Saturday, April 17
It’s a date that few may have considered special, but for those in the local entertainment and arts scene, it was a game changer. Or, to be more specific, that evening was a game changer.
Why? It was then that the Reading Symphony Orchestra returned to its home stage at the Santander Performing Arts Center and, with the musicians, came the audience, in person, grateful to usher back a live local performance.
It’s been tough to be a virtuoso in a pandemic. Musicians and members of every facet of the entertainment business suffered professionally and fiscally through the long year-plus of COVID-19 isolation. Fans and devotees learned that virtual attendance was better than nothing, but certainly lacking the full-on live sensory perspective.
But now, as Summer 2021 settles in, so does a return to the stage and the arts. Hopes are high, as this article is written, that many of the seasonal entertainment venues and art exhibitions will be welcoming performers and attendees throughout Berks County. Helping make that happen: a proliferation of folks who have been fully vaccinated and a sturdy supply of vaccines for those still in need.
Fridays in the Park
Among the most popular and venerable of summer entertainment traditions is the Berks Arts-sponsored Bandshell Concert Series in Reading’s historic City Park.
“This year we will once again attempt to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Bandshell Concert Series,” says Meggan Kerber, outgoing executive director of Berks Arts. “We’ll be doing four concerts in July, the first on the ninth and the last on the 30th.”
Kerber, now an administrator at Alvernia University, says the concerts, while featuring musicians of note beyond Berks, will begin with warm-up performances by local artists.
The Friday evening concerts, all of which start at 7pm with pre-shows at 6pm, are dependent on the city providing permits for group gatherings. However, Kerber was confident the nature of the concert series – being out in the natural surrounds of City Park – would make the permitting process go forward.
“We will, of course, be following CDC guidelines” she says.
Ironically, Kerber notes, social distancing has always been a part of the experience.
“For 30 years, people have pretty much socially distanced – bringing their own chairs and blankets, sitting in what we now call pods with their friends and family and, often, bringing their own food and drink,” she says.
The expansiveness of the bandshell stage is not only important for the performers, but critical to support personnel, providing ample distancing.
The “moat” as Kerber calls it, or the lily pond fronting the bandshell, also provides a natural safety barrier between performers and the audience.
“The artists won’t need to wear masks,” she says. “Their projection (exhalations) won’t reach the audience.”
For attendees not bringing their own treats, food trucks on the northeastern perimeter of the park will offer a diversity of appetizing choices.
jazz musician playing outdoor concert
Time for Some Hot Jazz
“Yes, the Berks Jazz Fest is back — and it will be hotter than ever!”
Kerber looks to events like the bandshell series and the Boscov’s Berks JazzFest, moved from its usual spring standard to the third week of August, as signs of a return to normalcy on the local entertainment scene.
“Yes, the Berks Jazz Fest is back -- and it will be hotter than ever!” says John Ernesto, general manager, alluding to both the slated performers and its seasonal change.
The jazz fest, which will mark its 30th anniversary, plans a series of large- and smaller-scale concerts beginning Aug. 13 and concluding Aug. 22. Major concerts are set for the following venues: The Crowne Plaza and the Inn at Reading in Wyomissing; Exeter High School; the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading; and the Santander Performing Arts Center, the Miller Center, and the WCR Center for the Arts, all in Reading.
A series of performances featuring popular local artists will be held on the grounds at The Gables at Stirling Guest Hotel in Reading every evening from Aug. 15 through 19.
Ticketed outdoor concerts, as of mid-spring, were afforded 50 percent capacity by the state, Kerber says. Indoor performance audience capacity was still at 25 percent.
“That’s where the challenge is,” she says. “We couldn’t put on any at this point.”
Still the jazz fest is forging forward and all signs seem to point to continuing openings and relaxation of capacity sizes.
She notes a conversation from an arts supporter who characterized the struggle and the shut downs of the past year-plus as creating “an empty hole” in their lives. That hole filled only partially by virtual performances and art and museum tours.
The fiscal hole for artists is even bigger, with very little to no government assistance being made available. To add insult to pandemic injury, many artists and performers hold full- or part-time jobs in the hospitality industry that was also devastated by the pandemic.
“This has been one of the longest, hardest hits in memory,” she says. “As things open up, it’s important to support the arts and the talents behind them.”
For more info on events, check out berksarts.org and berksjazzfest.com.
Artfully Active Across the Bridge
Mark Ratcliffe, West Reading Main Street Manager, is a man whose career has intertwined with the arts. And now, as his organization helps sustain the borough’s renaissance, the arts remain a pivotal economic driver.
In May, the borough held its annual Craft Pretzel and Beer Fest. Unlike other years when the event’s vendors and nearly 10,000 attendees filled a closed-for-the-day Penn Avenue, this year it was a sidewalk-based fest with emphasis on the businesses along the street. The popular beer tasting was limited to 140 people, half the usual attendance. Unique Pretzels was the major sponsor.
“We believe art and history are very important to revitalization.”
“We feature live music, but there were no additional vendors,” he says. “Our advertising was decidedly as low key as possible. There are so many people who know about it; they’ll be there.”
