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 holiday market is back with a bigger ice skating rink, a visit from Santa and new food.

On display are Baez's guitars, artwork, personal letters and other items on loan from the singer.

The festival viewing event, which last year expanded to two days, will be April 27-28 in Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

The gallery is open at Palmer Park Mall in Easton, a business its owner says is the first of its kind in the Lehigh Valley.

Bethlehem native Danny Roebuck is filming his new Christmas movie, "Saint Nick of Bethlehem" in November and March 2024.

Over the next few weeks, the Musikfest poster will appear on all platforms, including ArtsQuest websites. It will be used as the official festival 2024 poster and mug, as well as incorporated into other official festival merchandise and apparel throughout the year.

Museum Store Sunday brings three local museums together to support local artisans and crafters.

Lehigh Valley restaurants are taking the traditional Thanksgiving spread — turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce — and mashing it up with other items.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

11Fest features performances by local rock, pop and rap groups. The concert helps support the studio's operational costs.

Ten locals were honored for their achievements in the arts at the Linny Awards ceremony held Thursday, Nov. 9.

Dolly Parton has announced that “Dolly Parton ROCKSTAR: The Global First Listen Event” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15.