Community Corner: Notable September Events

August 30, 2019 | by Missy Smith

September Community Corner

Mural Fest
Aug. 30-Sept. 8: Explore the 10-day Harrisburg Mural Festival, with local, national and international artists creating murals. The festival will host a weeklong series of events, including artist meet-and-greets, talks on public art, a community paint day and a final-day block party. www.sprocketmuralworks.com

Kipona
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Enjoy the 103rd annual Kipona Festival in Riverfront Park and City Island with food vendors, live music, handmade art and crafts, a beer garden, Native American pow-wow, canoe races, family fun zone and more. www.harrisburgpa.gov

Job Expo
Sept. 4-5: The commonwealth hosts “Government That Works! PA Procurement Expo & Forum” at the PA Farm Show Complex, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, with speaker Ron Jaworski, exhibits, demonstrations, educational sessions, networking opportunities, a job fair and more. www.paprocurementexpo.com

Archaeology Dig
Sept.4-Oct. 4: State Museum will conduct its annual excavation at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Archaeologists will be on site weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come see what they find. www.statemuseumpa.org

Coffee Party
Sept. 6: Cracked Pot Coffee Shop, 130 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, hosts its “End of Summer Celebration” with food trucks, music, kids’ activities, cornhole tournament and cafe beverages, 4 to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit shop, which supports foster youth. www.thecrackedpotcoffeeshop.com

Jazz & Wine Fest
Sept. 6-8: The annual Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival will be at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Local and national artists will join area wineries for the three-day event. Purchase tickets in advance or at the door. www.dauphincounty.org

Boutique Week
Sept. 6-14: York City Boutique Week highlights York’s small and independent retailers and eateries. The week includes four main special events, as well as in-store events, trunk shows, pop-up shops and more. Facebook: York City Boutique Week

Memorial Ride
Sept. 7: Jason Frye Annual Memorial Ride will be held 8:30 to 10 a.m., beginning at Shermans Creek Inn, 5150 Spring Rd., Shermans Dale, and ending at Landisburg Fire Hall. Proceeds go to to the Jason Frye Memorial Fund. Contact 717-586-7320, 717-789-3048 or [email protected].

HBG Flea
Sept. 7: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures and curated curios, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. www.hbgflea.com

Gallery Walk
Sept. 8: Explore 19 galleries and exhibit spaces to enjoy art, music and refreshments during the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 31st annual Gallery Walk, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout Harrisburg. www.artassocofhbg.com

Restaurant Week
Sept. 9-20: Harrisburg’s premier dining event returns, spanning two weeks, Sept. 9-13 and 16-20. www.HarrisburgRestaurantWeek.com

9-11 Observance
Sept. 11: PA National Fire Museum, 1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, will host a 9-11 anniversary observance with a series of events starting at 8:30 a.m. www.pnfm.org

Mega Mixer
Sept. 11: Join members of West Shore, Carlisle Area, Mechanicsburg and Shippensburg chambers of commerce for 13th Annual Mega Mixer at the U.S. Army Heritage Center, 950 Soldiers Dr., Carlisle, 5 to 7 p.m. www.wschamber.org

Puppies and Pints
Sept. 11: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals at Midstate Distillery, 1817 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for “Puppies and Pints,” benefiting Homeward Bound Animal Rescue. Adoptable puppies will be on-site. www.hyp.org

Tinkering Minds
Sept. 12: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Using a tinkering box of found materials, kids can explore and make their own creations. www.statemuseumpa.org

Gardening Demo
Sept. 12: Join Master Gardener Connie Hawkins at Perry County Food Bank Demonstration Gardens, 300A S. Carlisle Street, New Bloomfield, for “Putting Your Garden to Bed,” 6 to 7:30 p.m., with recipes and tips on wrapping up the garden for the season. www.extension.psu.edu

Hershey Birthday
Sept. 13: Head to ChocolateTown Square, Chocolate and Cocoa avenues, to celebrate Milton Hershey’s 162nd birthday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live music, as well as cupcakes and milk chocolate bars. www.thehersheystory.org

Work Site Day
Sept. 14: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for a work site day volunteering time with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area, 8:15 a.m. 3:30 p.m. No specific skills or expertise needed. www.hyp.org

Hispanic Heritage Fest
Sept 14: Latino Hispanic American Community Center presents Hispanic Heritage Festival, 13th and Derry streets, Harrisburg, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, food vendors, entertainment, games, kids’ activities and giveaways. www.lhacc.org

Arts Festival
Sept. 14: 38th annual Hummelstown Arts Festival will be held at the Hummelstown Fire Co., 249 E. Main St., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with works by juried artists, a silent auction, live music, a wine bar and catered appetizers. Visit Facebook page: Hummelstown Arts Festival.

Food Truck Fest
Sept. 14: The 2019 Wish Upon a Food Truck Festival will be held at AACA Museum, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live entertainment, children’s activities, music, a special wish reveal and more, in support of Make-a-Wish. www.wishuponafoodtruck.org

Less Stress
Sept. 14: Yoga at Simply Well, 28 Pitt St., Carlisle, hosts “Back to School with Less Stress: A Mother/Daughter Event,” 1 to 2 p.m., to explore tools and strategies for helping to manage the school year. Cost is $10 person. www.yogaatsimplywell.com

Rugged Run
Sept. 14: Ned Smith Center, 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg, hosts Tröegs Rugged Trail Run, 4 to 9 p.m. Registration begins at 4 p.m.; race starts at 5 p.m. Enjoy food, live and silent auctions, live music and more. www.nedsmithcenter.org

Leisure Bike Ride
Sept. 15: Harrisburg Bicycle Club’s Three Creek Century ride will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning at Penn Township Fire Dept., 1750 Pine Rd., Newville. www.threecreekcentury.com

Fort Hunter Day
Sept. 15: Celebrate fall with a craft show, children’s crafts and games, hay rides, carriage rides, exhibits, music, food and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. www.forthunter.org

Heart Walk
Sept. 15: American Heart Association Capital Region’s Heart Walk will be held 12:30 to 4 p.m. on City Island, Harrisburg. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.; the walk starts at 2 p.m. www.heart.org/capitalregionwalk

Healing Concert
Sept. 15: World Surgical Foundation hosts “Music and Healing, a Concert to Benefit the World,” a performance by Odin Rathnam and Robert Koenig, 3 p.m., with a pre-event reception for VIP ticket holders. www.worldsurgicalfoundation.org

Crab Fest
Sept. 15: West Shore YMCA and Trinity High School, 3601 Simpson Ferry Rd., Camp Hill, host the 3rd Annual Central PA Crab, Beer and Wine Festival, 4 to 8 p.m. Enjoy craft beer, wine, crabs and live music, with proceeds benefitting the Central PA Food Bank. www.pacrabfest.org

Meet and Greet
Sept. 17: Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania, 1130 S. 19th St., Harrisburg, hosts an evening with professional golfer Jan Stephenson, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Proceeds support their programs and services. Contact 717-238-2531 or [email protected].

Photo Talk
Sept. 17: Maryland photographer Kathleen Hertel will present “Adventures of a Bucket List Photographer” at Harrisburg Camera Club, 7 to 9 p.m., in Giant Community Room, 3300 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill. www.harrisburgcameraclub.org

Fall Book Sale
Sept. 19-22: Shop the Friends of Fredricksen Fall Book & Media Sale at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. The library will hold a preview sale on Sept. 22, 2 to 7 p.m., and a bag sale on Sept. 22, 1 to 4 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

3rd in The Burg
Sept. 20: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Harvest Hop
Sept. 21^: Spend the day in Camp Hill at “Harvest Hop—Sip, Stroll and Shop” to kick off the fall season, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local businesses will offer kids’ activities in the morning and adult-focused offerings in the afternoon. Facebook: Downtown Camp Hill.

