A Road, a Journey: “On Time” reflects a band growing, maturing.

March 29, 2019 | by Erika Firestone

Photo by Anela Selkowitz.

Some say that Harrisburg-based band Colebrook Road helped pave the way for bluegrass in central Pennsylvania.

But that’s not necessarily how the band sees it.

“Bluegrass chose us,” said founding member and mandolinist Wade Yankey.

Yankey described how he and Jesse Eisenbise, lead guitarist and vocalist, were introduced through a mutual friend over their love for the genre.

Now a well-rounded, five-piece ensemble including Joe McAnulty on fiddle, Mark Rast on banjo and Jeff Campbell on upright bass, Colebrook Road’s original sound exudes the confident cohesion that comes as a result of a decade of playing and touring together.

On May 3, the band will officially release its third full-length album, “On Time.” The recording demonstrates what Colebrook Road has become known for—timeless harmonies and a progressive, new take on the genre.

For the album, Eisenbise took the lead on songwriting.

“I usually have an idea pretty well fleshed out and bring it to the guys to arrange collaboratively,” he said.

McAnulty chimed in, describing how fun the process is when a new song is brought in and ideas start to float around. Along with their most complex arrangements yet, the songwriting for the new album has taken on a more personal turn regarding subjects such as love, family and loneliness.

“On Time,” the name of both the album and its first single, reflects a relatable theme that defines the dynamic of the band. Despite holding full-time jobs and raising families, band members make time for their music.

Yankey related how the song is about all of the stress that fades away when it comes time to play.

“After squeezing out of work early on a Friday and fighting traffic to places like D.C. or Baltimore, getting on stage is just a sigh of relief,” he said.

To support the album, members are excited to get out on the road, heading out as far as Washington state and to bluegrass festivals across the country, including Greyfox, a seminal, four-day festival held each summer in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

But, wherever they go, band members take a little bit of home along with them. A map of the state reveals several rural, winding Colebrook Roads that connect small towns. The name itself is a metaphor for their music, which has taken on even more meaning over the years as they connect intimate, back-country vibes to the more modern and distinct Pennsylvania sound that they have helped to forge.

2018 was a particularly big year for the group, as they signed with Virginia-based Mountain Fever Records, where they recorded “On Time” in one weekend. Eisenbise described how far they’ve come over a decade, a journey that started with recording their first, self-titled album in his basement.

“It’s a progression that complements how we’ve grown together as a band,” he said.

Colebrook Road’s album release show takes place on March 30 at Federal Taphouse in Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.ColebrookRoad.com or their Facebook or Instagram, @Colebrook Road.

Great Little Smiles: Get your kids into the brushing habit.

March 29, 2019 | by Dr. Josh Capozzi

Teaching our children the value of personal hygiene for the sake of their health may not be as high on the priority list as asking them not to stick beads up their noses. However, the daily, “Go brush your teeth!” battle cry is just as important. Winning that war will pay dividends in healthy mouths and bright smiles.

Developing proper oral hygiene habits in our children helps set the stage for good oral health throughout their lives. This helps to avoid many issues, including gum disease, cavities and tooth loss that plague people from all walks of life. Almost 50 percent of children under 12 years of age have some form of tooth decay, making it one of the most prevalent childhood diseases in America. All it takes is teaching them how to effectively brush twice a day, for two minutes, and they can achieve excellent dental health for a lifetime.

As soon as your child gets his or her first tooth, you should try to acclimate them to a brushing routine. Don’t get frustrated. Perseverance is key! Unless your child is destined to be the next dental prodigy, you’re bound to fail for awhile. Every kid is different, and what works for one may not work for the other. Getting my daughter to brush was a struggle, to say the least, but we found that a solid routine, every morning after breakfast and nighttime before bed, created that habit for her.

Some other great tips:

Set a timer or play their favorite song. If that song is not a full two minutes—play it again! Making tooth brushing fun and not stressful is imperative.
Brush with them! Monkey-see, monkey-do is crucial. Kids love to imitate their parents.
Find what works for you—but avoid the sweets.
Let them brush on their own, but always do a once-over yourself to make sure the job gets done properly.
Use a brush that is small enough to easily move around in the child’s mouth. Powered toothbrushes can be fun and give a better all-around clean. For kids under 3 years old, use a fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. For kids over 3, dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure they spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.
Check out plaque-disclosing tablets that stain plaque missed after brushing. It’s a colorful way to show your kids how to brush better!
If you’ve mastered brushing, try introducing floss. It will be a fun challenge for you both since most adults don’t even know their way around flossing.

