Tag Archives: HMAC

Burg Review: Boxer Charles Feathers opens knock-out exhibit at HMAC

It was only fitting that the old Police Athletic League (PAL) building was the backdrop for bantamweight Charles Feathers’ art show at the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC) for 3rd in the Burg on Friday.

Feathers (pictured left) shook the very foundation with his show, which defied description. Everything from stylized ray guns to an apocalyptic wedding dress–including his signature “Bootleg” creations, presented in a no-holds-barred, knock ’em to the canvas style–made for a singular art exhibit.

Before venturing to the upstairs gallery, a laid back jazz duo put down an extra chill vibe on slide trombone and keyboards. The duo, Jim McFalls and Steve Rudolph, respectively, set the tone for a Mardi Gras ambiance in the downstairs bar and restaurant. As a visual backdrop behind them, hand-painted boxing gloves in a nod to the old PAL were on display.

A decade ago, the PAL building was reincarnated as HMAC and, preceding that, it housed the Jewish Community Center. Just off the elevator upstairs, an oversized, multi-colored yarn llama, replete with a cobalt blue saddle and gold suede harness, set off alarms for the riot of color alone. The police, one felt, could have been called in to save “the jumper,” an outsized plaster zebra (10 feet tall) as it perched precariously atop a questionable ledge while hanging onto a wedding veil in one hoof. Behind it was the aforementioned wedding dress with “burnout” patterns from a futuristic nuptial scene.

Otherworldly creations from Feathers included a metal-winged motorcycle jacket fit for a biker angel emblazoned with the “Bootleg” stamp. In a different vein, suspended from the ceiling, was a twisted metal sculpture hoop festooned with peacock feathers. In promoting the “feather fantasy,” Feathers made metal viewing glasses (sans lenses) adorned with peacock plumes outrageously placed across the frames or spinning out of control, extending the temples well beyond the wearer’s head. All the better to view “Planet Charlie” up close.

Artist and HMAC co-owner Gary Bartlett added three installations on the upstairs stage that complemented the avant garde work of Mr. Feathers. One installation spanned across either end of the stage, comprised of air duct vent tubes lit inside with multi-colored bulbs, giving the effect of an underground happening entitled, “American Dream/American Nightmare,” depending on the viewer’s point of view. Bartlett added two separate mannequin forms—one featured pieces from a shredded red Japanese lantern and gauzy material, and the companion piece was a torso adorned with scrabble letters.

What Feathers references in his “Bootleg Creations” is the imprimatur shark, which, in large part, is a tribute to the long-time collaboration with his dearly departed friend and co-creator, Dan Kalbach. Feathers carries on his legacy through the many iterations of “Bootleg,” an artistic genre in its own right.

What makes the body of work represented in Feathers’ oeuvre is the skill presented in diverse media—a potter, a sculptor, a photographer and, most of all, a visionary from another realm. His art is best seen and appreciated up close with clear eyes and an open mind. Whimsy is a large part of Feathers’ lexicon but so is romance and fantasy. All of this together makes Feathers a knockout artist. The evening was a TKO.

Be sure to view Feathers and Bartlett’s works at HMAC through April 17, before it leaves its orbit headed to another solar system.

The House of Music, Arts and Culture is located at 1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.harrisburgarts.com.

Continue Reading

Musical Notes: March Mix

It’s nearly springtime in Harrisburg and, as always, there’s plenty to do in and around our fair city.

Since it’s March, Irish pride takes over at a few venues for some St. Patty’s festivities. The annual Harrisburg St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off on March 23, brought to you by the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District. Up the road, Appalachian Brewing Co. hosts its ABC Irish Fest, filled with 17 days of Irish music performers, food and, of course, beer. Amidst the holiday fun, don’t forget to check out some other one-of-a-kind performances happening around the city. Here’s some of the best that the Burg has to offer this month.

GRAHAM NASH, 3/13, 7:30PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $49.50-69.50
Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Graham Nash makes a splash at Whitaker Center this month. He’s best known for his work with supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes Young) before heading on to a highly successful solo career. A seasoned musician, Nash was also in the UK pop group, the Hollies, inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame twice, and has won a Grammy award. His messages of peace and love come through in his soft sound and honest lyrics, capturing the spirit of several generations. Last December, Nash’s bandmate, David Crosby, also played at Whitaker Center for a very special evening. If you missed your chance to check out a CSN-styled performance, Graham Nash will have what you’re looking for.

TIG NOTARO, 3/16, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $30
Sometimes, I like to throw in a performance that isn’t strictly music, but still qualifies as a performance that can’t be missed. If you like comedy but don’t want to go too far for a live performance, Tig Notaro is arriving right on your doorstep. Traditionally a stand-up comedian, Notaro has experience as a writer, radio contributor and actor. Her popular debut album, “Live,” earned a nomination for a Grammy Award for “Best Comedy Album,” and her special, “Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted,” earned a nomination for an Emmy award for “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special.” Check out the show and her deadpan style of humor if you’ve been looking for some good laughs.

COLEBROOK ROAD, 3/30, 8PM, FEDERAL TAPHOUSE, FREE
It’s not a true music column without showing some local love, so here’s a show that’s bound to be quite the party. Colebrook Road is celebrating the release of their newest album with a show at the Federal Taphouse in downtown Harrisburg. The album, “On Time,” showcases the band’s newer sounds in their classic yet contemporary bluegrass stylings. The album drops officially on May 3, but trust me when I say that these guys are best experienced on a live stage. Buy a CD, support local music, and get swept away by their sweet, southern stylings.

