Tag Archives: HMAC

New restaurant headed to H*MAC, focused on barbecue and Southern cuisine

June 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Barbecue is on the menu in Harrisburg, as Zachary’s BBQ & Soul is set to open inside H*MAC.

Philadelphia-area chef Keith Taylor (pictured) plans to open Zachary’s on July 6, offering his take on soul food staples such as Carolina pulled pork, pulled chicken, boneless short rib, pork spare ribs and Caribbean jerk barbecue chicken.

“H*MAC is such a unique space, with a very diverse customer base,” Taylor said, when reached by phone. “I’m very much looking forward to our soft opening next week.”

Zachary’s, named for Taylor’s eldest son, will be open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

In the Philadelphia area, Taylor has several related food operations, including a catering business, a pop-up trailer in the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, a culinary consulting company and the educational Soul of Cooking Kitchen Experience.

In addition to entrees, Zachary’s will offer numerous soul food staples such as baked macaroni and cheese, potato salad, collard greens and fresh cornbread, among other sides. Desserts will include a grilled sticky bun sundae with Dad’s Hat PA Whiskey maple glaze, with 50% of sales from that dessert benefitting the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, according to Taylor.

The menu also will feature Southern specialties like fried chicken sandwiches, po’ boys and Creole jambalaya.

Taylor said that, until a few months ago, he had never been to Harrisburg. But, when he visited, he was impressed by what he saw.

“I saw beautiful murals,” he said. “I saw buildings being renovated and a new brewery and a new pizza place. Then I saw H*MAC, and I said, ‘I’m in love.’”

The dining area at H*MAC

Since deciding to open in Harrisburg, Taylor’s biggest challenge has been the supply-chain issues plaguing every restaurant, he said.

“We’re going to open on the 6^th and will slowly add to the menu,” he said.

Since reopening after the pandemic, H*MAC now has a full slate of concerts and other events, which should supply a steady stream of customers, in addition to patrons who will visit just for the food and drink, Taylor said.

In Harrisburg, Zachary’s will join several barbecue restaurants that have opened recently, including Queen’s BBQ & Southern Cuisine and Isabelle’s Southern Cuisine in Midtown. In Allison Hill, the Soul House Café moved to larger space to accommodate diners.

H*MAC began to offer restaurant dining about six years ago and has been through several changes in food concepts and cuisines over that time.

In addition to the restaurant, the sprawling, 34,000-square-foot venue has several bars, entertainment and outdoor spaces.

In late 2017, it received a $1 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to help complete the lengthy renovation of its historic Midtown property, which once housed served as the Harrisburg Jewish Community Center and, later, the city Police Athletic League facility.

“When I came to Harrisburg, I saw a crazy diverse city, and I was, like, ‘OK, this is great,’” Taylor said. “I’m home.”

H*MAC is located at 1110 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.harrisburgarts.com.

For more information about Chef Taylor and to apply for a position at Zachary’s, visit www.zacharysbbqsoul.com.

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Happenings: Our July Calendar of Events

June 30, 2021 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“Minibike Mania,” a display of more than two dozen miniature motorbikes, through Oct. 16

“Keep on Truckin’: Light Duty Trucks,” an exhibit focused on the history of pickup trucks, through Oct. 22

“Iconic Chevrolets,” an exhibit presented by the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America

“Hershey’s History: Before & After Chocolate,” through Oct. 22

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

“Free For All, 3rd Annual Student & Member Show,” through July 8

“93rd International Annual Juried Show,” July 16-Sept. 2; reception, July 16, 5-8 p.m.

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

“Ink/Glaze/Paper/Clay,” ceramic constructions by Beverlee Lehr and ink drawings by Jo Margolis, which are explorations of the interaction of shape and form, through July 24

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

July artist of the month

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

“Remnant: Studio Majors Thesis Exhibition,” featuring projects by senior studio art majors, Anthony Cervino, and Andy Bale, through Sept. 11

“In Light of the Past,” an exhibition considering how we experience photographs, through Oct. 9

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

HAAA member art display at Hershey Public Library, through Oct. 10

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

New works by Joelle and Justin Arawjo, Huckle Buckle Boys, Paul Gallo, Averil Shepps and PD Murray, through July 11

New works by Ann Benton Yeager, Paul Vasiliades, Rebecca Adey, Mary Gelenser, John Davis and Amie Bantz, July 14-Aug. 15

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

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

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

“Director’s Choice,” a selection of outstanding student artwork from Youth Art Day 2021, through July 17

“Art of a Pandemic,” group art exhibition examining the challenges and isolation, reality adjustments and new experiences of the last year, July 24-Sept. 18

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

“Persephone/Persephone,” a multi-panel collaborative installation by Elody Gyekis and Joanne Landis, through Aug. 8

“From Selfie to Community,” large-format woodcut self-portraits created by Bloomsburg University printmaking students, through July 18

“The Circle of Truth, 49 Paintings Ending with Ed Ruscha,” through Sept. 19

“Meanderings,” a collection of variable collagraphic prints by artist Valerie R. Dillon, through Oct. 17

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

“Art in the Wild” exhibit of naturally inspired trailside installations created by artists using mostly natural materials and inspired by the theme “reimagining,” through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

