Happenings: Our June Calendar of Events

May 28, 2021 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

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

“Minibike Mania,” a display of more than two dozen miniature motorbikes, through Oct. 16

“Keep on Truckin’: Light Duty Trucks,” an exhibit focused on the history of pickup trucks, through Oct. 22.

“Iconic Chevrolets,” an exhibit presented by the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America.

“Hershey’s History: Before & After Chocolate,” through Oct. 22.

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

“Free For All” 3rd Annual Student & Member Show, through July 8

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

“Ink/Glaze/Paper/Clay,” ceramic constructions by Beverlee Lehr and ink drawings by Jo Margolis, which are explorations of the interaction of shape and form, June 11-July 24

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

June featured artist

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

“Remnant: Studio Majors Thesis Exhibition,” featuring projects by senior studio art majors under the direction of Rachel Eng with Todd Arsenault, Anthony Cervino, and Andy Bale, through Sept. 11

“In Light of the Past,” an exhibition considering how we experience photographs, through Oct. 9

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Art display at Hershey Public Library, through Oct. 10

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

New works by Yachiyo Beck, Linda Benton McCloskey, Elaine Elledge, Kristin Fava, and Richard Souders, through June 13

New works by Joelle and Justin Arawjo, Paul Gallo, Averil Shepps, and PD Murray, June 16-July 11

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

“Art on Tour @ the Capitol,” showcasing PCCA member artwork in a special group exhibition at the PA State Capitol Building East Wing Rotunda, June 2-30

“Home Goods Show” of locally made artwork and handmade home goods for spring redecorating or Zoom room makeovers, through June 12

“Director’s Choice,” a selection of outstanding student artwork from Youth Art Day 2021, June 19-July 17

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

“Persephone/Persephone,” a multi-panel collaborative installation by Elody Gyekis and Joanne Landis, through June 20

“The Wind Dies The Sun Sets,” a contemplative consideration of energy extraction and use in Pennsylvania, through June 20

“From Selfie to Community,” large-format woodcut self-portraits created by Bloomsburg University printmaking students, through July 18

“Project Pattern” multimedia display of photography, painting, sculpture, and installation by artists Nate Ethier, Nicole Herbert, and Luke Murphy, through August

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

“Art in the Wild” Exhibit of naturally inspired trailside installations created by artists using mostly natural materials and inspired by the theme “reimagining,” through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

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

June 1, 8, 15, 22: Sketching Around Carlisle, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 8, 15, 22, 29: Plein Air Painting at Allenberry, 9:30-12 p.m.
June 16: Starry Night Paint Night, 6-9 p.m.
June 21-25: Snap! Photography, 1-4 p.m.
June 22: Jeweler’s Saw—Tips & Tricks, 6-8 p.m.
June 22-July 27: Hand Building, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

June 3: Dungeons and Dragons, 7 p.m.
June 5, 12, 29, 26: Teen Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 3 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Born to Read (birth-18 months), 9:30 a.m.
June 8: Virtual Reading the Rainbow Book Club, 7 p.m.
June 8, 15, 22, 29: Discord Hangouts—Gaming, 3-5 p.m.
June 8, 15, 22, 29: Virtual Family Storytime, 6 p.m.
June 9, 16, 23, 30: Virtual Toddler Storytime, 10 a.m.
June 9, 16, 23, 30: Young Adult Book Club on Zoom, 4 p.m.
June 10, 17, 24: Discord Hangouts—Chat, 3-5 p.m.
June 11, 18, 25: Preschool Storytime on Zoom, 10 a.m.
June 15: Virtual Animal Crossing with The Library, 3:30 p.m.
June 21, 28: Art Club, 4 p.m.
June 24: Lawyers in Libraries—Civil Legal Services, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
June 24: Librarians on Twitch, 6-8 p.m.
June 30: Spanish Language Conversation Group, 12-1 p.m.
June 30: Crafternoon with The Library, 4 p.m.

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

June 1: Park Rx—Art Heals w/ Susquehanna Art Museum, 6:30-7 p.m.
June 9: Park Rx—Let EVERTYHING Go, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
June 12: Proudly PA Festival, 12-8 p.m.
June 23: Park Rx—Sound Meditation, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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

June 1: Zoom—Curl up with the Classics on Zoom—Aesop’s Fables, 10-11 a.m.
June 2: Zoom—Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Zoom Resume Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Virtual Get That Job! Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Career Exploration Workshop on Zoom, 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
June 7, 21: STEM Grab & Go Bag (ages 7-12), 9 a.m.
June 7, 21: Zoom—Fredricksen Writes on Zoom, 6:45 p.m.
June 11, 18, 25: Zoom STEM Storytime, 10 a.m.
June 14, 28: Teen Grab and Go Bag, 9 a.m.
June 16: Zoom—Write On, 7:30 p.m.
June 28: Virtual Fredricksen Reads, 7-8 p.m.

Historic Harrisburg Resource Center
1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
historicharrisburg.com

June 12: Secret Gardens of Harrisburg Garden Tour, 1-6 p.m.

