Skip to content
Celebrate the Spooky Season with ‘Transylvania Thunder’ and ‘Monster Rally’
Get ready for a frightfully fun time at Bucks County Community College this Halloween season with a live concert and spooky silver screen classics.
First, “Transylvania Thunder” rolls in at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 25. This spine-tingling spectacle combines live rock music, eerie storytelling, dancers, lighting, and narration in a Halloween-themed rock opera that will leave you howling for more.
“‘Transylvania Thunder’ is a fully immersive experience for the whole family that brings something bold, new, and unforgettable to the Halloween season,” said Pete Chiovarou, director of community programming and college events. “It fuses the energy of a concert with the magic of Broadway and the nostalgic spirit of fall. And beware of the ghosts and ghouls lurking in the ‘graveyard’ lobby when you enter the theater!”
Tickets for “Transylvania Thunder” are $39 each, and free for BCCC students with current ID.
The chills continue with “Monster Rally” October 28, 29 and 30, a creature-feature film series that resurrects Hollywood’s most famous monsters from Universal Studios:
7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28: “Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein” and “Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman”
7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29: “House of Dracula” and “House of Frankenstein”
12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30: “House on Haunted Hill”
Tickets for “Monster Rally” are $7 for each date, and free for BCCC students with current ID.
All performances take place in the Zlock Performing Arts Center on Bucks’ Newtown Campus, located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa., where there’s ample free parking. Tickets are available on the website.
“Transylvania Thunder” and “Monster Rally” are part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. For a full schedule of Bucks Live! performances this season, visit the Zlock Performing Arts Center web page.
Wordsmiths Reading Series Welcomes Lynn Fanok
Bucks County Community College invites the public to hear poet Lynn Fanok read from her works at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23, as part of its Wordsmiths Reading Series.
The free event, in room 142 of Tyler Hall on the Newtown Campus, will be followed by a book signing and reception.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Fanok has written two poetry collections that focus on aspects of her formative years. Her first book, “Bread and Fumes,” describes her late father who survived a WWII Nazi labor camp, and explores her Ukrainian heritage and culture. Her latest book, “The Weeds,” focuses on childhood friendships and loss, natural disasters, and restoration. Both are published by Kelsay Books. Fanok’s work has also appeared in Painted Bride Quarterly, Schuylkill Valley Journal, Red Wolf Press, Tiny Seed Journal, Gossamer Arts Literary Journal, and the poetry anthology “Carry Us to the Next Well.”
Fanok lives with her husband in Bucks County, where she has hosted a monthly poetry series at the Newtown Bookshop since 2016. She holds degrees in English from Pennsylvania State University and Arcadia University.
Professor Ethel Rackin, Ph.D., the program’s director, says the Wordsmiths Reading Series offers the community at large the opportunity to gather for an enriching, collective experience.
“We select authors who have vital new work that engages with issues of particular interest to students and the community alike,” said Rackin, who is also the author of four poetry books and a textbook on creative writing. “We pair local authors with visiting ones, and emerging authors with those of national acclaim.“
The event is part of a long tradition begun by Bucks County Community College 60 years ago to connect the community with the region’s vibrant literary heritage. Over the years, the College has hosted several literary greats, including poet Allen Ginsberg and many award-winning authors.
Funded by the College’s Cultural Affairs Committee, the Wordsmiths Reading Series continues at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 15, featuring the inaugural reading of the soon-to-be-named 2025 Bucks County Poet Laureate. The 49th laureate will be joined by preliminary judge, poet Nicole Greaves, outgoing laureate Lake Angela, and runners-up in the annual contest. To learn more, visit the Wordsmiths Reading Series web page or contact the School of Language & Literature at langandlit@bucks.edu or 215-968-8150.
Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown Campus web page.
Discover Your Future at Bucks County Community College’s Open House
Tour campus, meet professors, and learn how to save 26%-72% on your bachelor’s degree from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 18 Ready to take the next step toward your future? Bucks County Community College invites you to the Fall Open House from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 18, at the Newtown Campus.
At Bucks, you will find high-quality education, real-world experience, and job-ready training — all in an engaged, supportive community that’s dedicated to preparing you for success. Whether you want to launch your career, transfer to a four-year university, or just explore your options, Bucks is the place to start.
“Every student at Bucks can launch their future, whether that means attending a top university to pursue your bachelor’s degree or jumping into a great career,” said Yolonda Udvardy, Ed.D., interim vice president for enrollment management. “The Open House is a hands-on, engaging event open to all students and families.”
