The Harlem Wizards play against Boyertown teachers, principals and staff
BERKS SPOTLIGHT
The Harlem Wizards Basketball Team will visit the Bear Gym at Boyertown Area Senior High School on Saturday, Jan. 20, for an evening of high-flying fun.
The Wizards will play against the Foundation All-Stars: A team of Boyertown Area School District teachers, principals and staff, sponsored by the Foundation for Boyertown Education.
“With an emphasis on FUN, this fundraising event supports the Foundations teacher grants program, providing innovation in the classroom,” the Foundation for Boyertown Education announced in the release.
The Wizards event will feature a variety of interactive extras. Those in the stands are more than a spectator, they become part of the show, with comedy, slam dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways and more.
“We are so excited to host the Harlem Wizards,” Amy Muzopappa, Executive Director of the Foundation for Boyertown Education, said in the release. “They put on a great show for all ages. We also appreciate the support of our community and the sponsors who will make this event a great success. We guarantee a fun time for everyone.”
The Foundation for Boyertown Education relies on fundraising to continue to advance their programs. In 2023 alone, the Foundation awarded more than $155,000 in innovative teacher grants to benefit students in the Boyertown Area School District. The programs, equipment and projects funded by the Foundation span all levels from pre-K to the high school, according to Muzopappa.
“There is not one student that comes through the Boyertown Area School District that has not been positively affected by the Foundation,” said Muzopappa.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Game starts at 5 p.m. Admission in advance is $12 for students, $12 for the public, $25 for reserved and reading books seating and $45 for Courtside is a pretty smart thing to Plus. Children 3 and do after all. under are admitted free. Tickets for “The Three Courtside Plus ticket holders Little Pigs Opera” are $15 receive first-row seating for adults and $10 for children and meet privately with ages 12 and under. some of the Wizard players To purchase tickets, call before the game for a the Miller Center box office meet-and-greet. Visit www. at 610-607-6270 or harlemwizards.com to purchase visit millercenter.racc.edu/ tickets. three-little-pigs.
Sponsorships for the Exploring unique art game are available. Contact forms, bagpipe enthusiasts Muzopappa for more and curious minds information at amuzopappa@boyertownasd.org. alike can engage in “Honking, Squeezing, and Full of Hot Air: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Bagpipes,” led by Roderick Nevin at the Schumo Theater on Feb. 3.
“Dot & Ziggy: An Interactive Play for Young Audiences” by Linda Hartzel and Mark Perry, with music by Christopher Walker, promises an immersive experience at the Schumo Theater on various dates throughout February, including a special Pajama Night on Feb. 8.
The festival continues its diverse offerings with an Improv Night showcasing the Teen Ensemble and other guest performers on Feb. 9, followed by “Raise Your Voice: A Teen Cabaret” directed by Corinna Sowers-Adler on Feb. 18. Students, ages 10 and up may bring preselected solos and duets to work indepth to cultivate and enhance their acting-thesong skills with Corinna Sowers-Adler and live pianist/accompanist. Public performance will be held to culminate the workshop experience.
For more details and the full festival schedule, visit www.yocuminstitute.org.
Theater
The Yocum Institute for Arts Education, Spring Township, will present its third annual Children’s Theater Festival of Berks County, “Finding Your Voice,” from Feb. 3-18.
This vibrant festival promises three weekends packed with captivating and family-friendly theatrical events, all centered around themes of self-expression, self-discovery and self-empowerment.
The festival kicks off Feb. 3-4 with “The Three Little Pigs: A Children’s Opera” by John Davies at the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College. In addition, there will be a special adults-only event on Feb. 9 and additional shows on Feb 10-11.
All performances will be held at the Miller Center located on Reading Area Community College campus. There are four public performances and multiple school performances during the week. Public performances will be held Feb. 3 at 11 a.m., Feb. 4 at 3 p.m., Feb. 10 at 3 p.m., and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.
An operatic version of the story of “The Three Little Pigs” based on scenes from operas by W. A. Mozart. While brother pigs Don Giovanni and Cherubino set off to make homes of sticks and straw, their sister, Despina, goes to the library to read up on “huff-proof, puff-proof” home construction. After Wolfgang Bigbad blows down the boys’ flimsy homes, they run to their sister’s sturdy new brick house quite ready to admit that going to the library
Lecture
In advance of the next Reading Symphony Orchestra concert on Jan. 27, the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture in cooperation with the Reading Symphony Orchestra League will present a “Know Your Symphony Lecture Series” on Wednesday Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at The Highlands, 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing. The lecturer will be Dr. Johannes Dietrich, professor of music at Lebanon Valley College.