Montco Arts Guide 2023-2024

Cirque BAZZAR Costume Designer to the Stars

Murals in Montco

MCCC Unveils New Theater

The Official Arts Guide for Valley Forge & Montgomery County, PA

Guided

Welcome to Montgomery County, PA

Valley Forge & Montgomery County is home to more than 200 arts attractions, featuring live music venues, award-winning playhouses, historic movie theaters, amazing architecture, museums and art galleries, gardens and arboretums. Arts Montco is designed to inspire you to explore the arts in Montgomery County and help you discover an amazing arts destination perfect for your next weekend getaway or staycation.

You don’t need to venture into the city to experience the arts. Award-winning theater and the same talented actors are right here in Montco! The thrill of the theater is easily accessible and much more enjoyable in our charming communities, which offer free parking. Make it a dinner and a show date by checking out delicious dining options at over 1,800 restaurants, and homegrown hospitality in our 80+ hotels from Ambler to Pottstown.

With so much to see and do, we had to put together something special. Join us in the celebration of the third annual Arts Montco Week; a weeklong celebration of the arts in Montgomery County in September, only in Montco, and Montco Jazz Fest with a Women in Jazz theme! Cirque du Soleil is also returning to the county with the North American premiere of BAZAAR. Further explore Arts Montco as the VFTCB paints the county with outdoor murals and Arts Walls.

These marquee events want to #MakeItMontco and so should you. Please use this guide as a starting point to get out and explore! And we hope that you’ll come back for more.

Mike Bowman, President & CEO Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board

To learn more about the arts in Montco, please visit our website valleyforge.org, or follow for Arts Montco content on social media @visitvalleyforge on Facebook and Twitter.

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Arts Week & Jazz fest Returns

Cirque Bazzar Costume Designer to the Stars murals in montco DIY Gifts

Catch A Concert Family Friendly Fun

An Interview with Nell Bang-jensen

MCCC Unveils New Theater

Coming Up at the Keswick

Dinner & A Show in Montco

Member Listings On the Cover

at Ursinus College

Sculptures

photo by Sophia Jang

Arts Week & Jazz Fest Returns to Montgomery County

This fall, Montgomery County will see a return of the third annual Arts Montco Week! Starting September 20th and running until October 1st, celebrate and support Montgomery County’s 200+ arts, culture, and entertainment venues. Live music venues, playhouses, historic theaters, museums, art galleries, gardens, and arboretums will be showcased in this weeklong event.

In addition to Arts Week, Montgomery County’s second annual Montco Jazz Fest is also taking place this fall! This year’s focus is on Women in Jazz, showcasing the wonderful and talented female jazz musicians in the county.

Montco is thrilled to welcome international recording and touring artist Joanna Pascale as this year’s festival curator for Montco Jazz Fest. She’s helping us shape a momentous celebration with this year’s spotlight on Women in Jazz. Jazzfest is a weeklong celebration taking place in venues all over the county.

Lyric is paramount for internationally touring vocalist Joanna Pascale, who insists that she cannot perform a song unless she can connect personally with its lyrics. Once she’s found that connection, there’s no one who can better convey the emotion of those words more directly and intimately than Pascale.

A singer of sophisticated taste, profound expressiveness, and raw emotion, Pascale is also a gifted educator who is a member of the vocal faculty at the University of Pennsylvania.

She’s been featured on recordings by Jeremy Pelt, Tim Warfield, Orrin Evans, Larry McKenna, the Temple University Jazz Band, and many more.

Pascale made her recording debut with 2004’s When Lights Are Low, followed by the 2008 Through My Eyes, a 2010 duo recording with pianist Anthony Wonsey and a 2015 release, Wildflower where she’s joined by an all-star ensemble including pianists Orrin Evans and Cyrus Chestnut, harmonica master Gregoire Maret, bassist Christian McBride, and neo-soul singer Bilal, all released on her Stiletto Records label.

In 2017 she was Artist-in-residence at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with 2015 Guggenheim Fellow, Etienne Charles and director Ellie Heyman to create a song-cycle inspired by flowers. ■

Joanna Pascale

Cirque BAZZAR Costume Designer to the Stars

For the first time ever, Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR is coming to Montgomery County! Starting September 26th and running until October 22nd, the show will be hosted at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. Experience a quirky, one-of-a-kind show featuring acrobats, dancers, and musicians led by a maestro.

For this show, Cirque du Soleil enlisted the help of fashion designer James Lavoie for the costume design. In addition to costume design, Lavoie is known for being a set designer, production designer, and art director. His expertise began at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where he earned a master’s degree in performance design and practice. Since then, he’s designed over 80 productions of theatre, dance, and circus all across the world.

