Happenings: Our September Calendar of Events

August 28, 2025 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“Tailgate Travelers—Classic Station Wagons,” through Oct. 17

“Don Allen Chevrolet Dealership Retrospective,” through Oct. 17

“The Corvette Then and Now,” through Oct. 17

“Husqvarna—Get Your Husky On,” through Oct. 25

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

“The 7 Lively Artists: 70 Years of Excellence,” a retrospective exhibit celebrating one of Harrisburg’s most important and enduring painting groups, through Sept. 4

“Villains, Misfits & Anti-Heroes,” fall membership exhibition, Sept. 12-Oct. 16

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

“Observations & Intuition—Seeing Beyond the Obvious,” works by Jonathan Frazier, Paul Nagle and Julie Riker, Sept. 5-Oct. 2; reception: Sept. 5, 5:30-7 p.m.

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

“Along the River & Beyond: Landscapes by Jonathan Frazier and Carrie Wissler-Thomas,” Sept. 28-Dec. 14 (select dates); reception: Sept. 28, 12-1:30 p.m.

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

“Elevate—Honoring the Ordinary with Scotte Meier & Becky McDonah,” through Sept. 13

“Wild Elegance,” a retrospective of works by Anne Cherry, through Sept. 13

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the month: Joe DeLutis

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

“Limelight on Local Artists—Brenda Fernsler and Craig S. Bomberger,” through Sept. 30

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

Featured artist of the month: Connie Betz, Sept. 3-27

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, hallway gallery, through Oct. 23

HAAA Member Artwork at Hershey Public Library, community room, through Nov. 29

Historical Society of Dauphin County
John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion
219 S Front St., Harrisburg
717- 233-3462; dauphincountyhistory.org

Mansion tours, Tuesdays-Friday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery
847 Cumberland St., Lebanon
LebanonPictureFrame.com

16th Annual “12 & Under Small Works Group Show,” through Sept. 27

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Metanoia,” works by Stephen Althouse, Sept. 5-Oct. 12; artist talk and reception: Sept. 5, 4:30 p.m.

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

New works by Linda Benton McCloskey, Reina 76 Artist, Julie Iaria, Spencer Jackson, Tina Berrier, Jemar Sweets and Kristen Fava, through Sept. 14

New works by Ann Benton Yeager, Kristin Livelsberger, Kathy Mina, Ambria Michelle, Caren Shelley, Caleb Smith and Tami Bitner, Sept. 16-Oct. 12

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

2025 Youth Art Contest winners exhibit, through Sept. 27

The Photography of Melissa Penley Cormier, through Nov. 1

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

Art in the Stacks—Alissa Kachel and Beth Moore Sept. 1-30

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

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

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

“Color Meets Canvas—The Way I See the World” By Marilyn LaDieu, through Sept. 20

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

Art of the State, the 58th annual juried exhibition of Pennsylvania’s rich artistic heritage, featuring a diverse range of works, through Sept. 14

“Game Changers—Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across PA in diverse fields

“Bannered Heroes—Celebrating Pennsylvania’s African American Veterans,” presented by Beta Pi Boulé, the Harrisburg chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé)

“Home Improvements—New to the Collections,” artifacts designed and marketed in the first half of the 1900s as modern conveniences

“Portraits of Identity—HAAPI Through The Lens”

“Horse2Auto: A Transportation Revolution”

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

“Common Ground—Works by Betsy and Gerry Bannan,” oil paintings and representational drawings, through Oct. 5

“Future Fossils,” imagined relics by international artists that depict a future apocalypse, offering a preserved, contemporary snapshot of present-day life, through Nov. 2

“Collage Philadelphia Presents: Tactile Shift,” featuring three collage works by Philadelphia-based artists Jason Chen, Jake Dombroski and Florence Weisz, through Nov. 30

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

“Wendy Red Star—Her Dreams Are True,” Sept. 26-Feb. 7

“Viewing the Indigenous Landscape,” an exhibition exploring different artistic perspectives on the American landscape and Indigenous cultures, through Oct. 12

The Trout Gallery
Dickinson College
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

“Imprint—Selected Gifts from Eric Denker ‘75,” celebrating donations from Dickinson College alumnus and art historian Eric Denker, through Sept. 13

“To Listen Deeply,” through Dec. 13; reception: Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

“Walela—Wings of Nature,” photographer James Wheeler captures a hummingbird mother’s journey from a new nest to egg laying and rearing young to their fledge, Sept. 10-Oct. 11; reception: Sept. 20, 2-5 p.m.

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

“Art in the Wild,” a community outdoor environmental art exhibit with works composed of mostly natural materials to blend with Wildwood’s natural setting, through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

The Art Center School & Galleries
18 Artcraft Dr., Mechanicsburg
717-697-2072; theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com

Sept. 3: Date Night With Glassblowing, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 3, 17: Watercolor Painting Step-by-Step, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Introduction to Figure Drawing, 6-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: Acrylic Painting, 1:30-3 p.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: Figure Drawing Studio, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 23: Create Amazing Pictures with your iPhone, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 16: Pottery For All (ages 15+), Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 16-Oct. 28: Functional Pottery, Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 16-Oct. 7: Next Steps for the Very Beginner in Watercolor, Tuesdays, 3-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Galaxy Watercolor Workshop, 3-5 p.m.
Sept. 16: Garden Gnome Needle Felting Workshop, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Poppy Bouquet Watercolor Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 18-Oct. 9: Beginning Drawing, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 18-Oct. 9: Pottery Wheel Throwing, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 18-Oct. 9: Intermediate/Advanced Pastel Painting, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 18: Sensational Silk Scarves, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 18: Sunflower Basket Weaving Workshop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 28: Watercolor for the Very Beginner, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7: Cartoon Drawing (ages 9-14), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25, Oct. 2, 9: FUNdamental Drawing (ages 9-14), 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 2: Wheel 101, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Oil Painting, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 6: Put Your Color Pedal to the Metal, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 9-Oct. 14: Fundamentals of Photography, Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 10-Oct. 15: Create Amazing Pictures with your Phone Camera!, Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 17: Suicide Loss Survivors, 5:30-7 p.m.
Sept. 17, 24: Pastel Pet Drawing, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 17-Oct. 15: Beginning Hand Building—Dinner for One, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 19: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 20: Abstract Painting Workshop, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Sept. 22-Oct. 27: Wheel 102—Dinner for One, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 23: Sensational Silk Scarves, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 27: Creative Collage, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 27: Can you Guess the Word Workshop (ages 9-14), 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Sept. 11: Southern Hospitality, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 25: Fast and Flavorful Pasta, 6-9 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

Sept. 9: Books on Tap at Rubber Soul Brewery, Hummelstown, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Stories at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 13: Reading Rainbow at LGBT Center of Central PA, Harrisburg, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 1: The Stitch Sitch, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: Figment Forge, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 16: Around the World in 12 Fairytales, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Sip & Speak, 3-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24: East Shore Cinema—“To Kill a Mockingbird,” 3 p.m.

