Happenings: Our April Calendar of Events

March 30, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“Racing to the Finish Line,” through April 22

“Corvettes Celebrate 70!” through April 22

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

“Reinterpretions/Beware of Thoughts That Are Not Your Own,” four-artist invitational of mixed media and sculptures by Jeffrey Equality Brooks, James Gallagher, John Guarnera and Joseph Mayernik, through April 20

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

Paintings by Irene Appleyard, through May 28

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

Celebration of student art, showcasing the talents of Carlisle Area School District students, through April 15

“Flavors of Here,” a CALC Collaborative exhibition created by students in Artworks, April 21-May 27

Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters, April 21-May 27

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

April artist of the month

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

Upper Dauphin Area High School Student Art Show, through April 8

Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the PA Guild of Craftsmen, April 8-May 20; reception, April 16, 3-5 p.m.

HACC
1 HACC Drive, Harrisburg
www.hacc.edu

“67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in PA,” photography exhibit, April 20-30; reception: April 20 at 6 p.m. (sponsored by PA Breast Cancer Coalition; www.PABreastCancer.org)

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

HAAA Rotation Exhibit Galleries, April 8-June 10

Backstage at the Allen Theater, April 1-May 31

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

“Traveling While Black,” April 10-May 8

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

Senior Exhibition II, Final work from senior students in the BFA studio art and graphic design programs, April 15-30; reception: April 15, 4 p.m.

Juried Student Art Show, April 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

New works by Tara Chickey, Averill Shepps, Rebecca Adey, Paul Gallo and Richard Sauders, through April 16

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

Capital Area School for the Arts Student Exhibit, April 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 (PCCA)
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Director’s Choice,” a selection of noteworthy student artwork from Youth Art Day 2023; reception, May 6, 1-3 p.m.

“Stillness & Motion,” a solo exhibition by Louise Thomas, April 14-June 24

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.

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

“Ju Yun—Hybrid Identity,” features vibrant mixed media pieces that take inspiration from the popular culture found in both Korea and the United States, April 20-June 25

“Souls Shot Portrait Project” brings attention to and memorializes the lives lost and altered due to gun violence, through April 16

“The Hidden Museum, 2018,” installation in which viewers are challenged to locate “hidden” works of art, through Dec. 31

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

“Noise,” drawings, paintings, prints and photographs by Dickinson Professor Emeritus of Art Ward Davenny, through April 15

“Memory and Modernity,” modern Japanese woodblock prints of the natural world, April 15

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

“ART: Fresh from the Studio—New work by MU Art & Design Faculty,” April 7-28; reception: April 7, 6-8 p.m.

Read, Make, Learn

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

April 1: “The Play’s the Thing—Why Shakespeare? Workshop (ages 8-13), 2 p.m.

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

April 3, 17: Adult Art Class, 11:05 a.m.
April 3, 17: Kids’ Art Class, 12:05 p.m.
April 3, 10, 17, 24: Virtual Pilates, 5 p.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Virtual Yoga for Back Health, 10 a.m.
April 6, 20: Fit Chicks in-store and virtual, 4:15 p.m.
April 7, 21: Virtual Booty Blast, 9:30 a.m.
April 13, 27: Boomer Fit Zoomer in-store and virtual, 4:15 p.m.
April 14, 28: Virtual Barre Intensity Express, 9:30 a.m.

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

April 4-25: Beginning Oil Painting—Cloud Study/Twilight, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 4-25: Processing Photos in Lightroom Classic and Photoshop (Zoom), Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 4-25: Intermediate/Advanced Painting (ages 16-adult), Tuesdays, 1-3:30 p.m.
April 6-27: Worsted Socks, Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.
April 10-May 6: Raku, Try it You’ll Like It!, 6-8 p.m.
April 11-May 16: Modifying & Handbuilding Ceramics, 6-8 p.m.
April 10: Eucalyptus Magic & Cotton, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
April 15: Copper Enameling Workshop (ages 13-adult), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 18: Abstract Mixed Media, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
April 22: Indigo Eye Lab for Earth Day, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 29: Vintage Tin Earrings (ages 13-adult), 1-3:30 p.m.
April 8: Plant a Rock Garden (ages 5-12), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

April 8: Reading the Rainbow Book Club at Elementary Coffee
April 14: Getting to Know Your Computer—Using Your Mouse and Keyboard at Millersburg Area Senior Center, 12-1:30 p.m.

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

April 3, 17: Paws 2 Read, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 6: A Garden of Senses, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
April 12: Let’s Discover Art, 5-6 p.m.
April 19: A Tabletop for the Season, 5-7:30 p.m.
April 20: Sip & Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.

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

April 6, 13, 20, 27: Knitter’s Group, 5-7 p.m.
April 8: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
April 11: STEM Stations, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
April 13: Fiber Artists, 3-5 p.m.
April 15: Dog Tales, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 18: Musik Times, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

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

April 1: Archibald McAllister’s Birthday Celebration, 1-3 p.m.
April 6: Spring Break Boredom Buster—Native Americans, 10-11:30 a.m.
April 6: Spring Break Boredom Buster—Dairy Farming, 1-2:30 p.m.
April 12: Virtual Illustrated Talk—American Red Cross: A History of Serving the Community, 7-8 p.m.
April 22: Earth Day Tin Punching Workshop, 10-11:30 a.m.

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

April 3: Roots & Shoots Program, 6-7 p.m.
April 3, 10, 17, 24: Book Explorers (ages 3-6), 5:30 p.m.
April 3, 17: Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
April 4: Curl up with the Classics—“The House of the Seven Gables” 10-11 a.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Natalie D. Crauer Writer’s Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
April 4, 18: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 5: Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
April 5: Teen STEAM Meetup, 4-5:30 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19. 26: Spring Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
April 5, 19: Tween STEAM Meetup, 5:15-6 p.m.
April 6: Tween Epic Comic Club, 6-7 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Language at the Library—Spanish, 10-11 a.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
April 7: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
April 8: Young Explorers (ages 6-8), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
April 13, 20: Meet and Greet Library Pups, 10-11 a.m.
April 15: Tween LEGO Club, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 16: Teen Crafternoon, 1-2:30 p.m.
April 19: Computer Basics, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 20-23: Friends of Fredricksen Spring Book & Media Sale
April 26: Device Advice, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 28: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime, 10-10:45 a.m.
April 28: Family Paint & Pix!, 6 p.m.

