Energy & Intimacy: Black musicians find a home at La Cultura

August 31, 2020 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Abanti Shelby.
Photo courtesy of Jess Hoffman Photography.

Around 2016, I became obsessed with Harrisburg’s underground music scene.

I loved seeing performers turn regular coffee and bike shops into concert venues, the thump of music spanning for blocks.

But, despite a few shows here and here, the majority of artists that took up these spaces were white.

That was until La Cultura came around. Black musicians quickly found a home in the two-year-old venue. Aside from hosting Black-owned shops and food vendors, La Cultura holds open mics and gives a space for local artists to perform.

“I feel like I’m doing its purpose. I feel so much aligned with my purpose and my vision on why I created this space originally,” said Elyse Irvis, owner of La Cultura. “But, I can’t take credit for the idea, just part of the execution.”

The performances are curated by Raeshell “Shelly” Thompson, a local artist with too many talents to list. She started hosting the open mics in La Cultura last year and has since fallen in love with it.

“People pull up for this, people get excited for it,” she said. “It’s something that people can commit to, and it’s something that people want to do, which also makes me happy.”

Down for It

Thompson was familiar with hosting performers before it became her regular at La Cultura. Two years ago, she hosted an event at Little Amps with her crew of musicians. The event was so packed that people were spilling out on to State Street.

“Because there’s not a lot of space for us, it almost seems like when we do these events, it gets packed like that, because it’s like ‘Whoa, like, what’s going on?’” she said.

For Thompson, it felt like there was a shortage of spaces for these musicians, and she wanted to help fix that.

Her first order of business when she returned from Howard University was to host an open mic.

She got her chance when a friend who worked at H*MAC came up to her and said, “Hey, we got a show coming up, and we just lost a host. Would you be down to do that?”

She was, of course, down for it, and loved the event. She loved hosting so much that, shortly after, she reached out to La Cultura to hold her own event.

Now, Thompson has a full cast of regular performers. Some of the frequent artists include her best friend singer Monica Cooper, Nick Bryd, Chewdo Ju, Andu “Geniuz” Desbele and his group Naomi17, among others.

Even though the energy in the space is large, the performers still feel a level of intimacy in La Cultura.

When Desbele is on stage, the rapper looks into a crowd of familiar faces, all within an arm’s length, as they rap along with him. It feels like home.

“When you go there, it feels as if these are all your people,” Desbele said.

Connections

There are three rules of Thompson’s open mics. All artists need to introduce themselves, everyone shows respect, and lastly, make a friend.

Not only does Thompson want to give opportunities for these musicians, she wants to help build connections and friendships between them.

Building connections is especially important for Thompson. In January, a friend of hers who came to her open mics was killed during a string of shootings in Harrisburg. He was at her event right before he died.

“When I think about that situation, I mean, it’s a far reach, but he could have met somebody at this open mic that maybe he was out at lunch with instead of where he was when that happened, you know what I mean?” Thompson said.

So, bringing people together is especially important for her. The first 45 minutes of each event are carved out so people can get to know one another.

And it works.

“There’s a lot of people I’ve met there that, now, when I see them out or on Instagram… my mind connects them to [La Cultura],” Desbele said.

Despite being in the midst of a pandemic, Thompson is still working to connect Harrisburg Black artists—just virtually. At least once a month, Thompson opens up La Cultura just for the artists and livestreams their performances for viewers.

While it’s not quite the same as the live shows, Thompson and these artists are still bringing more recognition to Harrisburg’s Black art and business scene.

“[La Cultura] allows us to be the face of the operation, as a Black-owned business,” Desbele said. “Our face will be associated with this because we’re here, and they won’t take it. They won’t ride us out this time.”

For updates on La Cultura’s open mic events, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @LaCultura717. You can also find Thompson on Instagram @Shellyifyanasty. La Cultura is located on 214 Verbeke St., Harrisburg.

No Meat, No Problem: Black-owned vegan restaurant breaks barriers and promotes health through soul food

August 31, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Laquana Barber and Stefan Hawkins

On opening day, the House of Vegans restaurant had a line down N. 3rd Street. At times, it wrapped around the corner.

Customers posted about it on social media, taking pictures of the food and the line they gladly waited on to get it. Inching closer to the door, they endured the July heat.

“What are we in line for?” one lady even asked after stumbling upon it and blindly jumping in.

Owners Laquana Barber and Stefan Hawkins were feeling the love.

Not only was this their first experience running a restaurant, but they were accomplishing something unprecedented.

“We are the first black-owned vegan restaurant in Harrisburg,” Barber said. “We are making history.”

On top of that, House of Vegans is one of only a few vegan restaurants in the metro area.

If you had asked Barber a year ago, she wouldn’t have even thought about opening a restaurant. Over three years ago, she wasn’t even a vegan. But since then, the couple’s lives have changed dramatically, and now they’re breaking barriers and cooking good food along the way.

Bringing It Home

Barber had always been an athlete. She participated in sports in high school and ran track in college, but, over the years, her asthma was a barrier. She used at least two different inhalers every day.

“I could never perform to the best of my ability,” she said.

At 20, Barber started reading about health and natural remedies. She went as far as fasting for 40 days. After that, she found herself not needing her inhalers and concluded that her health had to be tied to what she was eating. And so, she went vegan.

