This Saturday 2/21 The State Presents CO-OPALOOZA!!

This Saturday 2/21 at 1:00 PM The State welcomes CO-OPALOOZA!! presented by The Cooperative Playschool. This community based event is an affordable afternoon of family centered fun including magic, puppetry and music. This event is also coinciding with the 60th Anniversary of the Cooperative Playschool. In addition to the anniversary the proceeds from CO-OPALOOZA!! go directly to the Cooperative Playschool. In case you don’t know much about the Cooperative playschool look below for some background:

The Cooperative Playschool, a state-licensed preschool founded in 1949, exists for the purpose of enriching the lives of participating children and their parents in an atmosphere of relative freedom. Emphasis is placed on social interaction and the individual growth of each child within a play-based curriculum. The children receive help in developing a feeling of belonging to a group, which is interested in them and makes them feel secure.

In addition to the professionally educated teachers, the program is enhanced by the involvement of the parents through observation, participation and discussion. The preschool provides a unique opportunity for parents to grow and learn as they see their children from a different perspective [source].

CO-OPALOOZA!! presented by The Cooperative Playschool is happening this Saturday 2/21 at 1:00 PM with tickets priced at $9 for adults & $5 for children. Tickets are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. Come and join us in this festival-like atmosphere event for the entire family and don’t forget it benefits The Cooperative Playschool! Hope to see you there supporting a great local cause!

This Saturday Night 2/14 (Valentines Day) Pick up Trials and Telephones: A Series of One-Act Operas

A special Valentine’s Day 2/14 treat awaits you at the State Theatre! For one night only, come see the wonderfully talented performers of Penn State Opera Theatre present Trials and Telephones, an evening one-act operas, each one a delightful and enticing treat! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see live opera right here in State College!

The Telephone (1947) tells the story of Ben and his constantly thwarted attempts to propose to his lady-love, Lucy. Penn State Opera Theatre’s delightful twist on this amusingly frantic story imagines that it is not only the pesky telephone that is getting in his way! Trial By Jury (1875) is one of the earliest collaborations between the masters of topsy-turveydom, Gilbert and Sullivan. Angelina, the plaintiff, is suing Edwin, the defendant, for a breach of promise of marriage. Hilarity ensues as the (anything but) Learned Judge allows the proceedings to unravel before our eyes!

Be sure to purchase tickets early for this one night only special event at the State Theatre, and come see the stars of tomorrow on stage today! Tickets are going for $12 & $5 for students. Tickets are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

This Weekend At The State 2/20 - 2/22

Here are the events that are happening this weekend 2/20 - 2/21 at The State. You can click on the title of the show to see more info on these shows. Hope to see you at The State this weekend.

Friday 2/20:
Milk at 7:00 & 9:30

Saturday 2/21:
Co-Opalooza at 1:00 PM
Milk at 4:00, 7:00, & 9:30 PM

Saturday 2/22:
Centre County Reads Presents: Persepolis at 1:00 PM
Milk at 4:00 & 7:00 PM

This Saturday 2/14 The 2nd Annual “Out of the Cold” Family Movie Event Featuring Akeelah & The Bee

This Saturday 2/14 at 12:00 PM The State welcomes The 2nd Annual “Out of the Cold” Family Movie Event hosted by Bridge of Hope Centre County. The Bridge of Hope Centre County is a non-profit organization that helps women and children who are in tough economic times:

Join with Bridge of Hope Centre County to help our homeless neighbors—women and children who don’t have place to call home—struggling through these tough economic times. Bridge of Hope’s mission is to assist single homeless mothers and their children, to help them build a safe and secure future. Now, more than ever, love thy neighbor is a powerful message for us all. And with your help we can change the lives of Centre County families in 2009.

For this year's fundraiser they will be showing the family film, Akellah & the Bee for $10 with all profits going to Bridge of Hope Centre County. Along with the price of the ticket you get free popcorn, snacks, and beverages. The plot of Akellah & the Bee goes like this:

Eleven year-old Akeelah Anderson's life is not easy: her father is dead, her mom ignores her, her brother runs with the local gangbangers. She's smart, but her environment threatens to strangle her aspirations. Responding to a threat by her school's principal, Akeelah participates in a spelling bee to avoid detention for her many absences. Much to her surprise and embarrassment, she wins. Her principal asks her to seek coaching from an English professor named Dr. Larabee for the more prestigious regional bee. As the possibility of making it all the way to the Scripps National Spelling Bee looms, Akeelah could provide her community with someone to rally around and be proud of -- but only if she can overcome her insecurities and her distracting home life.

