Jazz camp offers students of all abilities chance to be immersed in music

May 5, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

2024 jazz camp

An upcoming camp will allow students to spend full days immersed in music.

Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz announced that its annual jazz camp will host youth from June 11 to 14, offering them a chance to learn from the best and jam with their peers.

The camp, which will take place at Messiah University, accepts students of all skill levels and with a variety of instruments, from saxophone to trombone, piano, guitar and several others.

“We really pride ourselves on the fact that it’s open to students of any ability,” said Camp Director Mark Hunsberger. “It’s really about helping to introduce young students to jazz.”

This year, students will learn from internationally renowned bassist and recording artist Rodney Whitaker, the camp’s spotlighted guest faculty member. Hunsberger described him as a “living legend” and noted that students will get to learn from him and attend his concert.

Additionally, students will take classes in music theory, jazz history and improvisation and participate in listening classes, rehearsals and jam sessions with peers.

High school student and saxophone player Ian Brookmyer has attended jazz camp for six years and sits on the Central PA Friends of Jazz board as a student representative. Brookmyer said that, when he first attended camp, he was in the beginner skill level group and now is in the top ensemble.

“It’s certainly helped me a lot in allowing me to advance,” he said. “You’re basically playing all day long for four days.”

Brookmyer plans to go to college to study music education, a goal that he said was further encouraged by his years at the camp.

The program is open to students ages 12 through 18.

Hunsberger said that the camp also helps connect campers to private lessons, further education and other opportunities. Many camp alumni have gone on to pursue musical careers and passions, he said.

“It’s incredible that we create space for them to be immersed in the jazz experience,” he said.

For more information on the Central PA Friends of Jazz camp, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

May 2, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

SoMa Block Party. Photo by Michael Yatsko Photography.

Our May issue of the magazine was distributed this week, and we can’t wait for you to read it! Grab a copy and check out some of the restaurants and venues featured in our special section. But first, find our local news coverage from this week, below.

Bike Harrisburg has lots of May events planned to celebrate National Bike Month. Read our story for the details.

TheBurg’s advertising is winning awards, and our publisher thanks our sales team and advertising customers, here.

Community Corner features special events taking place this May, while our Happenings section includes events from your favorite cultural and community organizations across the region.

Concerts in May will feature rap, rock, indie and plenty of other genres. Find our columnist’s list of upcoming shows, here.

Dauphin County Live Concert Series announced that Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley will perform in Riverfront Park on Aug. 3, our online story reported. The two reggae artists are family members of the legendary Bob Marley.

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority submitted its annual report on Harrisburg’s finances. To find out what they had to say, click here.

Jewish Family Service will host its annual fundraiser in June featuring a string quartet from Me2/, an orchestra for musicians with mental illness, our online story reported.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg’s community theater program will perform “Once Upon a Mattress” on April 8, 10 and 11, our online story reported. The show is the community center’s first all-ages production in years.

Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward program spans 42 counties, with volunteers running educational events and stream cleanups, our magazine story reported.

Sara Bozich is your connection for all things local entertainment this weekend. Find her list of events, here.

SoMa Bock Parties will return this summer in downtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. The first event will take place on Thursday, May 29.

Sycamore Homes officials cut the ribbon on the new affordable housing development in Harrisburg, our online story reported. The apartment building will offer quality housing for lower-income tenants.

Theatre Harrisburg is showing the classic whodunnit, “Murder on the Orient Express,” through May 11. Read our review to find out more about the stage adaptation of the Agatha Christie book.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Capital Region Water will seek community input on green infrastructure updates in Riverfront Park

May 2, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Area of Riverfront Park where CRW will make green infrastructure improvements.

Harrisburg is known for its green riverfront—but could it be even greener?

Capital Region Water believes it could be and will solicit community input on future updates to a portion of Riverfront Park at an event later this month.

The water and sewer utility has plans to add green stormwater infrastructure to the park as part of its City Beautiful H2O project, aimed at reducing water runoff pollution entering local waterways. The effort will focus on the wide section of the park between the areas of UPMC Hospital and the railroad bridge in Shipoke.

