Spotlight: Miller Center announces lineup of fall shows

The Miller Center for the Performing Arts at Reading Area Community College has announced its fall shows.

? Sept. 14: The Gatlin Brothers bring their historic catalog and spiritual foundation.

? Sept. 24: Marc Cohn has long been recognized as one of the premier singer/songwriters of the past three decades. His iconic song, “Walking in Memphis,” is a sample of this balladeer’s talents.

? Sept. 26: Discover AG is one of the top 10 food podcasts in the nation hosted by two millennial women trailblazing a new conversation around food.

? Oct. 5: Luther Dickinson is often listed among the greatest living guitarists on the planet. Dickinson will appear with the rest of his North Mississippi All-Stars.

? Oct. 19: John Westford is an American illusionist and magician who has dazzled audiences all over the world. Westford has something really big up his sleeve, a trick so large that he needs the Miller Center stage to make it happen.

? Oct. 20: Ailey II, the Next Generation of Dance will perform. Alvin Ailey stands in history as one of the all-time giants in modern dance. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has upheld the founder’s extraordinary performances for decades.

? Oct. 29: Capital Fools will poke fun at both sides of the aisle as we try to laugh through a contentious election cycle.

? Nov. 2: The Carole King & James Taylor Story, a tribute act, will perform two shows.

? Nov. 3: Berks County native Jill Haley is a celebrated oboist and artist who has served as artist in residence at U.S. National Parks for many years. Haley has written and created a wonderful and immersive experience playing her music to the imagery of the majestic national parks.

? Nov. 4: National Geographic Live: From Roots to Canopy will focus on dramatic and incredible visual imagery. Learn about the magnificent wildlife and incredible science happening in the vast, hidden worlds suspended above our heads. It will be hosted by Nalini Nadkarni, a tree canopy ecologist and National Geographic Explorer with over four decades of experience and research behind her.

? Nov. 30: Lightwire Theater presents “A Very Electric Christmas.” Lightwire Theater uses technology, music and colorful lights to tell stories that entertain and regale audiences.

? Dec. 10: Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Salsa Navidad will present an evening of joyous Latin and Salsa stylings to feed your holiday spirit.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to https://millercenter.racc.edu/events.

Movies

The Reading Film Office has announced the schedule for the 10th international ReadingFilmFEST, which will be held Oct. 10-13.

The lineup includes 68 films, including feature-length films, shorts, documentaries, animation, music videos and student projects from diverse corners of the world, including China, England, France, Germany, Iran, Japan, the Republic of the Maldives, Canada and the United States.

“The ReadingFilmFEST is dedicated to celebrating independent films and the creative minds behind them,” said Reading Film Office Executive Director Cammie Harris. “Our festival not only highlights exceptional films but also spotlights the Greater Reading Area as a premier production location.”

The event will feature a variety of activities, including an opening-night gala at the WCR Center for the Arts, StudentFEST, film screenings at Albert & Eunice Boscov Theater at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and R/C Reading Movies 11 & Imax theater, filmmaker panels, an industry guest speaker series, a sing-along with the Berks County Chorus, parties and much more.

For more information about the schedule, tickets and additional festival details, visit readingfilmfest.com.

Fundraiser

Berks Opera Company will be holding a fundraising event Aug. 25 from 2-6 p.m. at the Historic Feeney Mansion in Reading.

In collaboration with Albright College, they will be presenting the classic children’s opera “Hansel & Gretel” on Nov. 22 and 23 at Reading Area Community College’s Miller Center for the Arts. Money raised will go toward production expenses. Free tickets will be offered to children (with an adult ticket) and students with a valid college ID.

The fundraiser will include:

? Specialty wine tastings with sommelier Marc Supsic, @the.wine.rebel on Instagram

? German fare by Judy’s on Cherry

Tenor Aaron Scarberry (Berks Opera Company)

? Preview performances of music from “Hansel & Gretel,” and special guest artist tenor Aaron Scarberry

? Centre Park gardens and grounds to explore at Feeney Historic Mansion

? Last chance to view a selection of costumes from the Gene London Cinema Collection

Come in your costume, anything from fairy tale to fantasy to lederhosen.

Tickets are $75 per person. Reserve at Eventbrite, by email to [email protected] or call 484-752-2462. Register by Thursday.

Arena event

The Tucker Carlson Live Tour, with special guest Alex Jones, will be stopping at the Santander Arena, Reading, on Sept. 23. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.