Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Local artists seek to support each other and bring the community together through art, music events

A dancer at one of Mandy Iglesias’ past events

During the pandemic, Mandy Iglesias found that it was really hard to dance socially distanced.

She tried to keep her salsa and bachata lessons running, but how do you dance without close proximity and locked hands?

Iglesias knew other local artists, dancers and musicians were struggling as well, and she decided to help them out.

On May 15, Iglesias is hosting “Arts in the Park,” a day of music, art and dancing in Reservoir Park. Activities will include an exhibit by artists Reina Wooden (R76), Charles Feathers and Jonathan Frazier. There will also be yoga, sound immersion, T-shirt tie-dyeing, African drumming, dance lessons and a flash mob. Catering from Joe Mama’s kitchen will be onsite, as well.

“I think this is going to be an amazing event in a really good location,” Iglesias said. “People can come out and try something new.”

Iglesias has already held a few similar events in Reservoir Park and hopes to make this a recurring experience. She also hopes to inject new energy into the park, which she believes is underused.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Participants may need to pay for some activities.

Wooden and Feathers also wanted to uplift local artists during COVID and kick off Harrisburg’s Artsfest, coming on May 29.

For the second time, the pair will hold an exhibit at the Civic Club of Harrisburg on May 23, from 1 to 5 p.m., featuring up-and-coming artists and musicians.

“We wanted to showcase artists that couldn’t afford to participate in Artsfest,” Wooden said. “This is our way of giving back to the community.”

Twenty local artists will participate in the “Art of the Susquehanna” exhibit, showing and selling their work. There will also be live performances from violinists, trumpeters, pianists and poets. Smoking Ace’s BBQ food truck will be on the premises. According to Wooden, it will be a diverse and eclectic group of artists.

As an artist in Harrisburg, Wooden is excited to see all the arts events that are taking place.

“This is extremely inspiring,” she said. “I’ve always wanted for the local community to come together and create these local venues.”

For more information about “Arts in the Park,” click here.

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