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

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Card Making Group, 5-7 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Homeschool Happening, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Fiber Artists, 3-6 p.m.
Sept. 6: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 13: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 20: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 27: Board Game Meetup, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

Sept. 9: Sound Meditation, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 11: Art Heals—Mosaic Pumpkin Workshop, 5:30-8 p.m.

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

Sept. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31: Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 1, 15: Fredricksen Writes, 7-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 2: Curl Up with the Classics, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 2: Computer Basics, 2-3 p.m.
Sept. 3: Embroiderer’s Stitch In, 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 3, 17: Zen Meditation, 2-3 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Baby & Toddler Story Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 4: Ikebana, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Fredricksen Knits, 1-4 p.m.
Sept. 5: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: The Puzzlers, 1-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: Paint With Us, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 8: Mock Interview Sessions, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 9: Resume Writing, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 9: Card Games for the Fun of It, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 9, 23: Read to Dogs, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11: Gardening with Nature Series, 7-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: STEAM Discovery Play – Preschool, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 12: Indie & Foreign Film Fridays, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 15: Genealogy Club, 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 15: Zoology Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 26: Peaceful Poses Yoga for Adults, 9:15-10 a.m.
Sept. 26: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime for Preschoolers, 10-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 26: Solopreneur Roundtable—Taking Control: Project Management Strategies for Solopreneurs, 12-2 p.m.
Sept. 27: Teen Game Day—Life Size Club 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 28: Game Day for All!, 1-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: Pokémon Club, 3-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: iPhone Basics, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Sept. 13: Hammered Leaves, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 14: Tie Dye, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 20: Needle Felted Pendant, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 21: Sunflower Basket, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Beginner Watercolor, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

George & Hettie Love Memorial Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

Sept. 13: Knit One, Crochet Too!, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Silent Book Club, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 23: Engineering Simple Bots, 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 30: Coloring for Adults, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Sept. 13: Workshop—Objects As Metaphors, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 13: Workshop—Where Are We?, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 15: Workshop—That Reminds Me, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Sept. 3-17: Introduction to Plein Air Painting, Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 4-Oct. 23: Water Media, Thursdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 15-Oct. 27: Oil and Acrylics, Mondays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Sept. 1-30: Spice of the Month: Dill
Sept. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30: Penn State Hershey Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 3: LEGO Club, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Community Crochet Night, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 4: Walking Hershey Gardens at Hershey Public Library, 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Teen Time, 2:30-4:15 p.m.
Sept. 4, 18: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Chess Club, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29: Books and Babies, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29: Storytime for Everyone, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 9, 16, 23, 30: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25: Storytime for Everyone, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 16: Tween Tuesday, 4-5 p.m.
Sept. 16, 30: Silent Book Group, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 24: Cybersecurity with Members 1st, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Read to a Hockey Player, 4-4:45 p.m.

Historic Harrisburg Resource Center
1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-4646; historicharrisburg.org

Sept. 5: Jazz Walk live music, with Central PA Friends of Jazz, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 14: Harrisburg Gallery Walk, featuring photographer Jeff Wiles and oil painter Rebecca Keim Shirk, plus historic gas stations by Jimmy Rosen, noon to 5 p.m.

Sept.19: 3rd in the Burg open house, with Wiles, Keim and Rosen exhibits, plus book signing and brief talk by author Jimmy Rosen, 5 to 8 p.m.

Sept. 22: Fourth Monday Program, “Harrisburg History and the Kelker Family,” as revealed in “Immigrant Family: Three Centuries in America” by Norman Kelker, 6 p.m.

Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education
4945 Horn Rd., York
717-757-6441; hornfarmcenter.org

Sept. 7: Wild Abundance—Late Summer Foraging Walk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 7: Introduction to Nature Journaling, 1:30-4 p.m.
Sept. 14: The Art of Pressing Flowers, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 19: Pawpaw Preview—Exclusive Tour and Tasting, 5:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 27: Pollinator Planters—Container Gardening for all Conditions, 10-11:30 a.m.

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

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 4: LEGO Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Sept. 13, 27: Block Party!, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 13, 27: Puzzle Party, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Craft-A-Palooza, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: Tales for TAILS!, 6-7 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways, 2 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
Sept. 13: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

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

Sept. 17: Sip & Speak, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Coloring for Adults, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: STEAM Club, 6 p.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tiny Tots Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Wee Readers Storytime, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Teen Time, 4-5 p.m.
Sept. 13: Family Board Game Days, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 6: An Evening with Drew Hart and Peter Enns, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: “The End of the World As We Know It—New Tales of Stephen King’s ‘The Stand,’” a conversation with Brian Keene, Somer Canon, Chuck Wendig and Richard Chizmar, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Storytime at the Scholar, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 20: An Evening with Jill Lepore and Malcolm Kenyatta, 7-8 p.m.

