Monster Mix: Something for every taste in the musical candy bag.

September 28, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

UB40. Photograph by Tom Oldham.

It’s finally my favorite holiday month and, as always in Harrisburg, there’s a ton to do around town.

Appalachian Brewing Co. is hosting a dance class and social called “The Roaring Rhythm Lounge” for those who want to learn how to dance. And, of course, there are concerts galore for a range of music lovers. The featured shows I picked out this month highlight some acts that are perfect for a live audience. There’s a genre for everyone: electronic, classic rock and reggae. Party like it’s Hallow’s Eve all month with these rockin’ shows.

TAIWAN HOUSING PROJECT/BLOATED SUBHUMANS, 10/9, 7PM, DER MAENNERCHOR
If weird music is your thing, Moviate hosts two electronic acts that have exactly what you’re looking for. Taiwan Housing Project is an experimental noise band fresh from the Philly electronic scene that delivers a light and playful sound, yet with that undoubtable punk rock influence. Bloated Subhumans is a Delaware punk group with heavier vibes and more unsettling, echoing sounds. If you want to get more of a feel for their music, you can find both of their full discographies on Bandcamp. Listen at home or head downtown for the full experience. Experimental electronic shows are my favorite to make a night of, and, with the convenient location, you won’t have to drive all the way to another city for this one. Win win!

THE MUSIC OF CREAM 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR, 10/24, 8:30PM, CLUB XL, $22-135
Thanks to my Gen-X parents, I grew up with a deep appreciation for what we called “the classics.” Cream is, well, the cream of the crop of classic rock, and, although this lineup doesn’t feature the original rockers, it does have a powerful genetic connection. Members of the band today are comprised of Ginger Baker’s son, Kofi Baker, on drums and Jack Bruce’s son, Malcolm Bruce, as bassist, guitarist, pianist and engineer. Eric Clapton’s nephew, Will Johns, tops off the trio as singer and guitarist. It’s clear that music runs in the family, with each band member mentored and encouraged by the older generation of Cream. You know they’re going to play the hits like “Sunshine of Your Love” and “Strange Brew,” but you’ll also hear more obscure cuts. Club XL is featuring a higher-priced meet-and-greet option, so you’d better hustle if you want to meet these amazing musicians in person.

UB40, 10/31, 8PM, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $32-135
Another anniversary show happens in Harrisburg this month, this time at H*MAC with an undoubtedly groovy supergroup. UB40 is performing for their 40th anniversary, and this internationally known reggae band is bringing their chill tour vibes to the Capitol Room. Since beginning in 1978 in Birmingham, England, the chart-toppers have sold more than 100 million records. Their singles are known all over the UK and beyond, perhaps most notably for a 1983 cover of the Neil Diamond tune, “Red Red Wine.” To help celebrate, you can score some VIP tickets with closer seats and a lot of rare swag that’ll help make the night memorable. It’s time to treat yourself to an energetic and positive evening of music and celebration.

Mentionables:

Joe Olnick Band, Oct. 6, River City Blues Club

Io & Titan, Oct. 9, Little Amps Downtown

Dog Fashion Disco, Oct. 12, H*MAC Stage on Herr

The Weight Band, Oct. 13, H*MAC Capitol Room

R.J. Conrad, Oct. 19, Spring Gate Vineyard

Flux Capacitor, Oct. 19, The Abbey Bar

Maiden America Halloween Party, Oct. 27, River City Blues Club

Berndsen, Oct. 27, The Abbey Bar

The Stage Is Set: 35 years ago, a community idea, and lots of effort, birthed a regional arts festival.

September 28, 2018 | by Admin

It all began on a chilly fall evening at the 1983 annual meeting of the Perry County Council of the Arts.

That’s how Carol Vracarich, former PCCA executive director, recalls the beginning of the Little Buffalo Festival of the Arts.

“Chairperson Joan Holman was about to adjourn the meeting when treasurer Kevin Novinger suggested we go to work on an arts festival,” she said. “After a spirited discussion, we agreed to explore the idea for a festival to occur in the fall of 1984.”

This month marks the 35th anniversary of that idea, as well as the 25th anniversary of a remarkable community effort to build a new stage before the first one disintegrated. But more on that later.

In the early days, the biggest issue, naturally, was money—where to get it, how to get it, etc.

Meetings were held around Vracarich’s kitchen table, and eventually, funding was obtained through state grants, advertising and donations. In later years, a team of volunteers would bake turkeys and hams, and this became the “fixins” for the famous Buffalo Pitas booth. Volunteers were recruited to help out, and they formed the core of what became the annual event.

“A WWII weapons carrier, stored at the park and modified with piping that provided a frame, became the main stage,” said Carol’s husband, Tom. “It held up for nine years. Anyone who walked by the jerry-rigged stage at the 1992 festival knew the stage would not pass safety standards in Pennsylvania or anywhere else. Something had to be done.”

A partnership formed between Tom Vracarich and former state Sen. Bill Moore, that year’s festival chairman. The two agreed that the festival needed a permanent stage before the 10th anniversary, the following year.

Moore pledged to coordinate the fundraising, while Vracarich agreed to lead a volunteer labor force. This developed into a community-based effort of more than 60 residents from Perry County and surrounding areas who called themselves, “the Buffaloes.”

A steering committee formed and developed a public/private partnership to design and construct a concert pavilion under the auspices of the PCCA. After several iterations, the PCCA board and the park staff approved the stage design.

Step one consisted of digging holes for the concrete base—hand-dug with no power tools. However, strong thunderstorms flooded and collapsed the holes week after week, so the project finished three weeks behind schedule.

“The long-awaited, and much-anticipated, erection of the stage came next,” Tom Vracarich said. “The first to go up was the ‘mother of all trusses.’”

Workers held their breath as it was lifted into place onto two hemlock columns. It fit! Volunteers secured the delicately suspended trusses, while the ground crew attached the supports.

Perry County artist Scotty Brown sketched the scene. Her piece was produced on individual certificates given to each of the volunteers. Dave Snyder, then president of the Central Pennsylvania Blues Society, wrote the song “Truss Builders Blues” in time for the celebration party.

August arrived and, with the shell in place, the race to finish by the third weekend in September continued.

“At the top of the list was the roof, which needed a complexly crafted extension,” Vracarich said. “In one morning, the roof was shingled by another volunteer contractor.”

The balance of August, and three weeks into September, wrapped up the project with cedar dressing rooms, high-powered electrical capacity and more.

As darkness fell and the evening stage lights were installed, several Buffaloes walked up the hill to view the scene from above the park. On the stage, actor Ray Manlove appeared as a miniature figure, reciting Shakespeare and clearly audible from the breast of the dam.

