by Zoryanna Dopko

UCP Sports Auction
Carousel Pavilion, City Island
June 9
The 15th Annual UCP Sports Memorabilia Auction will take place June 9 at the Carousel Pavilion on Harrisburg’s City Island. More than 150 items will be auctioned off, many of them autographed sports items. Previous auctions have boasted wares from such notables as Michael Jordan and Mark McGwire. Last year’s event raised more than $65,000, bringing the total for the first 14 auctions to more than $575,000.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the United Cerebral Palsy and will stay in Central Pennsylvania. The Sports Auction is sponsored by the Harrisburg Senators and The Spot Restaurant.

In addition to the sports memorabilia, this year’s auction will also include a special raffle featuring a guitar autographed by the members of *NSYNC.
The UCP Sports Auction will be held June 9 at 10 a.m. at the Carousel Pavilion on City Island. For more information and a list of items, call 975-0611 or check online at senatorsbaseball.com.

New Zealand Glass Artists
To Visit Central PA
Fire Company Gallery, Campbelltown
June 16
The Fire Company Gallery will host a visit and demonstration by Alec and Emily Lake, two glass artists from New Zealand. The Lakes’ work has been on display since the gallery’s opening in November 2000. Alec and Emily will provide a public demonstration of their talent fashioning miniature sculptures and jewelry, which will be ready for immediate sale. Both Alec and Emily’s works draw inspiration from New Zealand, with an emphasis upon the flora and fauna of the scenic islands; the artistic imagery varies from the Maori design motif of a Koru (new life, growth, and harmony) to the rare Kiwi bird and the Hectors Dolphin.

The process used to create these detailed renditions of their native land is rather involved. Using borosilicate glass rods and tubing, the Lakes meticulously create these intricate sculptures and jewelry at a sweltering temperature of approximately 3600 degrees Fahrenheit (wow); the glass is shaped directly in the flame. The skill required to transform the hot glass into an artistic triumph requires much precision. Both Alec and Emily have spent years perfecting their artistic style. While Emily entered an apprenticeship as a lampwork glass artist in the late 1970s and later studied with Hungarian glass artist Imre Toth to learn the art of solid glass sculpting, Alec left the building industry for the finer, more delicate medium of glass art. Since then, Alec and Emily have worked together creating lampworked glass art for 22 years; they continue to serve as a link between two cultures.

The demonstration will be held June 16 at the Fire Company Gallery in Campbelltown, 2851 Horseshoe Pike in the old firehouse on Route 322, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. A door prize of glass art will be drawn at the conclusion of the festivities. For information, call the Gallery at 838-3000 or visit firecompanygallery.com. Regular hours are Wednesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2001
The State Museum
June 16- September 9
The State Museum will present the 34th annual exhibition, Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2001, in the ground floor galleries. Featuring 156 paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photographs and crafts by 126 artists, who represent 32 of the state’s counties, the Museum boasts a diverse collection that appeals to all audiences. The event will be co-sponsored by The State Museum of Pennsylvania and The Greater Harrisburg Arts Council. Emerging artists share their voices through their unique styles, subject matters, and mediums.

An eclectic sampling of individual visions, the exhibition provides viewers with the opportunity to witness a collection that encompasses much talent. Of 1,125 entries, only 156 artworks were selected by five out-of-state judges to be submitted for this exceedingly competitive exhibition. Awards totaling $6000 in cash prizes will be distributed to three winners in each of the four categories. In addition, there exists a possibility for further acclaim; the winner of The State Museum of Pennsylvania Purchase Prize of $1000 will have her or his work become part of the Museum’s permanent fine arts collection. Previous Purchase award winners from 1969 to 2000 will be displayed in the Museum’s first floor gallery.

Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2001 will be ongoing from June 16 to September 9 at The State Museum. The State Museum is located at Third and North Streets, Harrisburg. The opening reception and awards presentation is on June16 from 7p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; the exhibition will close with a public reception, held in conjunction with Harrisburg’s Annual Gallery Walk from 11a.m. to 6p.m., hosted by The Friends of the State Museum on September 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 4p.m. General admission to the museum is free. For information, call 787-4987 or visit statemuseumpa.org.

Creating Community with Music
Carlisle Theatre
June 22
The Carlisle Theatre will present “Creating Community with Music,” an evening performance by Peter Yarrow, founder and leader of the folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary, and his daughter Bethany. A true humanitarian, Yarrow’s performance benefits the programs of the YWCA, with an emphasis on the Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Services of Cumberland County. In addition, Yarrow’s performance reflects his ongoing involvement in the quest for equality that his music integrates profound social commentary: within the expansive mediums of film and music, both Peter and Bethany Yarrow combat grave social injustices through their exploration of many poignant issues.