 

Mentionables:

Shine Delphi, March 2, River City Blues Club;

Black Coffee, March 2, H*MAC Stage on Herr;

Illusions of Grandeur, March 8, H*MAC Stage on Herr;

The Marcus King Band, March 9, Club XL;

Willie Jack and the Northern Light, March 15, The Abbey Bar;

Goose & Catullus, March 22, The Abbey Bar;

Shawan & the Wonton, March 28, Boneshire Brew Works

Continue Reading

Musical Notes: A Musical Valentine

Well, readers, I hope you’ve made the best of your new year so far. As always, the city is hopping with new shows and events for y’all to enjoy.

The Millennium Music Conference and Showcase returns for its 23rd year at The Park Inn by Radisson Harrisburg West, with shows throughout the area, bringing many talented acts along with it. The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra kicks off its February Masterworks series at the Forum. There are even a few free shows going on around the city if you’re still a bit short on cash from the holidays. There’s something for everyone, and it’s my hope that you try something new this year.

HARRISBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MASTERWORKS, 2/9-10, THE FORUM, $19-$89
Orchestral and symphonic music holds a special place in my heart, and, for all classical music fans around town, the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra has quite the concert planned this month. As part of its Masterworks Series, the HSO features a seasonal tribute to the great outdoors with the works of three iconic composers: Alan Hovhaness (“Mysterious Mountain”), Aaron Copland (“Appalachian Spring”) and Richard Strauss (“Alpine Symphony”). Performed together for a night of musical mountains and alpine imagery, the concert centers on Hovhaness’s work. His music rises and falls like a mountain’s snowy cliffs, and the sublime beauty of the landscape can be felt within its movements. With Copland and Strauss’s popular, nature-inspired scores, this unforgettable performance is sure to warm your heart during this cold season.  

KURT VILE, 2/11, 9PM, CLUB XL, $30
If you really want to start out the year strong, swing by Harrisburg’s hot new venue for one of the most popular artists on tour in America. Kurt Vile and his backing band, the Violators, kick off Harrisburg University’s spring concert lineup. Vile is known for his solo works, his “Lotta Sea Lice” collaboration with Australian singer and guitarist Courtney Barnett, and for his guitar work for the band, The War on Drugs. The Violators’ current lineup features Jesse Trbovich on bass, guitar and saxophone, Rob Laakso on guitar and bass, and Kyle Spence on drums. Vile’s latest album, “Bottle It In,” was released in October and is definitely worth a listen before hitting the club. Don’t miss this one! 

BAD MARY, 2/23, 8PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB, FREE
If there’s one thing I can’t get enough of, it’s female-fronted punk groups in Harrisburg. Joining us from Long Island, Bad Mary is led by Amanda Mac on vocals, Mike Staub on bass and vocals, Bill Mac on drums, and David Henderson on guitar. Drawing influences from the ‘70s punk scene in New York City, their high-energy sound is meant to be fun and dance-y, perfect for a night out at River City. This show is free as part of the Millennium Music Conference 2019 lineup, and joining them for the night are locals the Twindows, Single by Sunday all the way from Glasgow, Scotland, Nothing Planned from Shippensburg, Some Day Perfect from Middletown, and Ed Allison from York. A perfect combo of punk from near and far, so get your fix this February.

Mentionables:

Green Jello, Feb. 2, H*MAC Stage on Herr;

Houndmouth, Feb. 15, Whitaker Center;

Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, Feb. 15, The Abbey Bar;

Pretty Things Peepshow, Feb. 15, H*MAC Capitol Room;

23rd Annual Millennium Music Conference & Showcase, Feb. 21-24, Various Venues;

Keller Williams, Feb. 22, Club XL

Continue Reading

HMAC owner names 15 defendants in defamation lawsuit.

Making good on a promise he issued this summer, the owner of a Harrisburg bar, restaurant and entertainment venue has filed a lawsuit against more than a dozen people who he claims defamed him and his business on social media websites.

John Traynor, owner of the House of Music, Arts and Culture (HMAC) on N. 3rd Street, filed a civil suit on Friday with the Dauphin County prothonotary against 14 individuals and one online news blog.

The suit charges all defendants with one count of defamation against HMAC, one count of defamation against Traynor himself, and one count of tortious interference of business relationships.

The plaintiffs, which include Traynor and HMAC’s parent company, Traynor, Bartlett & London LLC, seek a minimum award of $50,000 in compensation and punitive damages on each count.

The suit says the defendants “acted individually and/or in concert to publish false, malicious and defamatory statements about HMAC and John Traynor on social media websites, public websites and other internet websites” starting in November 2017.

Some of the statements detailed in the suit accuse Traynor of sexual assault. Others characterize HMAC a “safe haven” for rapists and sexual predators.

The lawsuit says that the “absolutely false” claims harmed the public reputations of Traynor and HMAC and interfered with business operations.

The action comes three months after HMAC’s owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced they would sell their business. This fall, Traynor blamed the business’s financial troubles on a social media firestorm that ignited in July, when an HMAC customer claimed that she was drugged inside the bar and later raped at another location in Harrisburg.

That woman, who is named as a defendant in the civil suit, said that HMAC’s staff failed to recognize her as a victim of date rape drugs and asked her to exit the bar, leaving her vulnerable to her attacker.

She posted those allegations on HMAC’s public Facebook page on July 28 and deleted them within an hour, Traynor said. Her original post is included as evidence in the suit Traynor filed this morning.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau investigated the assault and charged a suspect, Michael Ray Wright, with the woman’s rape on July 30. Over the course of their investigation, they found that HMAC’s staff could not have prevented the attack.

But a screenshot of the woman’s post circulated in online community groups. It was also the subject of a story on the Philadelphia-based blog YC.news, which, along with its proprietor, was named a defendant in today’s complaint.

In the Midtown Harrisburg Facebook group, the post generated hundreds of comments, including ones alleging unscrupulous business practices by HMAC and Traynor.

