Tag Archives: Millworks

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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Happenings: Our April Calendar of Events

March 31, 2021 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

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

“Look . . . They Gave Me a Map,” an exhibit examining the enduring appeal of free road maps, through April 23

“Minibike Mania,” a display of more than two dozen miniature motorbikes, through April 23

“Yeah, It’s Got a Hemi!” an exhibit focused on Hemi engines, through April 23

“Yes, We Drive These Cars!” is an exhibit of The Horseless Carriage Club of America, with three display cars, early signage and artifacts, and video of the cards on tour, through April 23

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

“Figuratively Speaking,” annual juried membership show celebrating the human form, with an added theme of coronavirus lock-down/quarantine experience, through May 13

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

“Annual Student Show: Honoring Seniors 2021,” through April 10

“Local Light,” paintings and drawings by David Reinbold and Mary Ann Lard This series of paintings and drawings that focus on the beauty of light and shadow in defining forms in landscape and still life, April 16-May 29

“I’m Fine,” a community-engaged exhibit of masks and stories dedicated to sculpting mental health awareness and support, April 16-May 29

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

Artist of the Month

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

“Imagining the Divine—Religious Mythology and Art,” featuring works from the museum’s permanent collection that considers how artists manifest notions of spirituality in the visual arts, through April 17

“Studio Majors Thesis Exhibition,” featuring projects by senior studio art majors under the direction of Rachel Eng with Todd Arsenault, Anthony Cervino, and Andy Bale, April 30-Sept. 11

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Backstage at the Allen Theater Café, April 1-May 31

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

Works by Amie Bantz, Tina Berrier, Pamela Black, Tristan Bond and Tara Chickey, through April 11

New works by Tami Bitner, Kelly Curran, Julie Iaria, and Reina Wooden, April 14-May 16

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

“On and Off the Grid,” abstract paintings in grid style by Thom Kulp, inspired by the work of Agnes Martin and serving as metaphors for restrictions people have faced during the covid-19 pandemic, through April 10

“Home Goods Show” of locally made artwork and handmade home goods for spring redecorating or Zoom room makeovers, April 17-June 12

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

Virtual Student Honors Exhibition, April 21-May 6

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

“Sun + Light,” a collection of works from the series “Everyone Loves the Sunshine” by contemporary artist Charles Edward Williams that highlight his own personal encounters, past and present, with the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, through April 11

“The Modernists: Witnesses to the 20th Century,” works by a variety of modern artists, through May 16

“Project Pattern” multimedia display of photography, painting, sculpture, and installation by artists Nate Ethier, Nicole Herbert, and Luke Murphy, through August

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,” April 10-Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

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

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29” Thursday Art Club (grades 3-5), 3:30-5 p.m.
April 2, 9: Indigo and Shibori, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 14: Creative Collage, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 17, 24: Ceramic Jewelry, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Preschool Storytime on Zoom, 10 a.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23: Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 4 p.m.
April 3, 10, 17, 24: Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 3 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26 Born to Read (birth-18 months), 9:30 a.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Virtual Anime Club, 4 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Animal Crossing with The Library, 3:30 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual Family Storytime, 6 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Toddler Storytime, 10 a.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Virtual Create Lab, 4 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Young Adult Book Club on Zoom, 4 p.m.
April 8: Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 7 p.m.
April 9: Virtual Device Club, 1 p.m.
April 13: Virtual Reading the Rainbow Book Club, 7 p.m.
April 28: Knit One, Crochet Too! on Zoom, 6 p.m.

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

April 13: Fort Hunter Conservancy Walk, 2-4 p.m.
April 18: Maple Sugar Festival, 12-4 p.m.