Akeelah and the Bee - Trailer | Movies & TV | SPIKE.com

The PG rated Akellah & the Bee will be shown this Saturday 2/14 at 12:00 PM as part of Bridge of Hope's 2nd Annual “Out of the Cold” Family Movie Event. Tickets are $10 and all profits from the even will go straight to Bridge of Hope Centre County. Tickets are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. Hope to see you there supporting a great local cause!

The Betrayal - Nerakhoon Starts this Sunday 2/15

Starting this Sunday 2/15 The Betrayal - Nerakhoon starts its run at The State. The Academy Award nominated documentary is running at the 2/15 -2/19. Below you can find a plot synopsis as well as the trailer for The Betrayal - Nerakhoon:

A Lao prophecy says, "A time will come when the universe will break, piece by piece, the world will change beyond what we know." That time came for the small country of Laos with the clandestine involvement of the United States during the Vietnam War. By 1973, three million tons of bombs had been dropped on Laos in the fight to overcome the North Vietnamese, more than the total used during both world wars. With the rise of a Communist government in Laos, killings and arrests became common among those affiliated with the former government and the Americans. Families were torn apart-some finally emigrating to the U.S. In a collaboration spanning more than 20 years, Ellen Kuras works with Laotian co-director Thavisouk Phrasavath, the main subject of the film. Phrasavath takes us through his youth, his escape from persecution and arrest in Laos, his family's reunion and their journey as immigrants to America, and the second war they had to fight on the streets of New York City. Drawing on the techniques of experimental film and the traditions of Laotian culture, Nerakhoon (The Betrayal) is a tale about a country, a family, and a young man who discovers the power and resilience of the human spirit [imdb]



The Betrayal - Nerakhoon, Oscar Nominee for Best Documentary Feature, starts its run at The State Sunday 2/15 at 4:00 and 7:00 PM. The film continues it’s run from Monday 2/16 (with shows at 7:00 & 9:30 PM) through Thursday 2/19 with shows everyday at 7:00 & 9:30 PM. Wednesday 2/18 there is also a 4:00 PM showing of the film. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

The Asylum presents A Brown Leaf, City Infinite & PJ Bond at The Attic above The State 2/28

This Saturday 2/28 at 7:30 PM The Asylum presents A Brown Leaf, City Infinite & PJ Bond at The Attic above The State for only $5. This is a showcase of some up and coming talent from the areas surrounding us here in State College. Below you will find some info about each act as well and links to their respective MySpace pages:

A Brown Leaf:
A Brown Leaf’s songs are an eclectic mix of folk, acoustic, and punk. Hailing from our own State College, PA A Brown Leaf's sincere and heartfelt lyrics blend with his voice to create a unique sound all his own. Listen to few A Brown Leaf's HERE through their MySpace page.

City Infinite:
City Infinite is comprised of two musicians from Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Their music is acoustic and pop-punk, and their lyrics are based on real-life experiences. Listen to some of City Infinite's stuff HERE through their MySpace page.

PJ Bond:
PJ Bond hails from New Brunswick, New Jersey and has recently gone on tour with Charlotte Sometimes. Bond effortlessly movies between acoustic pop songs to tradional folk rhythms. Check out some of PJ Bond's music HERE through his MySpace page.

Tickets for this Saturday's 2/28 show: The Asylum presents A Brown Leaf, City Infinite, & PJ Bond at The Attic above The State are going for ONLY $5. You can pick up tickets both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. Come and join us for an intimate night of some great new talent. Hope to see you there!

Last Night for Trouble the Water

Tonight 2/12 is your last chance to catch the Academy Award Nominated documentary Trouble the Water (trailer above). You can see our original post about Trouble the Water HERE (which includes plot summary, critical reviews). Trouble the Water is playing tonight 2/12 at 7:00 & 9:30 PM. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!

LAST NIGHT 2/26 FOR OSCAR WINNER MILK

Tonight 2/26 Milk ends its run at The State with shows at 7:00 & 9:30. The film, which WON TWO Oscars, is one of the most acclaimed films of 2008. If case you don't know, the plot summary and trailer for Milk are below:


Using flashbacks from a statement recorded late in life and archival footage for atmosphere, this film traces Harvey Milk's career from his 40th birthday to his death. He leaves the closet and New York, opens a camera shop that becomes the salon for San Francisco's growing gay community, and organizes gays' purchasing power to build political alliances. He runs for office with lover Scott Smith as his campaign manager. Victory finally comes on the same day Dan White wins in the city's conservative district. The rest of the film sketches Milk's relationship with White and the 1978 fight against a statewide initiative to bar gays and their supporters from public school jobs.

Milk is showing tonight 2/26 at 7:00 & 9:30 PM and tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and seniors and are available for purchase both ONLINE and at The State Theatre Box Office. See you there!