Vintage Viewing: “Widow Clicquot” is a very wine time

June 27, 2024 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Image courtesy of Vertical.

When asked to think of the most esteemed vintners in history, you may not immediately think of a woman. But director Thomas Napper’s “Widow Clicquot” commands for that way of thinking to change, with a glimpse into the life of its titular character, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot.

Based on Tilar J. Mazzeo’s book of the same name, the film champions the world’s first international businesswoman, stepping up to the plate at the death of her husband. The film opens with Madame Clicquot (played by Haley Bennet) attending the funeral of her husband, François (Tom Sturridge), who we see via flashbacks as a very loving, yet very troubled man.

François has willed his portion of the ownership of the family’s vineyard to Madame Clicquot, much to the chagrin of his father—and business partner—Philippe (Ben Miles). When Philippe resolves to liquidate the business after François’ death, Madame Clicquot holds her ground, promising to save the vineyard from its shortcomings in the previous few seasons and get it back on its feet. With the help of Louis Bohne (Sam Riley) traveling far and wide to sell her wares—and a plan to position themselves as the first to sell their vintage to the Russians just as soon as the war eased—Madame Clicquot does just that.

With the stunning backdrop of late 18th-century France, the film takes us through Clicquot’s journey of resilience, innovation and success in a male-dominated world. The cast is as strong as they come, particularly Bennet’s portrayal of Clicquot herself, simultaneously capturing both her strength and vulnerability. Tom Sturridge and Sam Riley quite deftly play contrasting roles—Sturridge with his chaotic, struggling yet tender portrayal of the late François, and Riley with his sturdy, dependable yet tantalizing portrayal of Louis Bohne.

The story is not without the drama befitting a period epic. The personal details of Clicquot’s relationship with Bohne are heightened as a testament to Clicquot’s determination to forge her own path. Despite what is projected onto women like her, she manages to challenge societal norms and rise above.

The film is a must-see for history enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs and cinephiles alike. “Widow Clicquot” will play at Midtown Cinema this July.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

July Events
At Midtown Cinema

First Run Film Openings

“Kinds of Kindness,” July 2
“Robot Dreams,” July 5

“Maxxine,” July 5

“Fly Me to the Moon,” July 12

“Touch,” July 12

“Didi,” July 26

Trivia Night
Tuesdays, July 2, 16 & 30

Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“The Final Sacrifice” (1990)
Sunday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night presents
“The Dark Crystal” (1982)
Friday, July 19 at 9:30 p.m.

Family Series
“The Dark Crystal” (1982)
Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m.

Late Night Frights

“Alien” (1979)
Friday, July 12 at 9:30 p.m.

“American Psycho” (2000)
Friday, July 26 at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday Docs Series presents
“Fantastic Fungi” (2019)
Sunday, July 28 at 12 p.m.

National Theatre Live presents

“Dear England”
Sunday, July 14 at 4 p.m. & Sunday, July 28 at 4 p.m.

“Vanya”
Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m.

“Fleabag”
Tuesday, July 23 at 7 p.m.

Friends of Midtown 2024 Outdoor Film Series

“An American Tail” (1986)
Saturday, July 6 (rain date, July 7)

“The Little Mermaid” (2023)
Saturday, July 20 (rain date, July 21)

“Shrek 2” (2004)
Saturday, Aug. 3 (rain date Aug. 4)

“Grease” (sing-along) (1978)
Saturday, Aug. 24 (rain date Aug. 25)

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

Happenings: Our July Calendar of Events

June 27, 2024 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“Vintage Bicycles—Enjoy the Ride,” through Oct. 20

“Professional Vehicles—100 Years of Service,” through Oct. 20

“Ollie’s Bang for the Buck,” through Oct. 20

Husqvarna: “Get Your Husky On,” through Oct. 20

Carlisle Events 50th Anniversary Exhibit, through Oct. 20

Plymouth Showroom, through Oct. 20

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

“Shifting Expressions” exhibition Steven Pearson + Reem showcase, through July 5

96th Annual Juried Show, July 12-Aug. 15; reception: July 19, 5-8 p.m.

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

“Color Burst,” featuring Peter Seidel’s paintings and Alison Rosen’s cloisonné miniatures, through July 20

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

July artist of the month

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

Outdoor Sports and Wildlife Art by David R. Kessler, July 3-27; opening reception: July 27

Gallo’ry on Market
2010 Market St., Camp Hill
717-623-2090; galloryonmarket.com

July featured artists: Linda Benton McCloskey and Reina Wooden

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, through Aug. 10

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

“Paintings by Angela Lapioli and Isaac Pelepko—An Intriguing Juxtaposition of Abstract and Realist Expressions,” through July 27

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

Annual Juried Student Exhibition, through Aug. 30

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

New works by PD Murray, Rebecca Adey, Pat Frese, Tami Bitner, Yachiyo Beck, Jemar Sweets and Kayla Livelsberger, through July 14

New works by Marjorie Taylor, John Davis, Kristen Fava, Judy Kelly, Jordan Bashore, Ann Yeager, and Rachelle Lowe, July 16-Aug. 11

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

“Tattoos Through Time, ” through Sept. 7

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

Art in the Stacks featuring artist Meghan Eberly, July 1-31

Papua New Guinea Artifacts in the Main Floor Showcase Exhibit, July 1-31

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
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Susquehanna Valley Chapter (SVC) of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Landis House Exhibition,” through Aug. 8

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

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across the state in diverse fields and detailing the contributions they made and challenges they faced in their lifetimes

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

“HORSE2AUTO: A Transportation Revolution”

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

“Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art,” through Aug. 18

“Ancient Ink, ” photography by Mark Perrott that documents the ever-expanding group of tattooed Americans, through Oct. 6

“Margins and the Height of the Sun,” works by Elaine Elledge that she created while balancing her life as an artist and parent, and seeking a diagnosis for a medical condition, through Oct. 6

“Works in Wax—Contemporary Women Encaustic Artists,” through Sept. 1

“The Hidden Museum” invites visitors to locate “hidden” works of art in the Susquehanna Art Museum, through Dec. 31

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

“Expanding Vistas—The Vesell Family Collection and Works from the LVC Fine Art Collection, ” through Aug. 4

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

“William Gropper’s America,” a whimsically didactic map of the U.S. that illustrates legendary and historical figures, from Molly Pitcher to Johnny Appleseed, through Oct. 19

“The Legacy of Two Centuries of Black American Art,” celebrating the legacy of David Driskell’s groundbreaking 1976 exhibition, through Dec. 20

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

The Glass Work of Joann Allen, July 16-Aug. 24; reception: July 19, 6-8 p.m.

