AROUND TOWN BERKS BITS
Reading Civic Theatre Has New Home
An Entrepreneurial Dream Come True
American Barber and Beauty Academy was born from the passion of George Ortiz, Jr., who grew up on the south side of Reading. The front of his house was home to his mother’s business, Norma’s Beauty Salon. But when it came time to chart his career course, Ortiz started by attending college for business. After a couple of years, he pivoted and enrolled in barber school to obtain his license. Explains Ortiz, “Barbering was always a passion, but being in business for myself — being an entrepreneur — was who I felt I was. I had a burning desire to achieve that at an early age. At 21, I asked my grandmother to cosign a $5,000 loan that allowed me to open my first barbershop, New Style Barber Studio in Shillington.” The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Ortiz runs American Barber and Beauty Academy, a 10,000-square-foot facility featuring a student salon, spa and barbershop in the former AW Golden Building in Reading. The business was recently awarded top honors by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Want to enroll or visit for a discounted service? Visit americanbarberbeauty.com. – NIKKI M. MURRY
Originated in 1914, Reading Civic Theatre is experiencing a rebirth of sorts with a move to a new space. Read on and learn more.
1From . Film to Stage. OPENING SOON The Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research
Set to debut this month at Kutztown University is The WellsRapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research, a 13,250-squarefoot facility that will house 2,100 square feet of performing space and rooms dedicated to each of the specialized collections of rare marimbas, xylophones, vibraphones, bells and chimes in the university’s current collection, which was developed over the past three decades. The Center is named for Dr. Willis M. Rapp, who created the KU Percussion Studies department in 1986. Dr. Rapp retired in 2013. The Center was originally established in 2014 with the acquisition of a collection of instruments, music and memorabilia from the estate of Clair Omar Musser, a legendary performer and conductor of 100-piece marimba orchestras at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair and the International Marimba Symphony Orchestra of 1935. The $6.4 million working facility will be open to both students and researchers. – NIKKI M. MURRY
The performing group will now call the old FOX Theater space in Exeter Township home. The location houses rehearsal space as well as plenty of onsite free and safe parking and much more.
2See. a Show in 2022.
September will see performers put on the classic Guys and Dolls and The Full Monty will close out the year in December.
3.
Support the Arts.
Whether you’re looking to volunteer or to make a monetary donation to the group, all help is appreciated as ticket sales alone cannot support the expenses taken on by the nonprofit. Want to learn more? Visit online at readingcivic.org.
Ten Years of Music Lessons in Boyertown
If you’re in search of an experienced and talented instrument teacher in Berks, you’ll find it in Boyertown. Funky Frets, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, is the brainchild of jazz musician Curt Sheller, his wife, Bernadette, and their daughter, Kelly Thompson. Today, Funky Frets is a multifaceted operation. What started as a music store is now a retail space, repair shop and school of sorts. Says Kelly, “We moved to a larger space that accommodates more studio rooms for private lessons, group classes and an event space for touring artists and teachers to perform. Funky Frets strives to create a space that welcomes those interested in learning to play their first instrument to musicians who want to gather with other like-minded individuals to perform and try out new material at our monthly open mics in a warm and welcoming environment.” Private lessons are available for ukulele, guitar, drums, piano, banjo, bass, guitar and mandolin. For more info visit funkyfrets.com. – NIKKI M. MURRY
8
AUGUST 2022 | berkscountyliving.com
Concerts for a Cause
Head out to Bethany Children’s Home this month for free concerts to support the nonprofit organization. All that is requested is a parking donation of $5 per car. Rain or shine. This month will feature The Uptown Band on Aug. 5 and Sloth Love Chunk on Aug. 12. Both shows start at 7pm. For more info visit bethanyhome.org/ summer-concert-series.
