Five Artist Exhibit
Art Association of Harrisburg
Through May 3
A five-artist exhibit is currently on display at the Art Association of Harrisburg. Featuring the works of regional and national artists, the exhibit boasts watercolor landscapes, sculptures, cityscapes, and paintings.

The participating artists include William Falkler of York, who began painting watercolor landscapes in 1972; full-time painter and writer Lyall Forsyth Harris of San Francisco; sculptor Alan Paulson of Gettysburg, who has had works exhibited in Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky; painter Nicky Y. Schleider of Baltimore; and cityscape artist Fritz Vonderheiden of Harrisburg.

The Five Artist Exhibit will be on display at the Art Association of Harrisburg until May 3. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Art Association is located at 21 North Front Street, Harrisburg. For more information, call 236-1432.

Springtime in the Park 
Hersheypark
April 13-15
Hersheypark will present Springtime in the Park, an Easter weekend opportunity to enjoy the festivities of the Park on pay-as-you-go basis. Guests can enter the park free of charge and purchase tickets for any of the 36 rides — including The Carousel, Kissing Tower, The Comet, and Great Bear — that are scheduled to be open for the event. A number of games, shops, and food stands will also be open.

In addition to the rides, the Park will also host free entertainment in the Amphitheatre. The Popcorn Hat Players will perform on April 13 at 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Parrotville, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band will take the stage at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. On April 14, Mr. Music and His Trio will perform at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. and Pentago will be on stage at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Short Cummings and the Jam Cats will perform at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 15.

Hershey Wildcats mascot Coaster will be on hand April 13 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and the Park will host its First Annual Springtime Stroller Parade on April 14 at 3 p.m.; registration is required for participation in the parade. Also celebrating Easter weekend in the Park is the Easter Bunny, who will be available for visits April 13 from 12 p.m.-2:30pm, 3:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; April 14 from 12 p.m.-2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; and April 15 from 12 p.m.-2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. ZOOAMERICA, Hershey Museum, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and Hershey Gardens will also be open to the public.

Park hours for the weekend are 12 p.m.-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday. Individual ride tickets are available for $0.70 each, $13 for a strip of 20 tickets, or $15 for an all-day ride pass. For more information on any of the above events, call 1-800-HERSHEY or check the website at hersheyPA.com.

The Illusion
Messiah College, Grantham
April 20-22, April 24-27
Theatre Messiah will present “The Illusion,” the French neoclassical comedy by Pierre Corneille. “The Illusion” is currently undergoing a ‘renaissance’ of sorts in theaters across the country, largely due to the modern rendering it has undergone at the hands of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tony Kushner.

Telling the tale of a penitent father and his search for his wayward son, “The Illusion” is a classic fairy tale, complete with physical comedy, humor, and star-crossed lovers.

Theatre Messiah’s production of “The Illusion” is being directed by Professor Valerie Rae Smith and features music by College senior Chris Wenger.

“The Illusion” will be at Messiah College’s Miller Auditorium in the Climenhaga Fine Arts Center from April 20-22 and April 24-27. Evening shows begin at 8 p.m. with a special matinee at 2 p.m. on April 22. Tickets are $6 for general admission and $4 for students, faculty, and senior citizens. For tickets and information, call 691-6036.

Taste of the Nation Benefit Dinner
Harrisburg Hilton
April 22
A number of chefs from Central Pennsylvania will join forces to fight hunger during Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Dinner on April 22.

Sponsored nationally by American Express, the Harrisburg event is one of more than 100 like it held in 80 cities across the United States and Canada. Held since 1988, the event has raised more than $41 million, proceeds that have benefited more than 450 organizations. Harrisburg’s Taste of the Nation dinner will directly benefit CHANNELS Food Rescue, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center.

Taste of the Nation will be held April 22 at 5 p.m. at the Harrisburg Hilton. The evening will be hosted by WHTM-TV 27 weatherman Chuck Rhodes. Tickets for the event are available by calling 612-1300.

The Roaring 20s
Mount Hope Estate, Cornwall
April 27-28, May 4-5
This year’s annual ‘celebrity’ ball has turned the Mount Hope Estate and Winery into a speakeasy, with a guest list that includes Ziegfeld Follies diva Fanny Bryce, silent screen star Charlie Chaplin, poet Langston Hughes, and the guest of honor, humorist Will Rogers.

At Mount Hope for a limited-run of two weekends, “The Roaring 20s” brings the fashion, frolic, and fun of the decade to life in the Mansion-turned-Jazz Age nightclub. Presented by the acting company of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, “The Roaring 20s” will be at Mount Hope Estate and Winery April 27-28 and May 4-5. Performance times are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Fridays, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is $15.95 for adults and $7.95 for children ages 5–11. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 65-7021x231 or check the website at parenfaire.com.

Concert: Merle Haggard 
American Music Theatre, Lancaster
April 29
Hailed as “the greatest country artist of our times,” by Rolling Stone’s Jim Miller, Merle Haggard has been a force in the country music industry since the release of his first album, Strangers, in 1965.

Since then, Haggard has released nearly 70 albums and earned 40 number one singles, including “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Okie from Muskogee”, “Pancho and Lefty,” his duet with Willie Nelson, and 1988’s “Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star,” his last number one hit to date. In 2000, he released If I Could Only Fly.

Considered a major influence to the current crop of country stars, Haggard has been honored as male vocalist and entertainer of the year more than 10 times, has been nominated for more CMA awards than any other male entertainer, and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Merle Haggard will be at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster on April 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are available by calling 397-7700 or by checking the website at americanmusictheatre.com.