The WCR Center for the Arts

The WCR Center for the Arts One of PA's greatest acoustical treasures, the historic WCR Center for the Arts provides the setting

The WCR Center for the Arts is located at 140 North Fifth St in the historic heart of downtown Reading. Erected in the 19th Century on the site of Reading’s first Post Office, the former Wyomissing Club occupied the building until 1919, when it became the home of the Woman’s Club of Reading. In 2004, several community leaders came together to form a new entity, “The WCR (Woman’s Club of Reading) C

enter for the Arts”. The organization was formed for the purpose of helping the present members of the Woman’s Club save this historic building as a unique performance and exhibition venue for the community. Already much has been done in rehabilitation of the structure, which has been made more user-friendly with comfortable auditorium seating, modern bathroom facilities, and an inviting space for receptions and exhibits.

Looking for the perfect gift? This holiday season, give your loved ones an unforgettable experience—the gift of music!Jo...
12/19/2024

Looking for the perfect gift? This holiday season, give your loved ones an unforgettable experience—the gift of music!

Join us as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary Performance of Philadelphia Orchestra Members “Music From the Inside Out” on March 2, 2025 at 3:00pm.

It’s an afternoon of a spectacular performance and cherished memories in the making.

Buy tickets here! https://checkout.square.site/buy/OBZXRCGZ4SLR2P7DPYL2P66D

The WCR Center for the Arts is proud to announce a new grant award of $10,425 from the Neag Foundation in support of our...
12/10/2024

The WCR Center for the Arts is proud to announce a new grant award of $10,425 from the Neag Foundation in support of our 2024-25 Musical Performance Program, which supported our Winter Arts Camp and Guitar-O-Rama 2024.

The grant will also fund “Music from the Inside Out,” a 20th Anniversary Performance by Philadelphia Orchestra Members on March 2, 3 PM, along with two performances in April for Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest: David Cullen and Samite on April 9, 7 PM, and Hot Club of Reading on April 12, 7 PM.

Thank you Neag Foundation and thank you Reading Eagle, BCTV Berks and Berks Weekly for sharing our great news!
https://www.readingeagle.com/2024/12/08/reading-venues-announce-upcoming-shows-spotlight/
https://www.bctv.org/2024/12/05/the-wcr-center-for-the-arts-receives-10425-grant-from-the-neag-foundation/
https://berksweekly.com/news/nonprofits/wcr-center-for-the-arts-receives-10k-grant-from-the-neag-foundation/

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to be a part of something truly inspiring.Every donation—big or small—helps us contin...
12/03/2024

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to be a part of something truly inspiring.

Every donation—big or small—helps us continue our mission
to make art accessible and foster creativity in our community.

Together, we can shape a vibrant future for the arts in Reading!

DONATE Today!
https://wcr-center-for-the-arts.square.site/

Children in Reading created lasting memories of the holiday season through movement, music and art at the second annual ...
12/02/2024

Children in Reading created lasting memories of the holiday season through movement, music and art at the second annual Free Winter Arts Camp.

From crafting adorable handmade turkeys to designing vision boards for the new year, this camp was a whirlwind of creative discovery.

The Winter Arts Camp is presented in partnership with the WCR Center for the Arts, Barrio Alegría, Olivet Boys and Girls Club, Reading Recreation Commission, and powered by a grant from the Neag Foundation and the many committed volunteers.

Thank you Reading Eagle, Berks Weekly and WFMZ for featuring us in the News!
https://www.readingeagle.com/2024/12/04/historic-chamber-music-venue-in-reading-hosts-free-winter-arts-camp-for-city-children/

https://berksweekly.com/news/entertainment/free-winter-arts-camp-brings-stories-crafts-and-fun-to-reading-youth/

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/berks/reading-area/reading-children-take-part-in-2-day-winter-arts-camp/article_d3994cce-abc6-11ef-b18f-c3a4d6df4644.html

11/27/2024
Guitar-O-Rama 2024! What a wonderful afternoon of workshops and musical performances, Rhumba Flamenca, Blues, & Gypsy Ja...
11/24/2024

Guitar-O-Rama 2024! What a wonderful afternoon of workshops and musical performances, Rhumba Flamenca, Blues, & Gypsy Jazz Music starring Quarantined Quartet from New York Guitar Academy, along with Josh Taylor, Dave Kline & The Gypsy Jazz-Blues Fusion Band.

Presented as a free event to the community by the WCR Center for the Arts, Dave Kline Productions, and a grant from the Reading Musical Foundation.

Photo Credits: Bill Coughlin

Join WCR Center for the Arts, Dave Kline Productions, and Reading Musical Foundation for an exciting afternoon of Rhumba...
11/22/2024

Join WCR Center for the Arts, Dave Kline Productions, and Reading Musical Foundation for an exciting afternoon of Rhumba Flamenca, Blues & Gypsy Jazz Music starring The Quarantined Quartet from New York Guitar Academy, along with Josh Taylor, Dave Kline & The Gypsy Jazz-Blues Fusion Band.

