Musical Notes: Shake It Off (The Cold, That Is)

February 28, 2017 | by Kait Gibboney

Finally!

Winter is almost over, and spring is starting to spread around the city. It’s time to banish seasonal depression, and what better way to do it than with some music? This time, I’ve picked a few bands that are upbeat and lively to help you brush off the snowflakes and embrace the sunshine. For those of you soured by the cold and seeking sunnier days, warm up to the new season with these upbeat tunes.

SCYTHIAN, 3/3, 9PM, ABBEY BAR, $15

There’s bound to be at least one Irish group in this month’s column with St. Patty’s Day coming up, and here’s one sure to lift the spirits. Scythian (pronounced sith-ee-yin), named after Ukrainian nomads, is a self-described “Immigrant Rock/Celtic-Gypsy-Americana”
group from Washington, D.C. Music critics from sources such as The Bluegrass Situation, iHeart Radio and Nashville’s Music City Roots affirm that Scythian brings a high-energy fiddle fest to each memorable performance. Near the end of this year, the band starts a tour across Ireland after traveling around the United States. If you decide to come to one of their performances, it’s highly advisable to bring some dancing shoes along with you.

AORTIC VALVE, 3/17, 9PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB, $5

This local-ish favorite band knows just how to lure you out of hibernation mode. You may know Aortic Valve from their longtime stint at H*MAC, but River City also hosts these audio/visual artists. If you’ve never seen them, you’ll be wowed by their experimental style, which blends with vivid imagery set up on several screens. Sometimes, they create their own mixes from current songs, and sometimes they blow you away with their uniquely styled originals. Dancing shoes also recommended for this one, folks.

THE JIGSAW SEEN, 3/24, 9PM, H*MAC STAGE ON HERR, $10

All the way from Los Angeles, H*MAC is luring The Jigsaw Seen to the east coast for some feel-good Indie rock. This band’s been around since 1989 and has seen some serious action in their day. No stranger to television, The Jigsaw Seen’s music has been featured on shows such as “Futurama,” “Wilfred” and “Shameless.” The group is also known as a seasoned touring band, opening for acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Kara’s Flowers, also known as early Maroon 5. Reintroducing themselves to the touring scene, this band is perfect for newcomers or for longtime fans searching for some good vibes.

Mentionables: Sons of an Illustrious Father, March 2, The Underground Bike Shop; Shea Quinn’s The Band Who Sold the World, March 10, H*MAC at the Capitol Room; Low Lily, March 11, Fort Hunter Mansion and Park; Animal Logic, March 17, Little Amps downtown; Larry Keel Experience, March 24, The Abbey Bar; Babel Map, March 24, Little Amps downtown

Author: Kait Gibboney

Downtown’s Town Hall: Brad Jones and the re-imagining of Strawberry Square.

February 28, 2017 | by M. Diane McCormick

The mayor of Strawberry Square is holding court on this Tuesday morning. From his soaring chamber, he greets his constituency.

Some passersby get a wave and a hello, as in “Hi, Mr. Regan,” who happens to be state Sen. Mike Regan. Others stop at his table for a quick word about their businesses or schools. When he notices grandparents and their preschool-aged grandson looking at the centerpiece Chockablock Clock, silenced for the moment, he obligingly takes out a key and turns on the clanking, whirring, Rube Goldberg-ian centerpiece of Harrisburg’s downtown mall.

It’s all in a morning’s work for Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises. He is, of course, not a mayor at all. But from a table at Little Amps Coffee Roasters—one of the new businesses in Strawberry Square—he sometimes presides over the moving pieces of Harristown’s ambitious plan to transform a dated, 1970s-era idea of urban renewal into a fresh, 21st century hub for live, work and play.

“We’re trying to create community here,” he said. “This was always the town hall.”

A brief history: Under the aegis of Harristown, a private nonprofit created in 1974, urban revitalization bulldozed into downtown Harrisburg with demolition of the iconic, if distressed, Penn Harris Hotel, making room in 1979 for a retail-office complex along Strawberry Alley. By 1990, phase two incorporated historic 19th- and 20th-century buildings along Market Street, where retail once flourished.

Verizon rented much of the upper-level office space, but, despite the presence of such mainstay businesses as Auntie Anne’s, the Strawberry Patch and Ideas and Objects, Strawberry Square, with its massive atrium, seemed empty and lost in time.

The recession years were especially chilling, but Harristown’s volunteer board of directors had already launched a reinvention plan seeking revitalized retail, the addition of residential units and support for what Jones calls an “education corridor.”

The pending 2016 vacancy of the Verizon Tower was the launching point. Painstaking negotiations with the state relocated 900 Department of General Services workers into the heart of downtown from their old digs at the former State Hospital grounds at the edge of the city.

Getting that 17-year lease with the state, and its power to nearly erase $41.6 million in debt obligations on the facility, “was like breathing again,” said Jones. Those 900 workers didn’t displace existing bodies but filled a space where only about 250 people knocked around by then. As Jones put it, “Retail follows people.” And so does residential.

One of the first signs of new life was a childcare facility, immediately popular among office workers happy to drop off, visit and pick up their kids right where they work. New office tenants included highly desirable tech businesses and a health care consultant. A space accessed both from an interior corridor and the street was converted into the bright Market on Market, stocked with convenience-store fare like soda, Tastykakes and Hershey’s Ice Cream pints, plus millennial chow like okra chips and a bin of fresh onions.

In a survey, Strawberry Square workers, residents and patrons clamored for a drug store, so Harristown obliged by luring in Rite Aid from across Market Street, coming soon to 14,000 square feet in the same corner once occupied by a Thrift Drug.

“We’ve been working on this for 10 years,” said Jones, who declined to share Rite Aid’s lease length but promised it’s lengthy. “This is a business that is clearly going to prosper here.”

Reasons to Stay

Amma Johnson, who sells her bags and other boutique ware in her shop, Amma Jo, cheers the innovation of a mixed-use complex, in contrast to shopping malls where she would be “next to a million other people selling handbags.”

Today’s customers seek experiences, she said. For her, they include state workers on lunch breaks, attorneys on Dauphin County Courthouse business, contractors working in Pennsylvania’s capital city or Strawberry Square residents.

“People want to come downtown,” said Johnson, who opened in December 2015 then, last year, gobbled up the storefront next door. “They want to browse. They want to eat. They want to have a cup of coffee, and they want to have it all in one place.”

In short, they “need more reasons to stay,” she said, just before two browsing Amma Jo customers left the store with a cheery, “We’ll be back with money tomorrow.”

Not every vendor agrees with Strawberry Square’s new direction. Vendors who asked to remain anonymous said they worry that the one-stop shop convenience of Rite Aid, stocked with some things also sold at surrounding specialty vendors, will drain their customer pools.

But what “The Square,” as Jones often calls it, takes away, it also gives. Twenty-two upscale apartments, carved out of former office space, opened last year and filled immediately, bringing in full-time residents for the first time, all with their own need to eat and drink and buy. Many of the new tenants work at DGS or Harrisburg University or with a Harristown-tenant business, Jones said. Harristown pitches the residents’ easy access to retail, restaurants, entertainment and nature. In his usual energetic manner, he enthusiastically explained that tenants can stay entirely roofed during the course of a day: eating in the food court or at the Hilton Harrisburg, seeing a show at Whitaker Center, taking classes at Harrisburg University, working out at FitnessU. All are directly linked to the complex.

As for restaurants, Harristown is helping slake the city’s seemingly insatiable appetite for new eateries. From the owners of El Sol Mexican Restaurant, Fresa Bistro (“Fresa is Spanish for strawberry,” remarked Jones. “How cool is that?”) is slated to offer sandwiches and wraps, paninis and salads.

Harrisburg might not ever be an 18-hour city, but 12 or 14 hours of ceaseless activity seem feasible, Jones said.

“Some days, you might have a shot at a 16-hour city, but we’ve got to do more,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of density, but we’ve got to continue to do more and capitalize on the opportunity to help these corridors grow.”

In addition to Harrisburg University, the education corridor includes the Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School, for which Harristown recently added new music-room space, and Temple University, which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificate programs and professional development. Harrisburg High School SciTech Campus is across the street.

Strawberry Square aligns with HU’s notion of city as campus by offering such amenities as eateries, banks and a fitness center.

“These are all important assets that we don’t have to provide,” said HU President Dr. Eric Darr.

HU interns have worked with Harristown entities, and WildFig, a data analytics startup that launched from HU and employs HU students, rents Harristown space. Jones also serves on HU’s board.

As in any marriage, there are occasional differences. Darr said he would like HU to be “THE university in the corridor,” but added that he recognizes the collaborative advantages of nearby university students and faculty.

“In general, we’re aligned with the direction Harristown is trying to take the corridor, particularly the more recent movement toward trying to attract technology businesses and analytics businesses, and providing nice, yet affordable housing for younger workers,” he said.

Future collaborative plans for HU and Harristown include an expanded, “more formal” business incubator and accelerator, to replace HU’s outgrown Blackberry Alley incubator, Darr said.

“We all know there’s a lot of work to do in the corridor,” he said. “Generally, as long-term players, we’re focused on some of the basics of trying to improve the basic corridor itself and the buildings and the facilities and the infrastructure, some of those basic pieces that have to be taken care of. Unfortunately, the city’s not in a position to do it themselves, and, so, we’re left as private entities to try to piece together ways to do this. When you’re talking infrastructure, that’s a pretty expensive proposition.”

About People

In all this, there is still the matter of Strawberry Square’s design, that living tribute to the disco era. Jones and Harristown are trying to give it new life.

A $16 million energy efficiency retrofit replaced every light fixture in the complex, saving money and brightening up the place. A $400,000 rebuild brought a wheezing escalator into the modern age (“As one who uses the escalator almost every day, I appreciate the undertaking,” said Darr). HVAC systems were revamped and bathrooms renovated. Badly needed elevator and skylight refurbs are on the 2017 docket, said Jones.

Of course, nobody hangs around to admire light fixtures, but the Harristown board elected to tackle needed infrastructure upgrades first, “reinvesting in the systems of the buildings,” Jones said. Attention should turn to cosmetic improvements by 2018, the year when a Christmas tree, now on order and proportionally big enough for the atrium, will deck the halls for the holidays, he added.

In the meantime, the push is on to attract what Strawberry Square needs most—living bodies spending money. Among new businesses, Little Amps opened its third café in 2015, warming up the cold, open atrium and offering an attractive, central meeting place for workers, students and residents. Inside the vast space, the HBG Flea found a winter home for its monthly craft market, and pop-up events like craft beer tastings increasingly encourage mingling and socializing.

Jones said that Strawberry Square’s growth spurt originated with his predecessor, Russell Ford, and the Harristown board. Jones took over the helm in January 2015, 13 years after starting there as corporate director for public and community services. His career in economic development went from the state and federal levels to “nose right to the ground,” with oversight over “just about every brick, every fire hydrant, every tree.”

“I went from 10,000 feet to ground level,” he said. “I have to say, ground level is a lot more fun.”

To Jones, this is all perfectly natural. The son of Cliff Jones, legendary Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry president and cabinet secretary for six governors, Brad Jones grew up with economic development, attending ribbon cuttings at 5 years old. “If you try to make somebody’s day every day,” Cliff Jones would say, “you’ll make your own day.” He also preached that, “It’s not about projects.”

“It’s about people,” Brad Jones said. “Helping people get jobs. Helping people find places to live. Helping people start businesses. Those kinds of lessons stuck with me.”

Jones is a Camp Hill resident with three children, one still in high school. He hopes that Harristown’s support for CASA and SciTech help create opportunities for more families to find quality schooling for their children. He is also a guitarist who once played with a band in Washington, D.C. Sitting at his de facto conference table by Little Amps, he says he is “the luckiest guy.”

“To me, this is the best job in the city,” he said. “It couldn’t get any more fun than this. You’re building your environment, adding to it every day. It’s exciting.”
For more information about Strawberry Square, visit www.strawberrysquare.com.

Author: M. Diane McCormick

Steve and the City: A final assessment of Harrisburg’s “Mayor for Life.”

February 28, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

It’s complicated. Very complicated.

That may best describe Harrisburg’s relationship status with its former mayor for life and now-convicted felon, Stephen R. Reed.

Following Reed’s recent plea deal on 20 counts of theft-related charges, the conversation began once again about the legacy of the man who served for nearly three decades as the city’s chief executive.

Reed’s judge, the Hon. Kevin Hess, didn’t hesitate to share his personal opinion with the courtroom.

“He revitalized the city of Harrisburg in ways clearly visible to anyone who bothered to look out the windows of this courthouse,” said Hess, paying tribute to an admitted felon who he was about to sentence for his crimes.

So, was Reed a mayor of great vision who singlehandedly revived Pennsylvania’s dying capital city? Or was he a financially reckless dictator who drove Harrisburg headlong into a ditch?

Personally, I tend toward the second explanation because, as I stated once in another column, leaving a city you ran for 28 years in grave financial distress, essentially bankrupt, forced into receivership, is pretty much the definition of failure. To me, that ends the argument.

However, even I can’t ignore the physical legacy that Reed left behind: Harrisburg University, Whitaker Center, the Civil War Museum, the Hilton, restaurant row. These happened on his watch—several were basically his ideas—and there’s no denying that.

That said—what marks a successful project? Is it the initial idea? The launch? Or is it the ability for that project to carry on year after year, to grow, to become institutionalized in a community?

For an example, let me discuss a project that’s especially close to my heart—TheBurg.

About a decade ago, two guys had an idea, and, well, everyone has some crazy idea for a business, right? Maybe it’s a community magazine, but maybe it’s a restaurant or a shop or a new school. I can tell you that the idea is the easy part, the most fun part.

Next come the plan and the financing. That’s harder, but, if you’re determined, you can probably jump those hurdles, too. We used our own cash—and seriously underestimated how much capital we needed to make TheBurg sustainable. Reed used everyone else’s—and, likewise, severely underestimated how much capital he needed.

So, in January 2009, after much planning and our own money at stake, we launched TheBurg with three strikes already against us. We began a print publication as print was declining (strike one); as the Great Recession reached its frightening depth (strike two); and in a city itself in financial free fall (you’re out!). At that time, “shorting” TheBurg (betting against us) would have been the smart move.

However, we’ve succeeded far beyond my expectations. Sure, there were major hiccups along the way, but we were able to make our project work with continual hard work, a talented staff, solid leadership, community involvement, a bit more capital and maybe some good luck.

To me, this is what gets lost when someone credits Steve Reed for what downtown Harrisburg has become. He may have set the wheels in motion in some cases, but the truly hard, day-to-day work fell to people like Eric Darr, Michael Hanes, Brad Jones, Tom Scott, Steve Weinstock, Juan Garcia, Nick Laus, Qui Qui Musarra, Staci Basore and many others. They’re the ones who deserve the real credit for making downtown successful.

Along the journey, they’ve had their own version of TheBurg’s “three strikes,” including the city’s financial crisis, skyrocketing parking rates and years of skewed, harmful press coverage. In several cases, Reed’s crazy financial schemes proved themselves to be major burdens. Imagine starting a project under such a load of debt that it’s hard to understand your obligations, much less pay them—yet still succeeding. Now, that’s leadership!

So, looking at Reed’s legacy, I don’t want to dismiss his contributions out of hand. He had some successes. Of course, to make an honest assessment, you also have to examine the opportunity costs involved (how many roads could have been paved and pipes laid for some $18 million spent on artifacts?), as well as his many failures (everything from three abandoned museum projects to the never-built city gateways to the Verizon Tower bond insanity). And then, my God, there’s the broken-down, leveraged-up city incinerator. Talk about an unmitigated disaster.

In the end, I simply can’t get beyond Reed’s financial destruction of the city and the school district, which both needed state intervention to survive. Is that success? In defending my position to Reed supporters, I’ve often asked them what they could have done with the essentially blank check that Reed had, with the $1 billion or so in debt that he and his cohorts piled on the city and the school district. For that money, shouldn’t tiny Harrisburg be in far better shape than it is, with solid roads, sewer, safety and schools?

There’s an old saying—I’m sure you know it—that a hungry person may order too much because his eyes are too big for his stomach. That’s rather how I feel about Steve Reed. He had a raging desire to impose his solutions on Harrisburg, remaking the city in his image and indulging his own appetites in the process. However, he had very limited financial ability to make it happen. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

My Place or Yours? Designer Alison McIndoe has some beautiful ideas inside her new shop.

February 28, 2017 | by Carissa Bannister Kauwell

The door to the showroom was open and inviting the day I arrived in downtown Lancaster, as was owner Alison McIndoe.

Her warm and friendly smile welcomed me to the Shoppe at AK Interiors. The colorful flowers adorning the window out front made an elegant entrance, and the design continued with classic furnishings inside.

Unique items kept catching my eye as I perused the store, but one begged for my attention—a little, black-and-white dog figurine in front of the window. His name is Bergere, after the chair, and he has become a beloved mascot in the store.