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

July 12-16: Trash to Treasure! A Reclaimed Art Experience (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
July 13: All Day Plein Air Workshop, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 21: Collage & Paint, 6-8 p.m.
July 24: Experimental Mixed Media 1-Day Workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 26-30: Pop Goes the Sculpture (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 26-30: Bookworm Boogie Bookmaking Workshop (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
July 26-30: CALC & YWCA One Voice, Artistic Expression (rising 3^rd-5^th graders), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 31: Bundle Dye with Flowers and Herbs, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Discord Hangouts—Chat, 3-5 p.m.
July 1, 15, 29: Librarians on Twitch, 6-8 p.m.
July 2: Virtual Dungeons and Dragons, 7 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Preschool Storytime on Zoom, 10 a.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24: Teen Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 3 p.m.
July 6: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6 p.m.
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Discord Hangouts—Gaming, 3-5 p.m.
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Family Storytime, 6 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Toddler Storytime, 10 a.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Young Adult Book Club on Zoom, 4 p.m.
July 12, 19, 26: Virtual Born to Read (up to 18 months), 9:30 a.m.
July 12, 19, 26: Art Club, 4 p.m.
July 13: Virtual Reading the Rainbow Book Club, 7 p.m.
July 13: The Next Chapter Book Club, 4 p.m.
July 20: Virtual Animal Crossing with The Library, 4 p.m.
July 22: Lawyers in Libraries—Civil Legal Services, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
July 28: Spanish Language Conversation Group, 12-1 p.m.
July 28: Crafternoon with The Library, 4 p.m.

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

July 1, 15: STEM Stations, 2 p.m.
July 1, 15, 29: Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
July 6, 20: Teen Summerzine 2021 on Zoom (ages 12-19), 4-5:30 p.m.
July 10, 24: Make It, Break It (ages 5+), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 12, 19, 26: Baby Time, 10:30 a.m.
July 12, 19, 26: Make It! Mondays, 12:30 p.m.
July 14, 21, 28: Toddler Time, 10:30 a.m.
July 22: Forgotten Friends, Reptiles, 10:30 a.m.
July 22: Big Bubble Bonanza, 2 p.m.
July 22: Tales of Authors Movie Night, 5 p.m.
July 29: ZooAmerica Tales of Tails, 1 p.m.

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

July 13: Park Rx—Art Heals w/Susquehanna Art Museum, 6-7:30 p.m.
July 28: French and Indian War in America, Pa., and the Lives of Soldiers virtual illustrated talk, 7-8 p.m.

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

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Zoom Resume Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Virtual Get That Job! Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m.
July 7: Zoom—Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
July 5, 19: Zoom—Fredricksen Writes on Zoom, 6:45 p.m.
July 5, 19: Zoom STEM Storytime, 10 a.m.
July 12, 26: Teen Grab and Go Bag (ages 7-12), 9 a.m.
July 13: Zoom—Curl up with the Classics on Zoom—”Our Town,” 10-11 a.m.
July 26: Virtual Fredricksen Reads, 7-8 p.m.

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

July 10, 17: Fresh herb wreath workshop, 2-4 p.m.

Harrisburg Young Professionals
hyp.org

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: HYP Kickball, 6-9:45 p.m.
July 6: Trash Tuesday, 7 p.m.
July 11: Sunset Rocks Hike, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
July 11: HYP Book Club—“The Woman in the Window,” 2 p.m.
July 19: Wildwood Walk After Work, 6-8 p.m.
July 25: Little Buffalo Hike, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

July 10: Advanced Fluid Art Class, 1-4:30 p.m.
July 12, 14, 19, 21: 4-Day Drawing workshop, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 17: Sip and Paint, 3-5 p.m.
July 22-23: Watercolor Realism 2-Day Workshop, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

July 1: Longwood Gardens’ Community Read with Abra Lee, 7-8 p.m.
July 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22: Reading Garden—The Story Garden, 10 a.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23: Virtual LEGO Club, 3:45 p.m.
July 5, 12, 19: Lose the Quarantine 15 Library Style, 9 a.m.
July 5, 12, 19: Facebook Live—Stories for Everyone, 10-10:30 a.m.
July 6, 13, 20: Read Stampede Walking Group, 9 a.m.
July 7, 14, 21: Reading Garden—Furry Tales, 6:30 p.m.
July 17: Fused Glass Class, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
July 20: Crafts in the Reading Garden (teens & tweens), 6:30-8 p.m.
July 27: Community Blood Drive, 1:30 p.m.
June 26: Family Book Group—“Mirrors, Windows & Sliding Glass Doors,” 2 p.m.

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

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Toddler Time (18 months to 3 years), 11:10 a.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Rhyme Time (18 months and younger), 12 p.m.
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Story Time on Zoom (ages 3-6), 1:30-2 p.m.
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Tea & Stitches, 10-11 a.m.
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Try-It Tuesday, 1 p.m., 6 p.m.
July 9, 23: Dungeons & Dragons (grades 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
July 10: Block Party!, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 12: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 14: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
July 19: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
July 24: Trivia at Home— Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?, 6-8 p.m.

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

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Online Science Fiction Book Club
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Star Trek Rewatch online group
July 6, 13, 20, 27: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Wagging Tails Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

July 15: An Evening with Michael Pollan, 8-9 p.m.
July 20: Chuck Wendig in Conversation with Aaron Mahnke, 7-8 p.m.
July 28: Eddie Glaude Jr. in Conversation with Drew Hart, 7-8 p.m.

