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Upcoming Erie Concerts and Shows:

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)
April 3-5: Sesame Stree Live: Elmo Makes Musice, Warner Theater (tickets)
April 24 & 25: Monster Truck Nationals, Tullio Arena (tickets)
May 4: Spelling Bee, Warner Theatre (tickets)

This Week’s Events

Educators from Erie County can find the cure for their cabin fever at the Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street, on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 4:30-7p.m. Educators from all disciplines and age levels can earn Act 48 credit. “The Cabin Fever Getaway is an opportunity for educators of students in grades K-12 in all disciplines to familiarize themselves with the Erie Art Museum’s tour and educational programs, meet artists, explore exhibits and earn Act 48 credit,” said Kelly Armor, Erie Art Museum education and folk art director. Cost is $10 per person in advance or $12 at the door. Contact Jeff or Stephanie at the Museum, (814) 459-5477 or email Stephanie@erieartmuseum.org.

The McDowell Center for Performing Arts is presenting a free concert to dedicate the opening of their newly restored Little Theatre (3320 Caughey Road). The concert will be held March 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM and will feature the McDowell Jazz Band, Vocal Ensemble, Dance Team, and selections from this season’s productions of The King and I and Annie Get Your Gun. The facility is now a state-of-the-art theatre. A brand new sound system was installed which can operate any production or concert, a new lighting system was installed and can be programmed for any event which moves into the theatre, and most recently the seats were replaced along with new aisle lighting for safety. Other upgrades include new paint, a new stage floor, and improved house lighting.

Shawn Driscoll, a vice president of T Rowe Price Group will discuss the investment management firm’s stock selection process in the Finance Speaker Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Driscoll’s presentation is FREE and open to the public. It will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, March 3, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center on the first floor of the college’s Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). Parking is available in the REDC deck on Technology Drive, off Jordan Road.

The Guelcher Film Series at Mercyhurst College will screen In Bruges on March 4 at 2:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $4 for students, $3 for President’s Card holders and Mercyhurst students are free. This is also available for rental at Blockbuster and Netflix if you can’t make it.

Uncovering the most cost-effective energy improvement projects through the use of energy audits and thermal imaging are two topics the Energy Roundtable will tackle during their next quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive.Registration for the March 5 meeting begins at 8:45 a.m., with the program running from 9 a.m. to noon. The agenda for the meeting includes: Using Energy Audits to Save You Money and The Use of IR Thermal Imaging in Energy Auditing. To register, call 814/456-6299, fax 814/459-6058 or e-mail jmiller@nwirc.org. There is no charge for the event.

On Thursday, March 5 Gannon will hold an informational session to provide more details about the Gannon Stimulus Initiative. The session will begin at 7 p.m. in room 219 of the University’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. Representatives from the University’s offices of Admissions and Financial Aid will be on hand to meet with and answer questions of parents and students. The public is welcome. Last year, Gannon budgeted $24 million for financial aid. The Gannon Stimulus Initiative will bring that total to $26.6 million for the 2009-10 academic year after the additional funds were authorized by the Gannon University Board of Trustees.

Abstract thinking, glasses clinking, free admission, artist demos, live music combine for the first Gallery Night of 2009 on March 6 from 7-10 p.m. Accents By The Bay, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery, Kada Gallery, Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse, Schuster Gallery at Gannon University, Urraro Gallery and the galleries at the Erie Art Museum will host Gallery Night. Always a popular way to get around Gallery Night, EMTA’s Bayliner will be providing free 1 hour shuttle transportation from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Trolley maps and schedules are available at each gallery or by calling the Erie Art Museum at 814-459-5477.

Erie Promotions & Expos, Inc. is proud to announce the return of the greatest Sport & Travel Expo to ever appear in Erie, PA. The ERIE SPORT & TRAVEL EXPO will be held at the new Bayfront Convention Center from March 6th – 8th. The state of the art building will be filled with attractions, exhibits, displays, and interactive games. Fun and educational for all ages. Here is a coupon for a dollar off admission.

There will be a book and media sale on Friday, March 6, from 3:00 – 8:00 and Saturday, March 7, from 8:00 – 3:00 at Mercyhurst Prep School, 538 E. Grandview Blvd. Donations of books, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, and children’s board/computer games are needed. Donations can be taken directly to the main office of MPS or can be picked up by calling 572-4669. For further information, call Marisa Moks-Unger at 459-4042. Books and media offered at great prices. A bake sale will also be featured both days. All proceeds of the sale will benefit the Performing Arts Department of Mercyhurst Prep.

March Events

The kick off the re-election campaign for Lynn Case Craker, Millcreek Tax Collector, will be held at the Ringside Restaurant, 32nd and Sterrettania Rd on March 8, 2009. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. along with a basket raffle. Cost is $10 per person. For more information, call Lynn at (814) 873-6607 or (814) 838-8666 or email.

A Pride Picnic Meeting will be held on March 8 at Panera’s Yorktown, 2501 W 12th St, Erie, PA 16505 at 2 PM. We will be meeting to discuss planning for the 17th Annual Erie Pride Picnic, which will be held on Sunday, June 13 from 1 to 6 PM at the Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park, Erie PA Contact: Michael Mahler. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Email: info@eriegaynews.com.

Erie for Change Meeting will hold a meeting on March 12 at Matthew’s Trattoria. They plan to discuss economic and other forms of development in the Erie area. We look forward to seeing you and creating a plan of action for change in Erie County! Thank you for your anticipated participation… For more info, contact Lisa at lmastark@yahoo.com or call Matthew’s at (814) 459-6458.