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

April 1: Needle Felted Rabbit, 1-4 p.m.
April 2: 3-Piece Jewelry Collection, 2-4 p.m.
April 5: Easter Cookie Decorating, 6-8 p.m.
April 13: Field Landscape Painting Workshop, 6-8:30 p.m.
April 15: Mixed Media Workshop, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
April 16: Wind Chimes Workshop, 12-2 p.m.
April 22: Solid Bottom Basket, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
April 23: Resin & Alcohol Ink coasters, 2-4 p.m.
April 28: Welcome Porch/Deck Wood Sign, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
April 29: Paper Quilled Heart in a Shadow Box, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

April 4-May 23: Level 2—Game of the Scene

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

April 1, 22: Chess Club, 1 p.m.
April 1, 29: DIY Card Making, 11 a.m.
April 1, 29: Local Author Talks, 2 p.m.April 3, 17: Movie Monday, 3 p.m.
April 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.
April 4, 18, 25: Girls Who Code, 6 p.m.
April 5: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
April 6, 20: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
April 10: Storytime for Everyone, 11 a.m.
April 10, 17, 24: Books and Babies, 10:15 a.m.
April 11: Philosophers’ Round Table Discussion Group, 2 p.m.
April 11, 18, 25: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15 a.m.
April 11, 25: Silent Book Group at Starbucks in Hershey Towne Square, 10-11:30 a.m.
April 12, 26: Artisan Wednesday, 3 p.m.
April 13, 20, 27: Storytime for Everyone, 10:15 a.m.
April 15: Cocoa Area Fiber Enthusiasts, 10 a.m.
April 15: Friends Children’s Program—Composting for Kids, 2 p.m.
April 22: Kevin Wilson Author Visit, 2 p.m.
April 24: Adult LEGO Club @ Troegs, 6:30 p.m.

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

April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26: Rhyme Time (18 months and older), 10:15-10:35 a.m.
April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26: Toddler Time (18 months-3 years), 10:45-11:05 a.m.
April 3, 17, 24: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
April 4: Kindergarten Readiness, 1 p.m.
April 4: Teen Tuesday, 6-8:30 p.m.
April 4, 6: Kindergarten Readiness, 6 p.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
April 8: Block Party, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 8: Puzzle Party, 11:35 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 10: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 11: Tween Scene, 6-7 p.m.
April 12: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
April 15: Discovery Club, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
April 15: Adventure Club, 11:30 am.-12:15 p.m.
April 15: Teen Squad Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
April 17: Monday Night Book Club, 7 p.m.
April 20: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
April 20: Teen Third Thursday, 6 p.m.
April 22: Trivia at Home—2022 in Review, 6-8 p.m.
April 25: Tea & Stitches Extended Edition, 12-3 p.m.
April 25: Tabletop Game Night, 6-8 p.m.
April 27: STEAM Club (grades 1-2), 6 p.m.
April 27: STEAM Club (grades 3-5), 6 p.m.
April 29: Creation Station Maker Space, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

April 1: Kline Friends Book Sale, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
April 8: Knit One, Crochet Too!, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 12, 26: Paws 2 Read, 5-6 p.m.

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

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Passageways, 2 p.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
April 5, 12, 29, 26: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
April 8: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

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

April 27, 28: Opera Workshop, 7:30 p.m.

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

April 6: STEM Technology Open House, 4-6 p.m.
April 13: Let’s Build STEM, 5-6 p.m.
April 18: A Garden of Senses, 2-2:45 p.m.
April 21: Book Spine Poetry, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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

April 3, 10, 17, 24: Teen STEM Club, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
April 3, 10, 17, 24: STEM Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
April 6: Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Online Science Fiction Book Club
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Star Trek Rewatch online group

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

April 4: An Evening with Alex Mar and Todd Allen, 7-8 p.m.
April 6: An Evening with Matthew Hongoltz and Karen Hendricks, 7-8 p.m.
April 13: Robert Dugoni at Calvary Church, Lancaster, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 19: An Evening with Martha Hall Kelly and Meghan Kenny, 7-8 p.m.
April 27: An Evening with Rainn Wilson at the Strand Theatre, York, 7-8 p.m.

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

April 1: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
April 2: Mindfulness Art Forms Workshop, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
April 7: Macramé Plant Hanger, 6-8 p.m.
April 8: Beginning Knitting, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 15: Fluid Art, 12-3 p.m.
April 21: Linocut Printmaking, 7-8:30 p.m.
April 30: Candle making, 1-3 p.m.

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

April 13: A Civil Conversation with Peniel E. Joseph, 7-8 p.m.

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

April 29: Spring Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 29: Watercolor Paint-Along, 1-4 p.m.

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

April 1-30: Beanstack Challenge—Kids Cocoa Club (ages 0-18)
April 1-30: Rhyme Time Scavenger Hunt (ages 0-12)
April 3, 10, 17, 24: Storytime & More (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
April 3, 17: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Book Babies (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.
April 5: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
April 6: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 7, 21: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
April 8: Teen Take & Make (ages 13-17), 10 a.m.
April 11: Book Review Program, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 11: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 12, 26: Wednesday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 13, 27: Block Party! (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 14, 28: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 13-17), 4-6 p.m.
April 15: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 15: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
April 18: Weather STEM Stations (ages 7-12), 6-7 p.m.
April 26: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
April 29: Crafty Crafters Club, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

April 5, 12, 19, 26: Strength & Stretching for Ages 50+, 10-11 a.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Smart Start Storytime, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
April 10: Palmyra Public Library Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 11: iPhones Part 2, 6-8 p.m.
April 18: Tech Help, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 24: BYO Craft Nights (adults 18 and older), 4:30-6:45 p.m.