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

June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
June 7, 14, 15, 21, 28: Lose the Quarantine 15 Library Style, 9 a.m.
June 8, 15, 22, 29: Read Stampede Walking Group, 9 a.m.
June 12: Author talk with Sherry Knowlton, 2 p.m.
June 16, 23, 30: Reading Garden—Furry Tales, 6:30 p.m.
June 17, 24: Reading Garden—The Story Garden, 10 a.m.
June 18, 25: Virtual LEGO Club, 3:45 p.m.
June 20: YouTube—Kids Carry & Craft Climbing Critter Edition, 10 a.m.
Jun 20: Carry & Craft—Air Clay Designs, 11 a.m.
June 22: Community Blood Drive, 1:30 p.m.
June 26: Family Book Group—“Mirrors, Windows & Sliding Glass Doors,” 2 p.m.

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

June 1: Teen Game Night, 6-8 p.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Tea & Stitches on Zoom, 10-11 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Toddler Time (18 months to 3 years), 11:10 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Story Time on Zoom (ages 3-6), 1:30-2 p.m.
June 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23: Rhyme Time (18 months and younger), 5:15-5:35 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Toddler Time (18 months to 3 years), 6 p.m.
June 5: Beautify the Barriers artists reception, 10 a.m.
June 9: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
June 11, 25: Dungeons & Dragons (grades 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
June 12: Block Party!, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 15, 29: Try-It Tuesday, 1 p.m., 6 p.m.
June 21: Virtual Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 25: Vegan Cooking Class, 7-8 p.m.
June 26: Trivia at Home—The Golden Girls, 6-8 p.m.

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

June 4, 11, 18, 25: Online Science Fiction Book Club
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Star Trek Rewatch online group

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

June 1: An Evening with Jeff Shaara, 7-8 p.m.
June 8: Chet’la Sebree in Conversation with Diana Khoi Nguyen, 7-8 p.m.
June 10: Ly Tran in Conversation with Phuc Tran, 7-8 p.m.

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

June 5: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
June 5, 19: 2-Day Watercolor Painting Class
June 9, 23: Free Kids Class on the Roof, 5-7 p.m.
June 12, 13: Fluid Art Class
June 25, 26, 27: Abstract Workshop

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

June 19: NCWM Community Free Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

June 5: Fishing for Families Camp (ages 8-15)
June 15-17: Outdoor Adventure Camp (ages 9-12)
June 22, 23, 24; Let’s Make Music—Grandparent and Me Camp

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

June 3: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15-12 p.m.
June 5, 19: Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Weekly Take & Make Activity Kits (ages 3-7)
June 7-Aug. 2: Ready for K!
June 7-Aug. 6: Tails & Tales Summer Reading Challenge
June 7-12: Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
June 11: Screen on Green—Toy Story 4, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
June 14-19: Backyard Scavenger Hunt (ages 3-10)
June 14-19: Grab & Go STEAM—Constellations (ages 7-12)
June 14-19: Kit’s Interactive Theatre Virtual Performances—Mother Nature (ages 3+)
June 15: Inspired by Nature Activity—Weather (ages 3-7), 10:30 a.m.
June 19: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 21-26: Grab & Go STEA—Bristlebots (ages 8-12)
June 24: Unicorns—Break the Cage Virtual Performance, 10:30 a.m.
June 28: Dinosaur Storytime on Zoom (ages 3-6), 10:30 a.m.
June 28-July 3: Grab & Go STEAM—Hydraulic Claw (ages 8-12)
June 28-July 3: Grab & Go STEAM—Junior Paleontologist (ages 5-8)
June 29: Teachers of Nature—What’s Up With Your Tail? on Zoom (ages 3+), 10:30 a.m.
June 29: Teen Paint Party! On Zoom (ages 12-17), 4 p.m.

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

June 14: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 14, 21, 28: Tails and Tales Monday Morning Virtual Program, 11-12 p.m.

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

June 4: Virtual Artists Conversations—Marta Sanchez, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
June 11: Virtual Adventures in Nature Lab—Butterflies and Moths of PA, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
June 13: Virtual Tonight’s Sky—A Live Chat with the Planetarium Director, 2-3 p.m.

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

June 5, 12, 19, 26: Saturday Morning Art Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Young Artist Camp, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 16: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

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

June 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Old-Time Music Workshop Series—Banjo, 6:30 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Old-Time Music Workshop Series—Fiddle, 8 p.m.
June 23: Bringing it Home—The Power of Song virtual conversation, 7:30 p.m.

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

June 3: How-To Soil Test Your Home Garden, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 5: Brownies—Bugs, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
June 8: Kayak the Swatara Creek with Cocoa Kayaks, 5:45-7:45 p.m.
June 10: Detweiler Park Photo Walk, 8-10 a.m.
June 10: Kids Discover—Herps, 1-3 p.m.
June 12: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 13: Tree Identification Walk, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 17: Growing Up WILD Educator Workshop, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 19: How-To Add the ‘Wow Factor’ to Your Home Garden, 9-10:30 a.m.
June 20: Flower Walk—Peak of Blooming, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 26: Kids Discover—Endangered Species, 10-11:30 a.m.
June 26: The Gift of Plants—Learning to Give and Receive What is Growing, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Live Music

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

June 19: Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
June 25: Fleetwood Mask—Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

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

June 12: Son Little

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

June 2: The Slackers

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; [email protected]

June 2, 9, 23, 30: Wednesday Jazz Series
June 4: Alyssa Hankey
June 5: Chris Purcell, Gleasons Drift
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Jazz Brunch with Central PA Friends of Jazz
June 12: Redemption Road, Soul Miners Union
June 16: The Harrisburg Jazz Collective (formerly River City Big Band)
June 18: Case 150
June 19: Hall Williams Band
June 26: Morgan Myles, Cody Tyler & Gypsy Convoy

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

June 4: Sunset Concert Series with Susquehanna Chorale, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 18: Sunset Concert Series with Harrisburg Symphony Hot Jazz Trio, 7-8:30 p.m.

