Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
An eclectic lineup of weekend events brings First Friday, the State College debut of a film inspired by and filmed in Central PA, theater and dance performances, an array of concerts, craft and vendor fairs, a little continuation of Halloween and more.
That’s just a bit of what’s going on. We’ve picked out some of the weekend’s highlights below.
There is plenty more around the region 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
First Friday
Downtown State College’s monthly celebration returns from to 5 to 8 p.m. Check out exhibits at The Expect More Store and The State Theatre, flamenco dance at the Central PA Dance Workshop, artistic activities at Woskob Family Gallery and The Makery, live music at 3 Dots and McLanahan’s, a Ten Thousand Villages pop-up shop at New Leaf Initiative, two new Calder Way shops and more. See the full schedule.
Halloween Party
Penn State recreation parks & tourism management students host a free community Halloween party with food, crafts, games and other fun activities from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bellefonte YMCA, 125 W. High St.
Feature Film ‘Shooting Heroin’
Filmed in Clearfield and Centre counties during the fall of 2018, the feature film ‘Shooting Heroin’ had its premiere two weeks ago in Philipsburg, and at 7 p.m. on Friday it will make its State College debut at The State Theatre. Director and Clearfield County native Spencer Folmar’s movie about the opioid crisis was inspired by how the epidemic struck his hometown. Starring Sherilyn Fenn, Alan Powell, Cathy Moriarty and Nicholas Turturro,the film also features local actors in cameos and supporting roles. Folmar and actor/producer Pat Romano Jr. will discuss the film after the screening. [Q&A with Spencer Folmar]
Operation Crucible
The Next Stage theater company presents ‘Operation Crucible,’ the story about four ordinary young men in extraordinary times, steelworkers trapped in the basement of the Marples Hotel in Sheffield, England after it was bombed by the German Luftwaffe on Dec. 12, 1940. The show, which ran to rave reviews in New York last year, begins at 7:30 p.m. in The Attic of The State Theatre. Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday and again Nov. 8-10.
Moving Pictures Dance Concert
Moving Pictures, a collaboration between dancers, choreographers, and visual artists at Penn State, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Pavilion Theatre. Art from several PSU artists is used as the basis for dance pieces that explore and expand upon themes from the artwork. Free admission.
SCAR Derby’s Retro Skating Party
Throw on your favorite period costume and roll back in time at State College Area Roller Derby’s Retro Skating Party, 8-11 p.m. at Penn Skates, 2210 High Tech Road. Costume parade and contest begins at 9:15 p.m. $10 admission includes skate rental and a portion support SCAR Derby.
Penn State Sports
Get your first look at the Lady Lion basketball team under new head coach Carolyn Kieger when Penn State takes on Kutztown in an exhibition at 6 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. Free admission. No. 12 Nittany Lion men’s hockey wraps up a series with No. 7 Wisconsin at 6 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena. And the swimming and diving teams host Ohio State and Virginia Tech at 5 p.m. (continuing 10 a.m. Saturday) at McCoy Natatorium.
SATURDAY
Craft and Vendor Fairs
Pleasant Gap Area Lioness Fall Craft and Vendor Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CPI, 540 N. Harrison Rd., Bellefonte.
Penns Valley Fiber Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Gregg School, 106 School Street, Spring Mills
Church of the Good Shepherd Fall Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 867 Gray’s Woods Boulevard, Port Matilda
Bellefonte Gymnastics Boosters Fall Craft & Vendor Show, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bellefonte Area High School, 830 E. Bishop St.
Free Admission Day at Discovery Space
In honor of the generous donors to Discovery Space during Centre Gives, the interactive children’s science center will have free admission from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Family Concert
Hear musicians from the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra perform in the smaller Allegria Ensemble, featuring Debbie Trudeau, violin, and Jon Dexter, cello, at 2 p.m. in Schlow Centre Region Library. The performance will include lively short movements in a range of styles including Renaissance, classical, Latin, and jazz, as well as explanations and time for questions. Music lovers of all ages will enjoy this free concert.