Traynor said that the accusations led some patrons to boycott HMAC, which houses a full-service bar and restaurant in addition to its performance venues.

He also said some of HMAC’s critics contacted bands and booking agents, urging them to cancel shows they had scheduled at the venue.

The episode damaged HMAC’s reputations and revenues, Traynor said. He told TheBurg in September that he would sue those people for tortious interference of contract and defamation.

According to one media law expert, a statement is considered defamatory in a court of law if it is false, causes harm to one’s reputation and causes monetary or emotional damages.

If a plaintiff in a defamation case is a public figure, he or she must prove that defendants acted with “actual malice” by knowingly making false statements that would cause the plaintiff harm.

That burden of proof disappears when the person bringing a defamation suit is a private citizen.

“It’s a less difficult case to make if you’re not a public figure,” said Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel at the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. “There doesn’t have to be intent to harm. There only has to be actual harm.”

Some harmful statements are considered protected speech if they are found to be opinions. But statements that accuse someone of a crime are “per se defamatory” if they are not true, Melewsky said.

On Friday, Traynor maintained that all the statements against him were baseless and that they “jeopardized” the livelihood of HMAC’s owners and employees.

Traynor’s lawyer did not return a request for comment.

Most civil suits are settled before they can go before a jury, Melewsky said. The next step is for defendants to answer to the charges against them, at which point both parties will begin to gather evidence in a pre-trial “discovery” phase.

HMAC appeared in court this fall to defend its liquor license before a Liquor Control Board hearing examiner. The PLCB has not yet ruled on the renewal of the license, which expired earlier this year.

Ed Note: In this story, we originally attached a copy of the complaint. We took down the document to further vet it after being alerted that it may contain certain sensitive information.

Continue Reading

A Very Good Year? Yes, assuming you like infrastructure and hate Act 47.

The days tick by and, before you know it, another year has passed us in the city of Harrisburg.

As I normally do for my January column, I’m reliving the recent past by reviewing the top news stories of the last 365 days.

I would say that it was an up-and-down year for Harrisburg, but I feel like I say that every year. In any case, buckle in for a trip down memory lane, assuming, that is, that your memories, like mine, mostly consist of taxes, housing and roadwork.

10. When the Rains Came
In journalism, the weather story may be the last refuge of the uninspired, and, accordingly, we don’t write a lot them. But even we take notice when the relentless rains start to affect people’s everyday lives. In 2018, the deluge began early, took a snow break for a late March blizzard, then continued for much of the year, obliterating outdoor events, delaying road projects and closing City Island briefly in July. In its history, Harrisburg has suffered much worse floods, but that was small comfort to the Pride of the Susquehanna riverboat, which lost weeks of sailing due to high water, leading to financial setbacks and appeals for donations.

9. New District, Same Result
The year started off on a hopeful note for area Democrats, as the state’s long-gerrymandered congressional districts were redrawn. The new 10th district, now centered around the Harrisburg area, still had Republicans in the majority, but their partisan advantage had narrowed. A snoozer of a Democratic primary led to the nomination of George Scott, a likeable, mild-mannered minister who, in the general election, raised a lot of money and fielded a large, enthusiastic team of volunteers. However, in the end, he could not dislodge the entrenched Republican incumbent, Scott Perry, who beat back the challenger by nearly three points.

8. Go Downtown
Harrisburg has suffered from decades of disinvestment. So, you might think that city officials would enthusiastically embrace multi-million-dollar redevelopment projects. Some, however, showed little love for a plan to convert two large, underused office buildings on Pine Street to apartments. City Council President Wanda Williams, claiming a lack of affordable units, objected to the projects. Harristown Development countered that some of the proposed units did meet the definition of “affordable” and, in any case, that the city as a whole, and downtown, in particular, would benefit greatly by an influx of new residents and their money. In the end, Williams’ objection could not derail the projects, which satisfied all other conditions set by a city that lacks a formal affordable housing policy.

7. Empty Spaces
During Harrisburg’s golden age, the Market/Cameron street corridor buzzed with activity from factory workers, auto salesmen, postal clerks and ink-stained wretches. But that was long ago. Today, it’s largely a no man’s land, stuck between hope and despair. On the despair side, it lost one of its few remaining structures—the century-old Schell seed building. But the circle of urban life continues, and, in March, the commonwealth released two promising reports. The first set forth renovation plans for the nearby, historic train station, and the second outlined a long-term vision to restore the Paxton Creek watershed, which would add acres of green space to the blighted area and reduce the risk of flooding. Mayor Eric Papenfuse has called the Paxton Creek project potentially transformational, but that transformation remains many years and many more millions of dollars away.

6. House of Controversy
Every year, a story pops up seemingly from nowhere and then surprises me in its public interest. For 2018, that story was the ongoing saga at the House of Music, Arts & Culture—otherwise known as HMAC. The summertime drama started after a patron said that she was assaulted after leaving the venue. The police soon cleared HMAC of culpability, but not before Facebook exploded in an onslaught of online invective. Soon after, TheBurg reported that HMAC had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and that its owners planned to sell the sprawling art space and restaurant. If HMAC does get new owners, 2019 could be a pivotal year for a place that has come a long way over a decade, when it was a blighted shell, but that, by its co-owner’s own admission, could use fresh leadership.

5. Park & Dine
Last January, I wrapped up my annual year-in-review column by stating that, for the first time in years, my top-10 list excluded the single-most persistent issue in Harrisburg—parking. Well, it’s back! In April, the city, Dauphin County, the Downtown Improvement District and Standard Parking inked a deal to provide free street parking after 5 p.m. throughout much of downtown. The early reviews were positive, with restaurant owners saying that business had picked up once patrons realized they could snag a drink or dinner without risking a $30 ticket. The one-year deal expires soon, so we’ll have to see what City Council and other stakeholders think of their “one-year experiment.”

