For nearly a century, the motorcycle has been an icon for innovation in design and engineering. Perhaps more than any other form of transportation, it has come to symbolize the concept of freedom of movement for the individual, and this freedom has been an engine of creativity in design.

The challenge of balancing performance and advanced engineering innovation with quality design aesthetics has captured the imagination of both the commercial and independent motorcycle designers. The sheer beauty of the best designed motorcycles reminds us that motorcycle design is as much about the human spirit as speed and performance. It is about the edge of wildness that lurks within and that can break out with a motorcycle designed to liberate our wilder side.

This exhibition will examine the art of the motorcycle through the lens of classic motorcycle design, new directions in custom designs, and choppers. In addition, a section of the exhibition will be devoted to some of the best examples of motorcycle painting.

For a PDF file of a flyer on this event and the special opening weekend "Born to be Wild" Benefit Bike Run" on October 4, click on "Learn More" below.

Be adventurous and be a part of our "Biker Chic" reception! Wear your best biker chic and break out the leather, do-rags, and boots to kick off this new exhibition in style. The reception is sponsored by Hair On The Avenue. Beer by Legacy Brewing, plus hors d'oeuvres, other beverages and "whatever comes our way."

Open to the public - Members free, Non-members $15.

Join in a ride from the Pagoda (celebrating its one-hundreth anniversary) to the Museum to kick off the opening of the exhibition, Born to be Wild - Adventures in the Art of Motorcycle Design.

Check-in is at 9 a.m. at the Pagoda, and the ride starts at approximately 10 a.m., down Skyline Drive and through Reading. When arriving at the Museum, you'll enjoy exhibit tours, Pig Pit pulled pork (available for sale), paint demos and more. $25 to pre-register ($30 after September 15), and includes commemorative pin, t-shirt and Museum admission. Click below to download flier and pre-registration form (needed for event).

Enjoy one or all of the fascinating Star Shows in our digitally-enhanced Planetarium. Show prices (for each show) are S6 for Adults (18-60), $4 for Seniors, Children and Students with ID, and free for Children under 4 and Members.

1 p.m. - "The Enchanted Reef"
2 p.m. - "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity"
3 p.m. - "Light Years from Andromeda"
4 p.m. - "Oasis in Space"

Bring your lunch and feed your imagination! Michael B. Kane, former Penn State Berks Senior Lecturer and current Office Manager for JT Custom Design and Fabrication, presents a lecture about Reading Standard, early local manufacturer of motorcycles.

Enjoy stories of the early major automotive and transportation industry, with a focus on the Reading Standard motorcycle.

Free with regular Museum admission.

Join us for a fun night of music and unique laser visual effects !

7 p.m. - The Beatles
8 p.m. - Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
9 p.m. - Led Zeppelin
10 p.m. - Pink Floyd - The Wall

Show prices (per show) - $6 for Non-members and $4 for Members. Tickets on sale at 6 p.m. the night of the shows.

Enjoy one or all of the fascinating Star Shows in our digitally-enhanced Planetarium. Show prices (for each show) are S6 for Adults (18-60), $4 for Seniors, Children and Students with ID, and free for Children under 4 and Members.

1 p.m. - "The Enchanted Reef"
2 p.m. - "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity"
3 p.m. - "Light Years from Andromeda"
4 p.m. - "Oasis in Space"

Presented by the Greater Reading Young Professionals as part of their ongoing club activities. See the exhibition Born to be Wild with a special tour given by Ron Roth, Director and CEO of the Museum. Enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d' oeuvres. Sponsored by the Children's Alopecia Project.

For details, please click "learn more" below.

Join us as this musically gifted family performs original jazz and classical numbers including works by Bach, Corelli and Marcello. The quintet consists of David Cullen, guitar; Jill Haley, oboe and English horn; and their three children, Risa Cullen, viola and piano; Graham Cullen, cello and Dana Cullen, French horn and piano.

The concert includes light breakfast and live music from 10 a.m. to noon in the Museum's Atrium.

Admission to "Bagels and Bach" is $15 for Members and $25 for Non-members, and includes admission to the Museum after the show. Reservations suggested, but not necessary (610-371-5850 x 264). Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Sponsored by Hair On The Avenue. Sunday, October 19.