On Thursday, March 12, 2009 from 6 – 8 p.m., celebrate the Birthday of Girl Scouting by re-connecting with your inner Girl Scout! Enjoy Girl Scout Cookies and Thin Mintinis, while sharing your sweetest Girl Scout memories. Bring your friends – and make s’more! Featuring complementary appetizers and soft drinks, plus cash bar (for guests 21 or over). Hosted by the Girl Scout Alumnae Association; this event is designed for adult Girl Scout Alumnae and other friends of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania. Location: Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge. Cost: free

Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra will hold its next concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 20 at First United Methodist Church, 707 Sassafras St. The concert will feature as soloist Bruce R. Gingrich (organist). Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra is conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 814-871-7755.

Think you have what it takes to sing the National Anthem at a Double-A baseball game? Well here is your chance. The Erie SeaWolves announce today their National Anthem tryouts will be held Saturday, March 21 at the Erie Playhouse. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and tryouts begin at 12 p.m. Those interested in auditioning will perform the National Anthem for a panel of judges. Auditions must be performed a capella. For more information about the National Anthem tryouts, please contact Carol Trumbo at (814) 456-1300 or via email at ctrumbo@seawolves.com.

Gannon University’s Schuster Gallery will host its next exhibit, “The Woman Artist,” from March 27 through May 27, with an Artist Reception scheduled for April 24. The exhibit will feature the works of women locally and regionally. Schuster Gallery is located on the third floor of the University’s Nash Library, 619 Sassafras St., and is open during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Free and open to the public. For more information on the exhibit, contact Gannon’s Schuster Program for the Arts at 814-871-5467.

Gannon University on Saturday, March 28 will host its annual International Night celebration. International Night includes a dinner buffet, beginning at 6 p.m., with foods representative of different countries. Cultural performances and entertainment will begin at 7:30 p.m. The event will be held in Gannon University’s Hammermill Center, Peach Street and South Park Row. Tickets are priced as follows: children 10 and under, free; students with ID and children ages 11-18, $5; military and senior citizens, $10; all others, $15. For more information on the event, contact the Gannon University International Student Office at 814-871-7030.

On March 31, the Renaissance City Women’s Choir: Lesbians Creating Change Through The Power Of Music (Edinboro University, Alexander Music Center Recital Hall, Edinboro, PA) 8 PM. Free and Open to the Public Sponsored by the EUP Women’s History Month Committee and the EUP President’s Commission on the Status of Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgender People, and Allies Reception to follow the event – open to the public. This is the closing event of Women’s History Month at Edinboro University!

The 3rd Annual Corporate Spelling Bee to support WQLN Education and Books for Kids will take place March 31st at Junior’s Last Laugh Comedy Club. Come watch as local business folks attempt to spell words from the children’s National Spelling word list! Teams will compete for the trophy and, of course, the awards for most spirit and best costumes. Join us for a night of “grown up” fun including refreshments, live jazz music, auctions, and much more! Individual admission tickets can be purchased for just $10 each. Tickets can be purchased through Jr’s by calling 814-461-0911.

April Events

April 8 is opening day for the Erie SeaWolves with a 6:30 p.m. game against the Altoona Curve at Jerry Uht Park.

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.

Environmentalist, activist and attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will speak on “Our Environmental Destiny” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 in Ford Chapel at Allegheny College. Kennedy will discuss the role that our natural surroundings play in our work, our health and our identity as Americans. Using examples gathered from relevant art, history, litigation and literature, he will remind listeners of their responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.

The Erie Micro Brew Festival presented by WQLN and the Brewerie at Union Station will be held Saturday, April 18 at the Brewerie at Union Station in Erie, PA. This year’s fest features 25 craft brewers and a new event called the Sweet Treats Fair – a malty good time full of gourmet ice cream and soda for all the designated drivers. Two sampling sessions – 1-4 pm and 5-8 pm. Tickets are available now at The Brewerie at Union Station, The Beer and Pop Discount Warehouse, and online.

Spring-for-SIDS is a national event sponsored by the American SIDS Institute to raise awareness about SIDS and to raise funds for SIDS research. We started Team Grady’s Grace to support the Institute. This year, Spring for SIDS Day is set for Friday, April 24th. Grady’s Grace will be holding it’s second annual benefit dinner on that date. A Chicken-n-Biscuit Dinner will be held from 4-7 pm at the Spartansburg Fire Hall, in Spartansburg, PA. Adult meals will cost $6.50 and children eat for $3.25. We will be holding a Chinese auction and other raffles. We are currently accepting donations for the auction. Some items that have been offered are candles, notecards, themed gift baskets, gift certificates, hand-sewn girls’ dresses, cash prizes, and many other items. We also have artwork from Kevin-John Jobczynski’s collection. If you are not familiar with his work, please visit www.kevin-john.com to check it out. He’s a very talented artist and we are very fortunate to have him supporting Team Grady’s Grace. Please visit http://www.gradysgrace.com for more information.

May Events

The “Lake Erie $1,000,000.00 Hole-In-One Golf Challenge” will take place at the Millcreek Community Golf Course from May 28 to 31, 2009. Golfers will take shots to be within a small circle on the qualifying days and those who qualify will shoot for a million dollars on the final day.  For more information email Jeremy Hewitt or call (814) 825-7105.