AGP Executive Report

Philly Arts: A Puerto Rican artist is taking over Market Street this weekend with a project tied to America 250, while a new Penn exhibit explores Philadelphia’s role as the birthplace of the first Black superhero. Stage & Screen: Malvern teen Abbie Parker brings Wednesday Addams to Walnut Street Theatre, and Sycamore Stage is presenting the Berks premiere of Come From Away. Fall Events: Happy Valley is leaning into spooky season with haunted attractions and happenings across the region. Music & Art: Caryn Dixon has released “Star of Boscobel” ahead of her next EP, and Philadelphia’s 50th PMA Craft Show will bring 195 artists to the Convention Center.

Entertainment in Pennsylvania: Sean “Diddy” Combs has been transferred from a New Jersey prison to FCI Allenwood Low near Williamsport, where he is serving a sentence for prostitution-related convictions. Philadelphia Film: A new documentary about the Phillie Phanatic, made by brothers Hoag and Tyler Kepner, premieres at the Philadelphia Film Festival, exploring how the beloved mascot became a national icon. Local Nightlife: Delaware County’s Battle Royale Brewing is soft-opening a retro-inspired barcade with pinball and arcade games, with its own beers expected on tap soon. Penn State Research: Penn State acousticians used a replica to model the Liberty Bell’s long-silent sound, finding its notes closer to a well-tuned bell than many expected. Media Awards: The Philadelphia Jewish Exponent won three Keystone Media Awards, including first place for its annual Guide to Jewish Life.

Campus Arts: Nittany Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to Eisenhower Auditorium for its 30th anniversary. Philadelphia Events: The Philadelphia Flower Show revealed its 2027 theme, “Iconic,” and ticket prices, while the Philadelphia Film Festival and Great Pumpkin Carve are among this week’s things to do. Local Creatives: Pittsburgh artist Bryce Gray is spotlighting regional artists in The Halloween Herald, and glassworks inspired by Westmoreland Museum exhibits are on display. Live Performance: Opera Philadelphia will stream Soldier Songs free on YouTube. Crafts: The 50th PMA Craft Show is bringing 195 artists to the Convention Center.

Philadelphia Arts: The 2027 Philadelphia Flower Show will take “ICONIC” as its theme, celebrating the garden as a source of inspiration. Onstage & Onscreen: Opera Philadelphia will stream Soldier Songs free on YouTube, while Philadelphia-born actress LaPorscha Rodgers takes the lead in The Legend of Georgia McBride on a Pennsylvania stage. Around Town: This week’s picks include the Philadelphia Film Festival and Great Pumpkin Carve; Pittsburgh station WYEP is also marking 65 years since the Civic Arena’s first concert. Public Media: WHYY announced a Nov. 23 New York conversation between Terry Gross and Paul McCartney, celebrating Gross’s 50 years with Fresh Air and benefiting public media.

Canonsburg Weekend: Grandpa Joe’s is bringing Ghostbusters Weekend downtown Friday and Saturday, with an Ecto-1 replica among the attractions. Art Around Pennsylvania: Lancaster’s Fall ArtWalk opens this weekend, while Philadelphia has added a Keith Haring mural to its historic register. Film: Milford’s Black Bear Film Festival is spotlighting independent movies and community spirit. Coming Up: Organizers have revealed the theme for the 2027 Philadelphia Flower Show, with displays planned from Longwood Gardens, Chanticleer and other public gardens. Music History: Pittsburgh station WYEP is marking 65 years since the Civic Arena hosted its first concert.

Pennsylvania in Bloom: The 2027 Philadelphia Flower Show will run March 13–21 under the theme “ICONIC,” with five public gardens—including Penn State’s Arboretum—creating a statewide showcase. Art Around Lancaster: Fall ArtWalk brings new displays to city galleries this weekend. Onstage in Swarthmore: Philadelphia-born, Penn State Abington alum LaPorscha Rodgers stars in The Legend of Georgia McBride at the Players Club of Swarthmore through Oct. 18. Pittsburgh Jazz: WQED and MCG Jazz are bringing the region’s jazz history to life with Jazz Beat: Past Meets Present. Independent Film: Milford’s Black Bear Film Festival celebrates independent movies and community spirit.

Onstage in Pennsylvania: This week’s theatre previews cover productions running Oct. 13–19, while Canonsburg is getting a new 560-seat venue for performances and other events. Film & Music: Milford’s Black Bear Film Festival is celebrating independent movies and community spirit; in Pittsburgh, WQED and MCG Jazz are bringing the city’s jazz history to life. Art Around the State: The 50th Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show will feature 195 artists, and Lancaster’s public murals are drawing attention to the role of art in local communities. Live Music: The Philly Music Fest is back, with local picks highlighting the lineup.

Pennsylvania Food & Culture: Pittsburgh’s Evanly Bakes spotlights owner Evan Morgan-Newphis’s unusual path from elephant trainer to baker. A finalist on Great Chocolate Showdown, he now makes cake jars, brownies and blondies. Community Art: More than 30 Weedville residents helped paint a new mural celebrating local wildlife, history and outdoor life. Night Out: Emmaus distillery Triple Sun Spirits has reopened as The Railyard, adding a dining room, speakeasy, game room and outdoor beer garden. Live Entertainment: Canonsburg is set to get a 560-seat multi-use theater, while the Keystone Jazz Orchestra is bringing its “PA 250: Our Jazz Story” program to Misericordia University. Sports Collectibles: Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions announced a record $14 million sale of Michael Jordan’s game-worn 1998 NBA Finals jersey.