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

Sept. 6: Paint & Be a Dreamcatcher, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 6: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 20: Painting Large Acrylic Abstracts, 9-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 26: Abstract Expressionism in Oil and Cold Wax, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 22: Equinox Night Walk, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Fungi Foray, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 1-5: Back to School LEGO Contest (ages 5 and older)
Sept. 1-30: Fall Into Reading Challenge (ages 0-18)
Sept. 1-30: Pokémon Scavenger Hunt (ages 0-12)
Sept. 3: Piece Seekers, 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20: Take and Makes (ages 0-12)
Sept. 6, 20: Library Book & Media Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 9: Shelf Love, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 9: Organizing Your Genealogy Research, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: Storytime STEAM (ages 3-5), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Sept. 11: Toddler Time (ages 2-3), 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 11: Pumpkin Painting (ages 3 and older), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 12: Tumble Tots (ages 0-3), 10:30-12 p.m.
Sept. 13: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17)
Sept. 15: Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 15-Oct. 20: Retro Storytime Series (ages 3-5), Mondays, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Sept. 17: Family Fort Fest (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 17: Outdoor Sports-Themed Minute to Win It (ages 6-12), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 18: Movers and Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 18: Teen Tarot Club (ages 12-16), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 19: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 21: Cultural Series—“Our Beginnings” with Charles Stone, 3-4 p.m.
Sept. 23: Junior Scientists (ages 5 and older), 5-6 p.m.
Sept. 25: STEM Sort & Match with Fall Sensory Bins (ages 2-5), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 25: STEAM Scene (ages 6-12), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 26-Oct. 24: 1,2,3 Play With Me (ages 0-3), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 27: Crafty Crafters Club, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 30: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 4:30-5:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 1: Genealogy Group, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Strength & Stretching 50+, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 8: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 18: Debut Author Book Club @ Book Bar, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: BYO Craft Nights Adults 18+, 4:30-6:45 p.m.
Sept. 22, 25, 29: Little Explorers Early Learning Classes, 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 25: Little Explorers Early Learning Class, 1:30-2 p.m.

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

Sept. 2: Paint Your Pet, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 16: Mosaic Maple Leaf, 6-8 p.m.

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

Sept. 3-27: Legends of the Night Sky, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 3-28: Two Small Pieces of Glass
Sept. 3-28: We Are Aliens
Sept. 5, 20: Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28: Violent Universe, 12-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 10: Homeschool Program—Celebrating Art and Food, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 19: Virtual Program—Discover Dairy Beyond the Fridge, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Sept. 24: Fall Leaves, 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 26: Curiosity Kids—Apples, 11:30 a.m.

Susquehanna Outfitters
333 S. Front St., Wormleysburg
717-503-0066; susquehannaoutfitters.com

Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Wednesday Night Workout Paddles, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 7: Full Moon float on Susquehanna, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: Yellow Breeches Creek Float, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 26: Brewery Float, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

Sept. 9: Mosaic Maple Leaf, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Fall Botanical Plates, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: Pinch Pot Pumpkins, 2-3 p.m.
Sept. 19: Ceramic Ghosties Workshop, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 26: Date Night Mugging, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 27: Glazing of the Botanical Plates, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 9: Monarch Tagging, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 13: Fall Wreath Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 13: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’ Brake the Rake—Surprising Ways to Winterize the Garden, 9:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 13: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 18: Kids Discover—Herons & Egrets (ages 5-10), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Sept. 13: Crafternoon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 22: Teen Silent Book Club, 3-4 p.m.
Sept. 25: Digital Detox Book Club, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Live Music

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

Sept. 5: Gabby Barrett, Payton Smith
Sept. 6: Get the Led Out
Sept. 7: The Malpass Brothers, Wilson Fairchild
Sept. 11: The Nelsons
Sept. 14: Celtic Thunder
Sept. 15: ZZ Top
Sept. 18: Clint Black
Sept. 19: The Texas Tenors
Sept. 21: The Australian Pink Floyd Show

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

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Open Mic Night
Sept. 19: Zac Brown Tribute, The Jacks
Sept. 26: Bella’s Bartok
Sept. 27: 90s Rockfest with tributes to Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against The Machine, Smashing Pumpkins

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

Sept. 20: Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara
Sept. 25: The Wallflowers, Brother Elsey
Sept. 27: Black Violin

Arts on the Square
20 S. Second St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

Sept. 28: Alcee Chriss III

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

Sept. 3, 17: Christine Purcell
Sept. 4, 25: Andrea Britton
Sept. 5, 19, 26: Ted Ansel
Sept. 6, 10, 24: Roy Lefever
Sept. 11, 12, 18, 20: Chris Emkey
Sept. 13, 27: Anthony Haubert

Englewood Hershey
1219 West End Ave., Hummelstown
717-256-9480; www.englewoodhershey.com

Sept. 6: Josh Krevsky
Sept. 20: Curtis Smith
Sept. 27: Dan Kibler & Amy Simpson

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

Sept. 12: The Villones

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

Sept. 13: First Listen, free performance by talented youth—Daniel Qi
Sept. 13: Michelle Cann, Tommy Mesa

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Sept. 6: Skydxddy, Demi the Daredevil
Sept. 12: Instinctual Self-Slaughter
Sept. 14: Dragonforce
Sept. 13: The Nu-Metal Values Tribute Festival
Sept. 14: Kickin Valentina, Bad Marriage

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

Sept. 27-28: Symphonie Fantastique

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

Sept. 5: Luv Gods
Sept. 6: The Edward Twins
Sept. 12: Emily’s ToyBox
Sept. 13: Stonewood
Sept. 19: The Uptown Band
Sept. 20: South Penn Dixie
Sept. 26: Amish Outlaws
Sept. 27: The Unusual Guests

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

Sept. 10: George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Sept. 24: Engelbert Humperdinck

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

Sept. 24: Balourdet Quartet

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

Sept. 7: The U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own
Sept. 18: Paragon Ragtime Orchestra

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Sept. 19: Messiah University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds

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

Sept. 6: Real Diamond

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

Sept. 12: The Kathleen Parks Band
Sept. 21: Open Mic Night

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

Sept. 5: Nicks in Time Tribute to Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac
Sept. 6: Several Species—The Pink Floyd Experience
Sept. 10: Burning Witches
Sept. 12: Allen Stone
Sept. 13: Steel Panther
Sept. 20: Nirvani—A Nirvana Tribute
Sept. 27: Finger Eleven & Alien Ant Farm

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; www.westshoretheatre.org

Sept. 18, 19: Sweet Baby James
Sept. 26: The Unforgettable Big Band
Sept. 27: The Flying Circus Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Sept. 28: Erica Lyn Everest

The Stage Door

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

Sept. 12-21: “Titanic The Musical”

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

Sept. 3-7: “Songs For a New World”

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

Sept. 3-20: “Buddy—The Buddy Holly Story”
Sept. 26-Nov. 1: “A Chorus Line”

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

Sept. 17-Oct. 4: “Little Red Riding Hood” (Popcorn Hat Players)
Sept. 19-21: “Three Queens”
Sept. 26: TMI Improv

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

Sept. 5, 6: Tom Daddario
Sept. 12, 13: Erik Terrell
Sept. 19, 20: Steven Rogers
Sept. 26, 27: Psychic Comedian Peter Antoniou