As dog lovers, McIndoe and her staff thought Bergere would be a perfect fit for the store.

“I hand-select all of the items in the shop, seeking out unique pieces,” she said. “In the design business, our main focus tends to be classic, timeless interiors with a fresh approach. Therefore, much of our inventory reflects that, as well.”

McIndoe has been in the design business for most of her life, starting with her parents’ store.

“Growing up with parents who were business owners, I got to see and experience first-hand my parents at work,” she said. “The store really became like a part of the family. My parents worked harder than anyone I knew; my admiration for them is beyond description. I guess I wanted to grow up and be just like them.”

With a degree in interior design and lots of experience working in the design and building industry, McIndoe opened AK Interiors in 1996, working from her home at first. At the time, she was a single mom, and this allowed her to be easily available. A little more than a year ago, she decided it was time to venture out and open a boutique home furnishings shop.

“Now that my son is a teenager, he has his own schedule with activities and such,” she said. “It just seemed like the right time, and it was getting increasingly difficult to find great accessories to share with my clients. Having a shop enables me to have these accessories right at my fingertips, as well as the convenience of having the design studio in the building.”

The 1,100-square-foot space includes offices for the design team and a room for meeting clients. AK Interiors works with all different types of customers: residential and commercial, new build and renovations.

One unique service is “Room in a Day.” Basically, the staff uses clients’ existing furnishings and accessories, sometimes borrowing from other rooms. Then they re-design the space.

“It’s amazing to see what a difference we can make in just a day with fresh eyes,” she said.

A longtime customer, Karen Mitchell recently used AK Interiors for a new house she and her husband purchased.

“Alison was extremely detailed in the design process,” she said. “She listened to us and provided us with a vision that exceeded our expectations. She was able to take a floor plan from the 1950s and create a space that fits perfectly with our modern-day living.”

Mitchell also loves the shop.

“The space is beautiful, and I love to go in to purchase statement pieces for my home as well as gifts for special occasions,” she said. “The team members who work in the shop are extremely helpful. They can assist in helping you select a large piece, as well as smaller hostess gifts. It’s definitely my go-to spot when I need to purchase a gift or want to update my home.”

While I was looking around the shop, I noticed a long hallway filled with artwork. I was intrigued, so asked Alison about it. It turns out that she participates in Lancaster’s “First Friday,” a celebration the first Friday of each month when city shop owners feature local artists’ works, even offering music, drinks and nibbles.

“It’s so much fun to be part of the city’s energy,” she said.

I found the Shoppe at AK Interiors to be a great place to get ideas, purchase items for gifts and furnish a home or business. As for Bergere the dog, if anyone is interested, he is for sale.

“As long as he goes to a good home, we’d be okay to see him go,” McIndoe said.

The Shoppe at AK Interiors is located at 246 W. Orange St., Lancaster. For more information, visit www.akinteriorsllc.com or call 717-872-6966.

Author: Carissa Bannister Kauwell

The Right Stuff: Takes steps to ensure the correct care, treatment.

February 28, 2017 | by Christina Persson

We’ve all been there—a sudden illness or injury interrupts your day. Is your situation an emergency? Or is your primary care provider (PCP) or pediatrician’s office the right place to go for treatment? You’re feeling lousy, and you think an antibiotic will make you feel better.

The first thing to know is that, while you may be feeling bad, an antibiotic isn’t always the answer.

“If we keep misusing medications, bacterial illnesses that used to be curable will no longer respond to antibiotic treatment,” said Dr. Christian Caicedo, interim chief medical officer at PinnacleHealth. “This is not science fiction. Around the world today, antibiotic-resistant illnesses are causing sickness and even death.”

Caicedo said when your doctor tells you that your illness is viral and not bacterial, listen carefully. That means you have a virus that needs to run its natural course and an antibiotic will not help your illness. If you take an antibiotic when you don’t need one, you may be hurting yourself and others.

Taking antibiotics unnecessarily could kill your good bacteria or cause side effects. Antibiotics are powerful drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections. Misuse or overuse can cause problems such as:

Altering the effectiveness of other medications and causing side effects or allergic reactions.
Killing most of the bacteria in your body that are sensitive to them, including good bacteria, which may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea or other problems.
Making birth control pills less effective or leading to vaginal yeast infections in women.

“Using antibiotics against viral infections will not cure the infection or help you feel better,” said Caicedo.

To feel better when you or your child has a viral infection, ask your healthcare professional about over-the-counter treatment options that may help reduce symptoms, he said. Self-care like drinking more fluids and getting more rest can provide some relief. In addition, if you are diagnosed with the flu, there are prescription drugs called flu antivirals that can be used to treat flu illness.

“Just because your healthcare professional doesn’t give you an antibiotic doesn’t mean you aren’t sick,” Caicedo said. “It just means an antibiotic won’t help you. Talk with your healthcare professional about the best treatment or symptom relief for you or your child’s viral illness.”

Is It an Emergency?

This time of year, emergency rooms often are swamped with people who have the flu—or even just a cold or cough. Before visiting the ER, please judge whether your problem actually is an emergency, as it may take valuable resources from someone with a serious or life-threatening condition.

“Going to the ER when it’s not an emergency means you may be waiting many hours to receive medical attention,” said Caicedo. “And, while insurance coverage varies, most insurers require you to pay a lot more out of pocket for nonemergency care in the ER.”

Emergency doctors report several conditions for which appropriate care can be provided elsewhere. While exceptions occur, many illnesses (colds, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, sprains, earaches, sinus infections, etc.) are not serious and can be treated in a primary care or urgent care setting.

When it’s not an emergency, calling your PCP or pediatrician is typically recommended for immediate medical advice. Walk-in care and retail clinics like PinnacleHealth Express and FastCare Clinics are convenient options when you can’t get in to see your regular doctor, especially after hours.

“Our Express and FastCare locations are staffed by primary care providers who can treat multiple concerns, including coughs, colds, rashes, urinary issues, eye or ear drainage and fever,” said Caicedo. “While these conditions have the potential to get worse, they are not emergencies requiring hospitalization. We can treat patients appropriately and in a timely manner.”

Emergency room visits should be for just that—an emergency.

“Chest pain, broken bones, possible stroke, poisoning, severe burns, lacerations and major loss of blood are some examples of emergencies,” he said. “If you aren’t sure, contact your PCP and use your best judgment.”

For instance, those with high-risk health issues should call the doctor first when they get the flu and consider getting care through their primary care doctor or urgent care center instead of going to the emergency room—unless symptoms worsen.

“We’re in the heart of flu season, and it can cause some really uncomfortable symptoms, especially high fever,” Caicedo said. “It’s a good idea to know whether you or a family member is at high risk for complications from the flu.”

When it’s not an emergency, use your PCP or walk-in care. Many doctors’ offices have extended hours or 24-hour nursing support. And most walk-in centers are open on the weekends and have flexible hours.

By receiving the right care in the right setting, you can help yourself in many ways, make the most of your time and potentially save money.

To learn about the CDC’s recommendations for flu symptoms that require emergency treatment, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org/flu.
For more information about walk-in care options and finding the right care for you, visit www.pinnaclehealth.org/rightcare.

Author: Christina Persson

Masters & Modern: HSO brings two very different concerts to the Forum this month.

February 28, 2017 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Ann Hampton Callaway

Composer-pianist-conductor Leonard Bernstein once said there is no serious or unserious music, only good and bad music.

The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra will demonstrate that maxim this month, presenting both Masterworks (classical) concerts and Pops (contemporary) concerts—to wit, the music of masters Stravinsky, Debussy and Richard Strauss, as well as a tribute to pop icon Barbra Streisand.

There is something unusual in HSO’s playing of Igor Stravinsky. Often, when orchestras play “The Firebird”—the breakthrough piece by the Russian composer, written for the 1910 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev‘s Ballets Russes—they serve up not the entire work but the shorter “Suite” based on it.

But, when HSO sits down on March 18 and 19 to perform “The Firebird,” it’ll be the full ballet, just as Stravinsky created it.

“That’s 45 minutes long,” said Jeff Woodruff, the orchestra’s executive director.

Based on Russian fairy tales of the magical glowing bird that can be both a blessing and a curse to its owner, Stravinsky’s work was an instant success with both audiences and critics.

“The piece marked the beginning of the revolution period of modern music, showing a new way of composing,” said Woodruff. “It’s beautifully colorful.”

Also on the program that day: Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” and Strauss’s “Death and Transfiguration.”