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

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Zoom Resume Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Zoom Resume Writing Workshop, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Virtual Get That Job! Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Virtual Get That Job! Workshop, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
April 3-17: Easy Craft Grab and Go Bag (ages 4-7), 1 p.m.
April 5: Zoom—Fredricksen Writes on Zoom, 6:45 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Career Exploration Workshop on Zoom, 4:30 p.m.
April 5, 19: Teen Grab and Go Bag, 9 a.m.
April 6: Zoom—Curl up with the Classics on Zoom—“The Hound Of The Baskervilles,” 10-11 a.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Career Exploration Workshop on Zoom, 10:30 a.m.
April 7: Zoom—Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
April 9: Philosophers’ Roundtable, 2 p.m.
April 9, 23: Zoom STEM Storytime, 10 a.m.
April 11, 15: Virtual Peaceful Poses Children’s Story Time, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 12: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
April 12, 26: STEM Grab & Go Bag (ages 7-12), 9 a.m.
April 21: Zoom—Write On, 7:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta & Delta Research and Education Foundation
[email protected]

April 17: Virtual Party with a Purpose, 7-9 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

April 6-27: Learn Calligraphy, Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.
April 28-May 19: Plein Air, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

April 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Facebook Live Storytime, 10 a.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Facebook Live: Books & Babies, 10 a.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Virtual 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
April 6, 20, 27: Beginner Calligraphy, 7 p.m.
April 7, 21: Virtual LEGO Club, 3:45 p.m.
April 12: Discovering Your Immigrant Ancestor (Friends Adult Program), 7 p.m.
April 17: Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Glass Doors Family Book Group: Mommy’s Khimar, 2 p.m.
April 18: State Trivia (Family Program), 2 p.m.
April 20: Community Blood Drive, 1:30 p.m.
April 24: History of Blues in America—Kids Edition (Friends Children’s Program), 10 a.m.
April 24: Kids’ Carry & Craft Seed Bomb Edition, 12 p.m.
April 24: Teen/Adult Carry & Craft—Bird Feeder Edition, 1 p.m.

Historic Harrisburg Resource Center
1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
historicharrisburg.com

April 24: Special How-To Program—Preserving and Restoring Historic Windows, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

April 1: LEGO Club (grades K-5), 6 p.m.
April 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30: Toddler Time (18 months to 3 years), 11:10 a.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Story Time (ages 3-6), 10-10:45 a.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Rhyme Time (18 months and younger), 10:15 a.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Story Time on Zoom, 1:30-2 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Zoom Rhyme Time (18 months and younger), 5:15-5:35 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Family Story Time on Zoom, 6:45-7:15 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Tea & Stitches on Zoom, 10-11 a.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Zoom Story Time (ages 3-6), 10-10:45 a.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Toddler Time on Zoom (18 months to 3 years), 11:10 a.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Toddler Time on Zoom (18 months to 3 years), 6 p.m.
April 9, 23: Dungeons & Dragons (grades 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
April 13: Tween Scene on Zoom—Get a Clue Mystery Challenge (grades 4-5), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 14: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
April 17: Kindergarten Club, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 19: Virtual Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
April 20: Nancy Drew and Her Mysterious History online program, 2-3 p.m.
April 20: Zoom STEM Club, 6-6:45 p.m.
April 24: Trivia at Home—Nancy Drew, 6-8 p.m.

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

April 3, 10, 17, 24: Virtual Passageways Transgender & Non-binary Group, 2-4 p.m.
April 19: Navigating K-12 Settings for Parents of Transgender & Non-binary Youth, 7-8:30 p.m.

Manada Conservancy
manada.org/events

April 8: Native Plant Initiative program, 7 p.m.

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

April 1: Virtual and in-person Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Online Science Fiction Book Club
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Star Trek Rewatch online group
April 19: Virtual and in-person Mystery Book Club, 6 p.m.

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

April 6: An Evening with Julie Metz and Menachem Kaiser, 6-7 p.m.
April 20: Audrey Clare Farley in Conversation with Susannah Cahalan, 7-8 p.m.

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

April 3: First Saturday Open Studios, 2-5 p.m.
April 17: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
April 18: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.

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

April 10: “Crossing the Deadline—The Rise of Civil War Prisons as Dark Tourist Destinations,” 1-2 p.m.

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

April 3, 17: Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
April 13: Book Review, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

April 24: Coffee Painting, 1-3 p.m.
April 24: Spring Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

April 6, 13, 20, 27: Librarians Around Town Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m.

