Tag Archives: Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

25 Years of Nature, Fun: Ned Smith Festival makes changes as it marks its silver anniversary.

June 29, 2018 | by Don Helin

In 1993, the Ned Smith Nature and Art Festival began with a small gathering at Seal Park next to the Millersburg High School, held in October to coincide with Ned Smith’s birthday.

This year, the festival turns 25, and organizers are celebrating by shaking things up a bit.

They’ve moved the date to the end of July, added more things to do and changed locations.

The festival, after that early start, had long been held at MYO Park along the Susquehanna River. But it now will take place at its namesake location.

“A new venue, the festival will be held at the Ned Smith Center to show off the center itself, its multitude of hiking trails, educational facilities, three beautiful galleries and state-of-the-art amphitheater,” said Executive Director John Booth.

The festival has grown into the center’s largest event, with an average of 4,000 attendees each year. This year’s celebration will feature numerous workshops, including favorites such as “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tails,” and a talk and demonstration by Zoo America, which will bring in a variety of animals and birds.

The children’s area is always well attended, featuring popular activities like face painting and fish-print T-shirts. Guides will take young nature-lovers out on Wiconisco Creek to search out aquatic organisms. Each year, the Ned Smith Center hosts a youth art contest, and winners will be announced at the festival.

For both kids and adults, the festival will have demonstrations on edible wild plants to teach which are safe to eat and how to properly prepare them. Another exhibit will showcase local trees and how to identify different species.

For dog-lovers, there will be demonstrations by retrievers, a program to show how service dogs are trained to help their partners, and what bloodhounds can do to find people, whether a lost child or an escaped convict.

If snakes are more your thing, representatives of the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center will stop by with a demonstration of Pennsylvania snakes. A snake handler will even be on hand to demonstrate live snakes. Perhaps less menacing, the center will feature an exhibit on honeybees and beekeeping.

New this year will be a visit by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. His life project, the “Photo Ark,” is an effort to document every species in captivity, ranging from the smallest insect to the largest mammal. Sartore will be at the Ned Smith Center the day of the festival to discuss his works, which are on display in the Olewine Gallery.

“We also will be hosting a number of talented vendors,” said Sadie Martin, the center’s marketing and program coordinator.

For instance, Carlee Seele is a glass artist from New Cumberland and the owner of Moss Creek Art. The Susquehanna Wood Turners Club will be turning bowls and other wooden items. And as always, the Pennsylvania Bluebird Society and Ned Smith Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be busy building bluebird and wood duck boxes.

For hikers, there are 500 acres of mountains and meadows memorialized by Ned Smith in his “Gone for the Day” columns. These include 12 miles of trails, ranging from wheelchair accessible to rugged.

After the festival programs conclude, the semi-acoustic, classic rock band HIP 450 will perform. For this concert, the center will feature food by Gene Odato’s Artisan Pizza, and a local favorite, the Grill and Sports Bar.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to see our beautiful nature and arts center while enjoying a full day of food, education and fun entertainment in the great outdoors,” Booth said.

The Ned Smith Nature and Art Festival takes place July 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. For more information, contact the center at www.nedsmithcenter.org or call 717-692-3699.

Breezy Listening: Music, theater in the spotlight at DeSoto Amphitheater.

May 31, 2017 | by Don Helin

As I stood on the back steps watching a pink streak across the sky from a lovely sunset while listening to a band do its sound checks, I wondered what the Ned Smith Center’s namesake would have thought of this amphitheater.

Would Smith, a talented artist and writer, be happy with just wooden benches and a concrete slab? Or would he prefer a state-of-the-art stage, sound system, lighting, stadium seating and dressing rooms?

The DeSoto Amphitheater for the Performing Arts actually falls between these two extremes.

“The idea for an amphitheater was part of the original conceptual dream for the center building itself,” Executive Director John Booth said. “The Ned Smith Center opened in 2004, but the amphitheater was yet to be started. Frankly, the two biggest challenges were funding and design.”

It was not an easy path, requiring years of planning, scaling up and down, fundraising and final design and construction. However, the amphitheater finally opened to its first performance in 2014.

