Four Corners Summer Festival

Experience the “four corners” of the arts: Dance, music, art and theater, this summer, at the Four Corners Festival. The festival has free events running every Friday from July 8 – 29 at 7:30 p.m., on the shores of the Swan Pond. In addition to new performances and exhibits, this year features the first area Shakespeare production to use “open captioning” performances for the hearing impaired.

“This festival was made to offer a variety of fine and performing arts for people to experience,” said Victor Capecce, director of the Four Corners Festival. “Each year brings new performances and we are eager to see the public’s reactions and involvement with the arts at every event.”

Scheduled events include:

Friday, July 1 – The People’s Shakespeare Project presents Camp Will for middle school students. Students will participate in a three-week camp for acting, concluding with a final abridged performance of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” The performance will be held at 2 p.m. in Rafters Theatre, and at 7 p.m. at Millersville University Lancaster, with open captioning.

Friday, July 8-31 – “Exploring Traditions” art exhibition is located in Dutcher Hall, second floor, Studio Theatre and is open Tuesday-Thursday from 12-4 p.m., Friday’s show at 10 a.m. The exhibit runs through the entire month of July.

Friday, July 8 – Jazz Ministers Big Band. Experience the full sound of Big Band Music from 18 talented, dedicated, professional musicians, well-known in the region for their rousing concerts, under the direction of Dr. Keith Wiley. One performance only. Rain location: Grace United Methodist Church, Millersville.

Friday, July 15 – Four Corners Festival Musical Theatre will feature members of the Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC), Opera Lancaster and Popovsky Performing Arts Studio and Millersville’s All Campus Musical Organization performing musical numbers from the Grandeur of Opera to Broadway Pizzazz. The second performance will be indoors Saturday, July 16 at Millersville University Lancaster for $5 a ticket.

Friday-Sunday, July 22-24 and 31 – The People’s Shakespeare Project presents the comedy “Twelfth Night,” continuing the tradition of presenting the glories of Shakespeare to an outdoor venue accessible to the entire community of families eager to share the experience, under the direction of Laura Howell. Open Captioning will be used Sunday, July 24 at the Swan Pond; non-captioned performances are July 22 and 23, at the Swan Pond. The final performance will be indoors Sunday July 31 at Millersville University Lancaster at 7:30 p.m. for $5 a ticket.

Friday, July 29 – Cobalt Dance Company features Lancaster County’s best-known collection of both established and young, upcoming choreographers and performers bringing their artistry under the stars for a mix of dancing styles for every passion. A second performance will be indoors, Saturday, July 30 at Millersville University Lancaster at 7:30 p.m. for $5 a ticket.

“I love having people get involved and realize how much they enjoy each ‘corner’ of the arts. People may not know how much they like Shakespeare or Big Band music until they hear and see what the Festival has to offer,” said Capecce. “It’s so fantastic to have the community share new arts experiences. In this area, we are blessed with an incredible variety of talented musicians, actors, dancers and fine artists of all media. Thanks to the support of Millersville University, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and local businesses, we offer these opportunities for families to share. It’s great to see the full spectrum of audience members: From toddlers to grandparents, sharing their picnics by the Swan Pond before the shows!”

Outdoor performances are free admission. Tickets for the indoor performances can be purchased at the door or in advance at Millersville University Lancaster and at the SMC Box Office or by calling the Ticket Office at 717-872-3811.

For more information about the Four Corners Summer Festival, visit Millersville’s Four Corners  Festival website, or contact Capecce at Victor.Capecce@millersville.edu or  717-872-3128.