Midtown Cinema renovation passes muster with Harrisburg’s historic review panel

January 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Artist’s rendering of Midtown Cinema’s proposed new exterior

Midtown Cinema is a step closer to a major makeover, as the city’s historic review board has given the project its blessing.

On Monday night, the Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) unanimously approved plans by owner Lift Development for a substantial renovation of the arthouse theater’s façade.

“We’re very pleased with this result,” said Lift Development principal John Tierney, following the vote.

Tierney said that he expects work to begin next month following the cinema’s annual Academy Awards gala. Construction is expected to take about four months, concluding with the opening of the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival in June.

The façade will feature a mostly glass exterior topped by a new marquee and new fiber cement board panels. On the east side, a trellis will extend the building’s footprint, with picnic tables underneath for outside seating.

Originally, the trellis was expected to be a mix of metal and wood. However, on Monday, Tierney said that it may be exclusively wood due to higher-than-expected price quotes for the metal component.

The 1940-era building was originally a grocery store and later housed a blood plasma center. It opened as Midtown Cinema in 2001.

HARB had no quibble with the modern-style design, and the city does not consider the building to contribute to the historic nature of the district, according to Frank Grumbine, Harrisburg’s historic preservation specialist and archivist.

“Overall, this project makes [the building] a higher overall quality,” said HARB member Jeremiah Chamberlin.

Several members, though, requested preservation of the existing mid-century-style sign that reads, “Reily. Midtown Center.”

Architect Rich Gribble of Camp Hill-based ByDesign Consultants said that they had a plan for the sign.

“We’d like to take that sign and put it into the new lobby, as opposed to installing it outside, since it’s technically not the name of the cinema,” he said.

Tierney later said that, as part of the renovation, they plan to remove the drop ceiling, opening up the lobby closer to the roofline, which would create enough space to hang the large sign inside.

The cinema plans to remain open during the renovation, though construction work may limit the availability of all three screens and could affect show times.

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

Capital Region Water selects Uptown office building for new headquarters

January 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Capital Region Water plans to relocate to this building in Uptown Harrisburg over the summer.

Capital Region Water is heading Uptown, with plans to consolidate its staff in a newly purchased office building on Front Street.

CEO Charlotte Katzenmoyer said on Tuesday that the municipal water/sewer authority has purchased a two-story building at 3003 N. Front St. in Harrisburg, the former home of Quandel Construction Group.

“CRW has been tossing around this option for awhile,” she said. “We did feel for a long time that a long-term lease was not a prudent financial option for us.”

According to Dauphin County property records, CRW last month paid $4.4 million for the 37,632-square-foot building, which includes about 70 parking spaces.

Katzenmoyer said that, with its current lease expiring, the CRW board felt that it didn’t make fiscal sense to continue leasing space in its downtown office building on the 200-block of Locust Street. CRW’s predecessor, the Harrisburg Authority, moved into that building in 2009.

“The most cost-effective option for us long-term was purchasing a building,” she said. “We started looking for buildings that fit our needs in terms of space and cost, as well as accessibility for our customers.”

In addition to 35 administrative personnel now located downtown, CRW will move its 15-person customer service staff to the new Front Street location. Customer service is currently located at CRW’s facility at 100 Pine Dr., on the border with Susquehanna Township.

CRW expects to make the move in “mid or late summer,” once the first-floor customer service center is built out, Katzenmoyer said. She added that the rest of the 11-year-old building is in “excellent shape,” needing only some fresh carpet and new paint.

In scouting a new location, parking was an important consideration, she said, as CRW now pays for its staff to park downtown. CRW also wanted its customer service center to be more accessible to transit, so that people could reach their office by bus.

“As we were looking for buildings, it seemed like this was a perfect fit for us,” she said.

For more information about Capital Region Water, visit www.capitalregionwater.com.

