Nationally-acclaimed textile artist Linda Rugel will open her exhibit in the Gallery at Open Stage with an Artist’s Reception from 6:30pm–8pm on February 5.

Rugel describes her work as addressing “the three overall themes of consciousness, transience, and the ideal”; however, the Open Stage exhibit focuses on faces. The stylized visages drift unattached to bodies, representing various stages of consciousness as well as offering visual representation to the disassociative states that commonly occur in response to sexually abusive situations. In the latter regard, Faces, Phases, Form coincides well with Open Stage’s production of How I Learned To Drive, a play portraying a relationship between a young girl and her older male relative.

Exotic and intriguing, her works involve using layers of vintage American textiles to create depth — both visually and psychologically. The translucent cloths permit filtered views of each layer, while a tear might reveal the next layer with clarity and truth.

Rugel practices the ancient art of batik, or resist-dyeing. She has drawn artistic influences from travels to Scandinavia and Asia and has studied in Java. Her work has been displayed with those of Sumatran artist Amri Yahya, and she received a prestigious invitation to show her work at the first World Batik Conference and Exhibition in 1997.

How I Learned To Drive
Open Stage
February 5-28

Set in Maryland during the ’60s, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play examines a young girl’s relationship with her uncle. It spins a tale of the girl’s coming of age, shown through the driving lessons that he gives to her over the years, complete with rules of the road — and of life.

While the uncle’s emotional seduction of his young niece is disconcerting, playwright Paula Vogel portrays the relationship in a realistic manner free from judgments and other tainting opinions.

Vogel has garnered much critical acclaim for How I Learned To Drive, as well as her other works, including The Mineola Twins and The Baltimore Waltz. Her career as a playwright began 20 years ago; her plays tend to focus on subjects that even she describes as “taboo.” However, the happenings and issues commonly occur in the culture, merely shrouded in silence. Vogel strives to offer undistorted views to her audience.

As an added benefit, post-show discussions moderated by staff members from the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg and the Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center of Lebanon County will follow each performance. Tickets cost $18 or the general public and $12 for students and seniors. February 11, 18, and 25 are Pay What You Can nights, and any unsold tickets will be sold at the box office for half price starting one hour before curtain. Please note that the play contains adult content and is intended for mature audiences.

Keystone Chocolatefest
The Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
February 7

“A Celebration of Love and Chocolate,” Chocolatefest returns to Hershey on February 7 from 2:30-5pm. Hershey’s new Great American Hall will provide more space for the expanded event, which will include a variety of children’s events and more chocolatiers than ever.

HARRISBURG PROUD
First Lutheran Church, Carlisle;
Rose Lehrman Arts Center
February 14 & 16

For the first time in the history of Dauphin County, four local African Americans will be honored together for their outstanding contributions to neighborhood and nation. HARRISBURG PROUD: The African-American Contribution to Dauphin County, a two-act drama with music, is set between 1850 and 1915. The play commemorates the lives of Jane Marie Mars Chester, an escaped slave, facilitator of the Underground Railroad, restaurant proprietor, and “caterer to the Capitol”; Thomas Morris Chester, attorney, Civil War Correspondent, educator, and orator; William Howard Day, first African American to serve on the school board, newspaper publisher, and leader in the AME Zion Church; and Peter Sullivan Blackwell, publisher of The Steelton Press, polititian, entrepreneur, and community organizer.

The play was written by local playwright Dr. Dorothy E. King with music scored by award-winning musical director Grenoldo Frazier. HARRISBURG PROUD, produced by PenOwl Productions, is slated for two local performances during the celebration of Black History Month: Sunday, February 14, 3pm at the First Lutheran Church in Carlisle; and Tuesday, February 16, 7pm at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center.

The cast features Felicia Brown Hayward, Larry Dyson, Leonard Washingon, and RonnieBanks in the roles of these four historical figures. Also starring are Monika Ross, Jo Sheppard, and Phil Hoskins-Helm, with vocals by Rev. Robert Brown and Tameka Hatcher.

Mayor Stephen Reed commented, “I am delighted to know of this production, as it will focus on local historical figures … Please know that you have my personal and this City’s gratitude and commendation for the time and effort associated with putting together the research, writing, and all the myriad of other details to make this play possible.”

Leo Kottke
The West Shore Theatre
February 18

Music lovers in the know demanded so many tickets to Leo Kottke’s performance that it had to be moved from the Wire to the West Shore Theatre. Now well-known among affluent guitar players, he found initial success nearly 20 years ago and has been riding on his wave of brilliance ever since.

Not only does this self-taught guitarist possess remarkable talent in playing, but he also floors critics with his stage presence and his composition ability. He has a likable sense of humor, creating a comfortable atmosphere for his audiences, and his compositions for guitar are used in the course of guitar studies at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

His music, though difficult to classify, contains tastes of folk, jazz, and classical genres. Lively and vibrant, it is unusually aggressive and rhythmic for acoustic guitar. He has played with the likes of Ricky Lee Jones, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Lyle Lovett, the Violent Femmes, and John Gorka.

Despite the move to the larger venue, the show is still expected to sell out, so hurry if you’re hoping to catch him. Call The Groove at 774-1078 for ticket information.