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

The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts in Bethlehem is hosting an unveiling of its new mural with artist Kathi Ember on Sunday, Feb. 5.

The city is hoping to gain approval as one of only a handful of World Heritage Sites in the U.S. — and join with other locations in Europe as a single Moravian Church settlement site of significance.

After 50 years in business at Westgate Mall in Bethlehem, Hawk Music must vacate its location due to planned renovations at the mall.

Nelly, best know for his hits "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" (with Kelly Rowland) will perform on Sept. 1 at The Great Allentown Fair.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including Southside Bethlehem Restaurant Week, Lehigh Valley Phantoms Hockey and the Robert Fulton exhibit.

Tyler Hubbard, who with partner Brian Kelly as Florida Georgia Line had more than 20 No. 1 hits, will perform on Aug. 31.

Styx and REO Speedwagon will perform on the fair's first night Aug. 30.

Damn the Torpedoes will play at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Musikfest Cafe at SteelStacks in Bethlehem and play a good number of songs from the album "Wildflowers."

Due to increased prices of ingredients and lack of volunteers, the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, of Trexlertown, will cancel its annual making of the popular Lenten treats.

The nonprofit Allentown Film Festival will screen dozens of short and feature films at Nineteenth Street Theatre, the boutique Theatre514, Allentown Art Museum and Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

Lara Bly dog fashion show showcased smiles, wagging tails and sequined wares on the runway.