Not long after, Hawkins had a similar realization. He was working full-time at McDonald’s, getting a behind-the-scenes look and becoming less and less interested in being a carnivore.

“American culture views that every meal has to have meat with it when it does not,” he said. “Since I’ve been vegan, it’s been the best part of my life.”

The couple grew closer over their shared interest in health and added a son, Ke’Or, to the family in 2019.

Barber and Hawkins frequently took trips out of Harrisburg for date nights, visiting as many vegan restaurants as they could find. Still, they couldn’t help but wish their hometown had more options for them. Hawkins thought, “Why can’t we do it?”

After a lot of trial and error in their kitchen, the couple started cooking vegan food for family, friends and neighbors in Allison Hill. Around 90% of the people they served weren’t vegan, they said, but everyone loved the food.

“Vegan isn’t a big word in the African American community,” Hawkins said. “We want to educate the culture and the people. We can be vegan and still eat good and hearty.”

Health, Flavor

After finding a location in Midtown, the couple opened House of Vegans in July and started cooking for the masses. Their food combines the health of vegan food with the flavor of soul food.

Hawkins’ creation, the “Slap Burger,” has become a crowd favorite. It has the juicy, drippy, sauciness of a beef burger so that you can hardly tell the difference.

Otherwise, Barber does much of the cooking. She makes fried cauliflower, soy “chick’n drums,” barbecue jackfruit, yams, baked mac and cheese and collard greens, to name a few offerings. None of their food contains animal products or byproducts, but is completely plant-based. They also hand press their own juices.

“I always had the mindset that it’s vegan food, and it would be bland,” said Yodit Kidane, a friend of Barber’s and possibly House of Vegan’s biggest fan. “[Barber] always spoke of her vegan lifestyle, but I was always like, eh, that’s not for me. I finally tried it, and I was hooked.”

Kidane has been eating the couple’s food since they were making it out of their house. The “Slap Burger” has become her “go-to.”

Even before they opened on N. 3rd Street, Kidane was telling friends and co-workers about the vegan food she fell in love with and the fresh juices that were healthy yet delicious.

“It’s so good that I want the next person to have the opportunity to try it,” she said.

Barber and Hawkins appreciated her support so much they named a juice after her nickname—the “Yo-Yo Drank.”

Of course, Kidane was there to support her friends on opening day for lunch and dinner.

Seeing friends, family, community members and even people who drove hours lined up at House of Vegans had Barber in tears that first day.

“Being Black and opening a business is not easy,” Barber said. “It was a humbling moment [opening day] because we had so much support.”

House of Vegans is located at 1426 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Serenity Granted: Maryland’s historic Eastern Shore offers a quick escape into nature

August 31, 2020 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

I used to look forward to summer as a time to travel and explore the country. Often, I’d find the time to create a blog post on places of interest.

Most years, I manage to enjoy three or four summer trips, but COVID-19 has changed all that. This summer, my “outings” are generally relegated to grocery stores and my “trips” to the rooms of my house.

By August, I realized that this just wasn’t cutting it. I was determined to escape house arrest at least once this summer, and my requirements were simple: visit an area less than four hours away (by car) and rural enough to attract more wildlife than people.

This thought was in the back of my mind as I browsed pictures on Instagram and stumbled on the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, Md. I researched the region and recognized that it checked all my boxes. It may also check yours, especially if you’re seeking a peaceful getaway to relax and unwind.

On the Wing

Watching wildlife is always enjoyable from a kayak, and paddling through the calm, brackish waters of the Blackwater River is an easy way to take in the beauty of the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. Matt Meredith’s family has been in the area since the mid-1600s and has been conducting tours for years.

If you’re a birdwatcher, this is where you’ll want to be. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot eagles, ospreys and heron, or have the opportunity to take a photo of an eagle’s nest like I did.

A word of warning: Be sure to take a map along because your cell phone may as well be a brick in this neck of the woods, and you’re likely to get lost on the way to meet Matt at BlackWater Adventures. Don’t ask me how I know.

Afterwards, you may want to see depicted in art what you just saw on the water by visiting the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.

Located at Salisbury University, the waterfront museum is comprised of six galleries, two of which rotate periodically.

Uniquely, most every piece of wildfowl art is crafted of wood, from majestic owls to ducks to other impressive creatures. A particularly detailed piece depicts a hawk, wings akimbo, striving to snatch a fleeing pheasant.

These representations are so stunning that visitors often marvel at the talent of the carver behind them. Wooden “feathers,” in particular, tend to elicit exclamations of awe for their realism.

Many of the wildfowl appear to be in mid-flight, thanks to one well-placed rod—a limitation required to compete in the Ward World Championship held in nearby Ocean City. That competition draws more than 1,000 artists annually, with many of the award-winning pieces gaining a temporary home at the museum.

Staying, Eating

Located along the Wicomico River is the Whitehaven Hotel, built in 1810 as a private home. A ferry adjacent to the hotel dates back to 1685 and is known as the oldest publicly operated ferry in the country.

