Riverdance
Now in its 25th year, Riverdance returns for a reimagined performance at the American Music Theatre replete with spectacular lighting, bold projections, a dynamic stage, and sensational costume designs. The score, composed by Grammy-winner Bill Whelan, will include notable tunes like, "Reel Around the Sun," "The Heart's Cry," and the namesake, "Riverdance." International and Irish dance come together for an event seen the world over by more than 25 million people in over 450 venues. Watch the tapping of the feet, listen to the beat of the drum, and feel what audiences have been experiencing for a quarter of a century, in a new and exciting performance.
January 17-19 / American Music Theatre / 2425 Lincoln Hwy., Lancaster / 800-648-4102 / amtshows.com
FestivICE
The old adage says, "If you can't beat it, join it," so get ready to interact with over 20,000 pounds of frozen water for York's annual FestivICE event, making the best out of a cold January holiday weekend. Presented by York Traditions Bank, again the event will again commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr., Day with three days of fun around fire pits, roasting s'mores, jamming to music, and checking out the ice art. Get your groove on with the dancing Yeti, a fun mascot to really make it feel icy. And on top of that, kids can shake off their cabin fever by slipping down a 40-foot ice slide for free. There's no reason to stay indoors when this chilly extravaganza clearly want to embrace the freeze.
January 16-18 / Cherry Lane Park / 34 W. Philadelphia St., York / yorktraditionsbank.com
PA Farm Show
Kicking off the 104th annual Pennsylvania Farm Show is the PA Preferred Reception Friday night with foods and beverages made from the state's finest offerings. Business as usual starts the next day and runs for eight days, with the largest agricultural exhibition under one roof in the entire nation bringing out its best from the PA Bee Keepers, PA Maple Syrup Producers Council, and PA Vegetable Growers Association, to name a few. A large portion of the show remains the ongoing exhibits: see who wins a blue ribbon across multiple areas like livestock showmanship, talent shows, and delicious baking contests. Behold all the industries that make PA what it is and sample some products along the way. Don't arrive with out a full stomach! (Tickets for PA Preferred Reception sold separately.)
January 53-121 / Farm Show Complex & Expo Center / 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg / 717-787-5373 / farmshow.pa.gov
Festival of the Arts
Come see artists commingled with downtown businesses for a fully immersive Mount Joy Festival of the Arts experience. Restaurants and retailers will be hosting artists selling their art, as well as some creating it on the spot. The 2nd annual event is hosted by Main Street Mount Joy to promote downtown's business district and its range of dining, retail, and entertainment offerings. Their aim is to appeal to locals as well as visitors to showcase Mount Joy's "unique small- town charm." Listen to music, engage with business owners, and maybe even deck your halls with a new piece of art (or at least try some new food!).
January 24-25 / Various locations Downtown Mount Joy / 717-653-4227 / mainstreetmountjoy.com
Nimbus Dance Works
Humans have loved dance for millenia, so the only thing that can make dance even better is to add some modern, innovative combinations, and why not help the community along the way? That's the mission of Nimbus Dance Works from Jersey City, now in its 14th year as a non-profit dance company. The style has been described as, "technical, jazzy, and unexpected," featuring dancemakers from around the world, from places like Turkey, Australia, and Taiwan. Their outreach is virtually unmatched in their area; they, serving over 3000 children annually in schools in conjunction with the Jersey City Board of Education. The passionate small team of around seven dancers intends to intrigue audiences with new takes on performance with a contemporary vibe.
January 29 / Rose Lehrman Art Center / 1 HACC Dr., Harrisburg / 717-231-7673 / nimbusdaanceworks.org
Best Wedding Showcase
After the toughest choice --, selecting the right person to say "I do" to --, comes the myriad "big day" decisions: flowers, cakes, and locations, oOh my! But, fret not, because the Best Wedding Showcase aims to assuage any fears by providing professionals from all realms of the wedding vendor world. See fashion shows highlighting trends in dresses, taste confections and cakes, and smell the bouquets, all while having fun with family and friends (don't go solo!). A big part of the event is being able to ask the big questions of those in the industry so you to leave with a clearer picture of things that are "yes," and those that are "definitely not." Mix in some prize drawings, a personalized flip flop creation area, and an event signature cocktail, and all the brides and grooms will be ready to put a ring on it.
January 5 - Harrisburg / January 12 - Lancaster / January 26 - York / February 9 - Reading / bestweddingshowcase.com for more details about each location
Wild + Scenic Film Festival
For those with the environment already on their radar on their radar, or anyone who still has with questions, can come get the dirt on topics like community activism, wildlife and conservation at the Wild + Scenic Film Festival by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Last year, Lancaster was only one of four locations for the movie showings, and this year it’s back with award-winning films meant to inform, inspire, and ignite interest towards finding long-lasting solutions. It featuresWith more than 10 films, a raffle, food and drinks, so feel free to bring the kids, friends, and neighbors to learn how all canto all get involved.
January 23 / Penn Cinema IMAX / 541 Airport Rd., Lititz / 717-517-8698 / allianceforthebay.org
We Shall Overcome
Led byTake an accomplished pianist, organist, conductor, producer, arranger, vocal coach, and arts educator who has worked with Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, and Stevie Wonder, and it's clear "We Shall Overcome" will be a performance to remember. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the holiday named for him in 1983, the performance led by Damien Sneed, combines African American traditions of jazz, gospel, classical, and Broadway tunes, with spoken words from Dr. King's most notable speeches for an evocative show meant to educate, remind, and inspire those attending the show. (The two listed performances are part of a national tour.)
January 24 / Winter Center / 60 W. Cottage Ave., Millersville / 717-871-7600
January 25 / Majestic Theatre / 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg / 717-337-8200
PA Home Show
Whether it’s been a project long in the works, or one decided upon on a whim, there's something to inspire and motivate any home improvement ideaowner at the PA Home Show. Professionals will be on hand to demonstrate, often with interactive environments to guide the curious as well as the already handyiperson along their journey. Meet vendors from companies featuring energy solutions, home products, and decorative options, as well as dozens of others. Many will feature "show-only" discounts unavailable elsewhere, so instead of perusing pictures on the internet, or driving all over town, come see all the options culled at one event for easy viewing and comparing. Don't forget thate outside, sunrooms, decks, spas (and gutters) make a difference, too!
January 25-26 / Lancaster Convention Center / 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster / 717-287-4042 / lancasterhomeshow.com
Birds and Beverages
If youFor anyone who enjoys watching birds, consider being a part of something larger by becoming a citizen scientist for Project Feeder during the Birds and Beverages events, p. Part of a winter-long program to track beloved backyard birds., Hhelp scientists collect data to understand ongoing population patterns right from your own window, or at a nature center. King's Gap Environmental Center will be hosting ongoing watches through the end of March, complete with hot tea, coffee, and cocoa to warm up birders feeling the brrrrrr. Participants do not need to register, and can engage with the project at the center and from home, soand it’s great for any age, (bring the kids!). More information on the overall project can be found at feederwatch.org.
January 4 & 18 / King's Gap Environmental Center / 500 King's Gap Rd., Carlisle / 717-486-3799 / events.dcnr.pa.gov