“The City Beautiful movement itself is a movement that tied huge investments in infrastructure with public and civic space,” said Claire Maulhardt, stormwater utility director. “So, Riverfront Park has always been identified as an opportunity for implementing additional infrastructure.”

The green line outlines CRW’s Riverfront Park project site. Screenshot from CRW’s website.

The project, which is in the preliminary stage, will add both green upgrades that park users will notice, as well as underground infrastructure like stormwater storage. The project will help limit water runoff pollution into the Susquehanna River and Paxton Creek and will help prevent flooding downtown.

Most notably, CRW will construct rain gardens, depressed garden areas that collect rainfall and stormwater runoff. The trail location through the park will also likely change.

Maulhardt explained that CRW plans to keep sufficient designated green space to be used for summer concerts and events, which the park area is often used for.

“We want to enhance it to actually help it even function a whole lot better for events because things are laid out properly to make those activities happen with ease,” she said.

Historic monuments and a burial site in the area will also be preserved.

However, the actual design of the area—the layout of the trail, the shape of the rain gardens, the tree planting and the safety elements—is up for discussion, as CRW hopes to engage the community in the planning process.

The organization will host an open house event in Riverfront Park, near N. Front and Washington streets, on May 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Community members are invited to attend to view preliminary concepts and share their thoughts.

CRW then plans to encourage feedback and bring the community a more finalized plan in September. It expects to complete a final design in the fall and potentially begin implementation in the spring of 2026.

Maulhardt said that there may be additional phases of park improvement, as well, as CRW works with the city, Dauphin County, the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, neighborhood groups and other stakeholders.

CRW estimates that the project will cost around $6 million. For the project, they have received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

CRW has already begun gathering stakeholder input, and the public can comment on the function and design of Riverfront Park, here.

For more information, visit Capital Region Water’s website.

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Jewish Community Center’s upcoming show brings actors of all-ages to the stage, sparking creativity, fun

May 2, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Cast of “Once Upon a Mattress” during rehearsal. Photo courtesy of the Jewish Community Center.

A local theater is bringing a classic tale to life.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg’s community theater program is set to take the stage next weekend for a production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” the organization’s first all-ages performance in years.

The Jewish Community Center’s Ellie Goldenberg Theater Program will perform “Once Upon a Mattress,” a retelling of the “Princess and the Pea,” at Theatre Harrisburg’s Krevsky Production Center on May 8, 10 and 11.

“I am overjoyed to be able to present the first ‘all-ages’ theater production our program has offered in a decade,” said Macy Box, director/producer of the production and program director. “It’s a big ask to come sing and dance before your community–these performers have chosen to do this anyway.”

Box explained that she sees this show as a way for adults to “activate creativity” and spark their excitement for play, things that can often get lost in the transition from childhood to adulthood. For some of the actors, the show is a way to return to a former passion and, for others, a way to try something new, she said.

Performer Matt Maisel, who plays Prince Dauntless, hadn’t participated in a theater production since high school.

“The moment I auditioned, all the memories of why I love musicals came flooding back. The ability to bring emotions out of an audience, whether through laughter or tears, is so powerful,” Maisel said. “Since the last time I was on stage, I’ve started a family, and now I get to show this passion of mine to my wife and kids who have never seen it before. It’s very rewarding.”

For more information on the Harrisburg JCC’s Ellie Goldenberg Theater Program and for tickets to “Once Upon A Mattress,” visit their website.

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Mental health and music will take center stage at Jewish Family Service fundraiser

May 1, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Me2/ Orchestra

An upcoming event will feature a great musical performance—but, more importantly, the mission behind it.

Jewish Family Service will bring a string quartet from Me2/, an orchestra for musicians with mental illness, to perform at its fundraising event on June 29.

“I thought it really resonated with what we do and supported our mission,” said JFS CEO Kevin Keefer. “Mental health across the United States is a crisis situation. JFS has a long history of providing mental health services.”

The event will take place at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center at HACC and feature a musical performance and Q&A with conductor and founder Ronald Braunstein and the musicians. Additionally, guests will view clips from the award-winning documentary, “Orchestrating Change,” which showcases the orchestra.