In the late 1800s, the village of Whitehaven was a bustling, vibrant community with shipyards, a canning factory, a school, a church and retail stores. The demand for lodging necessitated the transformation of the private home into a hotel in 1877. The hotel was host to steamship passengers, which included salesmen who traveled among the farming communities. It also drew guests who arrived by horse, and it now continues to connect the public to places like Quantico and Princess Anne.

Today, the hotel features eight guest rooms, with nary a television to be found. As for the internet, let’s just say that if you recall “dial up,” you can relate. Your time will be better spent gliding through the water in a kayak on the Wicomico River or relaxing on the spacious porch with a good book.

A 15-minute drive takes visitors to a longstanding casual joint called “The Red Roost Crabhouse and Restaurant,” which was established in the 1970s. With trashcans at the end of tables for guests to sweep away their shells and goo, you could say that the décor is more conducive to chowing down than ambiance. That matters not to diners who come from miles around to belly up to the picnic tables and eat their fill of shellfish and fried chicken.

Another area favorite is a newer establishment, the Evolution Craft Brewing Co. Public House in Salisbury. The microbrewery and restaurant once housed an ice plant and, since opening, has won a number of awards for excellence.

Located about an hour’s drive from Whitehaven are Assateague and Chincoteague islands, both of which are known for wild horses that roam free on the beaches.

Those who wish to stay closer can take the free ferry to Princess Anne in Somerset County. There, they can tour the 200-year-old Teackle Mansion or take the historic walking tour of the town (the innkeeper can provide you with the pamphlet). Also notable is an antique shop that benefits the historical society in the area.

Getting away and unplugging from the bad news delivery system is sometimes good for what ails you, especially these days. I know that I returned much more relaxed and better able to take on life’s challenges, thanks to a change of scenery and the simple serenity of a life unplugged.

For more information on the places featured in this story, visit their websites.

A Java Well Done: Peter Leonard steps into new leadership role, shares his vision for Little Amps

August 31, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Peter Leonard.
Photo by Dani Fresh.

If you’ve visited a Little Amps location, you know the vibe.

It’s modern and hip, with exposed brick walls, yet quirky, as you might just find a plastic dinosaur on a windowsill. The brand is somewhere between trendy and a trendsetter.

Peter Leonard is a visionary behind Little Amps—the products, the brand and the in-store atmosphere. Now, he’s also the chief executive officer.

“I think my personality and presence have shaped a lot of what we’ve become,” Leonard said. “I try to keep thinking about what’s the next best thing. We don’t like to be boring.”

For eight years, Leonard has worked at Little Amps, starting out as a barista and working his way up to part owner and now majority owner.

He was born and raised in Harrisburg before attending Temple University in Philadelphia, but eventually found himself back in his home city. When he walked into Little Amps only a couple of years after its opening, he was surprised.

“I didn’t think I’d walk into a place in my hometown that felt like it could be in a big city like Houston or New York,” he said. “I was like, oh, Harrisburg can have something cool.”

Not only did the atmosphere in Little Amps draw Leonard in, but the coffee hooked him. When he started pouring and brewing in his early days, he wasn’t necessarily a coffee connoisseur, but working with a bunch of java-loving hipsters, he became one himself.

“Anything I’ve learned about coffee is because I’ve worked here,” he said. “Little Amps’ coffee standards help push the standard for coffee in Harrisburg.”

Hard Pressed

Any good coffee shop thrives on its ability to host the community.

Some people want a quick in-and-out pit stop on their way to work in the morning, but, for many, it’s about the space. It’s a hangout spot for friends, a freelance worker’s office, or a businessperson’s escape. It’s about the coffee, but it’s also about the people—the barista you know on a first-name basis.

That’s Leonard’s favorite part.

“That’s always going to be the best for me—working with great people and serving great people,” he said.

Then a few months ago, Leonard found himself needing to lay off almost his entire staff and close Little Amps’ doors to the public.

“To have to face the group and say we are closing, that was really, really hard,” he said.

Like many in the food industry during the pandemic, Little Amps switched its focus to online sales and limited takeout options. Their online sales quadrupled in the first month, and they expanded mobile ordering options, opening their doors for takeout with shortened hours.

The hardest part has been losing the sense of community they had become accustomed to, Leonard said.

“Not having that community space moving forward, we aren’t sure what will happen,” he said. “We hope and believe someday we will be back to having a coffee shop full of people.”

Although it wasn’t the ideal way to start his position as Little Amps’ CEO, Leonard is grateful he was there to lead the team through it.

“He really made me feel like he cared what everyone is going through,” said barista Kelsey Parsons.

Parsons is also in charge of human resources for Little Amps, which has allowed her to work more closely with Leonard. Formerly a Starbucks barista, she appreciates the community-based approach of leadership that Leonard takes.

“I’ve been able to sit down with him and hear his heart,” she said. “He genuinely cares about the staff.”

Although Parsons misses former owner and founder Aaron Carlson, she was happy to see Leonard step up.

“I felt at ease through the transition even though it was so sad,” she said.

A Latte to Come

Leonard had big plans for Little Amps in 2020.

A few years prior, the business had felt somewhat stagnant, he said, but 2019 was pivotal.

“Last year, it became really clear what we are capable of,” he said.

Growth plans for the company were progressing smoothly. But then COVID hit, and things were put on hold. But there’s no bitter cup that a little creamer can’t fix.

