Tag Archives: Sara Bozich

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

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

 

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: GRAND OPENING of the Eichelberger Distillery at Dills Tavern!; Hershey Brew Fest 2024 at The Englewood (new-ish) Worth noting: Jazz Walk and Dauphin County’s Jazz & Wine Festival – use my promo code! Gallery Walk on Sunday Things on my agenda this weekend: Burg Bash, Jazz Walk, youth baseball, um … football is back

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend. Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival

A Look Ahead

  1. Celebrate 25 years of Whitaker Center!
  2. You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how! 
  3. Are you on my email list?
  4. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

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


What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new:  Puppet Parade (part of Kipona) Worth noting: Labor Day Weekend, baby, plus SoMa Block Party tonight! Things on my agenda this weekend: A quick trip for a 100th bday party

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend. Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival

A Look Ahead

  1. Exclusive promo code for the Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival, which is next weekend
  2. Celebrate 25 years of Whitaker Center!
  3. You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how! 
  4. Are you on my email list?
  5. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Labor Day | Monday

 If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

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Musical Mindset: Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz tunes up for another Jazz Walk, looks toward future

Justin Morell. Photo courtesy of Amy Spangler and Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz.

September in Harrisburg brings many things: a crisp fall breeze to cut through the heat, the beginning of trees turning all sorts of warm hues and, of course, jazz music drifting through Midtown courtesy of Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz’s (CPFJ) annual Jazz Walk.

The free, one-day jazz festival transforms local businesses and organizations alike into pop-up jazz clubs, allowing anyone to enjoy the music, whether the listener is a seasoned jazz enthusiast or a curious passerby.

“It’s an opportunity for people to discover jazz without paying for a ticket,” CPFJ’s Operations Manager Sara Bozich said.

This year’s event will take place Sept. 6 with familiar spots such as the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Millworks, TheBurg and the Historic Harrisburg Association hosting shows.

CPFJ Board Vice President Dave Wagner said featuring local artists is a crucial part of the Jazz Walk’s success, drawing a larger crowd and more support when people are familiar with the performers.

“There’s a lot of competition for entertainment these days, and jazz is one of the things that we want to continue to keep on everybody’s mind,” Wagner said.

Pursuit Coworking will act as CPFJ’s hub for the evening. The space, Bozich said, will include a winery on site for refreshments, tables and information from the event’s sponsors and maps and cards to keep track of where all the performances will be.

Patrons will also be able to purchase tickets for CPFJ’s fall concerts, the Dauphin County Jazz and Wine Festival on Sept. 7 and 8 and sign up for their new and updated membership program.

Last year’s Jazz Walk featured over 40 artists in various groups and bands across 14 venues, which, Wagner said, was the most venues they have had in recent years.

“I think that it went over very well operationally and functionally,” Wagner said. “The music was awesome. It’s just a great vibe to go on down there.”

  

Flowing Well

CPFJ began in 1980, started by jazz pianist Steve Rudolph, lawyer Lee Swartz, local radio DJ Russ Neff and Jack Snavely, who worked in finance. Rudolph said the group wanted to grow the presence of jazz in Harrisburg and keep jazz artists coming through the city.

“I think Jack Snavely was the one who actually first said the words, ‘well, let’s form a jazz society,’” Rudolph said.

From local artists to touring national acts, CPFJ organized and hosted a slew of concerts in their early years. Rudolph credits the success to the support system that arose around the group.

“I think the heart of the organization from the beginning was the amount of volunteers that we had who were seriously into music,” Rudolph said.

The first Jazz Walk kicked off not long after CPFJ’s founding and was born from the larger jazz festival they would hold in the 1980s, which Rudolph said received a great deal of financial support from local charities and art organizations.

“One of the things we would have at the jazz festival, which was usually a three- or four-day event, [was] a Jazz Walk,” Rudolph said. “And in the ‘80s, there were probably six or seven clubs in downtown Harrisburg, right on 2nd Street, that had offered jazz on a regular basis.”