Lavoie is a long-time collaborator of Cirque du Soleil; he’s designed costumes for multiple shows including JoYa, MESSI1O, and ‘Twas the Night Before. In addition to his work with Cirque du Soleil, he recently worked with 7 Doigts de la Main to design costumes for The Last Chapter, and regularly works with the Chilean Circus to design costumes and sets.

Lavoie has also worked extensively in theater on over 80 projects; his work has been recognized 6 times by the Montreal Critics’ Awards and Montreal English theater awards. In addition to set and costume design, he mentors graduates in set and costume design at the National Theater School of Canada, and guest lectures at Concordia University.

BAZZAR features thirty eclectic characters, and Lavoie was challenged with the task of creating individual looks for all of them, while keeping a uniform appearance to the show. Cirque du Soleil wanted him to create based off instinct, allowing him to trust his gut and be inspired by everyday life. Lavoie was truly given creative liberty for this show, and managed to create costumes that are unique, special, and add to the performance. His main inspirations came from works of contemporary 20th century artists, conceptual architectural clothing, street style, and BAZZAR set design.

James Lavoie’s work continues to wow Cirque du Soleil guests all over the world. By embracing the energy, natural look, and raw talent of each artist, his mastermind has added unmeasurable value to the production of BAZZAR through costume design.

This show is one you definitely don’t want to miss. Get your tickets to see Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR in Oaks today! ■

Montgomery County’s Walls Receive A Colorful Facelift

When the Valley Forge Tourism Board embarked on its Arts Montco initiative, it saw Montgomery County as the ultimate blank canvas to make our thriving area even more exciting with public art. Arts Montco has added five new installations and updates to its portfolio throughout 2022-2023 with the goal to cement the area as an arts destination and shine the spotlight on our diverse and talented local artists.

Since launching its first Arts Montco Wall at the King of Prussia Mall in 2021, the VFTCB has installed two murals at the King of Prussia mall by Philadelphia-based arts brand Jeantrix and Montco-based artist Jessica Jackson, and two murals at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets by Carrie Kingsbury. The art gallery at the Charles L. Blockson exhibit has also been updated to feature more pieces by the county’s talented BIPOC artists. Get to know the artists and pieces that are turning Montco into a work of art!

Philadelphia Premium Outlets Murals

Two new mural installations from Arts Montco are being displayed at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets Art in Limerick, PA, the region’s premier outlet shopping destination. The first mural spotlights Montgomery County’s most iconic landmarks such as Valley Forge National Historical Park, Bryn Athyn Cathedral, and the nearby Philadelphia skyline. The second mural focuses on the county’s family-friendly attractions like the Elmwood Park Zoo, Arts Montco, youth sports and more. Both murals are pieces by Carrie Kingsbury, the owner of Promiseland Murals and Pottstown resident. With projects ranging from St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, CHOP at King

of Prussia, and the Malvern train bridge, Kingsbury is an experienced public artist. The design of the murals began as a digital mockup for the landmark design, and a watercolor rendering of the family design. A combination of direct paint application and parachute cloth technique came together to create the full piece. Several interactive elements were added to the designs, making them perfect to snap a photo next to during a day of shopping at the outlets. The installations are free and open to the public, with the landmark mural by the Brooks Brothers entrance and the family-friendly mural by the Michael Kors entrance.

Carrie Kingsbury’s Murals at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets

King of Prussia Mall Murals

VFTCB’s new murals at the King of Prussia Mall capture the fun and vibrant energy of Montgomery County. The first display is a large-scale piece that places the Philly skyline as the backdrop to activities like the Valley Forge Casino, KOP mall, top dining spots, and the family and pet friendly attractions in the area. Completed by Philadelphia-based artist duo Jeantrix , it features their signature pop-art style with bright, vibrant colors and bold outlines to display the many great activities available in Montco. Jeantrix is a Black-owned fashion and art brand created by best friends Deric Crawley and Muhammad Abdul-Basit (aka Nyce and Homm). Their art ranges broadly from one-of-a-kind luxury apparel to fashion films and everything in between. They have collaborated with celebrities and fashion titans like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and more! The installation is free and open to the public. It’s located on Level 1 of the Court across from Macy’s and will be on display from April through the end of 2023.

The second mural that can be spotted at the King of Prussia Mall is a large, colorful welcome sign that mimics classic and nostalgic postcards. The piece is by Jessica Jackson, a Montco-based Black artist who aimed to highlight the many activities that Montgomery County has to offer. Spend some time looking over the mural and you’ll be able to spot some county favorite dining spots, beautiful local parks, and much more! This installation is free and open to the public at the King of Prussia mall.