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25: Poetry Night at H*MAC

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center (HCPAC)
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; thehcpac.org

Sept. 19-20: “Bingo Spells Murder”

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Sept. 5: Free Improv Mixer, Goose Parade, Bondfire Society, Barn Bitches
Sept. 6: Free Improv Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Lil’ Stinkers, Ham Juice
Sept. 12: Team Z, Girl’s Trip, Left Unsupervised, Tater Tot Dish, Spice Crones, Neighborhood Gossip
Sept. 13: Free Improv Mixer
Sept. 19: Free Improv Mixer, Goose Parade
Sept. 26: Free Improv Mixer
Sept. 27: And Another Thing—A Sketch Show

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

Sept. 11-14: “13”

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

Sept. 4-8: “Broadway Bound”

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

Sept. 14: “Pirate School—Sea Dreams”

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

Sept. 6-21: “Come Together—A Celebration of The Beatles”
Sept. 11: EFF Live!
Sept. 28: Court Street Cabaret

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

Sept. 5-21: “Misery”

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

Sept. 12-21: “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; www.westshoretheatre.org

Sept. 14: “Messing with Lehr: A Night of Improv” w/Susan Messing & John Lehr

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Creative & Crafty: Nearby art classes let youth express themselves, practice skills

August 28, 2025 | by Gina Napoli

Illustration by Aron Rook

It wasn’t until last summer when I finally created a fridge-worthy painting.

As a child, I’d taken art classes, my creations later shoved into the back of my shame-drawer. Most of my art teachers (God bless them!) tried to teach me, but they soon identified with the nuns’ comments on my report cards: “Impervious to instruction.”

I’d thought (incorrectly) that art is an “anything goes” experimentation sesh. What I realized as an adult is that art classes teach more than mixing colors and buying the right kind of sketchpad. Kids must learn rules and correct techniques before strategically flaunting them.

Most art styles are forgiving, allowing experimentation … but not pottery class. Bob Cappelluti, a self-taught pottery teacher and owner/president of Riverbottom Pottery in Swatara Township, stressed the need for kids to follow directions.

“If they don’t follow the steps, the piece doesn’t make it,” he said.

Although the atmosphere is fun, Cappelluti expects kids (ages 7 and older) to learn, to apply critical thinking in 3-D, and to communicate with instructors, all six of whom used to teach elementary school.

In pottery class, “there’s a sense of satisfaction that they’ve successfully materialized something,” Cappelluti said. “Whatever piece they make, they take through the whole process.”

Sarah Kachurik said pottery classes expanded her fifth-grade daughter Tori’s creativity “beyond the typical box of crayons.” Mom said, “She stepped away from electronics and worked with her hands to create something she saw in her imagination.”

There’s also a takeaway lesson when things don’t work as intended. Tori either had to fix it, or accept that the piece wasn’t working and start over. Either way, Mom reports, Tori had fun.

Try Something New

Other types of art instructors can afford to encourage experimentation because their media are more forgiving. Art Association of Harrisburg’s Youth Drawing & Painting instructor Allison Juliana believes that, while basic guidance and structure are important, kids are there to learn something new and to use art as a means of expression.

Beyond trying new materials, like tempura paint or mixing colors, she encourages kids to “take risks, to think about materials in a new way. I show them different styles and approaches so they can learn about the many different ways to create art, maybe try something they haven’t tried before.”

Fellow Art Association of Harrisburg instructor Carrie Feidt also uses diverse art media to allow children to discover what works for them. (Feidt also teaches independently through Carrie Feidt’s Freelance Art, focusing on kids ages 5 to 14.) Feidt encourages kids “to look at the world around them in a more artistic way. They may begin to wonder how they would go about painting a scene that they see.”

Resiliency and troubleshooting are other important lessons.

“I have seen young kids learn how to be creative and fix something that they originally thought was an accident,” Feidt said.

Although she is clear in warning her students what will happen when they make certain decisions, their true understanding must stem from working with the materials hands-on.

“Kids always get excited when they can turn something they didn’t like into something they are proud of,” she said.

Making, Collaborating

I’d like to think I learned something from each teacher who tried to “correct” my art. But more important are art instructors who develop insights into their students, and those who nurture relationships—especially for kids who don’t fit into more interactive reference groups.

Tina Antonicelli, secretary of the Art Center School and Galleries board of directors and volunteer director, loves to see artsy kids come together, bouncing ideas off each other.

“Kids who don’t have athletics or music may lose their way,” Antonicelli said. “Art classes give those kids a chance to build self-confidence and experiment with different techniques.”

Katie Seward, an eighth grader who has attended several pottery and drawing classes at the Art Center, considers art itself to be a lifelong part of her friend group and a form of self-expression that allows her to be in the moment.

Her mother, Huyen Nguyen, has seen her daughter develop patience, work ethic and the ability to take her time.

“I’m starting to see her combine her two interests together: pots, plates and bowls with patterns or drawings,” Nguyen said. “One year, Katie had [drawings of] dragons and snakes swimming all over her artworks. She’s even won awards for her art pieces.”

That same spirit of collaboration and experimentation helps kids grow in other life areas, with instructors who nudge them out of their comfort zones. Although there is no typical child who enrolls in art classes, many local art classes tend to attract kids enrolled in virtual cyber schools looking for in-person interaction.

“Art classes bring kids together,” Juliana said. “They’re meeting like-minded peers, forming new relationships.”

“The first day of camp is quiet,” Cappelluti added. “But they’re old friends by the end.”

As critically formative as art classes are, they can be expensive. My daughter is currently an art major in college, and you can practically hear my two leftover nickels clinking together. In the spirit of inclusion and opportunity, inquire about scholarships, sponsorships, benefactor offerings and ride sharing for your kids. If you’re on the other side of the tin cup, thank you for supporting the arts.

For more information on The Art Center School and Galleries of Mechanicsburg, visitwww.theartcenterschoolandgalleries.com/kids-classes.

Find out more about the Art Association of Harrisburg at www.artassocofhbg.com.

Learn more about Riverbottom Pottery at www.riverbottompottery.com.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Adventure Together: It’s out with the old and in with the new as summer turns to fall and this month’s activities explore recycling and erosion

August 28, 2025 | by Natalie diSanto

We’ve done a lot of breaking down this month.

Our craft centered on deconstructing recyclables to make ecofriendly designs. Our hike took us to a spring in the mountains where water flowed out of rocks eroded over the years. Our social action focused on removing old clothes from the closet, making space for new. The summer follows suit, with trees dropping their first leaves.

