Heartland Marimba Festival – FREE

Make the Ware Center part of your Lancaster First Friday route!

7 p.m. • Lobby

How did an instrument with roots in Africa find its way to the classical music stage—and what does Pennsylvania have to do with it?

Join members of Heartland Marimba for a fascinating, hands-on exploration of the marimba’s sounds, science, and history. Discover how its distinctive acoustics work, trace its journey from Africa through Central America, and learn how U.S. companies and performers helped bring the instrument into classical music.

You’ll also uncover some surprising local connections, including Clair Musser, the Manheim-born musician widely regarded as the “godfather” of classical marimba, and the Marimba Queens, an all-female ensemble based in Lancaster that toured the country for nearly 20 years, beginning in the 1930s.

Whether you’re a music lover, history buff, or simply curious about this remarkable instrument, there’s something to discover!

More First Friday fun: From 5–7 p.m., Millersville students will lead free, hands-on creative activities for kids in the lobby.

Admission: FREE and open to the public!

Accessibility: A touch tour will be available for blind and low-vision patrons. Please contact Barry Kornhauser for more information.