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

July 5: First Saturday, 2-5 p.m.
July 14, 28: Free Kids Class on the Roof, 5-7 p.m.
July 17, 18: Fluid Art Class
June 25, 26, 27: Abstract Workshop

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

July 17: “Shaping the Contours of Federalism: The American Civil War in New Prospective,” 1-2 p.m.

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

July 1-2: Dinosaur Tails and Tales Take and Make Activity Kit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 1-2: Grab & Go STEAM Jr. (ages 5-8), 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 1-30: Grab & Go STEAM (ages 8-12), 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 5-Aug. 2: Ready for K!, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 6, 13: Babies & Books, 9:15-9:45 a.m.
July 8: ZooAmerica Tails & Tales on Zoom, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 12: Farm Storytime (ages 3-6), 10:30-11 a.m.
July 12-17: Farm Tails Kit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 12-17: Tasty Take and Make, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 13: Nature Activity—Weather (ages 3-7), 10:30-11:15 a.m.
July 17: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
July 19-24: Jungle Tails Kit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 19-24: Superhero Take and Make, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 26-31: Pet Tails Kit, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 29: Summit Search & Rescue: Rescue Dog Demonstration, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

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

July 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22: Little Explorers Virtual Early Learning Classes, 10:30-11 a.m.
July 10-15: Annual Used Book Sale
July 12, 19, 26: Tails and Tales Monday Morning Virtual Program, 11-12 p.m.
July 14: Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

July 2, 17: StoryTime (age 2-PreK, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
July 2: Virtual Artists Conversations—Fashioning a New Nation, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
July 7, 14, 21, 28: Explore! (grades 3-5), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 8, 15, 22, 29: Curiosity Kids (grades K-2), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
July 9: Virtual Adventures in Nature Lab—Fishes of the Susquehanna River, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
July 11: Virtual Tonight’s Sky—A Live Chat with the Planetarium Director, 2-3 p.m.
July 16: Virtual Curator’s Choice, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
July 23: Virtual State Museum Perspective, 12:15 p.m.
July 30: Virtual Treasures from the Vault, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

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

July 10, 17, 24, 31: Saturday Morning Art Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 10, 17, 24, 31: Young Artist Camp, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 21: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

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

July 1: Bird Walk—Nesting Birds, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
July 1-31: Wildwood Park Coloring Contest, 10- a.m.-4 p.m.
July 9: Kids Discover—Nature Journaling (ages 4-6), 10-11:30 a.m.
July 9: Kids Discover—Nature Journaling (ages 7-10), 1-2:30 p.m.
July 10: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
July 15: Kids Discover—Outdoor Play, 5-7 p.m.
July 17: Sustainable Forestry—A Flower Arranging Workshop, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
July 18: Flower Walk—Still More Blooms, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
July 21, 27: Kayak the Swatara with Cocoa Kayaks, 5:45-7:45 p.m.
July 27: Detweiler Park Photo Walk, 8-10 a.m.

Live Music

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

July 1: Michael W. Smith
July 11: The Original Coasters, Charlie Thomas’ Drifters & Sonny Turner
July 17: Little River Band
July 23: The Lettermen
July 24: The Oak Ridge Boys
July 30: Mark Lowry
July 31: Resurrection, a Journey Tribute

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

July 1: Marrisa Porter
July 8: Jeff Seyfried
July 22: Shawan Rice

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

July 10: Gretna Grooves—Jazzmeia Horn
July 16: Harrisburg Jazz Collective at Fort Hunter Park

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; [email protected]

July 11, 18, 25: Jazz Brunch with Central PA Friends of Jazz

July 7, 14, 28: Wednesday Jazz Series

July 10: Clyde Wrenn & Rebecca Gray

July 16: Teen Town

July 21: Big Band Jazz with The Harrisburg Jazz Collective (formerly River City Big Band)

July 24: Patrick Cusick

July 31: Crippled But Free

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

July 2: Sunset Series, Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame presents Dandy
July 16: Sunset Series, Central PA Friends of Jazz presents Harrisburg Jazz Orchestra

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

July 3: Gretna Music for Kids—Charlotte Blake Alston
July 10: Jazzmeia Horn
July 11: Allen Krantz and Julien Labro
July 25: Chanticleer
July 29: Mutts Gone Nuts
July 31: Gretna Music for Kids—Empire Wild

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

July 16: Open Mic
July 20: Mark DeRose

HMAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

July 2: Medusa’s Disco, Rascal Revival, Illusions of Grandeur
July 2: First Friday at The New HMAC
July 3: Breakfast with Tiffany
July 3: The Seldom Scene
July 9: Wildstreet
July 10: PNB Rock
July 11: Sevendust
July 16: In House We Trust, Mochahontas, Chocolate Diva
July 16: Babyface Ray
July 23: Laine Hardy
July 24: Struggle Jennings
July 24: Blunts & Blondes
July 31: Gemini Syndrome

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

July 21: Jasper String Quartet
July 24: Francisco Fullana
July 27: Harlem String Quartet