🗓️ Saturday, November 23

⏰1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

📍WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth Street, Reading, PA 19601

⭐️ FREE! Tickets needed – reserve your free tickets at Dave Kline Productions Events Home (ticketleap.events)


Workshop & Jam Session | 1:30 – 2:30 PM

THE EXCEPTIONAL E CHORD is versatile and can be used with passion in blues, jazz, rhumba flamenca. This workshop and jam is for beginning and intermediate guitar students and will give guitarists a chance to learn and jam with Josh Taylor, Dave Kline, as well as members of the Quarantined Quartet. In order to get the most out of this session we suggest that participants should familiarize themselves with the E, A & B (major) guitar chords.

Guitar-a-Rama Schedule

2:45 – 3:45 PM – Gourmet Gypsy Jazz Fusion Band

4:00 – 5:15 PM – The Quarantined Quartet

5:15 – 5:30 PM – Final Jam – All Musicians & Workshop Participants

About the Gourmet Gypsy Jazz Fusion Band

Led by Berks County's Josh Taylor, the Gourmet Gypsy Jazz Band is the region's premiere Hot Club / Django Reinhart group of musicians who take the audience along for a Gypsy Jazz experience beckoning back to the iconic Bohemian era along the Seine River in Paris when musicians, deep thinkers, writers, poets, painters and dreamers, sometimes fueled by the "Green Fairee of Absinthe," packed nightclubs, cafes and restaurants as they used jazz and free thinking to express themselves and change the world.

📣AFP Berks Regional Chapter thank YOU for recognizing one of our founding Board members, Thomas B. Souders, MD. Tom was ...
11/20/2024

📣AFP Berks Regional Chapter thank YOU for recognizing one of our founding Board members, Thomas B. Souders, MD. Tom was nominated by the WCR as a distinguished honoree and honored at the event alongside President Jayme Rhoads and fellow Board members. We are grateful for Tom’s exceptional dedication to our nonprofit!👏

11/20/2024

We were honored to take part!

11/20/2024

Free Saturday? Check out guitar-a-rama this weekend!! See posts below- and YES you can come to the door and get your tickets!

🎉Congratulations to our sweet The WCR Center for the Arts ! 🎉📣WCR Center Preservation receives Pennsylvania 2024 Histori...
11/09/2024

🎉Congratulations to our sweet The WCR Center for the Arts ! 🎉

📣WCR Center Preservation receives Pennsylvania 2024 Historic Preservation Award Award for Leadership in Public Impact! This award recognizes the WCR Center for the Arts excellence in using a historic building to enrich the community!

WCR Board of Directors President, Jayme Rhoads and Board Vice President, Jane Runyeon, accepted the award on behalf of the nonprofit at the Preservation Pennsylvania 2024 Historic Preservation awards ceremony in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania

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140 N 5th Street
Reading, PA
19601

Telephone

+14846040890

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Videos

Another video from Marty Grosz performance back in December. Frank Sinatra cover of Love Is Just Around the Corner with vocals by Danny Tobias. 💕 #WCRCenterfortheArts #MartyGroszLive #jazzmusic #WCREvents #ReadingPA #JazzMagic

"They always keep secrets from me." -Marty Grosz
"They always keep secrets from me." -Marty Grosz

"They always keep secrets from me." -Marty Grosz 🎉 Take a trip down memory lane with Marty Grosz! 🎤 Watch this video capturing the laughter, music, and pure joy from our event. 🌟🎶 Tag a friend who needs #jazznostalgia #MartyGroszMemories #JazzNostalgia #WCREvents #LiveMusic #ReadingPA #MartyGroszEvent #jazzmusic #ReadingEvents

Experience the brilliance of Marty Grosz and his trio- Dan Block, Danny Tobias and Joe Plowman. #wcrcenterforthearts #WCREvents #MartyGroszEvent #ReadingPA #LiveMusic #jazzmusic

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About the WCR Center for the Arts

The WCR Center for the Arts is located in the historic Callowhill District of downtown Reading. Erected in 1866 as a stately mansion, built on the site of Reading’s first Post Office. In 1898 the Wyomissing Club occupied the building until 1919 when it became the home of the Woman’s Club of Reading. From the outside, the building looks a bit larger than a stately city townhouse, with its new sign and carriage lights inviting the public inside to a wonderful facility, at the center of which is a 265-seat auditorium with an acoustical quality unmatched anywhere in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The facility also boasts a fine gallery and reception hall, and two spacious rental spaces on its second floor. In the summer of 2004, several community leaders came together to form a new entity, “The WCR Center for the Arts”. The organization was formed for the purpose of preserving the historic building for the Arts and community engagement. The WCR Center for the Arts is a first-class artistic venue, capable of serving the community in a variety of ways into the future