The following events are planned for the week ahead throughout the region:
• King of Prussia’s live outdoor music series Concerts Under the Stars returns to Upper Merion Township Building Park for its 38th season starting Friday at 7 p.m. with the Pink Floyd/Talking Heads/Phish tribute band Pink Talking Fish. The summer-long series will include live music for all ages, a beer garden featuring local craft brews and cocktails, and local food trucks. The concert field is general admission, with blankets and chairs allowed in designated areas: low beach chairs in the front, tall camping chairs in the back. Tickets cost $22 for ages 13 and older; free for ages 12 and younger. For more information, see concertsunderthestarskop.com.
• The Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading, presents comedian Jay Leno on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Beginning his stand-up career while in college, Leno moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s and wrote for television. He became a guest host of “The Tonight Show” in 1987 and took over as permanent host after Johnny Carson retired in 1992. Leno stepped down to launch a prime-time show in 2009 but soon returned to “The Tonight Show” for another four years. The comedian has hosted the TV show “Jay Leno’s Garage” since 2015. Tickets start at $49 at santander-arena.com.
• Theatre Horizon, Norristown, is staging “The Elephant in the Room,” a one woman show by Priyanka Shetty, from Friday through Sunday. When Priyanka makes the bold move to defy her family by quitting her IT job and moving to the U.S. to pursue an acting career, things don’t quite turn out how she imagined. Watch Priyanka’s real-life story unfold as she transitions from her deeply embedded roots in India to find context and common ground in America. Shetty stars, under the direction of Suli Holum. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For tickets and more information, see theatrehorizon.org/eitr.
• The Dogwood Festival and Parade continues daily through Saturday at Reeves Park, Phoenixville. Thursday’s entertainment is the Dave Matthews tribute band Smooth Riders at 6 p.m. and the Rolling Stones tribute act Brown Sugar at 8 p.m. On Friday, Daniel Rodriguez takes the stage at 6, followed by Quick Chills at 7, Kuf Knotts and Christine Elise at 8 and Anthony C at 9. On Saturday, the Dogwood Parade begins at 1 p.m. at Smithworks Boulevard and turns onto Main Street. After the parade, Latin Dance Group performs in the park at 3 p.m., followed by Bingo hosted by Aunt Mary Pat at 4, The Holts at 6 and Vinyl Roots at 8. For more information, see phoenixvilledogwoodfestival.org.
• The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College presents the tribute band Best of the Eagles on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Candlelight Concerts featuring the best of the Beatles on Friday at 6:30 p.m. followed by a tribute to Coldplay at 8:30 p.m. Best of the Eagles features band members who mirror their counterparts in the Eagles instrumentally and vocally. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity. The Candlelight Concerts will feature music by the Listeso String Quartet. For tickets and more information, see millercenter.racc.edu.
• Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party comes to Santander Arena, Reading, from Friday through Sunday. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party brings fans’ favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks to life, including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Demo Derby, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster and introducing the brand new HW 5-Alarm, the firetruck hero of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks. The Glow Party production features a laser light show, spectacular theatrical effects, dance parties and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. Fans can also witness a special appearance from a transforming robot, plus the high-flyers of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Freestyle Motocross Team. For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.
• The Roxborough Spring Fest will be held Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. on Ridge Avenue from Lyceum to Leverington. The street festival features music, food, craft beer and over 50 local crafters and organizations. For more information, see roxboroughpa.com.
• The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, presents comedian Jordan Klepper’s Suffering Fools Tour on Saturday. The 8 p.m. show is sold out, so a 3 p.m. show has been added. Tickets start at $29.50. Klepper is perhaps best known for his work with “The Daily Show” and his multiple Emmy-nominated specials focusing on the political world. From covering the gun safety debate to his docuseries on the world of activism, Klepper has witnessed an insurrection, capsized a boat with pipeline protestors, interviewed a president and been arrested and locked up in Fulton County Jail. He also travels the globe with his segment “Fingers The Pulse” which has racked up hundreds of millions of views. For more information, see thecolonialtheatre.com.
• West Chester Porchfest, a family-friendly event featuring free musical performances on porches and lawns, will be held Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. The event takes place in the Southwest quadrant of the borough from Church Street to Bradford Avenue and Miner to Dean streets. The festival is organized by the West Chester Green Team, which offers environmental education tables informing the public about Dark Skies and Living Landscapes and information booths focusing on pollinator gardens and native plants. In addition, there will be food trucks and children’s activities. In the event of severe weather, the rain date is Sunday. For the schedule of performers and more information, see westchesterporchfest.com.