Celtic Fest
Sept. 21: Head to the 2019 Celtic Craic Music Fest at Harrisburg Postal Picnic Grounds, 1500 Roberts Valley Rd., for live music, dancing, bagpipes, beer, wine, food, vendors and kids’ activities, 12 to 10 p.m., in support of Methodist Home for Children and Veteran’s Promise PA. www.celticcraicmusicfest.com

Bag Bingo
Sept. 21: Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Delta Research and Educational Foundation, present “Designer Bag Bingo” at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, to benefit community programs. Doors open at 3 p.m. Call 717-902-9813.

FAB Night
Sept. 21: In honor of 50th anniversary of Stonewall, LGBT Center of Central PA celebrates a “Legacy of Resistance and Resilience” at its annual FAB event, Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr, Hershey, 6 to 10 p.m. www.centralpalgbtcenter.org

Beer & Wine Fest
Sept. 21: Enjoy local beer, wine and food at the Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club’s Beer and Wine Festival, Central Penn College, 600 Valley Rd., Enola, 3 to 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs to relax and enjoy live music. www.mechanicsburgnorthrotary.org

Comic Con
Sept. 21-22: Celebrate all things comics, anime, games, sci-fi, movies and pop culture at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., with celebrity guests, comics, cosplay, contests, panels, guest artists and vendors. www.fourstatecon.com

Fall Fest
Sept. 21: Junior Board of YWCA Greater Harrisburg hosts its 10th Annual Fall Fest, 4 to 7 p.m., to raise funds for Camp Reily, 300 Camp Reily Rd., Harrisburg, a summer day camp for children Enjoy beer tastings, food and entertainment. www.ywcahbg.org

Art & Beer Crawl
Sept. 25: Head to The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, for an evening of sampling beer, food and art, 6 to 9 p.m. Make art with Millworks artists and take home your creations. www.millworksharrisburg.com

Books on Tap
Sept. 26: Dauphin County Library System hosts “Books on Tap” book club at Sturges Speakeasy, 400 Forster St., Harrisburg, 5 to 6 p.m. Dive into new genres and forms while getting to know other readers. The club will discuss Fredrik Backman’s “Beartown.” www.dcls.org

Brexit
Sept. 26: Temple University political economist Alistair Howard will discuss Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union at West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill, 7:30 p.m. A dinner precedes the talk. www.fpaharrisburg.org

Tasting Tour
Sept. 28: Join Millersburg Rotary Club for a “Tasting Tour of Millersburg,” 12 to 4 p.m., with food, drinks, historic ambiance and river views. Funds support the club’s contribution efforts to Millersburg’s MYO Park Centennial Renovation Project. www.rotary.org

Coin Show
Sept. 28-29: Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, 2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, hosts the Harrisburg Coin Show with more than 70 exhibit tables, free admission, free parking, a raffle, door prizes, food and free seminars. www.harrisburgcoinshow.com

Yoga Festival
Sept. 28-29: Central PA Yoga Love Festival will be held at Amethyst Retreat Center, 44 Buffalo Creek Rd., Duncannon, featuring yoga studios, healthy food, vendors, live music, a drum circle and more. www.payogalovefest.com

Celebrate Wildwood
Sept. 29: Come to “Celebrate Wildwood,” 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy kids’ activities, pumpkin painting, environmental education, music, food vendors, used book sale and a “Walk for Wildwood.” www.wildwoodlake.org

Woofstock
Sept. 29: The annual celebration of all-things canine returns to Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring music, food, prizes and the largest pet adoption event on the East Coast. www.cpaawoofstock.com

Happenings: Our September Calendar of Events

August 30, 2019 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

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

“Studebaker Cool: 114 Years of Innovation,” exploring South Bend, Indiana’s contribution to wheeled transportation,” through Oct. 20

“Harley-Davidson: History, Mythology and Perceptions of America’s Motorcycle,” through Oct. 20

“Raymond Loewy: A Retrospective,” an exhibit on the American industrial designer, who achieved fame for his design efforts, through Oct. 20

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

“Sustained: Artists and the Environment” Fall Membership show, Sept. 8-Oct. 10; reception: Sept. 8, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

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

“75th Anniversary Celebration: Yellow Breeches Chapter PA Guild of Craftsmen,” Sept. 6-21; reception: Sept. 6, 5-7 p.m.

“This Place I Call Home,” photography by Lori Snyder and pottery by Kurt Brantner, through Sept. 21

“People and Places, new works featuring candid observations of everyday scenes captured in plein air inspired style by Kim Stone and Pat Walach Keough, Sept. 27-Nov. 2; reception: Sept. 27, 6:30 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Kourtney Cannon

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

“Leisure Time Exhibit,” highlighting what the Reily family did for fun in their spare time as previous owners and residents of Fort Hunter, through December

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

“Observations Absorbed by Patricia Marshall,” through Sept. 7

“Something for Everyone,” by Carrie Feidt, Sept. 11-Oct. 12; reception: Sept. 15, 3-5 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

The Hershey Story Museum Exhibit, Sept. 5-8

Cocoa Beanery Art Exhibit, through Oct. 7

Hershey Public Library Exhibit, through Oct. 12

The Hershey Story Museum
63 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-534-8939; hersheystory.org

Hershey Area Story Museum Exhibit, Sept. 5-8

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Department of Art and Design Annual Juried Show 2018-2019,” through Sept. 6

“In Matter and in Mode” Faculty Exhibit, Sept. 13-Oct. 9

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; metropoliscollective.com

“LIKENESS: A group show of Portraits,” Sept. 6-Oct. 24; reception: Sept. 6, 7-11 p.m.

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

New works by Caleb Smith, P.D. Murray, Tara Chickey, Joelle & Justin Arawjo, Ann Benton Yeager, Tina Berrier, through Sept. 15

Now works by Linda Benton McCloskey, Joelle and Justin Arawjo, Kristen Fava, John McNulty, John Davis and Mary Kandray Gelenser, Sept. 17-Oct. 13

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

“Boots and Saddles: Horses in the Civil War,” through June 7

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

The Penny Gallery at The Pond
32 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-245-0382; thepomfretgroup.com

“Out of the Dark,” an exhibition of artwork opening the paths to healing and hope in the struggle for suicide prevention, Sept. 6-25; reception: Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“ArtsLive Series,” an art exhibition from of work by Red Tomato Farm participants, Sept. 27-Oct. 12; reception: Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m.

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

“Up Close,” a group exhibition of artwork in a variety of media that explores small worlds or highlights a portion of a larger whole, through Oct. 4

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. Second St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Felting Iki,” an exhibition of whimsical and cheerful felted art pieces by Crissy Miyake, who finds inspiration in the human relationship with and appreciation of nature, through Oct. 5

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-231-ROSE; hacc.edu/RLAC

Ceramics works by Carolanne Currier and Jack Troy, Sept. 3-Oct. 3; lecture: Sept. 5, 5:30 p.m.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral and School
221 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-4059

“Icons in Transformation,” Ludmila Pawlowska’s artistic interpretation of her experience of prayer and connection with eternity, through paintings and sculptures, Sept. 1 to Nov. 3

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

“Art of the State,” the 52nd annual juried exhibition featuring Pennsylvania artists and craftspeople, through Sept. 8

“Pennsylvania at War: World War I Posters from the Pennsylvania State Archives,” through Dec. 29

“Pennsylvania at War: The Saga of the USS Pennsylvania,” through Dec. 29

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

“Picasso: A Life in Print,” highlighting 1904-1970 works of Pablo Picasso from the collection of the John Szoke Gallery, through Sept. 22

“Artistic Expressions: Faculty Edition,” featuring the work of Harrisburg-area art teachers, through Oct. 20

“On Location: Harrisburg Sketchers,” featuring sketches from the past six years from a rotating cast of artists, through Oct. 27

“Hidden City,” the plein-air landscape paintings of Valeri Larko, through Nov. 17

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

“A Theater of Things: The Work of G. Daniel Massad,” signature works spanning five decades, curated by Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art, Sept. 4-Oct. 20

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

“Art In The Wild,” naturally inspired trailside creations along Wildwood Park’s wandering trails and wetlands, through Oct. 31

Winters Heritage House Museum
41-47 E. High St., Elizabethtown
717-367-4672; elizabethtownhistory.org

“Elizabethtown During the Great Depression,” through Sept. 20

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

Works by Jennifer Rabenstein

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Art gallery by Darrienne Coffen, through Sept. 19

Art gallery by Stephen Zerbe, Sept. 20-Oct. 17

Read, Make, Learn

BrainVessel Gallery
4707 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-2306; bvcargo.com

Sept. 11: Introduction to Watercolor I—Southern Magnolia, 6:30-9 p.m.
Sept. 21: Introduction to Watercolor II—An Apple a Day, 2-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: Introduction to Watercolor III—Birch Trees, 6:30-9 p.m.