Enjoy one or all of the fascinating Star Shows in our digitally-enhanced Planetarium. Show prices (for each show) are S6 for Adults (18-60), $4 for Seniors, Children and Students with ID, and free for Children under 4 and Members.

1 p.m. - "The Enchanted Reef"
2 p.m. - "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity"
3 p.m. - "Light Years from Andromeda"
4 p.m. - "Oasis in Space"

Presented by Friends of the Reading Museum

Founded in 1929, The Museum of Modern Art seeks to encourage a deeper understanding and enjoyment of modern and contemporary art. Join us for a day at MoMA that will include a docent-led highlights tour showcasing their most famous pieces of art and sculpture. Following the tour there will be ample time for exploring more than a dozen exhibits on view including Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night.

Throughout his career Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) attempted the paradoxical task of representing night by light, following the trend set by the Impressionists of "translated" visual light effects with various color combinations. Discover new insight into VanGogh's depictions of night landscapes, interior scenes, and the effects of both gaslight and natural light on their surroundings. Representing all periods of the artist's career, the exhibition will comprise over two dozen works of superlative quality -- several of which have never been seen together.

Lunch is on your own. Dining at MoMA includes Cafe 2, Terrace 5 and The Modern. (For reservations at The Modern restaurant call 212-333-1220. For a complete listing of exhibitions and dining information log onto www.moma.org.).

Itinerary:
7:30 am - Depart from Berkshire Mall near Sears Auto
11:20 - Guided Highlights Tour
3:30 pm - Depart for Reading
6:30 - Approx. arrival in Reading

Cost:
$80/Member; $95/Non-member
Includes transportation, admissions, guided tour and driver gratuity.
Deadline to reserve is October 9th - however, trip may fill before deadline. Capacity limited to one bus.

Pick up a registration form at The Museum Shop during Museum hours (sorry, no verbal reservations). Seats are reserved upon receipt of your payment on a first-come, first-served basis.

Join us for one or all three lectures of our series "The Lens and the Brush: The Continuing Dialog of Photography and Painting." The series is presented on Friday nights by guest lecturer, Marlisa Mizerak-- October 24, November 7 and November 14 at 6:30.p.m.

Since the early days of photography, there has been an ongoing exchange between that medium and painting. This series will examine key moments in the history of photography and how current events and artistic trends influenced the new genre.

Tonight's lecture: "Shadows and Light" - As the new art form of photography emerged in the 19th century, painters took notice. The paintings of the impressionists were partly shaped by the look of photographs, while photographers' subject matter was influenced by that of the Impressionists. As modern art and photography matured together, this interplay continued and during the heyday of the Surrealist, it took a turn for the wonderfully weird. Learn about key works from these periods by major artists of both media.

Call 610-371-5850 x227 to register. $10/Member/Lecture; $20/Member/Lecture. $25/Member; $48/Non-member for the series.

Presented by the Reading Musical Foundation and Friends of the the Reading Museum, this concert opens the 2008-09 series with flutist Veronica Ferraro and guitarist William Newman.

Veronica Ferraro, flutist, began her solo career with the Reading Symphony at age 15. She was both a youth soloist winner and a Byndenwood performer in 1981 and 1983 and has performed with other local symphonies in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. She is a member of the Kennett Symphony Orchestra and freelances in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

William Newman, guitarist, attended the University of Michigan and holds degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University where he studied with Peter Segal. Mr. Newman has performed with many chamber groups including the Mascaro-Newman flute and guitar duo, the Philadelphia Baroque Ensemble, the Network For New Music, the Harry Partch Ensemble, the Newman-Ghezzi guitar duo and the Philadelphia Guitar Ensemble.

A free master class for flute students of all ages and levels will be held at 2:00 p.m.

Free, Auditorium

Enjoy one or all of the fascinating Star Shows in our digitally-enhanced Planetarium. Show prices (for each show) are S6 for Adults (18-60), $4 for Seniors, Children and Students with ID, and free for Children under 4 and Members.

1 p.m. - "The Enchanted Reef"
2 p.m. - "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity"
3 p.m. - "Light Years from Andromeda"
4 p.m. - "Oasis in Space"