From lively marimba rhythms and traditional flamenco to thought-provoking documentary film and family theater, November brings a wide variety of arts experiences to Millersville University’s Ware Center for the Arts in downtown Lancaster. With free community events, gallery exhibits, and performances for different ages and interests, there are plenty of ways to make the arts part of your month.
Here’s what’s coming up at the Ware Center!
Celebrate First Friday with Art and Music
Friday, November 6 | Free events
Make the Ware Center part of your First Friday plans with an evening of visual art and music.
At 5 p.m., visit the Regitz Gallery for the opening of Overshare: I Did This for Me, an exhibition by Lancaster-based artist Shauna L. Yorty. Through cardboard collage and mixed media, Yorty explores survival, transformation, and self-discovery in vibrant, deeply personal works. The opening reception runs from 5 to 8 p.m., with an artist talk at 6 p.m. The exhibition remains on view through November 24.
Then, at 7 p.m., discover the fascinating history and science of the marimba during the free Heartland Marimba Festival. Members of Heartland Marimba will explore the instrument’s international roots, its place in classical music, and its connections to Pennsylvania musicians.
Hear the Sounds of Marimbas, Xylophones and Flamenco
Heartland Marimba Jukebox Night with Friends
Saturday, November 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Adults $20, students $15
Heartland Marimba returns with an energetic evening of music spanning generations and genres. Hear the distinctive sounds of marimbas and xylophones bring modern pop inspirations, early 20th-century ragtime, Argentine tango, and irresistible grooves to life. With special guest performers joining the ensemble, this is a lively take on familiar musical styles and unexpected discoveries alike.
Flamenco y Sol: Flamenco at Its Essence
Friday, November 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Adults $29, students $21
Experience the passion and expressive power of traditional flamenco through live music, singing, guitar, and dance. Rooted in the tablao tradition, this performance celebrates the dynamic interplay between the artists and the spontaneity that makes each performance unique. Arrive early for a pre-show lecture by Dr. Ana Börger-Greco at 6:30 p.m.
Explore History Through Film and Conversation
Disposable Humanity
Tuesday, November 17 | 7 p.m. | Free
The Ware Center’s On Screen/In Person series presents Disposable Humanity, a documentary examining the Nazi Aktion T4 program and the systematic persecution and murder of disabled people under Nazi rule.
The evening offers an opportunity to engage with this difficult history beyond the screen. A pre-show community panel begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. After the screening, audiences can participate in a question-and-answer session with director Cameron Mitchell. The event is co-presented by the MU Disability Film Festival.
Make Room for Family Arts Experiences
ExtraGive Junior
Friday, November 20 | 5–8 p.m. | Free
Bring the kids for an evening celebrating the joy of giving back! ExtraGive Junior features free entertainment and activities hosted by community benefit organizations. A puppetry workshop led by performers from Grand Pistachio begins at 6:30 p.m., offering another opportunity for young participants to explore their creativity while connecting with the spirit of community generosity.
Layer the Walls: Turn of the Century
Saturday, November 21 | 3 p.m. | Adults $15, students $10
Family Fun Fest welcomes audiences to discover the stories hidden within the walls of a New York City tenement. Using puppetry, masks, and live action, Layer the Walls: Turn of the Century brings to life the experiences of immigrant families, from an Irish immigrant helping build the Brooklyn Bridge to Italian brothers surviving the Great Blizzard of 1888 and Russian Jewish garment workers fighting for safer working conditions.
Recommended for ages 8 and up, this engaging production combines theater and history in a way that invites families to learn and imagine together. Free children’s activities begin in the lobby at 2 p.m., before the performance.
Plan Your November Visit
Whether you’re looking for a night of live music, a meaningful film experience, an opportunity to discover local visual art, or a creative outing with the family, the Ware Center has something to explore this November.
Explore upcoming events, find accessibility information, and plan your visit. We look forward to welcoming you!