For something entirely different, HSO will offer one of its “Pops” concerts in March, as the orchestra accompanies Ann Hampton Callaway singing from the songbook of Barbra Streisand—vocalist, songwriter, actress and filmmaker.

“Music is a big tent—a lot fits in,” Woodruff said of the orchestra’s diverse programming. “But, ultimately, we try to be faithful and true to the [classical] orchestral world.”

That said, HSO tends to focus on more recent works, even for classical music concerts.

“There are thousands of pieces we could play, but we don’t play works much before the 18th century,” Woodruff said. “We do a lot of 20th-century pieces.”

The orchestra’s wide repertoire for its “Masterworks” concerts encompasses symphonic music and concertos, as well as suites for operas and ballets. The traditional format of these concerts is a large-scale work, usually with a soloist, and a shorter piece, such as an overture or symphonic poem, typically encompassing 80 minutes of music.

The “Pops” concert series has a completely different focus, featuring Broadway tunes, Hollywood film scores, ensembles like the Canadian Brass, and special events, such as a “Tribute to Star Wars” and a Disney program.

“Stuart [Malina, HSO’s music director and conductor] presents a variety of music, a sampling of various periods and styles,” Woodruff said.

The decisions about programming are made by Malina, with some input from staff and the Artistic Advisory Committee. And, of course, as with any other cultural institution, budget plays a part.

Only about one-third of the orchestra’s revenue comes from box office. The rest of the $2.7 million budget has to be raised.

The “Pops” series is much more recent than the birth of the orchestra; it goes back to the early-90s, “at the end of the Larry Newland era,” said Woodruff, referring to a former music conductor.

Although there is some overlap between audiences of the “Masterworks” and “Pops” series, the latter brings in people who generally are not attracted to the classical offerings and want to hear more-contemporary pieces.

“Most orchestras are doing something like the ‘Pops’ series to broaden the funding base and diversify the audiences,” he added. “We cater to people with a range and variety of tastes.”

Another difference is that “Masterworks” concerts are introduced by pre-concert talks—which are part of the orchestra’s educational activities—while “Pops” concerts are not.

Another significant part of the HSO is the very active Youth Symphony for high school students and the all-string ensemble of middle schoolers. These are volunteer orchestras, although one has to audition to be accepted.

HSO itself is fully professional, with players part of the American Federation of Musicians. Most live outside of the Harrisburg area, drawing from the major metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington and New York.

“It will be a special season: Stuart’s 20th season, the orchestra’s 90th and the 30th of the Harrisburg Symphony Society (a group of volunteers who support HSO),” Woodruff said.

Aside from all those milestones, there is something to celebrate—the orchestra “keeps getting better and better,” he said.

“Ann Hampton Callaway Sings the Barbra Streisand Songbook” runs March 4 and 5 at The Forum, N. 5th and Walnut streets, Harrisburg. The “March Masterworks Concert” runs March 18 to 19, also at the Forum. For more information on both concerts, visit www.harrisburgsymphony.org or call 717-545-5527.

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra March Events
www.harrisburgsymphony.org

Ann Hampton Callaway Sings the Barbra Streisand Songbook

The Forum, Harrisburg
March 4, 8 p.m.
March 5, 3 p.m.

“Stuart & Friends”

Annual Chamber Music Concert
Gamut Theatre, Harrisburg
March 15, 7:30 p.m.

“The Art of Personal Style”

New Style Fashion Show
Hershey Lodge, Hershey
March 16, 11 a.m.

“March Masterworks Concert”

The Forum, Harrisburg
March 18, 8 p.m.
March 19, 3 p.m.

Author: Barbara Trainin Blank

February News Digest

February 28, 2017 | by Lawrance Binda

Crime Rate Falls

Harrisburg isn’t commonly known as a low-crime city, but it may be trending that way as overall crime dropped for a third straight year.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month announced that total crime dropped 17.7 percent last year compared to 2015. Violent crime fell 3.9 percent while nonviolent crime decreased 31.4 percent versus 2015.

Papenfuse attributed these statistics to Chief Thomas Carter’s leadership, the implementation of a community policing strategy and recruiting talented new hires.

“I think he has set the tone for our Police Department and, as a result, his strategies are effectively trickling down to everyone, and the department is working more effectively than ever before,” Papenfuse said.

In 2016, an 18.47 percent drop in robbery led the decrease in crime compared to 2015. The city’s murder rate also fell. In 2016, Harrisburg recorded 16 murders, compared to 19 in 2015.

For 2016, auto theft was one of the few types of crime to experience an increase. Olivera said the 27.43 percent increase in auto theft reflected the past year’s cold winter when thieves take advantage of motorists warming up cars unsupervised.

Over the past three years, violent crime has dropped 27.5 percent, while nonviolent crime has fallen 29.6 percent, according to the city.

Leading the violent crime category’s three-year drop is a 50.82 percent decrease in robberies and a 36.59 percent decline in burglaries.

Free Parking Zones

There’s some good news for downtown Harrisburg motorists—more free and reduced parking options.

Last month, Park Harrisburg expanded a program that allows 15 minutes of free parking in downtown Harrisburg.

Last year, under pressure from the city administration and business owners, Harrisburg’s parking operator agreed to permit a quarter-hour of free parking in four loading zones along busy N. 2nd Street. That program has now been expanded to 26 zones throughout the central business district.

The zones are marked by new signage and curbs painted white.

In addition, the city last month announced a new mobile parking app through Atlanta-based Parkmobile LLC. Through the downloadable app, parkers pay just $1 an hour to park under a pilot program during “happy hour” times, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The new app also allows merchants to pre-purchase parking validation codes in bulk at a discounted rate for customer use. Moreover, the “LUVHBG” code, which allows four free hours of parking on Saturday, will remain in effect with the new app.

The parking news, however, wasn’t all good.

Last month, Park Harrisburg stopped allowing those using a credit card to buy only a half-hour of parking. Credit card users now must purchase at least one full hour of parking, which costs $3 downtown and $1.50 in Midtown and south of downtown. Afterwards, they can extend their parking sessions in half-hour increments.

When using coins, motorists can continue to buy parking in smaller amounts. For a quarter, parkers get five minutes of time downtown and 10 minutes elsewhere.

Zembo for Sale

One of Harrisburg’s most unique historic buildings is up for sale, as the Zembo Shriners have placed their iconic temple on the market.

In January, the Lemoyne-based Bill Gladstone Group listed the 62,621-square-foot building for sale for $950,000.

The building, at N. 3rd and Division streets, long has served as meeting space for the fraternal society, in addition to hosting the annual Zembo Shrine circus and other large-scale events.

“It’s been a kick in the gut,” said Michael T. Govora Jr., a past potentate. “But we simply can’t afford to do it anymore. It’s a matter of manpower and money.”

Govora said that declining membership and increasing costs are forcing the sale. Moreover, the Shriners want to make certain that they’re able to continue with their principal mission—raising money for 22 children’s hospitals.

“We’re looking at this as a positive,” Govora said. “We’re looking for our fraternity to be fruitful for years to come and not run out of money keeping something we can’t afford.”

The local organization has about 2,200 members, he said, down from about 10,000 four decades ago.

Built in 1928-29, Zembo was designed in the Moorish Revival style, by noted local architect Charles Howard Lloyd.

Both Govora and Gladstone said that it may take awhile to sell the cavernous stone-and-masonry building, given its unique design and features, which include rooms full of dazzling, imported tiles, a large auditorium, a 120-foot minaret and 300 parking spaces.

“So much history is attached to it, so many events have been held there,” Gladstone said. “To their credit, they realized that the time had come to sell.”

Reed Gets Probation

What began as a man’s ambitious vision to develop a network of museums in a city of 50,000 people has ended with two years of probation for former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed.

Judge Kevin Hess sentenced the former “mayor for life” to probation for 20 counts of receiving stolen property. Reed must also pay a $2,000 fee plus the cost of the prosecution.

Hess gave Reed’s stage-four cancer, guilty plea and clean criminal record as reasons for the probation sentencing, as opposed to jail time. He also cited improvements made to the city during Reed’s tenure as mayor.

Hess received numerous letters about the case, including a victim’s impact statement filed by the city. In it, the city requested a two-to-five-year jail sentence.

“We felt that would have been an appropriate sentence given the magnitude of the crime and a continued pattern by the mayor for not accepting the responsibility of his actions,” said current Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

Papenfuse did see some positives. Reed’s guilty plea on the 20 counts leaves the door open for civil suits and possible charges against others from the Reed administration, he said. The city also is seeking the return of the artifacts and “tractor-trailer loads” of public documents from Reed’s 28 years as mayor, he said.