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

“Art in the Wild” outdoor art show of works by local artists composed mostly of natural materials to blend with the natural setting, through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

Capital Blue Cross Connect
4500 Marketplace Way, Enola
capitalbluecrossconnect.com

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Gentle Yoga Flow, 9:30 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Tai Chi, 4 p.m.
July 1, 8, 22, 29: Virtual Pilates, 5 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Virtual Yoga for Back Health, 10 a.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Virtual INSPIRE. 9 a.m.
July 5, 19: Virtual Booty Blast, 9:30 a.m.
July 10, 17, 24, 31: Cardio Kickboxing, 4:30 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Ready, Steady, Action!, 4:15 p.m.
July 12, 26: Virtual Barre Intensity Express, 9:30 a.m.
July 12, 19, 26: Boomer Bootcamp, 10 a.m.

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

July 8: Fantasy, Stories & Paintings, Oh My!, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 8-11: Teen Oil Painting Day Camp at Allenberry (ages 12-18), 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
July 9, 16, 23, 30: Intermediate/Advanced Oil Painting, 4 Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
July 13: Sterling Silver Water Casting Workshop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 15-19: Cut It Up! with Trout Gallery, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 16, 23, 30: Beginning Oil Painting, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
July 16-Aug. 20: Tuesday Wheel Throwing, Tuesdays 6-8 p.m.
July 19: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
July 20: Copper Enameling Workshop, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 20: Experiential Mixed Media, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 27: Beginner Oil Painting, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 29-Aug. 2: Creating Color with Trout Gallery

East Pennsboro Library
98 S. Enola Dr., Enola
717-732-4274; eastpennsborobranch.org

July 1-13: Nature Bingo
July 2: Cardboard Crocodiles (ages 8 and older), 6:15-7:15 p.m.
July 9: Impressionist Koi Fish with Waterlilies (ages 8 and older), 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
July 13: Pressed Flower Suncatchers (ages 8 and older), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 15-17: Choose Your Own Adventure Library Challenge
July 17: Bingo for Books, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
July 23: Hyper Colorful Flowers (ages 8 and older), 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
July 30: Air Dry Clay Beagle Cell Phone Holders (ages 8 and older), 6:15 to 7:15 pm
July 31: Game Night, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.

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

July 1: Cruise Into Kindergarten, 11-11:45 a.m.
July 2: Magic of Comic Book Drawing Class, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
July 3, 31: Studio Ghibli Podcast, 4-6 p.m.
July 14: The Year of Ghibli—When Marnie Was There, 2-4 p.m.
July 18, 28: Sip & Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
July 20: LGBTQ+ Makers Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 20: Figment Forge Writing Group, 10:30-12:30 p.m.
July 20: Limelight on Local Artists, 2-4 p.m.
July 21, 28: Pigment of Your Imagination, 12-2 p.m.

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

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Monday Game Club, 10:30-12:30 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Card Making Group, 5-7 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Homeschool Happening, 2-4 p.m.
July 4, 11, 18, 25: Fiber Artists, 3-6 p.m.
July 6: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 6: Landscape Art with Miss Allison, 12:30-2 p.m.
July 8, 15, 22, 29: Baby Time, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
July 9, 23: Teen SummerZine, 4-5:30 p.m.
July 10: Toddler Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 10, 24: STEM Stations, 2-3 p.m.
July 11: Family Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 11: The Penderwicks Book Club, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 13: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 13, 27: LEGO Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 15, 29: Touch a Truck, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 17: Erik Hershey—The Amazing, Trailblazing MAGIC Adventure!, 10-11 a.m.
July 19: Breaker Space, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 20: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 20: K-Pets Therapy Reading Sessions, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 27: D&D Group, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

July 3: Stories on the Stairs—“The Hike,” 10-11 a.m.
July 5, 12, 19, 26: Sunset Music & Movie Series, 8:30-10 p.m.
July 13: Interactive Children’s Tour, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 17: Stories on the Stairs—“We Are the Water Protectors,” 10-11 a.m.

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

July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Summer Baby & Toddler Story Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
July 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Summer Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
July 2, 16: Plot Twisters Teen Writers Group, 6-7 p.m.
July 5: Chess Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
July 7: Game Day for All!, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
July 7: BINGO for Books, 1:30-5 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Heartfulness Meditation Workshop, 2-3 p.m.
July 9: Curl up with the Classics—“A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” 10-11 a.m.
July 9: Microsoft Office—Word Basics Workshop, 10-11 a.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Device Advice, 5-6 p.m.
July 11, 25: Meet & Greet Library Pups, 10-11 a.m.
July 12: Peaceful Poses Adult Yoga, 9:15-10 a.m.
July 12: Managing Stress During Times of Change, 10-11 a.m.
July 12: Peaceful Poses Kids Storytime Yoga, 10-10:45 a.m.
July 14: Paint with Us, 1-3 p.m.
July 16: Microsoft Office—Excel Basics Workshop, 10-11 a.m.
July 16: Genealogy Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 20: Neurodivergent Adult Support Group, 3 p.m.
July 22: Fredricksen Reads—“The All-American,” 7-8 p.m.
July 23: Microsoft Office—PowerPoint Basics Workshop, 10-11 a.m.
July 23: Evening Genealogy Club, 5-6 p.m.
July 27: Computer Basics, 2-3 p.m.
July 29-Aug. 2: Art Camp (ages 8-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

July 6: Sunflower Mosaic (ages 15+), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 11: Create & Learn—Wonderful Worms (ages 8-13), 12:30-2:30 p.m.
July 13: Decoupage an Elephant Watering Can (ages 12+), 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 17: Summer Wooden Porch Sitter, 6-8 p.m.
July 18: Create & Learn—Backyard Birds (ages 8-13), 12:30-2:30 p.m.
July 18: Mountains and Valleys Watercolor Workshop, (ages 12+) 6-8 p.m.
July 20: Resin Pour Beach Party (ages 15+), 10 a.m-12 p.m.
July 21: Plein Air in the Park (all ages), 3-4:30 p.m.
July 25: Fun with Nature (ages 8-13), 12:30-2:30 p.m.
July 27: Family Tree String Art (ages 12+), 1-3 p.m.

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

July 1, 8, 15, 22: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22: Storytime for Everyone, 11-11:30 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Teen Tuesday, 3-5 p.m.
July 2, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 15, 30: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Community Crochet Night, 6-7:45 p.m.
July 6, 20, 27: Chess Club, 1-3 p.m.
July 9, 16, 23: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m., 11-11:30 a.m.
July 10: Board Game Night, 5-7:45 p.m.
July 10, 17, 24: Furry Tales, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 11: Walking Hershey, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
July 11, 25: LEGO Club, 4-4:45 p.m.
July 13: Chess Tournament, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
July 18: Hershey Quilters, 12-4 p.m.
July 24: Art Club, 5-7:45 p.m.