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

Sept. 2-30: Understanding Abstraction, Mondays, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 3-Oct. 8: Wheel 101, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 4-Oct. 9: Play with Clay at the End of the Day, Wednesdays, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Sept. 7: Metal Etching, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: STOP! Don’t Throw That Away—Upcycled, Sustainable Fashion, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 9-Oct. 14: Throw BIG!, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: Craft Beer & Clay, 7 p.m.
Sept. 24-Dec. 5: ArtWorks!, 3-5 p.m.
Sept. 25-Oct. 30: Fundamentals of Photography, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 25-Oct. 30: Fundamentals of Photography, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 26-Nov. 7: Beyond Fundamentals of Photography, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 28-Nov. 2: Intro to Cosplay Design, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Sept. 11: Sicilian Specialties, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 18: Weekend Gourmet, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 25: “Tailgating” Wings & Beer Pairing, 6-9 p.m.

Detweiler Park
1451 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin
717-559-5188; dauphincounty.org

Sept. 24, 29: Forest Bathing, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 3, 17: Job Seeker Resources, 1-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 17, 24: Born to Read, 10:15-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Sept. 17, 24: LEGO Robotics, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 19: Device Club, 1-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Social Security Basics, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 24: Annual Friends of East Shore Area Library Meeting, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 27: Stop the Bleed, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 28: Camp Read S’more, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Cards & Coffee, 9:15-10:30 a.m., 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 7: Family LEGO Club, 11 a.m.
Sept. 7, 21: Cards & Coffee, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 11: Teen Book Club, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11, 25: Anime Club, 6 p.m.
Sept. 12, 26: Community Knitters, 6 p.m.
Sept. 13: Second Friday, 5-8 p.m.
Sept. 14: Lace Cottage Tatting Workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 21: Book Discussion Group, 9:15 a.m.
Sept. 21: Community Knitters, 11 a.m.

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

Sept. 3: Teen Homeschool Hangout, 10 a.m.
Sept. 3: Curl Up with the Classics—“The Turn of the Screw,” 10 a.m.
Sept. 3-30: Fall Story Times
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Bilingual Story Time, 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 4 : Moving Forward Book Group with Hospice of Central PA, 1 p.m.
Sept. 5, 19: Blood Pressure Screenings with UPMC Pinnacle, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 5, 19: The Plot Twisters (ages 15-18), 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 30: Tween Makerspace Drop-In (ages 9-13), 4-6 p.m.
Sept. 12: “Fake News, Fighting Words and ‘Fire—How Free is Free Speech?” w/ Mette Evans & Woodside, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Indie Film Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Blood Dr. w/Central PA Blood Bank, 4-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 23: Fredricksen Reads—“Bridge of Clay,” 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: Foreign Film Friday—“35 Shots of Rum,” 2 and 7 p.m.

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

Sept. 4, 11: Fiber and Friends, 6 p.m.
Sept. 19: Folk Art One Stroke, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

Sept. 1: Jeremy Denk
Sept. 7: Telegraph Quartet w/Carl Ellenberger and Alex Shaw

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Sept. 9-Oct. 28: Character Level 1, 7-10 p.m.
Sept. 10-Oct. 29: Intro to Improv, Tuesdays, 7-10 p.m.
Sept. 14: Vocal Harmony, 1-4 p.m.

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

Sept. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
Sept. 4: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
Sept. 6, 20: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
Sept. 7, 21, 28: Chess Club, 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: Memoirs Class, 2 p.m.
Sept. 8: Friends Adult Program—Hospital Ship USNS COMFORT, 2 p.m.
Sept. 9: Hinduism in America, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: Books and Babies, 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25: 1, 2, Wheel!, 10 a.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25: Sensory 1, 2, Whee!, 11 a.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25: Tween Lounge, 3 p.m.
Sept. 12, 19, 26: Teen Lounge, 3 p.m.
Sept. 12, 26: Card Making Class, 6 p.m.
Sept. 14: Chess Tournament, 9 a.m.
Sept. 15: Friends Children Program—Poetry in Motion, 2 p.m.
Sept. 18: Adult Library Program—Nutrition for Kids, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Friends Adult Program—My Friendship with Fred Rogers, 2 p.m.
Sept. 23: Central PA Blood Dr., 3 p.m.
Sept. 29: Succulents Planting Class, 2:30 p.m.

The Hershey Story Museum
63 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-534-8939; hersheystory.org

Sept. 1-30: Chocolate Lab Classes, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Preschool Story Time, 9:15-10 a.m.
Sept. 13: “Celebration Truffles” Chocolate Lab Class, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 21: Museum Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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

Sept. 3: Tabletop Games, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 9: iPad/iPhone Beginners, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 9, 23: English Conversation Club, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 11: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 16: Monday Morning Board Games, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 16: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 18: SciFi Book Club, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 19: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 24: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sept. 25 : Apple Users Group, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 25: Yoga for Seniors & Beginners, 7-8 p.m.

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

Sept. 12: Social Security Basics, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Knit 1, Crochet Too!, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 19, 26: Storytime Yoga, 10:15-11 a.m.
Sept. 19: Friends of Kline Library Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20, 27: Born to Read, 10:15-11 a.m.
Sept. 25: Paperback Pumpkin, 6-7:30 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Common Rd.s Young Adult, 4-6 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Common Rd.s Youth, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Passageways—Trans and Non-Binary Group, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 14: Queer & Trans People of Color Advisory, 6-8 p.m.

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

Sept. 16, 23, 30: Born to Read, 10:15-11 a.m.
Sept. 16, 23, 30: Video Game Club, 4-5 p.m.
Sept. 17: Cooking with Essential Oils, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23: Cookbook Book Club—Potato Party, 6-7 p.m.

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

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Mid-day Getaway, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 10, 12: Job Seeker Resources, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Dying for Love—A Library Mystery, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 24: Device Club, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: STEM Club, 5:30-7 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 3, 17, 24: Family Yoga, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 5: Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Science Fiction Book Club (meets online)
Sept. 14: Library Scavenger Hunt, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 16: Mystery Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 28: Teddy Bear Picnic, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 5: An Evening with Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 27: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: An Evening with Sean Carroll, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: An Evening with James Poniewozik, 6 p.m.
Sept. 15: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15: LGBT Book Club, 4:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 10-Oct. 15: “If Walls Could talk” Mixed Media Class, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 13-15: Advanced Cold Wax Techniques, 6-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 21: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: Advanced Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Kids Art Class, 12-1 p.m.

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

Sept. 5: The Fires of Penn’s Woods, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 21: Hunter Trapper Safety, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

Sept. 5: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 5: Crochet Night, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: Book Review Program—“Arrow Maker,” 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 11, 25: Wednesday Great Books Discussion group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 14: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Monday Great Books Discussion group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 19: Adult Fall Craft, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 21: Couponing For Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 21: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 22: Pete Seeger’s 100^th Birthday, 3-4 p.m.
Sept. 25: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.