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

June 20: Kenny Barron Jazz Trio

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

June 5: June Pops—Strings Go to Hollywood

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

June 9: Susquehanna Folk Music Society Presents Beverley Street String Band
June 26: Abe Ovadia

House of Music, Arts & Culture (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

June 5: Garret Shultz with Tyler Short and Grant Bryan
June 11: Good Vs. Evil Hyperspace Tour
June 18: The Bucket List Inaugural Show
June 19: Webbie
June 26: NOTIXX
June 26: Enkay67 & Friends

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

June 12: Blue River Soul

Susquehanna Chorale
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-533-7859; susquehannachorale.org

June 4: Sunset Concert Series at Fort Hunter, 7-8:30 p.m.

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

June 5: Sierra Hull & Justin Moses
June 9: Beverley Street
June 24: Le Vent du Nord
June 30: Cups & Crankies

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

June 27: Richard Thompson

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

June 4; Smooth Like Clyde
June 5: Back in Black—ACDC Experience
June 10: Sunsquabi, Too Many Zooz, Humandala
June 11: Jeffry Gaines, Grace Mahar, Corinna Joy
June 12: Eternal Frequency, Coal, Volume to Nothing
June 18: Go Go Gadjet
June 19: Splintered Sunlight—Grateful Dead Tribute

The Stage Door

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

June 27: Bill Engvall

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

June 5, 6: Kinky Boots
June 13: Greater York Dance—50^th Anniversary Show
June 18: Shawn Banks featuring Jamie Utley
June 26, 27: 42 Street

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

June 3-July 31: “Beauty and the Beast”

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

June 4-19: “Hamlet,” Free Shakespeare in the Park

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

June 17-20: “Aladdin”

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

June 4, 5: Mike Paramore
June 11, 12: Jason Kanter and Sean Donnelly
June 18, 19: John Moses
June 22: World Famous Girls Night Out (The Show!)

House of Music, Arts & Culture (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

June 4: Fifty Shades Male Revue
June 4: HELLZAPOPPIN Circus Sideshow Revue

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

June 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27: The Marvelous Wonderettes

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

June 4-25: “Over the Rainbow—The Songs of Judy Garland”

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Artist in Focus: Sharnee Burnett

May 28, 2021 | by TheBurg Editor

You may know Sharnee Burnett, aka “Artzbeat,” as part of the team that painted the now-iconic “Harrisburg” mural on the side of Midtown Cinema.

That was back in 2016—and a lot has happened since.

She transferred from HACC to the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster and just graduated with a BFA in fine art.

So, it’s the perfect time for us to showcase her work on this page.

Her artwork also has been displayed in the CORE gallery at PCAD for their Black History Month and Women’s History Month exhibitions. Upon graduating, she plans to use her painting skills in courtroom art, tattoos, galleries and mural arts.

We hope you enjoy this selection of her work as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you.

For more information and to see more of her art, visit www.artzbeat.net.

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Behind the Murals: Volunteers keep Sprocket Mural Works painting, beautifying Harrisburg

May 28, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Volunteers paint a mural on Harrisburg’s lower river walk.

Gerry Regan is some kind of a super-volunteer.

If they gave out awards for volunteering, Gerry would probably get a lot of them. But it’s doubtful that he would accept them, plus, that would kind of defeat the whole giving-without-receiving principle of volunteering.

He listed off the Susquehanna Art Museum, the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, Whitaker Center, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, and the list goes on.

Regan likes art, a lot. This shows in the many arts-centered organizations he chooses to work with.

When he saw murals popping up around Harrisburg some years ago, he knew he wanted to get involved with whoever was behind them. Regan found Sprocket Mural Works and instantly connected with their mission of beautifying the city. He dove into their work, helping wherever he could, cleaning up sticks and overgrown brush around mural walls, setting up scaffolding and priming walls.

“It’s all about helping people and making it easier on them,” Regan said.

According to Sprocket co-founder Megan Caruso, the organization relies on volunteers like Regan. While Sprocket pays artists for their work, the organization is 100% volunteer run.

It’s the larger-than-life, brightly colored paintings that you see when driving or walking through the city. Over the years, Sprocket has created over 40 of them across Harrisburg. This summer, they will add to that number as part of their 2021 Mural Festival, which will include new paintings around the city, a pocket park in Midtown and painted planter boxes in Allison Hill.

But what you don’t see when you look at the artwork is what’s underneath, the hours that Sprocket board members and over 450 volunteers worked to prepare each artist’s canvas.

“Sprocket is more work than any small group of people can accomplish,” Caruso said. “We wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have people volunteering their time.”

Prime Time

Zac Monnier has volunteered with Sprocket since their first mural festival in 2017. That year, artists painted 13 murals around the city. Monnier wasn’t involved in any of the art itself, but had his hands on a lot of the behind-the-scenes projects.

He explained the process of priming a wall, which he’s done multiple times for the organization. This isn’t your typical painting experience. It involves at least a 20-foot paint roller, which gets dipped in primer and flung up to the wall. If you’re doing it right, you may wake up with a stiff neck the next morning, like Monnier has.