For Leonard, that was the support he felt from his team, and so, he kept dreaming. Big things are still coming for Little Amps.

Leonard wants to see the business grow to include more of a hospitality aspect. The biggest plan is adding a restaurant with in-house food and alcoholic beverages.

He also plans to expand the store’s retail side.

“We are done saying, ‘I wish we had this thing in Harrisburg,’” Leonard said. “We are just going to create that thing.”

Leonard sees himself staying with Little Amps for the foreseeable future—there’s just something about making good coffee and making people happy. He plans to keep Little Amps growing and pushing the limits of the coffee scene in Harrisburg.

“I think Little Amps brings a fresh energy even at 10 years old,” he said. “As long as I can keep pursuing my vision and being challenged, I can’t see why I would leave.”

Little Amps Coffee Roasters has three locations in Harrisburg at 1836 Green St., 133 State St. and a kiosk in Strawberry Square at 320 Market St. For more information, visit www.littleampscoffee.com.

Waste Not: Lee Casher helps connect those who have food with those who need it

August 31, 2020 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Lee Casher

It all started around three years ago with a handshake and a load of day-old bananas.

Today, the Save The Bananas project is a local enterprise that collects unprocessed, day-old produce, along with boxed and canned goods for widespread distribution to neighbors in need throughout the Harrisburg area.

The catalyst that sparked the organization was a personal chef’s quest for overripe bananas.

For Lee Casher, proprietor of Lee’s Good Eats, the mottled fruit wasn’t easy to find. Markets usually remove bananas that over-ripen from sale shelves and mark them off for compost or waste. Overripe bananas weren’t waste to Lee Casher, however. The soft fruit gave a perfect texture to her healthy breakfast cookie recipe favored by clients.

To maintain an ample supply, Casher coordinated a deal with a major supermarket to pick up regular donations of day-old bananas withdrawn from store display. Before long, however, she had more free bananas than she possibly could use. That, in turn, gave her a new idea that turned out to be very, um, fruitful.

“The Save The Bananas project name came about because that was my mission when I knew the ripened bananas were being discarded,” Casher said. “I knew they were an all-in-one healthy food and better they were donated to a place of need than be composted or thrown away.”

As a 2012 graduate of Leadership Harrisburg Area, Casher was ready to put her management training and experience to work by distributing day-old produce to community members in need.

“I realized, when I was going through a divorce and volunteering at the Salvation Army and Downtown Daily Bread, that this could be me,” she said. “I realized during this difficult time that we are all only one step away from being in need. All it can take is divorce, a medical issue, a job loss, an unfortunate family situation, and any one of us can see our lives change in a heartbeat.”

Soon, Casher’s initial effort to assist hungry locals expanded to include a wider network of contributors of not only day-old bananas, but a variety of in-season produce that vendors considered past shelf life. Current contributors include the PA Open Air Farmers Market, Dobbs Produce and River Road Produce & Garden Center.

“Lee has various vegetables at the edge of expiration, but they’re still good quality,” said volunteer Bridget Abbott. “We sort and deliver them. She’s very meticulous about what goes out.”

Abbott is part of a small team of volunteers who regularly assist Casher with picking up, sorting and distributing produce and other goods for Save The Bananas. Also working the team are Joe Dux, Kathy Bronstein and Larry Spitz. Friend Janet Foreman fills in when needed.

“I love giving back,” volunteer Spitz said. “The main thing I like is knowing that people who don’t have fresh produce and don’t have the money for it are receiving it so they can have a healthy diet.”

Casher and her team regularly deliver produce donations to several community distribution sites throughout the area, including Epiphany Lutheran Church, Gospel Fellowship Church, Christ Lutheran Church, Shalom House, Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven, Market Square Friends and the Giving Pantry projects of Grace Lutheran Church.

Other recipients are the Elder Initiative at Paxton Place and Presbyterian Apartments, Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area, Bethesda Mission and St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. Save The Bananas volunteers fill Youth 10X Better Ministries mini pantries at three locations in Harrisburg.

Recently, the organization has begun accepting cash donations for the purchase of fresh dairy products and boxed/canned food items to distribute to families in need. Casher initiated that effort earlier this year.

“I saw all the lines of people waiting for food (donations), and they ran out of food during the (COVID-19) virus,” she said. “When I saw all that, I thought, ‘this should not be.’”

To volunteer or donate produce, boxed and canned goods or funds to the Save The Bananas Project, contact Lee Casher through Facebook private messenger via Lee’s Good Eats.

The Painted Word: On the hunt for art at Gallery Walk

August 31, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

Mars #3 by Bryan Thomas Molloy at Old City Hall

Harrisburg’s annual art showcase, Gallery Walk, is nearly upon on us. The 32nd edition features a number of special treasures, so be sure to check them off the list as you search.

Greeting visitors at the Art Association of Harrisburg is an eight-foot zebra grinning from ear to ear and balanced on one hoof. Made of papier-mâché by Harrisburg artist Charlie Feathers, “Jumper” is the unofficial mascot for Gallery Walk. Meanwhile, good things also come in much smaller packages, like the member’s show at AAH, “La Petite Exhibition.”

