All Month Long: West Chester University’s Mahatma Gandhi Exhibit
Celebrating the life and legacy of one of this past century’s greatest men, this exhibit features photographs and works of Gandhi as well as Indian fabric and artifacts on loan from Dr Shiv Gupta and Nirmal Garg. West Chester University, Francis Harvey Green Library, 610-436-3383, wcupa.edu/pr.
Fridays And Saturdays In October, 7pm: Ghost Tour Of West Chester
This walking tour features tales of ghosts, folklore and history. Your guide will lead you on a 90-minute walk through the spooky lanes of neighborhoods where you’ll explore the land of the shadow people, learn of the lost souls of the Underground Railroad, and hear about the West Chester gallows where horse thieves and murderers were hanged. Ghost Tours of West Chester occur every Friday and Saturday night in October and start at The Lincoln Room. Courtyard Grill will be open for light sandwiches, snacks and beverages before the tours, and doors open at 7pm rain or shine. Price is $10 per person, ages five years and up. Reservations required. 28 West Market Street, 610-696-2102.
Thursdays In October, 10am-12pm: Storytime
The West Chester Public Library presents storytime every Thursday in September for children ages two to three. Times vary depending upon age, with two-year-olds at 10am and three-year-olds at 11am. 415 North Church Street, 610-696-1721, wcpubliclibrary.org.
10/21, 10/22, 10/27, 10/28, 10/29 at 8pm; 10/23 at 2pm: West Chester University Presents “Cabaret”
An aspiring writer has traveled to Berlin just prior to WWII in search of inspiration when he happens upon a woman at a cabaret called the Kit Kat Klub. She ends up moving in with him in a boarding house run by her suitor. As the Nazis grow stronger, everything is thrown into disarray. This show is for mature audiences. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors, $15 general reserved admission. Call or email to reserve tickets. West Chester University, Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, 817 South High Street, 610-436-2533, theatredance@wcupa.edu, wcupa.edu/cvpa/.
Friday 10/21, 7-8pm: The King Of Planets
The West Chester University Planetarium holds monthly shows consisting of an overview of all that is visible in the current night sky. Tickets are $5 per person. To purchase tickets please contact the SSI ticket office. West Chester University, Schmucker Science Center, 610-436-2266, geology.wcupa.edu/planetarium_public.
Friday 10/21, 5:30-8:30pm: Wizard’s One-Night Magical Melee
The time has come for all young witches and wizards to focus on their wizarding studies with The Brandywine School of Magic and Wizardry’s professors. The night will begin with a sorting ceremony for the new students, followed by a wand selection workshop. Then, learn spells, mix potions and learn the wizarding ways in herbology, divination and defense against the dark arts. The night ends with butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks. No previous Harry Potter knowledge or wizarding experience is necessary. All ages are welcome. Cost is $50 per person. West Chester Municipal Building, 401 East Gay Street, 610-436-9010, west-chester.com.
Saturday 10/22, 10am-12pm: Homecoming Parade
Don’t miss the excitement of West Chester University’s homecoming weekend. There’ll be music and floats taking over Rosedale Avenue on Saturday in anticipation of the evening’s game. Rosedale Avenue, 610-436-1000, wcu.orgsync.com/org/wcuhomecoming.
Saturday 10/22, 2pm: Homecoming Game
The Golden Rams take on the highly ranked Bloomsburg Huskies in this year’s homecoming game. Farrell Stadium, wcupagoldenrams.com.
Saturday 10/22, 3pm-dusk: WCU Alumni Association Homecoming Tailgate
The WCU Alumni Association is sponsoring an Alumni Social in the R Lot at Farrell Stadium. There will be fun giveaways, great food and entertainment for all. The kids can enjoy the moonbounce and other activities while alumni catch up with old friends. The cost is $5 for everyone 12 and over. Farrell Stadium, alumniconnections.com/westchester.
Tuesdays In October 10am-2pm: Storytime
The West Chester Public Library presents storytime Tuesdays in October for children ages zero to five. Times vary depending on age, with children under age one at 10am, ages one to two at 11am and ages four to five at 1pm. 415 North Church Street, 610-696-1721, wcpubliclibrary.org.
Thursday 10/27, 5-8pm: Pumpkin Carving
Mark your calendars for the Chester County Art Association’s annual Pumpkin Carve at CCAA. CCAA will supply the pumpkins and the paint; you supply the carving tools and the imagination. Call to register or just drop in. Cost for carving is $10 and enters you in the contest for a free art class or two tickets to next year’s gala. Cost for painting a pumpkin is $2-$5 depending on the pumpkin. Please also consider bringing a brand new pair of socks for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s sock drive. The socks go to homeless and disadvantaged people. Chester County Art Association, 100 North Bradford Avenue, 610-696-5600, chestercountyarts.org.
Thursday 10/27, 7pm: Halloween Parade
Enjoy the costumes, the kids, and the fun of the West Chester Halloween parade. The parade gathers on Market Street between Church and Darlington and continues down Market and up Gay. Marching bands and cheerleading performances are featured. Families and groups are welcome to participate, or you can simply gather along the street and enjoy. West Chester Parks and Recreation, 610-436-9010, west-chester.com.
Friday 11/4, 5pm: First Friday Holiday Shopping Kickoff
Before you pile your family into the Windstar and throttle down 202 to the madness in King of Prussia, why not take a look at what your hometown has to offer? Downtown West Chester has an amazing variety of stores with quality gifts for sale, and First Friday is the perfect time to check them out. Stores will be staying open late, and the shopping experience is transformed into a party. Doesn’t that sound better than fighting over parking on the upper deck? Participating stores include Jane Chalfant, Ruby Slippers, Sunset Hill, Penwick Design, Taste of Olive, Kaly, Gawthrop Greenwood, Fulton Bank, Visual Expansion Gallery, OBVI, Blink, The 5 Senses, Sunset Hill Fine Arts Gallery and Serpentine Gallery. For specific information about what’s happening at each store, visit the BID’s website. downtownwestchester.com.
Sunday 11/6, 2pm: Veteran’s Day Parade
The annual Veteran’s Day parade begins at Saint Agnes and heads the wrong way down Gay Street to borough hall at Adams Street. The parade will be led by the Chester County detachment of the Marine Corps League and will end with a memorial ceremony on the borough hall lawn. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph L. Dell’Arciprete, a Stetson Middle School teacher, returned from active duty in Afghanistan earlier this year, will give the keynote address. wcbid.com/events.php.
Sunday 11/6, 2pm: Launch Party For “Fighting the Crusade Against Sex: Being Sex-Positive in a Sex-Negative World”
Our readers who lived in the borough back in 2008 probably remember the controversy when Jill McDevitt opened Feminique Boutique, the sex shop on Church Street. Well, Jill has written a memoir about the experience, and is celebrating the launch of the book with a party at Feminique Boutique, complete with a reading, drinks, snacks, discounted sales and, of course, a book signing. If you would like to learn more about Jill and her book, check out our editorial on page 21. Jill is also a contributing writer, and you can check out her column, “It’s Just A Three-Letter Word,” on page 49. 104 North Church Street, 610-551-3262, thesexologist.org.
