Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
The weekend is filled with things to do around the State College area. Among the highlights: the Penn State hockey team, ranked No. 1 in the nation, is in action at Pegula Ice Arena; the Central PA Bridal Expo is at the Penn Stater; and Colin Hay plays The State Theatre
Throughout the weekend, enjoy live music, theater, sports, activities for kids and families, community events and more. We’ve compiled some of the highlights of the weekend below.
Of course this isn’t all that’s happening. 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 Swing Dance Lesson & Party
Lace up your dancing shoes and join Taproot Kitchen and the Penn State Swing Dance Club for an evening of music, dance, fellowship and food starting at 6 p.m. at The Meetinghouse on Atherton. All skill levels are welcome at this free dance lesson and party. Drinks will be provided, and guests are invited to bring an appetizer or snack to share.
State High Girls Basketball
The Lady Little Lions are back home for a pair of weekend games in the north gym. State College takes on Mifflin County at 6 p.m. Friday and North Allegheny at 1 p.m. on Saturday
Penn State Hockey vs. Ohio State
Ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in varsity program history, the Penn State men’s hockey team is back in action at Pegula, hosting No. 11 Ohio State at 7 p.m. [Ticket info]
Penn State Men’s Volleyball
The No. 15 Penn State men’s volleyball team returns to Rec Hall to host Lewis with a 7 p.m. first serve.
No Man’s Land
The State Theatre hosts the National Theatre HD Live Broadcast of ‘No Man’s Land,’ direct from Wyndham’s Theatre in London, at 7 p.m. Following their hit run on Broadway, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to the West End stage in the revival of Harold Pinter’s comic classic.
School of Music Graduate Recognition Recital
The spring semester Graduate Recognition Recital showcases the Penn State School of Music’s most outstanding graduate student performers. Musicians are chosen to appear on the recital based on the quality of their juried performances at the conclusion of the previous fall semester. Admission is free for the 7:30 p.m. performance at Esber Recital Hall, Music Building I, University Park. [Program]
Jazz in the Attic
After playing to a full crowd there a year ago, jazz vocalist Elizabeth Webb returns to The Attic of The State Theatre at 8 p.m. with her quartet and several new tunes in her repertoire. She sings a delightful mix of music, including gems from the Great American Songbook to fresh interpretations of newer artists, such as Adele, Norah Jones, and The Beatles.
SATURDAY
Nanette’s Baguette Storytime
Mo Willems’ hilarious new picture book ‘Nanette’s Baguette’ follows the plucky heroine on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But… will Nanette get the baguette from baker Juliette? Or will Nanette soon be beset with regret? Find out at Storytime, 11 a.m. at the Benner Pike Barnes & Noble.
World Stories Alive
Experience stories, songs and art in different languages — this week in Spanish — at Schlow Library’s World Stories Alive, 11 a.m. in Downsbrough Community Room. Recommended for children ages 3-8 and their families and fun for speakers of all languages, including English.
Frontiers of Science
Penn State’s Eberly College of Science hosts the first of six 2017 Lectures on the Frontiers of Science. Michael Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science and director of the Penn State Earth System Science Center, will discuss ‘How to Heal Earth’s Climate’ from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 110 Thomas Building, University Park. All lectures in the series are free and open to the public.
Romeo & Juliet
The State Theatre continues the Metropolitan Opera HD series at 12:55 p.m. with a live broadcast of Romeo & Juliet from the Met stage. Vittorio Grigolo and Diana Damrau star in the title roles in a new production of Gounod’s opera based on the Shakespeare play.
Gymnastics Double Dual
The Penn State men’s and women’s gymnastics teams are both in action at 4 p.m. in Rec Hall. The men host Army while the women face Maryland. It’s the annual THON meet, with 25 percent of ticket sales going to THON.
Delta Waterfowl Banquet
The Central PA Chapter of Delta Waterfowl hosts a banquet including a live auction, silent auction, raffles and prizes such as carved decoys, home decor, guns, gear and more. Ticket options include single, couples, meal only and captain’s table. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. at Nittany Valley Event Center, 119 E. College Ave., Pleasant Gap. For tickets, contact Eric Perryman at 814-880-9254.
Hockey vs. Ohio State
The top-ranked Penn State men’s hockey team wraps up its two-game series against the No. 11 Buckeyes at 7 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena. [Ticket info]
CommUNITY Gathering for Peace
The CommUNITY Gathering for Peace, led by local civic and faith-based representatives, will be held at 7 p.m. in room 201 of the State College Municipal Building. The gathering will serve as a community forum to acknowledge concerns, celebrate diversity, promote peace, and express the hope that Happy Valley will stand up for human rights, dignity and justice for all. Speakers include Dr. Barbara Farmer, Assistant Borough Manager for Public Safety Tom King, Teresa Welch of Centre LGBTQ Support Network and 3rd Way Collective campus pastor Ben Wideman [More information | Facebook Event]
SUNDAY
Central PA Bridal Expo
Talk to the experts, with more than 80 vendors available to speak to and get ideas to plan your dream wedding at the Central PA Bridal Expo, from noon-4 p.m. at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Food samples, specials and prizes will be available throughout the show, and a Grooms Only Workshop starts at 2 p.m.
Meet the Artists
Photographer Robert Baumbach and Jeweler Victoria Moore will be at the Bellefonte Art Museum, 133 N. Allegheny St., from 1-4 p.m. to answer your questions and share their art.
Allegria String Quartet
The Allegria String Quartet will perform at 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, 780 Waupelani Drive Extension, as part of the UUFCC Music Series. The program will include selections by Haydn and Ravel and more recent compositions by Valerie Coleman, Ted Lucas, Monk Rowe, Penn State faculty composer Stephen Hopkins and a piece composed by Sally Williams Minnich for the quartet.
Naomi Seidman and Friends – A Celebration of Works by Joseph Hallman
Penn State flute professor Naomi Seidman is joined by faculty member colleagues, Penn State students, and friends in a performance of works written for flute and other instruments by Philadelphia-based composer Joseph Hallman. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. in Esber Recital Hall.
Colin Hay
Colin Hay, familiar to millions as front-man and songwriter for Men at Work, performs at 8 p.m. at The State Theatre with opener Chris Trapper. Over the past 15 years Hay has reinvented himself as a solo artist, regularly selling out theaters across the U.S. and around the world and introducing himself to a new generation of fans in the process.