To start off the month, we explored Dauphin Middle Paxton Community Park. Surrounded by views of the Appalachians, the park is a hotspot for community activity, with six baseball fields, two playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, and (my favorite) a walking trail that allows parents to keep an eye on the kids from a distance while enjoying some peace and quiet.

Spring in Your Step

Post-park, we took a short drive to Clark’s Valley Road. The road is crowded with trees, and we played peekaboo with the creek while meandering along the winding asphalt. Our hike began at an Appalachian Trail access point just before Rush Mile Marker 10. There are two options for this hike. The southbound trail starts at the parking lot with a level gravel trail. On this hike, there’s creek access with a sandy beach and toppled trees that make great hiding areas for fish, if you’re inclined to bring a hook.

The northbound trail begins across the road. Cars speed down this corridor, so hold on to your littles and look both ways and listen before crossing the street. This trail climbs Peter’s Mountain, with a steady incline and rough terrain. About a half mile in, there’s a wooden sign with a blue blaze that reads, “Spring.”

If you follow the “Spring Trail,” you’ll find a campsite for thru hikers. The site was empty during our trip, and it was fun to imagine what it would be like to carry everything we need in backpacks. We brainstormed the items we would bring, but one thing we didn’t want to carry in our pretend packs was huge and heavy containers of water.

About 20 yards from the campsite is the spring that the trail is named for. There are signs advising folks not to drink the water, which was disappointing, but makes sense. As water travels through the mountain, it does its own version of breaking down, picking up minerals and impurities that may make it unsafe for human consumption. So, we relied on the reusable bottles that we had filled at home.

After the hike, we popped by 3B Ice Cream in Dauphin, which is directly across from Clarks Valley Road and works as a great incentive and rewarding treat after a long day out in nature.

Creative Re-use

Back home, we started our craft, breaking down old boxes to repurpose the cardboard into a new medium for crafting. We ripped the cardboard into 2-inch pieces then put them in a blender with water. We turned on the blender and immediately burned out the motor. Whoops!

By the time we replaced the blender, the cardboard had soaked long enough to turn to mush. We blended the mush until it became a slurry. Then we stretched out a piece of window screen on the grass, held it down with sticks, and dumped the cardboard slurry onto it. The excess water from the slurry dripped into the grass, and my kid had fun shaping the muck into a heart.

After a day, the cardboard heart had dried and solidified in its new shape, feeling similar to papier mâché. It was a really cool experience to transform something that usually gets thrown in the recycling bin into a craft that we are proud of.

Rolling with the transformations, we sorted through our clothes next, packing up items that no longer served us but could be repurposed then dropped off as a donation to Community Aid. There are so many places to donate gently used clothes, such as Salvation Army, Goodwill and Once Upon a Child, which help to reduce our carbon footprint and save money. Pro tip: Halloween is on the horizon, and thrift stores often sell costumes at a fraction of the cost of newly bought!

We learned a lot this month, focusing on ways that breaking or changing can make space for creativity and transformation. Like the stream in the mountain, carving its way to a spring or cardboard being blended to a new shape, it is important to be willing and ready to embrace change.

Dauphin Middle Paxton Community Park is located at 700 Claster Blvd., Dauphin.

3B Ice Cream’s Dauphin shop is located at 1430 Peters Mountain Rd., Dauphin.

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Fab Fall: Open Stage channels the spirit of the Beatles

August 28, 2025 | by Stuart Landon

Photo courtesy of Open Stage

The first chord of “A Hard Day’s Night” kicks off “Come Together: A Celebration of The Beatles,” and, with it, Open Stage’s 40th anniversary season.

Running Sept. 6 to 27 on the Capital Blue Cross Main Stage, the concert-style tribute brings the Fab Four’s legendary catalog to life with powerhouse vocals, a killer live band and no impersonations in sight.

This show also marks the return of Open Stage’s popular fall tribute series, which has celebrated artists like Judy Garland, Carole King, Dolly Parton, David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac. This time, it’s all Beatles—from the infectious pop of the early years to the layered brilliance of “Abbey Road” and beyond.

Directed by TJ Creedon and produced by Wayne Landon, the concert features music direction by Anthony Pieruccini and Brad Barkdoll. The band includes Pieruccini and Barkdoll on guitar, Dani Fiore on drums, Jeremy Blouch on bass and Adrienne Connaghan on piano and vocals.

“We didn’t want to impersonate the Beatles,” said Pieruccini. “The power of these songs is that they’re timeless. So, we focused on telling the story through the ensemble’s own voices and musicality.”

That ensemble includes Creedon, Connaghan, Jess Logan, Maggie Haynes, Aubrey Kyler, Drew Patti and Zachariah Roush. Each brings a fresh take to familiar songs while tapping into the emotional core of the music.

“It’s just such fun music to sing,” said Haynes, who previously appeared in Open Stage’s “Space Oddity: A Celebration of David Bowie.” “Everyone in the cast is a fan, and you can feel the joy from the first chord.”

The production team also includes Bethany Frymark (stage manager), Rachel Landon (costumes), Tristan Stasiulis (lighting), Kevin Cole (audio) and Kalina Barret (technical direction).

The setlist spans more than 40 songs across the Beatles’ catalog—from “Twist and Shout” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to “Blackbird,” “Come Together,” and the sweeping “Abbey Road” medley. Expect deep cuts and surprises too, like “Helter Skelter,” “Because” and the newly released “Now and Then.”

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just discovering their music (in which case, welcome and where have you been?), “Come Together” is a joyful, harmony-filled celebration of the band that changed music forever. And with a full bar and fun Beatles-themed cocktails, it’s a perfect night out.

“Come Together: A Celebration of The Beatles” runs from Sept. 6 to 27 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For tickets and more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com. Stuart Landon serves as producing artistic director at Open Stage.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Popcorn Hat Players
“Little Red Riding Hood”
Sept.17 to Oct. 4

Stage Door Series
“Three Queens”
The U.S. Premier
Sept. 19 to 21

TMI Improv
Comedy Show
Sept. 26

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

“Come Together: A Celebration of the Beatles”
A concert tribute to the Fab Four
Sept. 6 to 27

Open Stage 40th Anniversary Party
Celebrate four decades of storytelling, community and creativity with music, memories and more
Sunday, Sept. 7

EFF Live!
A night of shameless, comedic and erotic fan fiction readings
Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

BaRPG
Tabletop roleplaying meets drinking games in this raucous, improvised night of adventure
Wednesday, Sept.17 at 7:30 p.m.

