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Upcoming Erie Concerts and Shows:

Feb. 3: Harlem Globetrotters (tickets)
Feb. 13: The Temptations, Warner Theatre (tickets)
Feb. 19: Jerry Seinfeld, Warner Theatre (tickets)
Feb. 22: Rain (Beatles Cover Band), Warner Theatre (tickets)
March 7: Motley Crue w/ Hinder, Last Vegas, Theory of a Deadman, Tullio Arena (tickets)
March 22: New Kids on the Block, Tullio Arena (tickets on sale 1/24)
March 29: Comedian Lewis Black, Warner Theatre (tickets)

This Week’s Events

The Shiloh Baptist Church Choir, under the direction of Frederick Dixon, will perform a concert in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m., in St. Mary’s Chapel at Mercyhurst North East, 16 West Division Street, North East. A reception will follow. The concert is free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.

The drum and bugle corps, Lake Erie Thunder, will hold its first rehearsal on Sunday, January 25th at East High School from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brass players and percussionists are invited to attend. Camp fee is $15. Click here for more information.

After an unprecedented number of donors at a September blood drive at Gannon, the Gannon Community will have another opportunity to make a donation to the Community Blood Bank. Gannon and the Blood Bank will host a drive from 11 am to 5 pm on Tuesday, Jan 27 and from 9 am to 1 pm on Wednesday, Jan 28. The drive will be held in the lobby of the Hammermill Center both days. No appointment is needed; donors may walk in. Those wishing to donate should note the following: A photo ID is required at the time of donation; Donors should be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health; No tattoos or piercings from a tattoo parlor in the last 12 months. Eating a “good” meal before donating is encouraged. The Blood Bank is also offering incentives for the Gannon Community. Each day, one lucky donor will win a pair of lift tickets to Peek’n Peak, and everyone who tries to donate automatically will be entered to win a 42-inch plasma HD television through a promotion with Fox 66 and yourerie.com for National Blood Donor Month. The contest is open to all donors the month of January; however, a Gannon student won a similar contest when a television was given away last year. For more information, contact the Community Blood Bank at (814) 456-4206. All information is confidential.

Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies Vika Gardner, who teaches Islamic studies at Allegheny College, will present a series of free public lectures on Islam in the coming months. All of the lectures will be held in Room 105A of the Oddfellows Building. The series will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27. “Islamic Prophets: Moses, Jesus, Muhammad” will explore Islam’s view of the earlier prophets who are important to Judaism and Christianity as well as Islam, showing how they are also revered in the Qur’an. The lecture will be followed by time for questions, as well as for more informal discussion over coffee, tea and snacks in the Oddfellows Building foyer.

Mayor Joe Sinnott will address the direction of the City of Erie, during a legislative luncheon with area business and community executives at noon Wednesday, January 28, at the Manufacturer and Business Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. All media are invited to attend. Mayor Sinnott will highlight his administration’s accomplishments, as well as the state of the Erie economy. Following his presentation, the mayor will take part in a question-and -answer session. Cost is $30 for members; $60 for nonmembers; and includes lunch.

Rince Na Tiarna School of Irish Dance presents Annual Pub Night at Molly Brannigans on Thursday, January 29, 2009 5 – 9 p.m. Local Celebrity Bartenders donate their tips to benefit RNT School. Baskets to be raffled throughout the evening. Chance to win one of five $100.00 cash prizes. Irish dance performances from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Irish dance, music & fun!

Asteria, winner of Early Music America’s first Unicorn Prize for Medieval and Renaissance Music, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, January 29. The performance begins at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building and is free and open to the public.

Cats is an award-winning musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Eliot. Since opening in London in 1981, the show has been performed around the world in numerous productions and has been translated into more than 20 languages. The show opens at the Erie PlayHouse and runs through February 15.

There will be a new sail training class for anyone looking to become a volunteer on Brig Niagara for the upcoming season. There is no cost for this class. The orientation will take place on January 31st, 2009 here at the museum at 0830. The sail training sessions will begin February 7 and continue until April 18th. We will meet from 0830 until 1230 every other Saturday. If you are interested let me know. If you know anyone who might be interested please let them know. I can be contacted at wisabatini@state.pa.us, 814-452-2744 ext 210,

Saturday, January 31 from 6 – 8 p.m. is the Erie Bluffs Night Hike. Those interested in attending should meet at Tom Ridge Environmental Center at 5:30 p.m. before proceeding to the Erie Bluffs for a guided tour. For more information call (814) 833-7424 or email.

