Under the baobab: Arts and culture showcased in Happy Valley fall events

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month. It ends on Oct. 15.

A multigenerational and multi-ethnic gathering of over 1,000 people transformed Fraser Street and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza last weekend into the 4th annual Happy Valley Latin Festival, a one-day music and arts festival. It brought together Latin music, dance and art and crafts vendors showcasing the vibrance and diversity of the Latinx/Hispanic culture in central Pennsylvania.

Elsewhere recently, the Indigenous Peoples Student Association welcomed a dozen or so friends, allies and members to Abba Java for a homemade fry bread/Indian taco meal and gathering. The IPSA is under the direction of president Kayla Cwalina, VP Tim Benally, secretary Adriana Peterson, treasurer/interim president Layla Seneca. Tracy Peterson and Hollie Kulago are advisors.

On Sept. 14, Constitution Day Centre celebrated with a “Making Our Voices Heard” roundtable at the Nittany American Legion Post 245. James Hynes, Nalini Krishnankutty, Jim Leous and Pastor Craig Rose were moderators. Elaine Meder-Wilgus, owner of Websters Bookstore and Café, was presented the Madison Award for Civility in the Community.

Penn State’s School of Theatre, guided by interim director Prof. Akila Kikora Franklin, held a sold-out sneak preview celebration at the Playhouse. We saw scenes from upcoming plays in the 2024-25 season: “John Proctor is the Villain ,” directed by Steve Broadnax; “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” directed by Zack Steele; “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” directed and choreographed by Christopher Campbell; “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” adapted by Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers, directed and choreographed by Christine O’Grady; “Alice in Wonderland,” adapted and directed by Jenny Lamb; “Much Ado About Nothing,” directed by Steve Snyder; and “A Christmas Carol,” adapted and directed by Rick Lombardo and co-directed by David Kersnar.

SOT also presented “New Musicals for a Generation,” a celebration of 10 years of new musicals under the artistic direction of John Simpkins, the musical direction of Connor Crotzer Scartascini, and choreographed by Natalie Malotke, Johnny Fenton and Maddie Palmer. The cast featured Katie Abt, Olivia Allen, Maddie Palmer, Ethan Peterson, Kaycee Lark, Lav Raman, and Ronnie Spoto. For the last decade, the musical theater program has commissioned writers to meet, share work and discuss important issues with third year students. The writers then create an original musical utilizing the talents and experience of those young artists.

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, under the artistic direction of Sita Frederick, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Eisenhower Auditorium with a Move Mix Festival. The building was transformed into multiple magical venues, utilizing the loading dock, the patio, the lobby and the conference room. The event included The Chicago Kid and other local and visiting artists such as: Shades of Blue, Nittany Ballet, Making State, Hops and Vines, Raw Aesthetic Movements, The Extra-Ordinary Capvara, Liv and the Juveniles, PSU Grad Percussion Quartet, Kathak Dance Collective, Ambitions Performance Company, None of the Above, Aneaus Smith Dance, Black Cat Belly Dance with Shannon Bishop, La Musica de Echa, Tommy Willis, Chelsea Tye, Keira Gail, Livi Hepler, and Virginia Kay.

And the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm hosted over 1,000 guests at its annual Harvest Fest. Folks were able to sample foods made with seasonal vegetables from local chefs and caterers, including Taproot Kitchen, the Village at Penn State, State College Area High School, Paul’s Provisions and the Penn State Housing and Food Services chefs. Other activities included making sun prints, planting succulents, a petting zoo and opportunities to learn about the educational experiences on the farm.

The pandemic forced us into an unwanted quarantine. Half asleep and fearful of contamination we walked alone in dread. Now sisters and brothers, joy has come in the morning. We are gathering together again as neighbors, as community, as extended family. Smiling, let us continue to meet and embrace. It may not be easy. The election is six weeks away.

Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.