Reed said he will now focus on his stage-four prostate cancer.

“It is a relief for the whole thing to be over,” he said.

More Market Parking

Harrisburg City Council last month added more free parking for patrons of the Broad Street Market.

Council voted unanimously to make James Street, William Street and N. 4th Street two-hour market parking from Verbeke to Sayford streets, starting March 10.

Previously, those streets were residential permit parking for the Marketplace neighborhood, though most of the effected blocks are lightly developed.

New Police Substations

Harrisburg soon will have more police closer to the action, as a new precinct is planned for Allison Hill while a substation opened downtown.

Harrisburg City Council last month took a step toward opening a precinct in Allison Hill, a key aspect of the mayor’s goal to implement a community policing strategy.

Council unanimously approved a resolution to work with SGS Architects Engineers of Carlisle for design and construction management. After a three-month design phase, the construction to complete the renovations will go out to bid, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

The Allison Hill precinct on 15th Street is the second of three “full-time, fully staffed” precincts that the mayor aims to create. The Uptown neighborhood will receive its own precinct next, he said.

A Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will fund the construction.

Also last month, Harristown Enterprises and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID) opened a security and safety sub-station on 17 S. 3rd St. near Strawberry Square.

The new “S-5” sub-station serves as a hub for unarmed security officers contracted by HDID to cover the district. Pairs of officers man the sub-station five days per week to supplement the daytime presence of the Capitol police, said Brad Jones, CEO of Harristown.

“We will have patrol units continue to canvas the DID to look for situations that are unsafe and, when appropriate, call in the emergency,” he said.

State Hospital Report

The state should move quickly to sell the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds, potentially transforming the lightly developed area into a mix of commercial and residential uses, while preserving some of its historic structures and open spaces, according to a report sent last month to the General Assembly.

The 161-page report by Lancaster-based RGS Associates recommends selling the entire 295-acre property as a single package at first. If a buyer can’t be found after a 180-day bidding period, the state should consider breaking up the land into four separate, saleable parcels, the report states.

“The Department of General Services fully supports the top recommendation to sell all four parcels together in order to put forth the most appealing opportunity for potential developers and enable them to develop the property in a way that will be most beneficial to the community,” said state General Services Secretary Curt Topper.

Nearly all of the land lies in Susquehanna Township. Only five acres is in Harrisburg proper. The RGS report recommends putting the property on the market in the first quarter of 2018.

The vast site, which extends in a meandering, broken path from N. Cameron Street to I-81, is best suited for a mix of commercial and residential uses, said the report. However, RGS recommends putting in place a covenant to preserve three of the most historic structures on the property: the dedication stone for the original 1851 main building, the 1854 Dixmont Cottage and the 1854 Dix Library.

Parkland Donated

Dauphin County this year will open a new public park, 411 acres of green space in Middle Paxton Township.

The county commissioners last month announced the formation of Detweiler Park, named for the family that is deeding the land to the county. It will be the largest of Dauphin County’s eight parks.

The Detweilers donated $897,500 of the land’s $2.4 million purchase price to the county. The remaining money came from an $887,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and $607,500 in county gaming grant money from Hollywood Casino.

The property includes a farmhouse, nine miles of walking trails and a fish hatchery maintained on Clark’s Creek. This summer, temporary parking and an entrance to the trails will be available at the Dauphin County Conservation District’s headquarters, 1415 Peters Mountain Rd.

Public meetings will be held later this year to get input for a master plan on what features should be developed, including a permanent parking area, fields for sporting events and potentially converting the farmhouse to a nature center.

Home Prices Up

Home sale prices climbed higher in January in the Harrisburg metro, though the number of units sold ticked down.

Throughout the area, house sales totaled 503 units compared to 557 units in January 2016, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors. The median sales price rose $1,000 to $153,000.

In Dauphin County, sales decreased 10.8 percent to 165 units versus the year-ago period, but the median price increased 4 percent to $139,900. Trends were similar in Cumberland County, as sales declined 19 percent to 163 units, and the median price rose 15 percent to $200,198. In both counties, the average days on market for houses sold fell significantly.

In Perry County, 21 houses sold versus 27 in the year-ago period, while the median price was $124,000 versus $147,000 in January 2016.

GHAR covers all of Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties and parts of York, Lebanon and Juniata counties.

Falcons Return

For the 17th straight year, peregrine falcons have returned to nest at the Rachel Carson state office building in downtown Harrisburg.

The pair arrived at the nesting site last month on the 15th-floor ledge of the building, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Following a courtship period, eggs typically are laid in mid-March.

You can watch the falcons in real-time by visiting the DEP’s FalconCam.

So Noted

Dauphin County Bar Association last month named Matthew M. Haar, a partner at Saul Ewing LLP, as the organization’s president for 2017. The association recently also honored James P. DeAngelo as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year and Clarissa L. Freeman with the Hon. Clarence C. Morrison Diversity Award.

Harrisburg Christian School announced last month that it acquired the West Shore Christian Academy, unifying under the Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg. The two schools will continue to operate at their current campuses in Linglestown and Shiremanstown, respectively.

Melissa Nicholson, co-founder of Gamut Theatre Group, has been named president of Shakespeare Theatre Association, an international association for theaters dedicated to the works of William Shakespeare. Nicholson had served as vice president of the group for the past two years.

Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) opened a new district office last month in Kline Village in Harrisburg. The office is open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

S&T Bank has promoted Zach Dixon of Harrisburg to assistant vice president, business banker. Dixon formerly was a credit analyst at Integrity Bank, a division of S&T.

The State Library of Pennsylvania now offers time in its “Makerspace” in the Forum building, downtown Harrisburg, for maker projects or to test out technology. Hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment. For more information visit www.statelibrary.pa.gov.

In Memoriam

Mike Bowers died last month from a fall after a balcony railing gave way at an apartment house on N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg. Bowers was widely known in Harrisburg as both a flooring contractor and as a children’s magician for his company, The Magic Workshop.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2522: A. & A. Mekonnen to W. Workie, $30,000

Boas St., 407: T. Buda to L. Savageau, $156,000

Boas St., 1915: Dobson Family Limited to J. Koons, $30,000

Briarcliff Rd., 211: C. & M. Purdy to Donald L. Pong Trust, $143,000

Briggs St., 219: B. Heivly to D. Skerpon, $175,000

Calder St., 208: J. Martin to K. Landers, $99,900

Chestnut St., 1722: J. Palmer to J. Alverez, $39,000

Conoy St., 102: J. Hagan to P. Taylor & St. Gaus, $130,900

Cumberland St., 251: B. Ausubel to Keystone Properties Group LLC, $104,000

Emerald St., 234: J. Baker & C. Landry to D. Pena, $53,000

Forster St., 1837: K. Bethea Jr. to D. Hall, $34,000

Green St., 1416: J. Karns to G. & K. Fava, $145,000

Green St., 1417: T. Hayman to B. Williams, $40,000

Kensington St., 2235: Federal National Mortgage Assoc. to K. Dinh, $33,100

Locust St., 126: 126 Locust Street LP to JKC Properties LLC, $170,000

Muench St., 236: WCI Partners LP to J. O’Hara, $184,000

2nd St., 2343: G. & E. Zubrod to S. & T. Dunford, $163,500

2nd St., 2525: Sirva Relocation Credit LLC to P. & A. Ramos, $169,900

3rd St., 1619: Bank of New York Mellon Trustee to T. Fridirici, $72,539

3rd St., 2333: Well Fargo Bank NA Trustee to R. Oberton Sr., $51,333

6th St., 3131: J. & C. Kuntz to T. McDougal, $40,000

15th St., 1301: PA Deals LLC to Donegal Properties LLC, $500,000

Cameron St., 1400: 1400 N. Cameron Inc. & Consolidated Scrap Resources to Sunset Key Investors LLC, $1,400,000

Rudy Rd., 1903: K. Stratton to R. Williams Jr., $40,000

Front St., 563: R. Hostetter Jr. to K. Bernhard & K. Schwab, $109,000

State St., 219: K. & B. Sidella and J. & N. Jones to Public Sector Solutions LLC, $245,000

Susquehanna St., 1809: S. Boshnakov to S. Sehar, $45,000

Swatara St., 1436: H. & S. Yi to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $100,000

Tuscarora St., 96: C. Schemeck & J. Lilly to S. Meara & W. Satterwhite, $116,000

Waldo St., 2618: PA Deals LLC to MidAtlantic IRA LLC & Cynthia Hampton IRA, $55,000

Harrisburg property sales for January 2017, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Author: Lawrance Binda

A Warm Hug: Step into THEA—and feel embraced.

