Miller Minutes
There’s no dancing around it: Everyone is probably tired of hearing about a certain female singer-songwriter performing in Pittsburgh this weekend.
But you’ll have to indulge me, because this week, we’re going to be talking about Taylor Swift.
Everybody knows that the girl with teardrops on her guitar has been making headlines with her stadium tour since March. Droves of fans, or “Swifties,” fought a great war for tickets and survived a glitch in Ticketmaster. The lucky ones have showed up in thousands to her performances across the country.
Those who didn’t score tickets have been able to tolerate it with meetings in parking lots outside the stadiums, singing with other fans.
I imagine there will be an invisible string of economic booms throughout the tour stops, tying back to Miss Swift’s enchanted fans staying in hotels, eating at restaurants and parking in preparation for the events.
For those who don’t understand the fans following Taylor Swift, I’d liken it to Beatlemania in the 1960s, or the girls drooling over Elvis Presley in the 1950s.
Call it what you want, but the headlines about Swift will only continue, as she re-releases her “Speak Now” album in July, and her tour continues until November.
Unless you’re fearless, avoid Pittsburgh at all costs this weekend, but don’t hit the brakes too soon on making plans. In Butler County, any event you attend will be far away from the action.
P.S. Taylor Swift fans will notice 13 lyric references in the above introduction to this column (the references are in italics in case you’re not familiar with them).
Here’s what you can expect in Butler:
Saxonburg’s Mingle on Main is a family-friendly gathering on Main Street lasting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
The Big Butler Parts A Rama will have parts of all kinds. Admission for one day is $10, a weekend pass costs $20. Head to the Big Butler Fair Grounds at 7 a.m. Friday, June 16, for the start of the fun.
Foodie Friday is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 17, at 240 Main St. in Butler. In addition, vendors will be set up for Moon Markets at the corner of Main and Cunningham streets at that time.
See Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s production of “The Play that Goes Wrong” from Fridays through Sundays, June 16 through 18 and 23 through 25. Purchase tickets for $18 at LincolnParkArts.org.
Discovery Christian Church at 170 Scharberry Lane, Mars, is holding its third annual Sensory Friendly Family Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Come eat food and explore the sensory activity zone!
Wine Time at the Colony will feature food, drink, shopping and live music at the Penn’s Colony grounds, 365 Saxonburg Boulevard, Clinton Township, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
From 5 to 8 p.m., visit Mars for the Brew Fest on Saturday, June 17. Tickets can be purchased online for $30 via eventbrite.com, or at the door on Pittsburgh Street for $35. Funds go toward the Mars New Year celebration.
The Historic Mansions of Butler walking tour starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at the northwest corner of North McKean and Howard streets in Butler. Led by Bill May, this tour will last about 90 minutes and cost $15 to participate. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
Tickets for the Sing Hosanna! production of “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition" that will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, and Thursday, June 22, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater are available at singhosanna.ticketleap.com.
Molly Miller is an Eagle staff writer.
