If you want to dance all that pie and stuffing away AND you’re in the mood for classic rock from the ’70s, give your friends a call and head out to The Colonial Room and Sunnybrook Tavern tonight, Saturday, November 27th at 8pm. Sweat it out to the sounds of “Magoo.” There’s no cover! Sunnybrook is at 50 Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown, PA 19464. See map here. Phone number is 484-624-5186.
Calendar Updated!
LOTS going on in November & December. Feel free to send news of your organization’s activities. See calendar here.
Take your pick: Variety of music on tap this weekend
There are multiple musical events happening in Pottstown this weekend. I’m going to let you know about all of them, and then you can decide what you’re in the mood for!
(1) At 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the Senior Theater Performance Troupe at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center will put on their Veterans Day Tribute. They will celebrate all veterans with a USO-style show filled with popular songs from the Civil War through World War II. Tickets are $12 for adults; just $10 for students and seniors; and $8 for children 12 and under. Go here for tickets and more info. Tri-PAC is located at 245 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.
(2) If you want to continue enjoying great music while honoring veterans AND support the Pottstown High School Boosters, you will want to get your tickets ASAP for the Veterans Day Extravaganza this Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Stanley I. Davenport Center for Performing Arts at Pottstown High School, 750 N. Washington Street. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the show starts at 6:00 p.m.
Organizer, music enthusiast and dedicated booster Tom Coyle has put together an amazing line-up of classic doo-wop and oldies performers, guaranteed to bring back fond memories. The list at press time includes: Jimmy Beaumont & the Skyliners (“Pennies from Heaven”), the Duprees (“You Belong to Me”), Shirley Alston Reeves & the Shirelles (“Soldier Boy”), and Larry Chance & The Earls (“Remember Then”). The show will be hosted by radio personality KING ARTHUR of SoundsofPhillyRadio.com and WNJC1360.
Tickets are $45 and will benefit the PHS Boosters. Keep the fun going at an after-concert DJ dance at the Elks Lodge, 61 High Street Pottstown, PA 19464 (Cover: $5.00). Contact Tom Coyle directly for tickets at 610-306-9361 (NOT the school.)
(3) And, finally, if you want to hear one of the most accomplished and magical choirs in the country, you should head over to Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 150 N. Hanover Street on Saturday evening, where the Westminster Choir from Princeton, NJ will be conducted by Joe Miller. Special guests include the Hilltones and Hilltrebles, a capella groups from the Hill School.
The Music at Emmanuel series is now in its 27th season and brings extraordinary musical talent to downtown Pottstown, usually for free. The Minister of Music at Emmanuel Lutheran is Andrew Meade, who received his master’s degree from Westminster. He has been at Emmanuel since September 2009.
“With a group of really well-trained singers led by an incredibly talented conductor, the energy and vibrancy of sound will be unlike anything most people will have heard before,” he said.
I couldn’t agree more. For a sample of the angelic sound of this choir, check out this performance of Peter Christian Lutkin’s choral benediction The Lord Bless You and Keep You. It was recorded this past May, just before graduation, in the Princeton University chapel.
The Emmanuel Lutheran sanctuary, beautiful and with great acoustics, seats 450 people. Tickets for Westminster Choir are $10 at the door. Students with a valid ID get in free. The concert this Saturday begins at 7:30 pm. A reception to meet the artists follows every concert.
Mélange Dance Company at Tri-PAC… NOW!
Mélange Contemporary Dance Company is the resident dance company of the Tri-County Performing Arts Center on High Street. They are back from their recent tour of Poland and are performing this weekend. There are just two shows left – tonight and tomorrow afternoon, so get your tickets today! The following press release gives insights to their recent overseas trip. sr
Back from their tour of Poland, the Mélange Contemporary Dance Company returns to the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown for a weekend of superb music and dance. On stage for three shows only, November 5th through 7th, their performance features pieces performed at The International Dance Festival in Ladek Zdroj Poland, as well as new works.