Have a Taste: Queen’s BBQ opens but, for now, samples only

January 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Queen’s BBQ owners Anya and Titus Queen

For months, folks strolling down N. 3^rdStreet in Harrisburg have been tempted by a sign: “Coming Soon: Queen’s BBQ.”

Now, the wait is over—sort of.

The doors are open but only for sampling. It will be at least a month before the last touches and inspections are complete at the barbecue and soul food restaurant.

“This is what we love to do,” said Titus Queen, who operates the snug eatery with his wife, Anya. “We love to help people. We love to feed people.”

If you have a good memory, you may recall that Queen’s was open for a hot minute in 2018 only to close quickly due to a dispute involving their sublease. For awhile, the couple then managed the nearby Subway sandwich shop at the corner of N. 3^rd and Forster streets, which has now closed.

The Queens now are putting all their efforts into getting locals hooked on their pulled pork, ribs, brisket, soups and mac and cheese as they prepare to open for good.

“Everything was stripped inside, so we had to replace and replenish everything,” said Titus, who worked for Applebee’s for a decade and as a baker in the state Capitol.

They did much of the work themselves, and other improvements were made from donations or traded for food, said Anya.

The couple is now eating away at the final $1,000 or so that they need to raise before they can officially open. So, the Queens hope you’ll stop by, sample their food and make a donation for the cause.

“The community has been very good to us so far,” Anya said. “We’re excited to get to a point where we’re finally open, and you can buy our food.”

Queen’s BBQ & Southern Cuisine is located at 912 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. They’re open Tuesday through Friday and Sunday.

Update: Queen’s now has officially opened. For more information, visit their website.

Lunch After Subway

If you’re a state worker lamenting the passing of the Subway franchise at N. 3^rd and Forster streets, you’re in luck. There are several great (um, much better), locally owned alternatives within a block or two for your sub needs.

Aleco’s, 714 N. 3^rd St.: Known for the pizza, but also has terrific sandwiches, soups and, my personal favorite, the big salad.

Jackson House, 1004 N. 6^th St.: They may boast the best burger in town, but they also have huge and delicious subs.

Keystone Restaurant, 1000 N. 3^rd St.: Known for their breakfast fare, but don’t overlook their many other options, including tasty and affordable sandwiches.

Old Town Deli: 512 N. 3^rd St.: I’m a big fan of their wraps, but they can turn almost any sandwich into a sub.

Roxy’s Cafe, 274 North St.: All the diner staples you could want.

Harrisburg council members, treasurer sworn in; Williams re-elected council president

January 6, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg City Council held a brief reorganization meeting on Monday.

Three City Council members and the city treasurer were sworn into office on Monday, as Harrisburg kicked off its next two-year legislative term.

At a city hall ceremony, District Justice Sonya McKnight administered the oath of office to returning council members Westburn Majors, Dave Madsen and Danielle Bowers and to Treasurer Dan Miller.

The swearing-in followed brief comments by Mayor Eric Papenfuse, praising each office-holder.

“These individuals, who I know personally, I believe represent the best of Harrisburg,” he said.

The officials, all Democrats, were elected in November to four-year terms following primary victories in May. Majors, Madsen and Miller all were re-elected, while Bowers won her first election following appointment to council.

A council reorganization followed, with members re-electing Wanda Williams as City Council president by a 5-2 vote, with council members Danielle Bowers and Shamaine Daniels voting against the nomination. Councilman Ben Allatt was unanimously re-elected vice president of the seven-member body.

“This is a responsibility I do not take lightly, and I promise to represent this body with the utmost transparency as we move forward,” Williams said.

Following the meeting, Williams said that her priorities for the year included enhancing economic development and ensuring that the city remained financially stable.

“I want to make sure that we remain on the same financial road to recovery,” she said.

The city starts the year with a $120 million budget, after running a budget surplus in 2019 for a seventh straight year. The new budget includes a pay boost for many city police officers and a plan to accelerate some debt payments. It also funds several capital projects during 2020.

