Annual Quilt Exhibition
May 1: The annual Quilt Exhibition returns to the Winters Heritage House Museum in Elizabethtown through May 31, featuring more than 30 quilts of many sizes and patterns. Each piece is displayed along with its background story so visitors may enjoy the quilts’ colorful histories as well as their craftsmanship. Admission is $3/person. For more information, contact Nancy Landis at 717-367-4672.
The Harrisburg Singers
May 3-5: The Harrisburg Singers are back with their most popular concert series, “Pops to Broadway!” Audiences will be treated to selections from the Broadway stage, as well as music by Bruno Mars, The Supremes, Paul Simon and the Rat Pack. For tickets or locations/times, call 717-233-1005 or visit www.harrisburgsingers.org.
Author Book-Signings
May 3 & May 18: Harrisburg’s own Gene Albano will hold two signings this month: the first on May 3 at the Strawberry Patch, adjacent to the Hallmark store in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg; and the second on May 18 in the kitchen at the Cornerstone Coffeehouse, 2133 Market St., Camp Hill. Both events are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Albano will sign copies of his new novel, “Letters to Andrea,” as well as copies of his other books.
2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party
May 4: El Sol Mexican Restaurant is hosting a block party in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Food, drinks, live entertainment, a jalapeno eating contest and a salsa dancing competition will be held on the grounds directly outside the restaurant on S. 3rd Street, Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-901-5050.
Derby Day Returns
May 4: Dust off your sundress and big, floppy hat for the annual Derby Day celebration, which has made several changes this year. In a departure, the event, which includes food, music and an auction, will be held on the grounds of a private home in Lewisberry. Proceeds benefit the Harrisburg-based arts organization Jump Street. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.jumpstreet.org/events/derbyday.
Keystone Capital Chorus
May 4: The Keystone Capital Chorus will present its 65th annual Spring Show, “Haunting Memories,” at Scottish Rite Auditorium, 2701 N. 3rd St., in Harrisburg. The show follows the antics of a wicked witch who hates a cappella music and has turned the singers into ghosts, goblins, Frankenstein, Dracula and even members of The Addams Family. Halloween in May, folks. Tickets are available at kccsing.com, by calling 717-695-7527 and at the door. Show times are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The Art of Flower Arranging
May 4: The Harrisburg Chapter #18 of Ikebana International will present an ikebana demonstration by Midori Tanimune at 11 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St. Camp Hill. Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging. To reserve a seat and for more information, call Alice Hartman at 717-545-5394.
Garden Faire
May 5: The annual Garden Faire returns to Fort Hunter, with dozens of vendors selling plants and crafts. There will also be food, children’s activities, exhibits on Victorian daily life, mid-1800s dancing, live music, garden chats and a Peep Show—art made from marshmallow Peeps. Event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More information at www.forthunter.org.
Photography Lecture
May 5: The Art Association of Harrisburg will host a lecture by photographer Jeffrey Stoner, “The Fine Art of Photography,” 2-4 p.m. Stoner will explain the evolution of photography over time and share tips and techniques to improve one’s own photography. A $10 donation is requested. Call 717-236-1432 for more information or visit www.artassocofhbg.com. The Art Association is located at 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg.
Susquehanna Art Museum Groundbreaking
May 7: The Susquehanna Art Museum will commemorate the future site of its long-awaited facility. Remarks will be at 5 p.m., followed up by a block party. Meet the staff and board of directors, ask questions and learn about the project. 4:30-8 p.m. at the site of the proposed museum at the corner of N. 3rd and Calder streets, Harrisburg. Refreshments will be served and admission is free. Additional information is available at 717-233-8668 or www.squart.org.
Farmer’s Market Kick-Off
May 7: A summertime Harrisburg tradition returns as the weekly open-air farmer’s market sets up in the parking lot of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex off N. Cameron Street. Each Tuesday through September, farmers will sell their in-season produce directly to consumers. Visit www.pafarmshowcomplex.com for more information.
Mayoral Debate
May 8: Harrisburg Young Professionals hosts the can’t-miss event of the campaign season: a mayoral debate just weeks before the primary election. At press time, incumbent Linda Thompson and challengers Eric Papenfuse, Dan Miller and Nevin Mindlin had confirmed for the event, according to HYP. The debate takes place at the Hilton Harrisburg, 7-8:30 p.m. It will be moderated by abc27’s Dennis Owens and include panelists from other area news organizations. www.hyp.org.
Annual Home Tour
May 11: The homes of Midtown Harrisburg will be open and awaiting visitors during the 15th annual Home Tour sponsored by Harrisburg Young Professionals. Attendees can tour about 15 homes, 1-5 p.m., followed by an after-party at the King Mansion on N. Front Street. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hyp.org.