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

April 1-30: Who Am I?
April 1-30: Oasis in Space
April 8, 29: Discover PA with the Giant Map, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 13: A Place for All Gallery Tour, 11:30 a.m.
April 19: Celebrate Earth Day—Plant a Tree, 11:30 a.m.
April 21: Virtual Learn at Lunchtime: Pennsylvania Lagomorphs (Rabbits and Hares), 12:15 p.m.
April 22: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
April 22: Celebrate Earth Day—Plant a Tree, 1:30 p.m.
April 26: Tonight’s Sky Live Chat, 2 p.m.
April 27: Wheels Go Round, 11:30 a.m.

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

April 12: Landscapes, 6-8 p.m.
April 15: Kid’s Art Club—All Things Polka Dots (ages 5-10), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 26: Open Figure Drawing, 7-9 p.m.
April 29: Kid’s Art Club—Clay Coil Hearts (ages 7-12), 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

April 11: Hope as a Tool to Overcome Childhood Trauma, 5 p.m.
April 20: 10th Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference: Achieving Sustainable Change in an Evolving World, 5:30 p.m.

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

Most Thursday and Friday evenings: Intro to Wheel classes
April 8: Second Saturday Workshops and Artist Demonstrations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 28: Spring Paint Party, 6-8 p.m.
April 29: Intro to Hand Building with Clay, 1-4 p.m.

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

April 1: Penn State Extension Spring Symposium, 9:30-11 a.m.
April 2: Art in the Wild—Meet the Artists, 1-3 p.m.
April 4: Fort Hunter Conservancy Hike, 2-4 p.m.
April 5: Wednesday Wellness Walks, 1-2 p.m.
April 5, 12: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’ Veggie Series, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 7: Kids Discover—Birds and Their Nests (ages 5-10), 10-11:30 a.m.
April 8: Birds & Coffee, 10-11 a.m.
April 8: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 12, 26: Wednesday Wellness Walks, 1-2 p.m.
April 1, 236: Redbud Tree Sale, 1-3 p.m.
April 19: Preschool Storytime—Spring at Wildwood, 10-10:45 a.m.

April 19: Wednesday Wellness Walks, 1-2 p.m.
April 20: Kids Discover (ages 5-10), 2-4 p.m.

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

April 12: A Garden of Senses, 5-5:15 p.m.
April 15: Crafternoon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Live Music

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

April 1: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone w/The Grass Roots
April 2: The Concert—A Tribute to ABBA
April 13: Josh Turner
April 14: The Temptations and the Four Tops
April 19: One Night of Queen with Gary Mullen and the Works
April 20: Clint Black
April 28: Scotty McCreery
April 30: RAIN—A Tribute to the Beatles

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

April 6: Morgan James, Kirk Thurmond
April 7: Jazz in the City
April 8: Ashanti
April 15: A Brother’s Revival
April 22: York Symphony
April 29: The Wallflowers

Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu

April 2: Symphony Orchestra
April 3: Side by Side Band Concert with Ephrata High School
April 4: Deborah Fortna
April 11: Percussion Ensemble
April 19: String Ensembles Concert
April 20: Small Jazz Ensemble
April 23: SAI Pickwell
April 24: Chamber Choir
April 25: Touch of Brass
April 26: An Evening of Woodwinds
April 29: Flute Ensemble Reunion
April 30: Symphonic Band
April 30: College Choir

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

April 28: Tops of the World Carpenters Tribute

Cumberland Singers
www.Cumberlandsingers.org

April 14: Concert at Community United Methodist Church, New Cumberland
April 15: Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley, Boiling Springs
April 16: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Mechanicsburg

Elizabethtown College
1 Alpha Dr., Elizabethtown
717-361-1212; www.etown.edu

April 16: Elizabethtown College-Community Orchestra

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

April 13: Livingston Taylor

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

April 7: Aaron Daniel Gaul
April 14: Erica Lyn Everest
April 21: Joe Cooney & Friends
April 28: SOC Duo

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

April 1: Kingsmen
April 2: Pinkshift
April 4: Nothing More
April 4: Hiss Golden Messenger
April 6: The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
April 6: nothing,nowhere.
April 7: Unique Legion
April 8: Twiddle
April 9: The Plot In You
April 14: Dopapod
April 15: Snarky Puppy
April 21: Trixter
April 22: Xiu Xiu
April 22: Slaughter To Prevail
April 27: Chelsea Grin/Carnifex

Harrisburg Scottish Rite Theatre
2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-238-8868; valleyofharrisburg.org

April 22: Atlanta Rhythm Section

Harrisburg Singers
www.theharrisburgsingers.org

April 29: Concert at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill
April 30: Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg

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

April 1: POPS 5—“Dancing in the Street”
April 15, 16: Masterworks—Beethoven and Sibelius

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

April 6: Wilder Woods at XL Live
April 8: Lucius at XL Live
April 18: Joywave, Elliot Lee at XL Live
April 20: Houndmouth at XL Live
April 21: The Mountain Goats at XL Live
April 27: Father John Misty at The Forum
April 29: Alec Benjamin at XL Live

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

April 12: Chicago
April 22: Natalie Merchant
April 23: Brit Floyd
April 30: Alice Cooper

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

April 1: Midnite Riot
April 7: Hooligan
April 8: Downtown Sound
April 14: Jess Zimmerman Band
April 15: Dance Fever
April 21: Smooth Like Clyde
April 22: Stampede
April 28: Renegade Radio Rocks
April 29: Cazhmiere

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

April 1: Travis Tritt
April 2: Shippensburg University Wind Ensemble and Concert Band
April 15: Get the Led Out
April 23: Shippensburg University Community Orchestra
April 27: The Collingsworth Family