The following pictures are from Monday’s swearing in ceremony:

Dan Miller

Danielle Bowers

Dave Madsen

Westburn Majors

Bob’s Art Blog: A Year in Art

January 6, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

The painting of more than a dozen murals was a highlight of the year in art in Harrisburg.

With one year ended and another just beginning, “end of year lists” are a common feature in publications of all ilk. “Bob’s Art Blog” for TheBurg is no exception. In a year filled with great art happenings on both sides of the Susquehanna, there were many exhibits and events to choose from. So, here is a baker’s dozen—you be the judge.

Most likely to leap tall buildings: In September, Sprocket Mural Works’ unveiling of 14 spectacular citywide murals led right into the 31st edition of the Gallery Walk art tour. As always, Gallery Walk kicked off the fall art season under the auspices of the Art Association of Harrisburg’s CEO Carrie Wissler-Thomas, who celebrated her 40th year with the AAH.

Art tackles socially relevant issues in a way that words cannot accomplish. With just one painting or photograph, the collective conscious grasps the import and deeper meaning brought to light by its focus. In a year when social debate reached its zenith, art activist Carrie Breschi, at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center, mounted a show that resonates resoundingly almost a year later. Shining a much needed spotlight on the plight of the homeless and its ever growing population, Breschi, within her context of cardboard, “Home Sweet Home, The Real Faces of Homelessness,” struck at the very core of why art exists in the first place.

Right on CALC’s heels in terms of social awareness and its call for equality, the Art Association of Harrisburg’s dual show celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, which advanced the rights of the LGBT community. Curator Rachel O’Connor, with the blessing of Barry Loveland of the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania, presented a history in varied mediums of the community’s struggle for acceptance and inclusion. Paired with Maria Maneos’ “Brush With The Law” initiative, highlighting the opioid crisis through art, both exhibits struck home.

Beware the “Ides of March,” as March 15 began my journey in covering 3rd in the Burg art events. In the center ring upstairs at H*MAC, boxer Charles Bootleg Feathers met fellow avant-garde artist Gary Bartlett for a bare-knuckled brawl with the last man standing having bragging rights. In the end, it was a split decision. Both artists delivered a powerful punch with knocked-out art.

Earth Day was spent with Mother Earth, Vivian Sterste, and Father Time, Jackson “Jeb” Boyd, at Vivi on Verbeke, providing the perfect antidote from a long winter. Pottery, photography, pterodactyls and more brought the promise of spring, delivered to the door at 258 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. Over at CALC, an over-the-rainbow fantasy, curated by Cathy Stone, showed interpretive works from found-object sculptor, Sharon McCullough. It resembled Paris in the spring, with a darkly rich palette from painter Arlyn Pettingell’s advanced portrait studies of Parisian vocations. In the Upstairs Gallery, instructor Thomas Oakes’s collection of art from CPARC students demonstrated that disabilities have no bearing on creativity.

In the merry month of May, my birthday surprise was opening night for the Art Association’s 91st “International Juried Art Show.” Art from all over the world filled the upstairs and down, and curator O’Connor’s delightfully dizzying delivery of central PA artists made for quite an experience.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania’s 52nd edition of “Art of the State,” curated by Amy Hammond and Carol Buck, brought varied work from 100 artists selected statewide, representing 35 counties, to center stage for a star-studded awards ceremony, kicking off its three-month run in June. Pictured: “Best Seat in the House” by Donna Barlup.

Summer in the city brought “Picasso: A Life in Prints” to the Susquehanna Art Museum, which connected its Executive Director Alice Anne Schwab to the Big Apple’s John Szoke Gallery in New York City with serendipitous style. The erudite Mr. Szoke’s talk and gallery tour was one of the highlights of the summer season. Two late summer shows, one at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center with “This Place I Call Home,” featured the poetic photography of Lori Snyder and potent pottery of Kurt Brantner, providing a serious study in art appreciation. “Eclectic Energized,” across the river at AAH, presented the perfect counterpoint with psychedelic trappings from Enola artist Andrew Brodisch, as well as York-based portraitist Rone Del Galeone’s use of bold colors and brush strokes.

