Under the baobab: Summer festivals, events energize summer in Happy Valley

“Oh, summer has clothed the earth

In a cloak from the loom of the sun!

And a mantle, too, of the skies’ soft blue,

And a belt where the rivers run.” -Paul Lawrence Dunbar

It’s that time. The flowers have bloomed and are headed to seed. Despite the heat, my tomatoes are showing signs of survival. Migrated birds have returned, nested and their fledglings are learning to fly. It is the mid-point of Major League Baseball and, sadly, for my Sox the season is over. Sparks fly in the WNBA when Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese tangle, and of course there’s Arts Fest.

The 58th Annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of The Arts was held under the direction of board of directors president Carolyn Donaldson and executive director Pamela Etters. Over 300 artists, performers and thousands of visitors participated. The event kicked off on Wednesday with Children and Youth Day. On the closing weekend, the featured performer, 8 Ohms Band, was scheduled to rock the crowd in the Festival Shell. This year, for the first time, no wristbands were required for performances.

For the 30th year, the People’s Choice Festival celebrated Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts in its new digs at the Grange Park. Organized by the committee — Cindy Rockey, John and Amy Madison, Chase Millan, Don Rockey, Chris Kepler, Rick Sydner and Diana Stapleford — the festival highlights artists and performers from Pennsylvania.

Elsewhere this weekend, Tempest Studios did a 90-minute version of “Hamlet” adapted and directed by Cynthia Mazzant featuring Hilary Appelman, Elizabeth Baptista, Drew Pirrone-Brusse, Jessica Karp, Evan Marcinkevage, Cynthia Mazzant, Elaine Meder-Wilgus, Mary Rose Valentine, Laura Waldhier and Michael Waldhier.

State College Community Theatre presented “Footloose” at the renovated Boal Barn Theatre, featuring Quinn Dougherty, Will Barksdale, Hannah Smith, Bethanne Fetzer, Meghan Leger, Eddie Dixon, Meghan McMullan, Dillan Brown, Sophie H.M., Dina Constantinides, Lindsey Byers, Jared Kehler, Abby Fleming, Addyson Faussette, Whitney McMullen, Michelle McMullen, Lance Wilkinson, Charlotte Getson, Sarah Laia, Clare Robson, Grace Dible, Joy Robertson, Ella Van Velsor, Audrey Shaner and Naliya Robinson.

Philipsburg celebrated its Heritage Days. The Bellefonte Art Museum presented “Entwined Worlds,” which artistically examined the relationship between people and insects. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church sponsored a poetry reading and an open mic. The new and fabulous Palmer Museum of Art continued its opening exhibitions: “Made in PA.” The Arts Alliance is holding a members show at the Kish Bank on Allen Street until July 29. The HUB-Robeson Gallery is exhibiting through Aug. 11, “In The Negative,” the works of Juliana Cerqueira, a New York City based Brazilian artist. The State Theatre presented The Felice Brothers last Wednesday and DJ Timmy Tatts & Gingerman on Friday. There was a screening of the cartoons of Max Fleischer on Saturday.

On Thursday President Biden gave an hour-long press conference. It was originally scheduled for 20 minutes. He didn’t use a teleprompter. He didn’t have advanced warning about questions. He spontaneously answered questions about foreign and domestic policy, his health and whatever else the reporters asked. You go, Joe. Us old guys still got some moxie. The earth may be clothed in summer but we are not in the ground, yet.

Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He was the 2022 Lion’s Paw Awardee and Living Legend honoree of the National Black Theatre Festival. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.