Better Than Ezra, The Hooters, Kathy Mattea concerts among weekend highlights [Events roundup]

The following events are planned for the week ahead throughout the region:

• The Keswick Theatre, Glenside, presents Better Than Ezra on Thursday at 8 p.m., then back-to-back nights of The Hooters on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Croce Plays Croce on Sunday at 7 p.m. Better Than Ezra is a New Orleans-based trio best known for the1993 multi-platinum album “Deluxe” and the 1995 single “Good,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The Hooters have been a fixture on the Philadelphia music scene since 1980, when Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilion formed the band. Their first major record deal in 1984 with Columbia Records resulted in their debut album, “Nervous Night,” whichquickly achieved Gold and Platinum status with the hits “And We Danced,” “All You Zombies,” “Day By Day” and “Where Do the Children Go.” Rounding out the weekend at the Keswick is Croce Plays Croce, featuring A.J. Croce honoring the music of his late father, Jim, and celebrating the recent release of the three-record set “The Definitive Croce,” includes Jim’s iconic albums “Life and Times,” “I Got a Name” and “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” For tickets and more information, see keswicktheatre.com.

• The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College will present Constantine Maroulis: A Rock and Roll Cabaret, with accompaniment by Berks County native Dan Pardo on piano, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and An Evening with Kathy Mattea on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Maroulis first came to prominence as the beloved rock ’n’ roll underdog on the fourth season of “American Idol.” He then secured his place in pop culture as a Broadway superstar, best known for his Tony-nominated role in “Rock of Ages.” Pardo, an Antietam High School and West Chester University graduate, is a NYC-based music director, pianist, arranger and educator, having made his Broadway debut as assistant conductor and keyboardist for “Amazing Grace” at the Nederlander Theatre. Hailed by The Washington Post as “one of Nashville’s finest song interpreters,” Mattea has enjoyed success and acclaim during her 35-year career in country, bluegrass and folk music, including two Grammy wins, four CMA Awards, four No. 1 country singles and five gold albums (plus a platinum Greatest Hits collection). For tickets and more information, see millercenter.racc.edu.

• Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester, presents the Dave Matthews Tribute Band on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and the Brit Pac on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Dave Matthews Tribute Band has over 1,500 performances under their belts, wowing audiences across 46 states and eight countries. The Brit Pack takes its audience on a journey through a dynamic blend of British classics known and loved by all, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, The Who, Oasis, Radiohead, The Police, Amy Winehouse and many more. For tickets and more information, see uptownwestchester.org.

• Friends of Chamber Music of Reading kicks off its 71st season of classical chamber music concerts with a performance by the Amernet String Quartet accomapnied by pianist Matthew Bengtson on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the WCR Center for the Arts, Reading. The Amernet, performing for the first time in Reading, has garnered recognition as one of today’s exceptional string quartets and is Ensemble-in-Residence at Florida International University in Miami. Berks County native Bengtson is critically acclaimed as a “musician’s pianist.” Their program will feature works by Philadelphia-based composers George Walker, Samuel Barber, and Vittorio Giannini. Admission is free. For more information, see chambermusicreading.org.

• SoulJoel’s Comedy Club inside Sunnybrook, Pottstown, presents Jim Breuer on Thursday at 7 p.m. and John Caparulo on Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Breuer made Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Standups of All Time” list. He came to national attention during his seasons on “Saturday Night Live” (1995-98). Many of his newer fans know him from the multitude of hilarious hours he’s spent as a guest on Sirius XM’s “The Howard Stern Show.” Caparulo was invited to the 2003 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and shortly thereafter was featured on the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Next Generation.” Over the next several years he would make multiple appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” He found mainstream success when he appeared over 150 times as a panelist on Chelsea Handler’s popular E! show, “Chelsea Lately,” during its seven-year run. For tickets and more information, see souljoels.com.

• The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen will present its 73rd annual juried Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festival on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Michael O’Pake Fieldhouse on the campus of Kutztown University, South Campus Drive. More than 75 juried craftsmen and artists from Pennsylvania and beyond will showcase their best and newest handmade creations in both contemporary and traditional styles. Talk with these artists who create jewelry, wood working, fine art, fraktur, sawdust dolls, wheat weaving, feather trees, photography, pottery, hex signs, baskets, paper art, metal art, glass, handmade rugs, leather, gift books, fabric accessories, floor cloths and more. In addition, there will be a student gallery featuring emerging artists. An eat-in cafe will feature live music and hourly door prizes. Admission is $6 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. For more information and a coupon for $1 off admission, visit rbcrafts.org.