By Saturday morning, the Moore Pavilion was ready for its first performance. The two-day festival drew 8,000 visitors and consisted of a juried art show, poetry readings, workshops and regional and national entertainers.

The first performer was Marie Mazziotti. She was followed by the Eaken Trio and Arlo Guthrie, said current Buffalo President Tony Oliveri.

This year, the festival takes place Oct. 6, the festival’s 35th year. It will be celebrated with a number of acts including Creative Spirit Fusion Dance and Music, The Billy Price Band, YAM YAM and headliner, The Cris Jacobs Band. There will also be food, workshops, kids’ activities, a writer’s nook and more.

“Thousands enjoyed that first day, and the stage stands proudly 25 years later as a tribute to the work and perseverance of those early Buffaloes, who will be introduced at this year’s festival,” Oliveri said.

The Little Buffalo Festival will be held on Oct. 6 at Little Buffalo State Park, noon to 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free although donations are accepted. For more information, visit www.littlebuffalofestival.com.

For information about the Perry County Council of the Arts, call 717-567-7023 or visit www.perrycountyarts.org.

Beauty & Sacrifice: Step back to another time, another way of life, at Ephrata Cloister.

September 28, 2018 | by Don Helin

Conrad Beissel was a loner. Some today would call him a hermit.

Beissel, though, also was a natural leader who drew others to him.

In 1732, he founded the Ephrata Cloister, meant as a retreat from worldly distractions where devoted members could follow a disciplined life designed to prepare them for a heavenly existence. Beissel viewed life on earth as the time to prepare for the second coming of God, which he felt would happen during his lifetime.

Eventually, he built his movement up to the extent that it included some 250 acres and 40 buildings. Today, 28 acres and nine of the original buildings, built mostly between 1740 and 1770, survive and make up the historic Ephrata Cloister.

“The Ephrata Cloister complex was the town of Ephrata for many years,” said Museum Educator Michael Showalter. “The modern town didn’t even exist until the railroad arrived during the Civil War.”

By the 1750s, the community consisted of nearly 300 members, with about 80 celibates, termed brothers and sisters. Around 200 married members lived on nearby farms. These members chose Beissel as their spiritual leader, but were not willing to make the sacrifices demanded of the solitary life.

In contrast, the celibate members lived a very rigid lifestyle. They could sleep no more than six hours per day with a two-hour worship time at midnight. They believed sleeping was their weakest time, when the devil could arrive. Therefore, they slept on hard, wooden benches with a wooden block for their pillow. They ate a sparse, vegetarian diet.

“However, the celibates were very talented,” Showalter said. “They built a five-story meeting house, many would now call a skyscraper by early colonial standards. In 11 years, they built eight of these tall buildings.”

At Ephrata, Beissel’s view of God as both male and female gave the celibate women almost equal status with men, a novel idea for the day. They taught in the schools and were partially supported by the married community. The largest book in colonial America, at 1,500 pages, titled the “Martyr’s Mirror,” was printed by these talented people, using their own handmade ink and paper.

“The early celibates composed 1,000 songs, being one of the first to compose four-part harmony in America,” Showalter said. “These musical compositions and the German calligraphic writing, called frakturschiften, were viewed by members as a discipline of both body and soul. Some of the first female composers in America were from this group.”

Today, the Ephrata Cloister Chorus brings to life the music of the Ephrata Cloister as a special educational program. Wearing white robes patterned after those worn by the brothers and sisters of Ephrata in the mid-18th century, the modern chorus performs throughout the region.

In addition to works from Ephrata’s past, the group performs compositions from other early American communities, including the Shakers, the Moravians, the Harmonists, the Kelpius Community, the First New England School and African-American spirituals.

Another program is “Winter History Class,” a nine-week lecture series that has grown to an audience that stretches the capacity of the auditorium, with nearly 90 people registered last year. The Saturday night after Thanksgiving, at the Candlelight Open House, visitors are welcome to stroll the grounds, explore the buildings, visit with craftsmen, and hear the chorus.

Showalter said that “Christmas at the Cloister” in mid-December is one of the most popular programs. The “Lantern Tour,” part of the Christmas program, is a special theatrical event that takes visitors back in time to the Ephrata Cloister as it may have appeared in the 1700s.

The cloister, a National Historic Landmark administered by the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission, in partnership with the nonprofit Ephrata Cloister Associates, is, of course, not without its challenges, Showalter said.

“Like other nonprofits, finding staff and volunteers is always a pressing challenge,” he said. “We strive to share the story of Ephrata, its people and achievements, with our visitors—about 15,000 annually, from around the world.”

The Ephrata Cloister is located at 632 W. Main St., Ephrata. For more information, visit www.ephratacloister.org or call 717-733-6600.

Smooth Moves: Total workout, gentle touch with Silver Sneakers.

September 28, 2018 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

It was high noon in mid-August at the community room of Susquehanna View Apartments in Camp Hill and, despite the day’s heat, exercise coach Jesse Swoyer was ready to go.

“Happy Monday, everyone!” Swoyer cheerfully called out to the 20-plus older adults seated throughout the room. “Get ready! It’s going up to 95 degrees today!”

Quickly, a hush fell over the room, and some perched just a little straighter in their chairs. This was Silver Sneakers Flex time and all looked ready to begin. In fact, many in the class said they eagerly anticipate Swoyer’s hour-long exercise sessions every Monday and Wednesday at noon at Susquehanna View.

“This is my life. These are my friends now and Jesse is fantastic,” stated Kristen Swainston, 51, of Harrisburg, who lives with multiple sclerosis. “Jesse is very motivating, he’s knowledgeable, and he cares. I am trying desperately to stay out of a wheelchair. There’s lots of things I can’t do, but I still can walk on my own. Coming here really helps me.”

Silver Sneakers is an exercise program targeted especially to seniors, and Swoyer gently leads participants through strength and cardio exercises using lightweight dumbbells, stretch bands and small Pilates balls, all punctuated by hydration breaks and shared laughter.

If it weren’t for this, Susquehanna View resident Rita Hoverter, 73, noted, she’d “just be upstairs watching TV, getting stiffer day by day.”

Although classes are held at the Susquehanna View complex that houses residents age 62 and older, as well as younger handicapped/disabled individuals, the general public is welcome to participate in the classes, said Swoyer.

“Jesse puts a lot of humor in it,” said participant Mike Stewart, who also volunteers at Susquehanna View. “That’s why I like him. Plus, he exercises every part of the body. When I first started, I was a little sore, but then it goes away. I can definitely tell a difference with things since I started this last year.”

Swoyer said that his favorite part about leading the class is “the awesome people you meet and the relationships you develop with them over time.”

