Arts & Culture

At the Allentown Fair grandstand on Thursday, the hyperactivity was dialed back a measure for Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, and the kids — who made up about half the audience of perhaps 3,000 — were at least exposed to learning.

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.

Now in its fourth year, the awards ceremony recognized excellence across 17 categories, honoring everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs, actors, models, and filmmakers to emerging young talent. It was held at Archer Music Hall in Allentown.

Longtime borough resident Jennifer O’Neill has purchased the building at 2 N. Main St. and is transforming the space into Circle Cafe on Main, a café inspired by European coffeehouses that aims to foster community connection.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, Berks County, has installed 10 new fully automated “state-of-the-art” snow guns that adjust automatically to weather conditions, “maximizing snow production when temperatures drop,” the resort said in a release.

Even after Hispanic Heritage Month ended, Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem was alive with the sound of salsa and the aroma of arroz con gandules during BASD’s annual Hispanic Heritage celebration.

Singer-songwriter Joshua Radin will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Sellersville Theater 1894. Tickets, at $35 to $72, are available on the theater's website and are expected to be available at the door.

The annual holiday attraction is returning to Lehigh Parkway in Allentown for its 29th season with some new experiences.

Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest chief operating officer, called the occasion “another exciting milestone” for the incoming ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, expected to open late next year at 25 W. Third St.

The production of "Macbeth" will take place at 8 p.m. Friday at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University.

Country Music Hall of Fame quartet The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at Easton's State Theatre on Sunday, March 15, it was announced.

A must for fashionistas, Isriya McFillin, a former Los Angeles-based fashion designer, will teach attendees how to design a croquis inspired by the museum's Tiffany windows display. The free workshop will be given at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.

According to ArtsQuest, programming ideas for the gallery space and lounge include a partnership with Bethlehem Area School District to include adult English programs, family workshops and other cultural learning opportunities.

The Menzingers, who in 2026 will observe 20 years as a band and have released seven critically acclaimed albums, will perform at Archer Music Hall on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tickets are on sale now.