Since then, the prevalence of jazz in Harrisburg has dwindled, but Rudolph does not worry about losing it to time.

“The music is too strong to be denied,” Rudolph said. “So, it’ll always be happening, but on what level is always a curious thing to find out.”

Along with the Jazz Walk and concerts, CPFJ runs educational camps for children interested in playing jazz music, like their jazz camp at Messiah University. Last year, 80 kids attended.

“The focus of the organization now is a little more towards education and a little less towards presentation, but it seems to be flowing quite well,” Rudolph said.

Bozich was hired in May of this year and believes her expertise in marketing and management can help the organization with its ongoing mission.

“My goal with Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz is to help elevate the organization, ultimately resulting in a more robust membership and programming so that people continue to enjoy and love jazz music,” Bozich said.

For more information on Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz, visit www.friendsofjazz.org.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg! 

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Harrisburg worked to clean up fallen trees and debris following a storm last weekend.

We’ve made it through another week here in Harrisburg and, as always, we’ve covered all the happenings. We reported on several stories about the Broad Street Market, as well as the aftermath of an intense weekend storm. If you missed any of it, don’t worry, as all of our stories are linked below.

August’s Adventure Together column has several ways to soak in the last bit of summer with your family. Read here, to find our writer’s recommendations.

Bob’s Art Blog reviews a current exhibit at the Susquehanna Art Museum while giving a huge kudos to the city’s summer art program for youth in collaboration with the Art Association of Harrisburg. Click here to read.

The Broad Street Market Alliance announced it is seeking community members to fill two vacant, at-large seats on its board. In our online story, learn how to apply.

Felony charges against the former Broad Street Market manager were filed in Dauphin County, our online story reported. The market’s board confirmed that the charges stem from alleged stealing from the market.

Good Ground Coffee Company recently opened in Camp Hill as a passion project for two former Messiah University students, our magazine story reported. The shop employs survivors of human trafficking, helping to give them a hand up.

Home sales and prices both jumped in the Harrisburg area in July, our online story reported. For the three-county region, 608 homes sold versus 517 in July 2023, as the median sales price rose to $286,000 from $264,900.

Interior demolition began on the Broad Street Market this week, our online story reported. Harrisburg began demo inside the market’s fire-damaged brick building, with the city declaring the market situation an official emergency.

Kappa Omega, a Harrisburg fraternity, started a “Fatherhood and Mentoring Program,” welcoming young men into their State Street facility for education and relationship building, our magazine story reported. Kappa Omega men will host sessions on gun violence prevention, financial growth and career planning, among other topics.

Luca Savarino, a local young musician, has always tried to find the hardest thing to do, and then do it. In our magazine story, read about the Harrisburg Academy grad who recently won a national YoungArts award.

Sara Bozich has rounded up all of the best events happening in and around Harrisburg this weekend, here.

A tornado caused by remnants of Hurricane Debby touched down in Harrisburg on Friday, damaging 111 properties, our online story reported. The city is offering cleanup assistance to residents and seeking to secure state funding to help cover the costs.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

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

 

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Garden Soiree at The Willows at Ashcombe Mansion Saturday; HBG Flea Summer in SoMa on Sunday Worth noting: Final HU Summer Concert on Sunday with Brothers Osborne Things on my agenda this weekend: Brothers Osborne on Aug. 18 in Riverfront Park

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend. Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival

A Look Ahead

  1. Aug. 29: SoMa Block Party – check out the lineup
  2. Exclusive promo code for the Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival
  3. You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how! 
  4. Are you on my email list?
  5. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Continue Reading

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Dauphin County Cultural Fest will return this month. Photo from 2023.

It has been quite a stormy day here in Harrisburg—perfect for staying in and catching up on reading. All of our local reporting from this week, as well as some stories from our August magazine, are featured below. Stay dry!

