By The Connect Crew | February 4, 2026
Whew!
Are you still tired from last weekend?
After a sports-heavy few days, this week shifts the spotlight to performing and visual arts across Happy Valley. Listening rooms, concert halls, and performance spaces take center stage, offering plenty of chances to slow the pace and lean into something creative or reflective. Sports are still here this week, holding their place at the end.
đ” Music & Performance
This week brings a thoughtfully layered mix of jazz, curated listening experiences, global music, and large-scale performance.
On February 5, We Insist! 2025 featuring Terri Lyne Carrington comes to Eisenhower Auditorium, delivering a powerful and historically rooted jazz performance.
The following evening, Catherine Dupuis: Cole Porter Goes Jazz takes place at Pine Grove Hall.
Penn Stateâs Rhapsody Series: Voices of Southeast Asia on February 8 adds a global dimension to the weekâs offerings, highlighting music traditions and contemporary interpretations from the region.
đŒïž Visual Arts
The visual arts calendar offers thoughtful opportunities to engage with current work and collections.
On February 5, Gallery Talk + Conversations: Recent Acquisitions takes place at the Palmer Museum of Art, offering deeper insight into new additions to the museumâs collection.
Enjoy art and chocolate for a good cause on February 6 at 3 Dots Downtown with Art & Chocolate, a fundraiser for the Clearwater Conservancy.
đ§ Engage, Participate, Converse
If you are looking to participate rather than observe, Salsa and Bachata Dancing with Lessons returns to Mannyâs on February 7.
On February 10, The Joyfull: Cirque Kalabanté Edition takes place at Robb Hall in the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The Joyfull is a free, registration-required evening centered on food, live performance, and conversation. The program features performances by Penn State student step team Dark Storm, with a meal catered by Good Grace African Market of Williamsport.
đ Sports at a Glance
Sports round out the week with Thon Themed Menâs Volleyball vs. Saint Francis February 6 and Menâs Basketball vs. USC on February 8.
Get in on a little competition yourself at the Centre County Cornhole Classic, benefiting Centre Volunteers in Medicine on February 7.
đ Looking Ahead | Save the Date
Wednesday, February 11 brings three events worth marking now.
That evening, Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque comes to Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 pm, featuring high-energy acrobatics and live music inspired by West African traditions.
Crafts and Cocktails takes place from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at The Rivet, offering an adults-only night of hands-on crafting, themed drinks, and after-hours access to Discovery Space.
7pmâUnderstanding AI Session 2: Tools People are Using
| Upstairs Wed, Feb 11 · 7pmA Connect Happy Valley event, hosted by the Nittany AI Alliance of Penn State.This session will be hands-on. Bring your laptops!Understanding AI â Session #2
Get Tickets â
Whether you are easing back after a busy weekend or ready to head out again, this week offers a well-balanced mix of performances, exhibitions, participatory events, and sports. Pick one thing to anchor your week, or sample a few moments across music, visual arts, and community gatherings. However you engage, there is no shortage of ways to reconnect with whatâs happening across Happy Valley.