Chances are you won’t need roadside assistance from AAA, but it does represent “Art, Artifacts and Architecture” at the Historic Society of Dauphin County at the John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion. Up the street, look for a breath of fresh air from Jonathan Frazier’s plein air paintings in the Riverfront Gallery at St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

Up on Allison Hill, Gloria Merrick, executive director at the Latino Hispanic American Community Center on Derry Street, has assembled a quartet of artists near and far. Legendary Lucy Giboyeaux’s award-winning art is a highlight, as is Peruvian painter Claudia Salazar’s tribute to Frida Kahlo. Raul Cruz’s recycled materials turn into magic. Nora Carreras creates art from found objects and paints with artistic abandon in what may be a one-day show at LHACC.

“Liminality” is the “Twilight Zone” episode you don’t want to miss at Capital Area School for the Arts in Strawberry Square. It is an experimental exhibition and explores transition from “What has Been to What Will Be,” as the liminal space is the crossing-over space. Both students and alumni create this world, which may change your view of the transition from student to graduate. The mood is heightened, as all visitors will be wearing masks.

That exhibit provides the perfect segue to Old City Hall‘s exhibit of stunning proportion from Harrisburg/Boston impressionist painter, Bryan Thomas Molloy, who takes us to Mars in his oil studies. Is there life on Mars? You might find a clue.

Is a church a gallery or a place of worship? In the case of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, it is both. Its magnificent sanctuary with marble carvings is a work of art, as are the stained glass windows from Germany. Look for art from Sylvia Hepler and photography by John Robinson, Barry Ridge and Eric Smith. And, speaking of churches, don’t miss Barbara James’ art, which mixes mediums with manual dexterity at Salem United Church of Christ.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania unveils its annual blockbuster, “Art of the State,” which runs through Jan. 3. Pre-registration is required and free timed tickets will be issued for viewing due to limited access.

Be sure not to “Overlook” the Civic Club of Harrisburg, which dates back to 1898. Within the landmark riverfront mansion, enjoy the art of Dave Lenker and Stacy Brown with multimedia presentations of “Oneness” and “Blue.” Consider it your civic duty to pay a visit to the organization that was founded to benefit those in need.

And you thought City House Bed and Breakfast was just a place to hang your hat? Anything but as the art showcased by art impresario Robert Armetta of New York and Harrisburg is world-class on all levels. If this is your last stop, make reservations to spend the night.

Up on 3rd Street, stop into the magnificent Historic Harrisburg Resource Center, as there is much under one roof. If it’s a resource pertinent to Harrisburg, you’ll find it here. This includes an incredible exhibit, “With Open Heart and Open Arms: LGBTQ Cuban Refugees and the LGBTQ Community’s Response to the Mariel Boatlift.”

Across the street, Vivi on Verbeke is always full of vitality and variety as Vivi Sterste and Jeb Boyd roll out their vision for the upcoming fall season. The new interior layout features amber inlaid candlesticks, floral acrylic paintings and photography highlighting significant Harrisburg architecture.

Around the corner, raise a glass and toast “Here’s to you Mrs. Robinson,” sung by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Today, she may “Graduate” to more meaningful pursuits at Midtown Scholar Bookstore’s Robinson Gallery, where something is “bound” to grab your attention.

The symbiotic relationship between art and music is amplified to perfection in the groundbreaking exhibit, “Creating Joy: Art Inspired by Music,” which may be viewed at the Susquehanna Art Museum at the Marty. Right next door, the other standalone gallery in Midtown is turning 1 year old. Join us in wishing Michael Hertrich Fine Art a happy anniversary in his upper-level gallery. Award-winning artist Adelaide LaFond pays tribute in pastel paintings with ethereal scenes of our city.

Finally, this veteran gallery-walker offers some tips for the day. Major museums and galleries may be busier than usual with the day’s special events, so perhaps plan on visiting some of the venues on the roads less traveled. Map out your route and call ahead with a planned time of arrival for optimal viewing. Mask up and maintain that safe space of social distancing. Everyone will appreciate your consideration, and it will make for an all-around positive experience. Art lovers care; it is in our very nature.

The unique umbrella of museums, galleries and merchants participating is a testament to Carrie Wissler-Thomas and her inventiveness. One needs to appreciate the scope and work involved by the AAH CEO. The team of art coordinators, as well as the aggregate artists at each venue, is to be commended. A special thanks to Ted and Linda Walke of Gallery@Second for maps designed and distributed for this event. The Walkes create this annually to guide us safely on the path to great art.

Gallery Walk takes place on Sunday, Sept. 13, noon to 5 p.m., at 17 venues throughout Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com/events.

Vampire Logic: What I learned about COVID by starring in a horror movie

August 31, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

About eight years ago, I was in a weird, and admittedly, terrible movie.

Although I wasn’t a lead, I played the character who drove the action—a modern-day vampire by the name of “Dragar.”

Now, I’m no one’s thespian. I hadn’t acted since the dreaded senior class play (“Fiddler on the Roof”) at my New Jersey high school—and let’s just say that was eons ago.

But an old friend roped me into his little horror flick after his “professional” actor flaked at the last minute, leaving him with a shooting schedule and no time to find a real substitute.

So, I became Dragar.

