City Lights 2010 kicks off its sixth season of exciting programs starting Feb. 28 with “Famous African American Penn Staters” at Pittsburgh’s new August Wilson Center. More events are scheduled for New York City; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; and Harrisburg, Pa.

Famous African American Penn Staters
August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh
Feb. 28, 1:30 p.m.
In celebration of African American history month, join fellow Penn Staters at Pittsburgh’s newest cultural landmark, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, named for Pittsburgh’s native son and one of America’s foremost playwrights. Courtney Young, assistant professor and librarian at Penn State Beaver, will discuss African American history, highlighting Penn State alumni. A reception will follow. Cost: $25 for Alumni Association members, $40 for non-members and $10 for children ages 12-18 (under 12 free). Cost includes exclusive guided tour of the museum, faculty presentation and reception. REGISTER NOW>>

Looking to make a day of it? Grammy-winning South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at 7:00 that evening at the nearby Byham Theatre. A limited number of discounted concert tickets are available for $35 each.

American Indian Leadership at Penn State
National Museum of the American Indian, New York City
March 27, 10:00 a.m.
Penn State is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the College of Education’s American Indian Leadership Program. Bring the whole family to this daylong event. Tour the National Museum of the American Indian: George Gustav Heye Center, a Smithsonian Museum, and learn more about the American Indian history and Penn State’s leadership program from John Tippeconnic, a member of the Comanche tribe, professor of educational leadership and director of the American Indian Leadership Program at University Park. Tippeconnic was recently named the Batschelet Chaired Professor of Educational Administration in the Penn State College of Education. Cost for museum entrance, lecture and lunch: $25 for Alumni Association members, $40 for non-members and $10 for children ages 12-18 (under 12 free).

Pennsylvania’s Energy Future
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg, Pa.
April 13, 5:30 p.m.
Increasing use of wind energy, the end of electricity rate caps and reducing emissions are some of Pennsylvania’s most pressing energy issues. Join us for this after-work reception featuring a lecture by Seth Blumsack, assistant professor of energy and economics in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Learn about the research, economics and policy that are shaping Pennsylvania’s energy future during this enlightening program. Cost: $25 for Alumni Association members, $40 for non-members.

Space Flight: Still the New Frontier?
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center
near Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport
May 8, 10:00 a.m.
Opened in 2003, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s hangar-sized Udvar-Hazy Center offers visitors a closer look at everything from the prototype for the first commercial jet, the Boeing 707, to the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Penn State Professor and Space Shuttle Astronaut Jim Pawelczyk ’85g, veteran of a 16-day shuttle mission, will be on hand to talk about the future in space travel. The day includes lunch, Pawelczyk’s presentation, and plenty of time to tour this incomparable museum. Cost for the lunch and program: $25 for Alumni Association members, $40 for non-members and $10 for children ages 12-18 (under 12 free).

Roller Coasters and Music: Two Defining American Pastimes
Knoebels Amusement Park, Elysburg, Pa.
May 15, noon
Leave the city behind and step back in time for a day of simple pleasures at Knoebels Amusement Resort. The historic park features everything from a large swimming pool—once a mainstay at amusement parks—to some of Pennsylvania’s most thrilling roller coasters. Young children will delight in the many kid-friendly rides and relaxed atmosphere of the park. The day includes a picnic lunch, a $10 ride ticket book, musical entertainment by the Penn State Glee Club and Alumni Blue Band members, a presentation by roller coaster expert and author Charlie Jacques ’62 and a special reception marking Penn State Schuylkill’s 75th anniversary. Cost: $10 for Alumni Association members, $15 for non-members and $10 for children ages 12-18 (under 12 free).

Renoir and the Impressionists
Philadelphia Museum of Art
June 25, 5:00 p.m.
“Renoir in the 20th Century,” an exhibit of the famed impressionist’s later work, will make only two stops in the United States and one of those is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Guarantee that you will see this special exhibit by attending this City Lights event. In addition to the exhibit, the event also includes a reception and a presentation on Renoir’s work by Patrick McGrady, the Charles V. Hallman Curator for Penn State’s Palmer Museum of Art and an assistant professor of art history. Cost: $60 for Alumni Association members, $75 for non-members and $10 for children ages 12-18 (under 12 free). Cost includes entry to the Renoir exhibit, faculty presentation and reception.

All City Lights 2010 events require pre-registration, which is now open for the Feb. 28 event in Pittsburgh. Additional information on other City Lights events will be provided in future e-mails and on the Penn State Alumni Association's home page. To learn more about all Alumni Association events and to register for upcoming events, visit the events page. Registration and additional information are also available by calling 800-548-LION (option 5) or e-mailing alumnitravel@psu.edu.