Dorothy Sebastian, of Camp Hill, is one of those people. She began exercising with Swoyer around five years ago at the Center of Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania. When sessions there were discontinued in early 2017, Sebastian followed Swoyer to Susquehanna View.

“She asked me to come here,” Swoyer recalled.

As it turns out, Sebastian didn’t stop there.

While at the beach this summer, Swoyer was surprised to learn from WHP-TV CBS 21 that he was the most recent recipient of the Jefferson Award, “a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public volunteerism in America,” according to the award website. The station began accepting local nominations for the award earlier this year through a partnership with Donegal Insurance Group “to honor individuals making meaningful contributions to our community and a lasting impact on the lives of others.”

As it turned out, Sebastian submitted Swoyer’s winning nomination. Appropriately, in early August, CBS 21 newscaster Robb Hanrahan and a Donegal Insurance Group representative presented Swoyer with the medal at Susquehanna View.

“I wanted everyone to know about all the good that (Swoyer) does,” Sebastian explained about her nomination. “It’s not only the good he does here, but the good he does for the entire community.”

Through Silver Sneakers, Swoyer sponsors community outreach drives, asking his class participants to elect beneficiaries for monthly donation drives. Past recipients include the American Heart Association, the Bethesda Mission and the Humane Society of Harrisburg.

Nonetheless, Swoyer is characteristically modest about being honored with a Jefferson Award.

“Just knowing that your work is being recognized is an honor,” he said. “When people show up here to be with me, that’s the award.”

Michael Donmoyer of Lemoyne has shown up for four years. He believes that Swoyer has helped change his life.

“Jesse got me to stop drinking. He got me to recognize that I had a problem,” explained Donmoyer, 50, who is confined to a wheelchair after a traumatic brain injury. “Not only am I reaping the benefits from that, but there’s also benefits elsewhere. My mobility has increased. So has my independence and a whole bunch of other stuff.”

“But most of all, I built a friendship,” he said.

To learn more about Jesse Swoyer and Silver Sneakers Flex, visit www.jesseswoyer.com.

Happenings: Our October Calendar of Events

September 28, 2018 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

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

International Thunderbird Club Exhibit, through Oct. 14

“Mustangs: Six Generations of America’s Favorite Pony Car,” through Oct. 14

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

“Pastiche II,” membership show of works that interpret or imitate another artist’s work, through Oct. 11

“From Italy to Harrisburg,” street drawings by Guglielmo Botter, through Oct. 19

“Flux,” experimental art by Brittany Kurtinecz and “Edges of Light” by Wendy Palmer and Kimberly Myers

Brain Vessel
4704 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-3020; brainvessel.com

“3 Generations,” featuring works Brain Vessel’s Jason Kreiger, along with artwork by his grandfather Jim Tritt, uncles Jon and Jeff Tritt, mother Debra Kreiger and cousins Christopher Zeiders and Annemarie Tritt, through Oct. 6

Café 1500
1500 N. 6th St., Harrisburg
cafe-1500.com

Works by Jaime Duncan, through Oct. 14 (curated by 3rd Street Studio)

“Colours of a Mad Mind,” the art of Kevyn Knox, Oct. 19-Nov. 11; reception: Oct. 19, 5-9 p.m.

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

“The Visible Echo,” photography by Guy Freeman, through Nov. 3

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

Artist of the Month: Sue Marrazzo

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

“Around the Wiconisco,” works by Thomas Wise, through Nov. 3

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

“Harrisburg’s Merchant Heritage,” a retrospective of the city’s retail legacy, including the iconic Mary Sachs

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

“Modern Magdalena,” a showing of hooked rugs and mats designed and/or created by the Magdalena Rug Hooking Group of Perry County, through Nov. 3

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

“Comics Unstripped,” a collection of vintage American comic art, through Oct. 21

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

“History Comes Out,” a special display in honor of LGBT History Month, through Dec. 14; reception: Oct. 14, 1:30-5 p.m., at Dickinson College Library

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

“Violent Grace: A Retrospective of the Work of Edward Knippers,” through Nov. 2

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

“Scarecrow II: Dark Fields and Folklore,” Halloween, creepy art show that transports the viewer to a time between the grime of the 1930s dust bowl and modern isolation, Oct. 5-Nov. 1; reception, Oct. 5, 7-11 p.m.

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

New works by Susan Bailey, Ann Benton Yeager, Yachiyo Beck, Meg Caruso, Andrew Guth, Julie Iaria, Caleb Smith, through Oct. 14

New works by Tami Bitner, collaborative works by Megan Caruso and Joelle Arawjo, Lauren Castillo, Kristen Fava, Rachelle Lowe and Richard Souders, Oct. 16-Nov. 11

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

“The Pennsylvania Game Commission,” Oct. 1-Jan. 1

PCCA Gallery
Perry County Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“True North,” new abstract acrylic paintings by Peg Belcastro, inspired by the fierce-spirited people who dwell in the Last Frontier of Alaska where Peg lived from 2001-12, through Oct. 6

Artisan Marketplace, with locally made, unique art and gifts, perfect for holiday gift giving, Oct. 12-Jan. 5: reception: Oct. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

Graphic design works by Gail Anderson, through Oct. 5

Photography by Harris Fogel, Oct. 15-Nov. 9; reception and lecture: Oct. 18, 5:30 p.m.

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

“Innovative Means: Photography from the Collection,” featuring 29 photographs from the museum’s fine art collection, spanning almost 80 years, Oct. 19-Feb. 17

“Pennsylvania at War,” highlighting World War I posters from the Pennsylvania State Archives and The Saga of the US Pennsylvania, through Dec. 30

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

“Color Improvisations 2,” invitational exhibition of contemporary quilts curated by Nancy Crow, Oct. 13-Jan. 20; members’ preview, Oct. 12, 5-7 p.m.