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Sleuth

Our Tooth Sleuth, Dr. Josh Capozzi, does most of his sleuthing at Capozzi Dental in Etters.

Visit Dr. C’s Facebook and comment with questions for him to answer in his next article. www.facebook.com/capozzidental

Musical Notes: Spring Rocks

March 29, 2019 | by Kait Gibboney

It’s another beautifully busy month in the Burg when it comes to entertainment.

With more outdoor and riverfront shows in the works, music opportunities continue to expand in our fair city. It’s not hard to find something fun to cure the post-winter blues. But in case you need some help, I’ve got your back. First, here are a few fun events that feature some music in the mix.

Historic Harrisburg Association will host its 3rd Annual Speakeasy (April 5) in its 1929 landmark Central Trust building located in our own beloved Midtown. Expect classic jazz numbers, dancing and ‘20s-style cocktails for the perfect Fitzgerald evening.

If you’re a food fan, check out the 6th Annual Central PA Soup Cook-Off (April 7) and scleroderma fundraiser at the Abbey Bar. Or if you’d rather drink locally made beer at Zeroday surrounded by Jim and Pam lookalikes, you’ll want to clock into “The Office” party (April 27) during Harrisburg Beer Week.

For you artsy types, be sure to look for Risque Business (April 28), a drag burlesque show at River City Blues Club or maybe an Open Jam with local saxophonist and Yam Yam member Jason Mescia (April 4 and 18) at J.B. Lovedraft’s.

If your heart is set on some live music, I’ve found some solid suggestions for you to make the perfect night out. It’s high time to melt off that winter frost and shake what your momma gave ya.

THE RECORD COMPANY, 4/6, 8PM, CLUB XL, $30-50
The Harrisburg University Concert Series continues to bring hot bands to Club XL. This time, it’s the Record Company, a highlight on the local 2019 music calendar. Hailing from Los Angeles, this bluesy rock band is made up of members Chris Vos, guitarist and lead vocalist, Alex Stiff, bassist and backing vocalist, and Marc Cazorla, drummer and backing vocalist. Blending together influences from blues and punk, these rockers recall a wonderful mix of John Mayer, B.B. King and Grace Potter. Impressed yet? Check out their Grammy-nominated album, “Give It Back to You,” for a taste of some of the best contemporary blues. Dust off your vinyl because the Record Company’s coming to town, and you’d best be prepared.

LOTUS, 4/18, 8PM, CLUB XL, $30
Some call them the jam band to end all jam bands. Some call them genre geniuses with an indescribable sound. Whatever you might call them, Lotus is bound to bring quite the crowd to Harrisburg’s newest hit venue. Blending styles centering around electronica and jam music, all influences find their way to Lotus for a diverse and deep sound. Since 1999, their livetronica sets have blown people away. Their shows tend to feature complex light sequences and some light group improvisations. So, gear up accordingly and, most of all, have fun getting down with your bad self.

WHITAKER UNPLUGGED, 4/19, 5PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $5-8
This event features a new program from Whitaker Center—“Whitaker Unplugged.” If you’re an acoustic singer-songwriter or just a lover of live music in general, join your kindred spirits in the lobby of the center. With a focus on local music, Whitaker Center is hoping to help aspiring artists get their start as confident musicians. Every third Friday, Whitaker Unplugged will offer an opportunity for community recognition, a moment in the spotlight, and possibly a cash prize, to boot. If you know me, readers, you know that I’m very passionate about the music community in Harrisburg. Programs, organizations and venues that encourage musicians in our community are vital in keeping art growing in the Burg. Come out and support “Whitaker Unplugged” for their second show in what I hope will be a successful ongoing series.

Mentionables:

Spring Gate Country Music Festival, Apr. 6-7, Spring Gate Vineyard
Consider the Source, Apr. 13, The Abbey Bar
Jay Dayoungin & Yungeen Ace, Apr. 13, H*MAC Capitol Room
River City Big Band, Apr. 15, River City Blues Club
Bobcat Brisko, Apr. 19, J.B. Lovedraft’s
Babel Map, Apr. 20, River City Blues Club
Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Apr. 20, Club XL
Yella Beezy, Apr. 22, H*MAC Capitol Room
Dave Bennett, Apr. 27-28, The Forum

100 Years of Unity: Violet Oakley retrospective celebrates the famous muralist.

March 29, 2019 | by Priscilla Morales

When visiting Harrisburg, visitors often will check out the state Capitol building, the most popular tourist site in the city.