But that hasn’t bothered the volunteers, many of which described priming as a fun experience. Some said it’s their favorite part.

“Our volunteers aren’t afraid to get down and dirty,” said Meghan Weaver, Sprocket’s volunteer coordinator.

Regan’s known for showing up with his pickup truck to haul sticks and garbage. He’ll climb up on scaffolding, which some people are afraid to do, he said. He will even show up on days when artists are painting, to grab them a soda or watch their supplies while they take a bathroom break.

It’s not glamorous work. Volunteers don’t get their signatures on the walls they prime, but that doesn’t matter to them.

“Even though I didn’t do the artwork, I was behind the scenes,” Regan said. “I get to meet people, and I have fun doing it.”

Community organizations have stepped up, as well, Caruso said. Recycle Bicycle hosted a mural bike tour that drew 150 people. The Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club held a similar event on feet instead of wheels. Midtown Cinema set up a Q&A with Sprocket. Recently, people have donated plants for an upcoming pocket park project that is part of the 2021 Mural Festival.

“It’s so helpful to have people volunteer their skills and knowledge and time,” Caruso said.

Paint & Pride

Sprocket’s mission is to “increase community pride and civic engagement in Harrisburg through creative action.”

That’s what Caruso has hoped for since starting the arts organization in 2014. Weaver feels the same way. She’s found a community of like-minded artists who are passionate about making the community a better place.

“I get to contribute to the city that I love,” she said. “I love the idea of public art.”

Volunteer Hannah Witwer moved to Harrisburg from Philadelphia in 2016. In Philly, there was a huge arts scene—it was one of her favorite things about the city. When she moved to Harrisburg, she was excited to see murals in her new hometown, as well.

“I love art, but I never considered myself artistic,” she said. “While I couldn’t help paint a beautiful picture, I could help prime a wall.”

Witwer spent hours flinging her giant paint roller onto the wall on the side of the Capital Joe Coffee shop on Forster Street during the 2019 Mural Festival. Eventually, her work was covered with a swirling, galactic painting of a young astronaut by artist Arthur Haywood. Still, when Witwer drives by the mural, she points it out to her friends.

“I love telling people I helped prime that wall,” she said. “Being a part of that kind of helped me feel a part of the city.”

That rang true for Regan, Monnier and Weaver, too. They all talked about how they felt like their work meant something to the community, like it was more than just murals, but creating city pride. That’s all Caruso could ask for.

“It’s humbling,” she said. “I feel like we’ve found our people, and I feel grateful for that.”

To volunteer with Sprocket Mural Works or to learn more about what they do, visit www.sprocketmuralworks.com.

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Staging a Comeback: Gamut’s “Shakespeare in the Park” returns with the classic “Hamlet”

May 28, 2021 | by Gina Napoli

To perform or not to perform?

That was the question Gamut Theatre staff asked following a long hibernation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t think Hamlet ever got a straight answer to his question, but Gamut is giving an emphatic “yes” to performing Shakespeare in the Park this summer.

For the event’s 27th year, Gamut will treat Harrisburg with free performances of Shakespeare’s royal soap-opera tragedy “Hamlet,” promising a show even more dramatic than what England’s royal family can conjure today.

“This is an opportunity to see a professional Shakespeare play in one of Harrisburg’s most beautiful outdoor venues,” said Melissa Nicholson, Gamut’s executive director.

Technical Director Ross Carmichael feels there’s something special about performing Shakespeare under the stars, among all the natural elements.

“So many of Shakespeare’s plays involve nature in some way,” he said. “Being able to reference outdoor elements, while out in nature under an open sky, creates a different feeling than you will ever get inside. I think the productions there really elevate how nice it is in Reservoir Park.”

Gamut’s interpretation of “Hamlet” won’t feature the traditional Danish prince as you may remember him. Sure, Hamlet will be characteristically broody and cursed, but, according to Gamut’s Founding Artistic Director Clark Nicholson, the backdrop will be retro-contemporary, corporate and even a little Gothic. That’s as much of a sneak-peek that he would offer without the slippery slope of spoilers.

On the tail end of this pandemic, it’s fitting that we watch something darkly funny, a little gritty, peppered with puns and dirty jokes.

“The modern rendition of this play falls in line with Gamut Theatre’s mission to tell classic stories in new and exciting ways,” Carmichael said.

Pre-COVID, “Hamlet” was Gamut’s educational engagement production for its 2020 school tour, featuring 10 actors and a full set. The show for 2021 is scaled back to six actors and uses the backdrop from the school shows, as well as many of the same actors who were ready to perform before the pandemic.

“We had to find something with a small cast for COVID safety and minimal expenses coming out of financial recovery, so [‘Hamlet’] was a good fit for the company,” Melissa Nicholson said.

With its spacious outdoor venue and gorgeous scenery at the highest point in Harrisburg, Levitt Pavilion in Reservoir Park supports Shakespeare’s assertion that all the world’s a stage.

“We’re taking back the band shell—reviving it, reinvigorating it,” Clark Nicholson said. “It’s an excellent place to gather communities together.”

Carmichael and crew will transform the look and feel of the venue’s iconic band shell with a blend of the established gravitas of an old estate castle with a more modern, present-day setting.

“The band shell itself is such a marvel because it’s been around as long as it has, and it has amazing amplification vocally,” Carmichael said. “Considering that the audience is 50 to 100 yards away, they are still able to experience the play.”