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

July 7: Early Summer Foraging Walk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 13-14: Power Tools 2.0: Intro to Carpentry, 9-4:30 p.m.
July 14: Making Natural Cordage, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 14: Foraging First Aid, 12:30-3 p.m.
July 17: Spinal Yoga—Balancing the Body, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
July 27: Pickling Pickles, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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

July 1: Teen Movie Monday, 6-7:45 p.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Rhyme Time, 10:15-10:35 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Toddler Time, 10:45-11:05 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tea and Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
July 8, 22: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Math Club, 9-9:45 a.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Beginning Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Story Time, 10:15-11 a.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Toddler Time, 11:15-11:35 a.m.
July 11, 18, 25: Rhyme Time, 11:45 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
July 12, 26: Dungeons & Dragons (grades 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
July 15: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
July 17: Watch the Skies Sci-Fi Book Club, 7-9 p.m.
July 18: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
July 19: Music Play Patrol, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 19: Apple Group for Seniors, 1-2 p.m.
July 23: Tea & Stitches Extended Edition, 12-3 p.m.
July 27: Trivia at Home—Schitt’s Creek, 6-8 p.m.

Kline Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

July 3: Ectothermic Animal Adventures, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 10: Les Quizerables: Library Trivia Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
July 16, 23, 30: Coloring for Adults!, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
July 17, 24: Reading with Red, 2-2:45 p.m.
July 27: Going on an Adventure with Mister Boom Boom, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways, 2 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
July 13: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

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

July 3: Ectothermic Animal Adventures, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 17: LEGO Challenge, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

July 16: Ryan “The Bug Man” Bridge, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

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

July 2: Samuel Kọ́láwọlé with Devin Manzullo-Thomas
July 12: An Evening in Lancaster with Linda Castillo, 7-8 p.m.
July 17: July 2: An Evening with Annemarie Heckert, 7-8 p.m
July 20: Book Singing with Trish Turo, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 24: Anne Applebaum with Peter Pomerantsev, 7-8 p.m.

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

July 6: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
July 28: Fused Glass Sunflower suncatcher, 1-4 p.m.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

July 3: Book Launch—“Voices from Gettysburg by Allen C. Guelzo, 1-2 p.m.
July 25: Unvanquished—A Civil War Book Talk via Zoom, 7-8 p.m.

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

July 1, 22: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
July 1-29: Baby Dance Party (ages 0-2) Mondays, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
July 1-31: Scavenger Hunts Around the World (ages 0-12)
July 2-30: Outdoor Storytimes (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
July 2-30: Outdoor Storytimes (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.
July 3: Piece Seekers, 6-7:30 p.m.
July 3-24: Ready for Kindergarten (ages 4-5), 10:15-11:45 a.m.
July 5: Outdoor Sensory Playtime (ages 0-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 6, 20: New Cumberland Public Library Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 8: Design Your Perfect Library (ages 5-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 8, 29: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
July 8: Paint Parties (ages 5-15), 2-3 p.m.
July 9, 23: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 10-31: Around the World in 80 Days, Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 11: Family Entertainment Series—Air Weaver Balloons, 10:30 a.m.
July 11, 18, 15: Tech Time, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 11, 25: Teen Cottagecore Series (ages 13-17), 3 p.m.
July 12, 26: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 12, 26: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 13-17), 4-6 p.m.
July 13, 27: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
July 15: Kids Yoga (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
July 15: Kids Yoga (ages 6-10), 11 a.m.
July 15: Who Was? Book Club: Famous Adventurers (ages 7-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 18: Family Entertainment Series—Talewise: Adventures of the Lost Treasure, 10:30 a.m.
July 20: Teen Tea Club (ages 13-17)
July 20: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 22: Library Olympics (ages 5-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 23: Magic Tree House Book Club (ages 7-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 24: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
July 25: Family Entertainment Series—Cissy and the Man, 10:30 a.m.
July 27: Crafty Crafters Club, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 30: Wonders of the World STEAM (ages 5-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.

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

July 1: Genealogy Group, 10-11 a.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Strength & Stretching 50+, 10-11 a.m.
July 8: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 8, 15, 22: Summer Family Program, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25: Little Explorers, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

July 9: Macrame Plant Hanger, 6 p.m.
July 13: Mosaic Sunflower, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
July 22: Sunrises & Sunsets Watercolor Workshop, 6 p.m.

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

July 1: Baseball in PA, 11:30 a.m.
July 3, 11, 18, 25, 31: Family Gallery Tour, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 3-31: Exploration Earth, 11-11:30 a.m.
July 3-31: Stars, 1-1:30 p.m.
July 3-31: Apollo 11, 2-2:30 p.m.
July 5, 20: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
July 5-27: Black Holes, 12-12:30 p.m.
July 10: Color!, 11:30 a.m.
July 10, 13, 14: Stargazing—Tonight’s Sky Live Chat, 3 p.m.
July 11: State Electric Locomotive—GG1, 11:30 a.m.
July 12, 19: Curiosity Kids, 11:30 a.m.
July 12, 19, 26: Giant PA Map, 1:30-3 p.m.
July 17: State Fish—Brook Trout, 11:30 a.m.
July 24: State Insect—Firefly, 11:30 a.m.
July 24: Toys and Games of the 1950s and 1960s, 1:30 p.m.
July 25: Olympics, 11:30 a.m.
July 26: Magnets & Magnetism, 11:30 a.m.
July 26: Virtual Program—PA’s Caves Time Capsules of the Past, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
July 31: Parachutes, 11:30 a.m.

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

July 24: Open Figure Drawing, 7-9 p.m.

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

July 3: Mosaic Sunflower, 6-8 p.m.
July 6: Hand Built Clay Trees, 11 a.m.
July 6: Kid’s Garland, 1-3 p.m.
July 6: Watercolor Winter Birds for Christmas Cards, 4-7 p.m.
July 12: Macramé Ornaments, Candy Canes and Gnomes, 11 a.m.
July 12: Dirty Date Night on the Potter’s Wheel, 7-9 p.m.
July 13: Ceramic Dumpling Snow Folk, 11 a.m.
July 16-19: Kid’s Critter Camp with Reptile Day, 1-4 p.m.
July 20: Ceramic Winter Luminaries, 11 a.m.
July 20: Paper folding Ornaments and Cut up Cards, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 20: Pop UP Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
July 24: Christmas Watercolor Cards, 6-8 p.m.
July 26: Macramé Ornaments—Gnomes and Snowflakes, 6-8 p.m.
July 27: Ceramic Ornaments, 12-3 p.m.
July 27: Ornaments with Demetra, 1-2 p.m.
July 31: Mosaic Christmas Trees, 6-8 p.m.

