PACApalooza Provides a Full Weekend of Free Entertainment

Dave Schroeder / PACA

Beginning Friday, Aug. 12

PACA is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a free three-day celebration of theater, music, dance, comedy, poetry, film, fashion, an art auction, and more. Erie's Performing Arts Collective Alliance not only supports the entrepreneurial efforts of emerging artists and produces award-winning theater, but is also revitalizing a historic downtown property and bringing labor and tourism dollars into the heart of Erie. If you haven't yet visited, PACApalooza is the perfect time to sample all things PACA. 

PACA is located at 1505 State St. in the Meyer building, and is home to more than 30 artist-tenants, including sculptors, photographers, painters, craftsmen, and musicians of all types who will have their doors open to visitors for this event. Tours of the building, which is listed on the National Historic Register, will be given throughout the weekend.  

"We wanted to give thanks to the Erie community for Erie Gives Day. It's such an important day for nonprofits, and Erie as a whole is always so generous in supporting the arts," said Char Newport, PACA's administrative manager. "There is something for everyone at PACAPalooza — poetry, fashion show, comedy, theater, and music. We also have two movies made by local filmmakers we will be showing. Sunday is our art auction, we have a number of gift baskets for raffle generously donated by local businesses, and we will livestream the drawings Sunday."

The schedule is PACked with something for everyone. — Amy VanScoter

FRIDAY 8/12

5 p.m. — Poetry

6 p.m. — Live Music: Jeremy Jaeger

7 p.m. — Stand-up comedy

8 p.m. — 2022-2023 Season Announcement
Short plays featuring: Merrill Brace, Jasse Comacho, Leslie Ford, Marney Foss, Jordan Gilmore, Raina Harden, Kerry Lee Hinkson, Rob Karney, Linda Kemp, Tracie Morell, Anthony Nunez, Buddy Pacy, Breanna Poff, Zachery Thomas, and Nick Warren; with direction from: Betsy Butoryak, Jasse Comacho, Lara Schaaf, Lisa Simonian, and Mark Tanenbaum

10 p.m. — Live Music: Stephen Trohoske

SATURDAY 8/13

12 p.m. — Tarot readings

1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Footlights, Kids Zone

5 p.m. — Fashion Show with The Dollhouse at Pointe Foure Vintage Boutique

6 p.m. — Film: Blinded directed by Jim Morton and Jesse James, Alexander the Brain, written and directed by Danny Pakulski (Oddity Productions)

7 p.m. — Live Music: "Mark" (Joe Popp, Tim Driscoll and Kenneth Felix Cornelius)

8 p.m. — 2022-2023 Season Announcement
Short plays featuring: Merrill Brace, Jasse Comacho, Leslie Ford, Marney Foss, Jordan Gilmore, Raina Harden, Kerry Lee Hinkson, Rob Karney, Linda Kemp, Tracie Morell, Anthony Nunez, Buddy Pacy, Breanna Poff, Zachery Thomas, and Nick Warren; with direction from: Betsy Butoryak, Jasse Comacho, Lara Schaaf, Lisa Simonian, and Mark Tanenbaum

10 p.m. — Live Music: Matt "Broke" Boland

SUNDAY 8/14

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. — Art auction

3 p.m. - 4 p.m. — Gift drawings

4 p.m. — Blinded directed by Jim Morton and Jesse James (Distorted Vision Productions and Oddity Productions), Pact of Vengeance, written and directed by Len Kabasinski

Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m., Sunday 2 to 6 p.m. // 1505 State St. // Free admission to all events // For more information, go to paca1505.org