“Recycled Play,” mixed media utilizing childhood artifacts by Sean Matthews, examining the concepts of parental guidance, art history and design principles, through Nov. 4

“Explore—Conceptual Art,” examining contemporary conceptual art through the works of eight regional artists, through Nov. 4

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

“Comics Unstripped,” highlighting a collection of vintage American comic art to examine historical development of comics as an art form and to explore comics as visual communication, through Oct. 21

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

“Inside|Out,” works by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated artists from the Lancaster region, Oct. 5-26

“Life As We Know It—A Storehouse Project,” a multimedia-curated exhibit based on The Storehouse, a multi-disciplinary art space in rural Michigan, Oct. 23-Dec. 16

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

“Art in the Wild,” Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor environmental art exhibit, through Oct. 31

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

“Elizabethtown Goes to War—The Effects of WWII on our Community,” recorded memories from local veterans and civilians and artifacts to explore, through Oct. 5

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

Works by Yigal Elyadin, through Oct. 15

The art of Emmeline Zhu, Oct. 16-Nov. 14

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

“Bootleg,” artwork by Charlies Feathers, through Oct. 18

“Supersonic: SciArt Series 3,” new art by Katie Trainer, Oct. 19-Nov. 15

Read, Make, Learn

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

Oct. 2, 9, 15, 23, 30: Experiments with Drawing 101, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25: Beginning Oil Painting, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 9: Intro to Metal—Riveting & Texture, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 10, 17, 24: Storytelling Through Clay, 4-5:30 p.m.
Oct. 10: Tree of Life Pendant, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct. 12: Craft Beer & Clay, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15-Nov. 19: Handbuilding, Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct. 16, 23: Metalworking Meets Enameling, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 16-Nov. 20: Play with Clay at the End of the Day, Tuesdays, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Oct. 16-Nov. 20: Wheel Throwing 102, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oc.t 17: Yarn Dyeing, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct. 17-Nov. 28: Wheel Throwing 101, Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct. 18: Learn to Love Your Jeweler’s Saw, 6-8 p.m.
Oc.t 19 and 26, Nov. 3: 3-Day Surface Series Workshop—Pit Firing
Oct. 23: Intro to Metal—Color on Metal, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 23-Nov. 27: Advanced Photography, Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct. 24-Dec. 5: Intermediate Photography, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oc.t 27: Creature Speaker, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Oct. 29-Dec. 3: Fundamentals of Photography, Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m.

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

Oct. 4: Mexican Madness, 6-9 p.m.
Oct. 11: Fall Harvest, 6-9 p.m.
Oct. 24: Hearty Pasta Dishes, 6-9 p.m.

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

Oct. 3, 10: Learn to Play Bridge, 1-3 p.m.
Oct. 6: Star Wars Family Day, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 7: The Sciency Culture of Paranormal Researchers, 1-2 p.m.
Oct. 25-27: Fall Book Sale
Oct. 31: Device Club, 1-2:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 1, 15: Fredricksen Writes, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1-26: Fall Story Times
Oct. 2: Curl Up with the Classics—“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” & “Rip Van Winkle”
Oct. 5: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 18: Blood Pressure Screenings w/ Geisinger Holy Spirit, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 8: Philosophers’ Roundtable, 2 p.m.
Oct. 8: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 12, 26: Foreign Film Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Trivia After Hours—The Walking Dead Challenge, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
Oc.t 19: Family Movie Matinee, 2 p.m.
Oct. 20: Story Time and Music Therapy w/ Sovia Therapy, 3 p.m.
Oct. 22: Fredricksen Reads—“The Signature of All Things,” 7 p.m.
Oct. 24, 26: Library for Lunch—“Outer Space Adventure,” 12 p.m.

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

Oct. 3, 7, 10, 17, 24, 31: Fiber and Friends, 6 p.m.

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

Oct. 22: “Harrisburg’s Retail Royalty” discussion, 6-7:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 18-Dec. 13: Improv Level 1, 7-10 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Oct. 3-4: Modern Watercolors for Every Skill Level, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Oct. 3-Nov. 21: Realistic Oil Painting, Wednesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 1, 8: Storytime for 3s & 4s, 10 a.m.
Oct. 1, 7, 22, 29: Indian Philosophy Class, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, 8: Storytime for 4s & 5s, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31: 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30: Girls who Code, 5:45 p.m.
Oct. 3: In The Middle—Games, 3 p.m.
Oct. 3: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Sensory 1, 2, Whee!, 11 a.m.
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 : Back to Basics Writing Class, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 4, 18: Hershey Quilters Guild, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 5, 19: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: Chess Club, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 7: Build Hershey, 2 p.m.
Oct. 9: Hershey Writer’s Critique Group, 6 p.m.
Oct. 9, 30: Financial Education Series, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: In the Middle—Art, 3 p.m.
Oct. 10: Crochet Guild, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 11, 18: Card Making Class, 6 p.m.
Oct. 11: Hershey Area Neighbors and Newcomers Club, 9:45 a.m.
Oct. 13: Processing Your Images, 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 13: Second Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: Adult Story Time, 2 p.m.
Oct. 14: Friend’s Program, 2 p.m.
Oct. 14, 21: Memoirs Class, 2 p.m.
Oct. 15, 22, 29: Books and Babies, 9:30 a.m., 10:30 p.m.
Oct. 15, 22, 29: Crazy 8s (Grades 1-2), 4 p.m.
Oct, 17: In The Middle—Writing, 3 p.m.
Oct. 17: Adulting, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: Cocoa Area Fiber Enthusiasts, 10 a.m.
Oct. 21: Friend’s Film Special (Nosferatu), 2 p.m.
Oct. 22: Central PA Bank Blood Drive, 3 p.m.
Oct. 24: In the Middle—Creativity, 3 p.m.
Oct. 26: Fused Glass Class, 1 p.m.
Oct. 26: Frankenstein Discussion for Teens, 4 p.m.
Oct. 26: Frankenstein Escape Room, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 31: Trick or Treat Storytime, 1:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 1: Brain Games for Adults, 10-11 p.m.
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 30: Tea & Stitches, 10-12 p.m.
Oct. 2: Tabletop Games, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 3: Apple Mac Book, 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 4: Learn to Knit/Crochet, 7-8 p.m.
Oct. 4, 11, 18 & 25: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Oct. 8: iPad/iPhone Beginners, 1-3 p.m.
Oct. 8: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct. 10: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
Oct. 10: Internet Security Matters, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Oct. 11: Microsoft Word, 1-3 p.m.
Oct. 15: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
Oct. 15: Brain Games for Adults, 10-11 p.m.
Oct. 17: SciFi Book Club, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 18: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10 – 11 am
Oct. 22: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct. 23: Tea & Stitches Extended, 10-5 p.m.
Oct. 24: Apple Users Group, 1-3 p.m.
Oct. 24: Yoga for Beginners, 7-8 p.m.
Oct. 31: Apple Mac Book, 6-8 p.m.

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

Oct. 9, 18: Estate Planning to Final Arrangements, 1-2 p.m.
Oct. 18-20: Fall Book Sale
Oct. 24: Knit 1, Crochet Too!, 6-8 p.m.

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

Oct. 6: Drop-In Art at Newport Canal Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 13: Encaustic Wax & Photo Transfer Workshop, 1-4 p.m.

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

Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways—Trans & Non-Binary Group, 2 p.m.
Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.
Oct. 11: Aging with Pride Lunchtime, 12-2 p.m.

