The Connect Crew | March 18, 2026
Happy Valley doesn’t have a shortage of things to do. It has a shortage of ways to be in two places at once. It’s a good problem to have!
Whether you’re into live music, theatre, the outdoors, or sporting events, there’s plenty to get out for this week.
🎵 Live Music
On Thursday, the Nittany Valley Symphony takes the stage at Eisenhower Auditorium for America at 250, a program timed to the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial.
Kick off the weekend at the State Theatre on Friday night with Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute that brings all the energy and iconic sound of the band to the stage.
On Saturday evening, head to Pine Grove Hall for Crooner & Co Swing Band, a fun change of pace that’s equal parts concert and dance night.
Also This Week
Happy Valley also has several national acts in town this week including Colin Jost, Brandon Lake, and Malcolm Todd at the BJC and Better Than Ezra at The State Theatre.
🎭 Stage & Studio
Tonight at Blue Brick Theatre, the Free Improv 101 Sampler at 7:00 PM is a no-commitment way to see what improv comedy is all about before signing up for a class.
The Soul Selects: Tea with Emily Dickinson opens on Thursday at Tempest Studios with what promises to be one of the more unique theatrical experiences in the valley this season. The show invites you to have tea and scones with Emily Dickinson herself alongside her sister Lavinia and her close friend Susan Gilbert, while enjoying lively conversation.
Also at the Palmer on Thursday, Creative Studio: Circles in Sound & Motion runs from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. You’ll use clay to build art designed for movement, sound, or adornment, whether a windchime, necklace, or something entirely your own.
🌿 Outdoors & Community
On Friday evening, Community Campfire at Rhoneymeade via Centred Outdoors is a simple, grounding way to end the week outdoors.
Then on Saturday at 2:00 PM, head to Boal City Brewing for the Rooted Farmstead 3rd Annual Community Seed Exchange & Local Grower Q&A, a great event for gardeners and anyone interested in local food systems. Bring seeds to swap, ask questions of local growers, and enjoy the company of people who care about where their food comes from.
👨👩👧 Family & Kids
On Saturday, Pinkalicious Screening and Family Fairy Garden Workshop starts at 10:00 AM at WPSU Studios and pairs a film with a hands-on activity.
Also on Saturday, Penn State’s Vertical Flight Society hosts STEM Rotor Day 2026, a free community event featuring hands-on demos of RC quadcopters, wind tunnels, flight simulators, and more, designed to spark interest in aerospace and engineering for kids of all ages.
💙 Penn State Sports
Photos: gopsusports.com
It’s a big week for Nittany Lion athletics. On Friday at 7:30 PM, Penn State Women’s Ice Hockey faces Wisconsin at Pegula Ice Arena in NCAA Frozen Four action. Penn State Softball opens its Big Ten home schedule with a series against Wisconsin on Friday. Men’s Lacrosse hosts Maryland on Saturday and Women’s Lacrosse takes on Michigan on Sunday. And on Sunday at 3:00 PM, Men’s Gymnastics hosts Ohio State at Rec Hall. Visit Penn State Athletics for more schedules and details.
Don’t miss the latest Connecting the Dots video, here.
🔭 Looking Ahead
Next Wednesday, it’s Crafts and Cocktails at Discovery Place and The Rivet.
There’s a lot going on this week. Get out there and enjoy it. For a full list of everything happening, check out the CHV events calendar.
