The weekend is here, and it’s time to say goodbye to The All-American Rathskeller.
After nearly 85 years, the downtown State College bar will have its last call on Saturday, with a day of music and memories (and some special time restrictions to get as many people in as possible).
Elsewhere throughout the area, there’s plenty happening. Tommy Igoe and the Birdland All-Stars bring New York jazz to Eisenhower, singer Lana Del Rey brings her tour to the Jordan Center, rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is at Envy Nightclub and bluesman Ramblin’ Dan Stevens plays Elk Creek Cafe.
Plus, you’ll find more music, opera and ballet, sports and much more.
We’ve compiled a few of the highlights for the next few days and the week ahead.
This isn’t all that’s happening, either. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
FRIDAY
Penn State Wrestling
The Nittany Lion wrestling team brings its program record 40-dual win streak home to Rec Hall as the Nittany Lions face No. 16 Minnesota at 7 p.m.. A limited number of standing room only tickets are available. Call 1-800-NITTANY for information or to purchase tickets.
Tommy Igoe and the Birdland All-Stars
Experience the mood of a landmark jazz club when drummer Tommy Igoe and his big band, in their first tour in five years, recreate the excitement of an evening at Birdland at 7:30 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium. Featuring some of the finest musicians in New York City, The Birdland All-Stars band will perform new arrangements of music by David Bowie, The Police, and Steely Dan, plus fresh treatments of compositions by Charlie Parker, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock. [Tickets]
High School Hoops
State College boys basketball has established itself as one of the best teams in the state and brings its 15-0 record into a 7:30 p.m. home matchup with Cumberland Valley. Penns Valley visits Philipsburg-Osceola, Bellefonte is away at Clearfield and Bald Eagle Area travels to Central. On Saturday, St. Joseph’s hosts Bishop McCort at 1:30 p.m.
In girls’ games, State High travels to Cumberland Valley while Bellefonte hosts Clearfield. Penns Valley welcomes P-O and BEA hosts Central. St. Joseph’s is home against Linden Hall at noon on Saturday.
Our Sense of the Real
In the last installment of Kevin Sims’ multimedia project, six Open Music musicians play an epic score (made in collaboration with composer Scott Wollschleger) to an original silent film, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Attic at The State Theatre.
Lana Del Rey
Critically-acclaimed songstress Lana Del Rey, whose latest album ‘Lust for Life’ debuted at No. 1 in 2017, brings her ‘LA to the Moon’ tour to the Bryce Jordan Center for an 8 p.m. show, with special guest Kali Uchis. [Tickets]
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
Bronx-based rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, one of 10 artists named to the XXL 2017 Freshman Class, will perform at Envy Nightclub as part of its one-year anniversary celebration for a late-night show. Doors open at 9 p.m. Before he takes the stage at the club, however, he’ll be performing at 10 p.m. at Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center, which is free for Penn State students with a current ID.
SATURDAY
The Skeller’s Last Call
After nearly 85 years, Pennsylvania’s oldest continuously-operating bar is closing. Last call for the All-American Rathskeller is Saturday, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. and closing at 2 a.m. on Sunday. Patrons will have restricted time limits to allow as many visitors as possible, with four time slots throughout the day. Velveeta, JR and Sharon, Lowjack, Table Ten and Skoal Bros are scheduled to perform. See the day’s schedule here.
Metropolitan Opera HD
The State Theatre hosts the Metropolitan HD Broadcast Series, this week featuring ‘Tosca.’ Andris Nelsons conducts a new staging of Puccini’s dramatic tragedy, directed by Sir David McVicar. Kristine Opolais and Jonas Kaufmann star as the heroine Tosca and her lover Cavaradossi, with Bryn Terfel as the villainous Scarpia. Jennifer Trost will speak at 11:55 a.m., with the opera beginning at 12:55 p.m.
Home Buying Seminar
Realtor Scot Chambers and a panel of local professionals as host a free seminar on the home buying process in central Pennsylvania at 1:30 p.m. at New Leaf Initiative in the State College Municipal Building. It will include a discussion of the current market conditions, identifying the right Realtor for you, pre-approval and financing, inspections, and the settlement process. There will also be information on the first-time home-buyers programs for State College and Centre County.
Men’s Lacrosse
The Penn State men’s lacrosse team has a preseason No. 12 ranking and hosts Army at 1 p.m. for the Nittany Lions’ final exhibition before getting the regular season started next weekend
Penn State Men’s Basketball
The Nittany Lions return home to the Bryce Jordan Center for a 4 p.m. tipoff against Rutgers.
Nittany Lion Gymnastics
The Penn State men’s and women’s gymnastics teams will both take the floor at Rec Hall for a double dual against Illinois starting at 4 p.m.
Dan Stevens Blues Band
Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, Ramblin’ Dan Stevens performs a mix of traditional blues, early jazz, popular favorites and originals and has entertained audiences throughout the United States and abroad. A protege of the legendary Dave Van Ronk, Stevens is renowned for his authenticity and skill. He and his band perform at 8 p.m. at Elk Creek Cafe & Aleworks in Millheim.
SUNDAY
Taiko Drum Workshop
Featuring a variety of hands-on activities, community members can learn about the art of Japanese drumming in a free Taiko Drum Workshop at 1 p.m. in the Eisenhower Auditorium lobby. No experience necessary and parking is free in the Eisenhower Deck. The one-hour workshop is being held in conjunction with the Yamato: The Drummers of Japan performance of “Chousensha – The Challengers” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Eisenhower.
Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema – Romeo & Juliet
Alexei Ratmansky, former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, stages the company’s premiere of his production with dramatic urgency and a fresh re-telling of Shakespeare’s beloved ‘Romeo & Juliet,’ with an adaptation set to Prokofiev’s romantic and cinematic score. The Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema broadcast begins at 3 p.m. at The State Theatre.
Family Concert: The Story of Babar
The Nittany Valley Symphony presents a program for the entire family featuring a piece for narrator (Helen Manfull) and orchestra, plus young soloist competition winner Ben Deighton on cello. The program features FuÄík’s ‘Entrance of the Gladiators, Op. 68,’ Stravinsky’s ‘Circus Polka’ and Poulenc’s ‘The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant.’ The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Bellefonte Area High School Theatre.