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

Sept. 7: Drop-In Art, 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 16: Arts for All inclusive art classes with The Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties, Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 14: Bucknell University’s Small Business Development Center The First Step—Pre-Business Workshop for Artists, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 24-Oct. 29: Watercolors for Adults—Landscape Building Blocks, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 24-Oct. 29: Watercolors for Adults—Beginner Fundamentals, 6-8 p.m.

Rockhill Trolley Museum
430 Meadow St., Rockhill Furnace
814-447-9576; rockhilltrolley.org

Sept. 7-8: Grandparents’ Day Weekend

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

Sept. 6: StoryTime—“Because of an Acorn,” 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 8: Artist Conversations, 2 p.m.
Sept. 12: Curiosity Kids—Tinkering Minds, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 20: Archaeology at Fort Hunter, 4-6 p.m.
Sept. 26: Nature Lab—Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey, 11:30 a.m.

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

Sept. 18: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

Sept. 22: Storytelling Workshop, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (at State Museum)
Sept. 29: Untitled at the Cinema—Life through Another Lens, 7 p.m. (at Midtown Cinema)

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

Sept. 1: Sunday Evening Bird Walk, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 8: Gallery Walk, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sept. 11: Stress Relief Walk, 5:45-7:15 p.m.
Sept. 14: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 15: Flower Walk—Goldenrods, Asters, and Other Fall Surprises, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 19: Get in Shape Walk, 5:45-7:15 p.m.
Sept. 21: Brownies—Bugs & Hiker, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 3: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 5: Teen Night—Worst Case Scenario, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 11: 2nd Wednesday Cinema, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 17: Novel Thoughts Too Book Club, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 18, 25: Born to Read, 10:15-11 a.m., 11:30-12:15 p.m.
Sept. 23: Paperback Pumpkin, 1-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: Social Security Basics, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Yoga at Simply Well
28 S. Pitt St., Carlisle
717-968-0167; yogaatsimplywell.com

Sept. 4-25: Restore Your Core Level 1, Wednesdays, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 7-Oct. 5: Beginner Yoga 5 Week Series, Saturdays, 2:30-4 p.m.
Sept. 9: Mindful Mondays, 11:15-11:45 a.m.
Sept. 21: Kids Night Out—Celebrate Fall, 6-8 p.m.

Live Music

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

Sept. 5: The Piano Guys
Sept. 8: WITF Music—Storyteller Sessions
Sept. 13: The Springsteen Experience
Sept. 21: Leroy Van Dyke
Sept. 22: Three Dog Night w/Charlie Farren
Sept. 28: Fall Doo Wop Cavalcade

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Sept. 5: Treehouse! and Quasi Kings
Sept. 6: Cripple But Free (Grateful Dead tribute)
Sept. 13: Flux Capacitor
Sept. 21: Driftwood
Sept. 26: Badfish—A Tribute to Sublime
Sept. 27: Scythian

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

Sept. 8: Dweezil Zappa
Sept. 11: Reckless Kelly
Sept. 14: Shemekia Copeland
Sept. 25: Darlingside

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

Sept. 3, 17: Open Mic
Sept. 12: Shawan and the Wonton

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

Sept. 3, 24: Mike Dempsey
Sept. 4, 11: Andrea Britton
Sept. 5, 10, 13, 17, 20, 26, 27: Noel Gevers
Sept. 6, 19, 22: Anthony Haubert
Sept. 7, 14: Ted Ansel
Sept. 12, 21, 28: Roy Lefevre
Sept. 18, 25: Chris Purcell

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

Sept. 28: The Pettybreakers

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

Sept. 1: Social Distortion and Flogging Molly
Sept. 5: Eyehategod, 10 Years
Sept. 6: Samsara, Defiant
Sept. 7: Cold
Sept. 10: Lucy Dacus
Sept. 12: Sugar Candy Mountain
Sept. 14: Music for Paws and Claws
Sept. 18: Caludio Simonetti’s Goblin, The Toasters
Sept. 20: This Wild Life
Sept. 21: The Weeks
Sept. 22: VISTA
Sept. 25: God of Nothing
Sept. 26: C.W. Stoneking
Sept. 27: Saved By the 90’s
Sept. 28: If Not For More, Blessthefall and Escape the Fate, < PIG >

Cliff’s Tavern
1104 Carlisle Rd., Camp Hill
717-412-7323; cliffstavern.com

Sept. 6: Signal 21

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

Sept. 6: DJ Ecliptic
Sept. 7: Sugarhill Gang
Sept. 12: Supersuckers
Sept. 13: JS Ondara
Sept. 14: Cycles & Space Bacon w/Humandala
Sept. 20: Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown w/Coal & Volume To Nothing
Sept. 21: Trina
Sept. 26: Sebastian Bach w/Kobra & the Lotus
Sept. 27: The Struts
Sept. 28: Fever 333

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Sept. 1: Samuel Sitler
Sept. 5: Kirk Wise
Sept. 6: Antonio Andrade
Sept. 7: Dominick Cicco
Sept. 8: Kevin Kline
Sept. 11: Open Mic w/Jonathan Frazier
Sept. 13: Joe Cooney
Sept. 14: Paul Zavinsky
Sept. 15: GRIT
Sept. 20: Michael Arthur
Sept. 21: Doug Morris
Sept. 22: David Fishel
Sept. 27: Janine Womack & Jody Echterling
Sept. 28: Hard Travelin
Sept. 29: Colette Eckert

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

Sept. 15: Springsteen tribute concert

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

Sept. 1: Jeremy Denk
Sept. 7: Telegraph Quartet w/Carl Ellenberger and Alex Shaw

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

Sept. 1: Radio Neon
Sept. 6: Colt Wilbur Band
Sept. 7: DJ Magic, Josh Squared Band
Sept. 13: Sapphire
Sept. 14: DJ Ray Rossi, Kashmir, Honeypump
Sept. 20: Smooth Like Clyde
Sept. 21: DJ Koolie Kirk, The Luv Gods
Sept. 27: Uptown Band
Sept. 28: DJ Matrix, Jumper

Keystone Capital Chorus
717-350-5712; kccsing.com

Sept. 28: “Disney Through the Ages”

Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

Sept. 24: Common Hour Jazz

The Lodge at Liberty Forge
3804 Lisburn Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-756-5032; lodgeatlibertyforge.com

Sept. 4: Open Mic w/Roy, Janelle & Frank
Sept. 5: North Mountain Ramblers
Sept. 12: Taylor Wire & Friends
Sept. 19: LeBlanc & Kissinger
Sept. 26: Shea & Len w/Devon Polulak

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

Sept. 18: REO Speedwagon
Sept. 20: Ronnie Milsap
Sept. 21: Alan Parsons
Sept. 22: Collective Soul

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

Sept. 20: Wind Symphony and Orchestra

Market Cross Pub & Brewery
113 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
717-258-1234; marketcrosspub.com

Sept. 7: The Willys

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

Sept. 20: Midori & Ieva Jokubaviciute

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Sept. 14: Threefold Cord Women’s Choir
Sept. 15: Piano Times Two III
Sept. 20: Rod Gilfry
Sept. 27: Messiah College Wind Ensemble & Symphony

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; metropoliscollective.com

Sept. 6: ALOW

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

Sept. 7: Lucille
Sept. 14: No Band
Sept. 21: Ryan Mayersky
Sept. 28: Charlie McClanahan

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

Sept. 22: Pete Seeger’s 100th Birthday

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-525-8926; rivercityhbg.com

Sept. 16: River City Big Band
Sept. 28: Don Johnson Project

Rose Lehrman Art Center
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-231-ROSE; hacc.edu/RLAC

Sept. 26: The Capitol Steps

Rusty Rail Brewing Company
5 N. 8th North St., Mifflinburg
570-966-7878; rustyrailbrewing.com

Sept. 1: Willie Watson
Sept. 13: Vanessa Collier
Sept. 20: Driftwood

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

Sept. 6: Quentin Jones
Sept. 7: The North Side
Sept. 14: Ben Simcox
Sept. 20: Shea Quinn and Friends
Sept. 27: Drew Adams
Sept. 28: Ever Since Summer

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

Sept. 6: Bulgarika
Sept. 11: Rue de la Pompe w/Kevin Neidig
Sept. 20: Genticorum
Sept. 26: Old Blind Dogs

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

Sept. 15: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Sept. 13: Josh Dominick
Sept. 20: Kevin Koa

The Stage Door

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

Sept. 20: “Peppa Pig Live!”