This majestic building has been a fixture of the city’s skyline for more than a century. On Saturday mornings, people often are found taking selfies, with the grand dome in the background.

Some will come in for group and self-guided tours, walking through the Rotunda, Senate Chamber, Supreme Courtroom and the House Chamber. With the start of a new exhibit series, the Senate Library has recently made its way into the loop of stops.

“I first got inspired from a family trip to D.C.,” said Megan Martin, the secretary and parliamentarian of the PA Senate. “[The Senate Library] is really a smaller scale of the Library of Congress. I wanted to tell the story of the library in a visual way and mimic a museum, swapping out [exhibits].”

Martin, the first woman in her position, pitched the idea of “The Legacy Project” in November 2017, before presenting the opening exhibit last year. She believes showcasing people who have contributed to the library is important as it enhances the visitor’s experience.

“We’re hoping the exhibit will be appealing and accessible to international visitors,” said Sarah Greenwald, curator and project manager. “We want to share the common history of the lesser known and humanize and highlight the forgotten.”

The premier exhibit, “Inspired. Uncovered. Honored. The Untold Institutional History of the Pennsylvania Senate,” focused largely on the people who ensured preservation of the valuable legislative record, retaining the Senate’s inaugural session and early proceedings.

The current exhibit, “Spirit & Substance: 100 Years of Violet Oakley, Capitol Muralist,” focuses on the painter responsible for some of the most iconic artwork in the statehouse. The exhibit displays a timeline of events, facts about the artist, an explanation of the six themes outlined in the murals, textual artifacts and an overview of Oakley’s vision.

“[Oakley’s] work is 100 years old, and it’s as beautiful, relevant and inspirational as ever,” said Evelyn Andrews, the PA Senate librarian. “The message hasn’t faded in time.”

In 1906, the current Capitol building completed construction, and Oakley went to work producing her signature murals, which were based on ideals from history and literature in Renaissance revival styles.

In January 1919, she finished her Senate chamber murals, a milestone that the exhibit commemorates. So, it’s important to visit both the exhibit and those famous murals.

In the Senate chamber, images from 19th-century Pennsylvania abound, as do themes of equality, freedom, justice and peace. The center mural, “International Unity and Understanding,” displays swords beaten into ploughshares, with Italian poet Dante offering “fruits of culture” to the crowds. At center, a giant figure, with open arms, wears a blue gown that transforms into the waters of life.

The mural echoed on a personal level for Oakley, as she fought for unity and equality in her own life. As the first American woman to receive a public mural commission, she didn’t let the societal norms of her day prevent her from doing what she loved.

Within the Capitol, the Supreme Courtroom and the Governors Grand Reception Room feature more of Oakley’s 43 murals. It’s important to remember that, at the time, women didn’t even have the right to vote, as the 19th amendment wasn’t ratified until 1920.

“Her values are still relevant today,” Greenwald said. “[Oakley] empowers women and enables women to continue to lead using their talents.”

Looking ahead, the Senate Library plans to commemorate Memorial Day with a military display, “We Remember: Service to the State and Nation,” continuing with a seasonal rotation of exhibits throughout the year.

“The project has turned out better than what I thought when I first presented the idea,” Martin said. “It’s been really exciting to tell the stories for generations to come, to put out something that’s educational and fascinating on the message of Oakley.”

For more information on the PA Senate Library and featured exhibits, visit www.library.pasen.gov or download the PA Capitol’s new mobile app at www.pacapitol.com/mobile-apps.

Harrisburg Sweet Home: 2018 marked a strong year for real estate sales in the city.

March 29, 2019 | by Maddie Crocenzi

Burg in Focus: Harrisburg Real Estate from GK Visual on Vimeo.

Pam Kotz and her husband lived in the north end of Harrisburg on N. 2nd Street for 30 years.

They raised their kids in the Riverside neighborhood, thinking of it as more of a small town than a large city. They had great neighbors. They got involved in the neighborhood watch. There was a Halloween parade. Pam even delivered the neighborhood newsletter.