February 28, 2017 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

AnnMarie Nelms takes a break from her busy day to take a seat in the spacious dining room of THEA, the restaurant she opened in mid-December in the Arcona development in Lower Allen Township.

“Thea is the Greek word for aunt, and, for me, it embodies the warm, fuzzy feeling one gets when sitting around a table, eating and drinking with loved ones,” explained Nelms, who wants all of her patrons to experience that pleasure when dining at her establishment.

The young chef might just be onto something. A recent issue of The New Yorker described 2016 as the year of hygge. For those who are unfamiliar with the décor trend, it seems to sum up the vibe that Nelms is seeking to achieve.

Pronounced hoo-gah, the Danish term has origins in the English word “hug,” but encompasses many things related to coziness and enjoying life through relaxation and conviviality. Ducking away from the frigid temperatures of a cold night into the warm, dimly lit dining room with a roaring fireplace as a focal point is nothing if not hygge. For Nelms, however, it’s less about being au courant than about sharing a slice of what gives her joy.

“I grew up with really amazing food with my German-Hungarian grandmother and with the Greek side of my family,” she said. “When I cook for people and see them smile, knowing that they are loving my food—that makes me happy.”

In creating THEA, the local entrepreneur fulfilled a lifelong dream.

“I’ve loved restaurants ever since I was little,” said Nelms, who took pleasure in designing the attractive establishment with help from friends and family. “From the tables to the bench seating—everything is handmade, including the attractive and colorful striped cushions that bring it all together.

“My aunt Olga made them,” said Nelms, referring to Olga Lembesis, well-known local caterer and designer.

You may say Nelms is “to the restaurant born.” Long-time locals may recall KitchenWorks Catering—Nelms’ mother started the business, as well as Sophia’s on Market in Camp Hill and the more recently opened Sophia’s at Walden. AnnMarie, steeped in her family’s business, served as chef at both places.

Perfect Complement

THEA serves both lunch and dinner and, in keeping with the concept of familial fare, offers dishes designed to appeal to a wide variety of tastes.

Those visiting for lunch can choose from a selection of salads like beet and arugula, Caesar and a blackberry brie, which includes field greens, red onions, sundried cherries and hand-breaded fried brie topped with a drizzle of blackberry vinaigrette.

Burgers are also available during the lunch hour and range from the standard to the unique, like the one topped with bacon, brie and roasted pear or the vegetarian black bean burger with avocado salsa and pepper jack.

Sandwich selections include turkey, chicken salad, beef brisket and roast beef. If you prefer pizza, THEA offers a selection of those, as well, from pear and walnut-topped pies to other combinations like prosciutto and asparagus or sausage and goat cheese.

Dinner selections include a hearty helping of comfort food—some with an upscale twist. The meatloaf, for example, is served over a leek and gruyere bread pudding and finished with a marsala reduction demi-glace.

“So far, people are loving it,” she said.

Additional dinner options include lemon roasted chicken, eggplant rollatini, chicken pie, fried halibut and a bone-in ribeye.

On a recent visit, I opted for the Bolognese with pappardelle. The meaty, well-executed sauce, containing finely chopped vegetables, paired well with the homemade ribbons of pasta. The ground sausage was spicy, but not enough to overwhelm the rest of the dish.

My husband ordered a panko-breaded pork chop served over haluski with bacon, which was a revelation. Why isn’t haluski—an Eastern European noodle—always served with bacon? We’ve heretofore been deprived. The combination was delicious. We also shared a stick-to-your-ribs beef goulash served with tenderloin tips and mini-dumplings and an outstanding garlicky, rich, white bean, sausage and escarole soup.

Service was remarkable for a place that had only been open for a few weeks. The staff was professional, knowledgeable and on their game. Timing was just right, as well.

Ross Gibson-Delasin is just one Arcona resident who is happy to welcome THEA to the neighborhood, describing the business as the “perfect complement to the area.”

“AnnMarie brings us her exquisite culinary experience, knowledge and passion and adds to that an excellent and friendly staff to make it a truly inviting atmosphere that makes you feel like you are dining in the comfort of your own home,” he said.

Chad Arentz of Enola agreed, saying that he first learned of THEA at a networking meeting.

“Since my family of five were already fans of Sophia’s food and were aware that AnnMarie is a recipe wizard, we visited as soon as we learned of the place, and she didn’t let us down,” he said.

Those who enjoy dining al fresco will be happy to learn that Nelms will be opening the patio in early spring, with an outdoor fireplace providing warmth against the elements.

Nelms is hoping that, through her new venture, she will be able to share the love and togetherness that she felt when gathering around the table with her family.

“I lost my theas—they were the most loving, amazing people, and that’s what I want to be to my nieces and nephews,” she said. “When you visited their home for dinner, you ate great food, you talked—it was comfy and cozy. For me, that was happiness. That’s what I want for my customers.”

THEA is located at 1303 Saxon Way, Mechanicsburg For more information, call 717-759-4654, or visit www.thea-dining.com or the Facebook page.

Author: Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

A Splendid Squash: “My Life as a Zucchini” is Emotional and vibrant

February 28, 2017 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

If children were allowed to choose their names, they would probably make some crazy choices; and it probably doesn’t help that parents have a common practice of giving nicknames.

Such is the case for little Icare (Gaspard Schlatter), who was dubbed “Zucchini” by his mother. It is, as he tells Raymond the policeman (Michel Vuillermoz) on the day of his mother’s death, what he’d like to be called.

“My Life as a Zucchini,” directed by Claude Barras and adapted from Gilles Paris’ YA novel by Céline Sciamma, tells a stop-motion animation story of Zucchini as he goes to live in an orphanage run by Madame Papineau and Mr. Paul (Monica Budde and Adrien Barazzone). There, he meets a slew of children, bruised by their personal histories and finding solace in the arms of their makeshift family.

Among Zucchini’s new acquaintances is Simon, the troublemaker (Paulin Jaccoud), who immediately swoops in with a large dose of mischief. There’s Alice, Ahmed, Jujube, Béatrice, and Tante Ida—and then there’s Camille (Sixtine Murat), the newest to the orphanage, who steals Zucchini’s heart upon first sight of her. But Camille’s horrible aunt wants her to live with her, just to reap the benefits, and soon the whole orphanage works together to fight her wishes.

Visually, the film is stunning. The scenery looks like a giant 3-D watercolor painting, and the characters—well, every speck of their juvenile faces seems to have color swathed on it— from the rosy cheeks and noses of childhood to the blue shadows around an emotionally tired child’s eyes to Zucchini’s bright blue head of hair. “Zucchini” transports its audience with its whimsical mise-en-scene.

But its fanciful imagery is carefully balanced with a hard dose of realism. This is not a happy-go-lucky adventure movie or a fantasy with talking animals. It, instead, grapples with lifelike scenarios, dealing with some pretty tough subjects and treating its younger audience members like they can handle it. Don’t get me wrong, it is rated PG-13, so the plot doesn’t get too overbearing. But, instead of a passive film made to pander to children, you will find a thoughtful, genuine story that kids can sink their teeth into.

The cast in this film is phenomenal. Though the adults have a few films behind them, most of the actors who voice the orphans are fresh in the industry—and what a first performance to have on your resume. While the Americanized, dubbed version of the film includes actors like Nick Offerman, Will Forte, Ellen Page and Amy Sedaris (this critic hasn’t actually seen the dubbed version, so no comments can be made about it), the subtitled version breathes life into its little puppets, and every line of dialogue holds a tremendous amount of emotion, rounding the film out to be a must-see.

Nominated for “Best Animated Film” at this year’s Academy Awards, this is not a movie you should miss—it is sweet, emotional and vibrant. “My Life as a Zucchini” is coming soon to Midtown Cinema. And, in honor of the Family Film Series, children ages 12 and under will get in for free on Sunday, March 19, when accompanied by an adult.

MARCH SPECIAL EVENTS AT MIDTOWN CINEMA

Dance on Screen
“The Sleeping Beauty”
Sunday, March 5, 5 p.m.

Down in Front!
“Leprechaun” (1993)
Friday, March 10, 9:30 p.m.

Digital Theatre Series
“St. Joan”
Sunday, March 19, 1:30 p.m.

Mel Brooks Collection
“Blazing Saddles” (1974)
Friday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.

“Spaceballs” (1987)
Sunday, March 26, 7:30 p.m.