Jeantrix’s Mural at the King of Prussia Mall

Charles L. Blockson Arts Montco Wall

Arts Montco has also made updates to its arts wall at the Charles L. Blockson Exhibit to place focus on the county’s diverse BIPOC artist community. The update features four unique artists who took inspiration from their diverse experiences and cultures to enrich and inspire viewers. The artists featured are Jessica Jackson, Rodney Lee Jones Jr., Brian Hearns, and Abigail Coachi. The Charles L. Blockson Exhibit: An African and Afro-American Collection is the life-spanning collection of artifacts related to the global Black experience from the late historian and author Charles L. Blockson. By collaborating to create and update the art gallery within the exhibit, the VFTCB hopes to provide Montgomery County residents with increased access to arts and culture with artwork updated annually. The exhibit is included in admission to the exhibit and will be displayed throughout 2023. ■

▲ Above: Abigail Coachi, I Am Not My Hair (Diptych) 1, 2022

◀ Left: Rodney Lee Jones Jr., Divine Black Face No. 1, 2019

DIY Gifts Around Montgomery County

Say goodbye to impersonal, generic gifts and get to work creating pieces that your loved ones will cherish forever. These DIY spots make the creative process fun and relaxing by doing the heavy lifting so you can focus on personalizing the perfect gift. Unleash your inner artist and create customized masterpieces at these activity-based art shops.

Cork and Candles

King of Prussia

Give the gift of relaxation at Cork and Candles, an experiential scent bar where you can make custom candles. Pick up to four scents from the Cork and Candles fragrance library, customizing to the taste of your friends, family, or coworkers. Invite a group and order charcuterie boards or flatbreads while making candles in their BYOB environment.

Buff City Soap

King of Prussia

Enjoy makery magic firsthand while mixing, scenting, and shaping mini bath bombs at Buff City Soap. Book an event like a kid’s birthday party or girl’s night out to get inspired by those around you. This family-friendly activity is perfect for kids to make their friends personalized gifts that make the gift-giving process fun!

Mudroom Studio

Ardmore

Your inner artist can bloom at Mudroom Studio, a locally owned pottery shop where you can paint, glaze, and finish your very own pieces of pottery! Choose from mugs, plates, and much more to create gifts for your loved ones. Give away your personalized colors, pieces, and designs to show your appreciation for those around you.

Floral and Hardy

skippack

Stop by the DIY succulent bar at Floral and Hardy to flex your green thumb for the plant lover in your life. Design and fill a succulent container, choosing from a selection of plant types, pots, and other materials needed to personalize your creation. Brighten up someone’s space with your custom planter so they can be reminded you care.

Scent & Sip

Lansdale

Create one-of-a-kind gifts by making your own fragranced products at Scent & Sip, including candles, body oil, lotion, sugar scrub, and more! For the men in your life, formulate a scented beard oil, cologne, or aftershave splash. To complete your custom product, get creative with a label expressing your gratitude.

Cork and Candles

Floral and Hardy

Scent & Sip

Catch a Concert in Montco

Montco is home to tons of fantastic live music venues in every corner of the county. Check out who and what’s coming to a venue near you this summer and fall!

Ardmore Music Hall

ardmoremusichall.com

Ardmore Rock ‘N Ride - August 19th

Keswick Theatre

keswicktheatre.com

Regina Spektor - August 2 nd

The Keswick Theatre and WXPN are proud to welcome grammy award nominee, Regina Spektor, to the stage! With dozens of jazz, blues, and piano hits in her discography, a Regina Spektor show is one you don’t want to miss.

Clannad - september 14th

Clannad is one of the most widely known Celtic/ pop fusion acts currently active in the music industry. Formed in 1970, Clannad blends aspects of traditional Celtic folk music with modern elements of pop to create a hauntingly beautiful sound that will have you longing to visit the Emerald Isle.

Phillip Phillips - October 8th

Phillip Phillips, of American Idol fame, is bringing new music to the stage for the first time since the release of his 2012 hit single, “Home”, which went platinum five times and has become the bestselling song in American Idol history. Check him out at the Keswick Theatre this October!

Ardmore Rock N’ Ride is a free, outdoor, family friendly event that features an official USA Cycling bike race, a multi-stage concert featuring nationally renowned talent produced by Ardmore Music Hall, a youth bike race, and a family fun zone. The event will take place in downtown Ardmore on August 19th.

Superchunk - September 10th

American Indie-Rock band, Superchunk , is coming to Ardmore this September! With an extensive discography containing 30 years’ worth of road trip playlist worthy tracks, you’re sure to have an absolute blast at Superchunk this September.