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

Oct. 15: Ballroom Dance Lessons, 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 29 : Video Game Club, 4-5 p.m.
Oct. 3: Dungeons and Dragons, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 31: Afternoon Hangout, 3-4 p.m.
Oct. 9: Know Before You Vote, 6-7 p.m.
Oct. 15: Cookbook Book Club—Celebrity Cookbooks, 6-7 p.m.
Oct 24: Horror Film with MOM, 6-8 p.m.

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

Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Mid-day Getaway, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Oct. 19: Escape the Library, 6-7 p.m.

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

Oct. 1, 8, 22, 29: Evening Family Yoga 6-7 p.m.
Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: STEM Club 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Storytime and Craft 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Daytime Family Yoga 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tales with T.A.I.L.S. 6-7 p.m.
Oct. 4: Book Club 6-7 p.m.
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25: LEGO Club 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26: Science Fiction Book Club (meets online)
Oct. 6: Local Author Event 1-4 p.m. (at St. Peter’s Church)
Oct. 15: Mystery Book Club 6-7 p.m.

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

Oct. 4, 18, 25: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7-9 p.m.
Oct. 5, 26: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7-9 p.m.

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

Oct. 6, 20: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
Oct. 26-28: 3-Day Cold Wax Workshop

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

Oct. 20: “Ruined Hopes and Broken Pride: Confederate Veterans and Their Worlds,” 1-2 p.m.

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

Oct. 1, 8: Preschool Pals Storytime Series, 10:15 a.m.
Oct. 1, 8: Toddlertime, 11 a.m.
Oct. 1, 8: 1-2-3 Library! Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 1, 15: Monday Great Books Discussion, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, 9: Book Babies Storytime, 11:15 a.m.
Oct. 2, 9: Preschool Pals Storytime Series, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Oct. 4: Pumpkin Pillows, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oct. 9: Book Review—The History of Mt. Gretna, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Oct. 9, 16, 23: Tuesday Night Book Discussion Group, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Oct. 20: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
Oct. 24: PennWriters Writing Group, 5:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 8: Remote discussion—“Underserved Consequences” by Dorothy Yoder at Palm Lutheran Church, 6:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 11: Nature Lab, 11:30 a.m.
Oct. 26: Learn at Lunchtime, 12:15 p.m.

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

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: Saturday Morning Art Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: Young Artist Camp, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Oct. 13, 20, 27: Yoga in the Main Gallery, 10-11:15 a.m.
Oct. 24: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

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

Oct. 3: Bird Walk—Fall Migration at Wildwood, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Oct. 6: New Scout Workshop for Brownies, Juniors & Cadettes, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Oct. 7: Tree Identification Walk, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 20: Wolves Scout Program, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oct. 24: Preschool Storytime—Fall at Wildwood, 10-10:45 a.m.
Oct. 27: Night at the Nature Center, 6-8 p.m.

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

Oct. 1: Know Before You Vote, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, 9, 16, 30: Afternoon Hangout, 3-4 p.m.
Oct. 3-5: Fall Book Sale
Oct. 4: Teen Night—Duct Tape Creations, 6-7 p.m.
Oct. 15: Mary Sachs Series—Basic Car Maintenance, 6-7 p.m.
Oct. 16: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 19: Black Light Glow Flow, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Live Music

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

Oct. 12: Mystery Fyre (A Tribute to The Doors)
Oct. 13: Catullus and Native Maze
Oct. 17: Hayley Jane & the Primates
Oct. 19: Flux Capacitor
Oct. 27: Berndsen w/Knitebitch and Big Gorgeous

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

Oct. 3: Eddie Izzard
Oct. 6: York Symphony Orchestra
Oct. 12: Chad Prather
Oct. 13: Indigo Girls
Oct. 21: Jeanne Robertson
Oct. 24: Low Cut Connie
Oct. 31: York Symphony Orchestra

Boomerang Bar and Grill
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-3627; boomeranggrill.com

Oct. 6: Greg Snyder
Oct. 13: Erica Lyn Everest
Oct. 20: Tony Catalano of Funktion
Oct. 27: Curtis Smith

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

Oct. 2, 5, 9, 16, 17, 19, 23, 25, 26, 30: Noel Gevers
Oct. 3: Christine Purcell
Oct. 4, 13, 28: Anthony Haubert
Oct. 6, 11, 20, 24: Roy Lefevre
Oct. 10: Deb Anderson
Oct. 12, 27: Ted Ansel
Oct. 18, 31: Corinna Joy

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

Oct. 12: Kashmir, Live Led Zeppelin Show
Oct. 26: Eaglemania, Greatest Eagles Tribute

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

Oct. 14: Judy Carmichael at Susquehanna Art Museum

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

Oct. 5: Drake White
Oct. 18: The Districts

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

Oct. 6: Who’s Bad
Oct. 7: Tauk
Oct. 11: Pink Talking Fish
Oct. 13: Bullet Boys & Enuff Z’Nuff
Oct. 20: ZoSo
Oct. 24: Music of Cream
Oct. 27: Dead, Big Fat Meanies, NineD & Void Hidden

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

Oct. 4: The Random Hubiak
Oct. 5: Antonio Andrade
Oct. 6: Hard Travelin’
Oct. 12: Kevin Kline
Oct. 13: Dominick Cicco
Oct. 14: Colette Eckert
Oct. 19: Dan Zukowski
Oct. 20: Jeanine & Friends
Oct. 26: Rob Robison
Oct. 27: Michael Arthur

Grill 22
6197 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg
717-657-0800; grill22.com

Oct. 13: Curtis Smith
Oct. 20: Hank Imhof
Oct. 27: The Anchormen

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

Oct. 7: Masterworks
Oct. 27-28: Tango Caliente

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

Oct. 12: Pink Martini
Oct. 21: The Bible Tour 2018
Oct. 26: Wolfie Mozart & Joe Haydn
Oct. 28: The Drifters, Coasters & Platters

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

Oct. 5: No Bad Juju
Oct. 6: DJ Ray Rossi, JVB
Oct. 12: The Luv Gods
Oct. 13: DJ Dave Styles, Big Blue Band
Oct. 19: Sapphire
Oct. 20: DJ Ray Rossi, Radio Neon, Full Moon Fever
Oct. 26: Toolshed Jack
Oct. 27: DJ Dave Styles, Smooth Like Clyde

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

Oct. 6: Lucky Chops
Oct. 12: Dog Fashion Disco
Oct. 13: The Weight Band
Oct. 13: Reks w/Windchill, Jae Diamondz
Oct. 26: Marty Willson-Piper & Friends Rogers & Butler
Oct. 31: UB40

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-421-1512; keystoneconcertband.com

