2nd Annual Poetry Slam
Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg
July 20
The Heavyword Society is once again presenting a Poetry Slam. To be held at the Appalachian Brewing Company in Harrisburg, the Poetry Slam will feature 30 poets vying for the top prize of $200.

The second happening of its kind in the area — last year’s event was held in front of a standing-room only crowd at the St. Moritz — the Poetry Slam is a fun, competitive version of open poetry readings. Similar Slams are held in such places as Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

Hosted by “spoken word extraordinaire” Jason Moffitt, the poets will be judged by a panel of five, including Marva Brown of WTCY-AM 1400 the Touch; African American Museum board member and member of the flamenco dance troupe Danzon, John Scott; and open mic poetry hosts and local poets Marty Esworthy, Derf Maitland, and Erica Joy.

A fundraiser for the 2001 Arts for Peace and Justice Exhibition, admission to the event is $5 per person. For more information, call 234-0672 or visit artsforpeaceandjustice.net. The Appalachian Brewing Company is located at 50 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Oyster Mill Playhouse, Camp Hill
July 27-August 12
The Oyster Mill Playhouse is set to raise the curtain on its latest production, “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.” Written by British playwright Tom Stoppard, the play has been called “an absurd night of theater.” For “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern,” Stoppard — co-author of the screenplay to the hit Gwyneth Paltrow film Shakespeare in Love — took two minor characters from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and made them main figures in an entirely different setting — one in which they have to determine a number of riddles, ranging from the serious to the ridiculous.

Directed by Todd Drazien and starring Palymra resident Jennifer Rimmer as Rosencrantz, a role usually played by a male, and Marty Lau as Guildenstern, “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” puts quite a spin on the characters and plot of “Hamlet,” as well, giving the beloved classic a “modern, Jerry Springeresque” twist.

“Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” will be at the Oyster Mill Playhouse from July 27-August 12. Tickets are $12.00 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 737-6768. The Oyster Mill Playhouse is located at 1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill.

12th Annual Arts for
Peace and Justice Exhibition
Strawberry Square, Harrisburg
July 28-August 25
Billed as a “forum for artists to present sincere and original expressions of visual and written art that promote the positive values of peace and justice in society,” the 12th Annual Arts for Peace and Justice Exhibition is intended to provide a forum in which the community can “gather and reflect on peace and justice.”

A non-juried exhibition, the collection will feature original art, poetry, and prose from local and regional artists. Accepted works include various images of social commentary, from visual to written and more — including sculpture, photography, and prose.

Opening reception for the exhibit takes place July 28 in Strawberry Square from 1 p.m-4 p.m. The closing reception will take place August 25 in Strawberry Square form 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Both receptions will feature refreshments, live entertainment, and free parking.

Located at Third and Walnut Streets, Strawberry Square will play host to the works during normal hours of operation, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

For more information, call 234-0672 or visit artsforpeaceandjustice.net.

Driving Miss Daisy
Capitol Dinner Theatre, Harrisburg
July 31-August 5
Starring Sherman Hemsley of “The Jeffersons,” “Driving Miss Daisy” is the second in the Capitol Dinner Theatre’s Summer With Stars Series.

A Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, “Driving Miss Daisy” tells of the sometimes tender and oft-tumultuous friendship between the stubborn Southern matron Daisy and her equally set in his ways chauffeur, Hoke.

The longtime fan favorite is perhaps best known for its 1989 film version starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.

“Driving Miss Daisy” will run through August 5 at the Capitol Dinner Theatre. The Capitol Dinner Theatre is located at 1301 Wayne Street in Harrisburg. For tickets and information, call 233-5400.

Family Fun Festival
West Shore Elks Club, Mechanicsburg
August 4
Held to benefit the Children’s Free Care Fund, the Family Fun Festival will take place August 4 from 3 p.m.-8 p.m. at the West Shore Elks Club in Mechanicsburg. Featuring live entertainment, games, prizes, and more, the proceeds from the Festival will go directly to the Fund, a charity established by local realtors Howard Hanna Detweiler Realty and PinnacleHealth System. The Children’s Free Care Fund provides free health care to children in need throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Featuring the acoustic music of local singer/songwriters Chris Detweiler, Dan Ruscito, Kevin Shoaff, and Greg Koons, the event will also include games, prizes — including a $500 door prize — raffles, and clowns. A cash bar will also be available.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and $20 for a family. Cost of admission includes meal and drink.

For tickets and more information, call 761-1910. The West Shore Elks Club is located at 108 St. John’s Road, Mechanicsburg.

More than $45,300 have been raised to benefit the Children’s Free Care Fund since 1998.

Blithe Spirit
Whitaker Center, Harrisburg
August 4
Noel Coward’s most popular and endearing play, “Blithe Spirit,” will wrap up Theatre Harrisburg’s 75th anniversary season. The story of writer Charles Conodmine and his stumble into the world of spirits and séances, “Blithe Spirit” is a wacky tale of comedy and love.

To inagurate its new summer production, Theatre Harrisburg is offering a pre-performance celebration. Beginning one hour before show time, theatre-goers can enjoy complimentary Green’s Premium Ice Cream by such “celebrity scoopers” as Senator Jeff Piccola, Alicia Richards, WINK 104’s Tim Burns and Sue Campbell, WHTM-TV’s Dennis Owens, and Dauphin County Commissioner John Payne, among others.

“Blithe Spirit” will open at Whitaker Center in Harrisburg on August 4 at 8 p.m. Other performances are scheduled for August 9-11 at 8 p.m. and August 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. For tickets and information, call 214-ARTS.