Kurt Vile - October 9th & 10th

Philadelphia’s own Kurt Vile, formerly of The War on Drugs, is coming to Ardmore Music Hall as part of the annual Philly Music Fest this October. A celebration of all things Philadelphia and local artists, Philly Music Fest is one you don’t want to miss.

Moon Hooch - November 13th

Fans of dance beats and saxophone-based music, Moon Hooch at Ardmore Music Hall is a must-see live show. The duo consisting of saxophonists, Wenzl McGowen and Michael Wilbur, blend the best of jazz fusion with nu jazz to give you a listening experience unlike any other.

The Mann Center

manncenter.org

Outlaw Music festival - August 5th

Outlaw Music Festival is a celebration of the life and legacy of the one and only Willie Nelson. To celebrate his 90th birthday, Willie’s bringing friends and family like Robert Plant & Allison Kraus, The Avett Brothers, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Marcus King, Trampled by Turtles, Los Lobos, and more!

The Arctic Monkeys - September 5th

Yes, you read that right, THE Arctic Monkeys are coming to the Mann Center this September. 10 Years on from the release of their iconic 2013 album, “AM”, Arctic Monkeys will be bringing the hits like “Do I Wanna Know?”, “R U Mine?”, and “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?” to the Mann Center stage.

Hozier: Unreal Unearth Tour

September 29th

You know him and most people find it hard not to love him; singer-songwriter, Hozier, is back and coming to the Mann Center at the end of September. The Unreal Unearth tour celebrates the tracks you can’t help but scream out and new tracks that are sure to become classics in Hozier’s discography.

Kim Petras - October 13th

The Princess of Pop is back and taking her new Feed the Beast tour to the Montco’s biggest stage. Kim Petras, most famously known as the world’s first transgender pop star, brings all the best of bubblegum, hyperpop, and EDM to her songs, including hits like “I Don’t Want It At All”, “Heart to Break”, and “King of Hearts”.

Find more concerts and live music here!

Come Out and Play For a Family-Friendly Day

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

is the perfect spot to spend a day with your little ones. Enjoy an interactive train ride and wave a magic wand to collect points, watch LEGO movies in the interactive 4D cinema, and meet your child’s favorite life-sized LEGO characters! Visit Miniland, an interactive Philadelphia cityscape created with 1.5 million LEGO bricks, before letting the kids run around at Pirate Adventure Island, a soft-play area aboard a LEGO-themed pirate ship. Purchase tickets to explore these features and other LEGO-themed attractions!

The Colebrookdale Railroad

in Pottstown provides excursions and activities for people of all ages, and your kids are sure to love it! Excursions include scenic tours, trains with dinner service, and beer and wine tastings. In addition to various types of railroad options, you can rent railbikes to explore the area. You can even enjoy themed excursions depending on the time of year! Get your tickets today to experience the beauty of Secret Valley at Colebrookdale Railroad.

The American Treasure Tour

is a great spot to stop to teach your kids about art and history simultaneously. Filled with collected treasure from throughout the decades, the American Treasure Museum has an entire collection of classic automobiles, hundreds of automatic music machines, movie posters, records, model airplanes, and much more. The best part? A tram ride will take you through the 100,000 square foot museum so that you can enjoy all the treasure in comfort.

The John James Audubon Center

Experience all things nature with your kids! Currently on display are three different exhibits: WOW Birds Gallery, Fledgling Trail, and Drawn from Nature Gallery. In addition, they have constant programs running throughout the year that range from guided nature hikes, birding tours, and even canoeing. The best part? The John James Audubon Center has a group of Bird Ambassadors onsite for you to say ‘hello’ to, all of which have been rescued from captivity or injuries in the wild. The kids will absolutely love a day at the nature center, and they’ll learn something while they’re at it!

in Bryn Athyn is home to a large collection of religious art and history. Exhibits include Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian, and American Indian objects. The museum has multiple on-site options to make the visit fun for your little ones, including a photo scavenger hunt! Alternatively, you can sign up for one of their popup programs that are friendly for all ages. These programs cover all different eras in history and showcase art that the whole family will appreciate.

The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center

is filled with art, history, and fun for people of all ages! Specially curated programs for children are available, making a trip to the center that’s much more enjoyable for your little ones. Enjoy Seasonal Saturdays with take home crafts, Hands on Heritage with creations from previous generations, and other various programs held throughout the year.

The Glencairn Museum

An Interview With Nell Bang-Jensen of Theatre Horizon

We often hear people talk about community theater, but rarely do we consider the theater as a place for building community. Nell Bang-Jensen, artistic director of Norristown’s Theatre Horizon, hopes to flip the script in that respect.