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

July 1-31: Coloring Contest
July 6: Kids Discover—PA State Species (ages 5-10), 10-11:30 a.m.
July 10, 17, 24: Wednesday Wellness Walk, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
July 12: Walk and Talk with a Master Gardener, 10-11 a.m.
July 13: Forest Bathing—Nature Based Mindfulness Walks, 9-10:30 a.m.
July 13: Kids Discover—Pollinators (ages 5-10), 10-11:30 a.m.
July 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 14: Tree Identification Walk, 1-2 p.m.
July 20: Creature Feature—Lifestyle of a Luna Moth (ages 4-6), 10-11 a.m.
July 21: Flower Walk—Still More Blooms, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

July 1: Crafting Free-For-All!, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 15: STEAM Building Challenges, 5-6 p.m.
July 16: Identity Theft Workshop with M&T Bank, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
July 20: The Plot Thickens, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 20: Crafternoon in the Library, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Live Music

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

July 12: Eaglemania—The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band
July 14: ASIA—The Heat of the Moment Tour with special guests Focus, Martin Turner and Curved Air
July 18: The Docksiders
July 20: Tommy James & The Shondells with The Box Tops
July 21: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons—The Last Encores
July 25: NEEDTOBREATHE with special guest Abraham Alexander
July 5: Top of the World—A Carpenters Tribute
July 11: Amos Lee with special guest Mikaela Davis

Blues Society of Central PA
Champions Sports Bar and Grill
300 2nd St., Highspire
bscpblues.com

July 4, 11, 18, 25: Blues Jams
July 14: Mark MuleMan Massey

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

July 3, 31: Christine Purcell
July 5, 19: Roy LeFever
July 6, 20, 27: Anthony Haubert
July 10: Mattias Cabbell
July 11, 17: Tristin Lynee
July 12, 26: Ted Ansel
July 13, 24: Chris Emkey
July 18, 25: Andrea Britton

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

July 27: The Pink Floyd Experience

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd., Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

July 12: Back in Black

Greater Harrisburg Concert Band
717-576-758; ghcb.org

July 11: Concert at Messiah Lifeways, Mechanicsburg
July 12: Concert at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg (rain date: July 14)
July 19: Concert at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 132 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg
July 21: Concert at Mt. Wolf Community Park
July 25: Concert at Fredricksen Library, Camp Hill (rate date: July 25)
July 26: Concert at Cumberland Crossings, 1 Longsdorf Way, Carlisle
July 28: Concert at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

July 21: Turtle Island Quartet
July 22: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Apollo’s Fire
July 22: Mr. Music
July 27: Brandee Younger
July 28: Painting a Picture with Clarinet and Piano

Gretna Theatre
Mt. Gretna Playhouse
200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna
717-964-3627; www.gretnatheatre.org

July 11-20: Chess in Concert

Greystone Brew House
303 Golf Club Ave., Dillsburg
717.347.0632; greystonebrewhouse.com

July 6: Tim Colgan

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

July 4: Rob49
July 18: The Volunteers
July 19: Martin Barre performs The Classic History of Jethro Tull
July 24: Citizen Solider
July 28: The Starting Line
July 30: Black Flag

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

July 5: Concert at Reservoir Park, Harrisburg
July 6: Concert at Millerstown Park, Millerstown
July 7: Concert at Summerfair, Carlisle (Dickinson College)

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

July 13: Charley Crockett (XL Live)
July 25: Black Pumas (Riverfront Park)
July 28: Orville Peck (Riverfront Park)

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

July 2: Donny Osmond
July 9: Christoper Cross & Justin Hayward
July 18: Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

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

July 5: Jess Zimmerman Band
July 6: Turn It Up, A Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience
July 12: Josh Squared Band
July 13: Dance Fever
July 19: Smooth Like Clyde
July 20: Little Rock Band
July 26: Leighann & Company
July 27: Kevin Miller’s Classic Kings

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

July 12: Mr. Music

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-329-7541; keystoneconcertband.com

July 13: Concert at St. Andrews In the Valley Episcopal Church, Harrisburg

Lovedrafts Brewing Co.
165 Gateway Dr., Mechanicsburg
lovedraftsbrewingco.com

July 2: Spose
July 5: ENMY
July 11: Dramascream
July 12: Supersuckers
July 14: Hillbilly Casino
July 15: Awake At Last
July 16: The Dollyrots
July 17: The Taxpayers
July 20: Penntera
July 28: Hinder
July 30: Flat Black

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

July 18: A Night at the Oscars
July 18, 20: Shippensburg Festival Symphony Orchestra
July 20: “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” In Concert

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

July 6: Why Not Me? The Premier Garth Brooks and The Judds Experience
July 20: Cruise Control, No Last Call

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

July 10: George Birge, Hailey Whitters, Drew Baldridge, Larry Fleet
July 13: Harrisburg University presents Charley Crockett
July 19: Greensky Bluegrass
July 26: The Four Horseman
July 27: Southern Accents: The Ultimate Tom Petty Experience

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

July 27: Forrest Brown’s Dirty Little Secret—The Soul Sessions

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

July 27: Richard Thompson, Alexa Rose

The Stage Door

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

July 13: Terry Fator

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

July 11: The Outlet Music & Poetry Night
July 13: Aoife O’Donovan and Hawktail

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

July 1-Aug. 10: “Sound of Music”

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

July 10-Aug. 17: Popcorn Hat Players Present “Snow White and the Two Dwarfs”
July 27: “Golden Boiz”
July 26: TMI Improv—PRIDEFEST

Gretna Theatre
Mt. Gretna Playhouse
200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna
717-964-3627; www.gretnatheatre.org

July 20, 27: “Knuffle Bunny—A Cautionary Musical”

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

July 7: The Divas Down Boot Scootin’ Country Drag Show

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

July 5: Free Improv Jam, REAL Fast Coast Wives of Central PA, Add em Together, The Offbeats, Say No More, Bandito
July 6: Free Improv Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Elderprov, Love Triangle, Our Bizarre Adventure
July 12: Level 1 Class Show, Spontaneous Combustion, Adult Play Date, Spice Crones, Next Level
July 13: Free Improv Mixer, This Show Will Self Destruct, Ham Juice, Schtick Probe – An Improvised Musical
July 14: Level 1 Class Show
July 19: Free Improv Jam, Team Z, Holy Moly, Bondfire Society, GirlZilla, Leg Of Lamp, Euphoria
July 20: Free Improv Jam, Uncomfortable, Foleying Around In the Dark, Rockstar Goes Supernova, Blackest Thing Ever
July 26: Free Improv Jam, Spontaneous Combustion, Adult Play Date, Lil Stinkers, Original 6, Day Trippers
July 27: Free Kid Friendly Improv Jam, Phil’s Arcade, All Over the Place, Cosmic Trash, And Another Thing