Author Event at Grumpy’s Books
May 11: Andi O’Connor, local fantasy author, will read from her fantasy novel, “The Lost Heir,” and will sign copies following the presentation. 2-4 p.m. at Grumpy’s Books, 3619 Walnut St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-743-1332 or go to www.andioconnor.
Community Yard Sale:
May 11: Friends of Midtown will host a community yard and sidewalk sale in neighborhoods throughout Midtown Harrisburg. The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast at Second City Church on Verbeke Street, 8-11 a.m., with proceeds benefiting Friends of Midtown beautification projects. If interested in participating in the yard sale, either with a table in front of your home or at the Broad Street Market, send an email to business@friendsofmidtown.org.
Homegrown Market
May 11: Presented by The MakeSpace, Home Grown Market will feature local vendors (art, handcrafts, music, food, etc.) every Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., starting May 11 through the end of November. If you’d like to know more or would like to apply for vendor status, please visit homegrown-market.com or email homegrownmkt@gmail.com.
Pennsylvania Passenger Trains
May 14: Mike Shafer, the editor of “Passenger Train Journal,” will give an illustrated talk to the Harrisburg Chapter National Railway Historical Society at Hoss’s Restaurant, 743 Wertzville Rd., Enola. Starts at 6 p.m. The program is open to the public. For more information, contact Sloan Auchincloss at sloan@auchincloss.com or 717-237-2131.
Conscription During the Civil War Exhibit
May 15: The National Civil War Museum has announced a new exhibit “In the Service of our Nation: Conscription During the Civil War.” The exhibit will examine the events and reasoning that led the Union and Confederate governments to pass conscription acts during the Civil War. A cheese and wine reception will take place 5:30–7:30 p.m. Reservations must be made by contacting Bryan Guerrisi at 717-260-1861 or bguerrisi@nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Star Trek on IMAX
May 15: The sci-fi thriller, “Star Trek Into Darkness: An IMAX 3D Experience” beams into Harrisburg at the Whitaker Center’s IMAX Theater for a special showing. Follow the continuing adventures of the crew of the starship Enterprise in this movie directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Zoe Saldana, Chris Pines and Zachary Quinto. For more information and tickets, visit www.whitakercenter.org or call 717-214-ARTS.
Business Networking Mixer
May 16: The Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly networking event at the LGBT Center of Central PA, 1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. Business dress attire is requested. Free for members/$10 for prospective members, 6-8 p.m. www.cpglcc.org.
41st Annual Greek Festival
May 17-19: Experience the sights, sounds and sweet aromas of Greece at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Cathedral’s Greek Fest 2013 on May 17, 18 and 19 at 1000 Yverdon Dr., Camp Hill. The annual festival runs 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call 717-920-1579 or go to www.PAGreekFest.com.
Armed Forces Day
May 18: Drop in on the annual Armed Forces Day event, a showcase of all things military, on City Island. The day starts at 8 a.m. with the annual Armed Forces Day 5K Run/Walk around the island. It picks up again later that morning and runs through the afternoon with a display of military-themed hardware, programs and more. Visit the city’s website at www.harrisburgpa.gov.
85th Annual International Juried Exhibition
May 18: The Art Association of Harrisburg’s 85th Annual International Juried Exhibition will premier with a reception, 6-9 p.m. Central Pennsylvania artists predominate the roster of 68 accepted artists this year—with four from out of state. Visit www.artassocohbg.com for more information or call 717-236-1432.
Historic Harrisburg Association Milestone
May 23: Historic Harrisburg Association will toast four decades of preservation efforts and accomplishments at Milestone on the River, 2701 N. Front St., Harrisburg. In addition, the organization will announce its annual Historic Preservation Awards. For more information, call John Campbell at 717-233-4646 or visit www.historicharrisburg.com.
Harrisburg River Rescue Presents Earl David Reed & Friends
May 23: Comedian and 105.7 The X Morning Show co-host Earl David Reed will perform at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC). Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20 at HMAC and Abrams & Weakly pet shop, or by emailing comedynight@riverrescue.org. Event is 7-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services.
Arts on the River
May 25-27: If it’s Memorial Day weekend, it must be time for Artsfest, the annual three-day arts competition, music showcase and fair along the Harrisburg waterfront. This year, the arts group Jump Street is organizing the event, taking over from long-time organizer, the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council, which is disbanding. A $5 admission fee, instituted several years ago, is being eliminated for the 46th annual event. Simultaneously, the 15th Annual Harrisburg Artsfest Film Festival, sponsored by Moviate, will run at venues throughout the city. For more information, visit www.jumpstreet.org and www.moviate.org.
