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.

Shye Roberts, a graduate of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, is one of five finalists hoping to win season 26 of the NBC show "The Voice."

Megan Moroney, who kicked off her career with the triple-platinum hit "Tennessee Orange" in 2022, will be perform at 7 p.m. July 31, ArtsQuest announced.

Nelly, best known for his hits "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" (with Kelly Rowland), will headline at Musikfest 2025.

"Liberty and Justice for All" a new exhibition at the Ronald K. DeLong Gallery, features the works of Charles Stonewall, David Gothrad and mixed-media artist Christina "Tina" Galbiati. The three creatives are also adjunct instructors at the university.

The Christmas celebration held on Friday featured traditional Puerto Rican Christmas songs, food and visitors from the North Pole.

Lehigh Valley area ski resorts open this week. Check times and websites for details.

The holiday bundle offers a showing of "St. Nick of Bethlehem," with an opportunity to meet Danny Roebuck, and an afternoon of ice skating at SteelStacks Ice Rink.

Star of Raising Dion Ja'Siah Young will be honored with the Easton Recognition Award in Centre Square this weekend.

Taylor swift tribute act Blank Space will perform tonight, Dec. 6, at Wind Creek Event Center. The show follows the general presentation of Swift's recent Eras tour, with her hits from the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Allentown Art Museum this week installed on its windows on 5th Street vinyl representations of popular works from its collections.

Meet the man behind Hotel Bethlehem's Christmas display: Anthony Sierra's vision comes to life in this sprawling, multiroom display that pays homage to the Christmas city.

Jon Pardi, whose songs "Head Over Boots" in 2015 and "Dirt on My Boots" in 2016 both hit No. 1 and each sold six times platinum, will perform Saturday, June 7. Tickets go on sale Friday.