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

April 14: Symphony Orchestra
April 16: Symphony Band
April 22: Jazz Ensemble

Mansion Concerts
2917 N Front St, Harrisburg
mansionconcert.com

April 1: Steve Baughman, Robin Bullock

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

April 29: Stuart and Friends

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

April 3: Messiah University Chamber Ensemble
April 4: Messiah University Brass Choir and Symphonic Winds
April 14: Messiah University Symphony Orchestra Concert
April 22: Messiah University Handbell Choir
April 22: Messiah University United Voices of Praise
April 23: Messiah University Wind Ensemble
April 26: Messiah University Choral Showcase
April 28: Messiah University Jazz Ensembles
April 27: Messiah University Musica Nova—Student Compositions
April 28: Handel’s “Messiah” April 30, 4 p.m.
April 21-22: Culmination ’23—Spring Dance Concert

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

April 15: The LeBlancs
April 30: Stuart Malina & Friends

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House

67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

April 29: Callanish

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

April 11: Loreto Aramendi

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

April 2: Open Mic Night
April 15, 16: The Faux Paws
April 16: April Jam & Song Swap
April 23: Spring Coffee House
April 27: É.T.É
April 30: Golden Shoals with Brad Kolodner & Alex Lacquement

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

April 7: We the People First Friday—Ever Sandoval & Friends
April 29: Club 42 Series—Victor Provost Quartet
April 30: Concert Band & Wind Ensemble

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

April 11: Harrisburg Jazz Collective
April 23: The Wind Down
April 27: Erich Cawalla presents the music of Sinatra, Bennet, Darin, and more
April 29: The Maxwell Project

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

April 1: Crazy Train The Ozzy Experience, Road Case, LeadFoot
April 6: Harrisburg presents Wilder Woods
April 7: Space Bacon, Hexbelt & Flux Capacitor
April 8: Harrisburg University presents Lucius
April 12: Dirtwire, Mystik Fool
April 14: Cabinet
April 15: Bob 94,9 Birthday Bash
April 18: Harrisburg University presents Joywave, Elliot Lee
April 19: Star Kitchen, Jen Hartswick
April 20: Harrisburg University presents Houndmouth
April 21: Harrisburg University presents The Mountain Goats
April 22: Badfish—A Tribute to Sublime
April 29: Harrisburg University presents Alec Benjamin

The Stage Door

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

April 12: “Jesus Christ Superstar”
April 14: Joey Callahan, Bill Chiang, Daphne London
April 19: “The Gruffalo”
April 25: CapComedy Night Fundraiser for Cultural Alliance of York County
April 27: Rainn Wilson

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

April 21: “A Fox on the Fairway”

Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu

April 13-16: “On The Town”

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

April 1-2: “You Can’t Take It With You”

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

April 1: “Sister Act”
April 7-May 20: “Footloose the Musical”

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

April 1-2: “Jungle Book”
April 14-16: “Macbeth”
April 26-May 13: “Rollicking Ripsnorters” w/Popcorn Hat Players

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

April 14-16: “Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder?”
April 22: “Dancing with our Stars”

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

April 1: Chris Harvey, Wyatt Cole
April 7: Divas Down Under present “The Evolution of Drag Show”
April 7, 8: Shawn Banks, Tommy Torres
April 14, 15: Comedy Hypnotist Rich Guzzi
April 21, 22: Tammy Pescatelli

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

April 1, 2: HITSTRAVAGANZA!
April 2: Level 1 Class Show
April 7: Level 1 Class Show, Hoagie’s Heroes, Ham Juice, Frankenstein’s Monster!, Bandito
April 8: Kid Friendly Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Baby, Love Triangle, Barn Bitches, Uncomfortable, Tiny Town
April 14: Free Improv Jam, Is That Beef?, Team Z, Leg of Lamp, Phil’s Arcade, Holding Hand w/ John and Tyler—A Late Show w/ John and Tyler
April 15: Free Mixer, This Show Will Self Destruct, Mary Todd Lincoln: The Real Babe-raham Lincoln, Barbra, Tiny French Cigarettes
April 21: Free Improv Jam, Hoagie’s Heroes, Ham Juice, Cosmic Trash, The Bondfire Society
April 22: Free Mixer, Baby, Sunday School, Rockstar Goes Supernova, JODY, Barn Bitches presents The Haircut
April 28: Free Improv Jam, Is That Beef?, Team Z, Midtown Funk, Merely Players
April 29: Free Mixer, Dark Horse, Original Six, Elderprov
April 30: Kidprov Class Shows

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

April 4-9: “Hadestown”
April 15: Joe Gatto

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

April 21-May 7: “Cinderella”

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

April 21-May 7: “Doubt—A Parable”

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

April 13: “Stomp”
April 28: “Whose Live Anyway”
April 29: “The Pout-Pout Fish”

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

April 7: EFF Live!, 7:30 p.m.
April 12-16: “Charlotte’s Web”
April 21-May 7: “Tiny Beautiful Things”

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

April 28-May 14: “Sideshow” at Whitaker Center

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

April 2: “Crying on the Camino”
April 4: “Jesus Christ Superstar”

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

April 1-2: Central PA Youth Ballet presents Alan Hineline’s “Giselle”
April 28-May 14: Theatre Harrisburg presents “Sideshow”

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

Keys & Conflicts: A music legend struggles in “Little Richard: I Am Everything”

March 30, 2023 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

“You ain’t supposed to hide nothing—you’ve got it. God gave it, show it to the world!”

These are the words of Little Richard, the flamboyant father of rock ‘n’ roll. Many men have claimed that title over the years—the “father” part, not the “flamboyant.” But Lisa Cortés’ documentary, “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” makes one hell of an argument in his favor. And not only that, but it gives us a glimpse at the tumultuous relationship that he had, not with music or drugs or sex, but with God and himself.

The film takes us through Little Richard’s life decade by decade, from the 1930s when he was a little boy in Macon, Ga., aspiring to be a minister, all the way to his death in 2020. We learn about Sister Rosetta Tharpe inviting him onto the stage for the first time ever. We learn about his drag persona, Princess Lavonne. We learn about the cleaned-up lyrics of “Tutti Frutti.”

Audiences Black and white flocked to him—at a time when it was dangerous for Black and queer people to have that sort of affection publicly projected towards them. He projected sex in a non-threatening way, but was still overshadowed by white musicians who copied his music and were the “safer” choice for white audiences.

