Laini’s List of 9 Things To Do This Weekend in the Lehigh Valley
1. Allentown Freak Out
Friday at 8:30 PM to Saturday at 11 PM, Area of 9th and Hamilton St., Allentown
Experience the avant-garde arts and entertainment at the Allentown Freak Out, a fringe festival in downtown Allentown. Musical shows, stage performances, film shows, and other artistic events will be going on throughout the weekend. It’s art with an edge!
2. Bethlehem Summer Restaurant Week Begins
Begins Sunday and runs through Saturday, July 2, Participating Restaurants, Bethlehem
This Sunday marks the beginning of the Bethlehem’s very tasty Restaurant Week. Check out the featured restaurants listed on Bethlehem’s website. You’ll also have a chance to win a gift certificate for a breakfast, lunch or dinner for two from EACH participating restaurant!
3. Rockfest on the River – 2011
Saturday starting at 2 PM, Riverside Bar & Grille, 5801 S. Delaware Dr, Easton
Come check out the epic one-day music festival on the Delaware—Rockfest on the River 2011! If you’re into rock and roll then this is the place you will want to be on Saturday. Tickets for the event can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.
4. RiverJazz Festival
Friday from 6 to 11:30 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 11:30 PM, Sunday from 11:30 AM to 6 PM, SteelStacks Campus, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
Thanks to ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley has a brand new jazz festival! This new festival is kicking off with an amazing line-up including headliners The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Clayton Brothers and Spyro Gyra. It’s also free to the public!
5. Downtown Bethlehem ArtWalk
Last Saturday of May, June, July, and August from 4 to 9 PM, Main and Broad Sts., Bethlehem
The 4th Annual Downtown Bethlehem ArtWalk series returns to Bethlehem for the summer! Over 100 local artists will be featured along the sidewalks of Main and Broad Sts. displaying, making, and performing their work. While you’re there stop in the shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries in the area, too!
6. Potlatch. Painting Action. Art Off. Salon de Guerre
Friday from 6 to 11 PM, Salemme Gallery, 542 Hamilton St. #203, Allentown
Painting Action. Art Off. Salon de Guerre. This event is being held in an effort to alleviate a tax burden on the Barnaby Ruhe Estate. From the Facebook event page: On the occasion of the eminent presumed expected death of imminent artist Barnaby Ruhe, IRS will tax Ruhe’s estate $5 million. Only you can ameliorate this by TAKING RUHE’S PAINTINGS NOW. Potlatch Art Giveaways to this purpose. Exhibition and actions through July 2.
7. Matisyahu
Sunday at 6:30 PM, Crocodile Rock Café, 520 W. Hamilton St., Allentown
Matisyahu, an American Hasidic Jewish reggae musician, is at the main stage of Crocodile Rock this weekend! Described as being inspiring and uplifting music, Matisyahu’s style of music is unique and refreshing. Tickets purchased in advance are $23 and $25 at the door.
8. June Bug Jamboree
Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM, Easton Farmers’ Market, Centre Square, Easton
Get ready for the annual June Bug Jamboree at the Easton Farmers’ Market! This is a fun-filled day for kids about everything “buggy,” with a special appearance from the Philadelphia Insectarium. Kids will be able to see different kinds of insects and even participate in a bug parade!
9. Walden
Friday & Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 2 PM, Abbey Hill Theater, 225 Porter Street, Easton
The 90-minute one-man show, Walden, is being shown at the Abbey Hill Theatre in Easton. Written by Bill George, one of Touchstone Theatre’s co-founders, this original piece depicts Thoreau’s retreat to nature to understand the meaning of life.