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

Live music on the roof every Thursday

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

July 23: Enter the Haggis

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

July 9-30: Carole King’s “Tapestry” Live

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

July 11: Happy Traum

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

July 1: 2nd Annual Central Pennsylvania Music Awards
July 17: Almost Queen

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

July 9: Big Fat Meanies, Wynton Existing, Wallace
July 10: Pentagon
July 16: Smooth Like Clyde
July 17: Defiant, If Not For Me, Gallowglas, Ultraviolent, Voice The Chaos, Dreams of Eden
July 23, 24: Yam Yam, Brandon “TAZ” Niederauer
July 29: Adelitas Way
July 30: The Amish Outlaws

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

July 7: Shrimp Ryan’s Jig Band
July 10: Peter Stone
July 14: Side of Yams
July 15: Boozy Bingo hosted by Felicia O’Toole
July 28: Mark Santanna

The Stage Door

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

July 9: Corey Hunter

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

July 3-31: “Beauty and the Beast”

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

July 30: Sunset Series Gamut Theatre TMI Improv

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

July 14-Aug. 14: Popcorn Hat Players present “Thumbelina”
July 16-17: Shakespeare in the Woods at Ned Smith Center

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

July 2: Divas Down Under “Triumphant Return” Drag Show
July 9, 10: Andy Beningo and Tony Vihn

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

July 22-Aug. 1: “Rock of Ages”

HMAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

July 11: Queens Who Brunch

Keystone Theatrics
The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; keystonetheatrics.com

July 16-Aug. 1: “Grease”

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

July 16-17: Gamut Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Woods—“Hamlet”

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

July 9-30: Carole King’s “Tapestry” Live

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

July 9-17: “The Last Five Years” stream event

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

July 14: “Andy’s Wild Amphibian Show” livestream
July 14: “Liars Contest”

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Micah Parsons receives the key to Harrisburg, community celebrates the NFL pick

May 3, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Micah Parsons received the key to the city at HMAC.

On Monday, football fans and community members packed into the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, eager to see the city’s newest superstar.

Micah Parsons has had quite the week. On Thursday, he was drafted into the NFL as a first-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys. Today, Mayor Eric Papenfuse handed him the key to Harrisburg, the city he calls home.

“He embodies the work ethic and the success that is possible for all of us,” Papenfuse said. “He’s so inspiring.”

Parsons, 21, grew up in Uptown Harrisburg, attended Harrisburg High School and went on to play football for Penn State University as a linebacker. Parsons graduated early and now looks forward to a future with the NFL team he had hoped to play for.

But on Monday, with family, friends and plenty of fans, he took a moment to celebrate in the community where it all started.

“It really means a lot to get the key to the city,” Parsons said. “Harrisburg really means a lot to me.”

A large crowd gathered at HMAC to see Parsons

Yvette Wright stood in the crowd with her 13-year-old son. He wore a Cowboys face mask and shirt. Wright told me how he had been playing football since he was little.

“My son looks up to Micah Parsons because we’ve both come from the same city and the same school district,” she said. “This is something positive for him and other young athletes to look up to.”

After the presentation, dozens of kids and families lined up to meet Parsons and get an autograph. Parsons said that he was once in their shoes, looking up to professional sports players.

“There’s really no difference between me and you,” he said. “We wake up the same, we get the same 24 hours […] It’s about what you do in your 24 hours.”

Parsons encouraged his young fans to continue working hard and said that he plans to help the youth however he can. Parsons himself has a 3-year-old son.

“One of the things that impresses me about Micah is he’s already thinking about how he can give back to this community,” Papenfuse said.

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Are You Ready to Rock?: Harrisburg-area venues bring back live music after long hiatus

April 16, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Death Cab for Cutie at Riverfront Park in June 2019

Frank Schofield predicted what it’ll be like when concerts return to the Harrisburg area—like the end of Prohibition.

“I think demand is going to be off the hook,” said Schofield, the director of live entertainment and media services at Harrisburg University.

In June 2019, HU Presents hosted a major band, Death Cab for Cutie, in Riverfront Park, with plans for more big shows to follow. But then COVID-19 hit, forcing it to scrub its entire slate of 2020 concerts.

Almost two years later, the school is back with rock and alternative bands lined up for late this summer.

“The industry has been roaring to get back,” Schofield said. “We haven’t been able to do what we do.”

The sentiment was shared across the board with Harrisburg-area music venues that are preparing for a spring and summer that include live shows, unlike the last.

HU decided to follow the lead of other music venues and festivals around the country, opting to schedule shows for August and September. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Cage the Elephant, Dawes and Portugal. The Man are slated to perform at Riverfront Park. HU also plans to have shows throughout the fall, Schofield said.

“We had a great run right before the pandemic, and we are ready to pick up where we left off,” he said.

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC) is kicking things back into gear, as well.

The restaurant and venue reopened on April 8, starting with smaller shows for the spring and summer. General Manager Kevyn Knox said that they plan to soon hold karaoke and open mic events—a crowd favorite. Large concerts are still on hold, Knox said.

XL Live, a larger concert venue in Harrisburg is preparing for shows this weekend, featuring bands Defiant, Suicide Puppets, Lasciate and UltraViolent. They are requiring mask-wearing and limiting capacity, according to their website.

For those looking for a more intimate music experience, The Englewood in Hershey already has live shows happening most weekends. On Fridays, they have dinner shows and sometimes a late show, as well as occasional Saturday performances and regular Sunday jazz brunches.

All of their shows are seated and socially distanced, Creative Director Ang Moramarco said. Shows are not ticketed, but seats are reserved through regular dinner reservations.