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

April 7-28: A Novel Idea—Crafting a Memoir, 6-8 p.m.
April 10: Rug Hooking for Beginners, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

April 2: Virtual Artists Conversations—Violet Oakley’s William Penn Mural, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
April 9: Virtual Adventures in Nature Lab—Vernal Ponds, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
April 11: Virtual Tonight’s Sky—A Live Chat with the Planetarium Director, 2-3 p.m.
April 16: Virtual Curator’s Choice— Flyover Pennsylvania, T.M. Fowler’s Bird’s-Eye Views of Pennsylvania, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
April 23: Virtual State Museum Perspectives, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
April 30: Virtual Treasures from the Vault—PA’s Last Mountain Lion, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

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

April 2: Kids Discover—Birds and their Nests (ages 5-10), 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
April 6: Skunk Cabbage Walk 2:30-3:30 p.m.
April 10: Volunteer Work Day—Litter Clean Up, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 11: Art in the Wild—Meet the Artists, 1-3 p.m.
April 13: Fort Hunter Conservancy Hike, 2-4 p.m.
April 15: Kids Discover—Pollywogs (ages 5-10), 2-4 p.m.
April 18: Spring Flower Walk, 1:30-3 p.m.
April 24: Wetlands Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Live Music

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

April 9: Trace Adkins
April 17: Spring Doo Wop Cavalcade
April 24: Mark Lowry
April 30: Justin Willman

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

April 30: Martin Sexton

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

April 8: Drake Bell

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

April 4, 11, 18, 25: Jazz Sunday Brunch w/Central PA Friends of Jazz
April 16: Cody Tyler and Gypsy Convoy

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

April 17: Masterworks

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

April 10: Ryan Yingst

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

April 28: Stuart Malina & Friends

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

April 6: Jazz Combo
April 13: Symphonic Winds and Brass Choir
April 19: Chamber Ensembles
April 22: Wind Ensemble
April 23: Symphony Orchestra
April 25: United Voices of Praise
April 28: Spring Choral Showcase
April 29: Musica Nova—Student Compositions
April 30: Jazz Ensembles

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

April 27: Stuart Malina & Friends

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

April 3: Tom Paxton and the DonJuans
April 10: Lui Collins
April 17: Bill and the Belles

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

April 6: Tower of Power

The Stage Door

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

April 10, 12: York Symphony Orchestra—Music & Scenes from “Amadeus”

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

April 1-3: “Happy Days”
April 15-May 29: “On Your Feet”

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

April 9-25: “2 By Strindberg—The Stronger & The Outcast”

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

April 23-25: “Manifest the Glory of God”

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

April 2, 3: Larry XL and Kate Brindle
April 9, 10: Sean Finnerty and Tom Feeney
April 16, 17: Tennessee Tramp and Amy Dingler
April 23, 24: Rich Vos
April 29, 30: Shane Gillis

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

April 2-18: “Poirot Investigates! The Affair at the Victory Ball” virtual performance

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

November 13, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

The Millworks restaurant in Midtown.

As COVID cases in the state continue to spike, we encourage you to be cautious and stay safe. While you social distance this weekend, catch up on this past week’s news below.

Black entrepreneurs in Harrisburg are starting businesses and pursuing their passions. Read our magazine article about a local jewelry maker, boutique owners and a handmade candle maker.

Bob’s Art Blog spotlights Bill and Russ and their collection of glass art, as well as a 5-year-old artist with work in the Art Association of Harrisburg’s “La Petite Exhibition.”

Cordier Auctions has three virtual events planned for this month, our online story reported. On Saturday and Sunday, hundreds of artifacts from the estate of former Mayor Steve Reed will be for sale. A “Fine and Decorative Arts” auction with more Harrisburg-related items will take place on Nov. 21.

COVID diagnoses surged this past week in Pennsylvania. Since last Friday, the state recorded an average of 4,348 new cases per day, according to the state Department of Health. Find out more in our weekly pandemic report.

Fit on Market, a boutique fitness center opened in Strawberry Square, our online story reported. The gym offers new, state-of-the-art Matrix cardio and strength training equipment.

Harrisburg City Council passed a bill to create a Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, on Tuesday. The committee will review the actions of the Harrisburg Police Bureau, our online story reported.

