Miller Center announces initial slate of performances for 2023-24 season [Spotlight]

Jul. 9—The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College has released the initial slate of performances for the 2023-2024 season. These shows represent an exceptional variety of concerts and events that promise to captivate audiences and have them coming back for more!

More information about the shows can be found at https://millercenter.racc.edu/events.

"The Miller Center has something for everyone," said Tony DeMarco, executive director of the Miller Center and vice president for advancement at RACC. "We are very proud to bring a unique, varied and diverse schedule of spectacular entertainment options for our patrons in Eastern Pennsylvania. This initial 13-show announcement is just the start of our 23-24 season. Stay tuned for more big names that will be coming later in 2023 and 2024",

The Miller Center season kicks off on Sept. 22 with a highly anticipated return engagement of HYPROV, a live show that combines hypnosis and improv. HYPROV stars Colin Mochrie of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and Asad Mecci ("Hypnotist Extraordinaire") as they take some 20 audience volunteers, find those most receptive to hypnosis and have them join Colin and Asad to improvise the rest of the show. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/hyprov.

The most famous bagpipe band on the planet, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are hitting the Miller Center stage on Sept. 23. Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show with such high energy, the Pipers should come with a health warning. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a Celtic rock band from Scotland who gained fame after winning the BBC talent show "When Will I be Famous?" Their one-of-a-kind music combines traditional Scottish pipe tunes and rock/pop anthems into what they proudly call bagrock. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/chilli-pipers.

"Always Olivia: An Olivia Newton-John Tribute" is an homage to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John. Always Olivia authentically captures the essence and sounds of Olivia's timeless music. The show stars Annie Aiello, a celebrated singer who has been captivated by Olivia Newton-John since childhood. Don't miss your chance to see it on Oct. 5. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/always-olivia.

The second annual Miller Center Music Fest will be held on Oct. 7. A full day and night of shows with some of finest performers in the area led by dance music DJ's, Black Caviar. The duo that comprise Black Caviar met in Reading and have gone on to achieve great success, garnering a Grammy nomination, 20 million plays and 223 streams

Using both folk and classical music and dance, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company's Dia de los Muertos explores a love story that spans the boundary between the living and the departed. The show is on Oct. 13. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/calpulli-dance.

Joe Conklin, the beloved comedy master of WIP Sports, joins forces with the City Rhythm Orchestra for a night of comedy and music on Oct. 18. Expect a salute to all of the Philadelphia sports teams and their boisterous fans, Conklin takes us on a nostalgic journey featuring all of his celebrity voice impressions, an 8-piece orchestra and a cast of singers including John Conklin, Casey Conklin, Tricia Gozzi, Debra Toscano, Steve Ritrovato and surprise guests. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/joe-conklin.

Years before Americana music earned its own category at the Grammy Awards, Steve Forbert helped pioneer the genre's mix of folk, roots-rock, and richly delivered storytelling. He's been a torchbearer of that sound for more than four decades since, navigating the twists and turns of an acclaimed career that's taken him from gold records to Grammy nominations. Steve Forbert & The New Renditions will perform on Oct. 28. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/steve-forbert.

Constantine Maroulis is an American actor and rock singer making his way to Miller Center Stage on Nov. 2. Constantine first came to prominence as the rock n' roll underdog on "American Idol," Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/constantine-maroulis.

Through John Mueller's "Winter Dance Party," Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper will come alive again on the Miller Center stage on Nov. 10. "Winter Dance Party" is the official live and authentic recreation of Holly, Valens and the Big Bopper's final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/winter-dance-party.

"The Forests and Shores of Acadia" is Jill Haley's latest release about music she wrote while an Artist in residence at Acadia National Park. She creates and performs programs of the national park music with video of the images that inspired the music. This program will feature a video of images that inspired the music that will be performed on oboe, English horn, piano and guitar. Opening for her in this performance is the guitarist David Cullen, known for his wide range of styles including classical, jazz and world music. See these two inspired performances on Nov. 12. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/acadia.

Jim Brickman, one of the most beloved pianists in the world, will deliver his distinctive style and captivating live performance at the Miller Center on Nov. 16. Brickman has revolutionized instrumental music. He has transformed the popularity of solo piano-playing. His musical canon has hundreds of original, pop-style instrumentals with star-studded vocal collaborators to joining in.. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/jim-brickman.

Get ready for traditional Christmas classics and world class Irish dancing when Christmas in Killarney: An Irish Christmas Celebration comes to the Miller Center on Dec. 13 for two shows (2 and 7 p.m.) Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/christmas-killarney.

The Unforgettable Fire was born on a New Year's Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 Tribute Bands to ever perform in America. After 25 of performing throughout the East Coast and beyond, UF have formed the reputation of being the preeminent U2 tribute Show in North America, striving to present a truly authentic U2 experience, both sonically, and visually. UF comes to the Miller Center on March 8, 2024. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/unforgettable-fire.

The Miller Center is Berks County's home of The Machine, who are returning on April 27, 2024, for the third straight year. The Machine will present the entirety of "Dark Side of the Moon" and other fan favorites. The Machine has forged a 30-plus year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/the-machine.

Art

The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading, will hold its Second Sunday Studio Crawl today from noon to 4 p.m.

Artist of the month on the second floor is watercolor painter James Maria, a graduate of Kutztown University's Fine Art and Art Education programs. His work is largely informed by Pennsylvania's post-industrial landscape.

Artists of the month on the third floor are Cheryl Elmo and Kevin Brett. Elmo examines people using portraiture and quiet moments to share thoughts and ideas about life. By developing a unique style using aqua-media on art panels, the paintings are reflections of anonymous individuals sharing their stories through their expressions and their eyes. Brett finds it very challenging to take every day, overlooked objects or subject matter, people or situations and capture them photographically in ways that the viewer can extract feelings from personal experiences of their own. The use of unusual and dramatic angles gives the photographs views intended to make seemingly insignificant items a bit more powerful and emotional.

----The Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Franconia Township, Montgomery County, has announced that the exhibit "Wonderful Words of Life: The Fraktur of Roma Ruth" will be on display from next Sunday through Oct. 9, 2023.

The public is invited to the artist's reception next Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

The show honors the breadth of Ruth's corpus in fraktur, her blending of artistry and text to mark significant life moments. It also includes reflections from some of her students and colleagues on the impact of her teaching and art.

Ruth began her journey with fraktur in 1973 when she drew a fraktur-like greeting card for her mother, Trella Risch Jacobs's, 84th birthday. Over the next 50 years, Ruth created over 600 pieces.

A self-taught artist, Ruth follows in the footsteps of the 18th century schoolmasters at the Salford and Skippack Mennonite Meetinghouse schools, who created rewards and illuminated texts for their students. Many of her designs are based on motifs used by the early schoolmasters, which she interprets with her own sense of color, vitality and joy. The vibrancy of Ruth's hand and pen shines throughout the exhibit.

To learn more, visit mhep.org.

Theater

The Pines Dinner Theatre, 448 N. 17th St., Allentown, presents "The Wedding Singer" from Friday through Aug. 20. Matinee show times are select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays: 12:30 p.m. dinner and 1:30 p.m. show. Evening show times are Fridays and Saturdays: 6:30 p.m. dinner and 7:30 p.m. show.

Prices for show admission for all ages is $32, which includes a seat for the show, all taxes and ticket box-office fees While food is not included in your ticket price, appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages are available for purchase ala carte throughout your evening of entertainment.

For reservations, call the box office at 610-433-2333 or visit pinesdinnertheatre.com.