Music

The opening night (the fest continues 2-11 p.m. today) offered New York gospel-blues trio The Harlem Gospel Travelers as headliners, and they offered an enthusiastic set. But it was some of the supporting acts that elevated the experience.

Cheap Trick, which was to be the opener for a show by rock band Heart, was announced Friday as the replacement for Heart as grandstand opening-night headliner at 7 p.m. Aug. 28. It will be joined for the show by another 1970s hit rock group — Blue Oyster Cult, best known for its 1976 hit "(Don't Fear) The Reaper."

It's been two weeks since rock band Heart canceled its opening-night headline concert at Allentown Fair, and it looks like the fair is set to announce a replacement.

For the first time, the two-day festival will feature a barbecue competition, along with 11 blues performers. It will take place Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20 at SteelStacks.

Through this month, the symphony is offering a 10% discount on tickets to its popular Holiday Pops concert on Dec. 21 and Repertory Dance Theatre's "Nutcracker" on Dec. 7-8, both at Miller Symphony Hall at 23 S. 6th St., Allentown.

Michael W. Smith, who has won three Grammy Awards and 45 Dove Awards and has been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21.

ArtsQuest is holding a one-day sale that eliminates those pesky price-pumping fees on eight of the 11 headline shows at the SteelStage venue. But the sale ends at 11:59 p.m. today, July 12.

The 37th Annual Blueberry Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, with live music, food, kids activities, outdoor games, and of course, blueberries. New this year is the Blueberry Tavern Tent, serving centuries-old tipples for tasting and taking.

The Dickies and The Queers will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at Maingate Nightclub, 448 N. 17th St. Allentown.

South African rockers Seether, who had the chart-topping songs “Broken (with Amy Lee),” “Remedy,” “Fake It” and “Country Song,” will team up with Skillet, which has had 25 Top 10 Christian chart singles, 12 of which went gold or platinum, to play the event center at 6 p.m. Sept. 21.

Jabber Jaws Bar & Grille is set to close Dec. 30, but not before one final party.

Singer Stacy Gabel last week released “Merry Christmas My Friends,” a classic holiday song about embracing the uplifting meaning of the holidays. A release event will be held Saturday at SteelStacks.

Joe Samba will play a free show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Rising River Brewing, 1955 Willow Lane, Macungie. Doors open at 3 p.m.

Rapper Ludacris, best known for the hits "Stand Up" (featuring Shawnna)" and "Money Maker" (featuring Pharrell), is the first headliner announced for next year's Musikfest.

For students in the Moravian University marching band, playing the right notes is just part of what makes someone a great bandmate.

From the Bach Choir to the Central Moravian Church, celebrate the season through song at these local concerts.

The famous soprano singer will perform her favorite holiday hits and top-charting tunes at Wind Creek Event Center on Nov. 29.

Dave Goddess Group will play songs from its new album, "Back in Business," and other from his past, at an "unplugged" show by his Dave Goddess Group at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 at Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem. Tickets remain available at $20.50 advance and $25.50 day of show at www.godfreydaniels.org.

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

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.

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

Curator and collector Landon Annoni owns hundreds of wardrobe pieces belonging to Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. His new exhibition in Allentown runs through Nov. 15.