When they decided to put that house on the market in 2011, it was at the end of the Great Recession. Pam said it was “timed really poorly,” and the home didn’t sell until 2015.

The couple moved out of the city to Susquehanna Township, thinking they would enjoy the change of pace. Instead, they found the suburbs were more hectic and congested, making their way of living more stressful.

“We lived across from people for three years, and we never met,” Pam said.

So, the Kotzes decided to move again. But this time, they found a very different housing market from the one they left. They saw a house on the 500-block of Antoine Street online on a Tuesday night and contacted their realtor Wendell Hoover. They saw the house near Italian Lake on Wednesday morning and quickly put in an offer.

“I’m telling you what, we’re very fortunate,” Pam said of their new home. “I know things are improving even that much more.”

Happy, Staying

The Kotzes’ story isn’t unique. Hoover, with Iron Valley Real Estate of Central PA, has lived in the city for 20 years and worked as a realtor for 10. He’s noticed a record low number of houses for sale in the city.

Hoover’s data clearly shows the improvement in the city’s housing market. Last year boasted the second-best sales volume for the city in a decade (since 2009) at $43,345,219, with the greatest number of units sold at 539. It also ranked best for cumulative days on the market, with a low of 130.

Compare that to 2011, when the Kotzes first tried to sell their home. Only 269 units sold that year with a sold volume of $19,637,255. Cumulative days on the market were 180.

Ray Davis, a realtor with Howard Hanna, echoes Hoover’s optimism. Davis moved to Harrisburg in 1986 and began in real estate in 1992.

“It’s been very strong,” Davis said of the city real estate market.

He credits the growth to new developments from Midtown Cinema to restaurant row, which are causing people to stay. Davis said that fewer homes were on the market in 2018 because people were happy and staying in the city, leading to a lower inventory.

Very Quickly

The increase in home ownership has led to another development. With the market improving, Davis said that buyers are expecting more for their money. Many buyers are looking for the extremes—either a move-in-ready home or a fixer-upper that needs to be gutted.

Kate Hummel and her husband Eric fell into one of those extremes. They worked with Hoover to sell their Camp Hill townhouse and move to the Midtown area. But they had some specific requirements: a single-family home, off-street parking and a house that was move-in ready.

In August, they attempted to buy a home but weren’t fast enough. They waited until they found another one that matched their dream on the 1900-block of N. 3rd Street.

“As soon as Eric saw that this house was on the market, we knew we had to move quickly,” Kate said. “Everything went very, very quickly.”

The Midtown neighborhood has been particularly active. Hoover’s statistics show that 161 homes with the Midtown postal code of 17102 sold in 2017 and 135 in 2018. The sales volume was $18,498,076 and $16,361,454, respectively. In 2011, only 69 homes sold with a sales volume of $7,007,595.

The growth trend doesn’t only apply to homes. Justin Heinly moved to Harrisburg almost 10 years ago. When he first moved to the city, he bought a five-unit property and lived in it while he renovated it.

An engineer with a real estate license, he’s had his hand in renovating apartment buildings and a few single-family homes in the Midtown area from Maclay down to Verbeke Street. In the last three to four years, Heinly has noticed millennials waiting to buy homes, instead looking for high-quality apartments.

“If a multi-unit is put on the market at a reasonable price, it will go very quickly in today’s market,” he explained. “The only ones that will really sit on the market is if they are under-renovated and poorly priced.”

Heinly said he’s had numerous clients waiting for a multi-unit property to go on sale so they can buy it, renovate it and increase their investment. In a market where the demand is high, even the structures themselves have value.

“There have been multiple properties that I’ve purchased recently where they were structurally unstable,” Heinly explained. “There’s actually enough value in those properties that people can rehabilitate them and make them an income-producing asset. That’s probably the best thing to happen to Harrisburg in a long time.”

Hit Their Stride

The Hummels moved to Midtown because they found they were always going into the city, whether it was to go out to eat, meet up with friends or see a show. They wanted a home where it was convenient to walk to the places they enjoyed.

The couple reflects one of the reasons that Davis thinks the city is so popular for the younger generation.

“Generally, you get a younger clientele who want to be able to walk to work, the Capitol,” he said.

Some move away as they get older and start families, bringing in a new younger generation. Others stay or move back once they have an empty nest.

In their little cottage on Antoine Street, the Kotzes are hitting their stride again. Although they don’t have young kids that could participate in a neighborhood Halloween parade, they do have a two-sided yard where Pam will plant her cherry tomatoes.