As reflected in Yarrow’s performance, his commitment to social change, as is conveyed within his lyrics, encompasses Bethany’s artistry. Bethany’s film on apartheid, Mama Awethu, challenges the viewer to think outside a narrow, solipsistic view. The film explores the lives of five African American women as they encounter the horrors associated with the apartheid system in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa; a special screening of Bethany’s critically acclaimed film will be given at the theatre at 2p.m. Bethany’s film draws upon her experiences in South Africa where, in 1992, she traveled to compose a documentary on apartheid.

The Yarrow’s program promotes social change and inspires audiences to join their quest for equality. “Creating Community with Music” will be held June 22 at the Carlisle Theatre, 44 West High Street, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information, call 243-3356 or 1-888-596-4978. Bethany’s Film, Mama Awethu, will be screened at 2p.m., followed by a question and answer period and discussion; there is no charge for the screening of the film.

Blast From the Past Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival
Mount Hope Estate, Cornwall
June 23-24
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire will host their annual “Blast From the Past Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival,” a day of live music, activities, comedy, free wine sampling, and foods of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The “Blast from the Past” boasts a memorable day filled with nostalgia of the past. The festival comes alive with musical performances by “Pentagon,” “Fabmania,” and “Past Time” as well as groovy fashions, classic cars, and delicious food. A meticulously constructed fate, the “Revival” accounts for all details, ranging from appearances of the stereotypical 50s star quarterback and his cheerleader girlfriend to a multitude of novelties: poodle skirts, leisure suits, headbands, hippie beads, and even protestors. Activities vary from an Elvis look-alike contest and a “Stunt-show Extravaganza” to a collection of classic cars displayed along Sunset Strip and Dead Man’s Curve.

The “Revival” provides respite from the woes of the modern world and offers a journey into a fantasy of the past. The Renaissance Faire has transformed the once structured environment of a 16th Century Elizabethan village into an enchanting world of reverie. Containing an eclectic pastiche of performances and activities, the Faire creates a diverse environment true to the past.

The “Blast From the Past” will be held June 23 and 24 at the Mount Hope Estate & Winery. Gates open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Admission is $16.95 for adults and $7.95 for children ages 5-11. For tickets and information, call the box office at 665-7021 x 231 or go to parenfaire.com.

2001 Central PA Mellon Jazz Festival
Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg & Downtown sites
June 15–17
Working on their third decade, the Central PA Mellon Jazz Fest will again bebop, jam and scat around downtown Harrisburg to celebrate their 21st festival. The weekend will be riddled with jazz at every turn. Afternoon and evening concerts, free jazz clinics, jam sessions, a riverboat jazz cruise on The Pride of the Susquehanna, a Father’s Day Sunday brunch, jazz films, and late-night JazzWalks featuring great jazz playing simultaneously at 13 different locations within walking distance from the Hilton are all part of the three-day musical street party dedicated to late jazz great Louis Armstrong.

The welcoming party starts things off at 5p.m. on Friday, June 15, in the Hilton Plaza Grill. Trombone virtuoso John Fedcock and his quartet will caress the air with jazz at their 7:30p.m. concert in the Hilton Ballroom. Grammy-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton follows at 9p.m. leading into the first JazzWalk beginning at 10p.m.

The rest of the weekend will feature performances by local and national pianist star Steve Rudolph in a jam session with drummer Bill Goodwin and bassist Steve Varner, as well as other concerts featuring Master Jazz pianist-composer Ahmad Jamal, father/son pianist and bassist Gerald and Hassan J.J. Wiggins along with vocalist Everett Greene and local drummer Clyde Batom Lucas who has played with Count Basie and continues to record with countless others, the 18-piece big band the Navy Commodores as well as the Youth All-Star Bands at Saturday’s free concert, among others.

Tickets for the Jazz Fest can be purchased in advance by calling the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) at 540-1010 or 1-800-807-1010. A weekend pass to all events (excluding the Saturday night river boat cruise which costs $10 each) is $75 for non-members, $66 for CPFJ members, $33 for student members, and $42 for student non-members. Evening concerts are $25 for non-members, $22 for CPFJ members, $11 for student members, and $14 for student non-members. The Sunday Brunch concert (excluding meal price) is $12 for non- members, $10 for CPFJ members, $6 for student members, and $8 for student non-members. Come on out and chill with some cool cats and crazy beats.