The film continuously comes back to Little Richard’s faith. As a queer Black man in the era that he lived, it was unfortunately inescapable that he would find conflict, not only from the public eye, but within himself.

Cortés shows the constant back-and-forth that Little Richard had with the desire to be who he was and who his God wanted him to be. The documentary shows outright renouncement of his queerness. At other times, he admits to the struggle he has, and yet at other times, as quoted in the film, “It’s hard to tell how much is running towards God versus running away from himself.”

The film is an incredible insight into who Little Richard was, with plenty of celebrity surprises and a killer soundtrack to boot. The magic that he brought to his music and to the stage is given physical attribute via visual effects—a move that at first seems like it comes from nowhere, but feels like a good fit by the end of the film. In several scenes, we “see” the music in gusts of glitter, practically brandishing a god-like tone around the legend of Little Richard as his story plays out. This extra shading by Cortés makes his struggle with his faith even more fascinating.

If nothing else (and that is overlooking a lot), the film gives us an insightful, 360-degree view of who Little Richard really was: the father of rock ‘n’ roll—the king—the god himself—and everything else he worked so hard to be.

“Little Richard: I Am Everything” will play at Midtown Cinema in April.

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

April Events At Midtown Cinema

National Theatre Live presents

“The Seagull”
Starring Emilia Clarke
Sunday, April 2 at 5 p.m.

“Little Richard: I Am Everything”
Documentary Screening
Tuesday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“Killer Fish” (1979)
Friday, April 14 at 9:30ish

“Miss Congeniality”
Describe your perfect date.
Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Studio Ghibli Festival
April 21 to 27

Friday, April 21
“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” 7 p.m.
“Spirited Away,” 9: 30 p.m.

Saturday, April 22
“Ponyo,” 2 p.m.
“Spirited Away,” 5 p.m.
“Howl’s Moving Castle,” 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 23
“Howl’s Moving Castle,” 2 p.m.
“Spirited Away: Live on Stage,” 4 p.m.
“Ponyo,” 5 p.m.
“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 27
“Spirited Away: Live on Stage,” 7 p.m.

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

Community Corner: Notable April Events

March 30, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Spring Gardening
April 1: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners hosts its Spring Gardening Symposium at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9:30 to 11 a.m. This session’s topic is “Creating Healthy Garden Soil.” www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Craft Sale
April 1: Central Dauphin High School Band Boosters hosts its 31st annual craft sale at 437 Piketown Rd., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for handmade items from more than 150 vendors. Proceeds benefit high school band programs. www.cdramband.org

Retirement Workshop
April 1: Dauphin County Chapter of the PA Association of School Employees will host a pre-retirement workshop at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, 1280 Clover Lane and on Zoom, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., for Dauphin County public school employees eligible for PSERS benefits and planning to retire within four years. www.dcpasr.org

HBG Flea
April 1: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Strawberry Square, 320 Market 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 Sale
April 1, 15: Friends of the 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. Find books, vintage items, jewelry, music, puzzles, kids’ books, vinyl records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Bowling Benefit
April 1-28: Register your bowling team for Bowl for Kids’ Sake to raise funds for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region’s one-to-one youth mentoring program. Enjoy pizza, drinks, raffle prizes and bowling. More details are online. www.capbigs.org

Art in the Wild
April 2: Take a self-guided, 3-mile trail walk to meet “Art in the Wild” artists as they put finishing touches on their trailside installations and observe their processes of creating outdoor art, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org

Egg-Stravaganza
April 2: Families with kids ages 2 to 8 are invited to New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, for a community Easter Egg Hunt, 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. Crafts and games will be available, and prizes will be awarded. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Girls who Code
April 4, 18, 25: Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, hosts Girls Who Code, a program for girls in grades 6 to 12 to use computer science to impact their community, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Girls will build skills in teamwork, confidence, time management, communication and more. www.hersheylibrary.org

Health Summit
April 6-8: Latino Connection will host the 2023 Latino Health Summit at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, 701 Penn St., Reading, with a theme of “Restoring and Transforming Health in Our Communities.” Network with and learn from thought leaders, private and public-sector organizations and community members. www.latinoconnection.org

Church Service
April 7: Salem United Church of Christ, 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, will host a Good Friday service at 12 p.m. Special music will include selections by the St. Thomas Dulcimer Society. www.salemuccharrisburg.org

Volunteer Day
April 8: Enjoy the outdoors and help 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. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Creative Workshops
April 8: Stop by Wheel of Light Studio, 3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax, for Second Saturday workshops to create ceramic faerie houses, macramé bunny ears, and hand-painted birdhouses, and to try your hand at Earth Day papermaking, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event also features artisan demonstrations. www.wheeloflightstudio.com

Alzheimer’s Fundraiser
April 8: Harrisburg Beach Club, City Island, hosts “The Longest Day—an Island Getaway” fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Association, 4 to 7 p.m. Relax along the river and enjoy live music, contests, prizes, cornhole, mini golf, food, beverages and more. www.harrisburgbeachclub.com

Plein Air
April 12-19: Artists will paint outdoors on both sides of the Susquehanna River during the 3rd annual River Towns Plein Air event hosted by Marietta Art Alive. The public is invited to observe artists at work. The 8-day painting period culminates in an exhibit opening on April 21 at 5 p.m. at Marietta Community House Studio 264. www.mariettaartalive.com

Food Rally
April 13: 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 promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Civil War Presentation
April 13: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, hosts “A Civil Conversation” with Peniel E. Joseph, professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin, 7:30 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Guitar Show
April 14-16: Artisan Guitar Show will be held at Best Western Premier and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with handcrafted guitar exhibitors, attend master classes and enjoy a concert series. www.artisanguitarshow.com

Travel Fair
April 15: Where & When Pennsylvania hosts the 5th Annual PA Family Travel Fair at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd., Lancaster, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discover fun and affordable PA vacations, and participate in raffles and giveaways, kids’ activities and exhibitors, entertainment and mascots. www.whereandwhen.com

