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
23 April 2003

MAYOR ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL SEASON FOR LEVITT PERFORMING ARTS SERIES IN RESTORED RESERVOIR PARK BANDSHELL

Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced the artists’ roster and dates for the inaugural Levitt Pavilion Performing Arts Series, slated for June 4 through August 23 at the restored Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Reservoir Park. The family-oriented, summer-long series of 45 different event dates runs primarily every Wednesday through Saturday evening, and features more than 60 different live performances ranging from children’s entertainment to theater, dance and many different genres of music.

The Mayor said the Levitt Pavilion Performing Arts Series and bandshell restoration have been made possible by a generous $750,000 grant from noted entrepreneur and philanthropist Mortimer Levitt of New York City. Levitt is the former owner of the The Custom Shop retail shirt makers chain and a noted author of motivational books. A significant benefactor of the arts in New York City, he created a similar free concert series in Westport, Connecticut many years ago, and this year and next is launching similar free concert series in several cities around the country.

Reed said Levitt picked Harrisburg as one of the recipients of his generosity after discovering the city’s special events website in late 2001. Believing Harrisburg capable of successfully producing such a significant special event series, Levitt then contacted the Mayor and extended his offer of programming and restoration funding. The Mayor quickly accepted the offer and planning has been underway since, with the city forming the non-profit Mortimer Levitt Foundation to undertake long-term planning, fundraising and administration. The foundation board is comprised of citizens from throughout Harrisburg, and an executive director works full-time on the series and related fundraising events.

“We are delighted to announce this exciting new special event series,” said Mayor Reed, “and our deepest appreciation and gratitude are extended to Mr. Mortimer Levitt. His generosity has enabled us to significantly upgrade the historic bandshell in Reservoir Park, as well as launch an incredibly diverse new series of free live performances.”

The Mayor said Levitt contributions paid for extensive renovations to the historic bandshell in Reservoir Park, including upgrades in electrical and plumbing systems, dressing rooms, accessibility and the installation of semi-permanent sound and lighting systems. The old public seating area of macadam and rustic benches has been replaced with a beautiful, three-tiered sloping lawn that encourages patrons to use lawn chairs and blankets for viewing the performances.

Reed said many of the events that have now become tradition in Reservoir Park will continue as before, including the popular African Family, Latin and Harrisburg Shakespeare Festivals. The Series opens on June 4th with performances by the city’s Black History Showcase youth artists, Gamut Theater and jazz by Tarpley and Sound. The Series will have a one-week hiatus over the July Fourth weekend to accommodate the popular American Musicfest held along the waterfront, and then continues every Wednesday through Saturday evening through August 23. Children’s entertainment will be featured every Wednesday evening.

The Mayor noted that the Levitt Foundation already has several major fundraising events planned, including a May 8th Skating Party at the Star Recreation Center, a July 3 performance by the renowned comedy troupe Capitol Steps and a September 6th performance by the popular 50’s classic band Charlie Thomas’ Drifters, both at the Forum. Tickets for the Capitol Steps and Charlie Thomas’ Drifters performances are available at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling Ticketmaster at 717.260.2000, or via the internet at www.ticketmaster.com.

Contributions to the Mortimer Levitt Foundation of Harrisburg are tax-deductible pursuant to current IRS regulations and may be mailed to: Levitt Foundation, Reservoir Park Mansion, P.O. Box 5435, Harrisburg, PA, 17110. For more information about the Levitt Foundation or to obtain a schedule for the free Levitt Performing Arts Series, please call 717.233.3608 during normal daily business hours. Internet users can obtain a Levitt Series schedule by going to the city’s special events website, www.harrisburgevents.com, which can also be accessed off the city’s main www.harrisburgcity.com website.

• Download a complete list of scheduled concerts and cultural arts programming (PDF)
  Schedule subject to change without notice.

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