4. Plan Jam
Second only to parking, the unfinished comprehensive plan is the city’s most evergreen story—with us year in, year out. It may now seem like a distant memory, but the city held a public meeting last January on the draft plan. That public hearing garnered many comments from residents, even as Mayor Papenfuse denounced the draft document as “unworkable” and “unsalvageable.” Papenfuse later threatened to replace the entire Planning Commission, even if it took years, to get a plan more to his liking. Nonetheless, the commission stuck with its draft and, in November, requested $50,000 to finish it up. So, could this be the year that Harrisburg finally gets a new comprehensive plan? Maybe, but I’m already reserving an entry for it on my 2019 list.

3. Drama Class
Generally speaking, Harrisburg is a much less dramatic place than it was a few years ago, during the height of the city’s financial crisis. I now will carve out a great, big exception for the school district, which has taken over as the center of city spectacle and dysfunction. Every month of 2018 seemed to feature some new problem—budget shortfalls, a tax hike, poor academic performance, a controversial grading policy, school board resignations, personnel issues, principal reshuffling and a battle over whether to re-appoint the superintendent, among other issues. I’ll go out on a limb and say that, with control of the school board at stake during upcoming municipal elections, city residents should expect more of the same this year.

2. All Roads Lead to (and from) Harrisburg
This past year, the long-awaited 3rd Street corridor project finally began digging, cutting and drilling. Then it stopped. Then it started again. City officials now say that the streetscape and paving project will conclude this year. But 3rd Street wasn’t the only stretch of road on the minds of city residents in 2018. The city kicked off its “Vision Zero” campaign with a public meeting in June, as it strives for zero pedestrian deaths, an ambitious goal considering the shockingly high rate of road fatalities. The year in infrastructure ended on a more hopeful note. In November, residents packed a public meeting on the city’s plan to convert much of N. 2nd Street to two-way traffic. Suburban commuters may have a different opinion, but the crowd that attended the meeting seemed to support the concept overwhelmingly.

1. The Long Good-Bye
In city life, an issue may arise under one set of assumptions, only to take numerous twists and turns before resolution. Such was the case with Harrisburg’s plan to leave Act 47, the state program for distressed municipalities. We began the year assuming the city would roll into a three-year wind-down of its involvement. That assumption was thrown into doubt after the state proposed doubling the city property tax as a condition for leaving. Appalled, Harrisburg officials asked the state legislature to allow the city to retain the extra taxing authority it has had under Act 47. That bill passed in October, though in a highly modified form that offers just five more years of enhanced taxing power. With that compromise, Harrisburg plans soon to exit Act 47 in 2019, allowing it, after many years, to shed the moniker, “distressed city.”

As I typically do, I will wrap up the January column with the disclaimer that, while these are my choices for the top Harrisburg news items of 2018, they may not be yours. You easily could make a case that I should have included the tragic deaths of a mother and son at the Dock Street Dam, the death of a U.S. marshal during a raid on a house in Allison Hill and the death of restaurateur Nick Laus, which was our single most-read online story of the year.

Here’s hoping that 2019 brings the people of Harrisburg nothing but good news, which I will happily recap a year from now. And more free parking.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Continue Reading

Musical Notes: New Year, New Tunes

We’ve made it to 2019, everyone!

It’s time to move past the setbacks and outdated habits of last year and make way for our better selves in a new year. As usual, I’ll be giving you my best picks from Harrisburg’s growing music scene. Hopefully this month, you will take some of my advice and support musicians and artists here in the city. Make it a resolution to get out more to benefit both yourself and the art community here. I wish you all a very happy new year, and I hope you make the best of it!

 

ABSOLUTELY FREAKED! A ROCK SHOW OF ZAPPA’S EARLY WORKS, 1/10-13, 7:30PM, OPEN STAGE OF HARRISBURG, $25-35
This is going to be one heck of a local live performance that you don’t wanna miss out on. Absolutely Freaked! is an experiential rock concert performed by local talents from Open Stage and arranged and directed by Joseph Osborne and Chris Gibson. This show got the thumbs up from the Zappa estate and covers his works from 1966 to 1972, including some of his hit songs like “Plastic People” and “Who Are The Brain Police?” If you’ve always wanted to get into Zappa and never had a good reason, your time has come. If you’re a longtime fan looking got a night out, this one’s for you, too.

 

LETTUCE, 1/22, 7:30PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $38.50-43.50
It’s time to get funky with some Lettuce. And no, I’m not talking about romaine. This funkadelic band is bringing you a fresh take on some classic funk sounds at the Sunoco Performance Theatre in Whitaker Center. Hear samples of their latest EP, “Mt. Crushmore,” and rock along to tracks like “The Love You Left Behind.” Included in the ticket price is a $1 donation to HeadCount, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization “dedicated to voter registration and inspiring participation in democracy through the power of music.” Support a good cause and get down with your bad self at the same time.

 

GOOD IN THE DARK, 1/25, 7PM, THE UNDERGROUND BIKE SHOP, $5
A local band is celebrating a birthday, and what better way to do it than with music? Heather Perry of Harrisburg’s own Good in the Dark is putting on a special bday show at The Underground Bike Shop. This pop/punk/disco/dance band will blow you away with their heavy and groovy sounds. I first saw them at the Underground awhile ago for a Halloween cover show, and they really knocked me over when they closed out the evening strong with a Pixies set. They’re joined by Dear Forbidden from Philly and Northern Gloom from here in the Burg for a perfect taste of the local scene. Grab a six pack and take a walk to Olde Uptown to see some of our town’s very best.