The dances are informed by experience – and their experiences during this year’s trip to Poland left some lasting impressions! Much like our recent weather, Poland experienced severe storms and flooding, and when Mélange arrived to perform at the International Festival they discovered that the stage had become unstable due to the wet ground. The entire festival had to be moved to the town square – a quaint, old part of the town, while pumps sent in from Russia worked to reclaim the original festival area.
The town of Ladek Zdroj, Poland is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. The old buildings survived untouched during WWII because the Germans utilized the spa treatments. It is said that Mozart’s wife Costanza used them too! During the dancers’ downtime they were able to relax and enjoy a swim in a naturally heated indoor pool of mineral water, time in a salt cave that helps sinuses and respiration, and a body de-tox. They were also given a class by a world class instructor from Warsaw.
During the festival Mélange was a headlining group, and participated in a week of classes, performances, and lectures with dancers, teachers, critics, and students from around the globe. A local sculptor thought their program was the best one during the whole week and has since sent pictures he took to Michelle Jones-Wurtz, for whom he made a sculpture that he plans to present to the company next year.
The company includes Founder and Artistic Director Michelle Jones Wurtz, Christa Campbell, Krista Grunklee ,Emily Horstmann Getchell, Jessica Jarvis, Jill Michalsky, Sara Pyfer, Jackie Kokolus, and Tija Ore. Their November performance at the Tri-PAC will showcase a diverse, energetic suite of dances.
Tickets for all shows at the Tri-PAC are available online. Please note that seating is limited, and shows do fill quickly, so go to http://www.tripac.org to purchase your tickets now or call 610.970.1199!
Tickets range from $13 for children 12 and under, $15 for students and seniors (65+), and $17 for adults. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. When available, tickets will be sold at the door. Remember, it’s all happening on High Street!
Village Productions is a dynamic nonprofit performing arts organization that seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and educational opportunities geared toward a diverse audience. The new Tri-County Performing Arts Center at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA is the home of Village Productions. You may contact Village Productions through their website at http://www.tripac.org, or by telephone at 610-970-1199.
Last Weekend for WAIT UNTIL DARK!
If you haven’t seen it yet, get your tickets NOW! The thriller play, WAIT UNTIL DARK, is at Tri-PAC tonight through Sunday. Tri-PAC is at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Showtimes are tonight and tomorrow night at 8 p.m.; Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. I’ll be there tonight and can’t wait!
From Tri-PAC’s website:
Play by Frederick Knott
Presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service
Not recommended for young children due to frightening themes
A Broadway hit, this masterfully constructed thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene. “…a first rate shocker…the suspense drama we’ve long awaited eagerly.” —NY Post. In the play, a blind woman is terrorized by thugs while they search for a mysterious doll. Through a clever deception, the ex-cons convince the woman that her husband is implicated in a murder and that the doll is the key to his innocence. But the ex-cons are about to meet their match as a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues leading to a heart-stopping finale. The original Broadway production starred Lee Remick and Robert Duvall and the movie adaptation starred Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna. Another “fun fact”: WAIT UNTIL DARK is 10th on Bravo TV’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments for its riveting climax.
It’s River Festival Time!
I’ll be at a wedding in New York later today and wish you all a fun, wonderful, magical Schuylkill River Festival!
I guess some details would help:
Crafts, music, food!
Info & demonstrations about accessing and enjoying the river!
11 am – 4 pm
Down by the river in Pottstown, in the vicinity of College Drive. See info here.
Shuttles will be taking people between the festival and the downtown parking lots.
Don’t wait to see Tri-PAC’s WAIT UNTIL DARK!
I’ve seen the 1967 movie version, starring Audrey Hepburn, a classic. Here’s a very good description of the play from Tri-PAC: A Broadway hit, this masterfully constructed thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene. In the play, a blind woman is terrorized by thugs while they search for a mysterious doll. Through a clever deception, the ex-cons convince the woman that her husband is implicated in a murder and that the doll is the key to his innocence. But the ex-cons are about to meet their match as a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues leading to a heart-stopping finale. 
