Get out! That's right, I said get out!
We've been cooped up long enough. Yes, the weather is finally breaking (dare I even say it?) and there's a surfeit of activity to keep you engaged and in a positive frame of mind this month.
From walks, hikes and a Raptor Egg Hunt at Hawk Mountain on April 19 to music and the arts, there's loads to do in Schuylkill County in April.
Many notable fine artists have called Schuylkill County home. (And why not?) Still-life artist Rubens Peale lived outside Schuylkill Haven until his death in 1865. His father was Charles Wilson Peale, portrait artist for George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and others.
George Benjamin Luks lived in Shenandoah and Pottsville in the late 19th century and gained notoriety as an illustrator for newspapers in Philadelphia and New York City. He helped establish the "Ashcan School" realistic art movement of the early 20th Century.
These are but a few examples of the fine artists who have walked our streets and many more Schuylkill County natives continue to contribute to the artist's craft.
Schuylkill County Council for the Arts is celebrating future Schuylkill artists from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday by hosting its Artists in High School Gallery. Eleven county high schools have submitted student works and student musicians will be performing throughout the afternoon. Make time to get out and see this special collection of work.
While I'm prattling art, did you know April is National Jazz History month? Well, neither did I but one learns all sorts of things in the course of a day in the tourism industry.
Since 2003, April has been designated and celebrated as Jazz Appreciation Month by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Jazz Appreciation Month is designed to shine the spotlight on the extraordinary history of jazz and its importance in American culture.
We're a musical community and numerous famous musicians have called Schuylkill County home, including Les Brown, Michael Edwards and Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. The SCCA will host its Blue Note Café on April 11 and program on Les Brown and his Band of Renown on April 13.
In another important local happening on the Schuylkill arts scene, our friends at Schuylkill County's VISION are busy working to bring the Block of Art on April 25 to 27 in downtown Pottsville.
The historic district of Pottsville comes alive with fine art of all types, from paintings to poetry, theater to music. Innovative sights and sounds will fill the temporary galleries, spilling out of the grand historic structures into the street.
Some new additions this year include a John O'Hara Walking Tour at 10 a.m. April 26 (guided by yours truly; wish me luck!) which meets in the Union Station parking lot and Music in the Arts Youth Performances, featuring the "Minor Notes Chorale," on April 27 with concerts at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church.
The Greystone consistently steps up to the plate supporting the arts in Schuylkill County and this year's Block of Art is no exception. Plan to enjoy a fabulous meal and interesting discussion as they host a Meet the Artists Brunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
As part of Block of Art, Schuylkill County's VISION will host a benefit at Roma Pizzeria and Restaurant in the Oak Room featuring a preview of the evening's Art Auction along with fabulous food and drink for a mere $20. Tickets are available at the door or contact us at 570-622-7700.
There's a whole lot more going on in April but alas, I'm out of room my friends.
For more information on the events I talked about and many more that I didn't, be sure to visit our calendar of events at www.schuylkill.org.
(Gargano is executive director of Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau)