Wry Writer ... Tuesday

The world first found out about how wryly funny David Sedaris was back in 1992 when National Public Radio broadcast his humorous story about his experiences playing an elf at Macy's. "SantaLand Diaries" become a classic, and Sedaris went on to contribute more essays to NPR and "This American Life." He will be appearing Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York. But Sedaris' topics go way beyond the insanity of Christmas at the world's largest department store. He writes sardonically and satirically about both the mundane and the eccentric, including his large family (which includes sister Amy Sedaris), living abroad, life before fame and fortune, animals and a variety of strange people he's met. His collections of essays include "Naked," "Me Talk Pretty One Day," "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim," "When You are Engulfed in Flames" and, most recently, "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk." Most zip right to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list. His books have sold more than 7 million copies. He will be giving a reading, taking questions and signing books at Tuesday's show. Tickets are $30, $35 and $40 and proceeds benefit R.O.A.R., a charity that fights ovarian cancer.

'Bare' Emotions ... opens Friday

"Bare: A Pop Opera," this year's All Campus Musical Theatre Production at Millersville University, is about a group of friends trying to survive their senior year at a Catholic boarding school and come to grips with who they are. Set against the backdrop of a school production of "Romeo and Juliet," the musical revolves around roommates Jason and Peter and their closeted relationship. Jason is the golden-boy valedictorian, and Peter is an altar boy who wants to come out. Jason is afraid his world will fall apart if people know he is gay. But keeping their secret causes pain and problems for them and their friends. Jason's overweight, sharp-tongued twin sister, Nadia, is in love with Matt, who is in love with Ivy, who is in love with Jason, who leads her on to cover up his relationship with Peter. Ultimately, tragedy will overwhelm the friends. "Bare" was written by Damon Intrabartolo (book and music) and Jon Hartmere (book and lyrics), and was first performed in Los Angeles in 2000. It's been staged off-Broadway and in colleges and theaters across the country, in Canada and England. The show, which MU suggests is for mature audiences, opens Friday at 8 and runs through April 22 at Rafters Theatre in Dutcher Hall on the MU campus. It's being directed by student Rebecca Douglass. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for seniors and students. To buy tickets in advance call 872-3811 or go to MUTicketsOnline.com.

9 Voices ... Tuesday

The sirens will be ringing, or more aptly singing, on the Susquehanna Tuesday night, during Shank's Tavern's "Sirens of the Susquehanna" concert. The free concert features performances of nine regional female singers -- Loretta Bilieux, Octavia, Bobbi Carmitchell, Jessica Smucker, Amanda Wells, KimberLiana, Lisa Thomas, Linzi Brasie and Dani Hoy. "It started out as just a small gathering, but more and more women wanted to get on board," says Brasie, creator of the event. "Now, we have nine women performing. What makes this group unique is that many of these women earn their living through solo performing, and therefore never get to play with their musical comrades. Joining forces and supporting each other as we perform is beneficial to us as musicians, and, of course, for the audience as well." The women on stage bring a variety of musical diversity and experience with them. Bilieux was the front woman of Burning Bus in the '90s and has returned to the music scene with the DiveBarPretties. Her music is powerful rock and roll. Octavia is well known in the blues community. With the Octavia Blues Band, the R&B, soul and blues diva sings and plays a wicked harmonica. Singer/songwriter Carmitchell has been a staple of the music scene here for decades, first as part of Wind and Wood, then in the Carmitchell Sisters and now as a solo artist. Smucker writes what could be considered "dark pop" songs, using minor keys to create catchy melodies. Her lyrics touch on life's depressing realities, but are infused with just a touch of hope. Wells' first guitar was pulled from a Dumpster at a construction site, and she's never stopped playing or writing since. Thomas performs a variety of styles of music including folk, classic rock, country, blues, alternative and bluegrass. She also performs in a duo called No Labels. Like Jimmy Buffet? Then Hoy's "Trop Rock" style of music should be right up your alley. Lancaster City singer/songwriter KimberLiana has been working on an album to benefit the Haiti earthquake victims. And Brasie, whose early memories include singing "Moon River" in a talent show at age 5, performs her own songs these days. She often hosts open mics at Shank's, which she describes as "cozy little tavern rich in history, dating back to 1814." The music starts at 7:30. Shanks is at 36 N. Waterford St., Marietta. For details, call 426-1205 or visit www.shankstavern.com.