend packs was huge and heavy containers of water.

About 20 yards from the campsite is the spring that the trail is named for. There are signs advising folks not to drink the water, which was disappointing, but makes sense. As water travels through the mountain, it does its own version of breaking down, picking up minerals and impurities that may make it unsafe for human consumption. So, we relied on the reusable bottles that we had filled at home.

After the hike, we popped by 3B Ice Cream in Dauphin, which is directly across from Clarks Valley Road and works as a great incentive and rewarding treat after a long day out in nature.

Creative Re-use

Back home, we started our craft, breaking down old boxes to repurpose the cardboard into a new medium for crafting. We ripped the cardboard into 2-inch pieces then put them in a blender with water. We turned on the blender and immediately burned out the motor. Whoops!

By the time we replaced the blender, the cardboard had soaked long enough to turn to mush. We blended the mush until it became a slurry. Then we stretched out a piece of window screen on the grass, held it down with sticks, and dumped the cardboard slurry onto it. The excess water from the slurry dripped into the grass, and my kid had fun shaping the muck into a heart.

After a day, the cardboard heart had dried and solidified in its new shape, feeling similar to papier mâché. It was a really cool experience to transform something that usually gets thrown in the recycling bin into a craft that we are proud of.

Rolling with the transformations, we sorted through our clothes next, packing up items that no longer served us but could be repurposed then dropped off as a donation to Community Aid. There are so many places to donate gently used clothes, such as Salvation Army, Goodwill and Once Upon a Child, which help to reduce our carbon footprint and save money. Pro tip: Halloween is on the horizon, and thrift stores often sell costumes at a fraction of the cost of newly bought!

We learned a lot this month, focusing on ways that breaking or changing can make space for creativity and transformation. Like the stream in the mountain, carving its way to a spring or cardboard being blended to a new shape, it is important to be willing and ready to embrace change.

Dauphin Middle Paxton Community Park is located at 700 Claster Blvd., Dauphin.

3B Ice Cream’s Dauphin shop is located at 1430 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin.

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Fab Fall: Open Stage channels the spirit of the Beatles

August 28, 2025 | by Stuart Landon

Photo courtesy of Open Stage

The first chord of “A Hard Day’s Night” kicks off “Come Together: A Celebration of The Beatles,” and, with it, Open Stage’s 40th anniversary season.

Running Sept. 6 to 27 on the Capital Blue Cross Main Stage, the concert-style tribute brings the Fab Four’s legendary catalog to life with powerhouse vocals, a killer live band and no impersonations in sight.

This show also marks the return of Open Stage’s popular fall tribute series, which has celebrated artists like Judy Garland, Carole King, Dolly Parton, David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac. This time, it’s all Beatles—from the infectious pop of the early years to the layered brilliance of “Abbey Road” and beyond.

Directed by TJ Creedon and produced by Wayne Landon, the concert features music direction by Anthony Pieruccini and Brad Barkdoll. The band includes Pieruccini and Barkdoll on guitar, Dani Fiore on drums, Jeremy Blouch on bass and Adrienne Connaghan on piano and vocals.

“We didn’t want to impersonate the Beatles,” said Pieruccini. “The power of these songs is that they’re timeless. So, we focused on telling the story through the ensemble’s own voices and musicality.”

That ensemble includes Creedon, Connaghan, Jess Logan, Maggie Haynes, Aubrey Kyler, Drew Patti and Zachariah Roush. Each brings a fresh take to familiar songs while tapping into the emotional core of the music.

“It’s just such fun music to sing,” said Haynes, who previously appeared in Open Stage’s “Space Oddity: A Celebration of David Bowie.” “Everyone in the cast is a fan, and you can feel the joy from the first chord.”

The production team also includes Bethany Frymark (stage manager), Rachel Landon (costumes), Tristan Stasiulis (lighting), Kevin Cole (audio) and Kalina Barret (technical direction).

The setlist spans more than 40 songs across the Beatles’ catalog—from “Twist and Shout” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “Blackbird,” “Come Together,” and the sweeping “Abbey Road” medley. Expect deep cuts and surprises too, like “Helter Skelter,” “Because” and the newly released “Now and Then.”

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering their music (in which case, welcome and where have you been?), “Come Together” is a joyful, harmony-filled celebration of the band that changed music forever. And with a full bar and fun Beatles-themed cocktails, it’s a perfect night out.

“Come Together: A Celebration of The Beatles” runs from Sept. 6 to 27 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For tickets and more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com. Stuart Landon serves as producing artistic director at Open Stage.

