TGIF: State College Weekend Events for Feb. 23-25

Happy Friday, Happy Valley!

It’s a busy weekend around the area for music and performing arts — with bluegrass, orchestra, a woodwind serenade, musical theater, original dance choreography and opera all on the calendar And you’ll find sports, community events, film, a special new puppet show and more. We’ve compiled some of the highlights below.

This isn’t all that’s happening, either. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.

FRIDAY

Free Child Vision Screenings
Make sure your child’s vision is at its best with a free screening by a doctor from Nittany Eye Associates, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Schlow Centre Region Library. No registration necessary, but children will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis. 

Global Health Film Festival
Penn State University Libraries will host a Global Health Film Festival between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library in an event aimed to communicate stories, inspire, and encourage action to redress inequities in health. Each film is followed by a guest speaker. [Schedule]

Penn State Hockey
The Nittany Lion women’s team hosts Lindenwood at 2 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena and the men take on No.8 Minnesota at 6:30 p.m.

Penn State Men’s Volleyball
The Nittany Lions open a weekend homestand at 7 p.m. in Rec Hall against George Mason.

Love in Hate Nation
Penn State Centre Stage presents the premiere production of the musical ‘Love in Hate Nation,’ in the Playhouse Theatre. With music, lyrics and book by Joe Iconis, ‘Love in Hate Nation’ was commissioned by Penn State Musical Theatre as part of their New Works Initiative. It’s the last chance to catch the show, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday

Bluegrass in the Attic
The Tussey Mountain Moonshiners bring their special mix of bluegrass and Americana to the State Theatre Attic for a 7:30 p.m. show.

JazzBird and Steel Valley Rhythms
In a collaborative dance event at The State Theatre VanDance’s latest work ‘JazzBird,’ created by Artistic Director Ann Van Kuren delivers a spellbinding contemporary jazz and theatre rendition of ‘The Firebird’ folktale for dance patrons of all ages. The program will also present the mesmerizing Steel Valley Rhythms, an ongoing project by independent choreographer Michele Dunleavy. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. [Tickets] 

SATURDAY

How to Hunt for Signs of Alien Life
Lisa Kaltenegger, associate professor at Cornell University and director of the Carl Sagan Institute, will discuss the most advanced telescopes being used to search for signs of alien life. The free lecture begins at 11 a.m. in 100 Thomas Building, University Park.

YSCP Winter Fest
Young Scholars of Central Pennsylvania Charter School, 1530 Westerly Parkway, hosts its inaugural Winter Fest fundraiser, from 1 to 4 p.m.,  with  games, crafts, treats, a photo booth, raffle and silent auction. Admission is free, but tickets, available for purchase at the event, are required for most activities. Proceeds benefit school field trips.

La Bohème
The State Theatre offers Metropolitan Opera in HD’s presentation of ‘La Bohème,’ at 12:30 p.m.

Penn State Hockey
The Nittany Lion men’s and women’s teams both host Senior Day in their regular season finales at Pegula Ice Arena. The women face off against Lindenwood at 2 p.m., while the men host No. 8 Minnesota at 7 p.m.

Nittany Lion Gymnastics
The Penn State men’s and women’s teams host a double dual at 4 p.m., with the men facing Minnesota and the women taking on George Washington.

We All Deserve a Happy Valley
Penn State students will host a deliberation at 5 p.m. at Fraser Street Commons, 115 S. Fraser St. to talk about living in a college town. Residents and students are invited to discuss ways to create a larger sense of community for all.

Penn State Volleyball
The Nittany Lion men’s volleyball team wraps up a weekend homestand against Charleston at 7 p.m. in the Rec Hall south gym.

Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra
The Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra will perform its first concert of the spring 2018 semester at 7:30 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium. The ensemble’s program includes performances by student Concerto Competition winners, violinist Alma Bulibekova and pianist Carina Hui.

Larry Keel Experience
Larry Keel, described by music critics and reviewers as the most powerful, innovative and all-out exhilarating acoustic flatpicking guitarist performing today, brings his band to Elk Creek Cafe & Aleworks in Millheim for an 8 p.m. show.

SUNDAY

Lady Lion Pink Zone Game
The Penn State women’s basketball team hosts Ohio State at noon and its the annual Play4Kay Benefiting Pink Zone game, raising funds and awareness for Pink Zone’s efforts to support regional breast cancer organizations, charities and facilities.

Encaustic Painting Demonstration
The Bellefonte Art Museum presents a free demonstration by artist Sue Lacy at 1 p.m. Lacy’s training includes drawing, pastels, watercolor, acrylics, encaustics, photography, and collage classes.

Sunday Afternoon Live with Adam Swartz Puppets
The first in a series of shows with puppets and people from the community, this month’s Sunday Afternoon Live, 3 p.m. at The State Theatre, will feature Scott Mangene and family with an original interactive story and a fun interview and performance with the Mangenes.

Woodwind Serenade
Members of the Pennsylvania Quintet will perform a Woodwind Serenade at 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, 780 Waupelani Drive. Performers will be Naomi Seidman, flute; Tim Hurtz, oboe; Anthony Costa, clarinet; and Daryl Durran, bassoon. The program of trios and quartets will include music from J. S. Bach to a new jazz-influenced piece by American composer Gernot Wolfgang.