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Santa Claus is Coming…to Harrisburg!

admin December 6, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Santa Claus is Coming…to Harrisburg!

It seems that Harrisburg is going to be privy to a great Christmas as the town’s Hershey’s Park becomes Candylane!  The town will be laden with fun events and entertainments as well of course, great candy.  Even if you’re not from the area, it might be worth booking into one of the hotels near the venue so you’ll be just a hop, skip and jump away from Candylane, where you’ll be privy to over two million decorative lights and other fun festive adornments.  As well, you can meet the characters famous in Hershey-land, and join your kids on all the cool rides there.  If you are going to be one of those fun parents, then you cannot miss out on the Twilight Express.

For the music-lovers amongst you, you can enjoy A Rockin’ Music Box Christmas Show and for the kids who love the whole Christmas spirit, the tales at Christmas Candylane Storytime will be a real hit.  Chocoholics will love Christmas in Chocolate Town (decadent meal with amazing chocolate dessert and live entertainment) and Hershey Sweet Lights is a great drive-thru from the comfort of your own car.

This really is a great outing for everyone in the family – be sure not to miss it.

Red Roof Inn Opens in Harrisburg

admin December 4, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Red Roof Inn Opens in Harrisburg

The sixth Red Roof Inn has just opened in central Pennsylvania on the Harrisburg Pike, number 1450.  It originally was a Holiday Inn.  Andrajit Patel (Red Roof local owner) had converted the hotel in Middlesex Township.  It has a hundred rooms and was first constructed in 1983 and then renovated in 2004.  The other five Red Roof hotels in the area are in York County, two in Dauphin County and the other two in Lancaster County. There are plans to build a new Holiday Inn on the same road, sometime in 2012.

 

Having Fun in Harrisburg

admin November 29, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Having Fun in Harrisburg

Enough talk about flooding and finances, Harrisburg and its residents need to chill. And that is exactly what is on offer this week as a bunch of national acts begin emanating the city.  Get your ticket now for tomorrow’s event – the multi-instrumental act from Ra Ra Riot is coming to Harrisburg and really shouldn’t be missed.  The American-Indie rock band is still in its youth, only having started performances five years ago. But within six months, the band already secured a spot at the CMJ Music Marathon. If you’ve never heard them before and enjoy the tones of Fleetwood Mac and the sounds emanating from some of the more recent Honda commercials, you really should go check them out in Harrisburg.  Get your ticket now or if you’re running late, pay the extra $2 at the door (if seating is available).

The next day you might want to enjoy some Philadelphia talent from the Indie rock band, The War on Drugs, which will be performing at the Abbey Bar located on Cameron Street.  Tickets are on sale for $10 if purchased in advance.

Harrisburg: A Decade in the Movies

admin November 27, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Harrisburg: A Decade in the Movies

Harrisburg’s Midtown Cinema will next week be celebrating 10 years in the business. To mark this milestone, it will be offering discount tickets and free refreshments in the lobby.  This is obviously fun, but there is some concern as to what will become of the cinema within the next year and whether celebrations will abound for its 11th anniversary.

According to the co-manager of the theater, located on Reily Street, Kevyn Knox, “we are doing drastically less business this year than we did last year.  I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s all the stories about the supposed crime wave in Harrisburg.”

Currently up for viewing is a Lars von Trier film called “Melancholia” that could be up for an Oscar.  There are some film buffs who go and catch a movie or two as well, like Clark Nicholson who is also the director for Harrisburg’s Gamut Theatre Group.  Although in theory everyone would like to go to the theater, when it comes down to it, it’s usually more talk than action and thus finances are very tight and unstable for the movie-theater.  However, according to GreenWorks Development senior VP Matt Tunnell, currently there are no plans to close it down.  GreenWorks Development bought the theater five years ago in an effort to revitalize midtown Harrisburg.

So, if you happen to be scouting around Harrisburg for something fun to do whilst supporting a worthy organization, on December 3 you might want to visit the Midtown Cinema and take in a movie for a mere $5.  And, while you’re there, munch on a bucket of popcorn as you check out upcoming performances that are coming to town.

Harrisburg Holiday Fun for All

admin November 21, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Harrisburg Holiday Fun for All

It really is an event for Harrisburgians not to miss – the annual Harrisburg Holiday Parade.  And, just a few short weeks ago, due to major budgetary issues plaguing the city especially since its flooding – it really looked like it wasn’t going to happen.  But when it did, everyone in Harrisburg was sure glad about it.  People were lounging around in garden chairs, enjoying the music emanating from the marching bands and really having a jolly good time.

Harrisburg’s Budgetary Concerns

So it really is good that it took place.  But just a month ago, the city’s Mayor, Linda Thompson issued a written statement insisting that city events were not to use taxpayers money – if they were to go ahead, they needed to ensure their own funding.  Despite the obvious joy and frivolity in the air, it is a shame that sponsors are not coming forward as much as they should for such events.  At least, that was the case before Mayor Thompson issued her statement.  Following that, a bunch of sponsors provided funds amounting to $39,000 so that the parade could continue downtown.  Attendees were delighted and said it showed real “community spirit.”

BAM! Comes to Harrisburg

admin November 21, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on BAM! Comes to Harrisburg

Books-A-Million – otherwise known as BAM! – has arrived in Harrisburg on Jonestown Road.  A wide range of books, magazines, toys, bargain products and more will be available at the store.  According to the store’s GM, Michael Danilowicz, the aim of the new store is to provide excellent service and quality products to the people of Harrisburg.