Oct. 13: Concert at Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren

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

Oct. 21: Steve Rudolph & Denis DiBlasio

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Oct. 19: Seabreeze Diner, Concrete Beach
Oct. 26: Felix Black, Geniuz, Jonesy, Rawstone George, TheBrokeGod
Oct. 27: Babel Map, Hot Jam Factory

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Uptown
1836 Green St., Harrisburg
717-695-4882; littleampscoffee.com

Oct. 9: Io & Titan, Bunny Love

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

Oct. 5: Daughtry
Oct. 13: George Thorogood and The Destroyers

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

Oct. 12: Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra
Oct. 19: Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ‘N’ Roll

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

Oct. 13: The Flat Wheels
Oct. 21: Blues Brunch
Oct. 28: DJ Rob

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

Oct. 9: Arthur Haas and Harrisburg Symphony Principal Players

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

Oct. 19: Messiah College Symphony Orchestra
Oct. 20: Messiah College Symphony Orchestra Family Concert, College Jazz Ensembles
Oct. 26: Messiah College Percussion Ensemble w/GiViM Dance Ensemble

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; Facebook: Metropolis Collective

Oct. 12: The GTVs Live w/The Stents

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

Oct. 6: Dave Kelly
Oct. 13: Radio Neon
Oct. 20: Erica Lyn Everest
Oct. 27: Roy LeFever

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

Oct. 12: The Manhattan String Quartet

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

Oct. 6: Joe Olnick Band

Rose Lehrman Arts Center
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

Oct. 24: Jim Messina

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

Oct. 5: The Commonheart
Oct. 12: Nick Moss Band

St. Thomas Roasters
5951 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
717-526-4171; stthomasroasters.com

Oct. 5: Rhoads & Putt Trio
Oct. 6: Dan Zukowski
Oct. 12: Cotolo
Oct. 13: Craig Bonner & Steve Geib
Oct. 19: Amber Nadine
Oct. 20: Sterling Koch
Oct. 26: Just Dave
Oct. 27: Joe Cooney

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

Oct. 12: Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman
Oct. 14: Jam Session
Oct. 27: Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; millersville.edu/muarts

Oct. 7: Allegretto Fall Concert, Allegro’s Overture Fall Concert
Oct. 12: Chathasaigh & Newman
Oct. 19: Edmar Castaneda Quartet
Oct. 20: Gina Chavez
Oct. 21: Live, Laugh, Love

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

Oct. 19: Bend the Rails

The Stage Door

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

Oct. 12: Jay Leno

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

Oct. 26: The Best of the Second City
Oct. 28: Adam Trent

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

Oct. 19-28: “Veronica’s Room”

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

Through Nov. 10: “Sister Act”

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

Oct. 13-27: “Jack and the Beanstalk” (Popcorn Hat Players)
Oct. 18: TMI Improv

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

Oct. 19-21: “Jekyll & Hyde”

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

Oct. 4: Cameron Esposito
Oct. 5, 6: Darren DS Sanders
Oct. 12, 13: Drew Thomas
Oct. 19, 20: Norm Stulz & Quinn Patterson
Oct. 26, 27: Rich Guzzi
Oct. 28-30: Justin Schmoyer

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

Oct. 5: This Mortal Coil/JohNathan, Spacework/Bazinga Boyz, Hawkward
Oct. 5, 19, 26: Improv Jam
Oct. 6: Rabid Dabbers/Bandito, Images, Love Triangle/Wild Goose Chaise
Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27: Free Improv Mixer
Oct. 12, 14: Level 1 Class Show
Oct. 13: Aesthetic Dying Duck/Barely Adulting, Monotone, Hardly Working
Oct. 14: The Fourest/Midnight Library, Mary Todd Lincoln/The Harvey Taylor Gang, Tiny Town
Oct. 19: Ferd Majelly/Tanks, Buddy!, Tony Stanza, The Happy Beautiful Goodnight Show
Oct. 20: Rabid Dabblers/Critical HIT, Elderprov/Closed Casket, Name That Tune/Pillow Talk
Oct. 26: Fours Company 2: In Addition Too/Midnight Library, This Show Will Self Destruct/Ferret Prom, HIT Bits
Oct. 27: Barely Adulting/Solo Sleepover, Band Job/Without a Tres, Introduce A Self

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

Oct. 4-14: “Inherit the Wind”

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

Oct. 2-7: “Finding Neverland”
Oct. 13: “Catapult: Magic Shadows”
Oct. 18: Theresa Caputo

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

Oct. 5-7: “Cabaret The Musical”

Lancaster Marionette Theatre
126 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-394-8389; lmt.yapsody.com

Through Nov. 10: “Treasure Island”
Through Nov. 16: “Sleeping Beauty”
Through Nov. 17: “The Death & Life of Sherlock”

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

Oct. 19-Nov. 4: “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”

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

Oct. 6: Lord of the Dance
Oct. 20: Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood

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

Oct. 4-7: “Infidel”

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

Through Oct. 21: “Carrie the Musical”

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

Through Oct. 7: “The Haunting of Hill House”

Rose Lehrman Arts Center
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

Oct. 19-21: “All in the Timing”

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

Oct. 11: “Glory Days” (at Zeroday Brewing Co.)

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; millersville.edu/muarts

Oct. 3: Letters Aloud—Fame
Oct. 5: We the People—Split Second

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

Oct. 3: Story Slam Semi Final
Oct. 6: Earl David Reed
Oct. 20-21: “Cinderella’s Ball” (Central PA Youth Ballet)

Harvest Hoopla: In Dillsburg, the annual Farmers Fair celebrates agriculture, community.

September 28, 2018 | by Gina Napoli

Illustration by Aron Rook.

In a century that has witnessed constant change, Dillsburg has kept true to a rural tradition that began more than a century ago.

Held every harvest season, Farmers Fair is a lot like the musical “State Fair,” minus the random vocal interludes. Cross that with eccentric pickle-themed events and agricultural education, and you’ve got Farmers Fair.

The annual celebration holds a little something for everyone, as six days of events stretch throughout the third week of October. For Dillsburgers, the only drawback may be the tough parking due to the large crowds.

“The best representation of Farmers Fair is in Community Hall,” said Laura Taylor, who has served on the fair’s planning committee for four years. “We see the best produce, canned goods, artwork, flowers, quilts.”

If you hit Community Hall at the right hour, you can sample ice cream, cider and bologna chunks.

Bev Motich, 20-year veteran of the fair committee and current treasurer, works in Community Hall all week.

“My favorite part is starting out with an empty room on Tuesday and seeing it fill up with all of the exhibit entries that people have worked all year to grow and craft,” she said.

The majority of entry categories are over a century old—things like best apple pie, heaviest pumpkin and canned mixed pickle. A smattering of new categories has been added over the years as new crops have been developed (think trendy new peppers, some claiming to be the new hottest pepper around), Another fairly recent addition is crop art, which are mosaic pictures made entirely of seeds.

