The WCR Center for the Arts has announced its 20th anniversary Gala and Concert, celebrating the nonprofit’s two decades of promoting the arts and serving the Reading community. The event will take place on Sept. 20 at 6 p.
m. at the historic WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St.
, Reading. The event will feature an unforgettable evening of entertainment, honoring the tireless efforts and visionary leadership of the founding members: William G. Koch Sr.
, Dr. Thomas B. Souders, the Rev.
Glenn Miller and Stephen G. Welz. Their dedication has laid a strong foundation for the WCR’s continued success.
Additionally, special honorees Dr. Neil A. Hoffman, Penelope Proserpi and Dixie Lee Borders will be recognized for their significant contributions.
Attendees will be treated to a spectacular concert featuring the foremost accordion and bandoneón player in both classical and jazz genres, Julien Labro, with the Attacca Quartet and the Hot Club of Reading. The evening will also include a live auction. “As we look forward to the future, we are committed to continuing our mission of promoting the arts and serving the Reading community,” said Jayme Rhoads, president of the board of directors.
“We invite you to join us in celebrating our journey and to be a part of our exciting future.” From its beginnings in the 19th century as Reading’s first post office to its transformation into a vibrant performance and exhibition venue, the WCR Center for the Arts has been a cornerstone of the community. Tickets for the 20th Anniversary Gala and Concert can be purchased at wcrcenter.
org . ••• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble have partnered to present Music on the Mountain, a one-hour presentation of classical selections sharing the inspirational power of music and nature on Sept. 8 at 2 p.
m. The concert will be held in the Sanctuary’s accessible Amphitheater, a beautiful outdoor space. Seating is limited and tickets cost $25, which includes light refreshments and the chance to meet a live raptor and the musicians during a mixer immediately following the event.
Bench seating and limited folding chairs are available in the Amphitheater, and seating is first come, first served. All attendees are welcome to bring their favorite camp or folding chair. Heavy rain cancels.
Following the event, ticketholders may use their program book to redeem a 10% discount in the Mountain Bookstore or $10 off a new Hawk Mountain Membership. “September is the beginning of migration season and is a great chance to explore the lookouts and watch for passing migrant raptors,” said Sanctuary President Sean Grace. “Many guests plan to arrive early and spend some time outdoors before the performance.
” In its 35th season, the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble is a Schuylkill County nonprofit dedicated to presenting high-quality performances that nurture a diverse community with music that enlivens, enriches and educates. The ensemble delights its audiences with informative and fun presentations and has worked to initiate community and education outreach programs to inspire musicians of the future. Performing will be Simon Maurer and Dana Allaband on violin, Agnès Maurer on viola and Franklin Niño on cello.
To learn more or purchase a ticket, visit www.hawkmountain.org/music .
••• All young people who love to sing are invited to join Berks Youth Chorus for the 2024-25 school year, beginning Sept. 8 and 9. BYC gives young people across Berks the chance to find their voices, build community and sing incredible music together.
Founded in 1992, BYC has served thousands of young people through a premier choral program that runs September through May each year. Members, in grades 3 through 12, receive high quality vocal instruction and perform at venues throughout Berks. Singers are divided across three ensembles and attend weekly rehearsals that equip them with the musical, social, vocal and leadership skills to represent and serve the community.
BYC is committed to a welcoming culture that unlocks the potential in every young person. This year’s performance opportunities include multiple major concerts, a performance with Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez at Kutztown University, appearances at prominent community events and collaborations with other elite performance ensembles in Berks. One of the Master Singers described the experience of singing and growing with BYC: “When I first started, I felt really lost, because everybody ahead of me was here before me, and their voices were so much louder and more confident than I was.
But as I progressed with them, my voice got better, and I got more confident, and they felt like family. “This is where I belong. This is what makes me feel like me, and I think that everybody should be able to grow like that.
” All who love to sing are welcome. To register, visit berksyouthchorus.org .
Call 610-898-7664 or email [email protected] with any questions. Events The Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center in Reading have announced four new shows.
Appearing at the SPAC will be Maz Jobrani and his Mr. International Comedy Tour on Oct. 4, Eddie Izzard’s Remix Tour Live on Oct.
13 and The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays on Nov. 20. Jobrani is an American comedian and actor who was part of the “Axis of Evil” comedy group.
The group appeared on a comedy special on Comedy Central. Jobrani has also appeared in numerous films, television shows, including Better Off Ted, on radio and in comedy clubs. Eddie Izzard, also known as Suzy Izzard, is a British stand-up comedian, actor and activist.
Her comedic style takes the form of what appears to the audience as rambling whimsical monologues and self-referential pantomime. The Illusionists is a touring magic production which features a rotating cast of 5 to 8 magicians who all specialise in specific branches of magic from stage illusions to mind reading to escapology and comedic magic.[ In This Moment: The Godmode Tour will be stopping at the Santander Arena on Dec.
6. Since coming to life in 2005, In This Moment have presided over a diehard fan base under the watch of “mother” figure and frontwoman Maria Brink – joined by co-founder and lead guitarist Chris Howorth, bassist Travis Johnson, guitarist Randy Weitzel, and Kent Diimmel. As millions convened upon the group’s otherworldly and unforgettable concerts, they quietly emerged as one of the most influential and impactful bands of the 21st century that has amassed over 1.
3 billion cumulative streams to date. Tickets for all four shows are available at ticketmaster.com.
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