St. Stephen’s Riverfront Gallery upped the ante with its fall arrival of “Icons in Transformation,” a moving and monumentally meaningful show filled with a personal side of mourning, shared with the world by artist Ludmila Pawlowska.

What constitutes great art was shown to us on an August 3rd in the Burg, starting with the Millworks’ hive of activity. Artists were abuzz gearing up for the citywide Gallery Walk. Tara Chickey, art director for the Millworks, gave us the tour of artists’ studios, enabling us to meet a coterie of creatives. Venturing further up Verbeke, we experienced an Earth Day déjà vu, running into Vivi and Jeb out on their perfect-for-people-watching bench at Vivi’s. Capping off the night with a jolt of energy, Elyse Irvis, entrepreneur extraordinaire, elaborated at her eclectic enclave, La Cultura. On hand for the evening’s festivities was artist Dillon Mitchell. In the end, “Atmosphere, Relationships and Time” created the acronym ART for another memorable 3^rd in the Burg.

Art displayed at Nyianga Store in Harrisburg.

October proved to be the busiest month on the art calendar. Paper Lion Gallery in Lemoyne opened it with a roar as owner Chuck Schulz brought an ancient Peruvian celebration in photographic splendor by Dilmar Santos to its freshly painted walls, displaying “Mamacha Carmen, The Festival of the Lady of Mt. Carmel” for its first new exhibit. Next was the celebration of American Craft Week at One Good Woman in Camp Hill with local painter’s Gail Coleman’s color-laden bursts of imagination, Toby Bouder’s wood-turned vessels in wonderfully wrought wood and Charlie Feathers’ teapot tureens in a highly creative presentation.

October’s 3rd in the Burg took us to meet Harrisburg’s newest gallery owner, Michael Hertrich, at his eponymous Hertrich Fine Art and Frame. In addition, Chantal Nga Eloundou, proprietress of her gallery/clothing and jewelry emporium, Nyianga Store, greeted us as we entered a bit of her native land, Cameroon. Closing out the 3rd, the Harrisburg Sketchers finished their run at the De Soto Gallery in the Susquehanna Art Museum. Also, Valerie Larko, artist of abandonedness, gave a tour of her paintings found off the highways and byways that she has come to know and love.

“It’s a Nice Night for a Picnic” by Peter Ydeen

November heralded a big top event, celebrating the 70th year for the Paxtang Art Association’s Annual Art Sale of over 3,000 paintings, led by ringmaster/instructor Nick Feher. Featured throughout, pop artist Michele Phillips, not of the Mamas and Papas but famous in her own right, displayed vibrantly colored and quirky character studies of people, places and animals. Over at SAM, Lauren Nye’s curation featuring Peter Ydeen’s haunting photographs of “Easton at Night” were safely locked up in the De Soto Vault with Inka Essenhigh’s “Other Worlds” showcased upstairs in the Main Gallery, which was like Dali meeting Disney. “War is Only Half the Story,” a photographic expose, rounded out the show.

December’s gifts came in small and big packages. One Good Woman’s original owners kicked off the month arriving back in town as Joe O’Connor, Poet Lariat, “roped” in a standing-room-only audience to hear his readings from his newly published book, “Why Poetry?” Joe and Holly were back for a one night only, closing out their fall book tour in their beloved Camp Hill.

The big red bow of a present waited to be untied at the State Museum of Pennsylvania as a gift to be treasured with its exhibit on muralist Violet Oakley’s preparatory sketches for her art depicted inside the state Capitol. As Midtown entered the new “Roaring 20’s,” the year-end icing on the cake was like an art salon of Paris in the 1920s with an open house by “Bootleg” Charlie Feathers and Reina “R76” Wooden, showcasing new works and admired by local luminaries and art lovers.