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

Sept. 13: Brent Terhune

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

Sept. 13-29: Disney’s “Frozen Jr.”

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

Sept. 1-21: “Finding Neverland”
Sept. 14: Dave Attell
Sept. 26-Nov. 9: “The Will Rogers Follies”

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

Sept. 14-28: “Sleeping Beauty” (Popcorn Hat)

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

Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Open Mic
Sept. 6, 7: Sid Davis and Gali Koup
Sept. 13, 14: Davin Rosenblatt and Pat House
Sept. 20, 21: Brad Lanning and Tim Loulies
Sept. 27, 28: Frank Del Pizzo and Kate Brindle

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Sept. 20, 22: Intro to Improv Class Show
Sept. 21, 22: Musical Level 1 Class Show

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

Sept. 10-15: Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Sept. 21: Hershey Symphony—Cirque de la Symphonie
Sept. 26: “The Price is Right” Live

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

Sept. 6-21: “Moon Over Buffalo”

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

Sept. 5: Almost U

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

Sept. 1: “Jeeves Takes a Bow”
Sept. 27-Oct. 31: “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”

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

Sept. 13-29: “Mamma Mia”

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-525-8926; rivercityhbg.com

Sept. 29: “Risque Business”

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

Sept. 6-22: “Noises Off” (at Whitaker Center)

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

Sept. 6-22: “Noises Off” (Theatre Harrisburg)

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 30, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Bicyclists on Harrisburg’s newly paved lower river walk

Harrisburg eased into the long Labor Day weekend with a mix of stories and events, from school and city news to community and artistic events. Here’s our recap in case you missed any of our coverage over the past week.

Brandon Spicer-Crawley is one of the many talented artists who are hard at work during the Harrisburg Mural Festival. Our feature tells his story, and you now can see his work for yourself.

Community Check Up Center celebrates 25 years of serving Harrisburg this autumn. Read the feature from our August issue on this vital medical resource for Allison Hill and South Harrisburg.

Dr. John George, the Harrisburg school district’s acting superintendent, condemned a proposal to create a voucher program that would allow Harrisburg students to attend private schools with public money. Read about why he objects to the proposed bill.

Harrisburg unveiled its repaired and rebuilt lower river walk along the Susquehanna River this past week. Newly laid concrete now extends about two miles from Shipoke to Maclay Street. Read about the project here.

Harrisburg Mural Festival kicked off on Friday, with local, national and international muralists creating 14 large-scale works of art. You can see these talented artists in action through Sept. 8, when the festival concludes with a big block party. Read what our arts columnist has to say and check out the online brochure.

Harrisburg Sketchers opened their first formal exhibit last week, in the DeSoto Vault space of the Susquehanna Art Museum. This homegrown Harrisburg group has come a long way, says our writer. Read her feature story here.

Kipona begins on Saturday and goes through the long Labor Day weekend. There will be plenty of food, music and water-based fun, along with a beer garden, Native American pow-wow and lots of special activities. Read our story here.

Quiche holds a special place in the heart of many baby boomers, and now it’s back, says our food writer. Read Rosemary’s column and recipe here.

Sara Bozich has plenty of ideas for the final weekend of the traditional summer season, with no end of festivals, outings and special events. Check out her list of 100-plus things to do.

Sprocket Mural Works was our “Artist in Focus” for our August issue. Check out their past work as you prepare for many more murals to take shape around Harrisburg over the next 10 days.

TheBurg released our new September issue, with a heavy focus on local arts. We have you covered, whether your preference is paint, performance or another artistic medium. Pick up the new issue or check it out online.

Whitaker Center and local officials took sledgehammers to a wall to ceremonially begin a new project—a new STEM Design Studio on the lower level of the Harsco Science Center. Shortly after, details were announced for the 2019 Très Bonne Année, one of Whitaker Center’s largest annual fundraisers. Read about both events here.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events? If not, subscribe here!

Textured Life: Ceramist Amy LeFever sees patterns all around us.

August 30, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

During a good portion of our interview at Little Amps, Amy LeFever was staring at the brick wall behind me in the Harrisburg coffee shop.

“I love a lot of the textures in there, the patterns—how it’s breaking down,” she said. “That’s as good as my piece in the State Museum. I would hang that.”

It’s everyday sights like these that inspire LeFever and help launch her into her next project. The Middletown resident created hundreds of ceramic pieces full of unique textures and patterns. One of her latest works, rectangular white tile pieces covered in diagonal lines and divots, landed her first place this year in the ceramics category of the annual “Art of the State” competition.

“It was a sense of affirmation of what you do,” said LeFever, a HACC adjunct professor. “I came in and hung the piece myself. I was kind of nervous about it. It was something I shouldn’t have been nervous about, but I was. I was thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong, but it went super smoothly.”

Before her piece was hung in the State Museum, before winning numerous awards, and before traveling across the country to study art, LeFever was a musician. She started playing classical piano when she was in the third grade, her favorite being Chopin.

It was in high school when LeFever first started “messing around” with art. Her sister Letitia, who was an artist, would fish out clay from the creek behind their house and together they would create different creatures and objects from it.

It wasn’t until she started at HACC in 2004 that she really fell into the ceramics world. For her general studies major, she needed an art elective, so she took “Ceramics 1.”

“It sucked me right in,” she said. “I just spent all my time in there, and then I just continued down that path.”

From then, she won first and second place in two student art exhibits at HACC and was a featured artist in the Radius Gallery in the State Museum.

After earning her associate’s degree, LeFever studied at Alfred University in New York and earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Her art then took her across the world to study at the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute in China. For a month, LeFever went sightseeing in various cities, such as Shanghai, and learned different clay techniques.

“[My favorite part] was seeing ceramics in a new way, a new place, and working with new material,” she said.

Between her residencies at HACC and George Fox University in Oregon—and eventually earning her masters at the University of Tennesee in 2018—LeFever created numerous pieces and even dove into new media such as fabric work and digital design.

It wasn’t until three years ago that she started to really develop her signature look. Her art is known for having unique shapes and lines and for mixing different textures and patterns. It wasn’t something that was planned out or analyzed. According to LeFever, usually, when she is working on a piece, she doesn’t have a final look in mind. Instead, her work is the result of a series of reactions from the time she initiates the piece until she feels as if it’s finished.

“In some ways, I have a few different trajectories in ceramics that all come together at a certain point,” she said. “ I love rough sorts of textures and really playing with the material.”

Her upbringing also had a part in shaping her, and, therefore, her art. Living in Lancaster County with her conservative Mennonite family but going to church on Herr Street in Harrisburg, she saw a lot of different cultures mixing together.

When LeFever was in the eighth grade, her eldest sister was in a car accident that severely altered her brain.

“There was a certain tearing apart of the physicality of her brain, but also our family and how that changes you,” she said. “I always played with the concept of making a form, cutting it apart and reassembling it in different ways.”

Though these and other events have influenced her, she doesn’t really show them through her art.

“I wouldn’t say that my art is depicting these things, but they are integral to who I am,” she said. “I don’t think it’s why I’m interested in that certain visual language, but it just sort of makes sense to me.”

When asked what’s next, she shrugged and laughed. Her family keeps her pretty busy so she doesn’t have a firm timeframe for her art. However, she is still on the hunt for new shows, and, she says, making new art is always the goal.