Go here and scroll down to the Oct. 5th entry to read blogger Cheryl Thornburg’s review, and then go here to get your tickets. Suspense is brewing at Tri-PAC and you don’t want to miss it!
WAIT UNTIL DARK at the Tri-PAC
Thursdays, Oct 7 & 14 at 7:30 pm
Fridays, Oct 8 & 15 at 8:00 pm
Saturdays, Oct 9 & 16 at 8:00 pm
Sundays, Oct 10 & 17 at 3:00 pm
Special Event: Talkback with Director/Cast: Sunday, 10/10
Log on to http://www.tripac.org for tickets and information.
Tri-County Performing Arts Center
245 E. High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
610-970-1199
WANTED: Artists!
This just hit my inbox: Realtor Joe Leone is advertising available space in downtown Pottstown that he says would be ideal for an art gallery or artists’ studios. The space is in the former New York Store building at the corner of High and Penn Streets. With its distinctive retro facade, no one will have any trouble tracking down any artists who locate there.
The building has elevators, lots of parking in the rear, along with outdoor patios in the rear on two levels. And it’s in the heart of the downtown, a stone’s throw from The Gallery on High, Tri-County Performing Arts Center and several restaurants. Artists: Pottstown wants you. Get in on its revitalization now and reap the benefits for years to come!
This is Mr. Leone’s website.
Smith Family Plaza: Community gathering place in downtown Pottstown
The Smith Family Plaza, together with Pottstown’s Borough Hall, was named a Bronze Award Winner in 2006 by the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Since then, this open, pleasant and visually-harmonious town center has become the gathering place for First Saturday celebrations during warm weather months as well as other community events, such as the recent September 11th remembrance service and kick-off to a daylong “Open Doors” event.
First Saturdays in Pottstown are held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month from May-September. They are organized by the Pottstown Arts and Cultural Alliance and typically include non-stop music, community tables, arts activities, and a used book sale by the Pottstown Regional Public Library. 
Across the street and within a 2-block radius of Smith Plaza, you have your choice of restaurants. And speaking of food, the Smith Family Plaza is at the heart of the Carousel of Flavor culinary festival, which just passed the seven-year mark this past weekend. This celebration of food, crafts, art, and live music allows residents and visitors to sample some of the best cuisine available in the region. It is organized by the non-profit Carousel at Pottstown and benefits their carousel revitalization project under construction at 30 W. King Street. 
But I like Smith Plaza even after the crowds go home. The lawn is beautifully-manicured and the lush landscaping makes this public space feel cool, safe and inviting, even on the hottest summer day. It’s one of just a few areas in Pottstown with free WiFi, so if you’ve got your laptop and absolutely have to check your email, this is the spot for you. I also have a healthy respect, and a kind of awe, for well-designed government buildings, so a seat in the shadow of Borough Hall suits me just fine. 
SMITH FAMILY PLAZA
Location: 100 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464, in front of Pottstown Borough Hall
Size: 1 acre
Suitability: All ages can enjoy this public gathering space for community celebrations, passive recreation and connecting with nature.
Facilities: fountains, small multi-purpose lawn, concrete plaza, benches in sun and shade, people-watching areas, historical marker, seasonal flowers.
Activities + tips: The fountain will be tempting to all, especially young children, but no one’s allowed in! Even though there is no playground equipment, the parents of the stroller-crowd might want to grab a specialty coffee and pastry from across the street at Churchill’s, and then enjoy a moment of peace while the little ones doze.
Pottstown Parks & Recreation Department
Borough Hall, 100 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
610-970-6500
Click on the Department’s “Special Events” tab to learn more about upcoming events.
Follow the parks series at Mission: Healthy Living, Positively!Pottstown, Twitter (PositivelyPtown), Facebook, and The Mercury.
Positively Pottstown blog 