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

July 25-Aug. 4: “Escape To Margaritaville”

Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater
303 Market St., Harrisburg
717-317-0699; www.puppetfriends.com

July 1-July 31: “A New Neighbor”

Keystone Theatrics
The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; www.keystonetheatrics.com

July 12-28: “The Music Man”

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

July 27, 28: “POTUS or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive”

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

July 12-28: “The 39 Steps”

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

July 9: Harrisburg Jazz Collective
July 20: New Cumberland Pride Drag Show

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

Community Corner: Notable July Events

June 27, 2024 | by Missy Smith

Coloring Contest
July 1-31: Children are invited to participate in Wildwood Park’s fourth annual coloring contest. Young artists may submit a nature-themed, 8.5-by-11-inch, hand-drawn, portrait-style coloring page using colored pencils, crayons or markers. Entries may be submitted to the Nature Center via mail or email throughout July. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Fourth Fireworks

July 3: Celebrate America’s birthday with food trucks and a fireworks display at Koons Park, 6030 Larue St., Harrisburg, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy a variety of food truck options and family fun before the sky lights up with fireworks. Rain date is July 6. www.lowerpaxton-pa.gov

Xmas in July

July 3-27: Start your holiday gift making at Wheel of Light Studio, 3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax, during their “Christmas in July” workshops. Craft projects include clay trees, watercolor cards, macramé ornaments, ceramic winter luminaries and mosaic Christmas trees. Find a complete schedule online. www.wheeloflightstudio.com

Lawn Concert
July 4: Enjoy a patriotic Independence Day concert with the New Cumberland Town Band on the lawn of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be concessions for sale in Foundation House by the Friends of the Library. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Fourth Celebration
July 4: Celebrate Independence Day at The Star Barn Village, Newville Rd., Elizabethtown, 3 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a ride through Herr’s Mill Covered Bridge, self-guided tours of Ironstone Ranch and The Star Barn Village, animal visits, tractor-pulled wagon and pony rides, yard games, art displays, train rides, fireworks and more. www.thestarbarn.com

Declaration Reading
July 4: Celebrate the Fourth at the Historical Society of Dauphin County’s 14th annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence by John Harris Jr. reenactor David Biser. Readings will take place from the porch of the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg. Find times online. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Fourth Fest
July 4: City of Harrisburg hosts the July 4th Food Truck Festival and Fireworks in Riverfront Park, 1 to 9 p.m., with more than 45 food trucks, live music, a wine/beer garden, free kids activities and one of the largest fireworks displays in Central Pa. www.harrisburgpa.gov

Barnyard Jazz
July 5: Hershey History Center presents “Jazz at the Barnyard” outdoor concert series at Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey. Events begin at 6 p.m. and live music is 7 to 10 p.m. Concerts are held on the first Friday of May through September. On July 5, enjoy music by Amanda Sachs Group. www.hersheyhistory.org

Summer Concerts
July 5-7: Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra presents its 2024 Summer Concerts: July 5, Reservoir Park, 100 Concert Dr., Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m.; July 6, Millerstown Park, 110 W. Juniata Pkwy., 7:30 p.m.; and July 7, Dickinson College, 230 Louther St., Carlisle, 8 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and snacks. www.harrisburgsymphony.org

Sunset Series
July 5, 12, 19, 26: Dauphin County Parks and Recreation hosts an outdoor “Sunset Music and Movie Series” at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Performances start at 7 p.m., showings begin at 8:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or grab refreshments from the concession stand. www.forthunter.org

HBG Flea
July 6: Explore the HBG Flea to shop 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

Book Sales
July 6, 20: Friends of New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Find books, vintage items, jewelry, music, puzzles, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Garden Camp
July 9, 23: Penn State Master Gardeners of Cumberland County hosts a summer gardening camp series for kids ages 7-12 at the Penn State Extension office, 310 Allen Rd., Carlisle. Activities include planting and harvesting vegetables, herbs and flowers, crafts, games and scientific exploration. Cost is $10 per session. www.extension.psu.edu

Wellness Walks
July 10: Enjoy a walk around the lake at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, while enjoying the scenery, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This will be a walk on paved and gravel or dirt surfaces, and you may customize the length of your walk. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Kids Workshops

July 11, 25: The Bower, 1190 Bower Rd., Shermans Dale, in collaboration with Dickinson College’s Trout Gallery, offers free summer workshops for kids ages 4-10, who can explore environmental science, art and literature. The July 11 workshop focuses on biomass; July 25 workshop will explore flowers. Families may pack a picnic.www.thegardenbower.com

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

Shipoke Flea
July 13: The annual Shipoke Flea returns with a wide assortment of goods available for purchase. The event, organized by the Shipoke Neighborhood Association, runs 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. along the 500 to 800 blocks of S. Front Street, Harrisburg. www.shipoke.org

Pump Primers
July 13: PA Pump Primers’ 48th Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show and Muster returns to Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A parade of antique fire trucks will leave the PA Farm Show Building and travel to Riverfront Park, where they will be on view all day. Speak to owners, play games, grab food and listen to music. www.papumpprimers.org

Forest Bathing
July 13: Take a slow-paced mindfulness walk to experience your breathing and senses in nature throughout Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Participants should be able to walk 1 to 1.5 miles on paved, gravel and wood plank trails with some elevation gain. Walk concludes with a forest tea. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Volunteer Day
July 13: Spend time in nature helping with park and habitat enhancement projects at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided, and refreshments will be available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Book Sale
July 13-18: Palmyra Public Library hosts its annual used book sale at Palmyra First United Methodist Church, 520 E. Birch St. Book sale opens on Saturday, July 13 with an early preview 7:30 to 9 a.m. Admission is $5 per person. Please bring your own boxes or bags. www.palmyra.lclibs.org

Summer Service
July 14: Salem United Church of Christ, Harrisburg, hosts an ecumenical service on the Pride of the Susquehanna at 10 a.m. Enjoy a casual service on the boat, followed by a picnic in the pavilion. All are welcome. salemuccharrisburg.org

Tree Identification

July 14: Enjoy a leisurely walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, while learning about the variety of species around the Nature Center, 1 to 2 p.m., as part of the Dauphin County Park Rx series of programs. Space is limited; pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Film Fridays
July 14: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, at 2 p.m. for Film Friday to view a free screening of “Whale Rider,” a 2002 New Zealand film based on the 1987 novel about Paikea, a 12-year-old Māori girl whose ambition is to become chief of the tribe. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Harrisburg Mile
July 17: Lace up your running shoes for the Harrisburg Mile. The 43rd annual race begins at Front and Maclay streets, Harrisburg, with heats beginning at 5:15 p.m. Choose between running or walking the full 1-mile course or the 1/2-mile course. www.hbgyrun.org

Heritage Days
July 18-21: Tuscarora Valley Heritage Days will be held at 6201 Route 75, East Waterford, with an antique tractor show, flea market and live music. Find Tuscarora Valley Heritage Days on Facebook for details.

