Laini’s List of Things to Do This Weekend in the Lehigh Valley – Earth Day Weekend
By Laini Abraham
1. Sowing Seeds on 7th Spring Sustainability Festival
Saturday from 1 to 8pm
This inaugural event is a festival aimed at promoting alternative transportation, energy, and agricultural practices in fun and innovative ways culminating in a two hour professional upcycled fashion show by The Industry United! Along with dozens of booths from various ecologically minded organizations, there will be tons to see and do. Check out the Facebook event page to see how much there will be.
2. Spring on 4th! What’s on Third?
Saturday from 11am to 3pm, Southside Bethlehem
Founded 17 years ago to celebrate Bethlehem’s historic, revitalized Southside, “Spring on Fourth! What’s on Third?” is a free, public event that takes place along Third, Fourth and New streets. Highlighting the celebration is the popular chili contest, live entertainment by a variety of performers, fun family activities at the “Cops n Kids” display on the Loopers lot, and more.
3. Free Fire Show
Friday from 9 to 11pm, Biergarten, Allentown BrewWorks, 816 W. Hamilton St., Allentown
Come watch The Burning Hearts set Der Biergarten on fire. The Burning Hearts, Fire & Light Theater is a performance troupe of Fire Artists specializing in theatrical events with a theme of fire. Object manipulation & dance will astound and immerse the audience in visual delight.
4. Earth Day Celebration – Just Say No to GMOs
Sunday from Noon to 7pm, Scott Park, Easton
Celebrate Earth Day by the rivers in Easton. Keynote speakers, quality live music, seed-bombs, seed giveaways, sign-making, Monsanto Mock Trial, local activist and environmental groups with tables, and an attempt at a Guiness World Record for the World’s Largest Picnic!
5. Mayor Pawlowski’s Great Allentown Cleanup
Starts Saturday, All Over Allentown
Approximately 600 community volunteers are expected to participate in Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s 6th Annual Great Allentown Cleanups. To date, 12 community groups, businesses and schools have scheduled clean-up activities from Saturday, April 21st through Saturday, May 19th. Pawlowski said the message is simple. “I want all residents to be proud of their city and to do their part to keep it clean. Please don’t litter, remember to tie your trash bags, and allocate a few minutes each week to pick-up the trash around your sidewalk. Taking those easy steps will enhance the look of the city and improve our quality of life.”
6. María Volonte, Blue Tango Tour 2012
Saturday from 7 to 11pm, Antonio Salemme Foundation, 542 Hamilton St., Allentown
Argentine Latin Grammy-nominee María Volonté is a soulful singer and guitarist who writes songs steeped in the intense passions of tango and the mysteries of Buenos Aires. After conquering the world of tango with numerous award-winning CDs, María’s current project, “The Blue Tango Tour,” is a bold adventure of new songs and constant touring. Take advantage of this opportunity to see María Volonte right here in the Lehigh Valley.
7. Record Store Day 2012
Saturday from 8am to 8pm, Compact Disc Center, 1365 Easton Ave., Bethlehem
From the Facebook event page: “This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances. Record Store Day is now celebrated the third Saturday every April.”
8. Karl Stirner Arts Trail Clean-Up Day
Saturday at 9am, Karl Stirner Arts Trail (along the Bushkill Creek), Easton
Spend a day on the Karl Stirner Arts Trail with The Friends of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail who are organizing a day of beautification and cleanup. They will be gathering as a community to lend a hand to beautify along the trail. All interested in helping are welcome! Meet at either the Blue Bridge off of Bushkill Dr. or at the 13th Street trailhead. Supplies (gloves, garbage bags, refresh-ments, etc.) will be provided. Please wear long pants.
9. Comics of the Daily Show
Friday from 7:30 to 10:30pm, Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
The comics of The Daily Show are taking over the Musikfest Café for one night only- Friday, April 20th! Comedy returns to the big stage at SteelStacks for this hilarious evening, featuring Rory Albanese and Al Madrigal. Opening up the show is local comic Tyler Rothrock!