 

Mentionables:

U.S. Bombs & Total Chaos, Jan. 3, Club XL;

Martin Sexton, Jan. 5, H*MAC Capitol Room;

Litz, Jan. 5, The Abbey Bar;

Lexa Terrestrial, Jan. 5, H*MAC Stage on Herr;

Driftwood, Jan. 18, The Abbey Bar;
Appetite for Destruction, Jan. 19, Club XL;

Jarrad Briggs & The Jayplayers, Jan. 26, River City Blues Club;

Cognitive, Jan. 27, J.B. Lovedraft’s

Continue Reading

Let’s Talk: The nation’s “social infrastructure” may be withering, but Harrisburg’s is growing stronger.

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

In late October, a group of Harrisburg residents, officials and canine-lovers gathered on a brisk late afternoon to cut the ribbon on the city’s first public dog park.

To fit the occasion, there were, of course, the requisite speeches, some pooch-related puns and the yip and yap from city dogs off-leash and frolicking in the fresh, damp grass in the newly fenced area at N. 7th and Granite streets.

So, certainly, if you’re a mutt or hound, a pedigree or mix, this ribbon cutting was a landmark event, one you’ll probably relive in your doggie dreams until your next visit. Less emphasized, however, was what the park will mean for us—the humans of Harrisburg.

A few months back, Eric Klinenberg, a sociology professor at New York University, wrote about something he called “social infrastructure” for the Atlantic Monthly. In his piece, he lamented the poor, deteriorating condition of our shared spaces—libraries, parks, markets and the like. These, he said, offered natural opportunities for people to meet, talk, form friendships and otherwise make attachments, all to the benefit of themselves and their communities. Many of these social spaces, however, now are threatened by lack of care and investment, particularly on the part of governments, he wrote.

Naturally, Klinenberg’s article had me thinking about life in this city.

If I had to grade Harrisburg’s social infrastructure, I might give it a “B-minus,” maybe a firm “B” on a good day. So, not bad, but certainly room for improvement. The thing is, it wasn’t long ago when this mark would have been much worse. Harrisburg spent decades fraying and falling, with terrible consequences for the quality of life here. But, now, as the city bounces back, it is bucking the larger, national trend described by Klinenberg. Its social infrastructure is actually getting better.

Anyone who has visited a dog park knows that it’s not just the dogs that get friendly with one another. The owners stand around, watch their pets, and get to know each other. Many friendships, even relationships, have begun at dog parks, especially since even the most small-talk-challenged have a shared interest and natural launching point for conversation.

But I don’t mean to put too much pressure on one little dog park. In the decade I’ve been in Harrisburg, I’ve seen the social infrastructure in this little city improve dramatically.

Certainly, the Broad Street Market sits at the crossroads of the community and, as such, is a reflection of its social health.

After decades of struggle, the market has been on a prolonged upswing, thanks to a combination of strong management, excellent vendors and the general comeback of the Midtown neighborhood. If there is a load-bearing beam holding up Harrisburg’s social infrastructure, the Broad Street Market is it.

Walking through the crowded market buildings, you would never know that, not long ago, vendors, sparse as they were, seemed to outnumber shoppers. But, today, the market is the scene of thousands of interactions and conversations—from the main dining area to the Zeroday Outpost to the ordering counters to the shared tables. The market is prima facie evidence that we are a social species, happier together than when divided or isolated.

Spiraling out from the market, Midtown Scholar Bookstore has become a de facto community center; Strawberry Square has mounted a surprising rebirth as a gathering and meeting place; the Midtown Cinema parking lot has become a free outdoor film venue and flea market space; and profoundly underused Italian Lake Park is finding new life as a place for free outdoor concerts and events.

Some of the examples may not strictly fit Klinenberg’s definition of social infrastructure, since he distinguishes purely “public” spaces from commercial ones. However, both Midtown Scholar and Midtown Cinema basically donate their venues for community use, as, often, does HMAC. And I’m certain far more business gets done at the tables in Little Amps than at the ordering counter.

In fact, what I like so much about Harrisburg’s approach is that, for the most part, private entities—Friends of Midtown, the Harrisburg Parks Foundation, Friends of Italian Lake, Harristown, HYP, the LGBT Center, Bethesda Mission and many companies—have stepped up to build and strengthen the city’s social infrastructure when and where the cash-strapped municipal government could not. I like to think that TheBurg also contributes through our free magazine and community reporting, by donating staff to 3rd in the Burg each month and by sponsoring free events like the Harrisburg Mural Festival.

So, Dr. Klinenberg, take heart. I know you were in Harrisburg a few months back to give a book talk, but you really should return and, this time, stay awhile. Study what we’re doing. Speak to the people building Harrisburg’s social infrastructure from the ground up. Bring your dog. I think you’ll leave with more hope than when you arrived.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Continue Reading

Musical Notes: Fall Swingin’

Fall is in full swing, and Harrisburg keeps coming out with some real hits. But, before we get to this month’s killer music, I want to highlight a few events that fall outside the usual conception of music concert.

The HBG Flea moves their monthly market indoors starting this month, giving you an opportunity to fully experience the cultural melting pot that is Strawberry Square. Check out some live music and local artisans while you’re there, and be sure to snag some vinyl while you’ve got music on the brain. If you’ve missed the magic that is a live “Rocky Horror” show during Halloween, H*MAC’s got your back this month with their annual performances on Nov. 2 and 3 by the H*MAC Theatre Co. And if you didn’t know already, River City’s got a killer karaoke setup every Thursday night, every week. Perfect for a night out after work and a perfect opportunity to sing your lil’ heart out.

Sometimes, it can be hard to keep track of all that our city has to offer, but it’s my hope that y’all get out and support the businesses and people that help to grow the arts and music scene in the city. Show your local love and get some live shows in your life.