UPCOMING EVENTS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

Popcorn Hat Players
“Little Red Riding Hood”
Sept.17 to Oct. 4

Stage Door Series
“Three Queens”
The U.S. Premier
Sept. 19 to 21

TMI Improv
Comedy Show
Sept. 26

At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

“Come Together: A Celebration of the Beatles”
A concert tribute to the Fab Four
Sept. 6 to 27

Open Stage 40th Anniversary Party
Celebrate four decades of storytelling, community and creativity with music, memories and more
Sunday, Sept. 7

EFF Live!
A night of shameless, comedic and erotic fan fiction readings
Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

BaRPG
Tabletop roleplaying meets drinking games in this raucous, improvised night of adventure
Wednesday, Sept.17 at 7:30 p.m.

Court Street Cabaret
An open-mic style cabaret of songs from Broadway and beyond
Sunday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Like Son, Like Father: Local writer melds late father’s unfinished novella into latest book

August 28, 2025 | by Dan Miller

Joel Burcat’s dad was a modern-day Renaissance man.

A World War II Navy corpsman who became a dentist in Lansdowne just outside Philadelphia, David S. Burcat also earned a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania.

Intellectually curious, David Burcat could read a full-length novel in two days but was equally at home turning a wrench under the hood of a car.

He was a jogger before jogging was cool, played tennis and golf, loved classical music and playing saxophone, and adored the Philadelphia Phillies.

So, it was no great surprise when Joel discovered that his late father, in 1950, had written an unfinished and unpublished novella, buried in a stack of old papers unceremoniously bequeathed to Joel by his mother.

But what to do with it?

The answer lies within the 292 pages of “Whiz Kid,” the newest book by Harrisburg’s own Joel Burcat—and co-authored by his late father.

“Whiz Kid” is a story of life in Philadelphia in 1950, the magic year that the Phillies—dubbed the Whiz Kids for their youth—won the team’s first National League pennant since 1915.

The tale of that time is told through the book’s main character, Ben Green.

Returning from Okinawa as an unassuming war hero, Green, upon graduating from Penn, is torn between his dream of writing and publishing his first novel, versus opting for the security of a well-paying advertising job offered by his best friend—whose life Green saved in the war—as Green’s wife is about to give birth to the couple’s first child.

Further complicating matters is Green’s struggle to maintain a friendship with a beautiful woman—Green’s classmate at Penn—despite her making it increasingly clear to Ben that she desires much more.

Like David Burcat, Ben Green served in the war, went to Penn, ran an elevator to earn extra money while in college, and played saxophone in Camden. However, Joel said he did not model Ben Green after his father.

Nevertheless, the novel Green is writing in “Whiz Kid” is word for word the same 16-page work that the elder Burcat penned in real life back in 1950, the one Joel discovered in that stack of papers.

David Burcat titled his unpublished novella “Match Point.” It tells the story of Danny Grebs—“a gritty Jewish kid from South Philly who, against all odds, rises through the elite world of tennis to win Wimbledon,” in Joel’s words.

For Joel, Grebs bore a striking resemblance to his father.

“Match Point” also intrigued Joel in that he saw a side of his father he had never seen before.

“I was really fascinated by it,” Joel said of “Match Point.” “It was very gritty, it was dark. It wasn’t sunny like my father generally was.”

Got Serious

His father’s writing was good, Joel said. It reminded him of the counterculture beat poets of the 1950s—touches of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, with some J.D. Salinger mixed in.

Joel discovered his father’s novella in 2001. At the time, he was still an environmental attorney in Harrisburg. He retired from practicing law in 2018 after being diagnosed with a rare disease impacting his vision.

Joel began seriously writing fiction in 2008 and has four published novels, all legal thrillers featuring the character of Mike Jacobs, a young environmental lawyer who works for the state government in Pennsylvania.

While “Whiz Kid” is Joel’s latest published work, he’s been at this one longer than the others.

“The whole time, it was in the back of my mind—what can I do with my dad’s novel?” he said. “It took me about a year to write, from 2009 to 2010, and then I just sat it down.”

He re-wrote it a few times, had the work edited, re-wrote it again and “finally got serious about getting it published about two years ago.”

For Joel, one non-negotiable condition was that his father’s novella appear word for word, exactly as he wrote it, in “Whiz Kid.” The book editors honored that condition.

“Match Point” has its own distinct font and typeface, so that, when it appears within the pages of “Whiz Kid,” the reader knows that the words are those of Ben Green’s unfinished novel—the one actually written by David Burcat.

“Whiz Kid” is a departure from the legal thriller genre Joel has become known for.