CVC 5k
Aiding Coaches vs. Cancer Penn State’s efforts to support the American Cancer Society, the 5k run/walk will be held at the Penn State golf, with check-in at noon and the event at 1 p.m. Registration and course info.
Witches Rallye
A tradition for more than 40 years, Central Pennsylvania Region Sports Car Club of America’s Witches Rallye begins at 3:30 p.m. at Bobby Rahal Honda of State College, 2796 W. College Ave. A combination of a gimmick road rally, family-friendly scavenger hunt, party, and charity fundraiser, the event includes prizes, awards and free dinner for all at the super-secret ending location. Proceeds benefit Jana Marie Foundation. See more details and register here.
Blue Bandorama
Celebrating its 120th Anniversary, the Penn State Blue Band will showcase traditional Penn State songs and music from this season’s halftime shows during its annual indoor show, Blue Bandorama, at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Bryce Jordan Center. Tickets.
Trick-or-Treat Night
Because of heavy rain and wind on Halloween, a number of Centre County municipalities postponed trick-or-treat night. It will now be held 6-8 p.m. Saturday in State College and Bellefonte boroughs and College, Ferguson, Harris, Patton and Spring townships. Halfmoon Township will have trick-or-treat from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Singing Onstage Studios presents ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,’ at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, the show has charmed audiences for nearly 15 years with its witty and humorous portrayal of an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.
Symphonic Pops Concert
Join the Nittany Valley Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Eisenhower Auditorium for a celebration of America, the beautiful in its second concert of the 2019-20 season. Featuring the following American-inspired: Lowden (arr.) – Armed Forces Salute; Custer (arr.) – The American Frontier; Grofé – Mississippi Suite; Holcombe (arr.) – International Dixieland Jamboree; Herbert – American Fantasia ;Bagley – National Emblem March; Ungar (arr. Cerulli) – Ashokan Farewell; Anderson – Fiddle Faddle; Rodgers (arr. Bennett) – Selections from ”Oklahoma!”
SUNDAY
Give ‘Em 5
The 10th annual Give Em’5 Veterans Assistance Run or 5k run/walk will be held at 1 p.m. at Bellefonte Area Middle School, 100 N. School St. Funds raised from this race will be made available to veterans in need of financial assistance through the Veterans Assistance Fund, a nonprofit fund created specifically for helping our Centre County’s veterans in their time of need. Racer bags and T-shirts for all participants, plus bagels, chili, pizza and door prizes
Super Mario Kids Golf Challenge
Kids ages 5-10 can dress up in their Halloween costume or as their favorite Mario character for fun activities from 2-5 p.m. at the Penn State Golf Courses. Indoor and outdoor activities include Yoshi’s Trivia, Mario Golf Instruction and Peach’s Putt-Putt. No golf experience necessary and equipment is provided, or you can bring your own. Light refreshments provided. Free but registration is required by emailing SuperMarioPSUgolf@gmail.com and including name, age and phone number. Hosted by Penn State Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management students in collaboration with the Penn State Golf Courses.
Showtime with Shakespeare
“Showtime with Shakespeare,” a new family theatrical production based on Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House adventure “Stage Fright on a Summer Night,” will make its Penn State premiere at 4 p.m. Sunday in Eisenhower Auditorium. Jack and Annie travel back in time to meet William Shakespeare in a show that accentuates the playwright’s importance to children and adults in an entertaining way and with plenty of winking references to the Bard’s many plays. Tickets.
Mother Jones in Heaven
The national tour of ‘Mother Jones in Heaven,’ a musical by Si Kahn, stops at The State Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. performance. Starring Vivian Nesbitt, this one-woman show has one foot in the folk tradition of storytelling and acoustic guitars, and the other in the art of musical theater, telling the story of Mary Harris “Mother” Jones as she looks back on her life in service to the betterment of others and organizing the working class. A Q&A will follow the show. Tickets.
Penn State Sports
The Nittany Lion field hockey team celebrates Senior Day at noon against Rutgers. Women’s soccer faces Iowa at noon in the Big Ten quarterfinals at Jeffrey Field.
