laini’s list of 9 – August 6, 7, 8
1. Musikfest
Friday starting at 5 pm through August 15, Various Platzes all over Historic Bethlehem
Well everyone, it’s here! One of the largest musik festivals in the country, right in our backyard! There is wayyyy too much to list here, but suffice it to say, if you like musik, there will be something for you. It’s also great for the food, the great local vibe, and the incredible people-watching. To see 5 Cool Things About Musikfest, check out this week’s little pocket guide post by Carrie Havranek.
2. First Friday
Friday from 6 to 10 pm, Various Locations, South Side Bethlehem
Even though Musikfest is taking over the North side of town, don’t forget to take a little walk over the bridge and visit the South Side tonight for some great First Friday events, including Wildflower Café’s 6th Anniversary Celebration! And if you walk over at the right time, you can watch the sun set over the Lehigh. And walk back under the stars… lovely.
3. Easton Restaurant Week – Final Night
Friday afternoon and evening, Various Restaurants, Easton
One last day to have a great dining experience at one of Easton’s best restaurants for just $30. Participating restaurants are: Sette Luna Tuscan Trattoria, Colonial Pizza and Pub, Pizza D’Oro Italian Restaurant, Marblehead Chowder House, Ocean, River Grille, Vintage Restaurant and Bar, Phoenicia Middle Eastern Cuisine, and Valenca Restaurant. This is not a week to worry about your waist line… we’re heading for sweater season, after all!
4. Jack Callaghan’s Ale House Monthly Bike Night
Friday from 6 to 10, Callaghan’s, 2027 Tilghman St., Allentown
In my next life, I may be a biker. Until then, I will always enjoy seeing bikes line a street. From the event page: Monthly Motorcycle Nights to bring leather into Allentown’s West End every First Friday through September. The Bike Night series is open to all motorcycle enthusiasts. Bike Night will be held from 6 pm to 10 pm with giveaways and door prizes. “Our goal is to provide another opportunity to bring new faces to Allentown’s West End.” states Callaghan’s owner, Christopher Chaya. “There’s nothing like seeing bikes lined up and down the street to bring out the crowds along the sidewalks in Allentown.”
5. 3rd Annual Sweet Corn Festival
Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, Easton Farmers’ Market, Centre Square, Easton
What a sweet way to spend Saturday morning… with sweet corn! With special extended market hours until 2pm, look for grilled sweet corn with specialty butters, fresh squeezed lemonade, “Cream of Corn” Ice Cream by Purple Cow Creamery, corn husking contests, kids crafts and games and more! Music by the Billy Bauer Band and the Center for Animal Health and Welfare will be in the Community Tent.
6. Art is Not About Packaged Goods – Opening Reception
Saturday from 5 to 8 pm, J LIMA Art Studios, 308 N. 10th St., Easton
Join this group of diverse artists to celebrate the opening of what is sure to be an excellent show. From the curator: “The purposes of making Art and the reasons for living with Art are manifold. This show means to put into question the “packaging” of Art as a commercial item. The criteria for the Art in this exhibition was to show a work that was not “made to sell” – but was made for some other reason. That said, many of the works are for sale and many are not – as the Artist wishes. There are 31 works included.”
7. Emergence – A Chen Arts Show, Opening Reception
Saturday at 7 pm, Antonio Salemme Foundation, 542 Hamilton St., Suite 203, Allentown
From the event’s release: “The Lehigh Valley’s artist collective, named after its main meeting place, the Chinese restaurant—House of Chen, is proud to announce its latest show “Emergence.” The group has members as diverse as a Chinese menu itself including visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, dancers, writers, and creative people of all ages. Their group show is a Chinese buffet consisting of everything from Cathy Botch’s contemporary paintings to Eileen Cressman Reeder’s polymer clay paintings; Zehra Follweiler’s digital artwork to Fadeyibi Tunji’s woodcuts and silkscreens; Tracey Lopez’s art jewelry to Barbara Soboleski’s handmade dolls; and more. For the first time this year, the group was given the chance to participate in an altered book. Those who chose to participate were given a page and the opportunity to work in whatever medium they desired. The book will be one of the pieces on display.
8. Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers’ Fair
Friday and Saturday evenings, Rte. 519, 3 Miles North of Phillipsburg, NJ
I’ve had the great fortune of not only attending this event, but going on 2 balloon rides… and it is AWESOME! If you can do it, go! If not you can watch the launches, and that’s almost as exciting. And if you’re into photography, this is a great event to shoot… but it is better from the air. 🙂
9. Drum Corp International Eastern Classic
Friday and Saturday starting at 6:30 pm, J. Birney Crum Stadium, 20206 W. Linden St., Allentown
From the event page: “With a three-decade history of hosting the DCI Eastern Classic in Allentown, Pa., Drum Corps International returns to the venerable J. Birney Crum Stadium for two exciting days of World Class competition. For fans in the East, Allentown is the place to be as one of the last stops on the DCI Tour before all corps head to Indianapolis for the 2010 World Championships.”