Instead of a deep dive into toxins and chemicals and their effect on the human body, Joel immersed himself in the state library, poring over life in Philadelphia in 1950, down to what the weather was in the city each day of the year to ensure accuracy.

“I didn’t want my characters lounging around a swimming pool if there was a snowstorm that day,” he said.

He devoured three non-fiction books on the Battle of Okinawa. The research shines through in his detailed account of the battle, which constitutes an entire chapter in “Whiz Kid.”

“I really wanted to know what it was like for the guys on the ground, not just for historians telling us from 20,000 feet what was going on,” he said.

Joel returns to legal thriller form with “Temperature Rising,” also published by Sunbury Press and expected out this fall. He’s also nearly finished writing another eco-thriller, “Come Hell or High Water.”

If “Whiz Kid” does well enough—and the book is enjoying rave reviews from Kirkus and others—Joel Burcat already has a sequel in mind.

Hint: the backstory will be another memorable year in Phillies history.

For more on Joel Burcat’s books, including “Whiz Kid,” visit Sunbury Press at www.sunburypress.com.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Musical Notes: September Sparks

August 28, 2025 | by Skye Cadzow

I *know* our calendar system deems January the start of a new year, but September always makes me feel excited and renewed for the season ahead. Maybe ingrained school year beginnings are to blame or my penchant for autumn and winter, but something about September has always sparked a particular joie de vivre in my soul.

This one kicks off with a real bang, as the New Cumberland Music + Film Festival, which I’ve helped plan over the last three years, is going to be a stellar time. Catch a variety of performances, including indie duo Griefcat at the West Shore Theatre on Sept. 7, with an opening set by the amazing country psych act, Nielsen Family Band. Or dance your tail off at “Indie Night” on Sept. 6 with Baltimore synthwave act, Swoll, with support from local shoegaze outfit Hometime warming up the night. Get all the details at www.musicandfilmfestival.com.

GOOD FOR THE SOUL

9/12, Allen Stone, XL Live

No less than four of my friends from out of the area have texted me with recommendations to catch this gig at XL Live, despite my being totally unfamiliar with Stone. I’m not one to ignore my friends’ musical endorsements, so after listening to his more popular songs like “Brown Eyed Lover,” “Consider Me” and “Sunny Days,” count me in. His 2024 album, “Mystery,” is quite different from the tracks I named above, but no less enjoyable, and I really dug “Sweet Little Rainbows,” “Can’t Explain This Love” and the newest single, “Closer.” The guy’s got a quirky, slightly retro style, but still feels fresh.

ROCK ON

9/17, Lucero + Jessica Lea Mayfield, Phantom Power

Country-twinged rock artist Jessica Lea Mayfield is such an underrated gift in contemporary music, and I’m excited to see she’s joined the bill for this gig in Millersville. If you go, you won’t be disappointed with her beautiful guitar skills, or the breezy way she conveys raw, emotional depth in songs that could be mistaken for upbeat folk rock/pop releases. She is a frequent collaborator of Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers, who even appears on Mayfield’s EP, “Choose Myself,” which came out in April and is a refreshing release after a spell without new music from Mayfield.

OTHERWORDLY TALENTS

9/19, Hozier w/Gigi Perez, Hersheypark Stadium

There is a shift in cosmic layers of sound when Hozier opens his mouth to sing, and boy, are we lucky to be alive in the same timeline. Obviously, the Irish musician is no newcomer to the scene, but I was lucky to see him last September during the “All Things Go” festival and *still* felt caught off guard, gob smacked by his show. The concert was this rich, ethereal experience that had intimate acapella moments, summoning Celtic spirits of lore into the amphitheater, as well as transcendent renditions of “Francesca” and “Eat Your Young,” and the inevitably rich and warm audience singalongs to tracks like “Nobody’s Soldier” and “Take Me to Church.” Take this from someone who was at the festival for other artists—I already want to see him again. Also, I cannot stress enough how magnetic opener Gigi Perez is. Her debut album, which came out this spring, is just gorgeous. Anyone who arrives early enough to hear her perform will be drawn by her unique, almost siren-like voice. If there are still tickets remaining by the time you pick up this magazine, I strongly suggest making time for this show.

If your friends or favorite local band have a show coming up, or you’ve caught word of a cool gig that should be on our radar, drop me a line at [email protected].