The Englewood opened in July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, which created challenges, but Moramarco said that the venue’s large rooms made abiding by CDC guidelines more feasible.

She said they also plan to hold some larger ticketed shows by the end of the year in partnership with HU Presents.

“People miss that experience, that energy,” she said. “We are excited to bring that back.

For Harrisburg University Presents concert dates and tickets, visit their website.

The Englewood is located at 1219 Research Blvd., Hummelstown. To view their lineup pf events, visit their website.

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center is located at 1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

XL Live is located at 801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg. To see a list of shows and purchase tickets, visit their website.

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Customers rally around Broad Street Market vendor Doggie Delights after barn fire

February 5, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Donnie Farner at Doggie Delights in the Broad Street Market in 2019.

When I first met Donnie Farner over a year ago at the Broad Street Market, he was all smiles, laughs and jokes.

He was quirky, with a paw print T-shirt on, and sold gourmet dog treats—his business Doggie Delights was new to the market, but I knew he’d fit in well. Farner is a likable guy.

As I scrolled through Facebook comments voicing support for Farner and his family after tragedy struck, I realized just how much he and his business had become part of the Harrisburg community since 2019.

“The support that we are getting from the community is overwhelming,” Farner said over the phone as he stood facing the remains of the family’s barn that burned down on Sunday.

He could still smell the smoke as he told me about what they lost that night.

Farner estimated that the fire cost him around $30,000 to $50,000. That included not only the barn itself, but destroyed inventory and equipment for Doggie Delights’ west and east shore market stands. Additionally, they lost new industrial ovens and mixers that they had purchased for new shops they plan to open in Gettysburg and Hershey. The worst loss, however, was his cat, Buddy.

“You never think about this stuff until it happens to you,” he said.

Farner and his wife Kelly’s daughters urged them to reach out to the community, but Farner said they don’t like asking people for help.

Then he saw two GoFundMe pages set up by customers of Doggie Delights, asking people to consider giving to this family who suffered a loss. Community member Kelsey Gesner started a campaign on Wednesday that has already raised over $4,700, and Jamie Mazzocco’s has received $1,800 as of midday Friday.

“They’re always working hard to make customers happy,” Mazzocco, a longtime customer, said. “They give back to the community, and their products bring happiness to our fur babies.”

The pet store community has rallied around Doggie Delights, as well. Shops like Abrams and Weakley in Susquehanna Township and Pet, Bath and Beyond in Camp Hill offered their products.

The Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC) offered their kitchen for Farner to use.

“The Harrisburg and West Shore communities have been so gracious,” Farner said. “Thinking about it makes me want to cry.”

Even Harrisburg celebrities like Sharkman, the roller-skating fish who made a Burg front cover this summer, stepped up to help. He posted on Farner’s Facebook page, saying he is painting wooden sharks and selling them to raise money for Doggie Delights.

“My wife started crying and said, ‘someone is sitting in their house painting sharks for us,’” Farner said.

Doggie Delights in the West Shore Farmers Market is remaining open this weekend, Farner said. The Broad Street Market shop is closed, but is expected to reopen next week. Farner hopes to open at their Gettysburg location in April at a new market called the Marketplace at Gettysburg. They will likely open in Hershey in the summer.

When he opened Doggie Delights in Harrisburg, Farner knew that he wanted to become part of the community, but he never thought he would experience it like this.

“We embraced the market and the customers embraced us,” he said.

Doggie Delights is located in the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg and in the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne. For more information, visit their website.

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In the Wings: Sidelined for now, two emerging theater companies dedicated to diversity plan 2021 comebacks.

October 30, 2020 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Akeelah and the Bee

It’s been a tough year for performing-arts organizations—between the pandemic, the extra safety precautions required to reopen and the economic repercussions.

But two relatively new theaters in the Harrisburg area may have extra challenges.

“Because of the pandemic, we had to stop performing in the middle of the 2020 season,” said Frank L. Henley, artistic director of the Narcisse Theatre Co.

A community-based, nonprofit, Narcisse is dedicated to uniting the local arts community and developing artists “from outside the mainstream.”

“We probably won’t resume production till the summer of 2021, though it’s too far off to speak about specific plans,” Henley said.

The theater is committed to showcasing thought-provoking revivals, such as “Waiting for Godot” and “The Enemy of the People”—the latter done collaboratively with Gamut Theatre Group—but half of its productions are original plays by local playwrights. One example is “Lizophrenia,” an interactive one-woman show by Liz P. Curtis.

“Though I am African American, as is the majority of our board and past cast members, we are a multicultural organization dedicated to all communities within Harrisburg,” Henley said.

Narcisse is not an African American theater company in the same sense as another relatively new theater, Henley said.

That organization is Sankofa African American Theatre Co. Sankofa’s mission is to engage audiences around the African American experience through telling stories that amplify that experience, “which is often excluded or actually flawed when included,“ said Sharia Benn, co-founder, president and executive artistic director.

Sankofa’s productions and programming are directed by African Americans, written by African Americans, centered on African American voices, and give access and support to African American talent.

“Yet, Sankofa is not an exclusive organization, but rather one that invites inclusivity to promote understanding, racial equity and community healing,” Benn said.