3rd in The Burg
July 19: Celebrate the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, exploring and enjoying galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Midtown Mural Tour
July 19: Join Sprocket Mural Works for a guided mural tour in Midtown Harrisburg. The tour is approximately one hour and one mile in length. $15 per person, with all proceeds benefitting the nonprofit Sprocket Mural Works. Meet at 6 p.m. at the Broad Street Market Courtyard, 1233 N. 3rd St. Reserve your spot by visiting www.sprocketmuralworks.org/shop.

Pride Picnic
July 20: Celebrate Pride at the Cute Lil’ Pride Picnic and Drag Show in New Cumberland Borough Park. Pack your snacks, blankets and rainbow spirit for a family-friendly day of games, music and community resources, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Continue the celebration into the evening at the “Drag Me Downtown Drag Show” at 7 p.m. www.newcumberland.co

Brewfest
July 20: Sample more than 50 craft brews while listening to music and tasting food from food trucks at the 11th Annual Dauphin County Brewfest on the front lawn of Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 3 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door and $15 for designated drivers. www.forthunter.org

Flower Walk
July 21: Go for a walk at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., to view joe-pye weed, pokeweed, three species of monarda and two species of jewelweed. Learn how these flowers were named and about some of their uses. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Concert Series
July 21: Lower Paxton Parks and Recreation will host a free outdoor concert with Dance Fever at Dauphin County Heroes Grove, 4 to 6 p.m., as part of its outdoor summer concert series. www.lowerpaxton-pa.gov

Mixer
July 23: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for an evening mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at Utopian Landscapes, 6780 Parkway East, Harrisburg. This free event is open to chamber members. Potential members are welcome to attend two free chamber events. www.wschamber.org

Dutch Days
July 24-27: Head to the 56th Annual Richfield Dutch Days, Basom Memorial Park, Richfield, for summer family fun, rides, BINGO, food, fireworks and more. Enjoy a Dutch menu throughout the week, a parade on Saturday and an outdoor picnic and church service on Sunday. www.dutchdays.com

Flower Field Day

July 25: Explore nearly 1,000 varieties of annual and perennial plants at Penn State Extension’s Flower Trials Field Day at 1446 Auction Rd., Manheim, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Talk with industry colleagues and breeders and learn about new varieties, disease management and pesticide safety. Registration is $65 and includes snacks and lunch. www.extension.psu.edu

PrideFest
July 27: The 32nd annual Pride Festival of Central PA takes place at Soldier’s Grove, Harrisburg, part of the PA Capitol Complex. The day begins with a 10 a.m. parade before continuing 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with entertainment, vendors, events, activities and more. www.centralpapride.org

Nature & Art Fest
July 27: Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art hosts its annual Nature and Art Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at MYO Park, Millersburg. The free festival includes food and craft vendors, education and art presentations, make-it-yourself bluebird boxes, live music and more. www.nedsmithcenter.org

Concert Series
July 28: Harrisburg Young Professionals hosts a free Italian Lake Concert series concert with Neil McClain at Italian Lake, N. 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, picnic, blankets and snacks. www.hyp.org

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

A Ride for Life: For six years, Harrisburg bicyclists have raised funds for cancer research

June 27, 2024 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

2019 cancer research bike tour

It all came about seven years ago, when cancer survivors Scott Silverstine and Howard Ross were discussing “how not to ride (bicycles) just for pleasure,” Silverstine recalled.

This was the start of the Cancer Research Bike Tour, which the two men co-founded. The sixth annual event takes place this month with eight area cyclists, all cancer survivors, who will ride a minimum aggregate of 4,000 miles to raise awareness and funds for cancer research at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“We wanted to make an impact,” said Silverstine of Harrisburg. “We realized that most charities take a pretty significant chunk off the top for administration. Plus, a lot of these bike events required riders to donate to participate. We don’t believe that people who survived cancer should have to pay to ride.”

Ross is a bladder cancer survivor of seven years, while Silverstine was diagnosed with prostate cancer 11 years ago. Both Silverstine and Ross received treatment at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins.

Both credit the medical facility for saving their lives.

“I called Hopkins on a Friday, and they took me in on Monday,” said Silverstine, whose father also had prostate cancer. “They told me, ‘We don’t let anyone wait for treatment.’”

Thirty days after doctors removed his prostate gland, Silverstine began a prescribed series of radiation treatments. Since then, he’s remained “on watch” with regular scans for “six or seven years” now.

Ross also continues to go in for checkup scans every three months. Last summer, he endured a third related surgery backed by a six-week round of chemotherapy. All in all, “I’m doing very well,” he noted recently.

“Cancer survivors are all sorts of people who have faced the fear of this crazy disease, and we all hope that our children and our grandchildren won’t have to live with that same fear,” Ross said.

Over the years, Silverstine, Ross and their team have raised over $15,000 in donations through the biking event, said Ashley F. Marshall, senior associate director of development at Kimmel Cancer Center.

“Last year marked their most successful bike tour to date, raising over $6,700 for Johns Hopkins Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center,” she said. “It was an amazing accomplishment.”

This year, event sponsors include the Faulkner Family of Automobile Dealerships, CR Automotive Detailings and Charney Investment Group.

“We continue to be grateful to the riders, sponsors and the Harrisburg community committed to the cause,” Marshall said.

This year, the tour is offering donor incentives like free ice cream, store credits and coupons for the first time. All donations are tax deductible.

“The goal behind our event is that we hope they find a cure for this pernicious disease,” Ross said.

The Cancer Research Bike Tour takes place during the month of July. To help fund cancer research, visit www.supportthetour.com.

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

PennDOT announces long-term bridge closure as part of Capital Beltway project

June 26, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

Map of the detour during the 29th Street bridge closure.

A Harrisburg bridge soon will close for over a year, due to the years-long I-83 project.

PennDOT announced on Wednesday that the 29^th Street bridge, spanning I-83, will close from the evening of July 8 through Nov. 12, 2025, as work is done to replace it.

The project is the first of two contracts that are part of PennDOT’s east shore portion of the I-83 Capital Beltway Project, which includes widening and reconstructing portions of the highway and reconstructing overhead bridges at 29th and 19th streets. PennDOT also will construct a new Cameron Street Interchange, remove the 13^thStreet interchange and make roadway improvements along the Cameron Street, 19th Street and 29th Street corridors.

During the bridge closure, truck, car and pedestrian detours will be in place. Cars will use Derry Street, 19^thStreet and Paxton Street. Trucks will use Derry Street, Eisenhower Boulevard and Paxton Street.

