Weis Center for the Performing Arts Blog
Bringing the performing arts to Central Pennsylvania for more than 35 years
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Performance Review: Heloisa Fernandes Quartet
A Night of Harmony: Heloísa Fernandes and Her Quartet Enchant the Audience As the first notes filled the room, a hush fell over the audience. Each musician—pianist Heloísa Fernandes, flutist Toninho Carrasqueira, double bassist Sidiel Vieira, and percussionist Ari Colares—had a mastery over their instrument that was undeniable. But what made the performance truly extraordinary was how they played together. Each had their own distinct voice, yet they moved in perfect synchrony, seamlessly weaving their sounds into a single, mesmerizing melody. It was breathtaking to…
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Grammy Nominated Jazz Drummer Comes to the Weis Center
The Weis Center will welcome Grammy nominated drummer Nate Smith on Friday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. Joining Nate will be Tim Lefebvre on bass and Jason Lindner on piano/keys. The performance is sponsored, in part, by ViaMedia and Karl Voss and Chanin Wendling and family. For nearly two decades, Nate Smith has been a key piece in reinvigorating the international music scene with his visceral, instinctive, and deep-rooted style of drumming. He holds a diverse and ample résumé…
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Performance Review: Pablo Gimenez Spanish Ensemble
A Night to Remember: The Pablo Gimenez Spanish Ensemble at Bucknell On the evening of January 31st, the Weis Center at Bucknell University was transformed into a sanctuary of passion, rhythm, and cultural celebration as the Pablo Gimenez Spanish Ensemble took the stage. But the journey to that magical moment began much earlier, as the lobby of the Weis Center became alive with the sound of anticipation and the stir of excitement. As patrons arrived, the air was filled with the soft hum of conversation,…
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Valentine’s Day Bluegrass at the Weis Center
The Weis Center will welcome bluegrass ensemble Henhouse Prowlers on Friday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. The performance is sponsored, in part, by The News Item. Founded two decades ago, this Chicago-bred quartet finds itself at the intersection of performance, diplomacy and education. Onstage, the group’s performances give audiences a sense of how much they love what they do. In recordings — including 2023’s Lead and Iron — the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate…
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Brazilian Pianist Comes to the Weis Center with New Repertoire Inspired by the Amazon: Special Rate for High School Spanish Students
The Weis Center will welcome Heloísa Fernandes Quartet on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. Pianist and composer Heloísa Fernandes returns to the U.S. for her first visit since recording her acclaimed piano solo album, Faces, in 2015 in Chicago. She brings her new quartet with a newly composed program – Sonho das águas (Dream of the Waters) – and will conclude her visit with solo performances and a return to PianoForte Studio in Chicago to record a new…
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CANCELLED DUE TO ARTIST ILLNESS: Grammy Nominated A Cappella Ensemble Mixes Jazz, Gospel and Pop into Sublime, Cohesive Sound
**The performance by Kings Return, originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Weis Center, has been CANCELLED due to artist illness. We apologize for any inconvenience — we are as disappointed as you are! We are hopeful that the performance will be rescheduled at a later time. Ticket holders will be contacted directly.** The Weis Center will welcome a cappella quartet Kings Return on Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. Dynamic and soothing four-piece vocal group Kings Return…
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Flamenco World Music and Dance Featured at the Weis Center: Special Rate for HS Spanish Students
The Weis Center’s spring season kicks off with Pablo Giménez Spanish Ensemble on Friday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Concert Hall. Pablo Giménez is a flamenco and classical guitarist who performs as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles and as an accompanist for flamenco dance and song. He is also the artistic director and guitarist of the Pablo Giménez Spanish Ensemble and the Corazon de Granada flamenco company. Giménez holds degrees in classical and flamenco guitar from the Conservatory of Granada…
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Weis Center Spring 2025 Performances Announced
The spring 2025 season at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts includes ten professional performances – including world music, classical, bluegrass music, ballet dance, and jazz. Tickets are on sale now (ticketing info follows). The season kicks off with flamenco and classical guitarist Pablo Gimenez and his Ensemble on Friday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. Pablo is the artistic director of the Pablo Giménez Spanish Ensemble and the Corazon de Granada flamenco company. Gospel quartet Kings Return will perform on Saturday, February 8 at…
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Zakir Hussain: In Memoriam (1951-2024)
The Weis Center is deeply saddened by the loss of Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, who passed away on Sunday, December 15 at the age of 73. A former guest of the Weis Center, Zakir’s gentle spirit graced our stage a number of years ago and he was slated to appear again in April 2025. His passion for world music was palpable and his generosity with our patrons will never be forgotten. We send our condolences to Zakir’s family and all who mourn this…
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Delta Blues Comes to Weis Center, Last Performance of the Fall Season
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome Tab Benoit with Jesse Dayton on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. Tab Benoit is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist who has built a remarkable 30-plus-year career on the foundation of his gritty and soulful Delta-swamp blues. He’s acquired a devoted legion of fans along the way as well as five Blues Music Awards, including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year (twice) and an induction into The Louisiana Music Hall of…
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