Dance Class
April 15: Dwennimmen, a local, community-based African dance and drum company, presents Souleymane Solos Sana Traditional Malian Dancer Master Dance class at 5 Bridges Health & Fitness, 4450 Oakhurst Blvd., Harrisburg, 2 p.m. All levels are welcome. Facebook: Dwennimmen African Dance Community

Gettysburg Museum
April 15-16: Adams County Historical Society’s new museum, Gettysburg Beyond the Battle, 625 Biglerville Rd., will open its doors to the public, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy self-guided museum tours, special programming, book signings, living history, live music, kids’ activities and more. www.achs-pa.org

Earth & Art Fest
April 16: Join New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, and New Cumberland Collective for the first New Cumberland Earth & Art Festival with educational sessions, plein air painting, a sustainable fashion fair, art and goods market, food trucks, music, a student art show and more, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Earth Day
April 19, 22: Kids and families are invited to the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn more about the trees in Pennsylvania, how they make our lives better and take a seedling home to plant. www.statemuseumpa.org

Discover Pollywogs
April 20: Kids ages 5 to 10 are invited to Detweiler Park, 1451 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin, for a day of pond/creek exploration, 2 to 4 p.m. Using nets, kids can catch and release tadpoles and other critters. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Taste of the Chamber
April 20: West Shore Chamber of Commerce hosts “Soiree at the Farm,” with live music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres by the water at Farm 1840, 101 State Rd., Mechanicsburg, 6 to 9 p.m. Wear your best formal attire. www.wschamber.org

Bagels & Bingo
April 21: Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg to enjoy a bagel, cream cheese, and light refreshments, while playing rounds of bingo, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attendees will have a chance to win door prizes including raffle baskets and gift cards. The event is free for members. www.jewishfedhbg.org

Gospel Concert
April 21: Bethel AME Church, 1721 N. 5th St., Harrisburg, hosts a Women’s Day Benefit Spring Gospel Concert with Nicholas Carter and Divine Connection at 6 p.m. Admission is $25. Facebook: Bethel AME Church

3rd in The Burg
April 21: 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

Fundraising Event
April 21: Vision Resources of Central PA hosts the 23rd Annual Visions of Monte Carlo benefit fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey, 4650 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, for a dinner, auction, raffles, music, dancing, casino-style games and more, 6 to 10 p.m. www.vrocp.org

Litter Cleanup
April 22: Help make Harrisburg a cleaner and safer place to live, work and play by participating in the 11th annual Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup, alongside hundreds of volunteers, 8 to 11 a.m. www.cactricounty.org/ghlc

Cleanup Event
April 22: Wildheart Ministries will host a cleanup event at 333 S. 13th St., Harrisburg, and throughout South Allison Hill, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by lunch, as part of the Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup. www.lovethehillpa.com

Odd Ones
April 22: The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, hosts its annual Spring Odd Ones Bizarre, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Vendors will set up throughout the building and on the rooftop. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com

Earth Day Fest
April 22: Stop by Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St., to celebrate Earth Day with food, live music, kids’ activities, a makers’ market, environmental information tables and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/earth2etown

Gamut Gala
April 23: Gamut Theatre hosts its annual fundraiser, The Gamut Gala, 4 to 7 p.m., at its home at 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. The event features great food, open bar, entertainment and live and silent auctions. www.gamuttheatre.org.

Tonight’s Sky
April 26: Families are invited to join the planetarium director at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St, Harrisburg, at 2 p.m. to explore the night sky. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets and special celestial events. www.statemuseumpa.org

Junior Foodies
April 27: New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts Junior Foodies—Fruit Pie Challenge for ages 6 to 10, 6 to 7 p.m., in conjunction with Longwood Gardens’ Community Read selection, “Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story about Edna Lewis.” www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Plant Sale
April 29: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, hosts their annual plant sale at Foundation House, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop for annuals, vegetables, herbs, perennials and more. Event includes a free workshop on growing and using herbs at 10 a.m. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Wetlands Festival
April 29: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s treasured wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities at the 23rd Annual Wetlands Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks and wildlife exhibits, and interact with members of environmental organizations. Visit www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Ukrainian Music
April 29: Prometheus Ukrainian Male Chorus will sing at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral, 221 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $25 or $5 for students and may be obtained at the door or on the website below. There will be a freewill offering to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine. www.musicbytheriver.org

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

Harrisburg SoMa Sips festival to feature craft beverage vendors, live music, food

March 29, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

A past SoMa Block Party. Photo by Michael Yatsko Photography.

An event is brewing in Harrisburg to bring the community together for some spirited company.

The SoMa Sips Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival will take place on Saturday, April 22 in downtown Harrisburg, featuring Pennsylvania craft producers, food trucks and live music.

The festival, from 1 to 5 p.m., will be held on S. 3rd Street, between Market and Chestnut streets, in the city’s SoMa neighborhood.

Vendors will include breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries, along with non-alcoholic options. There will also be several food trucks and live music from bands Midnite Riot and Shine Delphi. Additionally, attendees can enjoy a pinball lounge, yard games and a photo booth.

“We’re excited to host this street festival in SoMa Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, who is presenting the event in partnership with Sara Bozich Events. “If you haven’t made it to one of our SoMa Block Parties – or even if you have – you’re in for a treat. Sara has put together a great lineup of vendors and entertainment, and we really hope people will enjoy exploring the SoMa Harrisburg neighborhood for the afternoon.”

Throughout the summer months, Sara Bozich Events holds monthly SoMa Block Parties in the area, which also feature vendors, music and more.

Tickets for the SoMa Sips are required and can be purchased for $25 for adult general admission or $10 for designated drivers.

General admission ticket holders will receive 10 tasting tickets good for samples from any vendors.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the SoMa Sips Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival, visit Sara Bozich Events’ website.

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Tree Time: Harrisburg to plant dozens of trees in Uptown, seeking volunteers

March 29, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Volunteers plant a tree at a city planting day in 2022.

Harrisburg has plans to make the city a little greener and needs some help making it happen.

The city announced that it will plant 75 new trees in Uptown Harrisburg on April 21 and 22 and is calling on volunteers to assist in planting them.

