LANSDOWNE — The historic Lansdowne Theater reopened in 2025 as a premiere performing arts venue, after a multi- million renovation.
The 1,280-seat theater offers entertainment across a broad spectrum, from bands playing classic rock, alternative music or country, to singer-songwriters, comedians and more. BRE Presents is the theater’s concert promoter that books and produces the shows there.
The theater first opened on June 1, 1927 as a movie house. Its elaborate and ornate style earned it acclaim as “the best example of suburban theatre construction around Philadelphia.” For more than a half-century, the theater thrived as one of the best hosts to movies and stage performances, before an electrical fire forced it to close in 1987.
The renovation project, led by the nonprofit Historic Lansdowne Theater Corp., restored much of the theater’s original charm and décor, empowering the majestic theater to continue its century-long legacy. After almost four decades, The Lansdowne has reclaimed its status as one of Philadelphia’s foremost suburban theaters and entertainment hubs, with a premiere lineup for spring and summer 2026.
Graham Nash will entertain at The Lansdowne Theater on April 4. Tickets are on sale. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Upcoming shows include:
• Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt on March 12
• 1964 The Tribute (“Best Beatles tribute on Earth,” says Rolling Stone) on March 27
• Graham Nash on April 4
• Mickey Dolenz: 60 years of The Monkees on April 12
• Laff Out Loud Comedy with Michael Colyar, Donnell Rawlings, Bill Bellamy and Nephew Tommy on April 18
• Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks performing Yes epics, classics, and more on April 30 and May 2
• Felipe Esparza: At My Leisure World Comedy Tour on May 1
• Ani DiFranco: Spirit of Love Tour with special guest Valerie June on May 6
• The Wailers: 50 Years of Positive Vibrations on May 8
• Start Making Sense and The Ocean Avenue Stompers Horns: An Evening of Talking Heads, David Byrne, and more on May 16
• Jeffrey Osborne and Will Downing on June 6
• Devon Allman’s Blues Summit featuring Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray and Laka Soul, plus special guests GA-20 on June 19
• Joe Jackson on July 17
• Judy Collins and Richard Thompson: Sweet Judy Blue Eyes – The Farewell Tour on July 18
• Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers: Indigo Park Tour on July 30
• Stayin’ Alive: One Night of The Bee Gees on Oct. 15
• David Brighton’s Space Oddity – The Quintessential David Bowie Experience: A Bowie 80th Birthday Bash on Jan. 16, 2027.
Singer and drummer Mikey Dolenz, the last surviving member of the 1960’s pop band The Monkees, will bring his music to The Lansdowne Theater on April 12. (COURTESY PHOTO)
New shows are continually added to this lineup.
Lansdowne Theater is located at 31 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne. For more information or tickets, call 610-920-0200 or visit http://thelansdownetheater.com.
Rising Together Alliance to hold annual benefit and awards ceremony
The Rising Together Alliance (RTA) will hold its 2nd Annual Benefit and Awards Ceremony to celebrate inclusive Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The banquet is Thursday, March 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Springfield Country Club, 400 W. Sproul Road., Springfield. RTA advocates for and supports inclusive education for students with disabilities within AOPS’ elementary and secondary schools.
The Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, archbishop of Philadelphia, will be present for the event. The lead sponsors for the event are Communications Test Design Inc., Colm Advisory, Glendalough Foundation, Connelly Foundation and PNC Bank.
RTA is a parent-founded nonprofit working to provide children with disabilities the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education in their local Catholic schools within the archdiocese. It seeks to foster a culture of belonging, showing its schools that full inclusion of students with disabilities is not only feasible, but necessary for the success of all students, disability or not.
RTA is working to ensure that every door within the Catholic community is open to all God’s children. The nonprofit supports the Father Bill Atkinson OSA Program, which is a decentralized inclusive special education program available to all elementary schools and high schools in the archdiocese. The Alliance is a subdivision of the Foundation for Catholic Education and a chartered member of the Executive Board of Elementary Education for the archdiocese. For information on how to support RTA through the EITC Tax Program, visit foundationfce.org.
For additional information about the Rising Together Alliance, visit http://risingtogetheralliance.org.
St. Joseph in Aston to host spring craft and vendor event
The Church of St. Joseph, 3255 Concord Road, Aston, will hold its annual craft and vendor event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21.
Over 40 vendors/crafters will display home decor, baked goods, kitchenware, candles, jewelry and more. The bazaar will have a variety of items for everyone’s spring, Easter and Mother’s Day needs.
For questions, contact Bazaar@churchofstjosephaston.org.
East Lansdowne Police Department to host Autism Awareness training
The East Lansdowne Police Department is inviting the community to an Autism Awareness and Blue Envelope Program Training, administered by Autism Toolbox Training.
It will occur Friday, March 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Lansdowne Borough Hall, 155 Lexington Ave.
The community is welcome to the event for free training, MPOETC credits, refreshments and training certificates.
For more information, call 610-259-2308 or go to www.elpd.org.
