5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Nov. 18-20
Nov. 18—Here comes Santa Claus
Special holiday entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at Westmoreland Mall, leading up to Santa's arrival.
The Hempfield High School Marching Band will escort the jolly old elf around the mall in a parade starting at 6 p.m. at the entrance on the lower level near Macy's.
Following the parade, the Westmoreland Performing Arts Vibrations will entertain, and then there will be a special countdown to the light-up of Santa's Christmas Village.
Santa will be in the mall until Christmas Eve to hear gift requests. For hours and more information, visit
Light up the night
Winter Lights Illumination Night is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. The special outdoor light installation will be turned on at 7 p.m.
The "Fire and Ice"-themed evening will feature entertainment, family friendly activities, food options, a specialty cash bar, photo opportunities and surprises.
Winter Lights includes interactive features and will be on view nightly from dusk to 10 p.m. through Jan. 29. New this year, the museum will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays in December and January.
To register for the free event, call 888-718-4253 or visit thewestmoreland.org.
Rockin' the Lamp
Two weekend concerts are planned at The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin:
—The Jaggerz, 7 p.m. Friday. The Pittsburgh group rose to fame with the 1970 hit single, "The Rapper." Their latest release is "The Walk," from 2014. The current lineup includes founding members Jimmie Ross and Benny Faiella. A ticket is $25.
—John Waite, 8 p.m. Saturday. The English rocker, best-known for his 1984 solo hit, "Missing You," has been a member of The Babys, Bad English and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. Special guest is singer- songwriter Jeffrey Gaines, a Harrisburg native. A ticket is $40.
For reservations, call 724-367-4000 or visit lamptheatre.org.
American composer spotlight
The Friday Evening Music Club of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra will perform music by American composers at 7:30 p.m. Friday in First United Methodist Church, 15 E. Second St., Greensburg.
Featured artists include pianist Beverly Hritz, mezzo soprano Savannah Simeone and baritone Marc Tourre. Pianist Sylvia Andrae will accompany Simeone and Tourre.
The Barclay String Quartet will perform Bohemian composer Antonín Dvorak's American String Quartet, which was written while Dvorak vacationed in Iowa.
Admission is free to club members and by donation for others. Attendees are invited to a reception after the recital.
For information, visit
Hop on the 'Carousel'
Stage Right will present a concert version of the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "Carousel," at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in The Palace Theatre,
21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg.
The story revolves around a swaggering carnival barker whose romance with a naive mill-worker costs them both their jobs — and much more. It contains the classic songs "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" and "You'll Never Walk Alone."
The cast of "Carousel, The Concert" includes Stage Right resident artists, guest artists, an ensemble and a 38-piece orchestra featuring Westmoreland Symphony musicians.
Tickets are $16-$60 at 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