“Throughout this long cycle, we continued to believe this was yet another opportunity to merge the arts with the natural world and foster a celebration of both,” Booth said. “On the amphitheater stage, performers can share their talent in an outdoor environment, bringing together the values of art, nature and conservation.”

With several years now under their belts, amphitheater staff looks forward to an exciting 2017 season, Booth said.

“It’s ambitious to say the least,” he said. “We have scheduled 10 different performances, ranging from the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet to an Irish rock band.”

The music kicks off on June 3, as Lester Hirsh, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, guitarist and all-around troubadour, arrives. Performing on Spanish six-string and acoustic 12-string guitars, his style ranges from classical, country and folk to Brazilian jazz and flamenco.

On June 17, children’s performer Jim Rule will feature songs and stories ranging from toe-tapping tunes to inspirational anthems. Local favorites, the Ryan Alan Band, will stop by on June 24 with a country-infused rock sound.

The concerts will continue through September, with the season wrapping up on Oct. 14 with the annual Fall Family Fun Day. This event is designed to increase awareness of the natural world and will include a live animal presentation at the amphitheater.

Plenty to Do

For much of the summer, Gamut Theatre will conduct a summer theater camp at Ned Smith, extending their work into this rural community.

Through eight sessions over four weeks, students will study theater, acting and voice. Students and guest artists also will work on a play for presentation.

The camp culminates on July 21 and 22, when the young participants will perform the play they rehearsed over the course of the camp. The play will be presented at the amphitheater just prior to “Romeo and Juliet,” Gamut’s selection for its “Shakespeare in the Woods” program.

“Gamut’s executive director, Melissa Nicholson, has played an integral part in the planning of this project from the very start,” said Sue Frederick, the center’s grants coordinator. “Gamut’s troupe will donate additional time to develop lesson plans, write the script and consult on the evaluation and assessment of the project.”

Whether going to see professional artists or your own kids perform, attendees should arrive early, Booth said.

“There is plenty to do before a performance,” she said. “The center sits on 535 acres of prime forestland located on and around Berry’s Mountain. There are over 12 miles of hiking trails, a picnic grove, fishing opportunities and bird feeding stations.”

You also can visit the three galleries at the center. In the Olewine Gallery, “Wild America,” the Roger Tory Peterson exhibit, will be on display through Aug. 27. In the Romberger Gallery, Rich Metzger will host a woodcarving exhibit until July 4, and the always-popular “Youth Art Contest” winners will follow from July 4 to Oct. 1. As always, the Ned Smith Gallery has a display of his original art.

This year, Armstrong Valley Winery will offer tastings and sales at a number of shows.

So, stretch your legs and hike the trails Ned Smith walked, go fishing in his beloved Wiconisco Creek, and bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy. You might even be inspired, like Smith, to jot down field notes or sketches chronicling your visit.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is located at 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. For more information, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.

Author: Don Helin

Happenings: Our April Calendar of Events

March 31, 2017 | by TheBurg Editor

Happenings

Museum & Art Spaces

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

“Dimensional Abstraction,” works by Chris Lyter, through April 17, at Café 1500, 1500 N. 6th St.

“In Dreams,” a sculptural installation by Chad Whitaker, April 21-May 15; reception: April 21, 6-9 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“(photo) synthesis: from wood to paper,” AHA Collaborative Exhibition with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, April 7-May 4; reception: April 8, 5-8 p.m.

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

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

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

“Celebration of Student Art,” through April 8.

“Expression and Exploration: Linda Young and Teri Oja,” April 14-May 13.

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

Artist of the Month: Mary Ann Byrne-Walker

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

Works by Holly Angelique and Ann Benton Yeager, through April 29.

Works by Paul Gallo and Steve Wetzel, April 19-May 16; reception: April 21, 6-9 p.m. at Café 1500.

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

Fiber Arts Show, with decorative, functional and wearable fiber art, and hand-dyed fabric and yarn, April 6-May 20, reception: April 9, 1-3 p.m.

Historical Society of Dauphin County
219 S. Front St., Harrisburg
dauphincountyhistory.org

“Uncle Sam Calls: Dauphin County in World War I,” an exhibit of historic posters and artifacts, April 9-Dec. 22; opening: April 9, 1 p.m.

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

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

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

“Place and Space,” recent paintings by Jesse Waite, April 4-April 30; reception: April 21, 5-7 p.m.

