|
Busy, busy holiday weekend in Pottstown
There are so many holiday activities taking place this weekend. I’ll highlight a few here. Please check out the calendar for the details, and take a look at The Mercury’s coverage of all the happenings.
Get out this morning for the Doe Club’s annual Cookie Walk and Soup Sale being held in the lobby of the Elks Lodge, 61 High Street, from 9:00 AM to 12 noon.
Edgewood Cemetery is holding a wreath sale at 9:30 this morning at the cemetery (High & Keim Streets).
A Cash Mob is meeting at The Farmers’ Market at 10 am. Bring $20 to spend at the downtown business of your choice. BUY LOCAL!
On the entertainment side, there’s the Coventry Singers concert, TriPAC’s “A Christmas Story,” and the Ballroom on High’s Christmas Showcase.
There’s a full schedule of events and family fun at the Carousel, Pottsgrove Manor and the Hill School on Sunday too. Check out the calendar here!
“Come as You ART Ball” this Friday!
Come As You Art Ball to benefit MOSAIC Community Land Trust and Pottstown Dowtown Improvement Authority (PDIDA)
Friday December 9th 8:00PM – midnight
The Ballroom on High, 310 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
Come in costume as your favorite work of art or your favorite poet, musician, dancer, painter, mime, writer, clown, acrobat or movie star!!
It remains to be seen whether I can pull off my plan to come as a Jackson Pollack painting!
Dance the night away to the local, musical machinations of artists Marc Dryburgh (drums), Chris Coyle (bass), Ben Bullok (keyboard) Jazz, Blues and Funk.
$35-single $60-couple
Gallery School and Juan Carlos team up for Tuesday night dinners!
Planning Tuesday night’s dinner has never been easier! The Gallery School has partnered with Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine for a great ongoing fundraising opportunity. Simply dine out at Juan Carlos any Tuesday, and the restaurant will donate 15% of your bill to The Gallery School, your non-profit community art school. Simply bring this coupon with you when you dine.
Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine is located at 235 E. High Street in the heart of historic downtown Pottstown. Their number is 484-624-4931. Juan Carlos combines Mexican and Brazilian influences to bring to you authentic South American cuisine, focused on only the freshest and finest ingredients. Check out their full menu at www.jcmexicanfood.com. Juan Carlos is also a BYOB. If you bring the tequila, they will happily whip you up a great margarita using their special mix! Please note: Juan Carlos only accepts cash.
“A CHRISTMAS STORY” AT THE TRI-PAC
Will Ralphie get his Red Ryder BB gun? Will Dad get a turkey? And what’s all this construction? Come and find out at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street in downtown Pottstown. A CHRISTMAS STORY opened last night and runs weekends through December 18th. Buy your tickets now, and you will be able to reserve the best seats!
The Tri-PAC is in the process of getting a facelift – a new concessions area, new façade, and better facilities for all our patrons. Don’t let the dust fool you though – classes, private lessons, and performances all continue – and there will even be a Winter Workshop for students in the week between Christmas and New Years!
In the midst of the construction you won’t want to miss A CHRISTMAS STORY. This is the classic holiday tale of the mischievous, be-speckled young boy, Ralphie, who dreams of getting a BB gun for Christmas. In the weeks before the big holiday, Ralphie and his friends and family get into all kinds of sticky situations – including a bully with yellow eyes, a tongue stuck to a lamp post, a bar of soap in the mouth, a garish major award, and a Chinese Christmas dinner. Based on the humorist Jean Shepherd’s novel “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”, A CHRISTMAS STORY is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family!
The cast includes Geoffrey Berwind, Andrea Frassoni, Steve Reazor, Michele Bolay, Ben Williams, David Helmer, Carter Niness, Nathan Esser, Josiah Swenson, Sebastian Coates, Alex Tomarelli, William Bell, Xander Dake, Olivia Swenson, Jenna Tomarelli, Hannah Paczkowski and Lauren Esser.
Tickets are available online at www.tripac.org, or will be sold at the door if space is available. Ticket prices range from $13 to $21, with discounts for students and seniors as well as groups of 10 or more. Book your tickets online and reserve your seating in advance! For full information check www.tripac.org, or call the theater at 610-970-1199. You will also find information on the website about the rest of the upcoming 2011 – 2012 season, which includes musicals, plays, dance and more!
ABOUT VILLAGE PRODUCTIONS
Village Productions (the Tri-County Performing Arts Center) is a dynamic non-profit performing arts organization founded in 2001 to make the arts highly accessible to all in the community. Established and led by dedicated team of performing artists, arts educators, business leaders, and area residents, Village Productions 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. More information is available at www.tripac.org
Rally today to Rethink Homelessness
RETHINK HOMELESSNESS
Community Awareness Event
Today, November 30th
Noon-1pm
Smith Family Plaza
100 East High Street, Pottstown, PA
Special thanks to Mercer’s Collision Center and Ice House Steaks & Pizza for providing sandwiches and
Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation for providing bottled water for today’s event.
Partnering to improve health, social and environmental conditions.
Sponsored by
260 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
610-705-3301
www.TCNetwork.org
Santa Claus is coming to town!