“I’m surprised, and much chagrined, that I have found that, all these years I wanted to move out of the city, and actually I’m more of an in-town person,” she said. “It’s not because what I wanted was different; it’s what I found.”

Going Up

In Harrisburg city, both the number of housing units sold and the total sales volume have jumped over the past seven years.

Year Units Sold Sold Volume

2018               539                             $43,345,219
2017               522                             $41,048,419
2016               438                             $31,905,925
2015               401                             $30,635,171
2014               382                             $26,007,112
2013               313                             $19,303,048
2012               264                             $17,280,854
2011               269                             $19,637,255
2010               354                             $27,004,839

Source: Bright MLS

Teacher, Coach, Author: In retirement, Emery Cook finds another way to educate.

March 29, 2019 | by Susan Ryder

Growing up in Florida in the 1960s, Emery Cook had a tough childhood, marked by oppressive racism, poverty and bullying.

That could have created a hardened, cynical adult. Instead, Cook chose another path.

He made it his mission to educate and mentor countless students during his decades of teaching and coaching, particularly at Susquehanna Township High School.

“My parents treated people the way they wanted to be treated and always instilled that in us,” he said.

Cook’s parents also encouraged an education.

He received a basketball scholarship to West Chester University, outside of Philadelphia. After graduation, he channeled these experiences into his life, becoming an admired teacher, championship basketball coach, the first black head coach at Susquehanna Township, Central Dauphin and Carlisle high schools, a motivational speaker, and the recipient of countless awards.

Cook’s upbringing was a filter by which he taught and interacted with students and players.

“It gives me a frame of reference in understanding the various backgrounds that kids come from,” he said. “It helped me to know what kids needed—attention.”

Cook held his players to high standards, even earning the moniker, “Coach Hard Hat,” for the hat he wore when practices where going to be exceptionally tough. There were rules for behavior on and off the court, with an emphasis on respect for one another, for coaches and for opposing players.

A former student, Ellis Proctor, remembered Cook as a mentor and coach.

“He came at a really important time in my life,” Proctor said.

Moving from the Harrisburg school district to Susquehanna and away from all his friends, Proctor had a self-described attitude problem. Recalling his young self, he said, “I’m not playing [basketball] for Susquehanna. I’m a Cougar!”

At Cook’s urging, Proctor joined the lineup and was part of the 1997 PIAA AAA basketball championship team.

“They are still kids, no matter how big they are,” Cook said of his players.

What You Know

Eventually, Cook retired from teaching and coaching, falling into an unproductive routine.

“My first year in retirement, I was a lazy bum,” said. “I wouldn’t set an appointment before 11 a.m.”

But he got bored, which set the stage for the next part of his life—that of author. His 35-year habit of taking notes on daily happenings paid off by providing material for the novel he now planned.

So, he had inspiration—and content. Now he needed a way to get from here to there.

For instruction, he headed to YouTube for tutorials on writing, voice and narration. A chance meeting at a diner with a 70ish-year-old women and author yielded some key advice for writing his book.

“She said, ‘Whatever you write, make it believable. Write about what you know,’” Cook said.

With that in mind, he began chronicling the 1960s life of a middle-schooler, a boy named Joseph Graham, in a Southern town.

Much like in his own life, the boy is bullied because of his looks, needs to hide his intelligence to fit in and has to deal with poverty.

Graham’s trials send him down a dangerous path until he ricochets back, thanks to the influence of a teacher—a character named Mr. Thompson. The book deals with hard truths, but does so with the reader in mind.

“As an author, Emery cares about the reader—not the buyer,” said Nate Gadsden, a college classmate of Cook’s and eventually his book editor.

“He’s an engaging person,” Gadsden said. “Nothing seems to rattle him. He has an easy intensity about him.”

Gadsden found in Emery an astounding level of awareness of and care for his craft, especially for an author just starting out.

“He wanted to know what he was doing to the reader,” Gadsden said. “He wanted people to come to moments of truth.”

In 2017 Cook, under the pen name Cy Emery, self-published “Hiding in the Light: The Hunt,” the first book in a planned trilogy.

Cook said the book “edu-tains,” and he uses it as a part of his anti-bullying program.

Cook’s impact now extends into following generations, beyond those who he personally coached and taught.