BAM! For Kids and Tekkies

At the new Harrisburg store there will also be a special kids’ selection, called ‘Kids-A-Million,’ boasting a large array of kids’ books, educational games and toys and lots of fun products from Lego etc.  The store also has a lot of cool electronic gadgets for customers such as the NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK Color, iPod and more, as well as various popular electronic accessories.

Best Buys at BAM!

As well, there is the Millionaire’s Club through which members can get a 40 percent saving off bestsellers, 20 percent and 10 percent of various other items. These members will also get great specials at various sales and promotional events.

So with all the great offers, it’s definitely worth taking a mosey-on down to Jonestown Road, to check out what great deals you can get from the new BAM! in town.

Harrisburg’s Best Bull Rider

admin November 20, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Harrisburg’s Best Bull Rider

Harrisburg’s 19-year-old Devon Weaver is one of the city’s top bull riders.  He explains though that no matter how much you study a bull it will not help you become any more expert in your sport since bulls are inherently unpredictable.   The only way to get real wise according to Weaver, is getting thrown off – as then you’ll try whatever you can to stop repeating that event!

The man is pretty much addicted to bull riding.  In an article in Penn Live he said simply, “it’s something I have to do. I can’t tell you why.”  He talks of the challenge and the adrenalin but not so much about the enjoyment of it.  He has  been thrown a bunch of times but it seems he feels that is just par for the course.

Rodeo Finals

Just yesterday, Weaver took on one of his biggest challenges at the Rodeo Finals at the Farm Show complex.  For most, it could be pretty nerve-wracking, but for Weaver, it was all in a day’s work; the same as any other competition. As well, it is so much more than just about winning.  He’s there, simply because he “loves it.”

“Third in the Burg” Celebration

admin November 15, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on “Third in the Burg” Celebration

Harrisburg residents have been invited to attend a preview of the State Museum of Pennsylvania’s exhibition “Making It Better: Folk Arts in Pennsylvania Today.”  The preview will take place on November 18 from 6 to 8 in the evening, featuring artist Ken Ely constructing a stone wall that will appear in the show.  Karla Armstrong and Friends will be performing gospel and country music with an autoharp made by George Orthey (whose harp will also appear in the exhibition).  It is to be part of the “third in the burg” celebration.

The actual exhibition will open two days later until April 29 of next year.  It will comprise photos and videos; music and interactive areas for visitors to experience Pennsylvania folk art traditions through all their senses.

Exhibition Features

There will be many different features at the exhibition.  The art displayed will come from throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania and represents all different traditions from around the world including a Slovenian accordion; an Aztec ritual flute; Italian bobbin lace; Tibetan sand mandalas and much more.  What can be learned through the exhibition is that while so much art has such a long history, it is still relevant in 21st century modern times.

Fun in Midtown Harrisburg

admin November 13, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Fun in Midtown Harrisburg

Harrisburg has been enjoying a fun festival in its midst, for all book-lovers and anyone else looking for some entertainment.  Now in its second year, the Harrisburg Book Festival has been attracting many residents from the area to the Midtown Scholar Bookstore.  It will culminate with a launch of the book written by ex-columnist for the Patriot News, Paul Beers, entitled, “City Contented. City Discontented. A History of Modern Harrisburg.”  The book’s publishers are Midtown Scholar Press.

As well, there will be a discussion with Cate Barron (Patriot News Executive Editor); John Baer (Philadelphia Daily News political communist) and Linda Ries (Pennsylvania State Archives project director) to discuss the book.  This is important for Harrisburg as there is a large gap in knowledge on Harrisburg’s culture on this so it is hoped the book will fill this.

This year the festival will be more than just book signings; discussions will be held with readers from Harrisburg and there will also be book readings to school children.  Such festivals are a great opportunity to encourage reading and writing for kids.  But it’s not just for kids; adults were having a great time too, making the most of the Book Festival.

There were also panels; one was entitled, “Path to Publication: Tips for Writers and Readers.”  While we encounter the challenge of the digital world, such a festival like this in Harrisburg is a great way to battle against it, and to encourage people to get back to the world of pen and paper, a.k.a., books.

Circus Time in Harrisburg

admin November 11, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Circus Time in Harrisburg

Last week in Harrisburg it was circus time!  Piccadilly Circus may be famous for its deep hive of socializing and shopping in the London, UK area, but in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, last week it took on an altogether different meaning.   Those who had time to pay a visit to the Zembo Shrine were privy to some top acts from the Piccadilly Circus which made its fourth stop with its new show.  There were lots of elephants, a bunch of ponies and even some camels partaking in the show.  According to Martin Espana, Circus Daredevil, it is important that this very American tradition is kept up.  Going to the circus is a real event for all the family and it certainly is a bit different to going to the movies or out to dinner.  For those who were lucky enough to get a front seat, they could probably hear the elephants breathing as they would have been sitting a mere three feet away from the action!

The Piccadilly Circus travels eight to ten months out of the year and the performers say that it is always exciting and fun for them – no matter how often they repeat their acts.  As well as the animals, there are biking acts (very talented people on bikes going upside down, etc.), walking blindfolded (called the wheel of death) and more.

If you missed it last week, watch this space for details for when the Piccadilly Circus will be coming back to Harrisburg town.