In the end, it was a memorable year and, judging by the exceptional works displayed, it is safe to say the art scene in central Pennsylvania is vibrantly alive and well.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 3, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Bethesda Mission distributed these coffee cup sleeves this week.

What happens when a major holiday lands in the middle of a workweek? For us, it means a slower news cycle, for a second straight week. Nonetheless, we found plenty of news to report, with our coverage recapped below.

Bethesda Mission launched its #iheartHBG campaign this past week, distributing coffee cup sleeves to shops and cafes around central PA. Find out the meaning behind the initiative in our online story.

Harrisburg is always a vibrant news town, and 2019 was no exception. What were the most significant news stories for the year just past? TheBurg’s editor comes at you with his annual top-10 list.

The music scene continues to be diverse and vibrant around central PA as we head into a new year. Our music columnist tells you what she’s most looking forward to this month.

PA Farm Show kicks off this weekend, showing off the bounty of the commonwealth’s agricultural industry. There’s no snow this year, but plenty of animals, competitions, food, fun and a whimsical butter sculpture. We have the skinny.

Qualified Opportunity Zones were a key federal initiative meant to drive investment into poorer communities. Much of Harrisburg has been dubbed an opportunity zone, but has that made any difference? Our feature story has some answers.

Sankofa Film Festival brought great films, a few celebrities and several important issues to Harrisburg last week. We have a recap from central PA’s first African American film festival.

Sara Bozich has her recommendations for getting out and about during the first weekend of the year. If you’re not all partied out from the holidays, you’ll find plenty on her to-do list.

TheBurg published hundreds of stories in 2019, but what were the most popular? We give you the top-10 most-read online stories last year, as judged by your page views. Check it out!

TheBurg’s January issue hit the streets this past week, packed with a vibrant mix of city news, community features, columns and events, in addition to a special section devoted to health and fitness. Pick up the hard copy at more than 500 distribution locations or read it online here.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily news digest delivered straight to your email inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Beards become bucks, as Harrisburg police make donation to YWCA

January 3, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Mary Quinn, president and CEO of YWCA of greater Harrisburg, receives a check from the Harrisburg Police Bureau.

Harrisburg police officers may have been busy honing their razors last weekend, following the end of a two-month no-shave initiative that raised thousands for a good cause.

In a city hall ceremony on Friday, the city Police Bureau donated $2,760 to the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, money marked for domestic violence programs.

“We hope to raise greater awareness of this problem,” said Deputy Chief Derric Moody. “Domestic violence is something we deal with in any town, not just in Harrisburg city, but throughout the world.”

This was the third “no-shave November” for the department, an initiative that actually runs about two months into the new year. In past years, beneficiaries included the Harrisburg Police Athletic League and Downtown Daily Bread.

“We’re honored to receive this money,” said Mary Quinn, YWCA president and CEO. “We value our relationship with the city police.”

The program officially ended on Monday, when officers needed to come to work clean-shaven.

“Traditionally, in the police field, you don’t get to grow a beard,” Moody said. “So, we’ve had citizens talk to our officers and ask us, ‘Why are you growing a beard?'”

In all, 92 officers took part, each contributing $30 to participate. Female officers weren’t excluded, as they were allowed by participate by growing out their hair and wearing makeup.

For a second straight year, Officer Andrew Bath was deemed to have the best facial hair on the force, which earned him a plaque.

“This was the highest amount of money we’ve raised so far,” Moody said. “Next year, we hope to raise even more.”

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

January 2, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Happy 2020!

I hope you all had a great time ringing in the New Year. And while that made yesterday a weird Sunday/Wednesday hybrid, hey, it’s almost the weekend again! The 104th Pennsylvania Farm Show kicks off this weekend, starting with the Food Court opening on Friday. I’ll be there tomorrow for the First Taste, so tune your channels to (well, any local media) my IG/FB for the highlights! I’m really looking forward to trying Bell & Evans new chicken meatball, which makes its Farm Show debut!

What are you doing this weekend?

