Laini’s List of 9 Things to Do This Weekend in the Lehigh Valley
By Laini Abraham, Photo by Steven Capwell
1. Steel Stacks Opens to the Public!
Friday at 4 pm, Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
This is a moment that is nothing short of historic and I can’t believe it’s here. Steel Stacks is OPENING! From the ArtsQuest website: “Live music, a wide selection of delicious food including healthy eating options, and a magnificent view of the iconic Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces await!” Check out this list of events, all going on today. Events: http://www.artsquest.org/pages/search.php
2. Seussical Junior
Friday at 6 pm and Saturday at 1 pm, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown
A fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza will be produced by our Children’s Theatre School this spring – Seussical Junior! With a cast filled exclusively with students from our Winter 2011 session of CTS, this show will feature the talents of many of the area’s best young actors and actresses.
3. Easton, Pa Debut of the Just Desserts
Friday from 10 pm to 1 am, Porters’ Pub, 700 Northampton St., Easton
Accordion + Cello = the most interesting musical act I’ve heard of in a while, the Just Desserts. They’re all the way from Austin, Texas, but tonight, they’re right here in the Valley.
4. The 2nd Annual EAC Sustain-A-Ball
5. Red, White & Blue Day
6. Ron Morris Performs Live with Violinist, Mocha
7. National Alliance on Mental Illness Annual 5k Run/Walk
Saturday starting at 9 am, Bicentennial Park, East Allen Township (3 miles north of LV Airport)
NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is a non-profit organization comprised of people with a mental illness, family members, friends, and professionals. NAMI’s mission is to improve the services and the quality of life for people with mental illness. Some facts on Mental Illness: • Mental illness affects persons of any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. • Mental illness is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. • One in four families lives with mental illness. • Mental illness is the leading cause of disability (lost years of productive life) in North America. • 25% of the homeless suffer from mental illness. • Mental illness ranked #7 in hospital admissions in 2005, above heart attacks. • The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars yearly in the U.S.
8. 5th Annual Lehigh Valley Walk Now for Autism Speaks
Saturday, Registration starts at 8:30 am, Walk Starts at 10 am, Lehigh Parkway, Allentown
From the website: “Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S. – we need more volunteers to join our fight. Whether this is your first walk or your 5th, please take the first step and register today. You will not only raise funds, but you will become a part of a fun and supportive family-focused community.”