The Ware Center/Winter Center-Millersville University

Living in a college town has some hidden benefits for a young family with children…low-cost cultural/performing arts experiences, as there is almost always a few family-friendly choices.  Millersville University has two performing arts facilities with the Winter Center on main campus and the Ware Center in Downtown Lancaster, providing greater access for the public.  Over the years I have taken the children to multiple performances at both locations, and they have always provided quality, educational entertainment.

Winter Center at MU

We have attended recitals, choral concerts, musical performances, ballet extravaganzas, and cultural presentations.  The Winter Center generally shows the performances by students, whereas the Ware Center is utilized more for community participants and professional performers, although not exclusively.

For a number of years my oldest daughter Eliana took ballet lessons and was very interested in dance.  I was always on the lookout for performances that would pique her interest.  The Ware Center hosts a wonderful ballet presentation most years and another one is coming up this weekend!  If you have little girls, they will be enraptured by this show and I highly recommend it.  Many ballet companies and performers of different genres come together to put on a varied, culturally-enriching performance, perfect for kids and adults alike.  In the past they’ve had Irish dancers, a Hungarian troupe, Eastern Indian performers, traditional “Russian” ballet dancers, Hawaiian hula dancers, and a hip-hop group, among others.  I remember Eliana being on the edge of her seat taken in by the beautiful sights and sounds throughout the performance.  I loved that it exposed her to other cultures and ways of dancing beyond the traditional tutus and pink ballet shoes.

Exterior of the Ware Center

I wanted to get this blog post out now because another “Celebrate Ballet and World Dance” performance is slated for this coming weekend.  Get your tickets now and take your children for a lovely afternoon out.  Another intriguing possibility perhaps geared more towards your dinosaur-loving son is “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” a unique blend of theatrics, puppetry, and paleontology that will bring prehistoric Australia to life with amazing, realistic-looking dinosaurs to tell the tale.

Periodically check the website for upcoming shows and cultural presentations.  You are sure to find something the whole family will love!

Admission: varies so be sure to check the website for individual show admission prices.  The “Celebrate Ballet” show is $15/adult and $5/student.

Hours: varies depending on the program but “Celebrate Ballet” has two different shows both at the Ware Center; “Downtown Dances” on Sat. March 11, 2017 at 7:30PM and “Celebrate Ballet and World Dance” on Sun. March 12, 2017 at 3PM. “Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live” is on Sun. May 7, 2017 at 3PM (Winter Center).

The Ware Center                                                                      

42 North Prince Street

Lancaster, PA 17603

(717) 871-7018

 

The Winter Center

60 West Cottage Avenue

Millersville, PA 17551

(717) 871-7600

Please visit www.artsmu.com/events for all the details and to peruse other upcoming performances and also to order tickets online.

Steinman Hall at the Ware Center

Day Tripper Mom

Jeanette Knaub is a wife and an at-home mom to four children; Jackson (17), Eliana (15), Amalia (13), and Lilah (8). During the school year, she works part time as a Classroom Aide. In what little spare time is left, she enjoys volunteering at church and community organizations, reading, running, and of course researching and blogging about her family’s next trip!

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