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Bob’s Art Blog: The new “Roaring ’20s”

December 31, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

A sculpture by Charlie Feathers hangs on the wall of his Midtown home/studio, as does the painting below by Reina “R76” Wooden.

Sometimes, spur-of-the-moment get-togethers with like-minded people create magic. Collective conversations converge, creating sparks that carry over into the next day—or the next year.

For a couple of dozen creative types, that moment of magic coalesced on Monday night, the eve before the last day of 2019. It was fitting in many ways.

The scene was reminiscent of the art salons that were the place to be in Paris during the 1920s (isn’t that a coincidence?) when Gertrude Stein and partner Alice B. Toklas held court at their residence surrounded by literary figures (Hemingway and Fitzgerald) artists (Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse) and other legendary bright lights like Gerald and Sara Murphy of the French Riviera playground.

This group of expatriated Americans known as “The Lost Generation” (after the Great War ended) altered Paris forever, embracing the Jazz Age spirit. The ever-changing roster of artists actually invented the nuance of networking. The salons valued ideas and intellectualism over social strata as the mix of personalities hailed from all walks of life.

On Monday night, Harrisburg had its own version of this Roaring ’20s scene. In the heart of Midtown, artists “Bootleg” Charlie Feathers and Reina “R76” Wooden threw an art open house where many familiar local faces showed up to celebrate a reconstituted art salon and to gather together for an impromptu art show tour. Who better to appreciate art than artists and art lovers?

Among local luminaries present, portraitist painter Andrew Guth rubbed elbows with potter Vivian Sterste and photographer Jeb Boyd of Vivi on Verbeke. Bearded sculptor Chad Whitaker and friend Jess surveyed the offerings upstairs and down. “Art in the Wild” sculptor Beau MacGinnes (sounds familiar) and his model wife, Kaila, were there, as well as my beautiful wife and 3rd in the Burg photographer, Jana. In fact, Beau and Jana formed a landscaping lynchpin four years ago installing art exhibits at the annual Wildwood Park show.

Entrepreneurs and partners Zachary Nitzan and Tahirih Alia, owners of Modern Rugs on N. 3rd Street, were excited to see all the recent work that the collaboration of Charlie and Reina’s partnership has brought forth. By the sheer volume of energetic pieces across all mediums, that team effort has spurred a creatively combustible collection. From bootleg jewelry and adorned fashion pieces to wire-wrapped wall hangings, paintings, sculpture and more, the duo presented an outpouring that surpassed their previous groupings individually. When two artists encourage and challenge each other, magic happens.

Vivi and Jeb have shared a similar bond, as well as being a creative couple. Kirsten Moe, a long time arts patron and Harrisburg resident owning one of Charlie’s teapots, spoke to the object being more than functional, going beyond a teapot and becoming a tempest of a treasure. Last but certainly not least in the art world sphere was Lessa Helm, potter and catalyst behind the 3rd Street Studio, one of the founders of 3rd in the Burg, who was also revolutionary in bringing contemporary art to Harrisburg. As the evening continued, I even got to meet Lawrance Binda, co-publisher and editor-and-chief of TheBurg. It was our first opportunity to actually converse—my boss of sorts.

When you hear the phrase, “they phoned it in,” it usually references an actor’s performance. In my case, it’s my art blog. Instead, I just hit “send,” which I’m doing right now. Happy New Year!

Editor’s Note: You don’t need a party invitation to see Reina and Charlie’s works. Look for a new exhibit featuring the artists early in 2020 at the Art Association of Harrisburg.

Issues of youth incarceration, criminal justice featured during first-ever Sankofa Film Festival

December 31, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Johntrae Williams, Dominic Dupont and Michael Kenneth Williams speak on stage during the Sankofa Film Festival.

The audience was silent as “The Wire’s” Michael Kenneth Williams appeared on screen across from four incarcerated young people. In the barbershop-like room, they opened up about their time in and out of the juvenile justice system, some starting as young as age 12.

