LANCASTER PA HOTELS | HERSHEY PA HOTELS

AQS Lancaster Quilt Show & Contest: March 13 – 17 at the Lancaster County Convention Center. Enjoy four days of viewing hundreds of quilts, shopping at the merchant mall, taking quilting workshops and lectures, and attending quilting events. And it all happens in the heart of Amish country – Lancaster County, PA.  270-898-7903 or www.americanquilter.com

Sunset Boulevard: March 14 at the Fulton Theatre. Aging actress Norma Desmond attempts a bold return to the big screen in this grand musical adaptation of the Billy Wilder film. While her glamour has faded, her unfulfilled ambition has not. When she meets a struggling Hollywood screen-writer, Norma seizes the opportunity to restore her long-dormant career to its former glory.  717-397-7425 or www.thefulton.org

Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss: March 15 at American Music Theatre. Buddy Valastro’s “Bakin’ with the Boss” show is an evening of cakes, stories, and fun. In this live, interactive event, TLC’s Cake Boss will share the stories behind his hit series and his colorful Italian family, answer questions, and give demonstrations of the techniques that have made him one of the most successful cake artists in the nation.  800-648-4102 or www.amtshows.com

9 to 5 the Musical: March 15 at The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. Put on your power suit and enjoy a hilarious tale of laughter, friendship, and premeditated workplace revenge. It’s hilarious when three unlikely friends conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do – even in a man’s world! Based on the hit movie and featuring a score by the legendary songwriter, Dolly Parton.  717-898-1900 or www.dutchapple.com

Irish Movie Night: March 15 at Tellus360 in Lancaster. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, please join us to celebrate Lancaster’s Irish American community and support the Duffy’s Cut Institute. The evening will feature the Lancaster premiere of the chilling Smithsonian Channel documentary, The Ghosts of Duffy’s Cut.  877-486-1660 www.tellus360.com

It Happened on the Square: March 16 at The Lancaster County’s Historical Society. Learn more about the history of Penn Square, Lancaster City, and all the fascinating parts of our county at LancasterHistory.org-Lancaster County’s Historical Society and President James Buchanan’s Wheatland. 717-392-4633 or www.lancasterhistory.org

Murder at Mount Hope: March 16 at Mount Hope Estate & Winery. Join us at the Mount Hope Murder Mystery Dinner theater for an interactive, culinary Who-Done-It! Enjoy an ace-high meal and help the lawman figure who in tarnation is the culprit!  717-665-7021 or www.parenfaire.com

Unsinkable Women- Stories from the Titanic: March 16 at the Ware Center at Millersville University Lancaster. This show features a one-woman musical that tells the stories of seven women who were on the Titanic.  717-871-2344 or www.millersville.edu

2012 St. Patrick’s Day Weekend: March 17 at Annie Bailey’s. Opening at 10am! We will be serving a limited menu but most of the favorites will be on there: Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage and more. Live entertainment with MAGILL.  717-393-4000 or www.anniebaileysirishpub.com

Spring Open House: March 17 at Landis Valley Museum. Join us for this special day at the store! Irish folk music by Robert Mouland 10-3 Browse through our 2 story voctorian filled with unique merchandise and books. The store will be bursting with color and will surely prepare you for spring. Light refreshment will be served. Admission is free to this even only, regular admission fees apply for visitation to the museum.  717-569-9312 or www.landisvalleymuseum.org

March Basketball Fever: March 17 at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Join us for March Basketball Fever and shoot some hoops to win prizes by spinning our prize wheel (children 12 & under). Stop by the Food Court and enjoy a great Kids’ Meal. Wear your favorite NCAA team jersey and receive a FREE small fountain drink with a meal purchase at our Food Court.  717-534-4900 or www.hersheyschocolateworld.com

The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee: February 21 at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. A heartwarming and offbeat new musical comedy about growing up, fitting in and earning R-E-S-P-E-C-T. There’s gold stars all around when six young people in the middle of puberty learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. Through March 10.  717-898-1900 or www.dutchapple.com

Wine & Chocolate Month: February 21 with the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. Bring your sweetheart and come celebrate with the wineries of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail as we present delicious wine and chocolate tastings and other romantic events throughout the month. Through February 29. 610-444-3842 or www.bvwinetrail.com

War imitating life inaugural lecture: February 21 at Elizabethtown College. At 7:30 pm, Dr. Carmine Sarracino will read from his collection of poems about the American Civil War and comment on how he came to see ordinary, day-to-day life as mimicking the conditions of battle. 717-361-6412 or www.etown.edu

Them!: February 23 at the North Museum of Natural History and Science. A classic sci-fi movie comes to the Planetarium dome! Common ants mutate into giant man-eating monsters in Them! Curator of Collections Andy Redline will provide pre-show commentary. Free for members and potential members. Doors open at 6 p.m. 717-291-3941 or www.northmuseum.org

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes: February 24 at The American Music Theatre. With over 30 albums to their credit, New Jersey’s Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes’ musical trademark continues to be their exuberant rhythm and blues feel, loaded with the driving sound of their legendary horn section. Rolling Stone Magazine called their album “Hearts of Stone,” “one of the top 100 albums of the 70s and 80s.” 800-648-4102 or www.amtshows.com

Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Papa Mozart: February 24-25 at The Fulton Opera House. We continue our long tradition of honoring living American composers by sharing Laconika, a recent composition by our 2012 Composer’s Award honoree George Tsontakis, who will also conduct. Then enjoy a pioneering work by Mendelssohn, featuring our own Netanel Draiblate. 717-397-7425 or www.lancastersymphony.org

