First New Plays of the Summer Season

The children’s show Cinderella is the first offering of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival ‘s summer season. The play opens on Friday, May 30, 2014 and continues through August 2, 2014 with a 10 a.m. curtain time most Tuesdays through Saturdays, and some 2 p.m. performances. This adaptation is meant for families with children ages 3-12. Plays are staged at the theaters on the campus of DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA  Box office: 610-282-WILL  Tickets for the one hour show may be bought online.

To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the book by Harper Lee, is being staged at the Pennsylvania Playhouse from May 30 – June 15, 2014. Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem   Box office: 610-865-6665  Tickets may be bought online.

Mary Badham, who portrayed the character Scout in the 1962 movie “To Kill a Mockingbird”, will be attending our performance on Saturday evening, June 1. She will speak briefly before the performance, as well as sign autographs in our lobby.

The family comedy Making God Laugh is DCP Theater’s offering this weekend, through June 14, 2014. 795 Ridge Road, Telford. Opening weekend features a Wine & Cheese and Director’s reception. Call the box office 215-234-0966 or order tickets online.

Making God Laugh is a family comedy that takes place in four scenes, each ten years apart, set at various holidays. Starting in 1980, the kids – a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former star football player – all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The “empty nest” parents contend with their own changes too, as old family rituals and dubious recipes are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. Over the course of thirty years worth of celebrations, we see how, despite what we may havein mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.

Summer Bands in the Parks

The Allentown Band (America’s oldest civilian band, playing since 1828), opens their summer season at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2014 with a free outdoor concert at West Park, 15th and 16th Streets between Linden and Turner, in Allentown.

Our own local Red Hill Band (formed in 1900) will present a free concert at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at the bandstand in New Goshenhoppen Park as part of New Goshenhoppen’s annual Strawberry Festival. 

And on Saturday, June 14, 2014, stop by the amphitheater at Green Lane Park (near the tennis courts and playground) to hear the Alfred James Band, beginning at 7 p.m. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. All ages; free.

You won’t want to miss the cello-driven acoustic rock sound, and cool tunes of the Didgeridoo of this band! AJB have appeared at the White House, on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts, just to name a few. This is downright, fun music for the entire family!

Make Music Upper Perk News (t-shirts, musicians, schedules and more)!

Less than a month away from our 2nd Make Music Upper Perk, our free all day music festival held throughout the Upper Perkiomen Valley on June 21st, and yard signs are popping up all over to announce the event.

In addition to yard signs, and a much larger print run of programs (soon to be found in libraries, cafes, churches, and other public places), we are offering t-shirts for sale to celebrate MMUP. Shirts are made with organic cotton and recycled plastic water bottles, and printed locally. The design was created by Ariel Royer. Orders must be placed by May 31st

We’ve also posted a list of the musicians scheduled to play, along with photos and links.

The current schedule is online, as is a map showing the nine venues.

 

Make sure to mark your calendar and save the date for Make Music Upper Perk 2014 on Saturday, June 21st.

Jazz night at Java Good Day Cafe in East Greenville

Come out to hear some live jazz in East Greenville on Saturday, May 24, 2014. The Nick Roberti trio will be playing some “Swingin’ Tunes” from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. at Java Good Day Cafe, 231 Main Street, East Greenville.

Folks are advised to come early (maybe have some dinner) to insure a seat at this small, but outstanding, venue. One may order coffee, tea, steamers and other non-alcoholic drinks OR BYOB ($5 corking fee). While you are there, you can also check out the artwork on the walls (courtesy of local artists – some pieces are for sale).

Mayfair in Allentown starts Friday, rain or shine

Mayfair Festival of the Arts 2014 showcases marvelous artists, a craft marketplace, and multiple live musical performances over Memorial Day Weekend, indoors and outdoors at the Allentown Fairgrounds (formerly at Cedar Beach Park). Complete schedules for the 3 stages for Friday through Monday are available online.

Musical acts range from the PA Jazz Collective at 7:15 p.m. on May 23rd, Lyons Fiddle Festival Review at 2 p.m. on May 25th, Allentown Symphony Chamber Players at 8:30 p.m. on May 25th, Godfrey Daniels’ All Star Night of Folk beginning at 7:30 p.m. on May 25th, Lehigh Valley garage bands, blues, strings and so much more.

Entrance to the festival is free from 11 a.m .- 4 p.m. on May 23rd and afterwards only $5 for an all festival pass. The Allentown Fairgrounds is located at 302 N. 17th Street in west Allentown (between Chew and Tilghman Streets; 17th and 20th).

 

Sunday’s Red Hill Band Concert moved to St. Mark’s

The Red Hill Band Concert, scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2014, has been moved to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 81 Main Street, Pennsburg. The concert will begin at 2 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

UPHS Band and Orchestra Concert Postponed

Tonight’s scheduled Upper Perkiomen High School Band and Orchestra Concert has been postponed to Tuesday evening, May 20, 2014. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the music begins at 7 p.m. at the auditorium at the Upper Perk High School, 2 Walt Road, Pennsburg. There is no admission charge to this concert.

Penn Dry Goods Market in Pennsburg

The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, is hosting their annual Penn Dry Goods Market May 16-17, 2014.

What is the PENN DRY GOODS MARKET?

The traditional definition of “dry goods” is textiles, clothing and other related merchandise. At the PENN DRY GOODS MARKET you can shop with fantastic dealers who will be featuring antique and vintage textiles, including needlework, quilts, coverlets, linens, clothing, buttons and textile-making equipment ranging from spinning wheels to pin cushions! Our dealers will also have selections of wonderful American antiques from their inventories-there’s a little something for every taste. We have opened up the first floor gallery, meeting room and the library for our dealers-a great space that is handicapped accessible!

 

The PENN DRY GOODS MARKET is (also) an amazing opportunity to learn from noted experts in textile history. In 2014 we will be offering a superb roster of speakers on a wide variety of topics, ranging from Amish quilts and Quaker samplers to the costumes of Gone with the Wind. Register early as seating is limited.

More May Concerts in the Valley

 

Dan Cogan will be providing an evening of classic country music at Java Good Day Cafe, Main Street, East Greenville, on Friday, May 16, 2014, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bernstein & Berlin, Two Great American Composers, features Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” (sung in Hebrew) and Irving Berlin’s “A Century of Song”performed by the Valley Choral Society. Two concerts are scheduled for this weekend; Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Barndt Road and Sumneytown Pike, Harleysville and Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 19 South Fifth Street, Perkasie. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for students.

The Red Hill Band’s 114th Annual Spring Concert begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2014 at the Upper Perkiomen High School Auditorium, Walt Road, Pennsburg.

May Arts Week in Upper Perk

This is May Arts Week in the Upper Perkiomen School District. A wonderful wide ranging display of artwork is on display in the gymnasium at the Upper Perkiomen High School, 2 Walt Road, Pennsburg. The art includes drawings, paintings, sculpture, and more by students from the elementary schools, middle school, and high school, and may be viewed by the public from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 – Friday, May 16, 2014.

The following concerts will be held in the auditorium at the Upper Perkiomen High School;

Tuesday,May 13, 2014 – 7 p.m., Elementary and Middle School Choir Concert

Wednesday, May 14, 2014 – 7 p.m., Elementary and Middle School Orchestra Concert

Thursday, May 15, 2014 – 7 p.m., Elementary and Middle School Band Concert

Friday, May 16, 2014 – 7 p.m., High School Band and Orchestra Concert

Sunday, May 19, 2014 – 2 p.m., Red Hill Band