Tag Archives: Music

If you are a music enthusiast in the Harrisburg area, Stage on Herr at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center is a place you will want to be most days of the week.  Though they concentrate on live music, the venue is a meeting place for all sorts of artsy folks:  musicians, artists, and theater aficionados – even gamers.  You could say the place doubles as an art gallery, since the walls of the interior are decorated with changing pieces from local artists.  The stage is well equipped with modern sound and lighting.  The bar boasts plenty to choose from, including local brews.

Most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the venue hosts local and national bands.  Sometimes you will find a group from pretty far away, in fact, as one band – a Tuvan throat singing group – had travelled from as far away as Mongolia.  On weekday nights, the place is still packed, especially on Wednesdays, when Mike Banks hosts open mic night.  Stage on Herr has been touted as one of the best open mic nights in central PA.  Monday and Tuesday is Karaoke, and Tuesday doubles as game night.  When was the last time you played Monopoly anyway?

Stage on Herr is also a place for theater.  The past few years, it has been the stage for the Rocky Horror Picture Show, that normally occurs in the fall around Halloween.  Specials events include comedy improv night and theme movie night.

Stage on Herr is open Monday to Sunday from 4pm until 2am.  For upcoming calendar of events visit their webpage or Facebook page.

268 Herr St., Harrisburg, PA 17102

 

 

Looking to think outside the box?  Check out the The Thought Lot.  The Thought Lot is a non profit contemporary arts center in downtown Shippensburg, that hosts a variety of artistic and cultural events.  At first glance it purports itself as a stark warehouse, but this rawness is just a backdrop for the art exhibits hosted there.  Unpretentiously furnished with old couches as seating for music events, the focus really is on the art.

The venue is a gathering site for creative types to show their artwork in a gallery setting.  Exhibits run for a few weeks at a time.  On the weekends, the venue brings modern bands of various genres.  In the past, The Thought Lot has hosted avant-garde theater and audio/visual installations.  Ongoing classes for Studio Z Zumba and yoga are held on a weekly basis.  Visit their calendar page to find out the times.  Various workshops take place as well, and in the past have included glassblowing demonstrations.  Open mic night is every Wednesday from 7-11pm.  The Thought Lot has a BYOB policy.

Anything creative goes at The Thought Lot.  If you are an artist looking to exhibit your own works, contact them for arrangements.  Studio spaces are also available to rent.  For a calendar of music shows, visit their Facebook page.

37 E. Garfield St., Shippensburg, PA  17257

Bask on the sunlit patio of Hauser Estate Winery with a crisp glass of chardonnay, and you may begin to feel that you are in the rolling hills of California — but you are actually in Biglerville, Pennsylvania!

Hauser winery refer to themselves as “an alternative agri-tourism venture”, which manifests itself as a hip place to chill.  The tasting room features a 360 degree view of the surrounding farmland, with the wine production taking place just below your feet.  The grapes are grown locally before they alchemize into wine.  Hauser specializes in many varieties of white wines, some reds, and apple wines.  The hard apple cider is especially popular.

Tastings occur every day at the winery from 11-4pm, and on Sunday from 12-4pm.  Generally, the tasting room closes around 5 pm in the winter, but there are plenty of special events that continue into the evening.  “Hauser After Hours” is the weekend party which alway includes fresh acoustic artists.  The winery also has yoga events, dance lessons, zumba classes, and Thirsty Thursdays.  Every Friday is “Yappy Hour” from 5-6pm, where you can enjoy a drink with your dog.  Downtown Gettysburg and Dillsburg retail locations bring Hauser’s products closer to home.

410 Cashtown Road, Biglerville, PA  17307:  717.334.4888

Image credit:  fauxto_digit

In central Pennsylvania, there are few places where a person can see a really good national band in an intimate venue.  Chameleon Club is the one place you can, despite your age.

The club has been a rare gem in central Pennsylvania, hosting live national acts for the past twenty-five years.  It has been recognized since the early nineties as a hotspot for live bands which otherwise may not travel through a less urban area.  Hosting over 200 concerts a year, the venue is an oasis for music cravers of all ages.

Chameleon Club is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm until 2am and features national touring artists.  The Lizard Lounge, located just below Chameleon Club, features local talent and weekly djs.  Tickets are available on the website, at the box office, or at the local record store, CI Records.

223 North Water Street, Lancaster, PA  17603:  717.299.9684

Image credit:  Ted Van Pelt