The new trees will be planted between Division and Maclay streets, from 2nd to 7th streets, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

“Trees provide essential ecoservices to urban areas, like cleaning and cooling the air, reducing stormwater runoff, and taking up carbon, while also adding tremendous beauty to our homes and streets,” said Ellen Roane, city forester. “Yet for far too long, the rate at which street trees are removed in Harrisburg has exceeded the number that are replanted, resulting in a net loss of tree cover.”

According to Roane, in recent years, in an effort to reverse this trend, significant funds have been allocated to the city’s Shade Tree Program toward the purchase of new street and park trees. Since 2019, about 500 new trees have been planted in the city.

For the April planting, all trees will be bare root and between 8 to 10 feet tall, but are lightweight and easy to lift, Roane said.

Volunteers who sign up for the Friday, April 21, tree planting will meet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Green and Seneca streets, at 9 a.m. Those participating in the Saturday, April 22, tree planting will meet at the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church at the corner of Green and Schuylkill streets, also at 9 a.m.

Tools, work gloves, water and snacks will be provided.

Harrisburg’s community tree plantings take place every spring and fall in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Property owners are offered new street trees at no cost.

“We are always looking for neighborhoods in need of trees where resident interest in increasing tree cover is also high,” Roane said. “If you know of such a site, or would be willing to help with outreach to such neighborhoods, please let us know!”

To sign up to volunteer for the April Harrisburg tree plantings, click here. For more information, visit the city’s website.

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Harrisburg Housing Authority recognizes demand for housing as it prepares to open Section 8 waiting list

March 28, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg Housing Authority leasing office

For those with housing needs, the Harrisburg Housing Authority (HHA) will soon reopen its financial assistance program.

The authority announced that on March 29 and 30, it will accept new applicants to the waiting list for its housing choice voucher, or Section 8, program for the first time in about two years.

According to Oche Bridgeford, director of communications and compliance for HHA, it has taken that long to work through the entire previous waiting list, as the agency typically receives thousands of applicants during each application period.

It’s hard to know how many people will apply this time around, but Bridgeford expects the need will meet or exceed last year’s demand, especially considering the effects of COVID and a hot housing market.

“The hunger for housing is as intense as it’s ever been,” he said.

According to Bridgeford, the authority will select 1,500 applicants to enter the waiting list. From there, vouchers will be awarded to applicants using a lottery system. Those who apply quickly and are eligible may receive a voucher within several weeks, but others may wait up to two years.

“We are working to make sure the process is smooth and to make sure as many people that are in need can apply,” Bridgeford said.

The authority has 1,500 vouchers in total, including those that are already assigned. Currently, the authority has 1,240 residents housed with vouchers.

With a voucher, a tenant is responsible to pay up to 30% of their income for rent and utilities.

Once a resident receives a voucher, they have 60 days to find housing before it expires. They may request a 30-day extension. However, if housing isn’t found, their voucher will be withdrawn.

While the authority helps to point residents in the right direction when it comes to finding housing, Bridgeford described a rental market lacking in affordable housing options and landlords willing to accept vouchers.

“There is a limited amount of affordable housing, especially for the Section 8 program,” he said. “Someone could get a voucher and not be able to find housing.”

The authority recently launched a program to address this issue, offering sign-on and retention bonuses for landlords who decide to accept vouchers.

The program is still too new for the authority to tell if it’s getting more landlords on board, but Bridgeford is hopeful.

“One of our biggest issues is finding quality properties and partners,” he said. “We are always trying to increase that.”

HHA will accept applications for its Housing Choice Voucher program beginning on Wednesday at 8 a.m. and closing on Thursday at 3 p.m. Applications must be submitted via the authority’s website. Paper applications will not be accepted.

For those without internet access, the following nonprofit partners will provide access to computers and assistance:

Tri County Community Action, 1514 Derry St., Harrisburg, bilingual assistance available, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC), 1319 Derry St., Harrisburg, bilingual assistance available, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
YWCA of Greater of Harrisburg, 1101 Market St., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day

The Harrisburg Housing Authority’s leasing office is located at 916 S. 14^th St., Harrisburg. For more information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, visit their website.

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At ceremony, adaptive bikes donated, provided to children with disabilities

March 28, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

An adaptive bike recipient rolls through the atrium of Capital Blue Cross headquarters.

Eight central PA children are the new owners of adaptive bikes and strollers, which were distributed on Monday at a ceremony at Capital Blue Cross headquarters.

Capital Blue Cross, based in Susquehanna Township, and Pittsburgh-based Variety, the Children’s Charity joined forces to distribute the equipment during a ceremony in conjunction with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“Today was a touching and poignant reminder of how important it is for all of us to feel like we belong,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash.

Variety, the Children’s Charity funds and delivers medical equipment and services to children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability. Capital Blue Cross provided a donation for the bikes.

“Variety’s programs align wonderfully with Capital’s values and mission,” Shamash said. “Variety goes above and beyond to empower children with disabilities to live life to the fullest, and Capital goes the extra mile every day to improve the health and well-being not only of our members, but of the communities they call home.”

Former Gov. Tom Corbett and several area officials were also on hand during the presentation and donation.

During the ceremony, several children rode their new bikes and strollers around the Capital Blue Cross building atrium, as dozens of employees looked on.

In all, five children received bikes and three received strollers. Among the stroller recipients was 7-year-old Thomas of Elizabethtown. His mother, Charlotte, said the stroller will keep him safer.

“This is more suited to his needs,” Charlotte said. “Thomas runs off a lot when the opportunity arises, because he can get out of the stroller he currently uses. He needs something that will keep him safer as he grows, so the adaptive stroller will make a big difference.”

Variety the Children’s Charity began its adaptive bike program in 2012 and now serves 59 Pennsylvania counties. It has presented more than 6,100 adaptive bikes, strollers, and communications devices, and provides the equipment at no cost to qualifying children and families.

For more information on Capital Blue Cross, visit their website. For more information on Variety, the Children’s Charity, visit their website.