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

“Man vs. Machine,” a group exhibition, through April 13.

“Nomad Space,” paintings of Paul Nagle, April 7-May 4; reception, April 7, 6-11 p.m.

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

Works by Susan Bailey, Christine Goldbeck, Caleb Smith and Paul Vasiliades, through April 16.

Works by Elaine Brady Smith, Tami Bitner, Kristen Fava and Julie Iaria, April 18-May 14.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

West Shore School District Student Art Exhibit, April 3-28.

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

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history.

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

“Move Beyond,” featuring dramatic, abstract oil paintings by Chris Lyter, through April 9.

“Synchronicity,” a collection of prophetic, abstract acrylic paintings by Jeannine Prinz, April 14-May 6; reception: April 14, 6-8:30 p.m.

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

Students Honor Show, April 6-May 1; receptions: April 20 and May 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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

“World War I Posters from the Pennsylvania State Archives,” April 2-Nov. 12; opening: April 2, 2 p.m.

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

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

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

“Doshi” Open Studio, through April 23.

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

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

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

Juried Student Exhibition, April 3-26; reception: April 3, 5-7 p.m.

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

Expressionist art by Paul Kicklighter, through April 5.

Allegorical Paintings by Thomas Scullin, April 7-30.

Utsav 2017, Indian Arts Gala, April 22, 5 p.m.

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

Art in the Wild, nature-inspired art, April 8-Oct. 31.

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

“A Planet that Dreams,” art by Darlene Farris, through May 5.

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

Works by Val McClymont’s art students, through April 16.

Works by Christina Heintzelman, April 21-May 14.

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

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

Read, Make, Learn

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

April 5: Secrets of Sinagapore, 6-9 p.m.
April 13: Fresh Fish & Quick Sauces, 6-9 p.m.

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

April 1: Safe Sitter Workshop, 10 a.m.
April 1: Cookbook Club—SkinnyTaste Cookbook, 1 p.m.
April 3, 17: Fredricksen Writes, 6:45 p.m.
April 4: Curl up with the Classics—“The Scarlet Letter,” 10 a.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Crazy 8s Math Club, 5:30 p.m.
April 4, 11, 25: Natalie D. Craumer Writers Workshop, 6:30 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20: Drop-in Story Time, 11 a.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Language at the Library, 10 a.m.
April 7: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
April 8: Trivia Saturday and BYOB, 2-3:30 p.m.
April 10, 17: Infant Massage w/ Pinnacle Health, 9:30 a.m.
April 10, 24: LEGO Club, 4:30 p.m.
April 11, 25: Teen Meetup Discussion Group, 7 p.m.
April 12: Great Stories, 10 a.m.
April 12: STEM Exploration Lab, 4 p.m.
April 13, 27: Drop-In Story Time, 6:30 p.m.
April 13, 27: Plot Twisters Tween Writers Group, 6:30 p.m.
April 18: Fredricksen Reads—“The Elegance of the Hedgehog,” 7 p.m.
April 20: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
April 25: Shining Light on Shade Gardening, 7 p.m.
April 28: Artist Alley, 6:30 p.m.

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

April 6, 20: Healthy Living 101, 7-8:30 p.m.
April 27: Cooking Class—Healthy Fats Keep You Moving, 6-8 p.m.

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

April 1: Drop-in Art, 1-4 p.m.
April 15: A Novel Idea 102, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 15: Waxing on Nature—Recycled Books Workshop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

April 2, 9, 16, 23: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.
April 4: Men’s Group, 6 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
April 11: Seniors Group, 6 p.m.
April 13: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12 p.m.
April 18: Women’s Group, 6 p.m.
April 25: LGBT Parents, 6 p.m.

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

April 27-28: Opera Scenes Workshop

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

April 1: Work From Home—Entrepreneur Meet-Up, 10 a.m.
April 1: Good News Café, 6 p.m.
April 1: Book signing w/Tony Benjey, 2-4 p.m.
April 4, 18: Meet-up, 9 a.m.
April 4: Sci-Fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
April 7, 14, 28: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
April 11: Men’s Conversation, 7 p.m.
April 13, 20: Camp Curtin Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.
April 16: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
April 16: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
April 19: Health Care Forum, 7 p.m.
April 19: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
April 23: Jonathan Smucker in Conversation w/Michael Long, 2-4 p.m.
April 25: Friends of Midtown Safety Committee, 6:30 p.m.
April 29: A Conversation w/Susan Perabo, 3 p.m.
April 30: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.