Clark Nicholson assures us that the cast and crew will have the “all-clear” on vaccinations by the time the proverbial curtain rises. Depending on the weather, 2,500 to 5,000 people attend every year, with lawn chairs, blankets and flashlights. Gamut asks its audience members to observe COVID protocols and sit at least six feet from other groups.

If you can, stick around afterwards for the post-show interactive conversations with the audience.

“It’s always so rewarding to hear how people perceived the show, whether we intended [certain things] or not,” Carmichael said. “Everyone’s life experiences—getting all those viewpoints—is what drives me.”

“Hamlet” runs June 4 to 19, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting, at the band shell in Reservoir Park in Harrisburg. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. Gamut Theatre also is collecting monetary donations and canned goods for Bethesda Mission. The play is sponsored by Dauphin County and the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. For more information, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/fsip or call 717-238-4111.

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Peak Purpose: Harrisburg-area woman nears a rare achievement—mounting the “Seven Summits”

May 28, 2021 | by Susan Ryder

Julie McKelvey climbing Lobuche Peak in Nepal

Fewer than 100 women have climbed the Seven Summits, the highest peaks in each of the seven continents. Julie McKelvey, of Lemoyne, is attempting to count herself among this elite group.

McKelvey, who described herself as “not a super-athletic kid,” began climbing at the invitation of her father, a long-time extreme sports enthusiast.

“He said, ‘I think I have one more in me, I want you to do it with me,’” said McKelvey, recalling that day in 2016.

So, she and her son, Jacob, then 12 years old, traveled to Japan to climb the 12,388-foot Mount Fuji.

Even though they trained little, and had the wrong gear, and the “wrong everything,” the trip was her gateway into more climbing.

“So, we go outside, and I see the sunrise above the clouds for the first time with Jacob, and I fell apart,” McKelvey said. “I had this spiritual experience around it. I was like, ‘I’m totally disconnected from all the other crazy pieces of my life and totally present in the moment.’”

Wanting to share this mountaintop experience, she convinced some friends to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with her. They had a great experience on the Tanzanian peak, though her friends were “once and done,” said McKelvey.

Then one of her guides asked if she had thought about climbing The Seven Summits. McKelvey thought, “The what?”

She researched and connected with a company that specialized in helping adventurers climb these formidable peaks, then headed to Mount Elbrus in Russia.

“That was really the trip that changed everything,” McKelvey said.

Huge Sacrifice

Such a commitment to climbing takes time.

McKelvey trains six days a week, 25 to 30 hours total. This includes the drive time to peaks like Hawk Mountain, about an hour northeast of Harrisburg, pack prep, stretching before and after, and trekking multiple times up and down the mountain with a 60-pound pack. Closer to home, there’s strength training in Dillsburg with Kevin Keefer Personal Training.

The hardest part?

“It’s the mental pace to have to keep going at this pace with the training,” said McKelvey. “There are just days when I don’t want to do it.”

Part of the mental challenge is leaving behind her husband Bobby and sons, Jacob and Jackson.

“It’s a huge sacrifice for them,” she said. “I am away a lot, and they worry about me, as they should.”

Part of that worry comes from her experience of altitude sickness on Aconcagua in South America.

Hit with blurred vision and dizziness, McKelvey was roped to a porter, received oxygen, and a shot of Dexamethasone. After repeatedly falling, she reminded the porter that she had evacuation insurance, which covers a helicopter rescue. He informed her that helicopters can’t fly at that altitude and said to her, “Get your ass up and walk.” And she did.

The dangers and challenges of her remaining four climbs aren’t far from her mind, but she knows that proper planning and training go a long way. She said that she finds the best climbing company she can to guide her. Often, climbers get into trouble when they don’t take a guide or try to go “on the cheap,” she said.

For her June trip to Denali in Alaska, McKelvey had to be interviewed and accepted by the climbing company. Denali is considered by many to be the most difficult of The Seven Summits, mostly because it’s self-supporting. This means that climbers have to carry their own heavy pack and pull a sled with 60 pounds of food and gear. Unlike supported climbs, climbers must pitch their own tents, boil snow for water, and make their own food.

Even with all the work, summiting is never guaranteed. Climbers fail to summit Denali more than half the time. The weather can change on a dime and “25% of the time, you can’t get to the summit because of the weather. And it doesn’t matter how fit you are, just the mountain says ‘no,’” McKelvey said.

She doesn’t dismiss the idea that she might not reach her goal.

“I’ll be disappointed, right,” she said. “But it’s not going to crush me.”

Summit for Sound

This same driven attitude has propelled McKelvey as the owner and CEO of two Miracle Ear franchises with 34 offices. Though her climbing experiences, she said, have mellowed her.

“Every time I come home from one of these, I’ve changed a little bit more, and I don’t sweat the small stuff and the things that used to get to me,” she said. “It’s just not a big deal.”

Climbing has also created Summit for Sound, a foundation that provides hearing aids to adults and children who otherwise couldn’t afford them. All money raised through the climbs goes to the foundation. The Kilimanjaro climb raised $50,000.

“My whole idea is anybody that comes in [to Miracle Ear], we need to be able to help them, whether they can afford it or not,” McKelvey said.

McKelvey will be especially busy in the next six months as she plans to climb three peaks: Denali in Alaska, Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia, and Mount Vinson in Antarctica. She will wait a year and recover, as well as enjoy her eldest son’s senior year, before attempting the tallest peak in the world, Mount Everest.