HONORABLE MENTIONS

9/6, Swoll and Hometime, Source the Space

9/7, Griefcat and Nielsen Family Band, West Shore Theatre

9/7, Falling in Reverse, Hersheypark Stadium

9/14, Dragonforce Warp Speed Warriors, H*MAC

9/19, The Jeremy Edge Project, Strawberry Square Music Series

9/20 Slayer, Hersheypark Stadium

9/21, Catbite, Phantom Power

9/27, Twenty One Pilots, Hersheypark Stadium

9/27, Barkley Cove, Beshore Hill Farm

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Kipona Festival to return to Harrisburg for Labor Day weekend

August 25, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) Allison Rohrbaugh of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Mischelle Moyer, Harrisburg’s director of communications, and Abby Flanders of UPMC announced Harrisburg’s 2025 Kipona Festival at a press conference on Monday.

As summer comes to a close, the city will celebrate the same way it has for decades.

The 109th Kipona Festival will return to Harrisburg for Labor Day weekend, bringing food, family activities, music and cultural experiences.

“Kipona is our end-of-summer tradition and a huge point of pride for the city,” said Mischelle Moyer, the city’s director of communications. “We invite families from every neighborhood—and visitors from across the region—to celebrate along our riverfront with food, music, culture and activities for all ages.”

The festival, which runs from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, will take place along N. Front Street and Riverfront Park, with activities on City Island as well.

As always, the festival will offer selections from 25 food trucks and a beer and wine garden. Additionally, 15 local bands and musicians will perform on a stage near State Street. Another stage at Market Street will feature multicultural dance groups and bands. Riverfront Park will also host over 70 artisans who will sell their handcrafted items throughout the weekend.

On Sunday, fireworks and a drone show will light up the sky for viewers at 8:10 p.m.

For families, Kipona will offer a giant puppet parade costume contest on Saturday, face painting and balloon animals, carnival games, a giant fun slide and a bubble festival on Monday. The Keystone Dock Dogs will also return to the festival this year, giving pet owners and their pups a chance to get in on the fun.

Unique to Kipona is the Native American Festival, which takes place on City Island on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can try native foods and experience native crafts, music, dance and more.

“Kipona is a hallmark of Central Pennsylvania’s festival season,” said Allison Rohrbaugh, director of communications for Visit Hershey & Harrisburg. “It highlights not only Harrisburg’s vibrant arts, culture and history, but also the unique experiences that make our region such a welcoming destination for visitors from near and far.”

Metered street parking is free on Sunday and Monday, for the holiday. Additionally, the River Street Garage will offer $5 parking between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (must enter and exit within this time frame) on Saturday. Market Square Garage parking will be discounted to $10 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (must enter and exit within this time frame), courtesy of Park Harrisburg.

Parking is $5 on City Island

N. Front Street, from Forster to Walnut streets, will close to traffic from 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 to 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 22, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Jazz Walk will return to Midtown Harrisburg next month (file photo).

This week brought lots of super local news that you won’t find anywhere else. We think we are special in that way, and hope you do too. Catch all of our coverage, below.

The Broad Street Market is in search of new board members to fill three vacant seats, our online story reported. The volunteer board members help make decisions related to the market and support operations.

Friends of TheBurg Bash will return to the King Mansion on Sept. 4 to celebrate all who support TheBurg. Please become our friend, if you haven’t already, and join us to party!

Gruver Farms Winery & Tasting Room opened in New Cumberland this past spring, our magazine story reported. The venue offers a beautiful view and a special focus on dry styles of wine.

Harrisburg officials said that they would send more police downtown and strictly enforce curfew in response to youth engaging in unruly and criminal behavior, our online story reported.

A homeless encampment in south Harrisburg has a move-out deadline of Sept. 22, PennDOT said this week. The large encampment needs to move as the state begins nearby construction on I-83.

Jazz Walk will return to Midtown Harrisburg on Sept. 5, inviting community members to enjoy free performances, our online story reported. The Central PA Friends of Jazz will bring eight musicians and bands to local businesses and venues.

PennDOT announced that it would temporarily close an access point to I-83, as part of the highway widening project, our online story reported. The 19th Street ramp in Harrisburg will close on Aug. 24, and not reopen until a new 19th Street bridge and interchange is completed.

Pink Hands of Hope received its biggest donation to date, all because of an auction accident. Robert Goodall pocket-dialed a bid for a 1968 Mustang, purchasing the antique car, and then giving it to the breast cancer support nonprofit to raffle off. Read the full story, here.

The Plant Witch will open soon in downtown Harrisburg, offering houseplants, crystals and other metaphysical items, our online story reported. The business will cut the ribbon on the shop, located in the Shops on 3rd at 11 N. 3rd St., on Monday.

Sara Bozich has a full Weekend Roundup of events happening in the Harrisburg area. From music to food to fitness, find her listings, here.

Sprocket Mural Works recently completed several new murals in Harrisburg’s Hall Manor housing community. See a selection of photos of the painting process and the finished works, here.

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