Faulkner Honda Family Film Series
“My Life as a Zucchini” (2017)
See midtowncinema.com for showtimes
On Sunday, March 19, kids 12 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult!

Author: Sammi Leigh Melville

Happenings: Our March Calendar of Events

February 28, 2017 | by TheBurg Editor

Museum & Art Spaces

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-385-3315; Facebook: 3rd Street Studio

“Exploration of Pennsylvania Landscapes,” mixed media and collage works by Amy Powell, through March 17; closing reception, March 17.

“Dimensional Abstraction,” works by Chris Lyter, March 17-April 17, at Café 1500, 1500 N. 6th St.; reception, March 17, 6-9 p.m.

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

“Sin City Tucker ’48 Replica,” through April 1.

“Magic Skyway 1964 Ford World’s Fair Thunderbird Convertible,” through April 15.

“Mopar Midsize Muscle,” a mini-exhibit of Mopar muscle cars, through April 22.

“Three Chevys and a Diner,” an exhibit featuring a neighborhood diner and three 1950s Chevys, through April 22.

“Amore della Strade: Italian Cars,” featuring Italian cars and motorcycles, through April 22.

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

“Impulse: Then & Now” Curator’s Choice, through March 30.

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

“The Road Traveled,” license plate art by Jennifer Savo, through mid-April.

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

“Orange Crush,” CALC member show, through March 11.

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

Artist of the Month: Chris Inch

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
galleryatsecond.com

Artwork of Chris Lyter, through March 11.

Works by Holly Angelique and Ann Benton Yeager, March 16-April 29; reception: March 17, 6-9 p.m.

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

“One Ground Beetle,” highlighting the collaboration between haiku poet Melody Davis and printmaker Harold Lohner, through May 6.

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

Recent works by Mikey Rioux, an exhibition of collage and mixed media works, through March 3.

“American Gestures,” exhibit of printmaking by Andrew Guth, March 1-31; reception, March 17-, 5-7 p.m.

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

“Modern Muse,” works by Tiff George, through March 31.

“Man vs. Machine,” a group exhibition, March 3-April 13; reception: March 3, 6-11 p.m.

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

Works by Jenna Carls, Joan Maguire, Marsha Souders and Richard Souders, through March 12.

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

“We Call Them Buffalo Soldiers,” examining the service of black soldiers in the U.S. Armed Forces from the American Revolution to the integration of the services in 1948, through June.

“Reconstruction: The Unfinished War,” examining the unfinished issue of equality among the races in the reunited states, through Dec. 31.

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

Works of mixed media artist Wendy Weyant, through April 3.

“Nests,” photography by Sharon Beals, through April 7.

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

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history.

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

“Off the Page,” visual artwork inspired by the written word, through March 4.

“Move Beyond,” featuring dramatic, abstract oil paintings by Chris Lyter, March 10-April 9; reception: March 10, 6-8:30 p.m.

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

Ceramic sculptures by Robert “Boomer” Moore, through March 31; lecture: March 16, 5:30 p.m.

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

2017 South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Art Awards, through April 16.

“Pennsylvania at War: The Saga of the USS Pennsylvania,” through Dec. 30.

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

“Relics,” photographs by Stephen Althouse portraying humanity through tools and artifacts people leave behind, through May 7.

“Philip Pearlstein: Seventy-Five Years of Painting,” through May 21.

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

“Tiny: Streetwise Revisited,” photography by Mary Ellen Mark, documenting homeless child Tiny and her journey over 30 years, through March 19.

Sykes Gallery
Millersville University
Breidenstine Hall, 46 E. Frederick St.
artsmu.com

Emerging Artists in Residence, through March 29.

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

Expressionist art by Paul Kicklighter, March 3-April 5.

Millersville University Art & Design Faculty Exhibition, through March 8.

Winter Visual & Performing Arts Center
Millersville University
60 W. Cottage Ave., Millersville
717-871-4700; artsmu.com

“Art from Imperial China” by Frank Orban, through March 10.

“A Planet that Dreams,” art by Darlene Farris, March 21-May 5.

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

Photography by Deb Schell, through March 12.

Works by Val McClymont’s art students, March 17-April 9.

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

“The City I See/Chaos and Calm,” photographs on canvas by Deb Schell, through March 11.

“Get on Board Art Fundraiser,” presented by Gallery@Second, March 17-April 20.

Read, Make, Learn

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-385-3315; Facebook: 3rd Street Studio

March 25: “A Silent Cry,” book signing w/Mark Armstrong, 2-5 p.m.

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

March 9: Garlic Lovers Paradise, 6-9 p.m.
March 16: All About Stuffed Dumplings, 6-9 p.m.
March 22: Thai Temptations, 6-9 p.m.
March 31: Tuscan Dinner and Wine Pairing, 6-9 p.m.

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

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Language at the Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
March 3: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
March 4: Cookbook Club—Cook Your Heritage, 1 p.m.
March 4: Prime Time—TEDx Fredricksen Library, 3 p.m.
March 5: Strong Drinks and Heavenly Brews, 1:30 p.m.
March 6, 20: Fredricksen Writes, 6:45 p.m.
March 7: Curl up w/the Classics—“The Jungle Book,” 10 a.m.
March 7, 21: Teen Meetup Discussion Group, 7 p.m.
March 8: Great Stories, 10-11:30 a.m.
March 9, 23: Drop-in Story Time, 6:30 p.m.
March 9, 23: Plot Twisters Tween Writers Group, 6:30 p.m.
March 11: Games of Deduction—Fury of Dracula, 1:30 p.m.
March 13, 27: LEGO Club, 4:30 p.m.
March 14, 21, 28: Natalie D. Craumer Writers Workshop, 6:30 p.m.
March 15: STEM Exploration Lab, 4 p.m.
March 16: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
March 21: Fredricksen Reads—“Rose Under Fire,” 7 p.m.
March 24: Artist Alley, 6:30 p.m.
March 25: Safe Sitter Workshop, 10 a.m.
March 27: Library for Lunch—Teddy Bear Picnic, 12 p.m.
March 28: Gardening w/Nature—Spring Wildflowers, 7 p.m.

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

March 6-May 1: Improv Level 1 for Teens, 7-9 p.m.
March 9-April 27: Improv Level 1, 7-10 p.m.
March 15-April 19: Improv for Insight—Drama Therapy, 7-9 p.m.

Healthy Living Kitchen
16 S. Rosanna St., Hummelstown
717-512-0077; healthylivingkitchenpa.com

March 3: Build a Better Menu, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
March 6: Food Therapy—Monthly One-Day Detox Program, 6-7:30 p.m.
March 11: Vegan Sweets for Fun, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
March 23: Root Vegetables and Sugar Cravings, 6-8 p.m.

Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Buddhist Center
251 Wiconisco St., Harrisburg
717-232-2700; meditationpa.org

March 25: Becoming a Buddhist: Teachings on Refuge, 1-4 p.m.

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

March 4: Drop-in Art, 1-4 p.m.
March 18: A Novel Idea 102, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19, 26: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.
March 7: Men’s Group, 6 p.m.
March 9: Aging w/Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12 p.m.
March 14: Seniors Group, 6 p.m.
March 21: Women’s Group, 6 p.m.
March 28: LGBT Parents, 6 p.m.

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

March 20: Ballroom Dance Lessons, 5:30, 6:30 p.m.

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

March 1, 8, 15, 22: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
March 2, 9 16, 23, 30: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
March 3, 10, 24, 31: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
March 4: Work From Home—Entrepreneur Meet-up, 10 a.m.
March 4: Author Event—James Young, 3 p.m.
March 4: Good News Café, 6 p.m.

March 5: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.
March 7: Sci-fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
March 7, 21: Meet-up, 9 a.m.
March 8: Author Event—James Lyon, 6 p.m.
March 9, 16: Camp Curtin Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.
March 11: Storytime w/Lisa, 11 a.m.
March 11: Book signing w/Michael Kaminski, 1 p.m.
March 14: Men’s Conversation, 7 p.m.
March 14: Dauphin County Young Democrats Meeting, 7 p.m.
March 15: Sci-fi & Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
March 19: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
March 19: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
March 25: Book signing w/Gene Barr, 2 p.m.
March 28: Friends of Midtown Safety Committee, 6:30 p.m.

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

March 18: Botanical Zen Doodling, 6:30-9 p.m.
March 25: Basic Oil Painting—Still Life, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Movement Center
2134 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-238-0357; themovementcenter.net

March 12: Community Yoga—Free Beginner Class, 10 a.m.

