HOLLIDAYSBURG — Munster Township artist Mary F. Lessard is the subject of a 29-piece exhibit of her watercolor paintings, titled “what my eyes have seen.”
The exhibit is on display through Nov. 1 at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library, 405 Clark St.
The works will be on display during the library’s normal operating hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The library is closed on Sundays.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Sundance films make local debut
A continued partnership between The Sundance Channel and the Penn State Altoona communications program brings four Sundance films to the campus for the fall semester.
The film schedule is:
Today — “Stagedoor” (2006)
This documentary follows four campers at Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts camp in the Catskill Mountains for teens obsessed with Broadway. Alumni of Stagedoor include Natalie Portman, Robert Downey Jr. and Mandy Moore.
Oct. 19 — “Swimmers” (2005)
“Swimmers” tells the tale of a “fractured American Dream” through the eyes of the 11-year-old daughter of a Chesapeake Bay waterman. The film has won the Grand Jury Prize for Best New American Film from the Seattle International Film Festival, as well as prizes at film festivals in Spain and Portugal.
Nov. 16 — “Clear Cut: The Story of Philomath, Oregon” (2006)
This documentary tells the story of how a small Oregon logging town became the battleground for a dramatic culture war when progressive ideas introduced by newcomers ran into opposition from the town’s traditional residents.
Dec. 7 — “Eve & the Fire Horse” (2005)
In this film, the Special Jury Prize winner at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, Eve and Karena, two young Canadian sisters of Chinese heritage, are determined to reverse the string of tragedies that has shadowed their working-class family ever since their mother cut down the backyard apple tree.
All showings are Fridays at 7 p.m. in room 150 Hawthorn. Admission is free and open to the public, with free refreshments and Sundance giveaway prizes.
Basie Orchestra ‘swings’ to area
UNIVERSITY PARK — Pianist and bandleader William “Count” Basie died in 1984, but the big band that carries his name and upholds his legacy still swings more than 70 years after its debut.
The Count Basie Orchestra, directed by Bill Hughes and featuring guest singer Nnenna Freelon, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in Eisenhower Auditorium on the Penn State campus.
The concert features a first set with the orchestra performing arrangements associated with Basie, including classics such as “Corner Pocket” and “April in Paris.” After the intermission, Freelon joins the 18-member big band to sing new arrangements of songs originally performed by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and other vocalists who toured with Basie.
Tickets are $36 for adults, $21 for University Park students and $29 for those ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State Tickets Downtown, the HUB-Robeson Center and the Bryce Jordan Center, by calling 863-0255 or 800-ARTS-TIX or online at www.cpa.psu.edu.
Urban brings tour to Pittsburgh
Heartthrob country singer Keith Urban, with Gary Allan, will bring his latest tour, “Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour,” to Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11.
Urban, a three-time Country Music Association nominee, is touring in support of his No. 1 album “Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing.”
Tickets are $39.50 to $59.59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets will be available at LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster. com, all Ticketmaster outlets and charge-by-phone at 412-323-1919.
For more information, visit www.keithurban.net.
Stand-up comic to appear at BJC
UNIVERSITY PARK — The Bryce Jordan Center and Student Programming Association will present controversial stand-up comedian Sarah Silverman at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Bryce Jordan Center.
In 2005, Silverman released a feature film of her comedy entitled “Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic.” She currently stars in her hit Comedy Central sitcom “The Sarah Silverman Program.”
Tickets are $27.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 3.
Tickets will be available at The Bryce Jordan Ticket Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State Tickets Downtown, the Altoona Campus ticket outlet, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at 865-5555 or 800-863-3336 or online at www.bjc.psu.edu.
ACT to audition for ‘Little Shop’
Altoona Community Theatre will hold auditions for the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the Barbara Titelman Spessard Rehearsal Hall of ACT’s Workshop, 1213 12th St., Altoona.
ACT Operations Director Steven C. Helsel will direct the show.
“Little Shop” has a small cast of 10 to 15 people, with some roles doubled.
All roles are open regardless of previous experience or prior participation in ACT productions.
Auditionees are asked to prepare 32 bars of an upbeat theatre or other song appropriate to the character in which they’re interested.
Those interested in being a puppeteer and not auditioning for another role do not have to sing, but puppeteer auditionees will be asked to do some kind of creative improvisation.
Rehearsals will begin Sept. 28 and performances are Nov. 15-18 at the Mishler Theatre, Altoona.
For more information, call 943-4357 or visit www.
altoonacommunitytheatre.com.
Faire, train ride return Oct. 20
HOLLIDAYSBURG — The Olde Tyme Faire and Great Train Adventure will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at Canal Basin Park.
Train rides will depart from the Canal Basin Park, located on Bedford Street in Hollidaysburg, at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Passengers will take part in an interactive performance about a train robbery.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children. Tickets may be purchased at the Hollidaysburg Area YMCA.
The Olde Tyme Faire will feature costumed performers, Civil War camp reenactments, historical artifacts and demonstrations, portrait painting, patriotic music, entertainment and food vendors.
The Faire is free and open to the public.
Free parking will be available at the YMCA, Canal Basin Park and the Blair County Parking Garage. A free shuttle service will run to and from Allegheny Street, the YMCA and the Park.
For more information, call 695-4467.
Ballet company to dance at PSU
UNIVERSITY PARK — Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, created in 1952 by acclaimed dancer and choreographer Amalia Hernandez, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in Eisenhower Auditorium on the Penn State campus.
Tickets are $31 for adults, $18 for University Park students and $22 for those ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State Tickets Downtown, the HUB-Robeson Center and the Bryce Jordan Center, by calling 863-0255 or 800-ARTS-TIX or online at www.cpa.psu.edu.