Joining the historic ranks of the women who’ve conquered The Seven Summits or not, McKelvey will continue her demanding life with her business and appreciate her family. She’ll follow the motto that keeps her focused—“Be where your feet are.”

To learn more about Summit for Sound, visit www.pledge.giftofsound.org/summitforsounddenali.

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History of Hospitality: Jean Bonnet Tavern has greeted visitors since Colonial times

May 28, 2021 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Samuel Johnson, author and writer of “A Dictionary of the English Language,” once said, “There is nothing, which has been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.”

Today’s taverns may still be sites of much merriment, but few can lay claim to being an incubator of insurrection and fewer still are standing to tell the tale, which is what makes the Jean Bonnet Tavern in Bedford so special. If you’re a history lover who is aching to take a road trip, you can visit the Jean Bonnet on less than a tank of gas.

Whiskey Rebels

Built in the 1760s and situated along the Lincoln Highway, the historic structure of cut fieldstone welcomes guests with a marker detailing its rich history. The earliest, official property records show a transfer of 690 acres from the William Penn family to a land speculator by the name of Hans Ireland. In 1762, Ireland transferred the property to a trader named Robert Callender. Callender, a Carlisle native, served as a scout for Gen. George Washington.

The structure was a welcome respite for settlers who made their way west in wooden wagons. Early on, it served as a French fort and trading post. In 1779, Jean Bonnet and his wife Dorothy purchased the property, which was issued a license as a public house shortly thereafter.

After the Revolutionary War, a notable uprising occurred that would cement the tavern’s place in history.

An attempt by the new federal government to impose an excise tax on whiskey was met with resistance. The tax was part of Alexander Hamilton’s plan to help pay down the large national debt caused by the Revolutionary War. The move to implement the first tax on a domestic product enraged farmers, who often distilled their surplus grain and corn into whiskey, which they then used for bartering purposes.

To show their displeasure, a disgruntled group congregated at the tavern and hoisted a “liberty pole,” which was known as a common form of protest during Colonial days. George Washington, in an effort to quell the rebellion, gathered together a group of militiamen. He set up his headquarters at the nearby David Espy House (located in modern-day downtown Bedford), and his troops camped outside of town at the Jean Bonnet on their way to Pittsburgh in 1794.

Since then, the property has changed hands many times. Although records show that it’s most often been maintained as a tavern and inn, it’s also on record as having been used as a private residence. In 1979, the structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Candles & Ghosts

Many of the features you see today, from the tavern’s 2-foot-thick stone walls to its impressive fireplaces and chestnut beams, were constructed while Callender owned the property. Brandon Callihan, a Bedford native and Culinary Institute of America graduate, worked at the Jean Bonnet before assuming ownership in June 2017.

Little has changed in recent years, and that’s by design, according to Callihan. Guests still dine by candlelight in a Colonial atmosphere where the food is served on pewter plates and homemade quilts adorn the walls. During the winter, roaring fires are lit in each dining area to keep guests warm and cozy as they dine.

Customers who prefer a more casual atmosphere can climb the steps to the spacious dining area on the second floor, which features an oversized bar, an additional fireplace and roomy wooden booths.

Craig Nye of Mechanicsburg has stopped a few times for lunch at the tavern while visiting the area and has enjoyed sandwiches, burgers, onion rings and their popular onion soup.

“The food is good, and the candles on each table are a nice touch,” he said.

Nye said that he found the history of the tavern and its role in the Whiskey Rebellion intriguing, not to mention the tales of resident ghosts.

“The place is said to be haunted,” he said. “I hear that ghosts appear in the bar overnight.”

Located just a few steps from the tavern is an authentic log cabin crafted in the 1700s, which now operates as “The Cabin Shoppe.” The structure was moved from Fayette County to its current site in 2005 and features items made by local artisans and other unique gifts.

The Jean Bonnet Tavern also features overnight accommodations. All four rooms have access to the commodious balcony porch, replete with rocking chairs to relax and take in the view of the Allegheny Mountains.

Callihan said that he enjoys seeing the smiles on the faces of guests who visit and is proud to play a part in the history of hospitality that has been a tradition throughout the ages.

The Jean Bonnet Tavern is located at 6048 Lincoln Highway, Bedford. For more information, visit www.jeanbonnettavern.com.

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Italy, Outdoors: Turn your backyard into a trattoria this summer

May 28, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

When one thinks of Italian cooking, grilled foods may not come to mind. But Italians do love their grilled food, often cooked over a wood fire.

A favorite memory of mine is the grilled lamb I had in a little trattoria in the hills of Umbria, Italy. We sat outside on a cool spring evening, the scent of woodsmoke hanging in the air. It was not my little deck at home.

The Italians have a term for a cookout. It’s grigliata or “grill out,” with each region in Italy having its own specialty. The classic star of Italian grilling is bistecca alla Fiorentina, the beautiful, thick T-bone steak cut from chianina cattle in Tuscany. But other foods shine on the Italian grill: fresh fish and shellfish, brightly colored summer vegetables like zucchini and eggplant, and spiedini, the Italian version of “shish kabobs.” Tomatoes are grilled for a quick pasta sauce, and pizzas take on a wonderfully smokey taste when cooked over a wood fire. What matters is that all the food is fresh, simply prepared, and dressed with high quality olive oil and sea salt.

