May 1998 Just Around The Corner

Just Around The Corner
Noteworthy Events in the Greater Harrisburg Area

By Andrea M. Ciccocioppo

May 8

Lucy Kaplansky at The Wire

Although not a household name, Lucy Kaplansky has lent her astonishing voice to some of the biggest names in folk music, including Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, John Gorka and Nanci Griffith. Therefore, even if you are not familiar with Kaplansky, head to The Wire on Friday, May 8, to catch this intimate performance. Long a fixture on the Greenwich Village folk scene, Kaplansky has released two incredible records–The Tide and Flesh and Bone–that have garnered a mountain of accolades. The Associated Press calls The Tide “an astonishing debut full of gems...She is clearly among the largest talents on the acoustic scene today.” Advance tickets are available at The Groove (located on Bridge Street in New Cumberland) for $10. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. For information call 774-1078 or 774-0678.

May 16

The Earthtones at Zee’s

The Earthtones have been a State College institution for nearly twelve years, and they continue to excite with their unique blend of reggae, calypso and soca music. Led by founding member vocalist Rodney (R.T.) Thompson and guitarist/vocalist Paul Young, the Earthtones guarantee a night of spirited dancing and “rastaerobics.” They will be playing at Zee’s several times during the summer (also be sure to catch their always-amazing Sunday night show at The Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival in State College). Keep an eye out for The Earthtones; they should not be missed. Admission is $5 with showtime around 10:30 p.m. For additional information call 761-6692.

MAY 10

Danzante’s Fiesta of Latino Dance, Theatre & Music, Rose Lehrman Arts Center, HACC

You may be an expert at the Macarena and you probably know the Electric Slide, but you haven’t experienced dancing till you’ve seen a traditional Latino dance. Danzante, a Harrisburg Latino arts school, presents a Fiesta of traditional dances from Spain and Mexico, Salsa and Merengue from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba, on Sunday, May 10. In addition, Danzante’s Youth Theatre will present “Teen Talk: Teenage Lives and Stories that You Just Wouldn’t Believe,” which focuses on issues confronting the youth of today. And, Danzante’s Percussion Ensemble will play rhythms from the Caribbean that promise to make you feel like you’re at the Copacabana. The Fiesta begins at 3 p.m. in the Rose Lehrman Arts Center at HACC. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door or reserved in advance. Call: 232-2615.

May 17

The Stars of the East Belly Dance Festival, Holiday Inn, Riverfront, Harrisburg

Admit it. You’ve seen the King and I, or at least the episode of The Flintstones with the belly dancers, and always wondered what it would be like to do it (or watch it as you relax on your chaise lounge). Now is your chance to do both—learn and watch—on Sunday, May 17, when Troupe Miraj, Central PA’s nationally-known Middle Eastern Dance troupe, presents The Stars of the East Belly Dance Festival at the Holiday Inn, RiverFront. This first-annual show offers attendees the opportunity to learn the art of Mid-Eastern dance through workshops and a performance of a wide variety of dance styles from cabaret to tribal, by Troupes and soloists from Pennsylvania as well as performers from other areas of the country, under the direction of internationally-known performer and instructor Miraj (otherwise known as Valerie Dishong). Leena Shenoy, of Harrisburg’s Passage to India Restaurant, will be performing the art of henna hand decorating for $5 (proceeds to benefit the Children’s Play Room.) And you’ll want to check out the vendors who will be selling clothing, costuming and music. Both the workshops and show are open to the public. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The mini workshop on candelabra goes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Lunch and shopping runs from 11 to 12:30 p.m., and the show begins at 12:30 p.m. Cost to participate in the workshop and festival is $10, pre-registered by May 7 ($15 at the door); To simply attend the festival as part of an audience, admission is $7, pre-registered ($12 at the door). For more information, call MIRAJ between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. at 233-6111, or e-mail at miraj@paonline.com.

MAY 21-25

Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, 128th Edition, Hersheypark Arena, Hershey

If you think you’re surrounded by clowns and snakes in the workplace, imagine how it must feel to work for the Greatest Show on Earth! This year’s show is full of honest-to-goodness, face-painted, big-shoed clowns, not to mention tigers, sheepdogs and elephants. And, if you feel small in your corporate world, you’ll feel much larger when you meet Michu, the smallest man on Earth. Or size yourself up with Khan, the World’s tallest man. Plus, you won’t want to miss Mysticlese, Master of the Mind; Marina, the lady in the cube, or Tong, Prince of Pythons. Show times are Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.; Friday, May 22, 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 23, 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 24, 1 p.m., 5 p.m.; and Monday, May 25, 1 p.m. Tickets are $10.50, $15.50 and $18.50. For tickets or more information, call the Hersheypark Arena Box office at 534-3911, or TicketMaster at 693-4100.