At Manny’s Live Performance Space, something magical is about to happen. From October 4–9, Manny’s will celebrate the two-year anniversary of Secret Planet with a week-long series of concerts that bring the heartbeats of the world to our little corner of Central Pennsylvania.
It’s called Secret Planet Anniversary Week — and it’s more than just a lineup of concerts. It’s a celebration of connection, culture, and the way music opens us to each other. From Haiti to Bosnia, Argentina to Estonia, this is your invitation to experience the sounds, stories, and soul of the world right in downtown State College.
“This is what makes Manny’s special,” says owner and founder Corey Elbin. “We’ve become a kind of gateway to the world. These artists play stages in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and they’re also here, sharing their stories and rhythms with State College.”
Secret Planet Anniversary Week Lineup
• Oct. 4 – Rasin Okan (Haiti): Revolutionary rhythms rooted in Vodou ceremonial music
• Oct. 6 – Damir Imamović (Bosnia): A modern master of sevdah, blending soul and tradition
• Oct. 8 – Rumbo Tumba (Argentina): One-man orchestra of handmade instruments and live-looping soundscapes
• Oct. 9 – Puuluup (Estonia): Hypnotic hiiu kandle duets, fresh from the Eurovision 2024 finals
Each night promises something unexpected. Yet all are bound by the same force: the joy of live music shared face to face, right here in Happy Valley.
Why This Anniversary Matters
In just two years, Secret Planet has evolved from a 3 Dots Downtown experiment into one of Central Pennsylvania’s most culturally ambitious concert series. At its heart stands Manny’s, the independent venue that reimagined a long-vacant downtown space into something deeply intentional and powerfully alive.
“This is not a bar,” Elbin explains. “It’s a listening room. A gathering space. A portal.”
Occupying the former Saloon at 101 Hiester Street, Manny’s turns its so-called flaws — like not having a liquor license — into strengths. It’s all-ages, inclusive, and radically welcoming. Parents bring their children. Artists stay after the show. The experience isn’t just memorable, it’s emotional.
“What kept this space empty was the lack of alcohol sales,” Elbin shares. “But we flipped that on its head. That very thing became our superpower. It’s what makes people feel safe, present, and connected.”
A Venue with a Mission, Not Just a Stage
Elbin’s roots in DIY music scenes and his years working at Denver’s Mercury Café under mentor Marilyn Megenity shape everything about Manny’s model. With help from incubators like 3 Dots Downtown and collaborators across the region, he’s created a venue that puts art, community, and storytelling at the center of every decision.
Manny’s regularly hosts acts fresh from Brooklyn, Montreal, Washington D.C., and even the Kennedy Center, drawing visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Canada. Artists say it’s one of the most memorable stops on their tour. Locals describe the experience as life-affirming, healing, and on the same wavelength.
“This is my WHY,” Elbin says. “This is my life. It’s about having a fierce relationship to intention and action and then letting the universe do its thing.”
Event Details
Secret Planet Anniversary Week
October 4–9, 2025
Manny’s Live Performance Space, 101 Hiester Street, State College, PA
Tickets: https://dice.fm/venue/mannys-nvv85?lng=en-US
For a full calendar of events, please visit: https://www.mannysstatecollege.com/calendar
Come for the music. Stay for humanity. Leave changed.