• The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks hosts the Americana Indian Show on Friday and Saturday, Gemarama on Saturday and Sunday, and the Great American Guitar Show on Saturday and Sunday. The Americana Indian Show, featuring Native American and Southwest jewelry, rugs, baskets and more, runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Saturday. Gemarama, the Tuscarora Lapidary Society’s fine gem, jewelry and mineral show, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Sunday. And the Great American Guitar Show, feature guitars, amps, gear, records, memorabolia and more, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Sunday. For more information, see phillyexpocenter.com.

• Romeo Santos, known as the “King of Bacchata,” brings his “Formula Vol. 3” Tour to Santander Arena, Reading, on Friday at 8 p.m. Santos blends bachata, R&B, hip-hop and Latin urban sounds. He kicked off his tour in Europe and South America and broke sales records in Lima, Peru, with four sold-out stadium dates for 80,000 people. In Chile, he sold out nine stadium dates in Arena de Santiago for a total of 120,000 fans. “Formula Vol.3,” his fifth solo album, went multiplatinum and has been streamed more than 1 billion times, making Santos one of the most-listened-to Latin artists on Spotify and viewed on YouTube. For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.

• The Broadway on Sixth Series at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading, presents “Book of Mormon” on Monday and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Winner of nine-time Tony Awards including best musical, this musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Tickets start at $49.50 at santander-arena.com.

• Good Food Fest, a celebration of local food and agriculture in the greater Philadelphia area, will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kimberton Fairgrounds. The festival features an epic farmers market, live music by Frog Holler, food trucks, a pouring room, culinary demonstrations, children’s activities, farm animals and more. It takes place rain or shine in a barn, a large tented area and under two large pavilions. Tickets cost $25 for VIP early entrance at 10 a.m. or $10 for adult general admission, and free for children under 12. For more information, see goodfarmsgoodfood.com.

• The Reading Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Constantine, will bring to life the timeless tale of “Romeo and Juliet” on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading. The performance begins with Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, Op. 104, a masterful work composed between 1894 and 1895. Known for its melodic richness, the concerto comprises three movements, showcasing the virtuosity of the solo cellist and Dvořák’s profound connection to nature. Renowned for its beauty and emotional depth, it remains a cherished piece in the classical repertoire. The Reading Symphony Orchestra will then perform Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet,” featuring Tommy Mesa on cello. This ballet score was composed in the mid-1930s, capturing the tragic love story of Shakespeare’s famous play. The music, known for its expressive and evocative qualities, vividly portrays the emotions, tensions and ultimate tragedy of the young lovers. It has become one of Prokofiev’s most celebrated works, appreciated both as a ballet and as a standalone orchestral suite, frequently performed in concert halls globally. For tickets and more information, see readingsymphony.org.

• The WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading, in partnership with the Reading Film Office, is hosting an 80th Birthday Party to honor Joni Mitchell on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. A singer, composer and lyricist of exceptional talent and unmatched influence, Mitchell has crafted an extraordinary body of work spanning more than 50 years and is widely regarded as one of the brightest musical lights of recent generations. She is this year’s winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress. The program will feature the screening of the documentary “Joni Mitchell: A Woman of Heart and Mind” and live performances of classic Mitchell songs. Featured vocalists will be Reading High senior Twyla Ewen, member of the Olivet Boys & Girls Club’s Center for the Arts since she was 7 years old. Joining Ewen will be vocalist Maria Damore, guitarist Ken Bagenstose and vocalist Suzie Ernesto, who also will serve as event emcee. A $10 donation at the door is encouraged.

• The 23rd Annual Jewish Food and Cultural Festival will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom, Wyomissing. The menu will include apple cake, brisket, pastrami, corned beef, hot dogs and more. In addition, mezzo-soprano Molly Nemirow and accompanist Holly Altenderfer will perform songs in celebration of Jewish culture in the Broadway and classical traditions, with performances at 2:30 and 2:30. To view the full menu and order meals in advance, visit www.ohebsholom.org.

• The Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture Series presents motivational speaker and activist Autumn Rose Miskweminanocsqua Williams for a lecture on self-love and empowerment at 7 p.m. Monday in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium on campus. Williams is an advocate for Afro-Indigenous culture, social justice awareness, body positivity and mental health. She recently worked for the Administration for Native Americans to champion Indigenous issues across the United States, American Sāmoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Williams currently is the public relations and media coordinator for Indigenous Peoples Day Phoenix and is a cohort in Arizona State University’s Indigenous Leadership Program. She grew up on the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, N.Y., where she began a journey to learn more about her Black and Indigenous heritage and served as Miss Native American 2017-18. Admission is free. For more information, see berks.psu.edu.