Get ready for some Hot August Nights as the Sunoco Performance Theater in the Whitaker Center, downtown Harrisburg, has an action-packed month in store — bringing in big names and class acts to entertain the regional audience.

On August 5, Vidya Murthy will take the Sunoco Performance Theater stage, performing the classic Indian dance form, Bharatha Natyam. Murthy’s exotic blend of music, poetry, color, and rhythm captures the imagination; her sinuous moves are born of ancient religious devotion and yet speak to the contemporary soul.

Rocker Todd Rundgren will be at the Whitaker on August 6. A native of Upper Darby, Rundgren has had a long and successful career in the music industry — from fronting the ’60s cult group The Nazz to releasing such acclaimed albums as A Wizard, A True Star, to finding fame with such hits as, "Hello It’s Me," "Can We Still Be Friends," and the quirky "Bang the Drum." Called a "rock and roll maverick" for his willingness to abandon both the spotlight and sound of the mainstream, Rundgren has spent the past four decades working his magic both in front of and behind the microphone, releasing some 21 albums since his debut effort in 1970 and producing such acts as Patti Smith, Meatloaf, The Psychedelic Furs, and Cheap Trick.

Rundgren is touring in support of his most recent release, this year’s One Long Year.

Taking the Sunoco Performance Theater stage on August 11 will be a collection of hometown favorites as The Badlees, The Martini Bros., and Darcie Miner join together for the "Hot August Night" concert, during which the three acts will perform some of their greatest and newest hits.

The Badlees will be on hand in support of their newest release, 50:45live, a live album by the three members of the band, Pete Palladino, Jeff Feltenberger, and Ron Simasek, that was recorded during some of their live shows through the northeast this past year. Perhaps best known for their hit singles, "Angeline is Coming Home," and "Don’t Let Me Hide" the quintet has been a local and regional, if not national, force in the industry since their formation in the late 1980s, releasing seven albums, including River Songs, Amazing Grace, and last year’s Up There, Down Here. The single "Don’t Let Me Hide" can currently be found on the soundtrack of the Miramax film, Boys and Girls.

Joining The Badlees for the evening will be The Martini Bros., hot off the release of their latest disc, Trans Mission, and their current single, "Spinning On An Axis," and Darcie Miner, who will be performing selections from her debut album, Down to Earth.

On August 13, former Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald will be in town, touring in support of his latest release Blue Obsession. In addition to The Doobie Brothers, McDonald has also performed with Steely Dan, James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, Quincy Jones, and Kenny Loggins. Known for his soulful baritone voice, McDonald has been a presence in the music industry since the late ’70s, finding fame with such hits as "What a Fool Believes," "Taking It To The Streets," and "On My Own."

On August 18, the Whitaker Center will welcome one of the best selling instrumentalists of the past two decades, smooth jazz artist, Najee. Often compared to the decade’s other fine instrumentalists, Dave Koz and Kenny G, Najee has created quite a niche for himself in the market, finding success with the seven albums he has released, from his debut recording Najee’s Theme to his most recent, Morning Tenderness.

Also appearing this month will be bluegrass legend Peter Cowan with Tony Rice on August 10, southern rock artists Confederate Railroad on August 24 and folk, rock, and jazz artist Aaron Ferguson on August 25.