It’s the weekend. Happy Friday, State College!
As always, State College’s weekend calendar is fully booked with events, from family-friendly art workshops to blues concerts to movie screenings and everything in between.
The fun will start tonight with First Friday, the monthly celebration that falls on — that’s right — the first Friday of each month.
We’ve compiled the highlights from the upcoming weekend’s community events in the State College area for you to enjoy.
FRIDAY:
First Friday.
It’s the first Friday of February, and that means that First Friday will take over downtown State College from 5 to 9 p.m. tonight.
There are plenty of exciting events, performances, and art in town to enjoy. You can stop by some fire pits outside Schlow Library and enjoy free s’mores. Meet Annika Sharma, the author ‘The Rearranged Life,’ at Webster’s Bookstore at 7 p.m. Stop by Uncle Eli’s to watch Miya Matsui demonstrate oil painting techniques.
That’s not all. Check out the First Friday State College website for a full listing of all the downtown fun.
Movie night.
Meru is a 2015 documentary detailing the first ascent of the ‘Shark’s Fin’ climbing route on Meru Peak in the Indian Himalayas. The film won the U.S. Audience Documentary Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
Appalachian Outdoors, located at 123 S. Burrowes St., will be showing the documentary on Friday night at 7 p.m. for free. The screening doesn’t require reservations and light refreshments will be provided.
The event is sponsored by The North Face, and a free gift from The North Face will be provided while supplies last for the R-rated film.
Feeling blue?
Well, so is acclaimed blues guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, who is performing at the State Theatre for the first time on Friday as part of his It’s Never Too Late Tour.
The Australian blues artist is know for his energetic acoustic shows and percussive use of the guitar. The theatre is partnering with Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks for the concert, which will be providing craft beer for concertgoers.
Tickets run from $50 for the first seven rows/opera boxes to $45 for the orchestra and $40 for the balcony. The show starts at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY:
Make an abacus (and wear it too).
The Makery, located at 209 W. Calder Way, is hosting a jewelry workshop on Saturday.
From 5:30 to 7 p.m., stop by and create an abacus pendant using heavy gauge wire and assorted stones along with Staci Egan. A copper necklace will cost $35, while sterling will run $40.
Parking validation, tools, and supplies are included for that price.
Or make a Valentine.
Stop by the State College Home Depot for a hands-on workshop to build a wooden Valentines mailbox ‘to hold all your child’s valentine cards from their favorite friends.’
Exchanging cards at school is a staple for young kids, and yours will be the talk of the town if he or she has a special, handmade mailbox to show off.
You’ll be able to assemble the mailbox with the held of Home Depot employees and personalize it with paint. Participants get to keep their mailbox and receive a certificate of achievement, workshop apron, and pin.
The workshop starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Hoosiers are in town.
Penn State men’s basketball (11-12, 2-8 Big Ten) looks to get back to .500 after a blowout loss to Iowa on the road Wednesday night.
The team faces a tough challenge with a home game against the Indiana Hoosiers (19-4, 9-1 Big Ten). The Hoosiers are ranked No. 22 in the country, led by point guard Yogi Ferrell, who averages 17.4 points and 5.8 assists per game.
Penn State is on a slide with four losses in a row after upsetting Northwestern on the road, falling to Wisconsin, Ohio State, Michigan, and Iowa. Brandon Taylor is the lead scorer for the Nittany Lions with 16.3 points per game, supplemented by 6.2 rebounds.
To buy tickets for the Bryce Jordan Center matchup, head here.
SUNDAY:
Art tour.
The weekly series of docent-guided art tours at the Palmer Museum of Art continues this Sunday at 2 p.m.
The tours are each lead by a different guide and tackle a unique artistic subject. This tour is led by Nancy Weinerb and covers ‘Artists Born after 1950.’
It’s completely free, open to all ages, and refreshments will be served afterwards.
Sit around the campfire.
It might be cold outside as the winter continues on, but that’s nothing that a good campfire won’t be able to solve.
Head over to Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There will be upbeat music, rain sticks, homemade drums, spoons, and more makeshift instruments to use.
You can bring your own instrument, or make your own from their supplies when you get there. People of all ages and all musical abilities are welcome to attend. The event is free for members and costs $5 for non-members.
If all that isn’t enough for you, there’s more happening in State College. Check out our calendar page to explore the weekend’s events, and feel free to add your own if it isn’t listed.
