Arts & Culture

The crowd at Allentown Fair for Cheap Trick and Blue Oyster Cult was there to hear the hits of their youth and — for the most part — got what they wanted.

For the first time, Robbie Furman will showcase his work at the Allentown Fair.

The oppressive heat did not deter folks from making their way to the 172nd Great Allentown Fair at the Allentown Fairgrounds on Wednesday. Great food and drinks, amusement park rides and a variety of events will take place at the fair through Monday, Sept. 2.

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour hits the grandstand stage at Allentown Fair at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Tickets, at $30 each, remain available at the fair website.

Nearly 50 years later, Blue Öyster Cult still is performing, and this year even released "Ghost Stories," its first album of new material in four years and only second in 23 years. The group also will open for fellow 1970s rockers Cheap Trick as the grandstand feature for opening night at Allentown Fair at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28.

The wartime lost portrait by German artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, entitled "Portrait of George the Bearded, Duke of Saxony," has hung at the Allentown Art Museum since 1961.

Bethlehem's SouthSide Arts District has joined with the city and Wawa stores to create what it calls a "Gateway sign" — "a vibrant public art piece that enhances the entrance between Route 412 and SouthSide downtown."

The 2024 Great Allentown Fair runs Wednesday, Aug. 28 through Monday, Sept. 2. We've got a rundown on what you can expect, from the grandstand headliners to the Iron Chef competition and more.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is hosting its annual Brew at the Zoo again in 2024. This year, it falls on Saturday, Sept. 14, and will feature more than three dozen craft beers and ciders.

Jayna Elise, who auditioned on "Idol" in both Season 21 in 2023 and Season 22 the past spring, recently was chosen for the role of Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, which performs at Easton's State Theatre on Oct. 1-2.

The African singer will perform a mix of old hits and new songs at her concert on Tuesday April 25.

The event, hosted by the Celtic Cultural Alliance and Colony Meadery, offers attendees a chance to learn about mead's history and production as well as sample different meads.

The dance troupe entertained middle school and college students at a free performance on Thursday, April 13.

Actors and musicians of all ages are invited to audition for the roles.

The 25th anniversary concert will feature a unique dance performance, classical music and a medley of Broadway showtunes.

Kite Day in the Park and the Andy Gelinas Memorial Fly will happen Saturday, May 6 at Louise W. Moore County Park.

The groups will perform in August at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.

'American Hospitals: Healing A Broken System' is a documentary about the rising cost of hospital care. A businessman and filmmaker, both from the Lehigh Valley, produced the film that can be screened in Bethlehem this month.

Hamid will discuss his 2017 book, 'Exit West' and share his thoughts on migration and immigration at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11.

An egg hunt was held for visually impaired children this week. The Allentown Fire Department Bomb Squad and Sights for Hope teamed up for the event.

The Celtic Cultural Alliance announced Monday that this year’s Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival will be a cashless operation.

"Risky Beauty: Aesthetics and Climate Change" features paintings, photographs and installations by well-known environmental artists.