A freelance director with artistic ties throughout the Philadelphia region, Bang-Jensen took the reins of Theatre Horizon in September 2019 from founding artistic director Erin Reilly. She admired the mission that Reilly and her co-founder Matthew Decker established when they started the company in 2006: to center Montgomery County in their planning, programming, and outreach.

Of course, BangJensen couldn’t imagine that, shortly into her tenure, the coronavirus pandemic would upend the entire industry. Still, she took the challenges presented in stride. “It was incredibly challenging, because you have to move quickly in a crisis, but as a new leader, you’re still building trust,” she said. “I think people often have sympathy because I started six months before COVID, but I will say there are actually ways in which the pandemic was a gift for me as a new leader.”

The pause in producing live theater allowed BangJensen to consider the ways Theatre Horizon could serve as a community hub. “People in every

industry had to uproot the idea of business as usual,” she continued. “It was a strange gift to ask who we were if we couldn’t do shows anymore. What is Theatre Horizon without that? We ended up co-hosting vaccination clinics with the NAACP. We run a drama club with the Willow School pre-school, which is right above us, and because their kids had to spread out during the day, we let a bunch of the kids use our empty theater. We also started doing virtual productions with community members. In a strange way, it was a great opportunity for me to get to know Norristown.”

Bang-Jensen plans to bring the lessons learned from the pandemic into the theater’s upcoming season. The programming will feature more events with shorter runs, with performances happening nearly every month between September and May.

“It’s a little bit of an experiment for us to do a wide variety of productions, including things we’ve never done before,” she said. “For example, we’re doing our first drag show around Rocky Horror in October. We’re doing our first kids show in the winter, to really think about building young audiences. We’re doing a musical and a onewoman show about a woman who was a software engineer in India and became an actor when she emigrated to the United States.”

Relationship-building with your community should be the central focus of all arts organizations.

The season kicks off with Sounds of Norristown: A Jazz Brunch, presented as part of Montco Jazz Fest, featuring local music director Elle Morris. The performance will feature participants from last year’s production of Town, which drew on the talents of 67 volunteer actors from the Norristown and Montgomery County communities. It is one of many events that will highlight the bonds between organizations and audiences that flow across the footlights in both directions.

“Relationship-building with your community should be the central focus of all arts organizations,” Bang-Jensen said. “Theater is a medium where we ask people to come and see what we’re doing, to devote their precious time and take a risk on something they haven’t experienced before. I really feel like we need to be in direct conversation with people and what feels relevant in their lives.” ■

Nell Bang-Jensen

Montgomery County Community College Welcomes New, State-of-the-Art Theater

Montgomery County residents can easily hop in their cars or ride the Septa regional rail to a world-class live performance in Philadelphia. Starting this fall, however, they will gain a new option closer to home. In September, Montgomery County Community College will open a new state-ofthe-art theater space on its campus that seeks to attract top-tier talent from around the region and beyond, and to serve as a community hub for students, faculty, and neighbors throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.

in this industry. We know that this will be one of the top venues in the region with what we are able to offer any of the acts that come in, whether it’s music, theater, or speakers. We believe the technical capabilities will entice national and international talent to our smaller venue.”

MCCC has already lined up a deep bench of talent for their inaugural weekend of events. The new programming will build upon what the college already offers, according to Brent Woods, senior director of arts and culture. “The college has a

“The college built the building where the theater is located in 1970, and we’ve transitioned the theater from a roughly 300-seat theater to a 500-seat theater,” said Celeste Schwartz, vice president of information technology and institutional effectiveness at MCCC. “For the first time, the theater also has three small balconies, which is a first for the college. In the past, the plan was only one floor.”

Schwartz highlighted the ways the theater has been renovated, both with an eye toward patron comfort and maximum efficiency for the artists and technicians who work there. “We have stateof-the-art audio, video, lighting, and rigging,” she said. “The design for all of that was done by an organization out of New York, Walters-Storyk Design Group, which is internationally recognized

suite of programs that incorporate all aspects of the college campus,” Woods said. “These programs include the Lively Arts series, which is the main stage, where we feature the main artists. We have a Young Arts Explorer series, a family series targeted at schools for educational purposes. It’s an opportunity for families to come to the college in order to engage and bond.”

The opening celebration will feature the Philadelphia Boys Choir; the Elegance String Quartet, which features members from Philadelphia’s Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra; an evening of performances from employees of MCCC, highlighting their individual talents; and the electric violin quartet Femmes of Rock, which counts an MCCC faculty member among its artists.