Because of its newness, Sankofa didn’t have the financial reserves or donor base of other arts organizations, nor did it qualify for pandemic relief like them. Sankofa was not eligible for grant funding because of eligibility requirements around staff size or operating budget, though its base of supporters and board members contributed, “some of them making a sacrifice… as they had lost jobs or had reductions in income.”

But Sankofa’s artistic director also attributed the financial woes, at least in part, to systemic racism.

“There are sustained conscious and unconscious racially based public policies and institutional practices that have resulted in inequities in access to funding and resources for education for theaters, artists and communities of color,” she said. “These institutional inequalities have existed for generations…and are clear when private philanthropic and public/government funding of black theater companies are examined.”

Still Here

Until performing arts groups can safely open, the two theaters are taking advantage of the involuntary break to remain visible and enhance their offerings.

Narcisse, for example, is reading plays for possible production and doing professional development. Henley is working on beefing up the theater’s educational program, which will include classes in acting, stagecraft and playwriting.

Sankofa is in the planning stages for some safe, socially distant programming during 2021, and Sankofa and Gamut Theatre Group—one of its collaborators—are doing more short-term planning by quarter, as opposed to an entire season. Sankofa also works with Open Stage.

“Reopening will definitely be different, and virtual technology will be a part of that and the future of theater,” Benn said. “We are also updating our strategic plan and implementing processes to make our organization more effective administratively…”

Like Sankofa, Narcisse doesn’t get a great deal of funding because it uses small casts and a lot of local actors. Narcisse also has no permanent home. Generally, its productions take place at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (HMAC), but the theater company would like to find its own space.

“But we’re starting small,” he said.

One space he’d like to occupy is the former Danzante building on Allison Hill. It is beautiful but also would fill a gap, Henley said—the area east of Cameron Street currently has no art gallery or theater.

Involving the community is another goal of Sankofa’s. “Voices of the Eighth” (V.O.T.E.) was an original, collaborative production performed in February, which included creative work from Sci-Tech, Central Dauphin East High School and Bishop McDevitt. It was attended by close to 800 students and more than 400 others in a public performance.

The play told the story of Black people who had lived in the Old 8th Ward in Harrisburg, a community razed to expand the Capitol Complex. It also highlighted the importance of the African American community being counted in the census—with the 2020 census team invited to be part of the performance talkbacks.

Sankofa and Narcisse also collaborate. “Voices of F.E.W.” was an original play by Benn that Henley directed. It is about the life and challenges of Frances Ellen Watkins-Harper, a 19th-century abolitionist, groundbreaking literary and oratorical figure and advocate for social change.

The two theaters also share hope for the future.

“We’re looking forward to getting back to our audiences of Harrisburg, completing our mission to the people of Harrisburg,” Henley said.

“We’re still here,” Benn said. “It’s important to say that Sankofa does not act in response to what’s happening, such as COVID and anti-black actions. We’re not a result but a recognition.”

For more information about Narcisse Theatre Co., visit www.narcissetheatre.org or call 717-777-1374.

For more information about Sankofa African American Theatre Co., visit www.sankofatheatrehbg.com or call 717-214-3251.

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Artist in Focus: Tristan Bond

June 30, 2020 | by TheBurg Editor

If you’ve had a meal or drink in the HMAC courtyard, you’ve probably seen Tristan Bond’s work.

He’s the creator of the circular mural of the surrealist deer, a work mounted during the 2017 Harrisburg Mural Festival. Or perhaps you’ve seen his work at the HBG Flea or the Odd Ones Bizarre at the Millworks.

If you have, you’ll probably see certain threads running through his work, as his style is inspired by a combination of Japanese culture, anime, retro wave, Afro punk and pop culture.

“I believe my work shows the power that we all hold within ourselves,” Tristan says. “There are layers to us all, vulnerability and also strength, and I like to capture that by creating empowering pieces with strong female and male characters depicted as warriors and dressed in geometric armors.”

We’re delighted to share images of Tristan’s work on this page. To see more, follow him on Instagram at @bond_of_art.

He’s Got a Song: Local guitarist leaves L.A. music scene and embraces Harrisburg’s.

February 28, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Eight years ago, Peter Stone was in high school at Harrisburg Academy.

When they didn’t have class, he and his friends would head to their music teacher Randy Gutwein’s room. All day, they had sat in classes, working, listening, but now was their chance to make some noise.

“He let us come to his room when we didn’t have class and just play really loud electric guitar and bang on the drum sets and stuff,” Stone said.

Just over a month ago, Stone and Gutwein chatted over the phone for the first time in years.

“He was like ‘sorry, I’m a little deaf now, thanks,’” Stone said. “He was making fun of me for causing his deafness. Which is probably actually true.”

Today, listening to his soft folk songs, you could hardly guess that this same man once caused his music teacher’s hearing loss from rocking out too hard.

Likes It

Most days, Stone sits in an office on Front Street in Harrisburg overlooking the Susquehanna River. He’s a software engineer for the design company, andculture. He’s had lots of jobs here and there, but this is his first time doing this.

The New Cumberland native has been in Harrisburg for over a year now. It bears little resemblance to Boston and Los Angeles, the two cities where he spent his late teens to early 20s, but he likes it.

Over the short time he’s been here, Stone has already woven himself into the music scene in Harrisburg, one he says he was “pleasantly surprised by.”

