Guitarist Devin Sherman performs at the Penn State Misciagna Center. Courtesy photo

Summer is typically a quiet season for colleges and universities, temporarily free from the hustle and bustle of student life.

But not Penn State Altoona, where a new performing arts event series will bring the sounds of six different artists to the otherwise sleepy campus.

Each of the three currently-planned installments will bring a diverse collection of musicians, vocalists and playwrights to entertain the public free-of-charge at the Misciagna Family Performing Arts Center throughout July and early August.

The first such event, held on July 13, featured marimba player Daniel Shevock and improvisational guitarist Devin Sherman and about 15 members from the Altoona community.

Shevock performed a handful of original compositions between fielding questions from the audience about his instrument and musical background.

The informal, conversational atmosphere was intentionally designed to promote the performance series as a “community” experience, according to Theatre and Gallery Coordinator Kylea Myers, who helped launch the event.

Creating a shared space to experience art is an important fixture of any community, according to Myers, and is a way to build bonds with neighbors.

The summer performance series, which is free to attend and supported by the Kjell Meling Arts for All Initiative, seeks to expand the Misciagna Center’s role in the greater Altoona art community by providing opportunities for not just students, but the general public as well, Myers said.

The Misciagna Center wants a “community presence” at their events and on campus more broadly, according to Performing Arts Coordinator K.T. Huckabee.

Since the Center is often booked solid throughout the academic year with plays, musical performances and student art exhibitions, its quiet summer schedule is the “perfect opportunity” to test out a new program offering.

Both Myers and Huckabee said that the Center would be interested in offering an expanded run of similarly-curated performances throughout the fall and spring if community feedback is encouraging.

According to Sherman, being able to perform his improvisational guitar compositions and discuss his years of musical training was a “wonderful opportunity.”

Central Pennsylvania doesn’t have many spaces that welcome more experimental, nontraditional guitar music, so it was a rare treat to be able to find a warm and inviting audience at the Misciagna Center, he said.

The second installment, scheduled for July 27, will feature vocalist and instrumentalist Dan Stonerock and playwright Cody McDevitt.

On Aug. 3, the third and final performance will include vocalist and instrumentalist Alea Tobin and playwright Scott Riner.

All events will begin at 5 p.m. in the Titelman Study inside the Misciagna Family Center at Penn State Altoona, with free Penn State Creamery ice cream available.

For more information, call 814-949-5452.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.

If you go

What: Summer performance series

When: 5 p.m. July 27, featuring vocalist and instrumentalist Dan Stonerock and playwright Cody McDevitt; 5 p.m. Aug. 3, featuring vocalist and instrumentalist Alea Tobin and playwright Scott Riner.

Where: Titelman Study inside the Misciagna Family Center at Penn State Altoona

Cost: Free