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

April 7-9: Encaustic Workshop

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

April 9: Community Yoga—Free Beginner Class, 10 a.m.

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

April 22: Lessons in History, 1-2 p.m.

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

April 13: First Investigation of Stream Health, 7 p.m.
April 29: Spring Bird Walk

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

April 1: LEGO Madness, 10:30 a.m.
April 3, 12 17, 26: Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 6: Crafternoon, 3-5 p.m.
April 6: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 8: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 10: Wee Build, 10:30 a.m.
April 10: Family Coloring Night, 6:30 p.m.
April 11: Book Review—“The Hershey Story,” 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 15: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 26: Pennwriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.

Penn State Extension in Cumberland County
310 Allen Rd., Carlisle
717-240-6500; extension.psu.edu

April 5, 12, 19, 26: Sustainable Gardening Series, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
April 13: Pollinator Friendly Gardening, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

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

April 7: StoryTime, “Tools” by Taro Miura, 10-11 a.m.
April 7: Learn at Lunchtime: Planetarium, 12:15-12:45 p.m.

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

April 1, 8, 15: Saturday Morning Art Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 12: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.
April 19: An Evening w/Robert Dale Williams, 6-8 p.m.

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

April 1: Leave No Trace for Girl & Boy Scouts, 10:30a.m.-2:30 p.m.
April 2: Beginner’s Yoga and Walk
April 2: Sunday Afternoon Bird Walk, 1-3 p.m.
April 2: Art in the Wild—Meet the Artists, 1-3 p.m.
April 5: Bird Walk—Early Migration, 8-10 a.m.
April 6: Art in the Wild Lecture, “Recasting Nature,” 7-8 p.m.
April 8: Saturday Storytime, 10-11 a.m.
April 8: Clean Up Your Earth Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 9: Flower Walk—Dutchman’s Breeches & Trout Lilies, 1:30-3 p.m.
April 12: Stress Relief Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 14-15: Discovery Walk—The Search For Spring, 10-11:30 a.m.
April 20: Get in Shape Walk, 7-8 p.m.
April 22: Brownie Scout Workshop—Wonderful Water, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

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

April 7: The Spinners, Little Anthony & the Imperials
April 8: Michael W. Smith w/Jordan Feliz and Nathan Tasker
April 9: Home Free
April 23: Jake Owen

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

April 1: Solar Federation—RUSH Tribute Band
April 7: Colebrook Road
April 15: Crippled But Free and Sons of Pitches
April 20: Consider the Source
April 21: Spiritual Rez
April 22: The Clarks
April 30: Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

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

April 1, 5, 13, 21: Noel Gevers
April 4, 22: Daniel Sheahan
April 6, 9, 14, 23: Anthony Haubert
April 7, 18: Corinna Joy
April 8, 12, 28: Roy Lefevre
April 11, 25: Maria Battista
April 15, 29: Ted Ansel
April 19: Chris Purcell
April 20, 27: Jessica Perla
April 26: Deborah Anderson

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

April 22: Glee Invitational: Collage A Cappella Competition

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

April 2: Buster Williams Quartet

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

April 6: Randy & Mr. Lahey
April 12: The Felice Brother
April 13: Frankie Ballard
April 14: RJD2
April 20: Vundabar
April 21: Frank Lero & The Patience
April 23: Badfish—Tribute to Sublime
April 28: The Districts

Champions Sports Bar & Grill
300 2nd St., Highspire
717-939-0488; Facebook: Champions Sport Bar

April 2: Slam Allen Band & Nate Myers Trio

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

April 1: Digisaurus
April 2: Jack Pyers
April 7: Antonio Andrade
April 8: Jim Steele
April 9: Michael Arthur & Kristina Machusick
April 14: Sinclair Soul
April 15: Doug Morris
April 20: Kosi
April 21: Jane Taylor
April 22: Hard Travelin’
April 23: Kirk Wise
April 28: Kevin Kline
April 29: Janie Womack & Jody Esterlean
April 30: Brian Davis