Harrisburg’s mayor released bodycam footage of a confrontation between a resident and a police officer. A petition is circulating, calling for the firing of the officer, claiming he illegally entered the resident’s property. Read our online story for more information.

Harrisburg University held a virtual meeting for potential contractors, as it moves towards beginning construction on its 11-story academic building. HU hopes to improve opportunities for small and diverse businesses locally to participate in the project, our reporting found.

The housing market in the Harrisburg area continued to improve, with residential sales and prices rising last month. In October, 789 homes sold in the Harrisburg area, compared to 710 houses last year. For more information on the real estate market in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, read our online story.

The Millworks restaurant in Midtown reopened this week, our online story reported. It was closed since July when a worker tested positive for COVID. Since then, The Millworks has invested some $10,000 in a new HVAC filtration system that removes airborne pathogens.

Open Stage is currently showing “Poirot Investigates!” as this month’s virtual play. The actors blend a cozy mystery, British comedy and French farce with one of Agatha Christie’s oft-repeated and longest-running characters, Hercule Poirot. Read a review on our website.

The November Podcast is out! Tune in to hear from Wendell Hoover of Iron Valley Real Estate, Sam Levine of Red Door Consignment Gallery and, of course, our Editor Lawrance Binda. Harrisburg takes center stage in this episode!

Sara Bozich has delicious ideas for your weekend, like grabbing a bite to eat from the Farm Show Fall Food Fest or dining at the newly reopened Millworks. Check out her Weekend Roundup for more fun ideas.

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

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Restaurant Reset: Harrisburg restaurateurs search for the right recipe to survive to better times

August 31, 2020 | by M. Diane McCormick

Scenes from Harrisburg’s Saturday Nights in the City outdoor dining event.

Their tacos would arrive soon—fish and el ranchero, served not in carryout containers but on real plates.

While Jerry Morris and Brian Dougherty waited, they recounted the restaurants they have patronized via takeout since March.

“We’ve done Dodge City steakhouse multiple times,” said Morris.

“Freshido,” added Dougherty. “Subway Café. Café Fresco. We’ve done Alvaro’s, because that’s right by our house. The Speakeasy.”

On this pleasant Saturday night, Morris and Dougherty, who live in Midtown Harrisburg, were dining al fresco at the eatery trilogy of Mangia Qui, Rubicon and Suba on North Street.

“So many restaurants are such an asset to the city that, if they close, they’re probably gone for at least several years before somebody comes in to take their place,” Dougherty said. “So, we know that we have to do our part.”

In the secret sauce keeping Harrisburg restaurants afloat during the age of COVID, loyal customers are key ingredients. So are financial reserves, government help and creative ideas connecting food and beverages to hungry patrons.

Adapting

In this atmosphere, agility is gold.

Steve Weinstock, owner of Stock’s on 2nd, credits a seasoned management team with bright ideas that bring in revenue: add-your-own-liquor signature cocktail cubes; Easter and Passover meals to-go that morphed into kosher Shabbat dinners; a food truck trundling into Harrisburg neighborhoods, so successful that a second is contemplated.

“I never thought in a million years I’d be running a food truck,” Weinstock said.

He admits to skepticism over the chef’s idea for livestreamed cooking demos, using ingredients packaged down to the tablespoon of salt. Now, the sessions have “a huge following” and could continue, post-pandemic, as quarterly events.

Mangia Qui’s partners had little time to “flip the script,” maneuvering through such technicalities as finding eco-friendly takeout containers, combining three restaurants’ menus into one, and developing sanitization procedures, said partner and chef Qui Qui Musarra.

How are they managing?

“We pray a lot,” Musarra said. “We’ve all become avid smokers. You just hope that somehow it all balances out.”

In mid-June, hallelujahs rang out as Dauphin County restaurants reopened at 50-percent capacity. In mid-July, hallelujahs turned to howls when Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration dialed back to 25 percent and required food purchases with alcohol sales.

Weinstock, like restaurateurs and journalists statewide, wants to see the data justifying such restrictions.

“I feel like our industry is getting singled out,” he said. “I don’t think it’s fair.”

Musarra believes that Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine are doing “a tremendous job.” It’s America’s resistance to precautions such as masks that are slowing reopening, she believes.