Court Street Cabaret
An open-mic style cabaret of songs from Broadway and beyond
Sunday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.

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Like Son, Like Father: Local writer melds late father’s unfinished novella into latest book

August 28, 2025 | by Dan Miller

Joel Burcat’s dad was a modern-day Renaissance man.

A World War II Navy corpsman who became a dentist in Lansdowne just outside Philadelphia, David S. Burcat also earned a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Pennsylvania.

Intellectually curious, David Burcat could read a full-length novel in two days but was equally at home turning a wrench under the hood of a car.

He was a jogger before jogging was cool, played tennis and golf, loved classical music and playing saxophone, and adored the Philadelphia Phillies.

So, it was no great surprise when Joel discovered that his late father, in 1950, had written an unfinished and unpublished novella, buried in a stack of old papers unceremoniously bequeathed to Joel by his mother.

But what to do with it?

The answer lies within the 292 pages of “Whiz Kid,” the newest book by Harrisburg’s own Joel Burcat—and co-authored by his late father.

“Whiz Kid” is a story of life in Philadelphia in 1950, the magic year that the Phillies—dubbed the Whiz Kids for their youth—won the team’s first National League pennant since 1915.

The tale of that time is told through the book’s main character, Ben Green.

Returning from Okinawa as an unassuming war hero, Green, upon graduating from Penn, is torn between his dream of writing and publishing his first novel, versus opting for the security of a well-paying advertising job offered by his best friend—whose life Green saved in the war—as Green’s wife is about to give birth to the couple’s first child.

Further complicating matters is Green’s struggle to maintain a friendship with a beautiful woman—Green’s classmate at Penn—despite her making it increasingly clear to Ben that she desires much more.

Like David Burcat, Ben Green served in the war, went to Penn, ran an elevator to earn extra money while in college, and played saxophone in Camden. However, Joel said he did not model Ben Green after his father.

Nevertheless, the novel Green is writing in “Whiz Kid” is word for word the same 16-page work that the elder Burcat penned in real life back in 1950, the one Joel discovered in that stack of papers.

David Burcat titled his unpublished novella “Match Point.” It tells the story of Danny Grebs—“a gritty Jewish kid from South Philly who, against all odds, rises through the elite world of tennis to win Wimbledon,” in Joel’s words.

For Joel, Grebs bore a striking resemblance to his father.

“Match Point” also intrigued Joel in that he saw a side of his father he had never seen before.

“I was really fascinated by it,” Joel said of “Match Point.” “It was very gritty, it was dark. It wasn’t sunny like my father generally was.”

Got Serious

His father’s writing was good, Joel said. It reminded him of the counterculture beat poets of the 1950s—touches of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, with some J.D. Salinger mixed in.

Joel discovered his father’s novella in 2001. At the time, he was still an environmental attorney in Harrisburg. He retired from practicing law in 2018 after being diagnosed with a rare disease impacting his vision.

Joel began seriously writing fiction in 2008 and has four published novels, all legal thrillers featuring the character of Mike Jacobs, a young environmental lawyer who works for the state government in Pennsylvania.

While “Whiz Kid” is Joel’s latest published work, he’s been at this one longer than the others.

“The whole time, it was in the back of my mind—what can I do with my dad’s novel?” he said. “It took me about a year to write, from 2009 to 2010, and then I just sat it down.”

He re-wrote it a few times, had the work edited, re-wrote it again and “finally got serious about getting it published about two years ago.”

For Joel, one non-negotiable condition was that his father’s novella appear word for word, exactly as he wrote it, in “Whiz Kid.” The book editors honored that condition.

“Match Point” has its own distinct font and typeface, so that, when it appears within the pages of “Whiz Kid,” the reader knows that the words are those of Ben Green’s unfinished novel—the one actually written by David Burcat.

“Whiz Kid” is a departure from the legal thriller genre Joel has become known for.

Instead of a deep dive into toxins and chemicals and their effect on the human body, Joel immersed himself in the state library, poring over life in Philadelphia in 1950, down to what the weather was in the city each day of the year to ensure accuracy.

“I didn’t want my characters lounging around a swimming pool if there was a snowstorm that day,” he said.

He devoured three non-fiction books on the Battle of Okinawa. The research shines through in his detailed account of the battle, which constitutes an entire chapter in “Whiz Kid.”

“I really wanted to know what it was like for the guys on the ground, not just for historians telling us from 20,000 feet what was going on,” he said.

Joel returns to legal thriller form with “Temperature Rising,” also published by Sunbury Press and expected out this fall. He’s also nearly finished writing another eco-thriller, “Come Hell or High Water.”

If “Whiz Kid” does well enough—and the book is enjoying rave reviews from Kirkus and others—Joel Burcat already has a sequel in mind.

Hint: the backstory will be another memorable year in Phillies history.

For more on Joel Burcat’s books, including “Whiz Kid,” visit Sunbury Press at www.sunburypress.com.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Musical Notes: September Sparks

August 28, 2025 | by Skye Cadzow

I *know* our calendar system deems January the start of a new year, but September always makes me feel excited and renewed for the season ahead. Maybe ingrained school year beginnings are to blame or my penchant for autumn and winter, but something about September has always sparked a particular joie de vivre in my soul.

This one kicks off with a real bang, as the New Cumberland Music + Film Festival, which I’ve helped plan over the last three years, is going to be a stellar time. Catch a variety of performances, including indie duo Griefcat at the West Shore Theatre on Sept. 7, with an opening set by the amazing country psych act, Nielsen Family Band. Or dance your tail off at “Indie Night” on Sept. 6 with Baltimore synthwave act, Swoll, with support from local shoegaze outfit Hometime warming up the night. Get all the details at www.musicandfilmfestival.com.

GOOD FOR THE SOUL

9/12, Allen Stone, XL Live

No less than four of my friends from out of the area have texted me with recommendations to catch this gig at XL Live, despite my being totally unfamiliar with Stone. I’m not one to ignore my friends’ musical endorsements, so after listening to his more popular songs like “Brown Eyed Lover,” “Consider Me” and “Sunny Days,” count me in. His 2024 album, “Mystery,” is quite different from the tracks I named above, but no less enjoyable, and I really dug “Sweet Little Rainbows,” “Can’t Explain This Love” and the newest single, “Closer.” The guy’s got a quirky, slightly retro style, but still feels fresh.