Arts writer Bob travels to Mount Gretna to explore the art, cultural and small business scenes. The Mt. Gretna Art Show also takes place this month on the Aug. 17-18.

Dauphin County’s Cultural Fest will return to Harrisburg on Aug. 17, our online story reported. The event will take place at Riverfront Park and include musical performances and food trucks.

Defense for suspended Harrisburg Magisterial District Judge Sonya McKnight is seeking to get charges dropped against her for allegedly shooting her ex-boyfriend, our online story reported. Her attorney argued that the prosecution didn’t have enough evidence to support their case.

Harrisburg artist Reina “R76” Wooden,” along with a group of local artists, will present a showcase for Harrisburg’s Kipona festival, our online story reported. The show will give creators an accessible and affordable way to display their work.

Harrisburg’s city hall closed on Thursday following an IT malfunction, our online story reported. Staff discovered smoking hardware in the building the night before and closed the building for safety reasons.

Lindgren Craft Brewery opened in May in a former bank building on Duncannon Square in Perry County, our magazine story reported. A father/son duo spent year transforming the building, which now offers a selection of beer that will please anyone.

Linglestown boasts a range of favorite haunts and hidden gems. Our writer took a day trip to the town to visit coffee shops, bookstores, art studios and more.

Midtown Cinema suffered water damage from Friday’s storm, our online story reported. The theater will temporarily close while restoration work is completed.

The Penguin Project’s Theatre Harrisburg chapter gives children and young adults with special needs a chance to perform in Broadway-style shows, our online story reported. Participants are paired with peer mentors and get to practice performance and social skills.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup features a list of all of this weekend’s best events happening in the Harrisburg area.

Treasure Trove Toy Store in downtown Harrisburg has become a hub for helping the unhoused in the city, our online story reported. Owner Jennifer Draisey-Crocezi has assisted several people to find housing and resources.

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

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Continue Reading

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

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

 

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Rain! Worth noting: CPFJ & Gretna Music present jazz legend Charles McPherson on Friday Things on my agenda this weekend: bye bye bye

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend. Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival

A Look Ahead

  1. Girls Night Out for 3rd in the Burg in SoMa – Aug. 16
  2. Aug. 29 SoMa Block Party – check out the lineup
  3. We just added the SoMa Christmas Market to the event calendar
  4. You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how! 
  5. Are you on my email list?
  6. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Continue Reading

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Volunteers put red sand in sidewalk cracks at the Capitol to recognize victims of human trafficking who often “slip through the cracks.”

Our August magazine dropped this week, with a special focus on youth and schools. Grab a copy at one of our many distribution locations or read online. But first, catch up on this week’s news, below.

“Back 2 School Drive 4 Success,” run by Renewal by Andersen and Harrisburg-based All You Can Inc., is currently accepting donations of school supplies for students in need. Read our online story to find out how to give.

TheBurg has what’s called a “high-class problem”—we can’t seem to print enough copies to meet the huge demand for our monthly magazine. Our publisher shares some tips for how to secure a copy, here.

Community Corner has all of August’s special events happening in the Harrisburg area. For a full, comprehensive list of music, art and cultural events this month, read our Happenings section.

Jones’ Resources, Harrisburg City Council and the city will host the first annual Destry “Des” Mangus Classic Basketball Tournament on Aug. 10 and 11 at Reservoir Park, our online story reported. The event honors a longtime coach and volunteer in the community.

Live music is hot, hot, hot this month in Harrisburg. Our concert reviewer shares her must-see shows.

National Night Out will return to Harrisburg next week with games, food and music on City Island, our online story reported. The event will give community members a chance to interact with city first responders.

Orville Peck performed in Riverfront Park as part of HU Presents’ summer concerts series this past weekend. According to our reviewer, “Peck gave concertgoers a night full of unbridled energy and authenticity.”

Our publisher shares the results of a community listening tour that TheBurg has been on. We have asked residents about the community and about TheBurg, and what they had to say has been interesting.