“Everybody could have been at 50 percent had everybody abided by the rules,” she said.

Up on Allison Hill, it’s a Wednesday at lunchtime, and socially distanced customers wait to order their Caribbean-themed comfort food at Rice & Beans Diner on 17th Street.

Business seems steady, in contrast to the pandemic’s first month, which “was horrible,” said Starlyn Rivera, co-owner with husband Jose Pichardo.

With only five employees, the restaurant’s minuscule federal Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loan didn’t go far. And by the time Rivera applied for a city small business grant, the fund had emptied.

The restaurant, which the New Yorkers opened in early 2019, stayed open by trimming hours but not eliminating jobs.

“Our employees, they understand,” said Rivera. “We were open more for them than for even us. We’ll keep trying.”

PPP loans helped restaurants get over the initial plunge in business, but layoffs and hourly cuts remained on the menu. At Stock’s on 2nd, “staying afloat” means limiting hours, said Weinstock.

“Everyone wants us to get through it, so the staff is very understanding,” he said. “Some people are happy to have a few days a week versus six days, just to have something in their pocket.”

Street Food

Todd and Kathy Vander Woude, having dinner on a Saturday night, discovered a new perspective on 2nd Street’s eclectic architecture. That’s what happens when you’re sitting in the center lane of a street that normally carries thousands of vehicles a day.

The Vander Woudes were enjoying Saturday Nights in the City, when the city barricades streets, and diners order from servers or carry takeout food to tables set up by participating restaurants. Vander Woude, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District, and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse came up with the idea, launched in early June.

Saturday Nights in the City helped restaurants close revenue gaps caused by emptied downtown offices during the day and diminished crowds in the evenings. An extra 22 tables outside help Stock’s make up—somewhat—for the diminished capacity inside.

“It’s the one night we can shine and do the amount of sales that we used to do when we were open 100 percent,” said Weinstock.

The Mangia Qui group turned its North Street block into a dream of Paris or Miami, complete with white tablecloths, red patio umbrellas and lights strung overhead. Customers love the getaway and the tableside service.

“It’s a reprieve,” Musarra said. “Even though we are in the street, people feel they’ve been transported someplace else.”

Restaurant owners know that Saturday Nights in the City is weather-dependent. Heat and summer storms dampen turnout. Even if it’s extended into the fall, as some hope, winter is coming.

Different Paths

Remember date night? Have dinner. Attend a show. Have drinks afterwards.

All a distant memory.

“That’s a hurt,” said Weinstock. “We have a large symphony crowd.”

Restaurants also took a big hit in crowd-based bookings—weddings, political and nonprofit fundraisers, catering. Mangia Qui’s clients are managing work-arounds, perhaps finding larger spaces for socially distanced catered events, or flipping weddings to their own homes.

Delivery services have also become a mainstay.

“If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you,” said Musarra. “We had people getting takeout and delivery who had never been to the restaurant. They’ve become converts.”

A few restaurateurs have decided to wait it out a bit longer.

Originally, The Millworks reopened in June. Then an employee tested positive for COVID, and owner Josh Kesler announced a temporary shutdown. When test results for other staff were slow to arrive, he suspended operations at The Millworks and his new Watershed Pub in Camp Hill until further notice—not a closure, but a hold.

“The bottom line for me is, I couldn’t ensure my staff’s safety, and if I can’t do that, I’ve got to put the brakes on it,” said Kesler. “We’re just going to take a little time off and get ahead of this experience.”

Fiscal reserves help Kesler pay those bills that keep coming. The Millworks complex of restaurant, brewery and artists’ studios will stay closed until multiple factors—negative test results among staff, sustained low virus numbers in the community, perhaps reliable treatments and vaccines—combine to assure “a more certain environment, health-wise.”

Veteran restaurateurs are survivors. Optimists, too. Kesler, a longtime booster of Midtown Harrisburg as a destination, sees The Millworks and its neighbors bustling again.

“I can’t wait for that to happen,” he said. “Eventually, it’ll be back to what it was before.”

Musarra and her partners don’t fret over how long they can sustain business.