• Edgewood Historic Cemetery, 989 E. High St., Pottstown, will host “Women of Edgewood” living history tours on Saturday, with costumed re-enactors and interpreters sharing fascinating stories about some of Edgewood’s very influential women residents, dating back to the 1700s. Featured women will include Anna Maria Schoener (1753-1813), interpreted by Stacey Michaud, who will reveal the story of Schoener’s three husbands, the first of whom was hanged for treason. Guests will learn about Katherine Keim Sheppard (1891-1960), portrayed by Jacque Steinman. Shepperd worked as an educator in the early 1900s when teachers had to abide by a range of surprising restrictions. Also featured will be Dr. Alice Keim Sheppard (1898-1972), reenacted by Tammy Vontor. Dr. Sheppard was Pottstown’s first woman doctor, who was featured in the then-popular Look Magazine. Tours start at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and children at https://givebutter.com/edgewood-historic-cemetery.
• The annual Chester County Studio Tour is returning for its 14th year on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing 202 artists in 76 studios. The tour provides emerging and professional artists with a platform to exhibit their work and their creative spaces. Some of the featured artists are just starting to share their work, while others are pursuing art as a second career, or creating purely for joy. These artists represent a diverse range of backgrounds and styles. For some, this tour is their sole opportunity to connect with the public, while others showcase their work in galleries or travel the country for art fairs and exhibits. Visitors are offered an opportunity to delve into artists’ creative processes in a casual, impactful way that transcends normal gallery interaction. Studios will exhibit painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clay, glass, paper and fiber. All artists will be present to interact with buyers and attendees. The tour is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Participants are encouraged to design their own self-guided tour at countystudiotour.com.
• Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County presents its 3rd Saturday Program, a screening of the film “From the River,” on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the White Horse Tavern, Douglassville. The film features scenes from the Historic Preservation Trust’s very own Morlatton Village. Scenes were filmed in the 1765 White Horse Tavern with costumed volunteers from the Trust organization. “From the River” is a 35-minute sprint through 350 years of Berks County history. Released by Schott Productions in 2023, the film examines the triumphs and tragedies of the region’s history through the stories of the men and women who made it happen. Suggested donation is $2. For more information, see historicpreservationtrust.org.
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, near Kempton, will host its annual Spring Native Plant Sale on Saturday and Sunday outside the Visitor Center, featuring almost 100 species of native trees, grasses, ferns, shrubs and flowering plants. The sale is open to the public 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, and all proceeds benefit Hawk Mountain’s conservation and education programs. Garden volunteers will be available to help visitors with plant selection and care. For those interested in learning more, Hawk Mountain’s bookstore offers a selection of native plant gardening books year-round. The sale also presents visitors with a chance to explore the Sanctuary’s trails and scenic overlooks, and attend the free Raptors Up Close! program, hosted every weekend through Memorial Day in the Amphitheater. Additionally on Saturday, visitors can stay late to learn all about The Secret World of Bats and witness a release of rehabilitated bats back into the wild. For more information, see hawkmountain.org/events.
• The Chester River Festival will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Subaru Park Plaza. The festival is a day to celebrate the Chester community along the Delaware River. There will be food trucks, fun family activities, music, local community groups, environmental education, giveaways and more. For details, see delawareriverfest.org/chester.
• The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks hosts the Philly Non Sports Card Show on Saturday and Sunday and the Feline Frenzy Cat Expo on Sunday. The Philly Non-Sports Card Show, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, features every type of trading card other than sports: comics, movies, television, history, Garbage Pail Kids and much more. Collectors will receive free promotional cards with paid admission to the show. Leading trading card dealers from around the country will display cards for sale and several trading card manufacturers will show off their upcoming releases. Three artists will be on-hand: Kevin Graham (Star Wars and more!), Joe Simko (Garbage Pail Kids and others) and James Warhola (Nephew of Andy Warhol). Admission is $12 per day or $20 for a two-day pass. The cat expo runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and will have cats available for adoption and cat-related merchandise for purchase. A donation of $10 is requested. For more information, see phillyexpocenter.com.
• The fourth annual Spring Gulch Jubilee will be held Friday through Sunday at Spring Gulch Resort Campground, New Holland. The event include music, workshops, sing-along campfires, dancing and crafts, all set in a camp resort voted among the 10 best in the nation. This is a family-friendly festival where you can relax in the scenic Amish country surroundings. Scheduled to perform are the Stu Huggens Band on Friday at 7 p.m. and the Jess Zimmerman Band and Saturday at 7 p.m. For more information and reservations, see springgulch.com.
