Chip Mock grew up in Johnstown, Pa., admiring and drawing funny likenesses from an early age, inspired by artists John Johns, Norman Rockwell, Mort Drucker, and Al Hirshfield. While studying at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Chip attended workshops taught by John Johns, where he honed his skill for drawing caricatures at festivals and events....
Join the award-winning Tussey Mountain Moonshiners for their very special brand of bluegrass and Americana, featuring Stephen Buckalew on fiddle and mandolin, Stephen Crawford on guitar, Ken Shafranko on dobro, Bill Stetz on bass, and Gwen Stimely on banjo. Playing original music mixed in with cool covers, their performance will also include the unofficial theme...
The Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop (CPDW), a non-profit educational institution located in downtown State College since 1969, will present a narrated performance. Dances will include selections from "Our Amazing Planet," new works created specifically for the Arts Festival, and excerpts of story dances presented by CPDW's Children's Ensemble at the Theatre & Dance Festival. The...
Wanderlost is a piano rock quartet from western Pennsylvania formed in 2022. They are known for their jazz/funk-inspired horn lines, tight vocal harmonies, and infectious grooves. Their setlist consists of energetic originals and piano-forward covers, including modern pop, 90’s alternative, and classic rock. Wanderlost has been performing together since 2022, playing at festivals and venues...
Granma Ben is an acoustic-ish Americana quartet from State College, PA that plays Americana originals and pasture raised, free range, grass fed covers. The merry band members are Chris Gallagher, Sean Hershey, Doug Irwin & Steve Treado.
Low brass players are the unsung heroes in the band and don’t often get a chance to shine on their own. Below Centre changes all that. Formed in 2006 to play festive music at holiday parties, this unique tuba/euphonium quartet from State College plays pieces from a wide range of genres including classical, traditional, folk,...
Join musicians from the Nittany Valley Symphony as they bring art to life with live music at the Images Exhibition. Featured performance – clarinet music by Brandy Davis.
Caryn Dixon’s journey in country music is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and emotional connection. Hailing from central Pennsylvania, she discovered her passion for songwriting at just seven years old and has grown into an artist deeply committed to sharing honest, lived-in stories that resonate far beyond the song. Caryn has been recognized by Cowgirl Magazine...
Phil Reeder is a Lock Haven based guitarist and vocalist. His repetoire covers a wide array of musical styles and periods. This all acoustic show specializes in Classic Rock, Pop, & The American Songbook, as well as forays into Blues, Country, Folk & Bluegrass.
Enchanted Faeries, Grand Exits often Pursued by Bears, Star-Crossed Lovers, Dueling Siblings, and much more! Join us for these charming vignettes in open-air performances in Downtown State College – you never know where one might pop-up!
Spin 360 in an interactive 360 degree video experience that takes Festival Fun to the next level. Guests step on the platform, we capture the moment, and they walk away with an instant, shareable video! There is a cost for this activity.
J.R. Mangan, guitarist/singer, has been part of the State College music scene since 1984 and has loved every minute of it. Most Saturday nights you can catch the band at Café 210! Veronica Auger is J.R.’s latest vocalist in a long line of talented female singers. JR and Veronica are joined by band members Mark...
Jim Colbert is an award-winning singer songwriter from Bellefonte. Jim has performed across the country, playing venues and festivals from New England to Texas, including Godfrey Daniels, Court House Concerts, The Borderline Folk Club, Lois & Greg’s House Concerts, Hickory Fest, SFMS , Smoked Country Jam, The Boiler Room, the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and...
Big Red & Zoe Makenna are a father & daughter duo. Big Red has been playing music for years, his 14 year old daughter Zoe has been playing locally with him for the past 2 years. They play a wide variety of hits from the 80’s, 90’s & today. Including Adele, Elton John, CCR, Billy Joel,...
Join musicians from the Nittany Valley Symphony as they bring art to life with live music at the Images Exhibition. Featured performance – harp and flute music by Rebecca Richards and Cathy Herrera.