February Events

The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 2009 “Spinning the Globe” World Tour to Erie on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 with their basketball wizardry, hilarious antics and fan interaction. Tickets start at $16.00.

Pennsylvania Senior Deputy Attorney General Darrel Vandeveld, J.D., of Erie, who resigned his appointment as a U.S. military prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay over ethical concerns last fall, will bring his unique perspective to Mercyhurst College on Tuesday, Feb. 3, during a panel discussion on “The Intersection of Traditional Notions of Justice and International Prosecutions in the Age of Terrorism.” The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. in Mercy Heritage Room of Sullivan Hall.

At 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, Preacher Moss will lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the Yehl Room of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. The lecture is sponsored by Gannon’s Activities Programming Board.

The Advertising Federation of Northwest Pennsylvania (AFNWPA) is hosting national face reading expert and author Mac Fulfer, and his workshop “Amazing Face Reading: A Breakthrough in Communication” from 4:30 to 7 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Erie Art Museum, 411 State St. During the workshop, Mr. Fulfer will teach participants a new way to see people without labeling or judging them using face reading as a means of better understanding a person’s strengths and weaknesses. He will also show attendees how to immediately read anger, stress, deception, confusion and wariness on another person’s face. Fulfer guarantees that by the end of the session, participants will never look at another person the same way again. Registration for the AFNWPA “Amazing Face Reading” workshop is now open. Interested individuals may register online at afnwpa.org or call (814) 451-8677. The cost is $20 for AFNWPA members; $30 for non-members. A reception featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will follow the presentation.

The Erie RV, Camping & Powersport Spectacular will be held at the Bayfront Convention Center Thurs., Feb. 5 – Sun., Feb. 8, 2009 Thurs & Fri 12:00pm-9:00pm; Sat. 10:00am-8:00pm; Sun. 10:00am-5:00pm. Tickets: $3.00. For more information, please call (814) 725-3856.

The Erie Art Museum’s Kids as Curators exhibit will open on February 6 and run through March 22, 2009 in the Annex Gallery. An exhibit of objects from kids’ collections, curated by kids for kids. This year we feature work of Harding Elementary, General McLane High School, and Walnut Creek Middle School. Sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences.

Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra will hold its monthly concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, in the University’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 520 Peach St. This performance will be the “Guess the Composer Concert.” Free and open to the public. Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra is conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. For more information, call 814-871-7755.

Best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and accomplished ultramarathoner Danny Dreyer will speak on “Developing a Consistent Personal Wellness Program: The Five Mindful Steps to Lifelong Health and Energy” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6 in Ford Chapel at Allegheny College.

There will be a cooking class at the Boothby Inn on Saturday, February 7 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. B&B host Gloria Knox will show you her secrets of good breakfasts and brunches. Space is limited and costs $50 per person. For more information call (814) 456-1888.

Saturday, February 7 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. there will be a guided ski tour of the Erie Bluffs. You will see animal tracks, winter landscapes and much more. If there is not sufficient snow, a hike of the same subject will still take place. No fee but you must register by February 1 and bring your own equipment. Meet at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at 10 a.m. to carpool or meet at the Erie Bluffs parking lot at 10:30 a.m. For more information call (814) 833-7424.

Bean Day is a fundraiser for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Attendees are invited to bring a bean-based entry to be judged and shared. Event will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009. Still to be determined is the time and location (tentatively 3 – 8 p.m. at the Ss. Peter and Paul social center, 34th and Wallace).

Old Man Winter has once again fallen upon the Erie region, which means it’s time for seasonal traditions such as snowmen, sled rides, hot cocoa by the fire and of course the annual yep! Ski Trip! Please join YEP! on Saturday, February 7th for a day full of skiing, food, and fun. To register and for additional information email Andrew Lincoln.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, Gannon will host a showing of the movie “Trouble the Water.” The showing will be held in room 104 of the Zurn Science Center, 143 West 7th St., and is co-sponsored by Gannon’s Center for Social Concerns, Office of Service-Learning, Activities Programming Board, International Student Office, and the Departments of Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice.

Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre’s next show, “The Trachinae,” a fiery Greek tragedy, will be shown Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Feb. 12-14, and Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Feb. 19-22. All Thursday-Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Gannon’s Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras Street. Ticket prices for the general public are $5. For more information, contact the Theatre at 814-871-7493 or 814-871-7720.

If you’re looking for something different to do in celebration of Valentine’s day, you should consider the Erie Planetarium’s Valentines Dinner Under the Stars. There will be two shows with dinner from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on February 12 & 13. For more information call (814) 454-1813, ext. 0.

Spend the evening with The Temptations live in concert & spend the night at the new Sheraton Bayfront Hotel! Your package includes: 2 tickets to see the legendary Motown group The Temptations, an overnight stay at the brand new Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel that overlooks beautiful Presque Isle bay, 2 complimentary beverages at the Warner Theatre & shuttle service between the hotel and Warner from 7:00pm-11:00pm. It’s a sweet deal for only $169.00!!. To order the hotel package, please call the Sheraton Hotel at (814) 454-2005 and ask for The Temptations Valentine’s Day package.

The Erie Philharmonic presents The Piano Man – A Tribute to Billy Joel on February 14, at 8 p.m. For more information call (814) 455-1375 or visit the website.

The SeaWolves are looking for enthusiastic, outgoing individuals of ALL ages to join their team. The ‘Wolves will be hosting their second annual Job Expo on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Erie Civic Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. We are filling positions for our “Wolf Pack” promotional team, ushers, concession stands, mascots and other exciting game day jobs. The job expo will be located in the Civic Center suites and interested parties can enter at entrance B near the southeast corner of the arena. Perspective game day employees will fill out applications and interview for positions on the spot. For more information about the 2009 Erie SeaWolves Job Expo, contact (814) 456-1300 or visit www.seawolves.com.

Erie Gay Business Alliance will meet on February 18 at Matthew’s Trattoria, 153 E 13th St at 7 PM. Local activist Doris Cipolla will be speaking about marriage equality and other issues relevant to the GLBT community to the Erie Gay Business Alliance, which is for GLBT professionals and business people and their supporters. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Email: egba-owner@eriegaynews.com. Sign up for the email list at http://lists.eriegaynews.com

Gannon University will host a Financial Aid Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The workshop is free and open to the public and will be held in room 1200 of the University’s Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach St. The informational session is designed to help high school students and their parents better navigate the sometimes complex financial aid process. It will include an overview of the entire financial aid process, including a step-by-step review of the questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also will cover definitions of terms parents and students should know, the various aid programs available, and tips on how to apply and the application process. For more information, call 814-871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U, or visit http://www.gannon.edu/admiss/undergrad/finaid/workshops.asp.

The 11th annual MECA Bar Stool Open will be held on Saturday February 21, 2009 in downtown Erie, PA. Entry fee is $100 per team of 4 golfers, $25 per person. Must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Click here to for the registration form.

Erie’s favorite event is right around the corner. The 18th Annual Erie Trivia Night Challenge will be held on Thursday, February 26 at the Avalon Hotel, 16 West Tenth Street, Erie. The event will benefit children in the Achievement Center’s Physical Rehabilitation programs. Participants in the event will be treated to an evening of lavish raffles, a silent auction; dinner fit for a king, and of course, the coveted Achiever’s Title. “Captain Dan” Geary will be returning as our master of ceremonies. “Captain Dan” will be navigating participants through three rounds of rip-roaring, mind-teasing Erie trivia questions to arrive at the infamous, “final question.” Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. with the trivia to start at 7 p.m. Cost is $50 per person or $400 per table of eight. Dinner and game play included. For more information, call Susan A. Smith at 814-459-2755, Ext. 1115.

February 27 will be the Erie Art Museum’s Nouveau, a party serioes for 20-40 somethings. African safari theme features African textiles, drumming circle, tie dye workshop, donation bar…and a dose of new. Sponsored by PNC Bank, Erie Times News, Bob FM, Molly Brannigans, Bud American Ale

April Events

The 2009 Erie Microbrew Festival will be held April 18, 2009 at the Brewerie in the Union Station. There will be two sessions: 1 – 4:00 p.m., and 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets will be $25 in advance and $30 at the door.