“For about three years, we had a veggie art category,” Motich said. “Its biggest fans were fruit flies. Instead of investing in a case, we retired the category.”

On the planning committee since 2001, 1st Vice President Paul Tucker wants to “bring events to Farmers Fair that encourage farming education.”

With a clear nod to agricultural education, the local schools involve students through entries in the art contest, crafts, dioramas of farm scenes and homemade clothes.

“Most of the vendor food booths are sponsored by community groups like Scouts, Dillsburg Library and sports team boosters,” Motich said. “Many kids work to support fundraisers for their groups.”

Just Outstanding

The popular “Fantastic Parade” on Saturday night is an opportunity for student groups like 4H, Future Farmers of America and Distributive Educational Clubs of America (DECA) to enter farm-based floats.

Many floats for this capstone event feature harvest or Halloween themes, church groups and even live animals. Often, head-turning tractors and monster trucks pull the floats along, and plenty of antique cars turn heads all by themselves.

Lifetime Dillsburg resident and former farmer Lewis Albert, Jr., remembers being part of the parade at 10 years old, back in 1940.

“My dad drove us in an old touring car with an open top,” he said.

Much later in 2003, he and his wife Marcella waved from a classic car after being crowned senior king and queen.

Most of Albert’s support for Farmers Fair has been cleaning up with the Boy Scouts and fundraising through his 54-year membership in the Lions Club by selling tickets to sit in the bleachers during the parade.

While the antique cars and tractors are Albert’s favorite exhibits, the freak vegetable entries in Community Hall hold his fascination.

“It’s just outstanding how they can grow a pumpkin to 400 or 600 pounds,” Albert said. “I was lucky if I could grow a pumpkin that weighed two pounds.”

According to Carl Shearer, president of the planning committee, the crosscut sawing competition draws quite the crowd. The horseshoe pitching contest and homemade ice cream churn-off are other ways for locals to display their strength and endurance.

Naturally, a moniker like “Dillsburg” inspires pickle-themed competitions.

“We have a special dill pickle contest in Community Hall and a pickle pitch with foam pickles,” Motich said.

Having to do more with tradition than with farming skills, the Fair Queen Pageant attracts much attention from the community.

“Our Farmers Fair queen contest always has a farm-related theme and looks for people who are active in FFA,” Motich said.

Not much has changed over the century-plus run of Farmers Fair.

“We like to try a few new things, but the fair committee is always conscious of trying to keep activities farm-related and appropriate for our community,” Motich said. “This year, we’re hosting a national chili cook-off competition for the first time, hoping to add some new interest.”

One change has resulted in paying for professional musical acts to provide entertainment.

“Compared to previous years, more high schools are not allowing their marching bands to march in the parade,” said Annie Cooke, chair of the Fantastic Parade. “The bands have homecoming, band competitions, other scheduling conflicts. So, instead, we’re paying bigger acts to play music in the parade.”

Every year, the Farmers Fair tradition is the culmination of an entire town’s engagement. Some are planning and fundraising for nine months. Some use that time to make a quilt or perfect their whoopie pie recipes. Some work the week of the event at kids’ game booths or the huge open-air market. Others sweep the streets afterward.

“One thing I’m especially proud of is the huge amount of support we get from local businesses and the community for Farmers Fair,” Motich said.

The Dillsburg Farmers Fair takes place Oct. 15 to 20 at Community Hall and other locations in Dillsburg. For more information, visit www.dillsburgfarmersfair.org.

HMAC finds first potential buyer in York-area investor.

September 27, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

One month after its owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC) has a potential local buyer.

Christopher Werner, a Dover, Pa., resident who owns a sports memorabilia company, has formed a limited liability company and taken the first steps to purchase the midtown Harrisburg business, which houses a full-service kitchen, bar and two performing stages.

HMAC managing partner John Traynor revealed the offer at a creditors meeting held this morning in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, in the Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse.

The meeting was open to all of HMAC’s three dozen creditors, including Werner, who already has $150,000 of unsecured claims invested in HMAC. His investment makes him HMAC’s second-largest unsecured creditor, according to bankruptcy filings.

Werner has submitted a “speculative” term sheet outlining basic terms and conditions of the sale, said Robert Chernicoff, HMAC’s bankruptcy lawyer.

Chernicoff did not submit the term sheets to the bankruptcy court. He said he would rather wait until Werner signs an agreement of sale or letter of intent.

Neither Traynor nor his attorney disclosed the dollar amount of Werner’s offer. Chernicoff said it could be a “stalking horse bid” – a low-ball, initial offer that sets a price floor and drums up interest from other buyers.

Attempts to reach Werner on Thursday were unsuccessful.

Traynor said HMAC’s owners will still market the business and entertain offers from national buyers. He hopes to close on a sale in early 2019.

Traynor has previously said he would prefer to find a local buyer.

“My desire is personal – I want to see HMAC flourish as a community asset,” he said this morning, as he was questioned by U.S. Trustee Office attorney Gregory Schiller.

HMAC was valued at $5 million in a 2012 appraisal, Traynor said. According to Chernicoff, its assets include a $1 million matching funds grant that HMAC was promised in December 2017.

HMAC has not claimed any reimbursements from that grant, which is administered by Pennsylvania’s Office of the Budget. Traynor said he has until the end of the year to submit invoices for eligible projects.

HMAC’s assets also include its liquor license, which Chernicoff valued at $150,000.

Traynor recently defended that license in court, since the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board challenged its renewal earlier this year.

This morning’s meeting, which was required under federal bankruptcy code, offered HMAC’s three dozen creditors the chance to question Traynor under oath. But only one creditor, a solicitor representing the City of Harrisburg, appeared in person. A representative from United Bank in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also attended over the phone.

It’s not unusual for creditors meetings to be sparsely attended. Chernicoff said the turnout of two creditors and one reporter was more than he expected.

The hearing also allowed Traynor to testify about the conditions that led HMAC’s owners to voluntarily file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August.

Under oath, Traynor gave statements consistent with those he provided to the media in recent weeks. He said that that HMAC’s revenues dipped after a July social media storm led customers and performing artists to boycott the business.

“Just prior to filing, we had some social media issues which caused us a great deal of stress, and we suffered losses to our monthly operating cash flow,” Traynor said.

HAMC became the target of online discussions in July after a woman claimed that she was drugged at its bar and later raped.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau investigated the woman’s allegation and charged a Harrisburg man with her assault. But police officials said that HMAC was not responsible for the crime, which happened in a private home, hours after the establishment closed.

According to Traynor, the woman’s allegations were “conflated” with other grievances against him and his business.

