Kev Marcus and Wil B. have been defying stereotypes since they picked up classical instruments in their youth, met and later became a duo that today travels the world playing an unusual blend of classical and hip hop music — on strings. Classically trained, they call themselves Black ...
The Playhouse at McConnellstown is presenting a spoof about the adventures of five nuns in a seven-show run that begins Friday. Written and composed by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” is full of “music, dancing, comedy and nuns. What’s not to love?” said Stephanie Swan, who plays the ...
Unlike the typical Italian, I detested pasta sauce for a great deal of my childhood. I preferred buttered noodles to the traditional red sauce. My mom rarely made a separate meal for a picky eater, but she did heed my request for keeping some noodles aside just for me. It wasn’t until I ...
The human, social and financial costs of storms like Harvey and Irma are staggering. But the environmental concerns are also serious and persist long after the initial flood-water recedes. Floodwater contains a myriad of sewage, trash and industrial chemicals, which are themselves a serious ...
“Did you hear the story about how the Civil War almost got started in Hollidaysburg?” So begins Doug Bosley’s tale of the role that the Allegheny Portage Railroad played in the Underground Railroad, which shuttled runaway slaves to freedom before the Civil War. Chief of interpretation ...
If you’re wondering whether Altoona Community Theatre has sanitized its upcoming production of “Big River,” it hasn’t. If the use of the N-word in a theatrical production bothers you, better not see the musical adaptation of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” While somewhat ...
When you listen to St. Paul and the Broken Bones, you’ll swear Al Green or Otis Redding is in there singing. While lead singer Paul Janeway said he was influenced by those soulful greats, he can’t help what comes out. “I know my voice doesn’t match my body,” he said. “I fully ...
Period music and stories will be shared at Canal Jam II, scheduled for Sept. 23 at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site near Gallitzin. The event, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free and is sponsored by the National Park Service and Penn State Altoona’s Center for Community-Based ...
In choosing its season’s content, Penn State Centre Stage has a legacy of championing deep conversations — some happy, some tragic, but all with a depth that resonates. Opening with “Your Blues Ain’t Sweet Like Mine” pulls a double whammy — at least. If you were expecting a sendup ...
SEVEN SPRINGS — Julius Caesar coined the phrase, “Experience is the teacher of all things.” The Mother Earth News Fair agrees. At this year’s fair, attendees can try their hand at making their own foods, toiletries, pizza ovens, wood-burning heaters and more, with sustainability and ...
Sawyer Brown owes its longevity to its fans, its choice of songs and its work ethic, says band leader Greg “Hobie” Hubbard. “We tend to give all the credit to the audience,” Hubbard said in a recent telephone interview with the Mirror. “That’s who kept us going from the beginning. ...
Q. Is it true that there are kinds of cyclamen that will grow outdoors in our climate? I love the ones grown as houseplants and would enjoy having them as garden plants, too. A. There are two species of Cyclamen that overwinter in protected locations in western Pennsylvania that I have grown ...
Michael Allison vaguely remembers taping paper together so he could draw poster-size dinosaurs while growing up in Altoona. It was the earliest of many “little signposts along the way” that he would become an artist, he said. For nearly five decades, Allison has advocated for and created ...
Mark Lowry will tell funny stories and sing selections from his recently released album when he comes to Altoona next week. A Christian comedian and Southern gospel artist, he will present “An Evening with Mark Lowry” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Calvary Baptist Church, 810 Ruskin Drive. ...
In most communities, rallies and programs held on Patriot Day to remember the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in America have ended. However, in Altoona, two events will be held Monday, the 16th anniversary of the day when militants associated with the extremist group al-Qaida hijacked ...
The congregation of Faith Assembly of God, 4870 Cove Mountain Road, Roaring Spring, welcomed a new pastor earlier this year. Pastor Del Smith and his wife, Marvina, moved to the Morrisons Cove area from Bensalem, where Smith served as the lead pastor of Christian Life Center from September ...
My husband, Bob, said a very nice thing to me the other day. “Kim,” he said with a smile, “At least you know how much we need you around here.” Coincidentally, our daughter, Val made a similar remark only hours before., Granted, that might seem like an odd comment. However, it ...
Wedding Anniversary Liturgies Bishop Mark L. Bartchak will celebrate the first of two Wedding Anniversary Liturgies at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona. During the Mass, Bartchak will recognize married couples who are marking milestone wedding anniversaries ...
Barely 28, Cecile McLorin Salvant already has a Grammy and some advice for aspiring musicians: Get off social media. McLorin Salvant’s award-winning jazz kicks off the upcoming season of 24 performances at the Center for Performing Arts at Penn State in University Park. They range from ...
Learn how to make an “out- of-this-world” beaded necklace pretty enough for gift giving. Or figure how to tie decorative knots or make quilted tumbling triangles. Expand your knowledge or learn new skills at more than a dozen classes scheduled as part of the Pennsylvania Fiber ArtsFest on ...