Attention all freshman, juniors fresh from branch campuses and current students who no longer want their head in the sand: State College is a pretty artsy town. Of course, football will always be No. 1 on the surface, but to say there's no demand for the performing arts, stand-up comedians, indie films or live music is to say there isn't much of a demand for football tickets.
Whether you're a freshman or just a late-blooming senior, it can be tough to know where to start. Allow the following guide to be the first preliminary steps toward your exploration into the hip and enriching art-filled underbelly of State College.
Bryce Jordan Center
Besides being home to the Penn State men's and women's basketball teams and the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the Bryce Jordan Center can easily adapt to a concert setting or something entirely different (the Professional Bull Riding tour on Sept. 12 and 13 or the Tour of Gymnastics Superstars on Oct. 24).
As far as live entertainment goes, Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing, said the BJC looks to host acts that not only attract State College residents and Penn State students, but residents from all around Central Pennsylvania. That would explain the presence of mass-appeal, mainstream acts like Bob Dylan, Rihanna and the Jonas Brothers.
Popular comedians like Ron White and Sarah Silverman have also joined in on the fun with seating arrangements that are more scaled down to make it less like an arena and more like a well-sized comedy club.
Punt said the BJC also works with the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC) to make the cost of tickets more affordable for students.
"We know that students do still want to see live entertainment but we also realize that these acts are very, very expensive," Punt said. "Thanks to UPAC, we can bring in these tours to our market. ... Students will be able to pay significantly less thanks to UPAC."
The State Theatre
In the mood for something that's more "art house" than "arena?" State College's own non-profit community theatre, The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., is a great place for intimate live performances in any context, be it live music, stand-up comedy or performing arts. According to the State Theatre's Web site, the venue has 571 total seats. There isn't really a bad seat in the house; you can expect any performance to feel personal no matter where you're sitting.
When it comes to booking entertainment at the State Theatre, variety is the key word.
"We try to do a range of genres," Kristy Cyone, marketing director for the State Theatre said. "Also, local talent in every genre. We love to highlight local talent on a small or grand scale. We also try to book, in between all of that, something for everyone."
In September alone, variety will be in full effect. There will be shows featuring reggae, country rock, jazz, blues, folk and a musical as well. Opera and classical music fans will have the chance to view a live simulcast of the Metropolitan Opera as well.
Center for the Performing Arts
It may seem a bit obvious, but anyone who's serious about the performing arts should seek out the Center for the Performing Arts. The Center manages two facilities on-campus: the Eisenhower Auditorium and the Schwab Auditorium.
"The Center for the Performing Arts offers a wide-ranging program of its own presentations," said George Trudeau, director for the Center. "Everything from Broadway, jazz, world music, dance, the classics, chamber music and presentations for families and kids as well."
Students interested in the fine arts (especially Broadway musicals) would be smart to check out the Center's Web site (http://www.cpa.psu.edu) and see the list of events which include Hairspray, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and performances by Wynton Marsalis, Angélique Kidjo and Jimmy Heath.
Lulu's Nightspot
Lulu's Nightspot, 129 1/2 Pugh St., is a bar/nightclub that has been gradually building steam in the live music category, and pretty soon, it may be a permanent staple in the State College music scene. In the past, Lulu's has booked many celebrated indie bands like the Hold Steady, Fiery Furnaces, State Radio, Illinois and the Lemonheads, but Ted Swanson, promoter for Lulu's, is looking to diversify its programming.
"In order to do enough shows to appease everybody, you have to hit all the different genres of music," Swanson said. "This semester we'll be doing metal for the first time, we're doing hard rock. We'll be getting into funk, which we've never done before. And then, of course, we do your straight-forward college rock and indie bands. We try to space it out so there's something for everybody."
Chronic Town / Bar Bleu
While other venues and promoters might look for recognizable talent to appease the public, Jeff Van Fossan, owner of Chronic Town, books only bands that will appeal to music lovers in general.
"I try to book bands that I think are of high-quality, really good bands. They don't necessarily need to have to fill the house," Van Fossan said. "It's worth it to do shows for bands that are going to put on great shows as opposed to a band that draws really well but is mediocre."
Van Fossan books bands for Roustabout! shows which are held at Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St., every Wednesday and occasional all-ages Roustabouts at Chronic Town, 224 W. College Ave. However, this will be the first semester Van Fossan lets outside promoters use Chronic Town as a venue for their events. Because the venue is so versatile, any genre of music could be enjoyed at the venue, Van Fossan said.
"We've got the ability to have mellower shows with people that are sitting down, but because we can move furniture around, we can also have punk shows and hard rock 'n' roll shows with people dancing," he said.