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Pest Prevention: Spotted lanternflies headed back for the summer; city forester shares mitigation tips

March 28, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

City Forester Ellen Roane and city Arborist Cody Legge secure a sticky band spotted lanternfly trap on a tree at Italian Lake Park in Harrisburg.

With summer around the corner, one pesky insect is on its way too.

Spotted lanternflies will again descend on Harrisburg in the warmer months, feasting on trees and plants around the city. Ellen Roane, city forester, has some tips for dealing with them.

“They’re just a pest,” said Roane of the spotted, black, red and grey invasive fly.

The bugs, currently in egg form, will likely hatch toward the end of April and develop over the summer months into adult form by late June.

On Tuesday, Roane and city staff began placing traps along trees at Italian Lake Park in Uptown Harrisburg, with plans to do the same at other city parks, such as Reservoir Park in Allison Hill.

According to Roane, the insects are attracted to trees like the tree of heaven, red maple, black walnut, silver maple and willow, among others. The flies will feast on these trees, often leaving behind a sticky honeydew secretion, prone to growing black mold.

While spotted lanternflies are not known to kill trees directly, they can weaken them over time, especially small trees. They can also cause damage to grape vines and other produce plants. Other than that, the bugs are mainly a nuisance, Roane described, as sometimes hundreds may cover a tree, but they are not harmful to people.

Now through April is the best time to begin setting up traps on trees, and Roane has suggestions on the best way to catch the pests.

In the early spring and summer months, it’s best to set up a sticky band trap that will catch lanternflies in their nymph stage. This can be made by wrapping sticky paper around the trunk of a tree and securing a piece of screening around it so that other insects or animals, such as butterflies, squirrels and birds, don’t get caught.

Roane recommends using a roll of giant flypaper, cutting it in half to make about a 5-inch-wide band of paper to wrap around the tree. This paper can be purchased online. Then, measure a piece of mesh window screening that is double the circumference of the trunk. Secure the mesh over the sticky band using thumbtacks and pleating it so it doesn’t stick to the band.

In the later summer months, when lanternflies have reached their adult stage, Roane recommends using a circle trap, which can be purchased online or made using items like screening, small pieces of wood and a clear plastic bag.

City Forester Ellen Roane shows a circle trap to catch spotted lanternflies at Italian Lake.

After the flies hatch and feed on the upper branches of the tree, they will eventually fall off and try to climb back up, which both traps will attempt to stop.

Either trap must be replaced periodically, Roane advised.

Other ways to rid your environment of the pests could include stomping on them, using a systemic insecticide treatment for larger trees and scraping gray egg masses off trees and into alcohol to kill them. Each egg mass can contain 30 to 50 lanternfly eggs.

How bad will the spotted lanternfly infestation be this season?

It’s too soon to tell, Roane said. But through a few simple methods, residents can at least manage how many pests invade their yards and living spaces this summer.

To learn more about spotted lanternflies and how to create your own traps, visit the PennState Extension website.

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Hamilton Health breaks ground on Steelton facility, will be fourth satellite location

March 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Hamilton Health’s CEO Terese Delaplaine (center) is joined by local, county and state officials at the ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday.

A new satellite location for Hamilton Health Center has begun construction, part of a larger, mixed-used project in Steelton.

Area officials gathered on Friday at the site on N. Front Street in the center of the borough to ceremonially break ground on 20,000-square-foot healthcare facility.

The new facility is part of a 102,000-square-foot, mixed-use development called The Steel Works Revitalization, developed by Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners. In addition to Hamilton, the development includes a retail store and a 41-unit apartment complex with additional first floor commercial space.

At the groundbreaking, Hamilton’s board Chair Michael Harris stated that the expansion positions the organization “to meet growing needs of the community.”

“We all look forward to serving the Steelton area,” he said.

Hamilton’s Steelton location will consist of a two-story steel building with about 10,000 square feet of space per floor.

The first floor of the building will include a clinical space for eight family practice exam rooms, a Women’s Infant & Children (WIC) office, and a space for the future Hamilton Pharmacy location that will include a drive-through for prescription care. The second floor of the facility will house office space for staff and providers. In addition, the roof of the building will utilize green technology with 7,000 square feet of solar panels.

The Steelton facility will mark the fifth location for Hamilton Health, a federally qualified health center. In addition to its main facility in Harrisburg, Hamilton has sites in Union Deposit, Millersburg and Newport.

For more information on Hamilton Health Center, visit their website.

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Game On: New e-sports center debuts in downtown Harrisburg

March 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Soniqs CEO Darren Moore, accompanied by HU President Eric Darr, cuts the ribbon on the new LAN Center in downtown Harrisburg.

Do you want to play a game?

If so, you’re in luck, as downtown Harrisburg has a new facility, called the LAN Center, for state-of-the-art e-sports gaming.

The center will serve as the home for the Harrisburg-based Soniqs, a professional e-sports team. It also will be available to Harrisburg University’s varsity e-sports team, the Storm, and clubs and groups for private events, according to HU.

A local area network (LAN) gaming center is a facility where players use a computer connected over a LAN to other computers, primarily for competing in multiplayer games.

“We wanted to build the LAN Center in the middle of downtown Harrisburg so we could give back to the gaming community,” said Soniqs CEO Darren Moore, who cut the ribbon, officially opening the center on Monday morning.

LAN Center patrons will be able to participate in tournaments, engage in casual play with peers, and watch games as spectators. The center will include gaming set-ups and spectator seating for e-sports events. E-sports professionals will also teach workshops and other educational events in the roughly 2,000-square-foot space, which was constructed by Harrisburg-based JEM Group.

The center features Intel NUC PC’s built with 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900 CPU’s, 16GB of RAM, and RTX 3060 TI’s. Accompanying the PCs are ViewSonic’s 27-inch 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitor. At each setup are Glide Gaming Chairs from Zipchair, which feature ergonomic support, height controls, adjustable armrests and tilt tension regulation.

“We really wanted to give people a space where they could come, play, and learn,” Moore said.

The LAN Center is located at 19 S. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Soniqs website.

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