Proctor, his former student, began Harrisburg-based Brothers and Sisters Making a Difference 11 years ago to provide the type of mentoring he received from Cook. Group members take students on college visits, to museums, provide homework checks and touch base with parents. Its mission is “to instill morals and cultivate high self-esteem” and “to provide a support system for kids who didn’t have it,” Proctor said.

Like Cook, Proctor aspires to bring light into his community and inspire those in challenging life experiences. He recognized that, without Cook’s influence, things could have turned out much differently for him

“I would have swayed,” he said.

“Hiding in the Light” is available at www.hidinginthelightthehunt.com. Watch for Cook’s second book, “Release the Light,” coming in November.

Up to the Challenge: Young actors expand their range with “As You Like It.”

March 29, 2019 | by Meghan Jones

Photo by Kelly Ann Shuler

The word “immature” should not be used to describe members of Gamut Theatre Group’s Young Acting Company.

Though all are students with ages ranging from 6 to 19, when they get on stage, they are not kids. They are experienced professionals.

For the past nine years, Gamut has put on a large-scale production of a classic story acted entirely by young people. While stories have previously ranged from fairy tales to coming-of-age stories to big adventures, this year, the Young Acting Company is trying something new. They will be putting on a production of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.”

Director Melissa Nicholson said that, while they have previously never done a Shakespeare play for this production, she felt that the students were up to the task of handling and working with more challenging material. The early-modern language is typically a barrier for young people when approaching Shakespeare, and it is probably the most dreaded thing covered in a high school English class—teenagers abounding with claims of “too hard” and “olde English.”

Gamut, as a theater company, has always been devoted to making classic stories accessible. Where the language seems confusing at first, the ideas still resonate. The Harrisburg Shakespeare Company does its educational outreach production of a modified Shakespeare play that is short and easy to understand, usually with added narrators to help frame the story. Additionally, the Gamut Theatre Summer Academy hosts acting classes for four weeks, where students work with a variety of texts, including two full weeks of Shakespeare.

It is still a challenge, however, because the subtlety of the texts—and wide variety of interpretations—can be daunting.

“For the actors, the most important thing is to get the story across, regardless of your interpretation,” Nicholson said.

This is why the students undergo in-depth table work, where they discuss and analyze the text, what they are saying, and what it means to their characters.

“We focus a lot on making the story very clear and intentional, and they have been working really hard at it,” Nicholson said. “They really do most of the stuff that the adult actors do in the Main Stage productions, and they are up to the challenge.”

“As You Like It” is a Shakespeare comedy that suits all fancies. Nicholson believes that this is demonstrated by the title.

“He didn’t name it ‘Rosalind and Orlando’ or ‘The Duke’s Gone Crazy,’” she said. “By naming it ‘As You Like It,’ I think Shakespeare is sort of saying, ‘Here are all of the things you like,’ and put them in a play.”

More than a fun play, the story resonates with all ages, as it explores love and the things that happen when someone falls in love.

“We get to poke fun at being in love,” Nicholson explained. “And I think that makes the experience really relatable.”

More than just putting on the production, the Young Acting Company also provides an important mentorship opportunity. With such a wide age range, the younger students look up to and rely on the older students for support and guidance. A number of the older kids have been actors in the Young Acting Company since small children themselves.

“They understand the high standard that I hold them to, and the younger cast members see that and really emulate that,” Nicholson said.

In a way, Nicholson believes this gives her the opportunity to be and create positive role models that encourage students to pursue the arts, while honing a skill that is evident in the production.

The story within “As You Like It” reflects the fun that is central to the Young Acting Company’s goals. With a cast of more than 50 actors, they are able to create a tiny world for the play.

“In many of the shows we do, we try to keep our cast under 20 actors,” Nicholson said. “But getting the opportunity to have 50 or more actors really allows you to think creatively in presenting a whole village or crowd to the audience.”

These crowd scenes help to communicate the tone and attitude of scenes that the audience tends to imitate. In addition, it gives the ensemble the ability to play with the environment surrounding the story, giving the play depth and interest that can be lost in a show with a smaller cast.

All of this contributes to the immersive and developed experience that is a Young Acting Company production.

“You don’t have to be a kid or have a kid to watch these shows,” Nicholson said. “Really, these young people are so talented, and they make the story so clear, and they have fun while they’re doing it.”

