NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
28 March 2003

MAY 8 ROLLER SKATING PARTY TO BENEFIT FREE RESERVOIR PARK CONCERTS

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that a youth roller skating party will be held on May 8 at the Star Recreation Center, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and will benefit the extensive schedule of free summer concerts slated for this summer at the newly renamed and restored Levitt Performing Arts Pavilion in Reservoir Park. Each $10 ticket includes transportation to and from the roller rink from select city school buildings, admission to the rink, skate rental, pizza and soda, prizes and giveaways.

The Mayor said the Levitt Performing Arts Pavilion Summer Concert Series is made possible by a partnership with the Mortimer Levitt Foundation of Harrisburg and the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The Series was created by the city and noted national philanthropist Mortimer Levitt, of New York City, who generously donated $250,000 for the rehabilitation of the historic Reservoir Park bandshell, as well as matching funds for the production of the concert series.

Mayor Reed noted that improvements to the newly named Levitt Pavilion have included the construction of an access ramp for the handi-able, installation of state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, and the replacement of the old macadamed seating area and benches with a sloping lawn area served by a newly-installed underground irrigation system.

Levitt Pavilion Advisory Committee member Refiyqa Muhammed comments, “The concerts this summer are for everybody, and the roller skating party is a way to get youth involved and help give them ownership.”

Mayor Reed said the inaugural Levitt Concert Series will begin on Wednesday, June 4, 2003, and continue each Wednesday through Saturday evening through August. The free nightly performances will range from ‘Rock to Bach’ and will join such more traditional Reservoir Park events as the Shakespeare In The Park theatrical series, the popular African Family Festival, Jazz Under the Stars and the newer Latin Festival, for the premier season. Reed said the “Levitt Performing Arts Pavilion is a magnificent addition to the city’s growing list of quality arts and cultural attractions. Nearby is the National Civil War Museum, the Harrisburg Doll Museum, and such other attractions as the State Capitol Complex and Museum, City Island, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, the PA National Fire Museum, the Susquehanna Art Museum, Restaurant Row and much, much more.

“Plan now to bring your blanket or lawn chair to Reservoir Park this summer for a diverse, free offering of top-quality concerts and performances.”

Contributions to the Mortimer Levitt Foundation of Harrisburg are tax-deductible pursuant to current IRS regulations and may be mailed to: Levitt Foundation, P.O. Box 5435, Harrisburg, PA 17110. For more information about the Youth Roller Skating Party, the Levitt Performing Arts Concert Series, or the Mortimer Levitt Foundation of Harrisburg, please call the Foundation Office at 717.233.3608, or email to levittpavilion@cityofhbg.com.

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