But right now, having her work hanging in the State Museum where hundreds of people can see it—that’s enough for her.

You can check out Amy LeFever’s work at “Art of the State” at the State Museum of Pennsylvania through Sept. 8. To see more, visit her website at www.amylefever.com.

Meet the Artist: Brandon Spicer-Crawley installs his first large-scale work during Harrisburg Mural Festival.

August 30, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

Artist Brandon Spicer-Crawley (far left), along with volunteers from Sprocket Mural Works, prepares his mural prior to installation.

Sandra Spicer-Sharp said it was one of her proudest moments as a mom.

Her son’s artwork, created on parachute cloth, was laid out on the grass aside the Stokes Millworks Lumber Storage Building on 4^th Street near the Broad Street Market on Thursday evening, ready to be installed as part of the Harrisburg Mural Festival.

“My emotions are all over the place,” she said. “When it goes up on the wall, I’m going to lose it.”

While some muralists paint directly onto primed walls, live during the festival, others like Brandon Spicer-Crawley create their works ahead-of-time on the durable cloth that is then adhered to a wall’s surface and sealed, preserving it as mural art.

Spicer-Crawley is no ordinary artist. Within the diversity of the 2019 Harrisburg Mural Festival’s artist lineup, he is an intellectually disabled, African-American artist with a prolific ability for art.

“I knew he had artistic talent when he was 4 years old,” said Sandra Spicer-Sharp. “He was born with his own intrinsic drive to create art.”

Although the 38-year-old artist has had numerous gallery exhibits in his native Philadelphia area, this is his first mural and first large-scale work. Abstract in nature, it’s filled with patterns including repeating circles of bright colors. Like Spicer-Crawley himself, the work seems to radiate happiness and joy.

Brandon Spicer-Crawley’s mother, Sandra Spicer-Sharp, and his stepfather look at the mural installation site.

He created the mural over the past several months at the Wynnewood, Pa.-based studio, the Center for Creative Works, where he’s been a practicing artist since their opening in 2010. One tenet of the nonprofit Sprocket Mural Works is that artists creating murals for its Harrisburg Mural Festival are compensated for their talents; the rest of the festival is 100-percent volunteer-driven.

Thursday night’s installation means that festival attendees can view Spicer-Crawley’s mural during the entire 10 days of the festival, Aug. 30 to Sept. 8, and beyond. At the conclusion of the festival, 14 new murals will grace Harrisburg’s streetscape, bringing Sprocket’s grand total throughout the city to 40 murals.

Spicer-Sharp, who teaches special education at the Community College of Philadelphia, perched on a log bench set up by Millworks for the occasion and reflected on the significance of the moment.

“It’s poignant for me, because, in our special education textbooks, we note that, as a society, we talk about people’s exceptions before we talk about the person themselves,” she said. “But we also talk about people being capable—capable of anything with the right kind of exposure. I think today, with this mural, we’re moving the needle a little bit, creating a little change in the world.”

For more information on the Harrisburg Mural Festival, see https://www.sprocketmuralworks.com/. TheBurg is the event’s media sponsor.

20 Down . . .: Whitaker Center reflects on its past, plans for the future.

August 30, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

In the late 1980s, a group of local officials sought to build a cultural and science center for the growing Harrisburg area. They drafted a plan that included a fine arts center, a science museum and a theater.

Finally, in 1999, the distinctive-looking, $52.7 million Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts opened its doors in the heart of downtown Harrisburg.

Fast-forward to 2019, and this month, Whitaker Center celebrates its 20th birthday. The center, which includes the Harsco Science Center, the Select Medical Digital Cinema and the Sunoco Theater, has taken root and blossomed over that time.

Jeanne Schmedlen, who was involved in the creation of Whitaker Center, said that the cultural hub is central to the greater Harrisburg community.

“The mayor at the time, Stephen Reed, called this the crown jewel of Harrisburg when he cut the ribbon [at the grand opening],” Schmedlen said. “And often, still, people refer to it as the crown jewel.”

As Whitaker Center turns 20, President and CEO Ted Black is looking to the future, focused on modernization and expanding the center’s digital presence.

“We have some big plans and big things underway,” he said. “It’s just challenging getting through these transition phases, where you wish you had a magic wand and everything was built and up and changed.”

Renovations will both expand and modernize exhibits in the Harsco Science Center and Kids’ Place, providing a more enjoyable experience for children.

Kids’ Place will undergo some of the more dramatic changes. Not only will old favorites like the ambulance and the Midtown Market receive a new look, but visitors can expect the number of exhibits to double. Renovations will be implemented in three stages, with the first stage beginning Nov. 1. When complete, the revamped Kids’ Place will be 30-percent larger with new exhibits, such a life-sized Operation game.

Changes to the science center include a new grand entrance, which Black hopes will help to foster a sense of arrival and excitement as visitors eagerly await their entrance. Exhibits will receive a face-lift, too, with computers and software in the “Forces of Nature” exhibit set for upgrades, and some spaces may be reallocated.

Beyond the physical changes, Whitaker Center will have more technology-based programs to teach children crucial computer skills like coding. Classroom space, currently hidden behind plain doors in the science center, will be renovated for the first time since Whitaker opened to make it more accessible to interactive learning.

“We’re in the process of recruiting for a coding educator,” Black said. “Learning coding now is like learning Spanish 30 years ago. It’s a language you should know. And even if you don’t go in the computer direction, it’s also a way of thinking, a way of problem-solving.”

The “Surgery Live!” program for older students will continue in the Select Medical Digital Theater, which received a new Barco Smart Laser projector in July, providing a crystal-clear look into Hershey Medical Center’s operation rooms. “Surgery Live!” aims to pique interest in the medical field, allowing students to watch actual surgical procedures and ask questions.

Because the center offers programs for people of all ages, Deb Wagner, the communications manager at Whitaker Center, said that she enjoys watching local children grow up through the center.

“We celebrated 10 years of having ‘Surgery Live!’ last year,” she said. “We had a student who’s now a nurse who attended ‘Surgery Live!’ on a field trip. We get to watch a less-than 5-year-old grow through Whitaker Center and have a career in STEM. It’s incredible.”

New Ideas

Board member Gus Schmedlen said that Whitaker Center is working with Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, using state-of-the-art experimental learning design to rework exhibits and learning activities. Educational activities on science, technology, engineering and math will teach children how to contextualize the skills they’re learning in a larger community setting.

“Instead of just learning these isolated skills, they’re being enhanced with these so-called global competencies, or non-cognitive skills, which make students who learn them and the teachers far more flexible and adaptive,” Schmedlen said. “So, when the next disruptive technology comes out, these students will be able to navigate that using both the cognitive as well as the non-cognitive skills.”

Whitaker Center focuses on making an impact in children’s lives. During the 2018 fiscal year, it welcomed 11,600 students through the STEM scholarship program, up 2,000 students from the year before. It also has programming for underserved students, like the “Girls in STEM” initiative.

“[‘Girls in STEM’] allows us to bring in fourth- to eighth-grade girls for a weeklong discovery day camp that’s all focused on STEM for $50,” Wagner said. “So, it really provides an opportunity for an underserved population to come to the center. They get free play in the center, they get directed science, technology, engineering and math. They build roller coasters, they program robots to follow paths through the science center.”

However, the fun isn’t only for kids, as Whitaker Center has programs for adults, as well. Events like “Story Slam,” an acoustic singer-songwriter competition and sampling sessions of local beers and wines allow the over-21 crowd to join in the fun.

Looking to the future, Black wants to deepen Whitaker Center’s relationship with other local business and nonprofits, including nearby Harrisburg University, while continuing to foster an environment that supports new ideas.

“Fortunately, we have a really dedicated staff that believes in everything we’re doing here,” Black said. “I think that’s in the DNA of the building. This is a unique physical structure that not many places have, regardless of the size of the city. Everyone is excited to be a part of that.”