“As You Like It,” performed by Gamut Theatre Group’s Young Acting Company, runs April 12 to 14 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-238-4111 or visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

UPCOMING THEATER EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

Young Acting Company
Presents William Shakespeare’s
“As You Like It”
April 12 to 14
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

TMI April Show
April 18
7:30 p.m.

At Open Stage of Harrisburg
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

“A Wrinkle in Time”
April 11 to 14
Madeline L’Engle’s classic novel is brought to life by the OSHKids Performance Company.

“The Kids You Read About in Textbooks”
April 7, 14, 28 at 7 p.m.
At the Susquehanna Art Museum
Kids react to the political and social issues that face their generation.

“RENT: School Edition”
April 25 to 28
The Teen Studio at the Alsedek Theatre School presents this groundbreaking musical.

Musical Theatre Master Class
With Lara Hayhurst & Trey Compton
May 6 at 7 p.m.

Artist in Focus: Samantha Sanders

March 29, 2019 | by TheBurg Editor

Leaves, fruit, vegetables, flowers.

Samantha Sanders finds inspiration in the natural world, which makes her the perfect artist to feature in our most spring-like issue of the year.

“The garden is a sacred place for me, where generations of my family have left behind a piece of themselves,” writes the Grantville native in her bio.

You may already be familiar with Samantha’s work, since one of her flowery paintings graced our cover last April. With this one-page exhibit, we’re here again to showcase her art and renew your longing for warm days and wild things.

Sure, it may still look like winter outdoors, but soon enough, berries, greens and flowers will come to life, filling your garden and adorning on your table. Samantha’s work offers an artistic preview of what’s certain to come.

For more information about Samantha Sanders and her nature-inspired paintings, drawings and works on paper, visit www.samanthalsanders.com.

A Shared Meal, a Shared Community: With roots in Jewish tradition, the Freedom Seder draws on several faiths.

March 29, 2019 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

“In every generation, a person should look at him or herself as having left Egypt.”

Those are perhaps the most emblematic words of the Haggadah—the text read at the Passover seder each year, urging those in attendance to identify with the slavery experienced by the Jews in ancient Egypt, and, by extension, those still yearning for freedom today.

In fact, Passover is known as the “festival of freedom.”

An annual event in Harrisburg brings those words from the Haggadah to life not only for the Jewish but the wider faith community.

For the past eight years, Beth El Temple and the Interdenominational Ministers Conference have co-sponsored what they call the Freedom Seder. Recently, the seder has grown even more, adding the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and the Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick, said Michael Sand, who chairs the Freedom Seder Committee.

“The Rabbinic Advisory Council of Harrisburg has approved the Freedom Seder each year, and congregants from every synagogue in the area have attended,” Sand said. “Individuals also attend from a wide variety of religious faiths.”

The Freedom Seder developed from a friendship between two clergy people of two different faiths.

About a decade ago, Earl Harris, the now-retired pastor of St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, approached Rabbi Eric Cytryn, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth El, and suggested that they consider ways to bring the African American and Jewish communities closer together and to strengthen alliances first forged during the Civil Rights movement.

A few initiatives resulted—including Bible study, visits of high school students to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Freedom Seder.

Although the latter draws upon centuries of Jewish tradition, the Freedom Seder is eclectic. The IMC Citywide Revival Choir will sing freedom songs such as “Go Down Moses” and “We Shall Overcome,” while the students of the Silver Academy, the Jewish day school of Harrisburg, will recite one of the hallmarks of the seder—the “Four Questions,” which begins, “How is this night different from all other nights?”

The event also incorporates contemporary topics, with the Torah, Gospels and Koran serving as foundations.

“Each Freedom Seder has a theme,” said Sand. “This year, it’s ‘Welcoming the Stranger,’ including the immigrant community. Members of the three Abrahamic faiths will share readings from their holy books on the theme.”

Though the Freedom Seder is fairly new in the Harrisburg area, the concept isn’t.

“Since the start of the Civil Rights movement, synagogues and African-American churches have joined together to celebrate the journey from slavery to freedom,” Cytryn said.

Arthur Waskow, a Philadelphia-based rabbi and activist, had put together a little book for such celebrations, gleaning excerpts from the traditional Haggadah. Included were some quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who took part in marches with King.

“We modified the book further,” said Cytryn, keeping the Freedom Seder to about two hours. “Traditionally, it is considered meritorious for Jews to continue discussing the Exodus long into the night.”