Former NBC10 news anchor Tracy Davidson will speak at the next Tasty Talks luncheon on Wednesday, March 11 at noon at Maison Lotus in Wayne. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Formers NBC10 news anchor Tracy Davidson to speak at Tasty Talks luncheon
Michelle Leonard, a realtor at Keller Williams, will present her next Tasty Talks lunch-and-learn event at Maison Lotus, 175 Lancaster Ave., Wayne, on Wednesday, March 11 at noon.
Guest speaker will be former NBC10 news anchor Tracy Davidson. Davidson will talk about her career and share insights that she has gained along the way.
The community is welcome to attend. Cost is $35 in advance and includes hors d’oeuvres, lunch, dessert, taxes and tips.
A portion of each ticket will benefit Unite For Her, the national nonprofit that supports people diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancers by providing wellness services, education and support at no cost to the patients, helping them cope physically and emotionally during treatment and recovery.
To make a reservation for the event, call or text Michelle at 610-331-5913 or call Fabien at 215-839-8480.
Main Line Health offers free smoke-free program
Main Line Health will offer free virtual stop-smoking programs this spring to assist tobacco users and nicotine vapers to quit. Sessions include stress management, coping strategies and relapse prevention information. Participants may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapy.
The program will be held:
• Tuesdays, 6:30- 7:30 p.m. March 24, 31; and April 7, 14, 21 and 28
• Wednesdays, 7- 8 p.m. April 22, 29; and May 6, 13, 20 and 27
•Tuesdays 10-11 a.m. May 12, 19, 26; and June 2, 9, and 16
• Wednesdays 4- 5 p.m. May 20, 27; and June 3, 10, 17, 24.
To register, call 484-227-FREE (3722). A Zoom link will be provided at registration. The program is funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Two Delco students win Jack Kent Cooke scholarships
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation recently announced that two Delaware County Community College students — Paulina Jaus, of Media, and Fatu Kaba, of Folcroft — are among the semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
The foundation named 485 semifinalists for the scholarship, which supports the nation’s top community college students with financial need seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree at four-year colleges or universities.
Selected from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, this year’s semifinalists represent 224 community colleges across 37 states. Each was chosen through an evaluation process that assesses academic ability and achievement, perseverance, and leadership.
The scholarship enables recipients to complete their bachelor’s degrees debt-free at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States and provides last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for two to three years. The award is designed to remove financial barriers so that high-achieving community college students can transfer to and thrive at the nation’s top institutions.
“Through the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation works to ensure that exceptional community college students have the opportunities to reach their full academic potential,” said Executive Director Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili. “This year’s semifinalists reflect the remarkable talent and ambition found in community colleges nationwide.”
The scholarship provides comprehensive support that extends far beyond financial assistance, recognizing that admission and enrollment are only the beginning. Selected scholars receive personalized educational advising from the foundation’s deans of Scholar Support, who guide them through the transition to a four-year institution and help prepare them for future careers. Scholars also gain access to transformative opportunities including internships, study abroad experiences, and graduate school funding, as well as inclusion in a thriving community of more than 3,800 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni who provide mentorship and networking connections throughout their academic and professional lives.
To learn more about the scholarship, visit www.jkcf.org/our%20scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship.
Dr. Matthew Hayes, superintendent of Haverford School District, will hold his next meet-and-greet for the community at Haverford Library at 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 24. (COURTESY OF HAVERFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT)
Haverford School District superintendent to hold meet-and-greet
Community members are invited to attend and connect with Haverford School District’s new superintendent, Dr. Matthew Hayes, from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 24 at Haverford Public Library, 1601 Darby Road, Havertown.
Those attending are asked to RSVP at 610-853-5900, ext. 7300 or adeacon@haverfordsd.net, indicating their topics of interest and how many guests will attend.
Christ Church to host ham and cabbage buffet dinner
Christ Church, 2900 Springfield Road, Broomall, will host a buffet-style ham and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 14 from 4 to 7 p.m.
The menu includes ham, cabbage, parsley potatoes, green beans, applesauce, beverages and assorted desserts. The suggested donation of $15.
Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 610-356-6136.
Enjoy afternoon at Teddy Bear and Doll Tea Party
The Park Avenue Community (PAC) Center, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore, will welcome spring with a heartwarming Teddy Bear and Doll Tea Party in its Great Hall on Saturday, March 21 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Adults are invited to treat their little ones to a delightful traditional tea with all the trimmings geared for the younger set. Children are welcome to bring their favorite teddy bear, doll or other beloved stuffed animal to join them at the table and enjoy the festivities.
The tea service includes assorted tea sandwiches, fresh fruits, vegetables and sweet treats, accompanied by teas for adults and hot chocolate for children.
Children will also partake of a craft activity and be invited to take photos at a spring-themed teddy bear and doll photo booth for keepsake photos.
The event is ideal for parents and grandparents to share a memorable afternoon with their little ones. Reservations are $25 for children and for $35 adults. For tickets: http://paccenter.ticketspice.com/teddy-bear-doll-tea.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.