Dr. Celeste Schwartz Vice President of Information Technology and Institutional Effectiveness

Therol Dix, J.D. Vice President of Pottstown Campus and Educational Partnerships

Philip Needles, MBA Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience and Interim Chief Financial Officer

Victoria L. BasteckiPerez, Ed.D. President of Montgomery County Community College

“This is all about connection and all of the different things inside the theater that connect programming,” Woods said. “We view the theater as a gathering place and a site for connection with the community. And the opening is themed: it is arts and culture at MontCo, celebrating the past, the present, and the future. This comes from wanting to bring people together while also celebrating all of the different people who have helped grow it.”

Therol Dix, vice president of the college’s Pottstown campus and of educational partnerships, sees the theater’s new opening as an opportunity to reflect the community that it serves. “We want to make sure that we are reaching all ages and stages,” Dix said. “We want to speak to our students and our employees, but also

to our wider community. To have a diverse programming schedule for the year is something truly unique, as well.”

Whether you come to the live arts for classical music, spoken-word poetry, or the latest trend in crossover culture, you’ll find something to excite you and expand your horizons very soon at MCCC! ■

Coming Up at the

The Keswick Theater remains a legendary venue for residents of Glenside and beyond. Coming up this fall, music fans will have the opportunity to take in a variety of concerts and programs at the historic theater, with something guaranteed to please all tastes.

Guitar heads can start with Grammy Award winning instrumentalist Eric Johnson, who brings his string-based storytelling acumen to the Keswick on September 16. Expect to hear his signature song “Cliffs of Dover,” as well as new material that builds on his classical training and love for popular music. The following week, contemporary jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny stops in Glenside as part of his Dream Box Tour on September 22.

Earlier this year, Rhiannon Giddens won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for composing the opera Omar. In addition to her gifts as a composer, Giddens is also a singer and multi-instrumentalist, with a passion for folk music, bluegrass, country, and American Roots music. She will accompany herself for an electric evening of music on September 26.

Comedy fans will have plenty to choose from this fall at the Keswick. On September 23, actor Cary Elwes hosts an “inconceivable” evening that draws on his role in the classic 1980s movie The Princess Bride. A screening of the 2000 cult classic High Fidelity will be followed by a conversation with its star, John Cusack, on October 13.

Improv legends Greg Proops, Ryan Stiles, Joel Murray, and Jeff B. Davis will set up shop with Whose Live Anyway? the following night (October 14), for a performance that promises to be as hilarious as it is unpredictable. Pauly Shore (October 25), Ms. Pat (November 11), and Pat McGann (December 2) are guaranteed to tickle the funny bone throughout the rest of the year.

Tribute is the sincerest form of flattery. On September 29, Ronnie Smith and David Clark come face to face…as Elton John and Billy Joel. The dueling piano men will play all the familiar hits. Almost Queen will deliver a bohemian rhapsody on October 20. On November 5, A.J. Croce will pick up his guitar and play the music of his late father, Jim Croce. As we approach the eighth anniversary of David Bowie’s death, a host of artists will pay tribute to the Starman on November 10, celebrating his unique visions for music and performance.

The year ends with the woman who owns Christmas. No, not Mariah Carey: Darlene Love, whose “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is a perennial holiday earworm. The legendary vocalist, actor and background singer takes center stage on December 14 with Love for the Holidays, and I cannot imagine a better way to get into the holiday spirit. But whatever you choose to see at the Keswick, you’re bound to have a legendary time. ■

Dinner and a Show in Montco

A perfect night out in Montco must include dinner and a show. Check out some of our favorite places for a great meal and amazing show!

ardmore Music Hall

Ardmore

Just three miles outside of Philadelphia lies Ardmore, one of the Main Line’s most bustling towns and home to the legendary Ardmore Music Hall. The venue officially became Ardmore Music Hall in 2013 and has since hosted acts ranging from Dave Matthews Band and The Red Hot Chili Peppers to Macy Gray and Hootie & The Blowfish.

Located in the heart of downtown Ardmore, the music hall is within walking distance of tons of amazing restaurants and breweries like Tired Hands Fermentaria, Char and Stave, and Twenty One Pips!

Keswick Theatre Glenside

The Keswick Theatre, located in the center of downtown Glenside, is one of the area’s best known venues for live music and theatrical performances. The wide variety of touring acts that take the Keswick’s stage every season make this venue one of Montco’s most unique and endearing spots to see live entertainment.

Before you get settled in for your show, check out spots like the nearby Keswick Tavern, West Ave Grill, and more for delicious food and drinks.

Keswick Theatre

Ardmore Music Hall

Act II Playhouse Ambler

Act II Playhouse is the place to be to catch an outstanding theatrical performance in Ambler.

Home to Barrymore Award-winning live theatrical productions, Act II showcases top tier family, comedy and drama shows as well as original productions.