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

April 11: Vellamo

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

April 1: Shakespace w/Babel Map & Nachtreim

April 7: Vetour Productions First Friday
April 8: NP Preseley & The Ghost of Jesse Garon
April 9: Soulful Sunday
April 14: Charlie Hunter Trio
April 15: Samantha Fish
April 22: Observe the 93rd, Sterotytans, Oaf, Palaceburn
April 27: Dave Alvin and The Guilty Ones

April 28: A Night of Chamber Music
April 28: Kilmaine Saints
April 29: Andy Mowatt’s Steely Jam

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

April 8-9: Masterworks
April 22-23: Michael Cavanaugh

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

April 4: Brit Floyd
April 5: Jackson Brown
April 21: Hershey Symphony
April 25: Brian Wilson

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

April 1: DJ Styles, Mystery Machine
April 7: JJ Rupp Band
April 8: DJ Magic, Sapphire
April 14: D-BO
April 15: DJ Styles, The Big House Band
April 21: Smooth Like Clyde
April 22: DJ Ray Rossi, Amish Outlaws
April 28: Uptown Band
April 29: DJ Matrix, The Luv Gods

Johnny Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill
5327 E. Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2254; johnnyjoesbar.com

April 1: Adrian Blitzer
April 8: Lazy Joe Fink
April 15: Decipher Life
April 22: The Colt Wilbur Band
April 29: Observe the 93rd

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

April 23: Sunday Arts Hour w/Charlie Zahm, 3 p.m.

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

April 7: Black Black Beast
April 14: K & R

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

April 2: Shippensburg University Concert Band
April 6: One Night Queen
April 23: Shippensburg University Community Orchestra
April 28: Foreigner

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

April 2: Wind Symphony Concert
April 22: Jazz Ensemble
April 23: Symphony Band
April 29: Symphony Orchestra

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

April 5: Kristóf Baráti

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

April 1: Percussion Ensemble
April 7: Tim Warfield and His Organ Band
April 8: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds
April 9: Concert Choir & Chamber Singers
April 10: Brass Choir and Brass Studio
April 11: Mendelssohn Piano Trio
April 12: Jazz Combo
April 13: Jazz Fusion
April 22: Symphony Orchestra
April 23: Choral Arts Society—Handel’s “Messiah”
April 24: Musica Nova
April 26: Men’s Ensemble, Women’s Ensemble, Chamber Singers
April 29: One College Ave Concert
April 29: Jazz Ensemble
April 30: UVOP Convert

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

April 7: Messiah College Percussion Ensemble
April 21: Kosi

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

April 1: Hank Imhof
April 8: Kevin Cole
April 15: Darcie Miner
April 22: Roy Lefever
April 29: Dave Kelly

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

April 8: Jay Smar
April 22: Ann Kerstetter

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

April 1: The Bo Deadlys, The Jellybricks
April 8: Benjamin Vo
April 17: River City Big Band
April 21: Aortic Valve
April 28: The Filthy Lowdown

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

April 7: Gabe Stillman & The Billtown Giants
April 21: Albert Cummings

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

April 1: Betsy Barnicle

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

April 1: York Symphony Orchestra
April 7: Jazz in the City
April 9: York Junior Symphony Orchestra
April 13: Richard Thompson
April 15: York Symphony Orchestra
April 19: Zoe LaBelle
April 21: Micky Dolenz
April 22: Ben Folds
April 27: Hosanna Ringers Bell Choir

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

April 1: Keola Beamer & Jefferson, Moanalani Beamer
April 6: Del Rey
April 20: Daisy Castro Quartet
April 22: Spring Coffeehouse

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

April 6: Del Rey
April 21: River City Big Band

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

April 5: Kristóf Baráti
April 27: Average White Band

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

April 1: Single Reed Symposium
April 2: Percussion Ensemble
April 7-8: Percussive Arts Society
April 21: Orchestral Masterworks
April 26: Brother Sun w/Abbie Gardner
April 30: MU Concert Band and Wind Ensemble
April 30: World Percussion

The Stage Door

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

April 29: Julianne and Derek Hough
April 30: “Peppa Pig Live!”