I mention this episode because my moviemaking friend recently uploaded his film (“The Temperature of Darkness”) to Amazon’s streaming service. So, some family and friends watched it for the first time—despite my warning that I couldn’t give them back that hour and 15 minutes of their lives.

Afterwards, a few diplomatically said nothing. A few said the equivalent of “WTF.” And a few others actually wanted to know more—like why I played the role in what seemed like a semi-comatose state.

“I felt that the character was caught between two worlds—this life and the afterlife,” I explained. “He’s confused. He only half understands where he is and what’s happening around him.”

Based on the quality of my performance, they may have been surprised that I actually gave the role this much thought.

But I had and, maybe around the third or fourth time that I explained my “motivation,” I realized something. These days, I actually feel like Dragar.

For over five decades, I’ve lived my life in certain ways based on fairly predictable assumptions.

In April, baseball season starts. In August, the school year begins. Over the course of the year, there are summer vacations and waterfront festivals and trick or treating. There are regular restaurant outings and gym workouts and drinks with friends. There are workdays, and there are weekends. Year in and year out, life breezes by in a rather regular, knowable pattern.

But not this year.

This year, there was school, then there wasn’t school and then there was sort of school, depending.

There were sports, then there weren’t sports, then there were sports again, but who really knows?

There were restaurants and shops and places to visit, then there weren’t, and then there were again, kind of, but maybe not.

Since March, I’ve spent my year in a state of constant confusion—much like how I imagined my Dragar character felt—and perhaps you have, too.

Our lives have been tossed about, new rules adopted and changed again. The only certainty has been uncertainty, as we’ve tried to determine, individually and collectively, from week to week and month to month, what the heck is happening and how we should respond.

If you’re an office worker, should you commute to your job or should you continue working from home? If you’re a business owner, should you be open or closed? What rules should apply for customers? Is it safe to return to school and, if not, how does that impact your home life?

Our patterns have been disrupted and disturbed. The way we’ve structured our lives, the very fabric of our realities, has been riddled with many questions and few answers. Yes, the change has been that profound.

As we go about our newly surreal lives, I believe that it’s useful to understand that this disorder is a shared experience. Everyone is affected locally, statewide, nationwide and even internationally, like few other historical experiences outside of all-out mobilization for war.

I would hope that we, as a people, would understand and appreciate this, that we would respect the gravity, complexity and historical uniqueness of this confounding situation—and respect each other’s individual struggles. Unfortunately, I find that’s often not the case.

So, I wish to conclude this column with an appeal for civility and understanding in our community. These are confusing times, and, on some level, everyone is struggling—some health-wise, others psychologically and many financially. Most of us have never endured anything comparable, a total disruption to our lives at best, a threat to our lives at worst.

Like my character, Dragar, we’re trapped in a grim, hazy reality that, despite our best efforts, we don’t understand and can’t escape. Dragar did not choose kindness to try to make sense of his strange, baffling life. But we can.

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher and editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Banking on Beer: New Brew Barons Beer Trail taps into tourist trend

August 31, 2020 | by Karen Hendricks

If Dauphin County were a city, it would be in the top 30, nationwide, for breweries per capita.

Based on population, and with more breweries set to open, it would take the next round of national beer statistics by storm. Nearby, Lancaster is already in the top 25.

Jason Meckes did his homework when he helped design Visit Hershey & Harrisburg’s (VHH) new Brew Barons Beer Trail, which launched in mid-July.

“Beer tourism is a proven model, so we took the logical first step,” said Meckes, whose title is “experience development director.” “Some beer trails are part of a marketing department’s afterthought, but this wasn’t without research and development.”

Meckes was hired last September specifically to create marketable Dauphin County experiences designed to attract residents and visitors alike.

Homework is something he’s used to—he’s a former teacher. And he most recently served as executive director of the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, where he paired riverboat cruises with local craft breweries for “brews cruises.”

The Brew Barons Beer Trail links about 20 craft breweries throughout Dauphin County via a cutting-edge mobile app, “Brew Barons.” Partner breweries are all listed, with their hours and locations, and trail-hoppers “check in” using the app’s GPS capabilities to earn three tiers of prizes, including a stainless steel growler with the Beer Barons logo.

Drinkable Data

One of the biggest benefits of basing the trail on an app is the real-time data it captures. And Meckes considers the trail’s first month of figures “a pretty remarkable success.”

In the first four weeks, the app registered 1,100 downloads, 1,092 brewery check-ins, an average of 3.6 check-ins per user and 18 hotel reservations for beer trail packages. Nearly 30% of users are from outside the area.

According to Meckes’ research, the average local user spends $35.17, while the average visitor from outside the area spends $252.38.

“The Brew Barons Beer Trail added an estimated $29,588.55 to local businesses in four weeks’ time,” said Meckes. “Helping businesses stay afloat during what’s probably the most challenging time they’ve ever faced—I’m quite proud that we’ve been able to make an impact, and this is just the beginning.”

The trail, originally planned for a spring launch, was delayed due to the pandemic. Once the state went green and breweries started re-opening, the visitors bureau went full steam ahead on the trail’s launch.

And they only see more green lights ahead. Four more breweries are set to join the trail through the remainder of 2020.