So, June is here, and Father’s Day will be coming soon. In our family, we celebrate three birthdays in June, as well. So, it will be a perfect time for us to have a “grill party,” and steaks are always a great choice. I gave this recipe a trial run and found it to be simple to make and easy to tweak.

Choose the type of steak you like best (I used New York strip).
Either red or white wine works for the marinade.
Serve the grilled vegetables in large sections instead of cutting them into smaller pieces with the tomato as the recipe suggests.
Add whole mushrooms and/or halved sweet onions.
Definitely serve potatoes alongside (roasted with rosemary, garlic mashed or simply baked).
Double the marinade for extra to pour over the finished dish.

In his book, “The Italian Grill,” the well-known chef Mario Batali advises that, when grilling, one shouldn’t interfere with the flavor of the primary ingredient. That is why this simple preparation is so good. There is no overpowering barbecue sauce or spicy rub that steals the taste of the vegetables and meat. No sticky sweet teriyaki sauce here. But the ingredients must be fresh and high quality.

Italian Marinated Steak and Grilled Vegetables

Ingredients for the marinade

½ cup olive oil
½ cup dry white or red wine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 steaks (rib eye, New York strip, T-bone, porterhouse)

Ingredients for the vegetables

1 small eggplant
2 large red or yellow peppers, cut lengthwise into quarters
1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise in half
1 medium yellow squash, cut lengthwise in half
1½ cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1/3 cup lightly packed chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
Pour ½ cup of the marinade in a zip-top plastic bag and place the steaks inside. Turn to coat. Marinate for 6 hours or overnight (better) in the refrigerator.
Refrigerate the remaining marinade.
When ready to grill, brush the vegetables with a little of the remaining marinade.

Grilling

Remove steak from the plastic bag and discard the marinade.
Grill the vegetables over medium heat until softened and lightly charred. Watch them carefully and do not overcook.
When the vegetables are cooked, remove them to a platter, and place the steaks on the grill. If using a gas grill, grill the steaks covered to a temperature of 145 degrees for medium rare. Baste them occasionally with the remaining marinade.
Cut the vegetables into 1-inch pieces and combine with the tomatoes, basil and the reserved marinade in a medium bowl. (It becomes almost like a salsa or relish.)
Season the steaks and vegetables with good sea salt and black pepper.

Lay the steaks along an oval platter, and arrange the vegetables along either side. Garnish with a few extra sprigs of fresh basil. Grab a bottle of your favorite red wine (Chianti Classico is a perfect choice.)

This is such an easy summer meal. If red wine isn’t your favorite, mix up some icy gin and tonics, negronis or margaritas. They are great accompaniments, too.

Happy Father’s Day to all. And happy summer. Hopefully, warm weather is here to stay.

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Outdoors, with a Glass: Sip the summer away with these Italian wines

May 28, 2021 | by Steve Juliana

Summertime in central Pennsylvania is a wonderful mix of long days, cookouts and lightning bugs.

Weather can run the gamut of sweaty humidity to warm, sunny perfection. When you think that, if it were always like this, everyone would want to live here.

For wine lovers, it can sometimes be a confusing season to find the perfect quaff. We have our go-to wines, but with the quality and selection available, it’s time for something new. All one has to do is head straight to the Italian section of your local wine purveyor. White wines perfect for summer abound on the “boot” and its island neighbors, Sicily and Sardinia.

On the eastern part of Sicily is the sub-region of Etna and the volcano that shares its name. The vineyards are some of the highest in altitude on the island, planted on the slopes of a still-active peak. Blends dominate here, and most are Carricante and Greciano, which together produce dry, white wines with good acidity and minerality and notes of green apple. They’re a great match for salads and anything containing anchovies.

Other grapes that make good table wines are the indigenous Inzolia, either blended or bottled individually, and Grillo, the base for Marsala, which makes full-bodied quaffs for traditional Sicilian meals.

There are also good, fruity wines of light weight and slight sweetness. These are Moscato from the city of Noto and the Moscato of Alexandria, brought to the island by the Greeks. The latter is known famously as Zibibbo, a wine to look for in either sweet or dry versions.

The western coastal region of Campania is home to historic grapes that can trace their origins back to the ancient Greeks.

Falanghina is a workhorse grape that can be used for wines that can be dry and crisp, sparkling and refreshing, or late-harvested and sweet. All of these versions are worth searching out.

Another grape is Fiano, which reaches its zenith in the sub-region of Avellino. This quaff has nutty notes and is known as the pesto wine, as it is an obvious match for the green sauce. In my opinion, the best from this region is the grapey Greco di Tufo. Tufa is the name for a volcanic rock that the vineyards are planted on, which makes for a fruity, mouth-coating wine that seems like a grape-flavored oil. It’s a unique and wonderful libation.

The island of Sardinia has a history that can be traced back to the seafaring Phoenicians, who introduced winemaking to the region. However, it was really during the Spanish period, from the 14th to 18th centuries, that it became part of the culture. The main white grape is Vermentino, which can be traced back to Spain. The wine is very aromatic with scents of herbs and crisp, tangy notes.

On the Adriatic coast, the region of Marches gives us the Verdicchio grape, a relative of Greco, which gives us acidy wines with notes of green fruits and almonds.

All of these wines make great “summer sippers” and are worth seeking out to match the warm weather ahead.

