The improving weather has us tuning up, eager to join the chorus of spring. If you're in The Pursuit of a melodious weekend, you can certainly "score" with our recommendations.
The Jenkintown Music Theatre, an esteemed troupe that has been around since 1945, brings the music, humor, dancing, spectacle and unforgettable characters of Hello, Dolly! to the stage of the Kuykendall Theatre. The hijinks open this weekend, April 4-6, and continue next weekend. Dolly is the tuneful adaptation of Thorton Wilder's comic play The Matchmaker, centering around a conniving widow and her meddling in the business and love affairs of those around her. The score ranges from big Broadway numbers (the title tune) to more quiet reflections ("It Only Takes a Moment").
The open road is much more navigable with a map, whether you're driving or hiking. Sharpening those skills - the following of mapped directions - is the point of orienteering, which you can learn at the presentation on Saturday, April 5, at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. Join the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association to learn about orienteering. The morning starts off with instructions in basic orienteering, followed by the fun of trying it for yourself.
On Saturday, April 5, Pennypacker Mills is holding a Spring Basket-Making Workshop. They'll teach you all the ins and outs of weaving ribbons, flowers, bangles and beads into a wonderful wicker widget. All materials and instructions are provided, and if you bring a bag lunch, you can make a day of it.
The following day, Sunday, April 6, you can hand that basket to your young'un and fill it at the Eco Egg-Hunt at Norristown Farm Park. This isn't a typical Easter hunt; the plastic eggs that the kids will be finding have been stuffed with ecologically themed clues before being scattered throughout the woods and fields. Once they put all their collected information together, they should know exactly where a trove of treasure awaits them.
It may not be singable, but the melody of this Tchaikovsky piece is certainly recognizable (in the 1950s, it was used as part of an ad campaign for a puffed wheat cereal commercial). The War of 1812 is the subject of the April 6 presentation by the Historical Society of Montgomery County. Gene Pisacale, speaker for the Delaware Humanities Forum, will discuss the importance of this conflict and its lasting effects on the U.S. as a nation, not the least of which is the birth of our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.
The 1944 Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film Holiday Inn gave us a number of memorable songs, including "Easter Parade." If you're humming down the highways this weekend and want to pull over for a restful stop, consider one of the many hotel recommendations (including Holiday Inn) on our website. While you're out and about, remember that April 7 is National Beer Day. The handcrafted options at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery include India Pale Ale, Kölsch, Red Ale and Specialty Dark. Grab a stool, watch a game and have the barkeep pull you a long, cool one.