 

JOEY CALDERAZZO, 11/4, 3PM, WITF, $10-24
If you’re feeling kinda jazzy, Central PA Friends of Jazz has got one heck of a show for you. Joey Calderazzo performs at WITF for the final concert on their 38th season. Associated with his former bandmates Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis, Calderazzo has made a name for himself, forming his own group and touring extensively. He started his classical studies at the age of 6, started playing the piano when he was 8, studied with Richard Beirach, continued his musical education, and been part of many groups in his lifetime of music. In 1998, the Branford Marsalis Quartet pianist Kenny Kirkland died. Assuming his place in the band, Calderazzo eventually went on to be one of the first musicians to sign with Marsalis Music. Today, he’s known as one of the best pianists in the jazz field. Be prepared to be dazzled as Calderazzo plays the 9-foot Steinway piano at WITF’s Public Media Center.

 

FRUIT BOOTS / NATURAL VELVET, 11/10, 8PM, THE UNDERGROUND BIKE SHOP, $5
Drag shows are something that drew me to the city in college. It’s a fun evening of free gender expression and empowerment that I feel everyone should experience at least once. Fortunately, this is the Sundae Best Variety Show’s all-ages edition of their “Fruit Boots” show, which is a perfect introduction to anyone wanting a bit of punk drag performance in their lives. Joining the stage with the Fruit Boots cast is Natural Velvet, Baltimore natives who are bringing some post-punk aggression to the Underground Bike Shop. The group is made up of bassist and vocalist Corynne Ostermann, drummer Greg Hatem, guitarist Spike Arreaga and guitarist Kim Te. Their album, “She is Me,” is a good place to start to get a taste of their style, and their cover of David Bowie’s “Boys Keep Swinging” is one of my favorites. Get your fruits, get your boots, and get ready to rock!

 

EXPLODED VIEW, 11/12, 7PM, THE ABBEY BAR, $15
My introduction to Exploded View was through their music video for their song, “Summer Came Early.” Not only was it visually striking from a film standpoint, but their dreamy sound really drew me in. In 2014, Anika, a British political journalist turned musician, formed a new collaboration after playing a few solo shows in Mexico. She and local producers Martin Thulin, Hugo Quezada and Amon Melgarejo cultivated a truly unique sound that they felt had to be captured. Believing in the power of improvisational and raw music, their unscripted album was recorded by capturing every sound produced in the room, first takes only. Head on over to The Abbey Bar to experience their true sound in person, the way music is meant to be heard.

 

Mentionables:

Allen Stone, Nov. 20, H*MAC Capitol Room
The Machine, Nov. 21, Whitaker Center
Yam Yam, Nov. 21, The Abbey Bar
Kix, Nov. 23, Club XL
Atreyu, Nov. 23, H*MAC Capitol Room
The Dirty Sweet, Nov. 24, The Abbey Bar
Toubab Krewe, Nov. 27, The Abbey Bar

Continue Reading

September News Digest

HMAC Files Chapter 11

A month after a sexual assault allegation engulfed the House of Music, Arts & Culture (HMAC) in a social media maelstrom, its owners filed for bankruptcy and plan to sell their business.

HMAC (formerly the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center) will continue its normal operations as its owners restructure debt obligations to more than three dozen creditors, said John Traynor, who owns HMAC with his husband, Gary Bartlett, and two other partners.

Their company, Bartlett, Traynor & London LLC, last month filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. They believe that they have a buyer for the business, according to the filing documents. HMAC listed more than $5 million in total assets, chief among them the sprawling, historic building at 1110 N. 3rd St.

Traynor hopes to transition to new management and ownership by 2019.

“This allows us to reorganize, take a breath, and work with creditors,” Traynor said. “I think HMAC could use a fresh start, and Chapter 11 will help facilitate that.”

Traynor and his partners have developed HMAC for a decade and, in 2009, opened the first phase, Stage on Herr, a bar and concert venue. In all, they’ve since spent millions of dollars renovating the 34,000-square-foot property, which served as the city’s Jewish Community Center starting in 1924 and later housed Harrisburg’s Police Athletic League.

Today, HMAC is comprised of three separate performance venues, as well as a full-service bar and kitchen. It hosts shows by local and national performance artists, corporate events, weddings and community gatherings.

 

Renovated Playgrounds Reopen

Summer break may be over, but playtime is just beginning in Harrisburg.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Cloverly Heights Playground, one of four play areas that were recently revamped with new equipment and green infrastructure.

After being closed all summer, playgrounds at Cloverly Heights, Norwood and Holly streets, Penn and Sayford streets and Royal Terrace are opening to the public.

The four sites have been outfitted with all-new play amenities, and each one has unique features, Papenfuse said.

Three of the sites also have storm water management enhancements thanks to Capital Region Water.

“Our parks are the city’s greatest assets,” Papenfuse said. “I’m glad we’re bringing all of our playgrounds up to the level that our community would like to see.”

The city will complete renovations at a fifth playground, at 4th and Dauphin streets, next year.

The citywide playground renovations were part of a $2 million partnership among Harrisburg, Capital Region Water, Impact Harrisburg, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The ribbon cutting represented the culmination of a project three years in the making. The five playground sites were first targeted for renovations in 2015, but renovations stalled while the city pursued funding and collected public input.

 

Another Purchase for Harristown

A downtown Harrisburg building project has changed significantly, as a developer now has plans to purchase and renovate the building next door.

Harristown Enterprises expects to close this fall on the purchase of 17 S. Market Sq., currently the home of the SkarlatosZonarich law firm, said Harristown CEO Brad Jones. A full renovation of the century-old, 33,809-square-foot building will follow.

“We’re still evaluating the uses of that building,” Jones said. “We think it’s going to become a mixed-used project.”

Last year, Harristown bought the neighboring building, a small, dilapidated, early 19th-century office and retail building at 21 S. 2nd St., which notably once housed the Coronet restaurant.