ROCK ON

9/17, Lucero + Jessica Lea Mayfield, Phantom Power

Country-twinged rock artist Jessica Lea Mayfield is such an underrated gift in contemporary music, and I’m excited to see she’s joined the bill for this gig in Millersville. If you go, you won’t be disappointed with her beautiful guitar skills, or the breezy way she conveys raw, emotional depth in songs that could be mistaken for upbeat folk rock/pop releases. She is a frequent collaborator of Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers, who even appears on Mayfield’s EP, “Choose Myself,” which came out in April and is a refreshing release after a spell without new music from Mayfield.

OTHERWORDLY TALENTS

9/19, Hozier w/Gigi Perez, Hersheypark Stadium

There is a shift in cosmic layers of sound when Hozier opens his mouth to sing, and boy, are we lucky to be alive in the same timeline. Obviously, the Irish musician is no newcomer to the scene, but I was lucky to see him last September during the “All Things Go” festival and *still* felt caught off guard, gob smacked by his show. The concert was this rich, ethereal experience that had intimate acapella moments, summoning Celtic spirits of lore into the amphitheater, as well as transcendent renditions of “Francesca” and “Eat Your Young,” and the inevitably rich and warm audience singalongs to tracks like “Nobody’s Soldier” and “Take Me to Church.” Take this from someone who was at the festival for other artists—I already want to see him again. Also, I cannot stress enough how magnetic opener Gigi Perez is. Her debut album, which came out this spring, is just gorgeous. Anyone who arrives early enough to hear her perform will be drawn by her unique, almost siren-like voice. If there are still tickets remaining by the time you pick up this magazine, I strongly suggest making time for this show.

If your friends or favorite local band have a show coming up, or you’ve caught word of a cool gig that should be on our radar, drop me a line at [email protected].

HONORABLE MENTIONS

9/6, Swoll and Hometime, Source the Space

9/7, Griefcat and Nielsen Family Band, West Shore Theatre

9/7, Falling in Reverse, Hersheypark Stadium

9/14, Dragonforce Warp Speed Warriors, H*MAC

9/19, The Jeremy Edge Project, Strawberry Square Music Series

9/20 Slayer, Hersheypark Stadium

9/21, Catbite, Phantom Power

9/27, Twenty One Pilots, Hersheypark Stadium

9/27, Barkley Cove, Beshore Hill Farm

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Kipona Festival to return to Harrisburg for Labor Day weekend

August 25, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) Allison Rohrbaugh of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Mischelle Moyer, Harrisburg’s director of communications, and Abby Flanders of UPMC announced Harrisburg’s 2025 Kipona Festival at a press conference on Monday.

As summer comes to a close, the city will celebrate the same way it has for decades.

The 109th Kipona Festival will return to Harrisburg for Labor Day weekend, bringing food, family activities, music and cultural experiences.

“Kipona is our end-of-summer tradition and a huge point of pride for the city,” said Mischelle Moyer, the city’s director of communications. “We invite families from every neighborhood—and visitors from across the region—to celebrate along our riverfront with food, music, culture and activities for all ages.”

The festival, which runs from Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, will take place along N. Front Street and Riverfront Park, with activities on City Island as well.

As always, the festival will offer selections from 25 food trucks and a beer and wine garden. Additionally, 15 local bands and musicians will perform on a stage near State Street. Another stage at Market Street will feature multicultural dance groups and bands. Riverfront Park will also host over 70 artisans who will sell their handcrafted items throughout the weekend.

On Sunday, fireworks and a drone show will light up the sky for viewers at 8:10 p.m.

For families, Kipona will offer a giant puppet parade costume contest on Saturday, face painting and balloon animals, carnival games, a giant fun slide and a bubble festival on Monday. The Keystone Dock Dogs will also return to the festival this year, giving pet owners and their pups a chance to get in on the fun.

Unique to Kipona is the Native American Festival, which takes place on City Island on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can try native foods and experience native crafts, music, dance and more.

“Kipona is a hallmark of Central Pennsylvania’s festival season,” said Allison Rohrbaugh, director of communications for Visit Hershey & Harrisburg. “It highlights not only Harrisburg’s vibrant arts, culture and history, but also the unique experiences that make our region such a welcoming destination for visitors from near and far.”

Metered street parking is free on Sunday and Monday, for the holiday. Additionally, the River Street Garage will offer $5 parking between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (must enter and exit within this time frame) on Saturday. Market Square Garage parking will be discounted to $10 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (must enter and exit within this time frame), courtesy of Park Harrisburg.

Parking is $5 on City Island

N. Front Street, from Forster to Walnut streets, will close to traffic from 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 to 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

August 22, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Jazz Walk will return to Midtown Harrisburg next month (file photo).

This week brought lots of super local news that you won’t find anywhere else. We think we are special in that way, and hope you do too. Catch all of our coverage, below.

The Broad Street Market is in search of new board members to fill three vacant seats, our online story reported. The volunteer board members help make decisions related to the market and support operations.

Friends of TheBurg Bash will return to the King Mansion on Sept. 4 to celebrate all who support TheBurg. Please become our friend, if you haven’t already, and join us to party!

Gruver Farms Winery & Tasting Room opened in New Cumberland this past spring, our magazine story reported. The venue offers a beautiful view and a special focus on dry styles of wine.

Harrisburg officials said that they would send more police downtown and strictly enforce curfew in response to youth engaging in unruly and criminal behavior, our online story reported.

A homeless encampment in south Harrisburg has a move-out deadline of Sept. 22, PennDOT said this week. The large encampment needs to move as the state begins nearby construction on I-83.

Jazz Walk will return to Midtown Harrisburg on Sept. 5, inviting community members to enjoy free performances, our online story reported. The Central PA Friends of Jazz will bring eight musicians and bands to local businesses and venues.

PennDOT announced that it would temporarily close an access point to I-83, as part of the highway widening project, our online story reported. The 19th Street ramp in Harrisburg will close on Aug. 24, and not reopen until a new 19th Street bridge and interchange is completed.

Pink Hands of Hope received its biggest donation to date, all because of an auction accident. Robert Goodall pocket-dialed a bid for a 1968 Mustang, purchasing the antique car, and then giving it to the breast cancer support nonprofit to raffle off. Read the full story, here.