The Haggadah at the Freedom Seder “tries to universalize things, such as when we speak of every generation seeing itself as leaving Egypt,” Cytryn said.

Like the traditional seder, the Freedom Seder encompasses a meal, which is kosher. Salmon will be served this year.

Some of the memorable moments of the Freedom Seder over the years were not the formal ones, Cytryn recalled.

“One elderly woman spoke for half an hour about growing up in the Jim Crow South,” he said. “She talked about how people came to this country in chains. Other people attending were crying.”

The seder has morphed into something “much more communal,” he added.

“It’s an opportunity for people sitting together to get to know each other, to introduce themselves and say why they’re there,” he said.

The entire community is invited to attend the Freedom Seder, held on Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m., at Beth El Temple, 2637 North Front St., Harrisburg. The cost is $18. Advance registration and payment are required. Send name, address, e-mail address and payment to Beth El at 717-232-0556. For more information about Beth El Temple, visit www.bethelhbg.org.

Something Sweet: Let’s drink some sherry, darling.

March 29, 2019 | by Steve Juliana

Of all the wines in the world, the one that may cause the most confusion is a fortified quaff from Spain named after its home city.

Sherry hails from a region just west of Gibraltar around the city of Jerez. Known in England since the time of Shakespeare, it long has been a part of American culture, too. This wine was the subject of Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, “A Cask of Amontillado,” as well as the go-to tipple for Frasier and Niles Crane after a rough day.

The secret of this misunderstood and under-appreciated libation is the aging process called solera.

In this system, wine for bottling is removed, and the barrels are topped with younger juice in a progressive fashion to ensure continuity of character and type. In the solera-aging process, wine is not fermented but is protected by a coating of flor (a film of yeast) that floats on top of the liquid in the barrels, which contain the drier styles. Older quaffs that become dark are actually oxidized before bottling.

Sherry comes in a plethora of types and labels, which only add to the problem of choosing a variety of wine that will suit the food or occasion.

The main grapes in sherry are palomino, muscat and Pedro Ximénez, which are all white varieties.

Palomino is fermented into a dry wine but not in the sense of, say, a dry tannic cabernet. Instead, it is allowed to use all available sugar in the fruit, much like a brut naturel champagne. The juice has zero residual sugar due to complete fermentation and is then fortified with neutral grape brandy, unlike its cousin port, which uses brandy to stop fermenting and ensure the wine’s sweetness.

Muscat is mostly used for blending with dry palomino and is one of the reasons for all the different sherry labels. Pedro Ximénez is a white grape that is dried and then crushed. It has a reputation as the sweetest wine in the world and is recommended as a drizzle for ice cream.

Sherry comes in many styles that need exploring before any oenophile can make an educated choice.

Manzanilla is a fashionable and good-value, dry white wine with an austere, salty flavor. It’s a great choice with crustaceans.

Amontillado is a fino that has increased complexity and a fruitier note and is one of the better wines I have tasted.

Palo cortado fits nicely between amontillado and oloroso—rich and complex with a bitter butter note that stands up to meats and cheeses.

Oloroso is oxidized and fiercely dry, maturing into clean, nut flavors. It is called cream when blended with Pedro Ximénez or muscat to produce a medium-sweet style. Moscatel is sweet, but with only half the residual sugar of p.x., it can be used in a wide range of desserts.

Indeed, sherry is a style for anyone. Just ask Frasier and Niles.

Keep sipping,
Steve

4666 Williams and Humbert Sherry Dry Sack Jerez 750ML $16.99

An amber-coloured wine of intense aromas suggesting dried nuts. Full-bodied and balanced, with little acid and slightly sweet. It can be drunk neat or with ice. It is recommended as an aperitif or to accompany pasta.

–Distiller’s notes

4788 Christian Brothers Cream Sherry California 1.5 L $10.99

The Christian Brothers Cream Sherry has been a popular alternative to aperitifs and after dinner wines. With its full-bodied caramelized character, Cream Sherry makes a wonderful complement to chocolate and sweet desserts, or it can be enjoyed as a smooth and mellow sipping wine throughout the evening.

–Winemaker’s notes

44664 Orleans Borbon Manzanilla Sherry Non Vintage 375ML $11.99

Straw in color with tangy aromas of the sea rounded out by fruity lemon curd, almond skin, toasted bread and yeasty notes on the palate, this Manzanilla has a complexity fit for a king.

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