Sports Memorabilia: A Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a record $14 million in a private sale announced by Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions. Penn State Baseball: Somerset native Callen Miller committed to the Nittany Lions after hitting 13 home runs and driving in 53 runs in 41 games for WVU Potomac State. Local Arts: A new cultural nonprofit in State College launched with a performance by a 14-piece Puerto Rican ensemble, while the Keystone Jazz Orchestra is touring its “PA 250: Our Jazz Story” program. Stage & Craft: Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre is presenting “Topdog/Underdog,” and the 50th PMA Craft Show will bring 195 artists to the Convention Center. Pennsylvania Fashion: Philadelphia activewear label Addison Bay, which began with four pieces, now ships nationwide and releases about 20 collections a year.

State College Arts: A new cultural nonprofit is making its debut with a performance by a 14-piece Puerto Rican ensemble. Live Music: Monkees singer Micky Dolenz has added 12 dates to his 60 Years of the Monkees tour, including a Pennsylvania stop this week. Pennsylvania History on Film: Meadville Rye is getting a documentary spotlight, tracing the whiskey brand’s roots and its place in the state’s history. Sports & Collectibles: Penn State volleyball swept Northwestern, while USC stayed at No. 19 after beating Penn State in State College. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions announced a record $14 million sale of Michael Jordan’s game-worn 1998 NBA Finals jersey.

State College Arts: New nonprofit Satellite House launched Monday with a performance by Puerto Rico’s 14-piece El Laberinto del Coco at Manny’s Live Performance Space. The group hopes to bring more international and experimental arts to Central Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Poetry: WPSU’s latest Poetry Moment features Pittsburgh poet Mike Good’s “Fishing All Evening at Raccoon Creek Park After the Rain,” set in Beaver County. Philadelphia Arts: Philly Music Fest is back, while this week’s local arts picks include Delco Arts Fest, the Philadelphia Theatre Company’s fall opener and events marking 50 years of Rocky.

Pennsylvania Music: Erie rock band From Ashes to New scored its second No. 1 Mainstream Rock Airplay hit of 2026 with “Die for You.” Arts & Crafts: The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s holiday festival moved to Hamburg Field House, where about 50 artists and makers welcomed shoppers to the new venue. Onstage: Allentown Band’s “America 250” family concert on Oct. 17 will trace the evolution of the concert band, with Freedom High School’s Fife and Drum Corps performing. Visual Arts: The Baum School of Art’s centennial exhibition, featuring more than 100 works tied to founder Walter Emerson Baum and his legacy, is on view in Allentown through Oct. 17. Books & Food: Cookbook author and PBS host Pati Jinich kicks off Literatour in Reading on Oct. 20, discussing her new book, Foods of La Frontera. Pittsburgh Performing Arts: OnStage Pittsburgh, a small publication covering theater, opera, symphony, ballet and jazz, is featured in a profile of Western Pennsylvania’s media scene.

TV & Music: Pennsylvania-raised comedian Shane Gillis hosted “Saturday Night Live,” with Spanish singer Rosalía as musical guest. Visual Arts: Delaware County Community College’s free gallery show “Window/Frame” runs Oct. 26 through Dec. 4, exploring how paintings and smartphones frame the images we see. Live Music: The Philly Music Fest is back, with local picks highlighted; singer Kimaya Diggs also celebrated her album “Green” at the Academy of Music. Pittsburgh Art: Randyland, the colorful attraction built from murals and found objects, grew from one man’s decades-long effort to transform a $10,000 building.

Pittsburgh Art: Randyland grew from a $10,000 building into a local attraction, its walls covered over decades with murals and found objects. Pennsylvania Theater: A Kutztown playwright and professor is rebooting Return to Centralia. Gallery Milestone: LCCC’s Schulman Gallery marks 20 years of bringing art and culture to the community. Jazz Across PA: The Keystone Jazz Orchestra is taking its “Our Jazz Story” tour to Misericordia University. Public Art: A rare Keith Haring mural in Philadelphia’s Point Breeze has been added to the city’s historic register.

Historic Arts: Chadds Ford’s Painter’s Folly, once home to an art school run by illustrator Howard Pyle and linked to Andrew Wyeth, is headed to online auction Oct. 22. Preservationists worry about the fate of its historic contents, which will be sold separately. Gallery Milestone: Luzerne County Community College’s Schulman Gallery marks 20 years with an exhibition of 84 works by 44 artists. The free show runs through Oct. 23 in Nanticoke. Pennsylvania Jazz: Keystone Jazz Orchestra brings its “Our Jazz Story” PA 250 tour to Misericordia University in Dallas on Nov. 6, celebrating the state’s role in jazz history.

Theater Goes Digital: Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater launched Watch Wilma, a streaming platform featuring productions from the Wilma and partner theaters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The first show, Horsegirl & Cowdaddy, streams through Nov. 1; tickets cost $35, with a three-show package for $95. Live Music: Nickelback’s 2027 tour starts in Pittsburgh on Feb. 6, supporting the band’s new album, Everything Under The Sun, due Oct. 30. Don Broco joins the North American dates. Comedy Meets Commerce: Philadelphia-based Gopuff is teaming up with comedian Druski on exclusive products and fan experiences through a new multi-year partnership. Penn State Hockey: The Nittany Lions open the season with a revamped goaltending group, led by sophomore Josh Fleming, who posted a .924 save percentage last season.