Whitaker Center is located at 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information about the center and upcoming events, visit www.whitakercenter.org.

Fit to be Tried: Bigger space, more amenities greet you at Next Step Performance’s new location.

August 30, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

If you’re a beginner gym-goer like me (and even “beginner” is a little far-fetched), it’s easy to be intimidated by Next Step Performance’s new space.

Besides the sight of owner Ivan Black, who seems to be in perfect shape, the new training studio, located in the 1500 Condominiums in Harrisburg, is filled with foreign equipment and weights that look like they could snap my arm in half.

But Black expects exactly that reaction when people first walk in.

It’s then his job to make them feel comfortable regardless of their fitness level—and in spite of the iron, machines and other equipment staring you down as you enter the location on N. 6th Street, directly across the street from where other heavy equipment (cranes, bulldozers, etc.) are erecting the new federal courthouse.

Black makes you feel at ease through his easy manner and infectious smile, as well as the group and individual workout sessions he’s developed that fit a wide range of fitness levels. With the new location, Black expects to help even more people get into shape.

“Inside of one movement, a top-notch athlete and a beginner can both perform them with relative safety, at their own pace, and it can be progressive for both of them,” he said.

Black opened Next Step Performance four years ago because of his love of exercise, movement and health.

“I love fitness for everything that it provides—aesthetic, health under the hood—but also for confidence, self-esteem and psychological maintenance,” he said.

As much as he liked his original location at the corner of N. 3rd and Herr streets, he admits that there were times when he felt claustrophobic because of the snug size. Not only is the new location more spacious for members (especially in a group setting,) but, according to Black, it also helps motivate them.

“It’s not just the added size, but that everything has a place—everything is clean, everything is put together,” he said. “So, there’s inspiration that comes from a space that’s designed with heart. You get here, and you’re like, ‘Woah, OK. It’s time to work out.’”

The new space was originally brought to his attention in March by one of his members. His lease on the 3rd Street building was coming to an end, so he thought, “Why not see if I can move?”

He scoured the city looking for a new place, but didn’t find anything that seemed like a good fit (no parking, too expensive, etc.). He was settling into the idea of staying in his old storefront until a member approached him about the 1500 Condominiums space. He fell in love with it, and, in early August, officially moved in.

Along with a bigger workout room, the new space comes equipped with a shower and two bathrooms. He also has a built-in customer base, literally—building residents living just above him who are eager to train. With more people looking to work out and a space to inspire them, Black is creating a motivational environment for his Next Step community.

Black provides at least two group workout sessions, six days a week. He said that he focuses on group sessions because of their ability to help people motivate and push themselves.

“Working out consistently is a challenge,” he said. “When you’re working out by yourself, for some, that can be pure misery. So, we try to get you into a space where you’re a little more comfortable.”

For those who feel better outside of a group setting and are tired of traditional gyms, Black offers individual and small group training. He also has a seven-day, free trial for people who want to try out the gym without immediate commitment. After that, members pay a monthly subscription that they can cancel at any time.

Right now, Black has nearly 80 members, but he’s always looking for more.

“To be able to have all these tools available and to come up with a unique recipe for the individual to be better out there, for a little guy from Elmont (N.Y.), you feel good about the effect you have on the world, even if it’s a small part,” he said.

Next Step Performance is located at 1500 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. For more information visit nsp.fitness.

Smooth as Silks: Taking flight at Artz N’ Motion.

August 30, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

Jane Bryan teaches people how to fly.

Well, not literally.

Bryan opened her Linglestown arts studio Artz N’ Motion in 2009 to share her passion of the aerial arts with the community.

“I love movement,” she said. “I fell in love with the circus and the high-flying trapeze when I was little, and then when I got the opportunity to do it, I was like, ‘I have to share this with everybody. I want everybody to learn this because it’s so much fun!’”

Bryan even wanted to join the circus at age 19 after doing gymnastics. However, she was young and afraid of leaving behind everything familiar. Then, in 2004, she discovered Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian-based circus arts troupe. After finding a studio in Philadelphia where she could learn, she was on her way to becoming an aerialist.

“I was not necessarily able to join the circus, but I was able to let my dream come true,” she said.

I Did That

Bryan has a long background in movement-based sports. She did gymnastics for seven years, dance, color guard and cheerleading before falling in love with aerial arts.

Aerial arts, which originated in France, is when a performer uses silks or nylon fabric to perform aerial acrobatics. It includes components of cardio, endurance, flexibility and strength training. Often a difficult workout, Bryan tailors the classes, which include beginner and aerial one and two classes, to the level of the student.

“A lot of people are like, ‘I don’t really have a lot of upper-body strength so I can’t do this.’ But you really can, because I’ll teach you how to use your legs,” Bryan said. “And we do conditioning. It’s a full body workout, and it is endurance.”

Tamara Palmer, who has been attending classes at Artz N’ Motion for the past two years, said that she was sore when she first started classes.

“I felt good, but I felt sore in places I didn’t know I could be sore in,” Palmer said. “It took a couple of weeks to start to build up strength. Jane’s programs are very good about not pushing you beyond your limit while getting your body conditioned.”

Classes are for all ages as Bryan currently serves people ranging from 5 to 74 years old. Students start slowly, with beginner classes, before moving on to more challenging techniques.

“It just boosts your confidence so much, especially if you’re afraid of heights,” Bryan said. “You get to experience that, ‘Wow, I did that, and I got over that fear.’ That just brings so much joy to me. I love it.”

Try It

Palmer described classes as therapeutic, saying that the sport has helped her with back pain.

“I feel healthy,” she said. “I have a degenerative disc in my back. It has alleviated so much of my back pain, so much so that I’m actually able to run again, which is something that I haven’t been able to do for several years.”

Beyond helping students build muscle, Bryan also tries to build community in her studio. She often starts with a warmup before gathering the students in a circle to stretch and introduce themselves, helping new students feel more comfortable.

“There’s a lot of encouraging the other students, clapping each other on,” Bryan said. “I want to build a community of people who want to encourage each other and learn this awesome sport.”

Although swinging and flipping on a nylon fabric 25 feet in the air might seem daunting, Palmer encourages everyone to overcome their fears.

“It’s really for anybody and everybody,” she said. “Even if you think you can’t, you will, and Jane knows what to do to get you there. So, I do encourage people, if you’re curious, come try it. You’ve got nothing to lose!”

Artz N’ Motion is located at 493 G Blue Eagle Ave, Harrisburg (Linglestown), in the CrossFit gym. For more information, including class schedules, visit www.artznmotion.com.

Electrifying Art: Color Carlisle is painting the town red–and every other color.

August 30, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

Holly Cohick

Amie Bantz is constantly doodling.

“I never thought it would take off, but it’s evolved into my style,” said the 25-year old Carlisle High School art teacher.

Her latest doodles combine iconic images of Carlisle into a playful landscape across an unlikely canvas—one of the town’s electrical boxes.

“Amie’s artwork is vibrant and captures the story of Carlisle in a unique way,” said Greg Guenther, 33, founder and president of the nonprofit Color Carlisle. “It condenses all the features of Carlisle, all the things people love about Carlisle.”

Look closely, and you can pick out the classic architecture of Dickinson College, the old courthouse, Carlisle Theatre, Massey’s Frozen Custard and more landmarks from Cumberland County’s seat—all ideas that stemmed from brainstorming sessions Bantz held with her teenaged students.

Bantz and five additional artists, chosen from 15 applicants, worked street-side recently during Carlisle’s week-long Summerfair.

“There were three older gentlemen who lived in the neighborhood, who were a little skeptical of my work at first,” Bantz said. “But during their daily walks, they got to see the entire [artistic] process, and we started to form relationships. They would even check up on me and bring me water.”

The streetscape art initiative was given the name “Art While You Wait” because Color Carlisle chose six street corner electrical boxes along highly trafficked pedestrian crosswalks. A bonus seventh box was decorated on August’s First Friday.