It razed that building, with expectations to construct a new office building and attach it internally to the SkarlatosZonarich property. However, according to Jones, the plan changed after continuing discussions with the law firm.

“As we began to talk more, they indicated they were more interested in selling the building,” Jones said.

As a result, SkarlatosZonarich now will sell their Market Square building to Harristown and relocate to the Bowman Tower in Strawberry Square, which is also owned by Harristown.

In January, the firm’s 35 employees will move into about 11,000 square feet of office space, about double their current footprint, following a $1 million renovation, Jones said. After the relocation, Strawberry Square will have an office vacancy rate of only about 5 percent, he said.

Jones said that plans are still in flux for the redevelopment project at Market Square, but he expects a mixed use of residential, office and retail, with residential more likely for 17 S. Market Sq. and office more likely for 21 S. 2nd St.

 

Parker Departs City

A senior Harrisburg official left her post last month to work in the private sector.

Jackie Parker, who has headed the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) since 2014, left her position to take a job with a medical marijuana company, she told TheBurg.

Parker joined the city administration when Mayor Eric Papenfuse took office in 2014. She previously served as the mayor of Lebanon, Pa., and as deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

As the city’s DCED director, Parker was the point person for economic development projects, Papenfuse said. She managed employees in the bureaus of housing, planning, business development and parks and recreation.

Papenfuse said today that he does not plan to replace Parker. The mayor announced a city hall hiring freeze in June, but he also hopes to reorganize DCED in the wake of Parker’s departure.

He expects to prepare a reorganization plan ahead of his 2019 budget presentation in November.

“She’s been a wonderful, committed leader for the city,” Papenfuse said. “I think she’s irreplaceable.”

 

Trash Billing Proposal Revived

Unpaid trash fees are costing Harrisburg an average of $200,000 a month—a problem that city Treasurer Dan Miller thinks can be fixed by billing residents once a year for disposal services.

Miller proposed an annual trash billing structure earlier this year as part of an overhaul of Harrisburg’s sanitation laws. But City Council nixed the measure, saying it would stress the cash flow of low-income and fixed-income residents.

The city currently bills residents $32 a month for trash collection. It also has a monopoly on commercial accounts in the city.

Miller appeared before council last month to renew the case for annual billing. He’s proposing that Harrisburg include a line item for trash fees on every property’s annual real estate tax bill, which is mailed out in January. The trash collection fee would be subject to the same 2 percent, 60-day discount period as the real estate tax.

The city currently has a 98-percent collection rate on its real estate taxes. Miller hopes that trash fee collections would increase by streamlining the two bills into one. It would also save an estimated $100,000 a year in mailing costs.

Collecting up-front payments is key, Miller said, since the treasurer’s office doesn’t have many means to pursue delinquent accounts.

According to Miller, Harrisburg lost enforcement authority over delinquent trash bills when it restructured under the Harrisburg Strong Plan, the financial recovery plan it adopted in 2013.

Before the Strong Plan, Harrisburg had an in-house collections arm in its Operations Revenue Department (ORD). When the department could not collect bills from delinquent accounts, it could turn off the water at those properties to spur a payment.

But the Strong Plan dissolved the ORD and transferred Harrisburg’s water assets to Capital Region Water. As a result, the city lost the ability to terminate water services at delinquent properties.

“People discovered that, if they didn’t pay their bill, their trash was still collected and nothing else happened,” Miller said. “Maybe their bill went up [from interest], but nobody was doing anything about it.”

 

So Noted

Knead Bar Pies opened last month inside of Zeroday Brewing Co., 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. This is the second location for Knead, which also has a stand in the Broad Street Market, serving a different style of pizza. Pending approval of a liquor license transfer, Knead is planning a third location, Knead Slice Shop, at N. 3rd and Boas streets, a storefront long occupied by Mercado’s Pizzeria.

Paxton Ministries
and Monarch Development Group last month broke ground on Paxton Place, an affordable senior housing development at 1100 S. 20th St., Harrisburg. The $8.6 million development, featuring a 37-unit apartment building, should be completed in fall 2019.

Penn State Health last month appointed Deborah A. Berini as president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Berini most recently served as chief operating officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch Health System. She replaces Alan Brechbill, who has assumed the role of executive vice president for hospital operations for Penn State Health.

Salvation Army of Harrisburg last month broke ground on it new regional headquarters located at S. 29th Street and Rudy Road. When complete, the 39,000-square-foot facility will house the Salvation Army’s education and human services programs, which reach more than 18,000 adults and children in Dauphin, Perry and Cumberland counties.

Stash Vintage and The Midtown Dandy are teaming up to open a vintage clothing store in downtown Harrisburg, they announced last month. The two retailers will move into the storefront at 11 S. 3rd St. later this fall once improvements are made to the space, which is owned by Harristown Enterprises.

 

Changing Hands

Allison St., 1506: S. Maurer to J. Davison, $71,000

Boas St., 213: B. Wagner to L. & S. Godinez, $105,900

Brookwood St., 2466: Carrodo LLC to PA Deals LLC, $45,000

Conoy St., 110: M. & S. McLees to H. Peyrot, $153,000

Crescent St., 332½: Dynaspek Holdings LLC to K. Stoute, $50,000

Croyden Rd., 2981: J. Arvelo to Leonard J. Dobson Family Limited Partnership, $30,401