“I was 15 years old,” Jabar told Williams in the documentary, “Raised in the System.” “Just five years [after] I was believing in Santa Claus. I mean, I’m going on three years—and I got 50 more.”

Issues of youth incarceration, community violence and police brutality were highlighted last Friday night at the Sankofa Film Festival, Dauphin County’s first African American film festival.

The evening featured Williams’ and activist Dominic Dupont’s documentary, “Raised in the System,” and the novel-turned-film, “The Hate U Give.” Even though the event was just two days after Christmas, the State Museum of Pennsylvania was packed with people waiting to see the films.

The festival opened with “Raised in the System,” which showed the causes and effects of the mass incarceration of young people. According to the documentary, as many as 200,000 juveniles have been tried, sentenced or incarcerated as adults in the United States. Those featured in the film said that crime was all they knew growing up.

“I don’t know how to be a doctor because there are no doctors in my community,” one of the young people said. “I don’t know how to be a lawyer because there are no lawyers in my community. All I know are gangsters.”

Williams himself grew up around violence in his neighborhood of East Flatbush in Brooklyn, N.Y. Though he never went to prison, he began visiting people he knew in prison since he was 17, he said.

Things were different for his “The Wire” co-star Felicia Pearson, aka “Snoop,” who appeared in the documentary. Pearson talked about how growing up around drugs, gangs and limited resources ended up with her getting a second-degree murder charge at age 15.

“I’m thinking I got to go to war as soon as I get in here because I’m locked up with adults,” she said. “This ain’t no place that a child is supposed to grow up.”

The documentary highlighted some of the issues these young people faced, but also some of the programs and people who are trying to help. There was an Ohio judge who makes it her mission to try to keep juveniles out of incarceration and “Pay for Peace” in Richmond Calif., where youth can earn up to $1,000 a month for community work and good behavior.

“We put all those things against young people,” Williams said. “We have become a nation that criminalizes adolescence.”

A panel discussion followed the documentary, featuring Williams, Dupont and Johntrae Williams, local filmmaker and founder of 3atrical Productions. The three talked about their past run-ins with the law and what they learned since filming and watching “Raised in the System.”

Dupont, who was featured in the documentary, served over 20 years in prison before he was granted clemency. Since being released two years ago, he has worked with Williams, local law enforcement, juveniles, community members and others to try to create or get involved with programs that target at-risk youth. He even joked that he spent more time in prison speaking out against youth violence and mass incarceration than he did when he was serving time.

They then opened the floor to the audience for questions. One attendee shared how he was in and out of prison for 22 years before turning his life around, and another asked Williams how he went from a kid in the streets of Brooklyn to an Emmy-nominated actor.

“Instead of me worrying about how I got here, God asked me, what am I going to do with this?” he replied.

The next screening was “The Hate U Give,” based on the book by Angie Thomas of the same title. The film follows the fictional tale of Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg), whose friend Khalil (Algee Smith) was shot and killed by a police officer while he was unarmed. The killing becomes national news and, from there, the film tackles racial tension, the failures of the criminal justice system, protests, riots and more.

“To see it and to hear these kids, the same age as my son, I have a 17-year-old, then I also have a 9- and 8-year-old, and to hear what they’ve encountered and what they’re living through, and how one mistake can not just ruin but alter the course of things so intensely, it’s just so heartbreaking,” said audience member Manuela Hooper.

Along with the film, the festival featured many local vendors such as The Cupcake Lady, Reign & Tay’s Lemonade and the Harris Family Brewery, as well as numerous community groups.

Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick gave the Sankofa team a special recognition by declaring Dec. 27 Sankofa Film Festival day in the county.

“Tonight was inspirational,” he said. “The ability to partner with Sankofa and bring real-life history to the stages of Harrisburg and making sure the African American experience is represented in a real way is a true blessing.”

For more information on the Sankofa Film Festival, visit www.sankofatheatrehbg.com.

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Happy 2020!

What are you doing this weekend?

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