Before your show, take a stroll down Ambler’s bustling Main Street where you’re sure to find an amazing meal. With options like The Lucky Well, Gypsy Blu, and more, there’s no shortage of amazing restaurants to check out before your next show at Act II!

Act II Playhouse

Steel River Playhouse

Pottstown

Steel River Playhouse is Pottstown’s best destination for a theatrical night on the town. Each year, Steel River produces over 90 plays, musicals, concerts, recitals, and more, all of which rival Broadway level quality.

Before you head to your seats, stop by any of Pottstown’s amazing restaurants for preshow dinner and drinks; some of our favorites include J.J. Ratigan Brewing Company, The Blue Elephant, and Welcome to the Avenue!

Theatre horizon

Norristown

Theatre Horizon is Norristown’s top destination for all things musical theatre and more. Located in the heart of the Art Hill District, Theatre Horizon is deeply rooted in community, bringing award-winning productions to the stage in Montgomery County. There are dozens of restaurants in Norristown and nearby King of Prussia for you to select before you head to your seats. From Founding Farmers to Five Saints Distilling and everything in between, there’s no shortage of choices that accompany a night out at Theatre Horizon.

Theatre Horizon

Listings

Abington Art Center

515 Meetinghouse Rd

Jenkintown, PA 19046

215.887.4882

abingtonartcenter.org

Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum

4355 County Line Rd Chalfont, PA 18914

215.822.6700

byerschoice.com

Act II Playhouse, Ltd.