Cumberland St., 113: J. Townsend to J. Calla, $173,000

Derry St., 1603½: S. Vielle to R. Garcia, $37,000

Emerald St., 219: D Jay Investments LLC to M. Goldthwait, $31,600

Fulton St., 1713: A. Beck to M. Fagan, $125,000

Graham St., 310: N. Lindemyer to V. Arrington, $99,000

Green St., 1704: B. & C. Hansen to Z. Houseal, $209,900

Green St., 1914: L. Copus to K. Bogard, $194,900

Green St., 2316: Skye Holdings LLC to U&N Properties, $35,000

Holly St., 1844: V. Rivas to F. Eras, $40,000

Hunter St., 1610: M. Toro to P. Anandan, $44,000

Kensington St., 2044: PTSH Properties LLC to K. Cardona, $33,500

Kensington St., 2225: D. & S. Fenton and Harrisburg Property Management Group to F. Sisic, $54,000

Lewis St., 210: B. & C. Zandieh to T. Keller, $67,000

Logan St., 2329: I. Mirambeaux to D. Reyes-Martinez, $35,000

Maclay St., 332: JTA Consulting Group LLC to D. Jolley, $70,000

Market St., 2018: US Bank NA Trustee & Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC to C. Ovalles, $40,767

North St., 214: A. Lawson to J. Hunt & K. Lambert, $129,000

Norwood St., 920: J. & R. Lowery to J. Arocho, $91,180

N. 2nd St., 901 & 903: W. & J. Hobbie to WG PA Holdings LLC & B. Golper, $365,000

N. 2nd St., 909: C. Simmons to C. Adam, $165,000

N. 2nd St., 1223: B. Jones to A. Holt & S. Hayes, $153,000

N. 2nd St., 2425: S. & M. Hwang to A. Waltz, $168,000

N. 2nd St., 3008: H. & K. Bey to S. & R. Bogash, $234,900

N. 2nd St., 3209: Benchmarq Holdings LLC to H. & L. Robinson, $109,900

N. 3rd St., 1628: C. Frater to Heinly Homes LLC, $100,000

N. 3rd St., 1640: V. Jenkins to Heinly Homes LLC, $76,500

N. 3rd St., 1806: HBG Rents LLC to C. Shokes, $242,000

N. 3rd St., 3020: D. Porter to PA Deals LLC, $32,000

N. 4th St., 2410: PA Deals LLC to K. Moulds, $70,000

N. 5th St., 2251: K. Rolston to B. Kerstetter, $210,000

N. 5th St., 3118: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Willowscott Investments LLC, $34,000

N. 5th St., 3132: K. Hall to Willowscott Investments LLC, $62,000

N. 6th St., 2947: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Trustee to D. Wenger, $61,425

N. 6th St., 2987: C. De la Riva to E. & P. Grier, $125,000

N. 6th St., 3151: A. Banks to E. Crawford, $69,900

N. 14th St., 1116: Just Sold Another One LLC to Gator Management Group LLC, $31,000

N. 16th St., 1326, 1328: W. Washington to F. Johnson, $95,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 212: D. Taylor to R. Viti & T. Luckenbaugh, $149,550

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 510: M. & L. Paszak to H. Evren & M. Saygin, $99,900

N. Front St., 2833: N. & P. West to A. & G. Shahbaz, $289,000

N. Front St., 3207: Remus Real Estate to 3207 N. Front St LLC, $390,000

Parkway Blvd., 2513: A. Maiga to A. Buglione, $30,000

Penn St., 1508: M. Parmer to C. Bury, $137,900

Penn St., 1608: R. Viti & T. Luckenbaugh to D. Hooker & B. Lister, $165,000

Penn St., 2117: JLP Holdings LLC to Wells Fargo Bank NA, $34,518

Penn St., 2233: J. Thomas to T. & R. Kenney, $109,900

Radnor St., 249: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to M. Chappelle, $115,620

Rudy Rd., 2339: Good Deal Properties LLC to W. MacMichael, $39,500

Rumson Dr., 2786: J. & K. Cabezas to PA Deals LLC, $40,000

S. 13th St., 435: SWM Properties LLC to F. & P. Harden, $70,000

S. 13th St., 1496: A. Roberts to DPM Development LLC, $41,500

S. 14th St., 1402: D. & E. Stanton to City of Harrisburg, $41,000

S. 14th St., 1431: R. Epps to City of Harrisburg, $57,000

S. 14th St., 1434: W. Collins to City of Harrisburg, $45,000

S. 14th St., 1456: G. Bullock & L. Gratkowski to City Harrisburg, $56,000

S. 16th St., 17: D. Springer to W. Cherelus, $33,000

S. 18th St., 1319: K. Shemory to J. Nguyen & T. Pham, $100,000

S. 27th St., 634: S. Moore to D. Mateo, $50,000

S. 27th St., 731: S. & M. Pandolfi to P. Menanga & J. Bidjeke, $135,000

S. Front St., 557: K. Stennett to K. Tatum, $128,000

State St., 1717: A. & R. Sharp to M. Demonda, $130,000

State St., 1823: C. & N. Bickel to M. Butler, $69,917

Susquenhanna St., 1730: Signature Rehab Services LLC to G. Harris, $111,200

Swatara St., 1905: H. Abukaffaya to A. Grove-Erazo, $37,000

Vine St., 119: W. Zutell to Wild Patch LLC, $80,000

Walnut St., 104: C. Hinson to MIV Properties LLC, $85,000

Walnut St., 1854-1860: T. Van, H. Van & T. Vo to H. Van, $85,000

Woodbine St., 236: M. Elganzoory to Lambar LLC, $34,000

Wyeth St., 1409: D. & M. Myers to H. Swanson, $117,000

 

Harrisburg property sales for August 2018, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Continue Reading

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

UB40. Photograph by Tom Oldham.

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

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

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

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

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

Mentionables:

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

Io & Titan, Oct. 9, Little Amps Downtown

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

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

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

Flux Capacitor, Oct. 19, The Abbey Bar

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

Berndsen, Oct. 27, The Abbey Bar

Continue Reading