Me2/ is the only orchestra in the world for people living with mental illness, Keefer said. He noted that Braunstein founded the organization after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The organization is focused on eliminating the stigmas surrounding mental health and creating a safe space for musicians.

“My biggest hope is that people get inspired like I was,” Keefer said. “Mental health impacts so many lives.”

Keefer said that the fundraising event is also crucial in helping JFS continue its community services, such as mental health counseling, family crisis intervention, adoption and foster care, Kosher Meals on Wheels and a food pantry.

For more information about Jewish Family Service’s event and to purchase tickets, visit their website or call 717-233-1681.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 1, 2025 | by Sara Bozich

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

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: The Millworks rooftop deck is open for the season; Harrisburg Beach Club is back at it Worth noting: Saturday is Derby Day! Things on my agenda this weekend: Dinner out Thursday, impromptu deck hang with the girls Fri, youth baseball Saturday, influencer dinner Sunday, and idk, should we clean out the garage this weekend, too?

For your weekend planning

Enter to WIN a $100 Millworks gc from HomeRite
How ’bout a road trip down to Mason Dixon Distillery?
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

May 16: WXPN Welcomes Tanjo & Crow with special guest Virginia Masland LIVE in Strawberry Square
May 17: Plein Air Art Walk in downtown Camp Hill
May 26: SoMa Block Party | May 2025 – season kick-off!
Full SoMa Block Party calendar!
Are you on my email list?
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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Report: Harrisburg finances stable, but significant challenges lie ahead

April 30, 2025 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center

Harrisburg’s finances are “stable,” but the city faces considerable challenges moving forward, according to a recent report from a state-appointed financial board.

On Tuesday, the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) submitted its annual report to the commonwealth, offering a generally positive view of the city’s finances, but noting several concerns and, especially, urging the city to move ahead aggressively on developing an economic development plan.

“In the report, the ICA finds that the City of Harrisburg’s financial condition is currently stable, with progress toward many individual objectives,” according to the ICA, tasked since 2018 in helping to oversee Harrisburg’s financial progress. “The report, though, continues to advocate for a more comprehensive approach to economic redevelopment, as well as work toward reentering the credit marketplace.”

The report emphasizes three issues of note.

First, it “encourages” the city to work with other stakeholders, including businesses, residents, developers and neighborhood groups, to “adopt and implement a wide-ranging economic development strategy.”

“Such a plan would help significantly with the city’s vitality and preventing future downturns in the local economy,” according to the ICA.

The ICA, in its report, states that the city is the preferable entity to lead such an effort and that, in fact, the city administration has begun to put together a working group to develop a plan.

Secondly, on a related note, an economic development plan would help address the negative impact of the post-pandemic local economy, as many state and other office workers now work remotely. These impacts include higher commercial vacancy rates, reduced property taxes, less parking revenue and lower income from worker taxes.

Thirdly, the ICA remains “concerned” that the city maintain adequate fund balances both in its general fund and its neighborhood services (sanitation) fund. For years, the ICA has urged the city to improve its collection of sanitation fees, which it repeats in its current report.

The ICA stated all three of these issues as “areas of concern” in last year’s report, as well.

In the current report, the ICA notes that city is on “the cusp” of exiting from Act 47, the state’s program for financially distressed municipalities. However, it’s been prevented from doing so because of ongoing, unresolved litigation involving the city’s former incinerator, which it sold in 2013 as part of the recovery plan from its financial crisis.

Once the longstanding litigation is resolved, the city would be able to quickly exit Act 47, an important step to be able to re-access the credit markets, which it’s been unable to do since entering the program about 15 years ago.

“The board members of the ICA remain committed to bringing their diverse backgrounds and experience to help the city promote growth and sustainability,” said ICA Board Chair Doug Hill, in a statement. “Working together, we know that the possibility of prosperity lies ahead.”

To view the full report, visit the ICA website, click “Resources” and then download the PDF at “Authority Section 203 Annual Report of City of Harrisburg Finances FY 2024.”

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Susquehanna Chorale to Present My Spirit Sang All Day

April 29, 2025 | by Admin

The Susquehanna Chorale, a nationally acclaimed adult chamber ensemble of 40 auditioned singers, will present its spring concert series, My Spirit Sang All Day, May 16-18, under the direction of Linda L. Tedford.