Backstage Studio Gallery: February 25 at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg. Lights, camera, action! Explore an engaging new gallery that reveals the science and technology behind TV, movies, music and theatre. Backstage Studio features more than a dozen fascinating hands-on exhibits and displays that demonstrate the technology used to create the seemingly “magical” experiences of the stage and screen. Through January 1. 717-214-2787 or www.whitakercenter.org

Organ Concert for Kids featuring Ken Cowan: February 25 at Longwood Gardens. Ken Cowan brings The Longwood Organ to life in a program for kids! 610-388-1000 or www.longwoodgardens.org

Winter Fest: February 25 at Stoudt’s Brewery. Unlimited sampling of winter warmers from various breweries, great food by Chef Jim Carr and live music by “The Octavia Blues Band” octaviabband Breweries attending are: Rumspringa, Union Barrel Works, Victory, Slyfox, Boxcar, Mountain Spring and Stoudts. 717-484-4386 or www.stoudtsbeer.com

Mu Concert Band and Wind Ensemble: February 26 at the Ware Center at Millersvile University Lancaster. Millersville University Music Department’s Concert Band and Wind Ensemble will perform on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 2:30 PM. This harbinger of spring will showcase the students’ talent through traditional and contemporary selections. 717-871-2344 or www.millersville.edu

Where Do You Hide a Dinosaur: February 26 at the Hands-on-House Strike up the band! Learn how to become a “fossil finder” when you play hide and seek with a dinosaur. Drop in anytime during the scheduled time. 717-569-5437 www.handsonhouse.org

Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium: January 16 at Clipper Magazine Stadium. The Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium opens its gates for another season of outdoor ice skating! It’s the only outdoor rink in Lancaster – enjoy skating with family & friends. Weekends through February 12.  717-509-0880 or www.lancasterbarnstormers.com

Hershey’s Happiness & Well-Being: January 16 at the Hershey’s Chocolate World. Join us for some simple and fun activities for the whole family! Games include Balloon Bounce, Parachute Games, Football Toss and Beach Ball Toss. Weekends through January 29.  717-534-4900 or www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld

Treasures from the AACA Museum Collection: January 16 at the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey. Treasures from the AACA Museum Collection exhibit will focus on high end American Luxury Cars from the 1930’s – 1950’s showcasing styling changes over the decades. Through February 12. 717-566-7100 or www.aacamuseum.org

OrKid Day: January 16 at Longwood Gardens. Each OrKID Day takes place during Longwood’s spectacular Orchid Extravaganza and includes a fun-filled craft, a kids’ performance, and specially planned corresponding activities!  610-388-1000 or www.longwoodgardens.org

Legs, Legs, and More Legs!: January 19 at the North Museum of Natural History and Science. Using museum touchables and a different story each week, we’ll explore what we can learn about animals just from looking at their feet and legs. Read, Touch & Discover encourages young children, ages 3-6, to explore their world.  717-291-39412 or www.northmuseum.org

Lessons I learned at My Grandfathers Knee: January 20 at The Ware Center at Millersville University Lancaster. Andrew Wyeth’s grandaughter shares stories and art in this fundraiser for the artistic programs at Millersville University’s Lancaster Ware Center.  717-871-2308 or www.millersville.edu

A Snowball Day: January 17-18 at Hands-On House in Lancaster. What kind of day is it when snow is falling everywhere? A snowball day! Please call to reserve a spot  717-569-54377745 or www.handsonhouse.org

Knife Skills Class: January 20 at The Good Cooking Store in Intercourse. Want to cut like the pros and keep all of your fingers safe? Come prepared to chop and learn! Purchase any Zwilling cutlery product valued at $99 or more on the day of the class and you will receive the class cost back as a discount on the knife. 877-525-7745 or www.goodcookingstore.com

Ladies Night Out @ BUiLDiNG CHARACTER: January 20 at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER in Downtown Lancaster. BUiLDiNG CHARACTER presents “Ladies Night Out,” a monthly event coinciding with Music Friday. It’s the Ladies Night Out/Music Friday everyone is talking about!! It’s a wonderful evening of: FREE wine and dessert samples, FREE 5-minute chair massages, great local shopping! 717-394-7201 or www.buildingcharacter.biz/events

Saturday Evening Concert: Four Piece Quartet: January 21 at Garden Spot Village in New Holland. Enjoy an evening of reverent jazz performed by the Four Piece Quartet as part of the 2011-2012 Garden Spot Village Saturday Evening Concert Series. 717-355-6000 or www.gardenspotvillage.com/news.html

Sing for Hope Gala: January 21 at the Fulton Theatre in Downtown Lancaster. The evening of exceptional vocal performances will include a range of musical styles, from spirituals and operatic pieces to excerpts from well-loved musicals. The concert proceeds enrich the lives of children and families around the globe by generating valuable funds for hundreds of educational and community projects.  717-397-7425 or www.eastcoast.mmc.org/winteroperagala

Ware Center events

Friday: The Ware Center, Lancaster
It’s a trio of entertainment at The Ware Center on Friday.

“Lancaster Lens” opening reception

Friday: Lancaster Museum of Art
More than a dozen photographers from Lancaster will display their works as part of this exhibit.

“A Bridge Too Far” screening

Sunday: Hershey Theatre, Derry Township
This 1977 film tells of the attempt in the later part of World War II to capture three bridges in Holland to allow Allied access over the Rhine River into Germany.