He has already played at H*MAC, Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Cornerstone Coffeehouse, Little Amps and other venues around the city.

He’s released two songs, “Fells Reservoir” and “Sparks,” on Soundcloud, which will be part of a collection of songs about water. Some, he said, will be named after local bodies of water. Soon enough, you may be able to listen to music inspired by the Yellow Breeches Creek and the Susquehanna River.

Stone draws inspiration for his lyrics from nature as well as the social and political issues he’s passionate about.

“I’m a pretty radical person,” he said. “Very anti-war, anti-racism, pro-tolerance and acceptance. There are songs I’m working on about that, and I’ve been using my music to do stuff about that.”

He explained how, through concerts, he has raised money for Extinction Rebellion, an international movement to bring awareness to climate change issues.

No matter the message, Stone has one underlying goal for his music.

“I want to express myself and help other people express themselves,” he said. “I just want to be a positive influence.”

His songs allow him a platform to speak his mind and feel confident in his work. But that wasn’t always the case. Stone’s come a long way in realizing his long-held vision.

Move Home

It all started when Stone was studying at Tufts University in Massachusetts and saw an advertisement for a band called the Rare Occasions. They were looking for a guitarist, and well, Stone was just that. Singer Brian McLaughlin, drummer Luke Imbusch, bassist Jeremy Cohen and Stone made up the band, initially playing at colleges, bars and parties.

Along the way, they amassed followers and played on local radio stations and at music festivals. Their early song, “Dysphoric,” won them the “Song of the Year” award in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and they began touring the country.

Most of the band’s songs were about relationships—friendships and romance. They made songs about what mattered to them, with a sound that they liked.

Life began changing as two of the band members graduated, the drummer moving to Los Angeles, leaving Stone with a decision of what to do next.

For four months, he and his girlfriend at the time traveled around the country, exploring, sleeping in tents and even staying at a llama farm, all with the goal of ending up in Los Angeles. Eventually, the singer and bassist met them there too.

The band reached a high with their album, “Into the Shallows,” in 2018, but Stone began hitting tough times when his relationship, finances and well-being took a turn for the worse.

“In order to keep doing what I was doing at that time, to make the band work, I was sacrificing my health,” Stone said. “I couldn’t sacrifice the way that I was to make it work when it wasn’t my baby.”

He decided to leave the band and move home.

An Impact

Now back in Pennsylvania, Stone is making music that’s his. He’s not getting lots of money, or really any, but he’s growing his fan base.

He gets off work, packs up his car and heads to whichever coffee shop or restaurant he’s playing that night. A one-man band, getting set up only requires a trip or two to the car.

“It’s lonely though,” he said. “It’s hard to work on recording stuff because I get lonely, and I live alone for the first time ever. So, it’s been taking me a long time to finish my record.”

However, Stone hopes to begin releasing more songs in spring.

“One of the reasons why I like being a musician is because you get a loud microphone to talk to people, and they hear what you say,” he said. “I know how much music influences people. I want to have an impact on the youth in a way that helps them the way music helped me.”

For more information and upcoming concert dates, visit Peter Stone’s website at www.peterstonemusic.com.

Musical Notes: Mega March

February 28, 2020 | by Kait Gibboney

As spring creeps closer, more events start to make their way to us. Looking through the catalogue of events for this year, I’m starting to see more and more bigger band names at local venues.

Harrisburg venues, bars and other art spaces, I applaud your efforts to continue to grow our music community; I’m glad to see positive growth and change. Aside from music this month, look for the return of Moviate’s Underground Film Festival. On March 22 at the Midtown Cinema, 14 shorts from the 2019 Underground Film Festival will play again for one night only. Moving back into music, the Brownstone Lounge is hosting a DJ Relay Weekend, featuring four performances over three days from March 13 to 15. For live performances, we have a ton to choose from, and it all keeps getting better.

THE REVIVALISTS, 3/4, 8PM, THE FORUM AUDITORIUM, $44
New Orleans makes its way to Harrisburg for one night only, hosted within the beautiful and historic Forum. The Revivalists came to fame late in the game, right around their 10th anniversary as a band. Their single, “Wish I Knew You,” spent over 40 weeks on the Billboard Adult Alternative chart in 2016, with several weeks in the No. 1 slot. Since then, the song has created opportunities for the band to spread their southern roots sound. The name, the Revivalists, fits the band well, inspired by the comeback of their home city following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. No doubt band members will bring some of their home city’s creativity and energy to Harrisburg.

LIVE DEAD ‘69, 3/17, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $25-45
Among circles of “Deadheads,” this winter show is to die for. Pun definitely intended. The timing is special in particular for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Woodstock performance. Leading the celebration for the evening at Whitaker Center is Tom Constanten on keys, Mark Karan on guitar, Slick Aguilar on guitar, Robin Sylvester on bass and Pete Lavezolli on drums. Constanten is the only original member of the Grateful Dead, while the rest of the band is associated with other acts like Rat Dog, The Other Ones and Jefferson Starship. If you’re into jamming and experimental styles, you’re meant to come out and relive the summer of ‘69 with these groovy guys.