Santa is coming to Pottstown for the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) Hometown Holiday Celebration! On behalf of Santa, his elf PDIDA Chairman Sheila Dugan is inviting all to downtown Pottstown on Friday, December 2nd starting at 6:30 p.m. for a night of family fun and shopping bargains. The night’s activities will kickoff with Santa’s arrival via a fire truck from Washington Street to Smith Plaza, where the Pottstown Roller Derby Girls will be collecting letters for Santa.
DECEMBER 2, 2011 6:30pm to 9:30pm – The night’s activities will include:
- At the plaza, once Santa arrives, a candy toss will be held in the grass in the back area of Smith Plaza. Be sure to join in, there will be special candy with vouchers for cash and free items throughout the downtown!
- We will do the tree lighting after the candy toss and the BarberShop Quartet will be singing Carols. Then children can have their photo taken with Santa for $7 each.
- The Public Library will be hosting Story time at TANGO (139 High St) every half hour starting at 7:00 p.m.
- At the Farmer’s Market The Giving Tree for the children at HEAD START
- Face Painting at Memories N More
- Coloring at Argento’s Pizza
Don’t miss out on the other evenings of holiday celebration which include:
DECEMBER 10, 2011 12pm to 4pm
- Santa house open – be sure to check out the local artist’s (Alan McBain) coloring book which features local merchants. This is a great way to see some of the merchants in town as well enjoy coloring with your children. This is sure to be a collector’s item! Photos for $7.00 each can be bought.
- Crafters at the Farmer’s Market
- Face Painting at Memories N More
- Coloring at Argento’s
- Story time (every half hour) at Tango (139 High St)
- Free Trolley Rides – Stops at Christian Science Reading Room, Weitzenkorn’s,
DECEMBER 18, 2011 12pm to 4pm
- Hometown Holidays Brunch – your choice at the Farmer’s Market, featuring the various foods available at the market – home made and fresh! Also Juan Carlos is adding a Mexican flare to the affair. Call 610-323-5400 for reservations before December 12, 2011. Tickets are necessary and must be pre-purchased.
- Santa house open – be sure to check out the local artist’s (Alan McBain) coloring book which features local merchants. This is a great way to see some of the merchants in town as well enjoy coloring with your children. This is sure to be a collector’s item! Photos for $7.00 each can be bought.
- Crafters at the Farmer’s Market
- Face Painting at Memories N More
- Coloring at Argento’s
- Story time (every half hour) at Tango (139 High St)
Pottstown Shopping & Entertainment Guide: Arts & Entertainment
The arts are thriving in Pottstown! Here are some places to check out not only for show tickets, but also for unique, hand-crafted pottery and jewelry, musical instruments, and gift certificates for music, dancing, and acting classes. Please let us know of additional arts-related shops and venues; we’ll add them to the line-up.
Don’t be shy: support the inner artist in your child and yourself!
Tri-CountyPerforming Arts Center (TriPAC) has a full line-up of performing arts programming, hows and classes. A Christmas Story will run Dec. 1-18. A gift certificate will let that special someone choose what they want. TriPAC is putting on a new facade; don’t be deterred by the construction fencing! You will be blown away when it’s unveiled this spring. Their building used to be J. J. Newberry’s Department Store; my mom had her first job there! TriPAC is located at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Phone: 610-970-1199
The Gallery on High is home to local artists – paintings, glassware, pottery, jewelry, scarves handmade soaps. If you want something that’s one-of-a-kind, you must go here! There’s also a custom framing shop inside for that special photo or painting that needs just the right frame. Peace: The Annual Holiday Show is running now through Jan. 7. They are located at 254 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Did you know that a well-known portrait photographer from the late 19th century – Isaac Lachman – once used this building as his Pottstown studio? Hours: Tues.-Fri., 10-4:40 pm; Saturday 10-3. Phone: 610-326-2506.
The Gallery School of Pottstown offers a wide array of classes for all ages and can host your next party. (I can’t wait to teach some creative writing classes there this spring!) Maybe there’s someone in your life who would like to explore a new facet of the arts? Check out their schedule here. They are located on the second floor of 245 E. High Street, above The Gallery on High.
Know anyone who wants to take their musical development a little further? High Street Music Company offers instruction for brass, woodwinds, strings, guitar, bass, piano and drums. Check out their family discount, holiday specials and the coupons on their website! Know anyone who wants to finally record the EP that will break their career wide open? High Street Music also has state-of-the-art microphones and digital equipment. They’re at 135 E. High Street (next to Bistro 137 and across from Borough Hall.) Phone: 610-906-3357.
For music instrument sales and rentals, stop in at Ben’s Music within Downtown Records and Tapes at 53 N. Charlotte Street, at the intersection with King Street. They also do instrument repairs. Their hours are: Mon. – Thurs., 10am – 5:30 pm; Fri., 10 am – 8 pm; Sat., 10 am – 4 pm; closed Sunday.