The series begins on Friday, May 16 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 17 at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at the Calvin and Janet High Center for Performing Arts, Messiah University, 4:00 p.m.

My Spirit Sang All Day features a varied and wonderful collection of pieces including sacred selections by Hubert Parry’s triumphant I Was Glad and Psalm 90 by Charles Ives, John Rutter’s God Be In My Head, and Shawn Kirchner’s energetic and uplifting Cornerstone. You’ll also hear Elaine Hagenberg’s The Music of Stillness, Eric Whitacre’s Sing Gently, and Randall Stroop’s Omnia Sol, followed by songs including Short People, What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor, and Buffalo Gals. Let your spirit sing with us in a concert that reflects all the colors found in the kaleidoscope of our lives.

A pre-concert recital by Susquehanna Chorale accompanist, Daniel L. Dorty will be presented 15 minutes prior to each performance.

The Susquehanna Chorale was founded by Linda L. Tedford in 1981 and is a recipient of Chorus America’s most prestigious award, the Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence. They have also been considered for GRAMMY-nomination several times for their recordings.

In 2011, Conductor Tedford was honored by the American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania with the Elaine Brown Award for lifelong commitment to excellence and leadership in the choral art. In 2013, she received Theatre Harrisburg’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region. In 2022 Tedford was the recipient of the Central Penn Journal’s Circle of Excellence Award.

The Chorale is funded, in part, by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Tickets may be purchased through the Susquehanna Chorale website at https://susquehannachorale.org/performances or by calling the Messiah University Box Office at (717) 691-6036, Option #1. Discount tickets are available for groups of 10 or more.

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SoMa Block Parties set to return for the summer in May

April 29, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

A past SoMa Block Party. Photo by Michael Yatsko Photography.

Starting next month, a favorite Harrisburg neighborhood get-together returns for the season.

SoMa Block Parties will kick off for the summer on Thursday, May 29, bringing back music, food and community to the downtown block, announced Sara Bozich and Harristown Enterprises on Tuesday.

Each month, the block of S. 3^rd Street between Market and Chestnut streets will close to vehicle traffic, businesses will stay open late, and food and drink vendors will set up shop. Craft breweries and wineries, non-alcoholic drink vendors and food trucks will participate.

Additionally, each block party will feature live music and yard games.

This season’s musical lineup includes Mark DeRose & the Dreadnaughts (May), Cass and The Bailout Crew (June), Vivid Vinyl (July), Smokehouse 4 (August), and Oversoon with special guest Comb Over Here (September).

Block Parties run from 6 to 10 p.m. Parking is free for most of downtown after 5 p.m.

SoMa Block Party dates are as follows:

6-10 p.m. Thursday, May 29
5-9 p.m. Friday, June 20 – Juneteenth SoMa Block Party with YPOC and HYP
6-10 p.m. Thursday, June 26
6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 31
6-10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28
6-10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25

For more information, visit Sara Bozich’s website.

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Marley brothers will bring reggae to Riverfront Park in August

April 29, 2025 | by Maddie Gittens

Stephen Marley and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley

Summer vibes will be hard to beat at an upcoming Harrisburg concert.

The Dauphin County Live Concert Series just announced that Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley will perform in Riverfront Park on Sunday, Aug. 3, adding to their summer shows.

The reggae artists will be joined by special guest J Boog for an 8 p.m. show, presented by Harrisburg-based Grand Rising Curations.

The reggae lineup is the latest in a slate of concerts headed to the riverfront. Dauphin County has also recently announced that indie band The Head and The Heart will perform on Aug. 2 and country artist Russell Dickerson will come to Harrisburg on July 29.

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is a multi-Grammy-winning artist and the youngest son of Bob Marley. His music mixes reggae with hip-hop, R&B, and rock.

Stephen Marley, another son of Bob Marley, has also won his fair share of Grammy awards. He released his most recent album, “Old Soul,” in 2023 and served as the musical director for the movie “Bob Marley: One Love,” which premiered last year.

Tickets for the show go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 2.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Dauphin County Live Concert Series’ website.

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

What you’ll find ⤵️

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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