The Plant Witch will open soon in downtown Harrisburg, offering houseplants, crystals and other metaphysical items, our online story reported. The business will cut the ribbon on the shop, located in the Shops on 3rd at 11 N. 3rd St., on Monday.

Sara Bozich has a full Weekend Roundup of events happening in the Harrisburg area. From music to food to fitness, find her listings, here.

Sprocket Mural Works recently completed several new murals in Harrisburg’s Hall Manor housing community. See a selection of photos of the painting process and the finished works, here.

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What Are the Best Platforms to Find Carpool Matches?

August 22, 2025 | by Admin

Many people’s commutes involve traffic, a sense of isolation and high fuel prices. Carpooling offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution to these challenges. Ride-sharing apps can help commuters save money by splitting the cost of fuel and tolls, making getting to work easier and more affordable. Discover the best platforms to find carpool matches.

1. Commute PA

Commute PA is one of the best platforms to find carpool matches. It offers commuting programs in Pennsylvania to help boost mobility and reduce traffic congestion. The carpooling and vanpooling options allow you to connect with commuters with similar routes and schedules to share rides and expenses. Having fewer vehicles traveling daily can help promote a greener planet and cleaner air.

Download the app on your smartphone and use it to explore travel options. Track how much money you save and the miles you didn’t have to drive to earn points. These reward points can be used to claim retailer discounts, restaurant coupons and event tickets. New customers automatically earn 1,000 points. Join the community of over 25,000 members today.

Available on: Android and iOS

Key Features:

Commute calculator: This can help you determine how much you spend on commuting and discover potential savings in a month.
Various greener commute options: You can carpool, transit, walk, bike and vanpool.
Emergency ride home: Registered users get a free ride home in case of unexpected events.
Park and ride options: Locate convenient meeting spots for carpools.

2. Pave Commute

Pave Commute is one of the top platforms for finding carpool matches that champion sustainable commuting. It’s designed for teams and organizations and is an excellent choice for employees seeking cost-effective and eco-friendly transportation solutions. The app allows groups to log every commute, enabling users to monitor emissions saved and celebrate the positive environmental impact of their collective efforts.

The app also fosters team engagement through rewards. Every commute earns coins, which can be used to redeem prizes. HR or transportation managers can also create an incentive program to reward employees for carpooling.

Available on: Android and iOS

Key features:

Carpool matching for teams: The app connects employees within companies for carpooling and other sustainable commuting options.
Rewards program: Earn rewards and public recognition for choosing a more sustainable transportation option.
Impact analytics: The real-time dashboard tracks carbon emissions, participation and team impact.

3. UberX Share

Uber’s UberX Share is a ride-sharing feature that matches your trip with one or two other people headed in the same direction. The app reports that carpooling adds eight minutes to your average trip — an efficient trade-off considering the savings on commuting costs and the positive environmental impact. You can only request a single seat on the app. If riding with friends, request UberX or UberXL.

The order of pickup and dropoff is decided based on where your destination falls along the route, rather than the order of who was picked up first. You can book a ride in advance via the scheduled share feature to lock in your trip ahead of time.

Available on: Android and iOS

Key features:

Cashless payments: Pay securely via the app with multiple payment options.
In-app safety features: You can rate drivers, view profiles and share your trip status with family and friends to ensure safety.
Wide coverage: The platform is available in Harrisburg and most surrounding areas.

4. Commute With Enterprise

Commute With Enterprise is a vanpooling platform available only in the Harrisburg area. It’s one of the best platforms for finding carpool matches for large groups. You can launch the ride-sharing program within your organization to meet sustainability goals or use it for personal trips. The app matches you with five or more commuters nearby, and the company provides a recent-model SUV or van so you can share a ride.

Registered members can volunteer to share driving responsibility. To do so, update your preferences in your profile and submit an application. All vehicles have the latest safety technologies to protect riders on their way to their destinations.

Available on: Website

Key features:

Cost sharing: Split costs for tolls, fuel and parking among all riders.
Sustainability tracking: Track environmental impact and cost savings.
Employer partnership: Many local companies offer subsidies or support for ride-sharing services.

What Are the Best Platforms to Find Carpool Matches?

Here’s a summary of where to find carpool matches in Harrisburg and the surrounding areas.

Platform	Best for
CommutePA	Local commuters seeking community-based carpool matches
Pave Commute	Employers and teams promoting sustainable workplace commutes
UberX Share	Flexible rides in urban and suburban areas
Commute With Enterprise	Groups and employers organizing ride-sharing programs for large groups

Choose the Best Carpool Platform for You

Finding the right platform for carpooling can make your daily commute stress-free. In addition to the financial and environmental benefits, ride-sharing creates opportunities to meet new people, making your travel time more enjoyable.

Sponsored Content

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

August 21, 2025 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

In partnership with

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: This! We’re making some changes to help you navigate this post so every weekend is the best one ever! Worth noting: An abundance of great music and wine events, plus lots of fitness opportunities Things on my agenda this weekend: Catching up with friends, back-to-school prep, Tres Bonne Annee’s Patron Party at The Willows on Sunday

🆕 Quick Weekend Links: Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday

📤 Share this with the friend who always asks, ‘What’s going on this weekend?’ 👨‍💻 Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

New + Noteworthy

you know, ICYMI

wake & bake cafe is now open | TheBurg
PennLive hosted its public forum on downtown – What’s next? (I was there – were you?)
Jazz Walk announced for Sept. 5 in Midtown Harrisburg
Tickets are on sale NOW for Harrisburg’s latest (and greatest) event: Berry Bash – A Fundraiser Supporting Harrisburg River Rescue on Oct. 25 – Want a secret discount? email me. Limited availability.
See what else you missed on the blog
and check out the new “Extras” section at the very bottom

Sara’s Top Picks

what I’m telling my close friends group

Dog owner? Enter to win a free 1-month membership at Greenlin Pet Resort Harrisburg
WIN free tickets to the Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival!
Join me for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Nov. 1!
August SoMa Block Party is Aug. 29

(more…)

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1. Commute PA

2. Pave Commute

3. UberX Share

4. Commute With Enterprise

What Are the Best Platforms to Find Carpool Matches?

Choose the Best Carpool Platform for You

You May Also Like

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find ⤵️

🆕 Quick Weekend Links: Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday

New + Noteworthy

Sara’s Top Picks

You May Also Like