“You have to concentrate on the positive side, because if you predict your own demise, then that’s what you work towards,” she said.

At Rice & Beans Diner, the pandemic has apparently slowed approval of a liquor license, but the hopeful orange notice beckons in the window. Rivera can’t say that business is okay, but she can say with a laugh, “We’re doing better.”

“We’re doing better because our customers, they are great,” she said. “They’re supporting us a lot. They understand. They can go in the restaurant, and if they like our food, then we’re glad the neighborhood is helping us.”

For more information on the restaurants in this story, please visit their websites and social media pages.

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TheBurg Podcast: “Unsalvageable” Edition

January 12, 2018 | by TheBurg Staff

We’re devoting this week’s discussion to one topic: Harrisburg’s comprehensive plan. Burg editor in chief Larry Binda and city reporter Lizzy Hardison follow the years-long project from its auspicious beginning to acrimonious end. What caused the project to sour? Who shares blame for the breakdown between the city and its contractor? And what does the plan even say, anyway? They cover all these questions and more in this week’s episode of TheBurg Podcast.

Update: Since this podcast was recorded, we learned that Karl Singleton, the mayoral advisor who Lizzy mentions at the end of the podcast, is no longer employed with the city. Read our coverage here.

Stream the episode on Soundcloud or download it in the Apple or Android podcast apps.

Read our coverage of the comprehensive plan on TheBurgNews.com:

Harrisburg Architect To Steer City’s Comprehensive Plan

What’s the Plan? After scores of meetings and tons of input, Harrisburg’s comprehensive plan process enters the final stretch.

After much delay, city officials lay out timeline to complete comprehensive plan

Plan of Action: Progress finally made on Harrisburg’s comprehensive plan.

It’s Here: Harrisburg’s draft comprehensive plan released

Harrisburg’s comprehensive plan is “unworkable,” say mayor, business leaders.

Comprehensive Jam: Harrisburg spent $200k on a planning project that the Mayor now recommends trashing. What went wrong, and what could the plan mean for the city?

TheBurg Podcast is released biweekly by TheBurg Magazine. It is recorded in the offices of StartUp Harrisburg and produced by Lizzy Hardison. Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme music.

Market Board Elects Joshua Kesler, Millworks Developer, as New President

July 13, 2015 | by Paul Barker

The Broad Street Market.

The Broad Street Market board of directors has elected Joshua Kesler, a local developer who most recently opened the Millworks farm-to-table restaurant in Midtown, as its new president, the market manager said Monday.

Kesler, 39, took over at the beginning of this month for Jonathan Bowser, who announced his resignation in May. Kesler was elected at the board’s June meeting and agreed to succeed Bowser for a two-year term, said interim market manager Ashlee Dugan.

The announcement comes on the heels of the release last week of a 13-page report by the Broad Street Market task force, which was appointed in early 2014 by Mayor Eric Papenfuse to examine the market’s operations.

Among other things, the report urged the market to shed its current management structure, which involves a private corporation owned by the non-profit Historic Harrisburg Association, in favor of a single, independent non-profit that might be better positioned to solicit grants and donations.

A market press release cited this recommendation Monday, saying that Kesler planned to oversee the transition to non-profit status during his term.

Kesler, who once described himself for a story in this magazine as a “serial risk-taker,” has been active in a number of Harrisburg ventures in recent years.

He was a founding partner of Savannah’s on Hanna, a club off South Cameron Street that opened in 2009, but is no longer involved. Earlier this year, he completed the renovation of the Millworks building next door to the market into a farm-to-table restaurant adjoined by a suite of artists’ studios.

He was also a co-founder, along with Dugan and Julia James, of the Broad Street Market Alliance, which called for the market to revise its structure and improve its offerings in the fall of 2013.

James and Kesler are now two of seven members on the market board, which is looking to fill two vacancies, Dugan said. In addition to Bowser, board member Bret Kiesling gave up his seat at the start of July.

Summer Sounds: Perfect music for the steamy heat.

June 30, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Saintseneca. Photo courtesy of Saintseneca.

We’ve made it into the heart of the summer. The temperature continues to rise, but so does the quality of music here in the city. And this month we have three perfect audio companions for the summer heat.

