On a steamy Thursday summer evening, tucked tidily into the Reading Public Museum's Neag Planetarium, a small audience looks on, eagerly anticipating the merger of two seemingly counter-opposing arts: jazz and opera. The Bear, is a jazz operetta written by Vicki Haller Graff, director of the Reading Theatre Project, and composed by Reading jazz saxophonist Chris Heslop. The narrative combines themes of family, secrecy, betrayal, and forgiveness in a dramatic reimagining of t

Sometimes location is everything. Picture the cross between a circus house and a deco bar. A large cylindrical animal cage sits on empty...

As a follower of Christ, I believe there is a call to shed light upon the world (Mat 5.14). It is our burden to look forward and upward—to act with innovative mindfulness whilst seeking wisdom from the antiquity of our textual history. Christ challenges us to set aside our pre-dispositions—to imagine a world through His Divinely inspired Grace, that we may answer His call to peace (John 20:21). By deepening our contextual understanding of the Gospel, we are answering Christ’s

On June 22nd, in the oppressive triple-digit heat, the sound of cackling engines and squealing tires can be heard from Reading’s “Hill of Mt. Penn”. The source of the “maddened motoring” is the first of two yearly hill climb races. Underway, despite the weekend’s hellish heatwave. One by one, racers tackle the historical twists and turns leading to Reading’s iconic Pagoda.  As I watch from the wooded side-line of turn 2— drivers expertly piloting their cars through the corner

Swing Dancing — often a far-off echo, indefinitely stamped in a vaguely specific image of Americana . I can almost imagine young adoring women all donning 40s circle dresses, tossing their pristine victory rolls. The scene runs in the back of my mind on 80mm, garbed in velvet theatre décor, like some modern radio ad. But brace yourself. The narrative is far more complex, and luckily, Hollywood has only whitewashed a fraction of the picture.   In venues across the globe, accom

A dim porcelain sign hangs unsuspectedly, flickering above a quiet alleyway. A warm glow emits from the title: "Mike's Tavern," casting its welcoming light upon the entrance; beneath, friendly words are exchanged amongst the lingering perfume of cigarettes and cigars. As folks cross the threshold, the door swings open with a resounding creak, revealing a multitude of patrons. Ears lean in close, intent on catching the weaving stories as they snake across the room. Mike's is a

Dove-tailing from the last installation of the 2Rogues Media Group story, we are thrilled to announce our sponsorship of the Columbus...

In this age of corporate climbing and professional networking it has become all too easy to lose touch of the 'You' in your life. Whether...

The world of design is like a vast desert, harsh and arid— a devourer of civilizations. Huge metropolises envelop the occasional oasis,...

There is magical quality you get from improvised music..." he tells me off air.

Picture yourself on the second floor of a forgotten pub overlooking a main strip dotted with busy shops and eateries. Far above the daily...

Thanks to WXAC 91.3 FM local radio station of Albright College, Reading PA, I will be hosting the show 13th. St. Jazz from 6pm-8pm ET. ...