The Red Sand Project came to the state Capitol steps this week, with volunteers filling cracks in the sidewalk with red sand to raise awareness for human trafficking victims who have been overlooked, or “slipped through the cracks.” In our online story, find out more about the event, hosted by Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania.

Roads near the PA Farm Show Complex closed on Wednesday for a rally held by former President Donald Trump, we reported.

Sara Bozich has concert, restaurant and event recommendations for this weekend in Harrisburg, here.

Visit Hershey & Harrisburg released its Harrisburg Arts District app, which allows visitors and locals to more easily find arts-related venues and events in the city. In our online story, find out how it works.

Watson’s Wish financially helps pet owners when they need life-saving care for their furry friends, our magazine story reported. Jessica Beninsky launched the nonprofit in 2022 and has since helped dogs in central and northeastern Pa.

Whitaker Center’s “Girls in STEAM” program received a $35,000 grant from Comcast to help the program continue its career exploration opportunities for youth, our online story reported. “Girls in STEAM” promotes digital literacy and skill-building.

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

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Continue Reading

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

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

 

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: Get in the Olympic spirit with Wine & Food Olympics at Home 231 Worth noting: HBG Flea; Mount Gretna Tour of Homes on Saturday Things on my agenda this weekend: pretty low-key, maybe a market + Flea visit

For your weekend planning

Below are more options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

  1. We just added the SoMa Christmas Market to the event calendar
  2. You can now sponsor the Weekend Roundup! Ask me how! 
  3. Are you on my email list?
  4. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Continue Reading

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Downtown Daily Bread and local officials cut the ribbon on the center’s new food pantry.

What’s your weekend vibe? Shopping local businesses? Visiting your favorite restaurants? Taking a riverfront walk? Reading your favorite local magazine? We hope it’s all of the above! Whatever your plans, make sure to first catch up on this week’s news, below.

Animal advocate Essie Petrovich has spearheaded an initiative to spread the animal welfare message of spaying and neutering, our magazine story reported. Petrovich created a spay/neuter license plate that the public can purchase to benefit the cause.

Cleve J. Fredricksen Library’s “Read to Dogs” program allows kids to read to furry listeners, helping them become more confident in their skills. In our magazine story, hear what participants have to say about the benefits of the program.

Dog Safety is an important lesson to teach kids. In our magazine story, find tips and tricks for introducing kids to dogs that will keep everyone safe, smiling and tail wagging.

Downtown Daily Bread cut the ribbon on its new Renewed Hope Food Pantry in its Harrisburg facility, our online story reported. The pantry will serve clients who may not feel comfortable coming into the center for hot meals, but need grocery assistance.

Fireworks at Harrisburg’s Labor Day weekend Kipona Festival are canceled, the city shared this week, our story reported. Mayor Wanda Williams said that she would halt the display in light of incidents involving guns at previous city firework displays.

Harrisburg is seeking expressions of interest for architectural and engineering services for the market’s brick building rebuild, our online story reported. The city plans soon to open the request for proposals (RFP) process, which will be by invite-only.

The Information Technology Bureau in Harrisburg completed a critical piece of its years-long IT upgrade, our online story reported. The new protections put in place will help defend the city’s data against cyber attacks and allow operations to be maintained if city hall ever shuts down during an emergency.

Mecum Harrisburg’s collector car auction returned to the PA Farm Show Complex, starting on Wednesday and running through Saturday, our online story reported.

The Paris Olympic Games begin on Friday. While you may not be able to make it to Paris, there are still many options to get a taste of French cuisine locally. Find some recommendations, here.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup gives you plenty of suggestions for how to have fun in and around Harrisburg.

UPMC and Penn State College of Medicine launched a “Health to Go” vending machine outside its emergency department, our online story reported. The machine, one of the first of its kind in the state, offers 24/7 access to free items like naloxone, pregnancy tests and personal care items.

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

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

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