For the dancer in all of us and when you just gotta move, the Ballroom on High is THE place to be! SwingKat Entertainment hosts weekly dances and gives lessons in ballroom , country, salsa, and swing. Their 300-person venue in a historic building at 310 E. High Street is also available for weddings, birthday parties, business meetings, or funeral receptions. For sure, check it out on Dec. 9th and attend the Come As You Art Ball, hosted by MOSAIC Community Land Trust and PDIDA.
Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company is in 40th year, exposing kids age 7 and older to dance. This year once again they will perform The Nutcracker Ballet. The show goes on at The Hill School Center for the Arts on Dec. 3 and 4. Go to their website for more details and tickets.
For free concerts that can become part of your family’s traditions, check out the Coventry Singers in concert on Saturday, Dec. 10 ; Reading Choral Society at Emmanuel Lutheran on Sunday, Dec. 11; and the Hill School’s Lessons and Carols in Alumni Memorial Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 11. Details can be found on the Positively!Pottstown calendar.
Downtown Pottstown ready for shoppers today and Sunday!
Pottstown residents, supporters and the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) are encouraging shoppers throughout the region to put Pottstown’s retail, dining, and entertainment businesses on their lists this holiday season.
Today From 10 am – 1 pm, a “Holiday Shopping March” has been organized to facilitate visitors coming downtown to get some shopping done while supporting the LOCAL economy. Here’s what the organizers have to say:
|
Meet up at Bistro 137 – 137 E. High St. at 10:00am
Event facilitator will be available there until 11:15. Relaxation at The Brick House, 152 E. High St, In support of your local economy and in coordination with Occupy Pottstown, We cordially invite you to join us for a Holiday Shopping March. Your day will begin at a predetermined location where you will meet the local facilitators of the event. You will be given information on the merchants in the area and details on any other events which may be occurring. You will also be asked to help us promote a positive image of Occupy Pottstown. You may, or may not, oblige by wearing a pin and/or distributing educational materials. Then you are free to shop, browse, spread the word or simply enjoy the social aspects of the day by strolling the High Street Shopping District, solo or with others. You are invited to end your day by relaxing with the group in a noncommittal environment at a pre-selected restaurant. It is becoming increasingly harder for small, local businesses and artisans to survive in the corporate climate of this nation. We ask for you to please put aside any bias or preconceived notions you may have and join us in the fight to bring America back to the People. Happy Holidays and Blessed Be to you and yours. |
PDIDA is hosting another Super Sunday tomorrow, November 27th from noon-4 pm. Here’s the lowdown from PDIDA:
Downtown Pottstown will host “Super Sunday” on Sunday, November 27th. Sheila Dugan, the Chairman of Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA), is inviting all to help celebrate National Support Small Business Day. Many downtown merchants will have their doors open to take part in the celebration from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. The Farmer’s Market will host a number of crafters and special deals will be found at Grumpy’s, Freeland Meats, and J. & H. Produce. There will be many activities for youngsters including face painting and a visit to the Santa house as it is being decorated for the upcoming holiday season.
The Farmer’s Market will also be hosting “The Giving Tree” for Head Start. Donations of food and clothing will be greatly appreciated.
The Second Brigade Motorcycle Club will be displaying their bikes in the parking lot of Sovereign Bank on the 200 block of High Street. They will be collecting food and clothing items to be donated to families of members of the military. They will also accept gift cards to supermarkets and coupons for free turkeys. The Second Brigade Motorcycle Club supports veterans and members of the military who every day put their life on the line to preserve our freedoms.
Also featured will be the tree decorating contest which will have the winners’ named on December 18th. Sponsor of the winning entry will receive $500.00 for their organization.
Free trolley rides with stops at the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of High Street will be available during Super Sunday. Additional shops opened will include Lastick Furniture, Cole’s Tobacco, Tri-PAC, Memories N More, Argento’s Pizza, Laserworx, Juan Carlos, Rich Ranieri, Weitzenkorn’s, Christian Reading Room, Bistro 137, Old World Barber Shop, and the High Street Music Company.
Super Sunday is the kickoff to events throughout December including:
- December 2nd is a visit by Santa Claus and the traditional candy toss.
- December 4th the Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring the 5K Santa Run and Bark for Life event.
- December 9th is Mosaic and PDIDA Holiday Ball.
- December 11th is Santa Open House.
- December 18th is the Holiday Brunch with many local restaurants participating.
For more information contact SheilaDugan@comcast.net.
Positively Pottstown calendar is back up!
The Positively Pottstown calendar of Christmas concerts, performances, historical events, happy hours, craft and bake sales, and much more is here to help you plan your holiday shopping and entertainment!
Fun for the whole family starts with the Twelfth Night tours, which begin today at Pottsgrove Manor and continue until January 8th during regular museum hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 am to 4 pm; Sun. 1 to 4 pm
Get your gift-buying underway with a shopping march set for downtown Pottstown tomorrow (meet at Bistro 137, 137 E. High Street.) And take advantage of Sunday shopping as Pottstown offers another “Super Sunday” this Sunday, with free, fun activities for the kids at the Farmers’ Market.
Over the next 24 hours, I’ll be putting up several posts to let you know, or remind you, of all that Pottstown’s restaurants, retailers, and arts venues have to offer this holiday season. Stay tuned!
Positively Pottstown blog 