Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
It’s another busy weekend, with country music megastar Miranda Lambert at the Bryce Jordan Center, a celebration of Mister Rogers at the American Philatelic Center and Easter egg hunts around the area.
British rock greats The Zombies visit the State Theatre and Riversongs Music Fest returns to Elk Creek Cafe. Plus there’s more music, theater, sports and community events happening around Centre County.
We’ve compiled some of the weekend 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
NCAA Fencing Championships
Penn State hosts the 2018 NCAA Fencing Championships, continuing through Sunday at the Multi-Sport Facility. Find the full schedule and ticket info here.
March Ado About Nothing
Tempest Productions presents performances throughout the day in the Attic of The State Theatre, with new plays by Pam Monk and Ellis Stump, as well as ‘The Belle of Amherst,’ ‘The Comedy of Errors,’ and ‘The Women.’ See the schedule here.
Miranda Lambert
Country superstar Miranda Lambert brings her ‘Livin’ Like Hippies’ tour to the Bryce Jordan Center for a 7 p.m. show with special guests Jon Pardi and Charlie Worsham. Tickets are still available. As part of her Fill the Red Wagon campaign, Lambert is encouraging donations to Centre County PAWS before the concert.
Chorale Concert
The Kent State University Chorale, directed by Scott MacPherson, will present a free choral concert at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St. Musical selections will include Tallis, Sweelinck, Brahms, and other classical composers as well as contemporary selections.
Spring Awakening
Penn State Thespians present the acclaimed 2006 rock musical ‘Spring Awakening,’ with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium. Based on Frank Wedekind’s groundbreaking and controversial play (once banned in Germany), Spring Awakening tells the story of sexual awakening, youth revolt, and self-discovery in the late 19th century. Tickets are $4.98 for students and $12 for community members. The show contains adult content.
SATURDAY
Community Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt
Cavalry Church, 150 Harvest Fields Drive, Boalsburg, will host a free breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. followed by an egg hunt at 10 a.m. Kids will be divided into four age groups for the hunt. The Easter story will be shared and the Easter bunny will be making an appearance as well.
Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner
With eight time slots between noon and 6 p.m., the Nittany Valley Benefit Dinner will be held Saturday at 125 Fire House Lane, Howard. Full details here.
Penn State Sports
The Nittany Lion softball team opens Big Ten play against Rutgers with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Beard Field; men’s lacrosse hosts Cleveland State at 1 p.m. at Panzer Stadium for Military Appreciation Day; and the NCAA Fencing Championships continue at the Multi-Sports Facility.
Mister Rogers Celebration
The U.S. Postal Service is commemorating Fred Rogers and the 50th anniversary of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ with a new postage stamp, and WPSU and the American Philatelic Center are teaming up for a celebration. A free, public event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the center, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, with activities and a special appearance by David Newell, who portrayed delivery man Mr. McFeely in the PBS show and will appear in character.
Easter Egg Hunt and Party
Join Trinity Bellefonte UMC, 128 W. Howard St. for its annual Easter Egg Hunt & Party at 4 p.m. The event begins in the social hall in the education building, with crafts, games, food and drinks, then heads out onto the three lawns for the egg hunts. Free and open to all.
Taste of India
Association for India’s Development hosts its 21st annual food festival, with authentic Indian cuisine prepared by members of the Indian community in State College, henna, music, dance and more. Three seatings starting at 5:30 p.m. will be held at the Knights of Columbus, 850 Stratford Drive. Find ticket information and details here.
Acoustic Brew Concert
Folk musician Ellis Delaney returns to the Acoustic Brew Concert Series for a 7:30 p.m. show at the Center for Well-Being in Lemont, 123 Mount Nittany Road. With a captivating voice, uplifting lyrics and enthusiastic spirit, Delaney brings a dynamic and engaging performance
SUNDAY
Underwater Egg Hunt
State College YMCA hosts an egg hunt in the rec and therapy pools for kids ages 6 months up to 12 years. Heats begin at 1 p.m., and participants are divided into age groups. Free and open to the community, but registration is required and space is limited. See the list of times and full details on the event here.
Penn State Softball
The Nittany Lion softball team wraps up a three-game series against Rutgers at 1 p.m. at Beard Field.
Pets Come First Bingo
Doors open at 2 p.m. and play begins at 3 p.m. at Toftrees Golf Resort for an afternoon of Bingo benefiting Pets Come First. Game play consists of 20 games for cash prizes and available for purchase at the event will be four special games for cash prizes and one guaranteed $1,000 jackpot. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Evan Pugh’s Penn State
Roger Williams, author of ‘Evan Pugh’s Penn State’ and former executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association, delivers an illustrated talk showcasing the life and contributions of the university’s founding president and his work to quickly build the school into the model institution of its kind—America’s first scientifically-based agricultural college. The lecture, presented by the Centre County Historical Society, begins at 2 p.m. at the the Centre County Penn State Visitor Center.
When Spring Comes
Stop by the Schlow Library children’s department from 2 to 4 p.m. and celebrate spring with Kevin Henkes’ book ‘When Spring Comes,’ and Penn State’s Sign Language Organization.
Peace Walk
The 3rd Way Collective hosts a Palm Sunday Peace Walk, a community event focused on bringing together a diverse population to learn about the many ways our community is working for peace. The 1-mile walk start at 3 p.m. at University Baptist & Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St., with stops along the way along the way to hear community stories and pray for healing. All are welcome to participate, regardless of faith tradition.
Riversongs Music Fest
Join Penns Valley Conservation Association for the Eighth Annual Riversongs Festival at the Elk Creek Cafe in Millheim. From 3-6pm, this festive event will include live music, craft beers and fine foods available from the café menu. A suggested $10 donation at the door goes to support Penns Valley Conservation Association’s educational programming.
Roller Derby
State College Area Roller Derby‘s Plan B takes on Northern Allegheny at 5 p.m. at Penn Skates, 2210 High Tech Road.
The Zombies
The second U.K. band following the Beatles to score a No. 1 hit in America, The Zombies brought sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs to their 1960’s hit singles like ‘She’s Not There,’ and their influential masterpiece album, 1968’s ‘Odessey and Oracle.’ The band performs at 8 p.m. at The State Theatre with special guest Don DiLego.
