Miller Minutes
I was fortunate enough to meet many of you last weekend after the performances of “The Star Spangled Girl,” and let me tell you, nothing brought me more joy. It was wonderful to shake your hands and see how much you appreciate this column and the Butler arts community.
I didn’t intend this installment of Miller Minutes to be about the readers, but it was so moving to hear firsthand how you look forward to seeing it every week that I couldn’t help myself. I have to say thank you.
This column started two years ago because some of us at the Butler Eagle wanted to keep people in the know about our thriving arts community. For such a small town, it’s incredible we have a handful of theaters, a symphony, several performance choirs and renowned bands, and a bunch of art galleries. We weren’t sure how it would evolve. I was even hesitant to put my thoughts on the page, but many of you said that is your favorite part about it.
I hope this short little shoutout made you feel appreciated. Miller Minutes is nothing without you reading it, truly.
Anyway, I hope you’ll take a glance at what is going on this weekend. There are a lot of happenings!
Thursday
See a hilarious performance of Neil Simon’s “The Star Spangled Girl” starting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Butler Little Theatre, 1 Howard St. Shows start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, too. For tickets, visit butlerlittletheatre.com.
Friday
Support Zelienople Area Public Library by purchasing a hoagie at its fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the Walgreens parking lot, 234 S. Main St.
The Butler Art Center and Gallery’s Art of the Draw fundraiser is themed “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and is open for anyone to attend from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Each donation entitles you to a piece of artwork! Tickets are $50 and are available online or at 344 S. Main St. the day of the event. For more information, visit butlerartcenterandgallery.org.
Several local haunts, including The Haunt at the Beacon Hotel in Penn Township and Zombies of the Corn in Freedom, have opened for the spooky season! For more information about how to get your scare on, visit their websites: gotothebeacon.com/haunt and zombiesofthecorn.com.
Saturday
Slippery Rock’s VillageFest lasts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday on the borough’s Main Street. The large-scale marketplace will offer food, craft vendors, music, children’s activities and more. Visit the event Facebook page for more details.
McConnells Mill Heritage Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, offering two full days of food, music, vendors, and a chance to experience the mill and a Civil War encampment. The event is free and takes place in the Kildoo Picnic Area of the park, 1761 McConnells Mill Road, Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County. For more information, visit dcnr.pa.gov.
The Tuff Tornado obstacle course run is back, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday in Alameda Park, 184 Alameda Park Road, Butler Township. This run will be held rain or shine and includes a maze, mud pit, tension bridge and food trucks at the finish line. To register, visit goldentornadoscholasticfoundation.org/tuff-tornado.
The Butler Fall Festival will take over Main Street from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Taste local food, shop local vendors and artisans, and participate in some fall fun! For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Hear hits from Billy Joel, The Beatles, and other famous artists at the Cranberry Men's Chorus concert at 7 p.m. Friday at North Catholic High School, 1617 Route 228, Cranberry Township. For more information, visit the group’s website, cranberrymenschorus.com.
Come on out to the Hobnob Theatre Company studio, 134 S. Main St., Butler. Purchase tickets at hobnobtheatre.com/events.
Sunday
Support South Butler Community Library by attending Booktoberfest at 4 p.m. Sunday at Winfield Township hall, 194 Brose Road, Winfield Township. Tickets are $40 a person and $75 a couple and include a German dinner, a drink and more. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
Next week
See local punk rock band Subarctic Beach Party perform live in the courtyard of Butler Area Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., at 6:30 p.m. Monday. This concert is free to enjoy!
Purchase tickets for the Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s next concert “Video Games at the Symphony,” which takes place Oct. 5. Presale tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children or students on butlersymphony.org. The performance is held in the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium, 551 Fairground Hill Road, Butler Township.
If you want to submit an event for Miller Minutes, email the information to news@butlereagle.com.
Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.