Pedestrians will use Derry Street, S. Paxtang Avenue/City Park Drive, Parkview Lane, 32^nd Street and Sycamore Street.

Night work will begin Sunday, July 14. The contractor will remove the beams and deck on the section of the bridge that spans the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. There will be lane closures in both directions of I-83 in the area of 29^th Street. PennDOT expects that portion of the replacement to take two to three weeks to complete.

New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, Inc., of New Enterprise, Pa., serves as the contractor for the first portion of the $154.6 million east shore project.

PennDOT expects that all work on this first portion of the Capital Beltway project to be completed by Oct. 12, 2027.

The second east shore contract is expected to be under construction from 2025 to 2028 and includes widening and reconstruction on I-83, construction of the 13^th Street bridge and approaches and construction of the 17^th Street interchange and widening 17^th Street, according to PennDOT.

For more information about the East Shore Section 3 and the I-83 Capital Beltway Project, click here.

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

Ned Smith Center hosts summer concert series, celebrates decade of music at its outdoor stage

June 26, 2024 | by Kawena Jacobs

DeSoto Amphitheater

With live music season fully underway, the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art has a full slate of shows for its annual summer concert series, while also celebrating the tenth anniversary of its DeSoto Amphitheater.

The series, which takes place at the amphitheater outside of the center’s building in Millersburg, began May 25 with the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet and will conclude Sept. 21 with Heart tribute band Heart by Heart. Other performances for the milestone year include Gamut Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Woods and Billy Joel’s original touring band, Lords of 52^nd Street, which played this past Saturday.

Tenth anniversary festivities like decorations, giveaways, and donation drives will be a part of their concerts, which Amphitheater Volunteer Coordinator and Arts & Entertainment Committee member Linda Enders considered to be “the cherry on top of the sundae,” adding to an already exciting season.

The concert series began before the amphitheater was built and was pioneered by its namesake, Carole DeSoto, a long-time patron of the arts in the region. Arts & Entertainment Committee Chairperson Christopher Dietz said DeSoto is a “visionary” who has been “instrumental” in many community-improvement projects such as bringing the Harrisburg Area YMCA to northern Dauphin County and the expansion of the Dauphin County Library System.

“I think the amphitheater is a similar extension of that vision and bringing a cultural component…maybe folks would not have the opportunity to see a ballet in person or Shakespeare performance,” Dietz said.

Accessibility and welcoming all have been goals from the very beginning, said Ned Smith Operations Manager Alexandra Singer.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about how much change is in your pocket to come here and have a good time,” Singer said. “Mother nature doesn’t have a price tag and we try to limit ours greatly.”

The amphitheater, at its genesis in 2014, was created to meet a simple goal—to be an outdoor venue that could showcase the beauty of nature while highlighting artists wanting to perform. Since then, it has become “a destination of entertainment here in [the] valley,” according to Erin Margerum who serves on both the center’s Arts & Entertainment Committee and the Board of Trustees.

“It takes a while to build the program and to draw the community and the public into it,” Amphitheater Stage Manager and board member Ray Enders said. “So, I think the humble beginnings gave us a very strong foundation to be able to bring in some national acts and very good local talent.”

Early shows had a capacity of 50 to 80 people, but now crowds reach from 300 to 350.

“We usually ask, ‘who’s new to the center and has never been here before?’ And there’s always a large number of hands in the audience for that,” Dietz said.

One unforeseen plus to being an outdoor venue was its ability to be open during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing entertainment at a time with few other options.

“There were people who came out to the theater because it was the only place they could see live music,” Margerum said. “It afforded us the opportunity for people to sort of exhale and have a normal evening for a couple hours.”

Dietz said the amphitheater has also been a “gateway” to the mission and resources offered by the center as a whole. Last year, Linda suggested the center’s art gallery stay open before concerts to give people something to do while they waited, which had very positive results.

“[We had] more people then than we got during the week,” Linda Enders said. “Plus, we’ve brought in more money just by putting a container out rather than charging.”

The galleries will continue to be free year round, as will the surrounding trails, the playground, and more featured at the center.

“If you come over the mountain, we’ll make it worth your while,” Margerum said.

The Ned Smith Center is located at 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. Click here for more information on the entertainment offered by the center and the upcoming concerts.

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

State, local officials discuss initiatives to address gun violence, root causes at roundtable

June 25, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

State and local officials discussed gun violence at a roundtable discussion at the Dauphin County Administration Building.

State, county and city officials gathered on Tuesday to discuss the root causes of gun violence, as well as ways to address it.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis hosted a roundtable conversation to tackle the issue, with local officials and community members commenting on the initiatives they’re taking to find solutions.

“Some people think that this [gun violence] is just a Harrisburg issue, or a Philadelphia issue or a Pittsburgh issue,” Davis said. “I want to be clear that this is a Pennsylvania issue, and it is uniquely an American issue. But it’s an issue that we can and must do something about.”

State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-7), Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and Dauphin County and Harrisburg officials were also in attendance.

Davis noted that the state has recently proposed a 2024 budget that would invest over $100 million into gun violence prevention efforts, including a $37.5 million increase to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) Violence Intervention and Prevention grant program.

Officials talked about Harrisburg’s ongoing Group Violence Intervention program, which received funding through the PCCD. According to the GVI program manager for the city, Angelo Craig, the program is in the outreach phase, where identified members of violent groups will be contacted and invited to either receive help or face consequences. Craig expects that meetings with group members, service providers and community members will begin in September.

Cities like York and Philadelphia are also implementing GVI strategies and have seen positive results, Davis said.

Others talked about the need for additional investments in mental health resources, after-school programs for youth and employment opportunities for those re-entering society after prison.

Some community members called out elected officials and police for not doing enough to advocate for anti-gun violence initiatives, encouraging them to do more.

“What we need to figure out is why are our young people carrying guns, and the reality is that clearly, they don’t feel safe, so why is that?” said Kia Hansard, director of the Center for Employment Opportunities in Harrisburg. “When we have people that live in a community that feel as though the officials that run that city don’t care about them, don’t care about where they live […] what do you think happens?”

However, Harrisburg Police Commissioner Tom Carter shared that addressing the issue will take community buy-in and participation as well, noting that often violence among teens stems from troublesome home environments and family situations. Solving violence requires a holistic approach, he explained.

“We can’t always keep throwing money, money, money at the situation […] I need the help of everybody,” he said. “We look at the teenagers and they’re carrying guns. A lot of the time, they’re forced into that situation because they’re not getting love over here so they join gangs in order to feel love. We have to break that cycle and we have to educate parents too.”

Carter noted a recent gun buy-back program that the police bureau hosted, at which over 100 guns were received from the community. That program, which allows people to surrender guns no questions asked, is still going on, Carter said.

