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.

Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the construction of a 49-unit apartment building and parking garage on West Hamilton Street. The complex would house primary occupants 55-and-older and adults with disabilities. Representatives of the neighboring music school voiced concerns about increased traffic and the safety of students, parents, and staff.

Esther Lee, president of the Bethlehem NAACP chapter, has been a longtime advocate for housing, education and jobs for Black residents of the Lehigh Valley.

Our daily list of useful information, chosen to inform and enhance your day, includes news you can use and then some!

The Allentown City Planning Commission on Tuesday approved plans for the construction of the Archer Music Hall on Hamilton Street.

The virtual reality experience at Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University examines race relations and features community leaders from Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

ArtsQuest is seeking photos of local "Hometown Heroes" for their Memorial Day exhibit.

Domenic Salerni, who grew up in Bethlehem and is now a member of the Attaca Quartet, captured a Grammy for his work on the album "Shaw: Evergreen."

Our daily list of useful information, chosen to inform and enhance your day, includes news you can use and then some!

In a pinch for that special someone? Easton Public Market is open Tuesday with vendors offering traditional items like flowers and chocolate — even fresh food to cook your sweetie a romantic dinner.

The band retains lead singer Ed Kowalczyk from its classic lineup, with new members guitarist Zak Loy, drummer Robin Diaz and bassist Chris Heerlein.

The 4,000-square-foot restaurant would be built at 1300 Grape St., in an outlying part of the Lehigh Valley Mall parking lot, off the mall entrance from Grape Street.

Fans in the Lehigh Valley mourned the Eagles' Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after Sunday's game.