Groundhog Day Celebration
Feb 1: Think warm thoughts of spring at Shipoke’s first-ever Groundhog Day celebration at 10 a.m. at Race Street Park, Race and Conoy streets, Harrisburg. The free event will feature resident groundhog Shipoke Sheena, who will issue a forecast, in addition to music, refreshments, giveaways and children’s activities. For more, visit www.shipoke.org.
Monte Carlo Night
Feb. 1: The Jewish Community Center of Harrisburg hosts a night of professional Monte Carlo games, auctions with fantastic merchandise, hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and live music. The event also features a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament, with special prizes awarded to the winners. The night begins at 7 p.m. Prices vary. For more information, visit www.jewishharrisburg.org.
Great American Outdoor Show
Feb. 1-9: After a year hiatus, the annual outdoors show returns to the state Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Now sponsored by the NRA, the show will feature exhibitors, classes, demonstrations and more for all outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. Visit www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org for more.
Fort Hunter History
Feb. 2: History educator Elizabeth Johnson will lead a hands-on workshop on the daily life of Indians and enslaved people who once populated Fort Hunter. The event takes place 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg. Registration required. More information is at www.forthunter.org.
Kim Bracey Address
Feb. 4: York Mayor Kim Bracey will speak of her challenges and triumphs at a Black History Month event sponsored by the Penn State Harrisburg Commission for Women. The event will be held on campus at the Gallery Lounge, starting at noon. More information is at https://harrisburg.psu.edu/calendar/event/celebration-black-history-month.
Nicaragua: A Peace Corps Journey
Feb. 5: The World Culture Club of Central PA will present a lecture by Carol Lindsay, who will discuss her experience teaching English in Nicaragua. She will also explore the culture, geography, history and climate of the country, in addition to information on travel and tourism. The free presentation will be at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., Lecture Room C, 5th floor, Hershey. Refreshments will be served. For more, visit www.worldcultureclubpa.org.
Babes in Arms
Feb. 6-9, 13-16: Messiah College Theatre Department presents the musical “Babes in Arms,” featuring the music of Richard Rodgers. Performances begin at 8 p.m. with the exception of two 3 p.m. matinees on Feb. 9 and 16. Admission is $10; student and senior citizen rates are $7. For tickets and information, visit www.messiah.edu/theatretickets.
Shea Quinn Sings the Beatles
Feb. 7: Enjoy the Beatles songs you’ve always loved performed by Shea Quinn of The Luv Gods in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Fab Four’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill. No registration is necessary, and all ages are welcome. For more information, visit www.fredricksenlibrary.org.
Hot Stove Dinner
Feb. 8: Join the Harrisburg Senators for their fourth annual Hot Stove Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Harrisburg. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m., followed by keynote speakers. Other highlights include a silent auction, a raffle and an opportunity for fans to get autographs. Proceeds benefit the Easter Seals of Western and Central Pennsylvania. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.senatorsbaseball.com.
Harris Railroad Tower Museum
Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16: Experience the history of the Pennsylvania railroad system from the vantage point of the Harris Railroad Tower Switch Museum, 637 Walnut St., Harrisburg. The museum is interactive, and guests will have the opportunity to operate machinery and watch and photograph Amtrak and Norfolk Southern trains as they pass. There are limited reservations at the price of $20 per person. For more information, call 717-232-6221 or visit www.harristower.org.
Second Sunday at the Mansion
Feb. 9: Hear Laurene Buckley, executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, speak about SAM’s new museum in Midtown Harrisburg. The talk begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Harris–Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St. A tour of the mansion begins at 1 p.m. Admission is free for members of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, but a suggested donation of $5 is requested. For more information, visit www.dauphincountyhistory.org.
Wildwood Winter Lecture Series
Feb. 11: Randy Cassell, biology teacher at Cumberland Valley High School, gives his talk, “Life in and around a Vernal Pool.” He will focus on the ecology of the pond, as well as the animals that visit it and the need for forest buffers. The 7 p.m. event is free with no pre-registration required. For more information, visit www.wildwoodlake.org.
Networking Mixer
Feb. 12: Socialize with local business professionals while touring The Overlook facility at this free West Shore Chamber of Commerce event at 150 Erford Rd., Camp Hill. The mixer begins at 11:30 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.wschamber.org.
Women’s Erotic Poetry
Feb. 13: A group of female poets and artists from across central Pennsylvania will join together at Midtown Scholar Bookstore to discuss and read from their sensual works. The event begins at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.almostuptown.com.
Singing Valentines
Feb. 14: Barbershop quartets from the Keystone Capital Chorus will deliver singing valentines to your loved ones. In addition to a love song, the tuxedo-clad quartet will present a long-stemmed rose, a personalized Valentine’s Day card, Hershey’s Kisses and a ticket to the Chorus’ 66th annual spring dinner show on May 31. Cost is $45. To make arrangements, call 717-730-0289 or visit www.kccsing.com.
Free Day at Civil War Museum
Feb. 15: Enjoy the annual free day at the National Civil War Museum in honor of President’s Day and Black History Month. Experience the museum’s collection, as well as educational programs, music, lectures and games for children and adults. Be sure to check out the new exhibit titled “1864,” commemorating the final full year of the Civil War. For more information, visit www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Fascinating and Funny Faunae
Feb. 20: Jon Dale presents a collection of fascinating, humorous or unusual photos of the faunae of Pennsylvania and other states. There will be refreshments and a chance to socialize at 7 p.m. A brief meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the presentation to follow. The free event is at Christ Presbyterian Church, 421 Deerfield Rd., Camp Hill. For more, visit www.appalachianaudubon.org.
Chamber Mixer
Feb. 20: Interact and connect with local professionals and organizations, while touring SSS Printing, 901 Market St., New Cumberland. The evening begins at 5 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m. There will be several giveaways, and there is no cost to attend. For more information, visit www.wschamber.org.
Millennium Music Conference
Feb. 20-23: The 18th annual Millennium Music Conference and Showcase will take place at venues throughout the greater Harrisburg area. In addition, workshops, mentoring, exhibits and more will be held at the Best Western Premier, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.musicconference.net.
Doshi Dialogues
Feb. 21: This insightful talk will feature current 3rd in The Burg artists, R. Andrew Hoff and Jo Margolis, as they discuss the artwork they have displayed in the Doshi Gallery at the Susquehanna Art Museum. The talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the State Museum, N. 3rd and North streets, and is free to the public. For more information, visit www.sqart.com.
Garden Expo
Feb. 21-23: The annual PA Garden Expo returns to the state Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, featuring more than 50,000 square feet of manicured gardens, as well as classes, lectures, a market and more. Visit www.pagardenexpo.org for more information.
Susquehanna Folk Music Coffeehouse
Feb. 22: Listen to a talented array of central Pennsylvania’s amateur acoustic musicians. This event will be held at the Centennial Barn at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free and runs 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit www.sfmsfolk.org.
Polar Bear Plunge
Feb. 22: Brace yourself for a cold dip in the Susquehanna River at the annual fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Activities begin at 10 a.m. followed by the chilly plunge at noon on City Island, just off the Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg. More details are at www.specialolympicspa.org/polar-bear-plunge/harrisburg.
2014 Oscar-Nominated Short Films
Feb. 28: Watch all the short films nominated for Oscars by stopping by the Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill during Film Fridays. All five nominees for Animated Short Film will be shown starting at 3:30 p.m., with Live Action Short Film nominees shown at 7 p.m. Documentary Short Film nominees will be shown at a later date. No registration is necessary. For more information, visit www.fredricksenlibrary.org.