Traynor said the business revenues dropped $100,000 in August. They lost an additional $200,000 when performing artists cancelled shows that were booked months in advance.

HMAC must turn $80,000 in monthly gross revenues to break even, he said. They’re on track to bring in $65,000 or $70,000 in September.

“We’re slowly recovering and working on our programming,” Traynor said.

Traynor told TheBurg earlier this month that he intends to press charges against individuals who allegedly urged bands to terminate contracts with HMAC. Chernicoff said this morning that those suits have not yet been filed.

Chernicoff said that little distinguishes HMAC’s case from the other restaurant bankruptcy filings he’s overseen.

“Restaurants have a habit of coming back [from bankruptcy,]” Chernicoff said. “It’s a tough industry, and you can easily have issues with cash flow.”

He estimated that 70 percent of small business filings end in a sale. Though he conceded that HMAC would be a “difficult” business to market, he hopes that Werner’s interest will generate interest among other prospective buyers.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

September 27, 2018 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

Final SoMa Block Party of the season, weather permitting (we’re calling it by 10 a.m., so stay tuned — Or, we do it in a week).

Otherwise, it’s a big football weekend, and while earlier in the week I was eager to get out to an Oktoberfest type event, it’s been a busy, event-filled week, so I’m thinking home projects and cooking soup are more the name of the game. Pasta Fagioli anyone?

What are you doing this weekend?

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Harrisburg re-launches Environmental Advisory Council.

September 26, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

Volunteers plant a rain garden at the Cloverly Heights playground in Harrisburg. Stormwater management projects are one area that the city’s new Environmental Advisory Council will study.

After more than two years of dormancy, Harrisburg’s Environmental Advocacy Council is back in action.

City Council repopulated the all-volunteer body on Tuesday night when it voted unanimously to approve five appointees nominated by council members and the city’s administration. One appointee, Rafiyqa Muhammad, is a holdover from the former EAC that dissolved in 2016.

She’s joined by new members Tanya Dierolf, Christine Proctor, Molly Cheatum and Melanie Cook.

Council nominated two members of the new EAC, and the city’s administration offered three.

The five-member body will advise the mayor and other city officials on matters related to the environment and sustainability. As an advisory group, it does not have the power to manage or disburse money, but it will make recommendations on how to spend the money collected by Harrisburg’s “host fee.”

Harrisburg collects more than $250,000 a year in fees for hosting a regional incinerator, which is owned by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA.) State law allows cities with regional waste sites to assess a $1 per ton fee on the waste processed there. That money must then be used to make environmental improvements in the city.

Christopher Nafe, the city’s new sustainability coordinator, will manage the EAC and attend all of its meetings, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

Papenfuse hopes that having a designated city hall staff member will help the EAC avoid the dysfunction that felled it in 2016, when three of its five members resigned in a joint letter to the mayor.

“The atmosphere of the EAC has become so dysfunctional that it is not possible to accomplish business in a professional manner,” the March 24, 2016 letter reads. “Too much time has been taken up by disagreements and disrespect for fellow EAC members.”

With the resignations, the remaining two members of the EAC – Muhammad and Bill Cluck – did not have a quorum and could not conduct business. Cluck resigned a month later, according to a PennLive report, leaving Muhammad as the only remaining member.

Nafe hopes that the new EAC will advise the city on existing and new initiatives. Those include working with the Tree Advisory Council, which monitors the city’s tree population, and developing educational programs at the city’s new composting facility in Susquehanna Township.

Harrisburg has also invested heavily in its parks and public spaces in the past year, which creates ample opportunity for the EAC to recommend new projects or amenities, Papenfuse said.

In addition to the ongoing renovations at five city playgrounds, Harrisburg is also re-opening its greenhouse in Reservoir Park. Volunteer labor and in-kind donations have allowed the Public Works Department to bring the greenhouse back from years of neglect. Papenfuse hopes the facility will be functional by the end of the year.

“There are a lot of ways a good committee can advise the mayor on policy,” Papenfuse said. “I think this is a good thing for the city.”

Burg View: Let Them Vote

September 25, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

The Pennsylvania Capitol

Earlier today, a joint House committee held a hearing, one in which Harrisburg’s very future is at stake.

That’s no exaggeration.

PA House bill 2557 would allow Harrisburg to keep its current taxation levels, thus allowing it to exit Act 47, the state’s program for financially distressed municipalities.

If the bill passes, Harrisburg’s decade-long fiscal nightmare would effectively end, and the city could move on confidently toward a brighter future, building on its long, slow redevelopment.

If the bill fails—who knows? The city’s financial storm could continue for another three years, when the state forces Harrisburg out of Act 47 for good.

At that point, the options are grim. The state has proposed vast increases in city property taxes. Harrisburg countered with a commuter tax. Neither option is acceptable or likely to pass. The city also could slash services, though anyone who lives here can tell you that service levels are already too low.

Harrisburg could even end up back in state receivership or do what it failed to do eight years ago—declare bankruptcy. In other words, the city likely would be plunged back into financial crisis.

Meanwhile, a solution—retaining the status quo—is profoundly logical and at hand. The House bill would permit exactly that, so those who work in Harrisburg (residents and commuters alike) would continue to pay an extra $100 a year in local services tax over what’s currently allowed under state law for third-class cities.

Yes, that’s the prevailing issue—an extra $2 a week from workers to help the city pay for supporting and servicing some 50,000 commuters, which doubles Harrisburg’s population each day. One hundred bucks a year so police show up when you call them, so EMTs arrive when your car crashes, so roads are cleared of snow so you can reach your office, so restaurants are inspected, etc., etc.

The bill also would allow the city to keep its 2-percent earned income tax rate, which mostly affects just Harrisburg residents, while nixing any proposal for a dedicated commuter tax.

This solution has been in place for the past few years, and it seems to be working well.

Moreover, it’s the solution favored by most of our area’s representatives, including two Republicans who represent many of the region’s commuters, Sen. John DiSanto and Rep. Greg Rothman. Gov. Tom Wolf also supports the bill.

They all well remember the dark days of 2010-12, when the city, stripped of its workforce and effectively bankrupt, seemed incapable of performing even the most basic municipal functions, when the city’s very survival was at issue.

But time is of the essence. The legislature is in session for only seven more days, giving a limited window for the bill to come up for a vote.

Therefore, we urge Speaker Mike Turzai to allow a vote on House bill 2557.

We understand that he doesn’t like the bill and, if so, he can and should vote against it. But one man, however powerful, should not single-handedly determine the fate of a city so distant from his own Allegheny County home, thwarting the wishes of the local community here and the will of the legislature as a whole.

For the sake of Harrisburg, House bill 2557 must be allowed to come up for a vote.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

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