Marshmellow Overcoat is a Classic Rock-inspired band that has created its own unique sound with more than a decade of experience. The band features Tyler Calkins, Dave Verbocy, Alan Hancock and Anthony Cavallaro. Based out of northwest Pennsylvania, Marshmellow Overcoat performs most often in Western PA and NY State. With hundreds of original and cover songs...
PennSOULvanians Duo is Michael Thomas and Chet Denny, members of the Altoona-based ensemble The PennSOULvanians. The duo offers a unique blend of popular covers and acoustic versions of their original material.
Experience the electrified fusion, progressive rock, and jazz of Jeff Gibble, Zeb Crews, and Zach Humphreys. Known for a high-energy, sophisticated sound, the group is led by the guitar work of Jeff Gibble. Their live performances are a vibrant mixture of vocal songs and instrumental tracks, featuring original compositions and an eclectic repertoire of classic...
Longtime State College-based and nationally-regarded saxophonist Rick Hirsch fronts this dynamic jazz quintet. You'll hear them play classic tunes by Horace Silver, Ahmad Jamal, Nat Adderley and Art Blakey, as well as Hirsch’s award-winning originals. Hirsch will be joined by Central PA’s finest, all of whom are highly accomplished musicians: bassist Joshua Davis is Penn...
Anna Pearl — known to most as AP — is a singer-songwriter from the heart of State College, Pennsylvania. She is currently recording her debut album — a bold first chapter that promises soaring vocals, rich storytelling, and hooks that are promised to get stuck in your head. Find her upcoming shows, original music &...
Enchanted Faeries, Grand Exits often Pursued by Bears, Star-Crossed Lovers, Dueling Siblings, and much more! Join us for these charming vignettes in open-air performances in Downtown State College – you never know where one might pop-up!
S/SW Mark DeRose has had the pleasure of opening for national touring artists Rusted Root, Gin Blossoms, Michelle Branch, Edwin McCain, Blues Traveler, The Sugar Hill Gang and Josh Kelley. Also, he performed as part of an NFL halftime show for the Baltimore Ravens and his music has been featured for use on daytime television....
For over twenty years, Hannah Bingman has been writing and performing her folk/blues compositions at venues along the east coast. Bingman has released three studio albums as well as a live album, and various digital singles. In 2006, she won the Susquehanna Folk Music Society Songwriting Contest and in 2011, she was selected as a...
Join acclaimed jazz vocalist Catherine Dupuis and local legend Tommy Wareham for a set filled with warmth and sparkle. Backed by an all-star band—Clay Wulbrecht (piano), Justin Dorsey (bass), and Charlie Heim (drums)—they’ll bring timeless classics from The Great American Songbook to life. Raised in State College, Dupuis has built a celebrated career in New...
Happy Valley Improv is State College's premier long-form improv troupe, bringing the spontaneous art of improvisation to Centre County through live performances, classes, workshops, and community outreach. Founded in early 2017 by four improvisers in a church basement, the group has since grown to over 30 members, each showcasing a diverse range of improv styles...
Poor Man's Gambit is a progressive traditional Irish band based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. Steeped in the arts of Irish cultural music and dance, the trio has been presenting a unique cross section of traditional and contemporary repertoire to audiences both stateside and abroad since 2015. The band draws from Irish folk music's oral tradition...
The Cody Sisters band is the very heart of contemporary acoustic Folk and Bluegrass in Colorado, the United States, and the UK. Their propulsive instrumental solos and warm harmonies combine to grip the listener. Along with bass player Will Pavilonis, sisters Megan (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and Maddie (guitar, banjo, vocals) have forged a new sound...
Join Festival staff and friends as we celebrate 60 years of the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts! Mingle with other Festival lovers, share memories, and snag a cupcake while they last!
Crooner & Co. Swing Band brings to life the excitement of the swing era. Performing the music of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and more, there is sure to be something for everyone. Blending standards and favorites with pop music in the...
Tim Vitullo is a Pittsburgh-based artist, sideman, & session musician. He has released five records, This is the Thing! (2012— produced by Dr. Stephen Hopkins), Josephine & Assorted Train Songs (2015), Running out of Time (2020), LUNR ECCOS (2024), & SOLR UMBRA (2026). 2024 marked Tim’s return to instrumental music after over a decade, putting...
