RSO, Yocum Institute partner on musical, visual concerto

The Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Yocum Institute for Arts Education are partnering for a county-wide creative collaboration for all members of the Berks County community. On Oct. 10, they will present an original visual concerto, “Berks In Focus: Symphony of a Thousand Images,” featuring all there is to love about Berks County. The event will combine photography and orchestral music, helping to celebrate Berks’ 275th anniversary. The images will be shown on a 440-square-foot screen above the RSO and will accompany a live performance of “Awakening” by Joseph Curiale. The theme is “What Does Berks County Mean To You?” To submit photos, visit https://www.yocuminstitute.org/berksinfocus. Deadline for submissions is July 12. Theater Reading Community Players will stage “Once on This Island JR,” the youth‑adapted, Calypso‑infused musical that tells the story of Ti Moune, a brave peasant girl whose love and courage challenge the island’s divisions. The junior edition preserves the heart of the original while tailoring the material and running time for younger performers and family audiences. Performances are on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. at Oley Valley High School, 17 Jefferson St., Oley. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and can be purchased online at RCPstage.ludus.com. Flex passes for the 2026 season are also available with big savings. “Once on This Island Jr.” is an accessible, one‑act adaptation of the Tony‑nominated Broadway musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Set on an unnamed island in the French Antilles, the story is framed as a tale told around a fire by island storytellers and follows Ti Moune as she rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a boy from the island’s wealthier side. The plot explores themes of love, class, faith, and the power of storytelling, and asks whether love can truly conquer death. The JR. edition keeps the show’s Caribbean rhythms, colorful storytelling, and ensemble movement, while streamlining some numbers for a shorter performance ideal for school casts. Creative movement and choreography play a central role: performers portraying elements of the island — trees, animals, storms —and the four gods (Asaka, Agwe, Erzulie, and Papa Ge) guiding Ti Moune’s journey. Director Debbi Silas had directed this show once before. “In 2019, my son and I were directing a production that never got performed due to COVID,” Silas said. “I needed to bring this story to life.” Silas spoke about the special script. “This is a story of a simpler time,” she said. “A story of magic, choices, commitment, community, sacrifices and love. It shares a message that love and understanding can change the world.” Silas also is complementary about the performers. “This cast has brought vitality and energy to this heart-warming fable,” she said. “We hope you lose yourself as the mysteries and miracles befall us through the years.” The production features youth and adult performers from the Reading area, offering opportunities for emerging talent to perform principal and ensemble roles. Minimal but colorful sets and costumes emphasize imagination and movement, allowing the story and performers to remain the focus. Culture The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center will host the second annual Pennsylvania German Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kutztown University. Pennsylvania German Day will showcase a sampler of Pennsylvania German music, humor and language that will honor the Pennsylvania legislature’s declaration 50 years ago for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day in 1976. Pennsylvania German Day will take place in the picturesque barnyard of the historic Sharadin Barn built and decorated in 1855 at the historic Sharadin Farmstead, 22 Luckenbill Road, Maxatawny Township. The program will open at 10:30 a.m. with a performance by the internationally recognized Pennsylvania German music sensation, the Shooflies, an up-and-coming family band promoting the preservation and enjoyment of Pennsylvania Dutch music, language and culture. At 11:15 a.m. the Shooflies will perform a Pennsylvania Dutch-language sing-along with leading Pennsylvania Dutch language online educator and musician, Doug Madenford. At 1 p.m., a hilarious program of Pennsylvania Dutch-language jokes and translations will be offered by community language teachers David and Jean Adam. At 1:45 p.m., the program will continue with a performance of music and comedy by Madenford. Throughout the program, readings in Pennsylvania Dutch, including stories and poetry, will be presented as part of the continuation of Schreiwer Fescht, a writer’s celebration originally founded as part of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Closing remarks will include “Ferwas mir kumme zamme” (why we come together) as a tribute to the Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2294, Session 1976, PA Legislative Act 113, providing for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day, approved June 29, 1976. The event is free, fun and educational for the whole family. Food concessions will be served by the Kutztown Lion’s Club. For more information, follow PGCHC on Facebook and Instagram, visit the Heritage Center website, https://www.pagerman.org/pa-german-day-2026, or call 610-683-1589.