The grassroots arts organization formed in late 2016. You could say that their mission, creating public art to unify residents, is electrifying the community. Operating under the umbrella of the Downtown Carlisle Association, Color Carlisle raised $10,000 in its first three months of existence and established numerous partnerships.

Their first project, a mural, involved 25 Carlisle High School art students, under the direction of artist-in-residence Ophelia Chambliss and Ashley Gogoj, a Carlisle High art teacher and Color Carlisle’s vice president. It was installed on the bricks of St. Paul Lutheran Church’s back wall in the spring of 2018.

Guenther said that the group is targeting one major public art initiative a year—with an intentional focus on involving young artists. Color Carlisle’s volunteer advisory board members all work with youth in some capacity, including teachers of a variety of subjects from grade school to college levels.

“We’re very passionate about Carlisle’s youth because we see the impact that we can have on them, giving them a voice and opportunity,” Guenther said.

The youngest artist to design an electrical box was 14-year-old Dinela Dedic.

Art While You Wait’s primary sponsor, PNC Bank, underwrote most of the project’s price tag of $2,750. In addition to supplies, each artist received a stipend for their work.

“I was super psyched to create my first work of public art,” said Holly Cohick, 24, a lifelong Mount Holly Springs resident.

Trained in art and design at CASA and HACC, she’s a graphic designer for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

Searching for artistic inspiration, Cohick considered the question, “Why do I love Carlisle?” And she hit upon a tasteful approach.

“I can relate to Carlisle through food, all the places I’ve eaten at growing up such as the Hamilton,” Cohick said. “I wrote down all the different restaurants and coffee shops, and I thought about what they are most known for.”

Much like Bantz, Cohick created a montage of artwork for her box design, titled “Smorgasbord.” There’s a sub to represent Al’s Subs, a hotchee dog from the Hamilton (conveniently located across the street from the box), and Cohick’s favorite dessert—French macaroons from Helena’s Creperie.

“I made a conscious decision to make my box very bright and vibrant with a graffiti feel,” Cohick said. “Using utility boxes which are kinda blah, it warms up the community.”

“Smorgasboard” was completed after 12 days and 57 hours. Additional utility box themes include nature and waterways, among others.

With a few projects now under the organization’s belt, Guenther says there is a “bubbling” or “ripple effect” creating excitement for future projects.

A future mural, in collaboration with the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County, is planned for the brick wall of North Hanover Antique Gallery—a GoFundMe campaign is underway. Artist Aron Rook of Carlisle is designing the mural. Her colorful work can also be found in Harrisburg and York.

“Creating opportunities to intersect people at all different levels of Carlisle in the form of public art, we’re focusing on big picture ideas, inspirational things for the community,” Guenther said.

Carlisle’s public art is also sparking community conversations.

“Art for a long time was geared to the elite,” said Bantz, who teaches art history. “I think the idea of public art being this free, beautiful piece of artwork—it’s very powerful. People are starting to recognize there’s something beautiful about people leaving their mark and changing their neighborhood.”

As for Bantz’s Carlisle-themed doodle, titled “LoveCarlisle,” it’s available as a print at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC) with proceeds benefitting Color Carlisle.

“Art should be accessible to all people,” Bantz said, “So, this brings me a lot of joy.”

For more information on Color Carlisle, visit colorcarlisle.com. “LoveCarlisle” is located at Hanover & High streets. “Smorgasbord” is at High & Pitt streets. St. Paul Lutheran Church’s mural is located at 201 W. Louther St. (rear).

The Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC) is located at 38 W. Pomfret St. For more information, visit carlislearts.org.

Book Bash: Bestselling authors are Harrisburg-bound for 2019 Book Festival.

August 30, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Photo by Justin Ward.

Last year, Alex Brubaker, manager at Midtown Scholar, promised that the Harrisburg Book Festival would be back in 2019, bigger and better than ever.

With last year’s Grammy-nominated artist, an Oprah book club pick and countless other bestselling authors, I didn’t think that was possible. But then it happened.

The book festival returns in early October, featuring more than 20 authors ranging from emerging to award-winning. Over four days, authors will hold readings, panels, interviews and more, all free and open to the public.

“We’re really excited for this year’s festival,” Brubaker said. “It was really important for us this year to make everything free and open to the public. As the festival evolves, we’re able to clarify our mission and realize what’s important to us and to make the festival as inclusive as possible.”

This year’s lineup includes Wayétu Moore, author of “She Would Be King,” Eric Foner of “The Second Founding,” Andrew Shaffer of “Hope Never Dies: An Obama Biden Mystery,” and critically acclaimed author Stephen Chbosky of “Perks of Being a Wall Flower.”

Chbosky will read from his first novel in 20 years called “Imaginary Friend.” The book follows Kate Reese and her son Christopher. After fleeing an abusive relationship, the two settle into Mill Grove, Pa. All is well until Christopher vanishes. He returns six days later with no physical injuries but something inside him has changed.

Along with a reading from his new book, Chbosky will read a new letter from Charlie from the 20th-anniversary edition of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”

Even though Chbosky is a Pennsylvania native, this will be his first time visiting the state capital.

“I can’t wait to meet fellow authors and fans of literature,” he said. “After 20 years away from publishing, it feels like I’m coming home.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Isha Sesay, international journalist and author of “Beneath the Tamarind Tree: A Story of Courage, Family and the Lost School Girls of Boko Haram.” In her book, Sesay writes about the 276 girls from Chibok, Nigeria, who were abducted from their dorms by the militant group Boko Haram. The kidnapping sparked national outrage and the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. For a decade, Sesay reported on the kidnapping for CNN and even made contact with three girls who made it home.

“When you think about a dream keynote speaker, she was really at the top of our list,” Brubaker said. “She’s got a really impactful story to share. As haunting as it is, it has a strong message of hope behind it.”

There will also be a collection of familiar faces at this year’s festival. The festival’s 2017 keynote speaker, Ibram X. Kendi, author of “Stamped from the Beginning” and “How to Be an Antiracist,” is closing out the festival. R.O Kwon, Liz Moore and Madeline Miller are also returning.

“It’s always a pleasure [coming back to Midtown Scholar]—a beautiful setting, filled with passionate readers and exciting, well-chosen books,” said Miller, author of “Songs of Achilles” and “Circe.” “What could be better?”

The Midtown Scholar annual tent sale will also be a part of this year’s festival. On the corner of 3rd and Verbeke streets will be a tent full of thousands of discounted books.

“If the 200,000 books in store are not enough for you, I’m sure you’ll find something outside at the tent sale,” Brubaker said.

According to Brubaker, the Scholar worked hard to make sure the festival included a wide range of authors for every literature lover.

“There’s something for everyone,” he said. “These are celebrated authors coming from around the world. It’s a really diverse, good group of authors. If you want to meet an all-star lineup of authors at no cost, come to the festival.”

The 2019 Harrisburg Book Festival takes place Oct. 3 to Oct. 6 at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit hbgbookfest.com.

Author Sightings

The 2019 Harrisburg Book Festival features numerous book- and literary-themed events, including appearances by the following writers, authors and illustrators:

Isha Sesay, international journalist (keynote speaker)
Stephen Chbosky, author, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Eric Foner, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian
Vashti Harrison, bestselling children’s author/illustrator
Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning historian
Madeline Miller, bestselling author, “Circe”
Tea Obreht, bestselling author, “The Tiger’s Wife”
Joanne Ramos, award-winning debut novelist
Liz Moore, award-winning novelist
Nisha Vora, vegan cookbook author
Andrew Shaffer, bestselling humorist
O. Kwon, award-winning debut novelist
Wayetu Moore, award-winning debut novelist
Jonathan Stutzman, local children’s author
Heather Fox, local children’s illustrator
Imani Perry, award-winning professor

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