56 E. Butler Ave

Ambler, PA 19002

215.654.0200

act2.org

American Treasure Tour @ The Factory in Oaks

One American Treasure Way Oaks, PA 19456

866.970.8687

americantreasuretour.com

Ardmore Music Hall

23 E Lancaster Ave

Ardmore, PA 19003

610.649.8389

ardmoremusichall.com

Chanticleer

786 Church Rd

Wayne, PA 19087

610.687.4163

chanticleergarden.org

Exhibit B Gallery

105 N Main St

Souderton, PA 18964

215.799.0266

exhibitbgallery.com

Grand Theater

252 Main St East Greenville, PA 18041

215.679.4300

thegrandtheater.org

Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust

64 S. Washington St Boyertown, PA 19512

610.367.0200

colebrookdalerailroad.com

Colonial Theatre

227 Bridge St Phoenixville, PA 19460

610.917.1228

thecolonialtheatre.com

Heckler Plains Folklife Society / Lower Salford Historical Society

Morris & Landis Roads

Harleysville, PA 19438

215.538.0853

facebook.com/HecklerPlains.org

Historic Philadelphia Center

150 S. Independence Mall W., Ste 550 Philadelphia, PA 19106

610.326.4014

historicphiladelphia.org

Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College

601 East Main St Collegeville, PA 19426

610.409.3500

ursinus.edu/berman

Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles

85 S. Walnut St

Boyertown, PA 19512

610.367.2090

boyertownmuseum.org

Bryn Athyn Historic District

1005 Cathedral Rd

Bryn Athyn, PA 19009

215.947.2004

bahistoricdistrict.org

Community Music School

775. W. Main St

Trappe, PA 19426

610.489.3676

cmsmusic.org

Historic Trappe

PO Box 26686

Trappe, PA 19426

610.489.7560

historictrappe.org

County Studio Tour

80 Highspire Rd

Downingtown, PA 19335

610.942.9629

countystudiotour.com

Historic Yellow Springs

1685 Art School Road, P.O. Box 62 Chester Springs, PA 19425

610.827.7414

yellowsprings.org

Eastern State

Penitentiary Historic Site

2027 Fairmount Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19130

215.236.3300

easternstate.org

Historical Society of Montgomery County

1654 DeKalb St

Norristown, PA 19401

610.272.0297

hsmcpa.org

Hope Lodge

553 S. Bethlehem Pk Fort Washington, PA 19034

215.646.1595

historichopelodge.org

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Philadelphia

500 W. Germantown Pk

Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

267.245.9696

legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ philadelphia

Independence Seaport Museum

211 S. Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19106

215.413.8655

phillyseaport.org

Independence Visitor Center Corporation

599 Market St One North Independence Mall West Philadelphia, PA 19106

800.537.7676

PHLvisitorcenter.com

James A. Michener Art Museum

138 S. Pine St Doylestown, PA 18901

215.340.9800

michenerartmuseum.org

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

1201 Pawlings Rd

Audubon, PA 19403

610.666.5593

johnjames.audubon.org

Keswick Theatre

291 N. Keswick Ave

Glenside, PA 19038

215.572.7650

keswicktheatre.com

Longwood Gardens

1001 Longwood Rd

Kennett Square, PA 19348

610.388.1000

longwoodgardens.org

Museum of the American Revolution

101 S. Third St

Philadelphia, PA 19106

215.253.6731

amrevmuseum.org

Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund

One E. First Ave, PO Box 437

Malvern, PA 19355

484.320.7173

pbpfinc.org

Manor College

700 Fox Chase Rd. Jenkintown, PA 19046

215.885.2360

manor.edu

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

100 N. 20th St, 5th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

215.988.8800

phsonline.org

Mennonite Heritage Center

565 Yoder Rd Harleysville, PA 19438

215.256.3020

mhep.org

Methacton Community Theater

PO Box 26144

Collegeville, PA 19426

610.489.6449

methactoncommunitytheater.org

Montgomery County Community College

340 DeKalb Pk

Blue Bell, PA 19422

215.641.6505

mc3.edu

Laurel Hill West

225 Belmont Ave

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

610.668.9900

laurelhillphl.com

Movie Tavern-Collegeville

140 Market St

Collegeville, PA 19426

610.831.9500

movietavern.com

Pennypacker Mills

5 Haldeman Rd

Schwenksville, PA 19473

610.287.9349

montgomerycountypa.gov/ PennypackerMills

People’s Light

39 Conestoga Rd

Malvern, PA 19355

610.647.1900

peopleslight.org

Peter Wentz Farmstead

2030 Shearer Rd

Lansdale, PA 19446

610.584.5104

montcopa.org/peterwentzfarmstead

Philadelphia Folksong Society

6156 Ridge Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19128

215.247.1300

pfs.org

KEY:

= Arts + Culture

= Galleries

= Arts on Campus

= Gardens

Playcrafters of Skippack

2011 Store Rd

Skippack, PA 19474

610.584.4005

playcrafters.org

Pottsgrove Manor

100 W. King St

Pottstown, PA 19464

610.326.4014

montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor

Regina Marie Designs Fine Art & Crafts Gallery

4076 Skippack Pk Skippack, PA 19474

484.604.0828

reginamariedesigns.com

Rivet Canteen & Assembly

238 E High St

Pottstown, PA 19464

484.949.8374

visitrivet.com

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

105 Seminary St Pennsburg, PA 18073

215.679.3103

schwenkfelder.org

Scott Arboretum

500 College Ave

Swarthmore, PA 19081

610.328.8025

scottarboretum.org

Skippack Historical Society

1285 Evansburg Rd

Skippack, PA 19474

610.584.1166

skippackhistoricalsociety.org

= Entertainment

= Historical Sites

SoulJoel’s at Sunnybrook

50 Sunnybrook Rd Pottstown, PA 19464

484.300.4681

souljoels.com

Steel River Playhouse

245 E. High St

Pottstown, PA 19464

610.970.1199

steelriver-playhouse.org

St. Sophia Church, Saints

Faith, Hope & Agape

900 S. Trooper Rd Jeffersonville, PA 19403

610.650.8960

saintsophiachurch.org

Taylor Backes Glass

150 S Washington St Boyertown, PA 19512

610.367.4600

taylorbackes.com

The Centre Theater

208 DeKalb St Norristown, PA 19401

610.279.1013

thecentretheater.com

The Stoogeum

904 Sheble Ln Ambler, PA 19002

267.468.0810

stoogeum.com

The Vault

1160 First Ave

King of Prussia, PA 19406

610.354.8118

vfcasino.com/experience/the-vault

= Museums

Theatre Horizon

401 Dekalb St

Norristown, PA 19401

610.283.2230

theatrehorizon.org

Ursinus College

601 East Main St

Collegeville, PA 19426

610.409.3279

ursinus.edu

Valley Forge Casino Resort

1160 First Ave

King of Prussia, PA 19406

610.354.8118

vfcasino.com

Valley Forge National Historical Park

1400 N. Outer Line Dr

King of Prussia, PA 19406

610.783.1099

nps.gov/vafo

Washington Memorial Chapel

Rt 23

Valley Forge, PA 19481

610.783.0120

washingtonmemorialchapel.org

Wharton Esherick Studio

1520 Horse Shoe Trl

Malvern, PA 19355

610.644.5822

whartonesherickmuseum.org

Woodmere Art Museum

9201 Germantown Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19118

215.247.0476

woodmereartmuseum.org

The Venue

1160 First Ave

King of Prussia, PA 19406

610.768.3215

vfcasino.com/experience/the-venue

Woodmont Estate, Father Divine’s Library & Museum

1622 Spring Mill Rd

Gladwyne, PA 19035

610.525.5598

peacemission.info/woodmont