Bucks County Community College is consistently ranked among the top in the state and nation. SmartAsset, a consumer-focused financial website committed to helping people make smart financial decisions, recently ranked Bucks No. 2 in Pennsylvania, while Niche, a popular college search site, placed the College third in the commonwealth. Nationally, SmartAsset ranked Bucks among the top 10% of all two-year colleges.
At the Open House, you can:
Tour the scenic Newtown Campus and picture yourself here.
Chat with professors who will get to know you by your name, not by number.
Explore more than 90 programs of study in technology, healthcare, business, arts, and more.
Learn how to save 26%–72% on the cost of a bachelor’s degree through our 2+2 Dual Admission Transfer Plan.
The event is free and open to everyone — future students, parents, friends, and anyone curious about what Bucks has to offer. Check in at the Linksz Pavilion, located on the campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. For directions and a campus map, visit our Newtown Campus web page.
To register for the free open house, visit our Open House web page. For questions, email admissions@bucks.edu or call 215-968-8100.
Bucks County Community College Library Marks 60th Anniversary
The celebration included a tribute to founding librarian Lester Minkel, whose family and friends were among the honored guests
The Bucks County Community College Library celebrated its 60th anniversary September 29 with a presentation on the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the College’s first librarian. Minkel’s family members were in attendance while librarian Kelly Deeny presented an overview of Minkel’s significant contributions, including the purchase of reference books displayed at the 1964 World’s Fair by the American Library Association, and partnering with the Bucks County Free Library. Bucks County Community College opened its doors to students on September 29, 1965, part of a sweeping movement to increase access to higher education across the nation.
Librarian Kelly Deeny researched the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the first librarian at Bucks County Community College, to commemorate the library’s 60th anniversary. Born in Iowa, Minkel broke from the family’s farming tradition to pursue an education, and established a reputation as a beloved educator, friend, and family man who loved to travel and cook. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Archival photos are displayed at the Bucks County Community College Library in Newtown to commemorate its 60th anniversary. Community members and alumni are invited to help identify students and staff depicted through the years. The library and college opened its doors on September 29, 1965, part of the burgeoning community college movement in the United States that opened access to higher education for thousands. (CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
The Bucks County Community College Library celebrated its 60th anniversary with cake – of course! – on September 29. The event included a presentation about the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the founding librarian.(CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Award-Winning Authors Launch Fall Wordsmiths Series
Jennifer Tseng and Amy Small-McKinney came to Bucks County Community College September 26 for a reading, reception and book-signing Bucks County Community College, which has a 60-year history of bringing world-renowned authors to Newtown, launched the 2025-26 Wordsmiths Reading Series Friday, September 26, in historic Tyler Hall on the college’s Newtown Campus. Pictured (left-right) are poet and fiction writer Jennifer Tseng, Professor Ethel Rackin, and poet Amy Small-McKinney. The series continues at 12:30 Thursday, October 23, with poet Lynn Fanok. All readings are free and open to the public. Learn more by visiting the Wordsmiths webpage. (CREDIT: Jean Dolan, Bucks County Community College)
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit the Bucks County Community College web page.
“Real Diamond” Brings “Sweet Caroline” to Newtown October 11
Neil Diamond tribute concert features many of the legendary singer’s top hits, part of the Bucks Live! series of cultural events Bucks County Community College, which has a long tradition of bringing high-caliber performances to the region with Bucks Live!, proudly presents “Real Diamond” – a tribute to the legendary Neil Diamond – at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 11.
Fronted by Curt Di Domizio, “Real Diamond” delivers a stunningly realistic interpretation of one of America’s most beloved singer-songwriters. The performance includes timeless hits such as “Kentucky Woman,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue,” “America,” and many more.
Neil Diamond’s music has spanned more than five decades, with record sales of over 130 million worldwide. Inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Diamond is known for his poetic lyrics and infectious melodies that have become part of the soundtrack of American life.
“Real Diamond is more than a tribute – it’s an experience,” said Pete Chiovarou, director of community programming and college events at Bucks County Community College. “Audiences will be transported back through Neil Diamond’s incredible career with a show full of energy, authenticity, and heart.”
Tickets for “Real Diamond” are $27 (free for current BCCC students with ID) and can be purchased at bucks.edu/tickets or at the box office.
The concert takes place in the Zlock Performing Arts Center on the Newtown Campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. For directions and a campus map, visit bucks.edu/newtown.
“Real Diamond” is part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. For a full schedule of Bucks Live! performances this season, visit bucks.edu/tickets.
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit bucks.edu.
