Laini’s List of Things to Do This Weekend in the Lehigh Valley – May 25–28
By Laini Abraham
1. HomeBase’s 10 Year Anniversary
Friday from 6 to 10pm at Starter’s Riverport and Saturday from 12 to 6pm at the Bethlehem Skateplaza
From HomeBase’s website: Do not leave town this Memorial Day Weekend. Plenty of partying to have in the 610 with the Homebase 10th Anniversary in full effect on May 25th & 26th. Two days of celebrating 10 years of real skateboarding in the 610.
2. Firebird’s Romeo & Juliet Cask & Cupcake Revelry
Friday from 6pm to 10pm, Saadzoi Law Firm, 601 N. 19th St., Allentown
Much in the spirit of Capulet’s rollicking parties, in preperation for Shakespeare on 7th’s Romeo & Juliet, Firebird Theatre has decided to throw a little party of its own to harken in its 2nd annual Bard blitz and raise a little more money for future programming.
3. Mayfair Festival of the Arts
Now through Monday, Corner of Ott St. and Hamiliton St. at Cedar Beach Park, Allentown
From Mayfair’s very cool website: Mayfair, Inc. holds our annual Mayfair Festival of the Arts every year over Memorial Day weekend. The event is a 5 day event starting the Thursday before Memorial Day, up until Monday, Memorial Day. We have 5 stages for our performing musicians and perfomers. We have 4 Artist markets; an Artist Market, a Garden Market, a Culinary Market, and an Esplanade Market. Each year we also have a large variety of Food Vendors. The festival is located on
4. Poetry and Music Connection
Friday from 7 to 9pm, Amber Connection, 420 Chestnut St., Emmaus
This looks like a good one. From their Facebook page: Unplugged open mic, poetry and music welcome. Sign-ups start at 6:30. We provide the welcoming boutique atmosphere (including piano), you provide the words and sounds. Together we grow and share our community. Complimentary wine/water/snacks will be provided. Open mic hosted by Matt Wolf.
5. Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials with New Kings of Rhythm (opening)
Friday from 7 to 1opm, 2nd Story Blues, 1205 Broadway, Bethlehem
From the Facebook event page: Lil’ Ed has been performing, touring and recording with the same band for 24 years. Join us May 25th for the official CD release party for his new CD title “Jump Start” due to be officially released in June.
6. 3rd Street Campaign – Artists Documenting Transformation of S. 3rd St.
Saturday from 11am to 1pm, Along S. 3rd St., Easton
From the Facebook page: This is an opportunity to participate in a project being sponsored by the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) and the Easton Main Street Initiative. We’re looking for artists to document the South 3rd St. Reconstruction Project. The idea is to have artists stationed along the street, painting the construction site in its progression. We’d like to get at least four (with the possibility of more) artists to participate. Your responsibility would be to show up on three dates and paint for two hours. After the project is complete, your paintings will be displayed in a group show at a yet to be determined space. As of right now the first date is May 26, 11am-1pm, the second will be some time in the early fall and the third will be in the early spring of 2013.
7. “Best” of Craigslist
Sunday at 8pm, ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
Directed by ArtsQuest Programming Manager Ryan Hill and SmartsQuest host Steve Bost, The Best of Craigslist features sketches and improv starring some of the Valley’s most talented performers – you can’t miss ‘Connecting the Missed Connections’, when the troupe gets the audience to pick a real Missed Connection from Craigslist and re-enacts it!
8. Many Faces by Peter Ambush
Saturday from 6:30 to 10pm, NewVox Art Gallery, 425 Wyandotte St., Bethlehem
Check out the opening reception for NewVox’s new exhibit of the work of Peter Ambush, who has worked as an illustrator and artist in various fields such as greeting cards, caricatures, children’s books, computer graphics and portraiture. Live music and refreshments, too!
9. New Bridge Group/Chen Arts presents “Bridges OUTSIDE the Box” Group Show
Sunday from 2 to 5pm, Community Gallery, Allentown Art Museum, 31 N. 5th St., Allentown
This is going to be one seriously amazing collection of art. From the Facebook Page: Featuring Works by: Janet Barna, Al Barnes, Kristen Barnes, Loretta Becker, Richard Begbie, Alison Bessesdotter, Michelle Bodamer, Alexander Clare, Cat Botch, Steven Condra, Eileen Cressman-Reeder, Janet Dean, James Depietro, Zhera Follweiler, Jermel Fountain, Holly Groome, Heather Haas, Ana Hamilton, Tim Higgins, Kate Hughes, Chris Jones, Jessica Jones, EA Kafkalas, Glenn Lash, Tracey Lopez, Ely Molloy, Georgine Miller, Delano Morgan, Michelle Neifert, Diane Richter, Maryann Riker, Monica Santos-Navarez, Jenn Shannon, Tara Shuey, David Sommers and Diane Teti