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

April 1-9: “Sister Act”

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

Through May 14: “My Fair Lady”

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

April 7-9: “The Wonderful Wizard of OZ!” (PHP Young Acting Co.)
April 19-May 11: “Pinocchio” (Popcorn Hat Players)
April 23: Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration

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

Through April 9: “Hope Has Come”

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

April 1: Sid Davis
April 7-8: Spanky Brown
April 12-14: Magic Mike Live
April 15: Paul Lyons
April 21-22: Aaron Kleiber
April 28-29: Kevin Lee

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

April 1-2: HIT Marathon
April 28, 30: Level 1 Class Show
April 29: Intro to Musical Improv Class Show

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

April 9: Illegal Seafood Comedy

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

April 20-30: “Rabbit Hole”

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

April 6-7: Gabriel Iglesias
April 15: Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
April 26: Neil Degrasse Tyson
April 28-20: Riverdance

Lancaster Marionette Theatre
126 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-394-8398; Facebook: Lancaster Marionette Theatre

Through April 15: “Peter Cottontail”

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

April 28-May 14: “The Shadow Box”

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

April 29: Jann Hanna’s “Into the Wild” Live

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

April 7: “In the Mood”
April 9: Lewis Black

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

Through April 9: “The Shaughraun”
April 28-29: GiViM Dance

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

April 21: Comedy Night
April 29: Spring Story Time w/Popcorn Hat Players

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

April 30: Meet William Penn

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

April 7-May 7: “Uncanny Valley”

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

April 21-May 7: “Superior Donuts”

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

April 20-23: “1984”

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

April 6: James Dobson, Steven Rogers, Kathy Griffin
April 9: “Cinderella” w/Russian National Ballet Theatre
April 20: Dean Napolitano, Corey Alexander
April 25: “RENT”
April 29: Step Afrika!

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

Through April 2: “4000 Miles” at Whitaker Center

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

April 13: “Curveballs” at Zeroday Brewing Co.

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

April 1: NetCo Dance
April 7: Poetry On & Off the Page w/Meg Day
April 13: “One Noble Journey”
April 18-19: Sarah Bernhard

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

April 1: “Sweet Charity” w/CASA
Through April 2: “4000 Miles” w/Theatre Harrisburg
April 8-9: “Sleeping Beauty” w/Central PA Youth Ballet

York Little Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; ylt.org

April 28-May 7: “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

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

April 13: “Curveballs” w/Untitled: A Storytelling Project

Outdoors in October: You needn’t drive far for some nature-loving fun.

September 30, 2015 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Wildwood Lake

It’s autumn. Time to pack away the swim trunks and shorts and pull out those fall sweaters. The days and nights in our area are becoming cooler, but there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors.

Both Wildwood Park in Harrisburg and the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg offers a full schedule of events for October that is likely to please just about everyone in the family.

“Our goal is to connect people with nature and art,” said Alexis Dow Campbell, director of creative programming for the Ned Smith Center, which honors the namesake artist, writer and naturalist.

The center features art galleries, an education center, an observational beehive and a new outdoor amphitheater. Its rustic 535 acres of woodlands offer 12 miles of hiking trails with magnificent views for autumn leaf-peepers and those who like to venture into nature during the welcoming October weather.

The center also will host a variety of special events this month.

On Oct. 3, the center will hold its 22^nd annual Wildlife Art Auction, an all-day event in the Ned Smith Gallery. Dow Campbell said it’s the largest auction of Ned Smith’s artwork in the United States.

A week later, on Oct. 10, the center will put on its annual Fall Family Fun Day. Activities will include live animal presentations, face painting, pumpkin bowling and more.

“This is something for the whole family,” Dow Campbell said. “It’s a traditional fall festival, but it’s also an educational and fun day. We always have a great turnout each year.”

This year’s festival theme is “animal tracks.” Visitors can learn how to identify the tracks of various creatures in the woods or make fall crafts with an animal-track theme. ZooAmerica representatives will be on hand with an array of birds, particularly raptors, and small mammals like “de-scented skunks,” Dow Campbell added.

A Ned Smith Center Express Train and a horse-drawn hayride will be available to transport visitors around the center’s expansive grounds in upper Dauphin County.