“Beer tourism is not only a thing—it’s growing,” Meckes said. “One of the biggest questions is whether we are in a bubble. We’ve seen similar things in other industries, with other trends. But it takes two years for a brewery to apply for a permit and then start brewing. And based on the number of permits being issued—it’s like seeing two years into the future—craft beer is still growing.”

Meckes defines “beer tourism” as “when you’re specifically traveling to breweries for what are called ‘beer assets.’”

And Dauphin County has plenty of those assets.

“Nationally, we have the recognized beers of Tröegs, but we also have smaller breweries with a local feel and flavor like Mellow Mink focused on sours and aged beers,” Meckes said. “Others, like Zeroday, they really shine when it comes to off-the-wall names and flavors, and Appalachian Brewing has a huge reputation for everything in between. And we have our eye on new breweries like Harris Family and others getting ready to do exciting things.”

Browsing through breweries’ trail data from the first month, check-ins show visits to a wide variety of breweries, including plenty of smaller players.

“One of the most incredible things I’ve seen—one of the newest area breweries is Liquid Noise, and they’re in the top 10 for check-ins on our app,” Meckes said.

Crafty Partnerships

Chris Trogner, co-owner of Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, was struck by VHH’s “enthusiasm” for the trail’s development.

“We know that, with their energy and support, the app will absolutely be a success,” Trogner said. “It was easy for us to say yes to their request since they’ve made sure the user experience is their main focus, while making the process very easy for breweries, as well.”

While Tröegs represents the largest brewery on the trail, Kristin Messner-Baker represents the smallest. She’s the co-owner of Harrisburg’s The Vegetable Hunter, which includes a boutique brewery.

“We were first and foremost a vegan restaurant, but adding the brewery complemented everything,” she said. “We’re probably one of the only vegan restaurants with a brewery in the nation.”

Brews at The Vegetable Hunter, made in fresh, small batches, range widely from a peach IPA to a strawberry double IPA to a blueberry sour.

Messner-Baker said that the trail’s launch came at the perfect time “to help people enjoy great beer and get some sort of normalcy back.”

“This is a way people can do social distancing, but grab a beer and have fun, too,” she said. “Right now, in this world, we need fun things that give us something to look forward to.”

For more information, see brewbarons.com, and search for the app “Brew Barons.”

Quarantune: Nearly York turns lemons into longevity

August 31, 2020 | by Deborah E. Lynch

Nearly York. Photos by Jeff Pittenger.

We all know those songs that just feel like summer. They’re the ones we turn up on a windows-down drive or play on repeat at the barbeque. But bottle this summer up, and you’d think even the catchiest tune couldn’t make the summer of COVID a jam.

Think again.

Nearly York, a Lancaster-based alt-pop band, released a new song, “These Nights,” striking a chord with listeners who have felt a longing for carefree summer nights.

Although newly released, the song has been kicking around since 2014 or 2015. Originally called “New Year’s Eve,” the song seemed to fit the quarantine times, as well. When the band recorded in Nashville last fall, members played around with it, and the entire instrumentation, including a new beat, changed.

With that, “These Nights” was reborn. They shot the music video in drummer and percussionist Chris Mundy’s garage and released it all on the same day in June.

“It was written about the idea of just having fun with your friends,” Brad Hartman, guitarist and bassist, said. “COVID was an underlying thing we weren’t really thinking about at the time.”

The chorus from “These Nights” echoes these sentiments.

“These nights aren’t complicated;
My friends, we keep things simple enough when we show up, oh yeah.”

And show up they have.

Nearly York formed in 2018 when Hartman and lead vocalist and guitarist Lucas Gienow were music recording technology students at Lebanon Valley College. The two immediately connected over music. Mundy came along later when he found out through bartending with Gienow that he was making music.

“I started pestering my way in, and here we are,” Mundy said.

Nearly York often plays in the Harrisburg area at events like Kipona, Fire and Ice Festival and the Millennium Music Conference. But, like many musicians, they’ve had to adapt this year, finding creative ways to get their music out.

Changes

While COVID has been destructive, it has also been the catalyst for innovation. Businesses, schools and many other institutions changed their models to survive. Artists and musicians like Nearly York are no exception.

All three band members still have “day” jobs that sustain them. Gienow is a record producer/engineer and bartender, Hartman works audio for Clair Global in Lititz, and Mundy is a school counselor. But they have used the COVID “free time” to write new music and perform virtually.

Gienow livestreams performances through Facebook. He posts tip-jar links to his Paypal and Venmo accounts and finds that fans have been generous.

They are also working on videography to be better equipped to shoot their own music videos. Using Zoom and their own recording equipment, each member of the band records his part separately then sends it off to be mixed.

“The song you’re hearing was recorded in my room, Brad’s room and Chris’s room,” Gienow said.

When Nearly York officially started, the members formed an LLC. This has allowed them to act as the business that they are, writing off everything from gas on trips to instruments and equipment.

“All the money we made in the past few years would go into our business account,” Hartman said. “So, we had saved up quite a bit of money. … We’re pretty lucky to be in the situation to be able to record at home.”

The pandemic has forced techniques the band plans to continue using post-COVID, but members agree that forming the LLC was the smartest thing they did.

“I’m 30, playing in original bands since I was 16, and this is the only band I’ve been in that I haven’t been losing money,” Mundy said.