All three featured artists build their sound on an acoustic base, but take it in very different directions. On the one hand, you have complex, African-inspired polyrhythms; on the other, quiet melodies well suited for a campfire. Whichever you prefer, make sure to add these shows to the soundtrack of your summer.

RUSTED ROOT, 7/2, 7PM, SAWYER’S, FREE

Most people are familiar with Rusted Root’s single, “Send Me On My Way.” Fusing world music rhythms with acoustic jam band songwriting, these Pittsburgh natives dropped the platinum album, “When I Woke,” back in 1994. But they haven’t stopped touring and have released five additional albums in the 20-odd years since they broke out. They’ve always had a distinctly summer sound, so they’ll fit in perfectly on Sawyer’s outdoor stage in the heart of the city. So whether you come for the nostalgia or you’ve been following their lengthy career, this is a great opportunity to celebrate the warm nights of July.

LYDIA LOVELESS, 7/9, 8PM, H*MAC HERR STREET STAGE, $12

Lydia Loveless, an alternative country artist on Bloodshot records, possesses a sound and attitude that is beyond her years. Ohio born, she has earned a reputation for being a strong, assertive woman in an industry that all too often prefers that women stick to unchallenging love songs. She attributes her attitude to her punk rock childhood, a quality that places her in the company of a hard-living alt-country man, Ryan Adams, who is also a Bloodshot alum. So whether you prefer rock or country, this show will be perfectly paired with a shot of whiskey.

SAINTSENECA w/HEAVY LIGHTS, 7/29, 10PM, MILLWORKS, FREE

Like Loveless, Saintseneca hails from Ohio. Employing a wide range of acoustic instruments and led by songwriter Zac Little, they have been garnering significant critical attention, even recording a Tiny Desk Concert for NPR’s “All Songs Considered.” This isn’t their first time making their way through our city, but their star seems to be shining a bit brighter since I saw them perform at a backyard house show a few years ago. With their creative and delicate arrangements, they’re a perfect match for the Millworks and a terrific expression of the summer’s quieter moments.

Mentionables: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, 7/12, The Forum; Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, 7/17, Abbey Bar; Jarekus Singleton, 7/22, H*MAC Herr Street Stage; Dustbowl Revival, 7/23, The Millworks; Porcelain, 7/25, Midtown Scholar Bookstore

TheBurg Podcast, March 13, 2015

March 13, 2015 | by Admin

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

March 13, 2015: This week, Larry and Paul talk about Gov. Wolf’s proposed state budget and its possible pluses for Harrisburg, the incremental movements in the lawsuits over the city’s gun laws, and the fateful decade when Harrisburg city government went into the hotel business.

Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme. You can listen to Paul’s own podcast, the PRC Show, on SoundCloud or in the iTunes store.

TheBurg Podcast can be downloaded by clicking on the date above or by visiting the iTunes store. You can also access the podcast via its host page, here.

TheBurg Podcast, Jan. 30, 2015

January 30, 2015 | by Admin

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

Jan. 30, 2015: This week, Larry and Paul discuss City Council’s latest legislative session, gun-rights groups suing the city, and a whole bucketful of honorable mentions, including the cover of the February issue, which was distributed today.

Special thanks to Paul Cooley, who wrote our theme music and whose own podcast, the PRC Show, is available on SoundCloud and in the iTunes store.

TheBurg Podcast can be downloaded by clicking on the date above or by visiting the iTunes store. You can also access the podcast via its host page, here.

TheBurg Podcast, Dec. 5, 2014

December 5, 2014 | by Admin

Welcome to TheBurg Podcast, a weekly roundup of news in and around Harrisburg.

Dec. 5, 2014: Larry and Paul chat about the arrest of city Councilwoman Sandra Reid, the zone-ification of Harrisburg’s street parking, Paul’s story on the fall of the T-Mart convenience store and the resurrection of the Millworks building. There also may be a rant or two.

Note: This podcast was recorded prior to an interview with Councilwoman Sandra Reid, during which she provided comments on the week since the arrest. You can read the story from that interview here.

Theme music by Paul Cooley, host of the PRC Show podcast.

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