LOTUS, 3/27 & 3/28, 8PM, XL LIVE, $30 FOR ONE NIGHT, $50 FOR 2-DAY PASS
Speaking of jamming, we’re rounding out the month with not just one but two nights of the iconic live band, Lotus. Electric, energizing and atmospheric rock sounds blend with electronic beats to create a unique sound perfect for a live setting. Inspired by idols the Grateful Dead and Kraftwerk, Lotus’s music is a jammier roots rock with a side of electronica. Funky and fresh, tight and improvisational, this band keeps audiences on their toes. XL Live’s mainstage and Lotus’s lights and sounds are the perfect recipe for a night on the town.

Mentionables:

Whit Waltman, March 8, Little Amps downtown;
Papadosio, March 13, XL Live;
Andy Mowatt Trio, March 13, Der Maennerchor;
Litz, March 13, The Abbey Bar;
Kilmaine St. Patrick’s Day, March 14, The Abbey Bar;
Fell From Zero, March 14, River City Blues Club;
Steve Hackett, March 15, Whitaker Center;
Rhett Miller, March 19, H*MAC Stage on Herr;
Magical Mystery Doors, March 20, XL Live;
Riff Raff, March 20, H*MAC Stage on Herr;
Martini Bros, March 28, River City Blues Club

Musical Notes: Leap Year Listen

January 31, 2020 | by Kait Gibboney

Some of you might have noticed that this month is pretty special.

February features an extra day for leap year, adding the 29th to end the month. I re-learned recently the reason for this—the sun takes six extra hours, on top of our usual 365 days, to make a full revolution each year. So, this extra day is added every four years to realign the calendar with Earth’s period of orbital revolution.

That had me thinking about realignment in general and how to better organize myself and my routines for the coming spring. Naturally, it also had me thinking that an extra day of the month means more opportunities for music events.

One special event that caught my eye is a showing of the silent film, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” at St. Stephen’s Cathedral on Feb. 22. This collaboration with local favorites Midtown Cinema is a part of the “Music by the River” series and features conductor/music educator Peter Krasinski on the organ, providing the film with live improvisational organ. In addition, popular alt-rock group Citizen Cope is coming back to the Burg to play at Whitaker Center on Feb. 16, having just played back in July.

You’d best believe we have more music to ring in the leap year, so dive in and see what’s going on in February.

ECHOES: THE AMERICAN PINK FLOYD, 2/1, 8PM, SCOTTISH RITE, $25-30
I may have mentioned this before, but my parents raised me on classic rock and a lot of Pink Floyd, so this show sounds extra exciting to me. Echoes is a 10-musician act with a great passion for the music of the legendary band. Setting out to create the ultimate experience for fans, Echoes was built to highlight Pink Floyd’s unique vocals, harmonies and killer instrumental solos. Everything is covered, such as the vocal solo on “The Great Gig in the Sky,” the ringing clocks on “Time,” the screaming guitar on “Echoes,” and the barking dog on “Seamus.” No sound is left out, and no corners are cut. The show promises to be one heck of a live performance with recreated sound effects, video content and a light show to boot. However, the band wants to emphasize that its focus is on the quality of the music. “Light shows and videos are great, but Pink Floyd is first and foremost about music,” says the band on their Facebook page. “If the music isn’t performed well with energy and passion, no amount of lights and lasers will help.” Hear and experience that passion at the stunning Scottish Rite Cathedral.

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES, 2/21, 8PM, XL LIVE, $27.50
Bluegrass and folk have made their way back into my musical repertoire lately, and this band is perfect for someone also looking for that fix. This group, hailing from Duluth, Minn., is made up of Dave Simonett on guitar/lead vocals/harmonica, Tim Saxhaug on bass, Dave Carroll on banjo, Erik Berry on mandolin, Ryan Young on fiddle and Eamonn McLain on cello. Apart from lead vocalist Simonett, the rest of the band adds backup vocals, providing a vivid, folksy soundscape. People may know their song “Wildflowers” or “Wait So Long,” but check out their newest EP released earlier in 2019, “Sigourney Fever.” Not only is it a great album name, but the music’s pretty great too.

UNSCRIPTED JAZZ SERIES: NINA SIMONE, 2/22, 7:30PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $35-50
Whitaker Center is bringing more soul to Harrisburg with their “Unscripted Jazz Series,” meant to showcase iconic music. This iteration features the music of Nina Simone with killer vocals and instrumentalists to commemorate this musical idol. Vocalist Carol Riddick and bassist Gerald Veasley head up the ensemble for an evening of vibrant musical energy. Titled “I Got Life,” this powerful celebration explores four parts of Simone’s songbook: quest, passion, fury and hope. Messages that held true back then speak to our current generation through Simone’s passionate and hopeful lyrics, performed honestly and with great appreciation by Riddick. This moving musical show has sold out all over the country, so don’t miss it while you have the chance.

Mentionables

All Time Low, Feb. 1, XL Live
Misterwives, Feb. 7, XL Live
Lovers of Music, Feb. 8, River City Blues Club
Jazz is Phish, Feb. 8, The Abbey Bar
Switch Fu, Feb. 15, Midtown Tavern
Valentine’s Day Bloodbath, Feb. 15, J.B. Lovedraft’s
Citizen Cope, Feb. 16, Whitaker Center
The Sweet Life, Feb. 22, H*MAC Stage on Herr
Knitebitch, Feb. 22, The Abbey Bar
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Feb. 22, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral
Wesley Stace: A Tribute to John Wesley Harding, Feb. 23, Note Bistro

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