Keep sipping,
Steve

Selections:

Marotti Campi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2019

$9.99

Ripe apple, pear and apricot notes mingle with details of mineral and a lovely almond edge. The pure palate has beautifully integrated acidity and good midpalate tension, finishing long and floral. A vibrant and complex Marche white from a great producer at an incredible price!

— Josh Hull, Chairman’s Selection® wine buyer

Planeta La Segreta Grillo Sicilia 2019

$12.99

Clear yellow colour with green reflections; on the nose after a first dash of a sea breeze the primary varietal aromas of citrus, pears and oregano flowers are arriving. Fresh and smooth on the palate with fresh and elegant taste of lemon tart and pulp. As a fresh aperitif; ideal with fried vegetables and fish, pasta with sea urchins or mozzarella.

— Winemaker’s notes

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Live Longer and Prosper: Men’s Health Month focuses on closing the longevity gap

May 28, 2021 | by Capital BlueCross Staff

The COVID-19 pandemic added yet another dark footnote to our lives recently.

Average life expectancy in the United States dropped by a full year—from 78.8 to 77.8 years—in the first six months of 2020, according to provisional data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), and the life expectancy gap between the sexes widened.

Women now outlive men by an average of 5.4 years versus the 5.1-year average in 2019, the NCHS reported.

For a variety of reasons, females historically outlive males. For example, research shows that men take more risks and face more work hazards. But men also have shorter lifespans because they often fail to tend to their own health.

Statistics show men skip routine health screenings and doctor visits more often than women do. As a result, warning signs for heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness and other problems can go untreated and undetected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Men’s Health Month, observed each June, is a good time to remind male friends, relatives, coworkers and employees that it is possible to lower health risks, and that early screenings can prevent little health problems from becoming big, expensive and deadly ones.

Consider this list of healthy behaviors:

Don’t smoke. Smoking cessation programs and medications used together are highly effective.
Eat healthy. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein. Eliminate or reduce intake of sugar and saturated fats.
Drink alcohol in moderation.
Watch your weight. Excess pounds can increase risk for heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Moving helps control weight and can reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.
Manage stress. Take steps to reduce stress or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.
Wear your seat belt. Men are 10% less likely to wear seat belts than women are, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Mental health is another area of concern for men. Men are more likely to die by suicide than women. They also are less likely than women to discuss or seek treatment for mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.

Patients experiencing depression, sadness, feelings of worthlessness or suicidal thoughts should reach out to mental health providers. The growth of telehealth services during the pandemic, including virtual mental wellness visits, has shown promise in relieving some of the worries expressed by those in need of mental wellness counseling, experts say.

Ultimately, the best offense is a good defense in the healthcare game. Health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels are vital, especially as we age.

Colorectal cancer screening, which is both simple and inexpensive, could cut colorectal cancer deaths by 60%, according to the American Cancer Society. Over 50,000 people die from the disease each year.

Prostate cancer strikes about 1 in 8 men in the United States. Older men, Black males and men with a family history of the disease face the highest risk. The American Cancer Society recommends that most men discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors at age 50. That organization recommends that men at high risk, especially those with relatives who developed prostate cancer at an early age, begin those discussions at age 40.

For more information, visit www.CapitalBlueCross.com.

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From Mouse to Lion: Movies are back at Midtown Cinema, and “The Perfect Candidate” is a great film to return to

May 28, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Haifaa Al-Mansour, director of “Wadjda” in 2012, became the first female filmmaker in Saudi Arabia. And now, she brings us “The Perfect Candidate,” a story about a woman who strives to be the first of her kind.

It’s a man’s world out there. Working as a doctor in a Saudi hospital, Dr. Maryam Alsafan (Mila Al Zahrani) faces prejudice on a daily basis, as patients often prefer the male nurses to her doctorial care. And when Maryam tries to take a flight to a conference that might give her better job opportunities, she finds herself unable to because her father, a member of a touring musical band, hasn’t signed her travel ID papers. When she tries to rectify this by going to her cousin, the only other person who can sign the papers, the secretary at his office will not let anyone through except those applying for council in the local city elections.

In exasperation—and to the chagrin of many, including her family—she decides to run for council. But soon, the desire to better her own life is engulfed by the realization that she might actually be able to accomplish something with her candidacy. She focuses the platform for her campaign around paving the dirt road that leads to the hospital entrance, which makes it nearly impossible to safely admit patients when it rains.

Maryam solicits the help of her sisters (Selma and Sara, played by Dae Al Hilali and Nora Al Awad) to help with her campaign, though they and their father are worried that it will only bring the wrath of the neighbors. No woman has ever run for city council before, and everyone is sure to gossip about and criticize her. But perhaps Maryam has finally decided to take after her late mother and show some tenacity.

“The Perfect Candidate” is an inspirational story, to say the least. We see Maryam transform from a mouse into a lion, reaching for goals that she knows will benefit everyone, while pushing for more respect and equality as a woman in Saudi Arabia. The politics of the film are tense, but the story deals with it in a gentle, compelling way.

Even past its story, the film is gorgeous. Patrick Orth does a beautiful job with the cinematography, and the musical score carries the film, guiding you through every scene (after all, Maryam’s family is a musical family). The entire cast does a phenomenal job of pulling us into their world, but Al Zahrani absolutely steals the show.

Haifaa Al-Mansour has given us a gem, once again. Make sure to see this film while it plays at Midtown Cinema in June.

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

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