“We are all truly in this together,” Davis said. “And I think we have seen movement in a positive direction and we need to just continue to double down our efforts.”

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

Burg Review: Fleet Foxes shows off instrumental skill, charms audience at HU Presents summer concert

June 25, 2024 | by Kawena Jacobs

Fleet Foxes performed in Riverfront Park on Sunday, June 23 as part of HU Presents’ Summer Concert Series.

Amid smatterings of rain and a thunderstorm sitting on the horizon, Seattle indie-folk band Fleet Foxes delivered a formidable performance on Sunday, making a seven-piece band feel like an orchestra of 30.

The night, hosted by Harrisburg University Presents as part of its Summer Concert Series, began with Brazilian indie singer and guitarist Tim Bernardes, whose impressive falsetto rang out across Riverfront Park like bird calls. His songs, some of which included “BB (Garupa de Moto Amarela)” and “Recomeçar,” were exclusively sung in Portuguese, transporting the audience to his hometown of São Paulo.

While most of the crowd might not have been able to understand the lyrics, they gave plenty of applause after each song—in other words, his musicality was sharp enough to break the language barrier. At around 8:40 p.m., Bernardes said his thanks, then headed off the stage just as the sun ducked beneath the distant mountains.

It wasn’t long before the main act made their presence known, opening with “Sun It Rises,” the first track of their 2008 album “Fleet Foxes.” This was not your average, all-out-energy kind of opener, but rather one that highlighted their tight harmonies and ethereal world-building.

The next songs, “Grown Ocean” and “Ragged Wood,” brought the punch instead, all anthemic toms and lead singer Robin Pecknold’s cut-through-anything tenor. Songs like “Your Protector” and “Third of May / Ōdaigahara” continued the vigor but with more introspection and mystery created by modulating chord progressions and eerie melodies.

Popular track “White Winter Hymnal” was a classic staple on their setlist, while “Blue Ridge Mountains” prompted the loudest audience sing-along.

My personal favorite of the night, which encompassed the folk sound that I consider to be the band at its best—choral oohs and big drums—was “Mykonos.” By that point, a gentle rain was falling, occasionally passing in front of the colorful lights, framing the group in a cinematic nature. They sang hard but not strained, something that can be difficult to keep control of live.

It feels important to note that several members of the band had a constant rotation of instruments cycling through their hands. Take multi-instrumentalist Morgan Henderson, for example, who alone played upright bass, flute, saxophone and percussion at some point in the evening. Whether the song required swift, unnerving woodwind trills or a tasteful shake of the tambourine, the band was on it.

Equally charming as their music were their interactions with the audience. Pecknold was sure to politely thank the crowd twice after each song, and when a fan called out that it was their birthday, the trombonist launched into a comical rendition of the birthday song with the rest of the band joining in by the end.

It was clear that this kind of venue was right where the band belonged—their vibrant lyrical story-telling resonating across the river, trains passing on the bridge above, a faithful audience weathering storms below—because it felt like a scene that they might have written into a song.

For more information about HU Presents and their upcoming concerts, visit their website.

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

Harristown to renovate historic, blighted buildings in downtown Harrisburg

June 24, 2024 | by Maddie Gittens

104 and 106 Walnut St. will be renovated by Harristown Enterprises

A pair of blighted buildings in Harrisburg will get new life.

Harristown Enterprises announced on Monday that it would renovate 104 and 106 Walnut St., which have long been vacant, and transform them into four new apartments.

Harristown purchased the circa-1930s properties, located across the street from the McCormick Riverfront Library, in 2023 with partner DH Mowery Investments.

“The expansion onto Walnut Street, just off the riverfront and across from the library, is a great addition to our property portfolio,” said Harristown CEO Brad Jones. “This is the next up and coming corridor in the city to see renovation and rehabilitation, as evidenced by the stunning library rehabilitation. These long-vacant buildings will bring added residential life to that street and will help to enhance the livability of our city.”

The new units, called Charming on Walnut, will each include two bedrooms and two baths. The buildings will receive new roofs, windows and interior living spaces. Construction is slated to be completed by the end of the year.

Harrisburg Property Service will oversee construction and HBG Realty LLC will handle leasing and management of the units. Both companies are Harristown affiliates.

With this project, Harristown will now have 252 residential units downtown.

For more information on Harristown Enterprises, visit their website.

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

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

June 21, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

George and Hettie Love Memorial Library

Have you noticed our new Family Time section in the magazine yet? We now have special articles and puzzles for our youngest Burg readers and parents. Grab your crayons and take a look! Before you head to the magazine, catch up on this week’s news, below.

TheBurg won more awards than we’ve ever received in a single contest in this year’s Keystone Media Awards contest. Click here to view all of our award-winning reporting, writing, photography and design.

The Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab just wrapped up and awarded cash prizes to small, minority-owned ventures following a pitch competition. Read our online story to find out which businesses won.

Dauphin County launched Pride Month with a press conference, our online story reported. County commissioners shared new initiatives that they are planning to increase inclusivity, and community members and activists spoke about the change that they believe still needs to be made.

Down to Earth Barbershop opened in Midtown Harrisburg this month, our online story reported. Owner Tylor Hockenberry has dreamed for years of opening his own shop and hopes that Down to Earth will foster a relaxing environment for patrons.

Harrisburg City Council member Lamont Jones partnered with UPMC to host an event to raise awareness about gun violence at Harrisburg University this week, our online story reported. The event focused on education and prevention through storytelling.

Harrisburg University Presents announced that country band Brothers Osborne will perform on Aug. 18 as part of its Summer Concert Series, our online story reported. The summer shows in Riverfront Park kick off this weekend.

Harrisburg Development Corp. will cut the ribbon on the new UPMC ClockBox and the UPMC Stage at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg next week, our online story reported.

June’s 3^rd in The Burg takes place tonight in Harrisburg. In our story, find out what’s coming up and how we plan to continue reviving and evolving the monthly event.

Kline Library in Harrisburg has been renamed the George and Hettie Love Memorial Library in honor of a local couple, our online story reported. The Loves were activists for equality and advocates for education.

The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg will host a Juneteenth Community Free Day on Saturday, June 22, our online story reported. The event will include crafts, music and history presentations.

The Pride of the Susquehanna will remain docked for the 2024 season, our online story reported. The Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society announced that the boat needs unexpected repairs and will not be able to set sail.

Sankofa African American Theatre Company and Theatre Harrisburg are presenting “Intimate Apparel now through June 30. Click here to read our theater reviewer’s thoughts on the dramatic romance.

Sara Bozich has rounded up all of the best events taking place this weekend in the Harrisburg area. Find them, here.

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission moved its offices to Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. The commission was previously located in the Veterans Memorial Building on Market Street, but had to move due to the sale of that building.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like