Silver Linings

With a loss of touring income, Nearly York has focused more on its YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram account.

“Why not be creating content—short videos of us playing songs, acoustic versions, alternate versions,” Gienow said.

Nearly York has produced some of its music at Studio 2300 in Nashville with the help of Dustin Richardson, a mixing engineer for Universal Music Group. Richardson, who has mixed for artists including Ariana Grande, Post Malone, The Killers and KISS, said most musicians and artists have had to turn to livestreaming and social media “not only for exposure, but to help make ends meet as well.”

He said that, while most streaming is free, it has other benefits—bands are reaching more fans globally.

“A lot of the time, I work with bands who don’t have a clear vision of what they want to sound like, but Lucas and Brad make it easy because they are both very hands-on and opinionated,” Richardson said.

Locally, the band turns to Carl Bahner to mix and produce its songs. COVID benefited his work as a remote mix engineer since recording had to be done remotely. He said that his project load tripled after quarantine.

“There were some definite silver linings,” he said.

One day, we all hope, COVID will be history, and music will return to live venues.

However, the band now worries about the paychecks they might be offered for reduced capacity audiences. If they have to accept less, what will that mean for the future, when things truly return to normal? Will musicians be able to command fees similar to what they used to draw?

“We put years of work and effort into creating entertainment value,” Gienow said. “That has a price we feel it is worth. So, we have to make sure that doesn’t get undercut.”

For more information about Nearly York, visit www.nearlyyork.com. Watch the music video for “These Nights” on their YouTube channel.

Runs in the Family: The Washingtons rediscover their love of art, create gallery for city hall

August 31, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The Washington family, from left: Dynellia, Siede, Selah and Sedrick.

Dynellia Washington remembers seeing her name in the newspaper when she was young.

She won second place in an art competition. Her mom was so proud that she cut out the section that featured her daughter. To this day, her mom still has that clipping.

But, once she reached high school, Dynellia was discouraged to pursue art by a guidance counselor who told her it wouldn’t pan out well.

Despite feeling unsupported at school, Dynellia left her hometown of Harrisburg and went on to study at the former Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the Art Institute of Atlanta. She then taught art for four years.

Now, much more advanced than that piece in the newspaper clipping, her art hangs in Harrisburg’s MLK Jr. City Government Center as part of the Art Association of Harrisburg’s Community Exhibition Program.

This gallery was Dynellia’s entry back into the art world, a world that she never really left mentally, but was finally dipping her brush back into. It had been years since she taught art or focused much time onto her own art.

“This show put the fire back in me,” she said.

Dream Come True

This gallery holds even more importance to Dynellia because it’s not only her artwork showing but her entire family’s: husband Sedrick, son Siede and daughter Selah.

The gallery features a sampling of Sedrick’s photographs, which show animals like cattle, geese and insects up close. Dynellia’s collection revolves around the zebra. She used mixed media techniques to paint the animal as well as showcase its print on a grove of trees and a vase of flowers.

Dynellia said her artwork is often inspired by her husband’s photography.

“I critique myself very hard, but he’s always there,” she said. “He’s my biggest cheerleader.”

The couple met through art when they were both living in Atlanta. They connected while Sedrick was doing videography work. The two artists fell in love, got married and eventually had their two children. Dynellia’s dream of having a family that loved art like she did was taking shape.

Siede, who is 13, created a collection of anime sketches inspired by his favorite TV shows for the gallery. He watches YouTube tutorials showing him how to carefully pencil characters from the cartoons.

“He can go to his room and do it for hours,” Dynellia said.

On the other hand, 8-year-old Selah loves to join her mom when she paints.

“She likes to do abstract like me,” Dynellia said.

Displayed in city hall are Selah’s brightest and most colorful pieces of art. Some are mixed media pieces; one uses melted crayons to create a rainbow waterfall. Others are paintings like a big juicy watermelon and a glittery mountain range.

“I always dreamed of doing art with my kids,” Dynellia said. “It has come to fruition.”

Back to Life

The family became members of the Art Association about a year ago. There, they met President Carrie Wissler-Thomas, who found out that the whole family created art and then couldn’t resist putting it on display.

“I said, ‘Let’s show the whole family!’” Wissler-Thomas said. “I thought, what fun for the city government center.”

She gave them over a year to prepare and bring their best pieces to show.

After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they finally put their art on display in July and couldn’t be happier to feature it in their hometown.

The AAH Community Exhibition Program puts displays art in a number of public places in the Harrisburg area. Wissler-Thomas explained how the program gives smaller-scale, local artists a chance to showcase their work.

“I found my outlet with the Art Association,” Dynellia said. “Even if I can’t do it full-time, I can at least do something.”

The art show encouraged Dynellia to start a website to showcase and sell her art. She plans to stay involved with the Art Association and find other ways to immerse herself in the Harrisburg art scene.

“The Art Association is what brought us back to life,” she said. “It makes me really proud that me and my husband have shown our kids that they can have a side hustle.”

The Washington Family Gallery is on display through the end of October in Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center, 10 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. The Art Association of Harrisburg is located at 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com. For more information about Dynellia Washington and her art, visit www.originalpiecesdsw.com.

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