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

March 3-5: Three-day Bluebird Carving Workshop

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

March 3: StoryTime, “Fire Engine No. 9,” 10-11 a.m.
March 17: Learn at Lunchtime, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
March 24: We Are Stars, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

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

March 15: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

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

March 11: Volunteer Work Day, 10-11 a.m.
March 18: Bear Boy Scouts—Fur, Feathers and Ferns, 10:30-2:30 p.m.
March 19: Flower Walk—Cold Tolerant Plants, 1:30-3 p.m.
March 25: Tiger Boy Scouts—Tigers in the Wild, 10:30-2:30 p.m.
March 26: Painting at the Park, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

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

March 3: Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby
March 4: Martina McBride
March 11: The Oak Ridge Boys
March 17: Amos Lee
March 19: John Denver Tribute w/Ted Vigil
March 24: Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles
March 25: The Charlie Daniels Band
March 26: Under the Streetlamp
March 30: The Beach Boys
March 31: Celtic Woman

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

March 3: Sythian
March 4: Vulcans and Mark DeRose Band
March 10: Strung Like a Horse
March 17: Cheezy and the Crackers
March 18: Kilmaine Saints
March 24: Larry Keel Experience
March 25: Hip Pocket
March 26: The Outside Track
March 31: The Dirty Sweet

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

March 1: Marc Lubbers
March 2, 12, 16, 26, 30: Anthony Haubert
March 3, 9, 14, 17, 31: Noel Gevers
March 4, 25: Roy Lefever
March 7, 15: Daniel Sheahan
March 8, 21: Christine Purcell
March 10, 23: Corinna Joy
March 11, 24: Ted Ansel

March 18: Jessica Perla
March 22, 28: Maria Battista
March 29: Deborah Anderson

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

March 3: Queen Of Jeans
March 5: Dance Gavin Dance Chon
March 7: The Stonewall, Vessels, Dead Coast, Paradrei
March 8: Turnover
March 10: Bitter Taste, Broccoli Samurai, ELM
March 11: Attila
March 17: Memphis May Fire, Bless The Fall
March 18: Captured! By Robots
March 20: Black Stone Cherry, Typesetter
March 22: Cash’d Out, Tribute to Johnny Cash
March 24: Spill, Turkuaz
March 25: Moakler
March 26: Hodera, CityCop
March 30: Beach House

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

March 3: Antonio Andrade
March 4: Alex McQuade
March 5: Colette Eckert
March 10: Caelan Perez
March 11: Jeanine & Friends
March 12: TBA
March 17: Steven Gellman
March 18: Doug Morris
March 19: Kate Parson
March 24: Paul Zavinsky
March 25: Hard Travelin
March 26: Dan Zukowski
March 31: Alex Allegra

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

March 14: Seasons

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
harrisburggaymenschorus.org

March 12, 20: “The Big Three-Oh” anniversary concert

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

March 2, 16: Full Band Open Jam
March 3: Vetour Productions First Friday
March 4: Playing for Purpose Music & Arts Festival
March 4: The Figgs, The Split Squad
March 9: Seepeoples, Switch Fu
March 10: Shea Quinn’s The Band Who Sold the World
March 10: Ton-Taun, The Jellybricks
March 11: Soul & Spirit—Jimi Hendrix Tribute
March 17: Ben Brandt Trio, Some Hands
March 18: Manian Van Hacker
March 24: The Jigsaw Seen
March 25: Shine Delphi, Magic Dick & Shun NG
March 30: Deniz Tek
March 31: David Lindley

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

March 4-5: Ann Hampton Callaway
March 15: Stuart & Friends
March 18-19: Masterworks

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

March 4: The Classic Rock Show
March 10: Kool Kats!
March 19: Red Hot Chili Pipers
March 31: John Prine

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

March 3: Sapphire
March 4: DJ Magic, Cazhmiere
March 10: Funktion
March 11: DJ Dave Styles, Smooth Like Clyde
March 17: Uptown Band
March 18: DJ Matrix, The Luv Gods
March 24: Emily’s Toybox
March 25: DJ Ray Rossi, Time Traveller, Radio Neon
March 31: That Band

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

March 19: Sunday Arts Hour w/George Bowerman

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

March 3: Pilgrim Age
March 10: Travis Pilsits
March 17: Animal Logic
March 24: Babel Map
March 31: Andrew Weathers & Guillermo Pizarro

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

March 4: ZZ Top
March 24: The Zombies
March 31: Kool & The Gang

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

March 8: Five Irish Tenors

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

March 29: David Kim and The Messiah College Symphony Orchestra

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

March 17: Hard Travelin’

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

March 14: Spring Serenade w/Stuart Malina & Friends

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

March 1: Patrick Bowman and Friends Open Mic
March 3: Jonathan Ragonese
March 4: Lovers of Music Band
March 8, 22: Kevin Bock and Friends Open Mic
March 11: Paul Bratcher Quartet w/ Manny Arciniega
March 17: Aortic Valve
March 18: D-bo
March 20: River City Big Band
March 24: West End Blend
March 25: Colebrook Road
March 27: Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Jam Session
March 31: Steeley Jam w/ Humandala

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

March 3: Steve Forbert
March 24: Victor Wainwright, The Wildroots

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

March 3: Kelsey Kindall
March 4: Jamie Wolmack & Jody Echterling
March 10: Something Else—Jane Ramsey
March 11: Craig Bonner, Steve Geib
March 17: Cotolo
March 18: Just Dave
March 24: Rhoades & Putt
March 25: Betsy Barnicle
March 31: Crossroads Duo

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

March 3: Cruise Control Trio
March 4: Houston Baker
March 10: Shine Delphi
March 11: Gold Dust
March 17: Visitors Duo
March 18: Swisher Sweets
March 24: Music Thru Science Lite
March 25: Shea Quinn and Friends
March 31: Noel Gevers, Andy Alonso

Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

March 3: Jazz in the City
March 4: York Symphony Orchestra—“Titanic”
March 11: York Symphony Orchestra—“A Brave New World”

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

March 11: Low Lily
March 26: The Outside Track

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

March 3: We the People: First Friday Initiative, Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
March 4: Caladh Nua
March 10: Jazz in the Sky—JD Walter Group
March 17: Music in the Round—Irish Eyes
March 18: Alok Kumar
March 22: Hilary Hahn
March 24: Erin Cruise

Winter Visual & Performing Arts Center
Millersville University
60 W. Cottage Ave., Millersville
717-871-4700; artsmu.com

March 3: Winner’s Circle—Lancaster International Piano Competition
March 5: MU Concert Band & Wind Ensemble

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

March 4: Taryn & Step
March 11: Flint Zeigler
March 24: HIP 450
March 26: Josh Dominick
March 30: Shine Delphi

The Stage Door

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

March 12: Oxymorons Improv Comedy Show

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

March 31: “Sister Act”

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

Through March 18: “Jesus Christ Superstar”

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

March 8-25: “The Snow Queen” w/Popcorn Hat Players
March 17-26: “Romeo and Juliet”
March 31: Improvapalooza 2017

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

March 31-April 9: “Hope Has Come”

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

March 3-4: Jody Kerns, Dusty Slay
March 10-11: Patrick Garrity
March 17-18: Tim Kidd, Eric Grady
March 24-25: Basile
March 26: Basile Greek Show

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

March 3: Spank’d, TBA
March 10: No Artificial Sweeteners

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

March 3-5: “The Cemetery Club”
March 10-11: “Unforgettable Big Band”

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

March 9: Travis Wall’s “Shaping Sound”
March 18: “Theresa Caputo Live”
March 21-26: “The Sound of Music”
March 28-29: “Paw Patrol Live”

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

March 16: Mike & Donna Snyder, Magic & Illusion

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmonline.net

Through March 12: “Love From a Stranger”

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

March 31: Golden Dragon Acrobats

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

March 30-April 9: “The Shaughraun”

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

March 17: Comedy Night

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

March 12: “The Diary of Anne Frank” (Whitaker Center)

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

March 10-26: “The Spitfire Grill”

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

March 29: “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical”

Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

March 2: Mark Klein, Jamie Utley
March 12: John Edward
March 16: Earl David Reed, Blayr Nias
March 16: Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live

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

Through March 5: “City of Angels” (Whitaker Center)
March 23-April 2: “4000 Miles”

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

March 11-12: DanceLancaster

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

Through March 5: “City of Angels” w/Theatre Harrisburg
March 12: “The Diary of Anne Frank” w/Open State of Harrisburg

Winter Visual & Performing Arts Center
Millersville University
60 W. Cottage Ave., Millersville
717-871-4700; artsmu.com

March 23-26: “Heathers: The Musical”

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