Ratcliffe expressed hopes that the annual Art on the Avenue in June would be another success as more of the population is vaccinated and the outdoor venue is safer.
As the seasons progress, Ratcliffe notes the French Fry Festival sponsored by the West Reading Tavern in August, the popular Pumpkin Carving in October, and the Ice and Spice Festival in the winter.
The Fall Fest, set for Sept. 18, is art centric, he says, featuring plein air events, a beer garden, kids’ activities and live entertainment. The Art Plus Gallery is a major sponsor.
While many of the West Reading businesses have an artistic component and a few closed in 2020, a lot more – 21 to be exact – have opened since Jan. 1, 2020. Many of these new enterprises are owned and operated by entrepreneurs aged 40 and younger, adding to the hipster vibe of the borough.
Ratcliffe says the borough will be re-branding itself this year, emphasizing the arts, entertainment and healthy living. The new branding will replace the “Love West Reading” brand from the past decade-plus. Part of the effort includes creating a new pocket park off Sixth Avenue immediately north of Penn.
He’s hoping this marketing change will energize more art in West Reading, including sculpture, light displays, murals and traffic-calming art at the busy crosswalks.
Mulling Murals
For those who like to marry movement with art, the borough boasts a walking tour of “mural corridor” that showcases more than 40 pieces. The catalyst behind this was Dean Rohrbach, the late Elm Street manager. The artist Mike Miller, a Wyomissing High School teacher, has played a pivotal role in their creation. Many of the murals are located along the alley running parallel to the south of Penn Avenue that has been ceremonially named “Dean’s Way.”
Ratcliffe says there is a mural link on visitwestreading.com. Most murals have QR codes available to smart phone users. The code unlocks info about the individual murals and words about and from the artists themselves.
Miller, in an exchange program with Reutlingen, Germany, Reading’s sister city, had panels of eight pretzel paintings each installed last October on the north side of the state office building at 645 Cherry St. More will be added courtesy of German art students.
He did this, working with Berks Community Murals, a community-oriented collaborative public arts effort. In Reutlingen, more than 80 pretzel paintings by Berks artist Josh Brightbill were featured in that city’s annual street festival in 2019.
In addition, there are original art works on public displays in downtown garages, courtesy of the Reading Parking Authority.
Deena Kerschner, executive director of the Our Town Foundation in Hamburg, concurs that public art is a community stimulus.
“We have four large murals, all reflecting themes relating to Hamburg’s history,” she says. “We believe art and history are very important to revitalization.”
Hamburg Historical Delights
The Hamburg Art Alliance was formed in 2006, but it wasn’t until 2015 that the first mural was completed. The next three followed annually through 2018. Part of the funding was made available through the Berks County Community Foundation. A walking tour pamphlet is available, but pending being posted online.
A mural at the back wall of the community garden at Apple Alley and Windsor Street received funding from the AARP, she says.
Kerschner, the town’s Main Street manager for 18 years, is among the longest serving in the commonwealth where the average term for a person in that position is 2.5 years. Her roots in the borough run deep: her grandmother was the owner of the iconic Doris Berry Shoppe on S. Fourth Street.
The annual Hamburger Festival, which showcases artists and live performances, draws tens of thousands to the borough in normal times, and just got the go-ahead for a 2021 edition. Look for it downtown on Sept. 4 from 10am to 6pm.The borough may also be hosting some concerts in the park. The Strand Theatre was up and running beginning in May with first-run and classic films.
The theatre is part of a string of notable structures downtown that has earned the designation of a National Historic District for architecture. The circa 1904 borough library was the first in Berks to be built with philanthropist Andrew Carnegie funding.
The borough also boasts the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum at 500 S. Third St., a fascinating collection of railroad cars and memorabilia, and a mural on its wall. Nearby, at Third and Grand streets, Bill Rhodes has created a fascinating sculpture garden in his yard. It is as awe-inspiring illuminated at night as it is in daytime for those walking or driving by.
Music for Kids’ Sakes
Over in western Berks, the summer concert series in August and September will return at Bethany Children’s Home on the campus at 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf.
“This year, we have four concerts scheduled,” says Carolyn Shultz Spano, director of development. “We will be following any COVID guidelines in place at that time.”
Spano and Dana L. Hoffman, marketing and events specialist, say the following are scheduled: Aug. 6 – The Uptown Band; Aug. 27 – Stephanie Grace; Sept. 10 – Jeff Krick Jr., Elvis Tribute artist; and Sept. 25 – the Ringgold Band. The first three concerts get under way at 7pm, while the final concert starts at 1pm.
“Each concert will feature art exhibits by Bethany youth,” says Spano. “We will have Bethany items for sale, including artwork, memorabilia and more.”
There is a suggested donation of $5 per car. Food trucks will be available for concertgoers to enjoy a meal or snacks.
Prior to 2020, the Antietam Valley Community Partnership hosted its Annual Carsonia Craft Beer & Wine Amusement in the autumn. As of mid-spring, plans were not yet announced for a 2021 event. To keep apprised, visit antietamvalley.org.