Later in the month, on Oct. 31, the center will host its annual Halloween Owls program, which features live owls from Penn State University’s Shaver’s Creek Environmental Learning Center. Owl experts will present facts and explore myths about the nocturnal creatures, while certified bird-banders will net and band wild migrant owls and discuss their efforts to learn more about these birds of prey.

Off to Wildwood

Throughout the year, Wildwood Park is a popular outdoors spot for Harrisburg-area residents.

During autumn, the 229-acre park truly comes into its glory, with hikers, runners and nature-lovers all flocking to its six miles of trails, 1½ miles of boardwalks, 90-acre lake and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center.

To add to the outdoors experience, this month workers are putting the finishing touches on a new, 200-foot section of trail in front of the nature center, said park Manager Chris Rebert.

“This makes it safer for our park users,” he said. “It delineates our trail users away from (the nature center’s) vehicular traffic. That’s something that’s been a real traffic concern.”

The project was made possible by $140,000 received from Friends of Wildwood, the Olewine Family, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Dauphin County Department of Community and Economic Development.

As a further safety measure, speed bumps for vehicular traffic are being installed on the road leading from the park’s main entrance on Industrial Road to the nature center. That project is expected to be completed by early October, Rebert said.

Also this month, restoration work is scheduled to begin on the Fox Run Bridge near the park’s spillway. Rebert said the bridge dates to the early 1900s, the same as much of the trail. That project is expected to be completed by winter.

Event-wise, Wildwood Park will host a free fall foliage walk on Oct. 18, the day the autumn leaves are expected to reach peak color. An environmental educator will lead the walk and explain why leaves change color as visitors soak in the annual visual display. Preregistration isn’t required.

Wildwood’s Magical Trail takes place a few days later, on Oct. 22 and 23. Held after the school day, children and adults will encounter the park’s costumed “talking animals” that include a white-tailed deer, a turtle, a frog and a great horned owl.

“This is one of our most popular programs,” Rebert said. “It’s pretty exciting for the 2- to 7-year-olds.”

The evening ends with a campfire, s’mores and apple cider. The cost is $8 per person and pre-registration is required.

“It’s not something that’s scary, it’s informative,” said Rebert. “The animals talk about their evening activities and what they do at night.”

On Oct. 27, the park will hold its first Full Moon Halloween Hike. Walkers should meet at the Olewine Pavilion near the nature center. The guided, 1.5-mile walk is considered easy for all ages and will follow the park’s north boardwalk. Pre-registration isn’t required.

“The full moon will be rising then, so you won’t really need a flashlight for the walk,” Rebert said. “You can hear fall insects make interesting droning sounds, too.”

The Ned Smith Center is located at 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. For a complete list of fall activities, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.

Wildwood Park is located at 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. For a complete list of fall activities, visit www.wildwoodlake.org.

Tag Archives: Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

25 Years of Nature, Fun: Ned Smith Festival makes changes as it marks its silver anniversary.

You May Also Like

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

“River City Stories” brings Harrisburg voices to the big screen next month

Pride Month exhibit, “Unapologetically Us,” displays art at several Harrisburg locations

TheBurg Pride Guide 2026

Breezy Listening: Music, theater in the spotlight at DeSoto Amphitheater.

You May Also Like

“River City Stories” brings Harrisburg voices to the big screen next month

Pride Month exhibit, “Unapologetically Us,” displays art at several Harrisburg locations

TheBurg Pride Guide 2026

Central Penn alumni take center stage at CPC Film Series triple feature

Happenings: Our April Calendar of Events

You May Also Like

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

Everyone Is Welcome: This month, you’re invited to the 33rd Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park

Hand-in-Hand: Juneteenth HBG continues to celebrate freedom, Black culture, confidently

Outdoors in October: You needn’t drive far for some nature-loving fun.

You May Also Like

Everyone Is Welcome: This month, you’re invited to the 33rd Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park

A Harrisburg Holiday: Summer in Harrisburg can feel like a dreamy vacation, if you make the effort

Hand-in-Hand: Juneteenth HBG continues to celebrate freedom, Black culture, confidently

Patriots’ Path: Army Heritage Center Foundation marks America250, launches trail inviting visitors to follow in footsteps of soldiers