In Case of Sun

In case the sun comes out, or if it just stops raining, there are some outdoor festivals and fairs are on the calendar for this weekend.

Right here in Pennsburg, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (81 Main Street), is hosting a Fall Festival on their front lawn from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on this first Saturday in October. There will be a lot of games, food, activities, and plenty of fun for the whole family!

Down the road in Zionsville, Stahl’s Pottery Festival (6826 Corning Road, just off Route 29/100) is also on Saturday, October 1st, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Over 20 potters will be displaying and selling their contemporary and traditional pottery at the event. There will also be pottery demonstrations, an opportunity for folks to try their hand at the potter’s wheel, tours of the potting shed and kiln, baked goods for sale and light refreshments. Admission is $4.

The Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville holds their annual Apple Butter Frolic from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., rain or shine, on Saturday, October 1st. This event features traditional crafts, 19th century farming demonstrations, children’s activities, Pennsylvania German food, and more. Pancake & Apple Sausage Breakfast; 7:30-10:30 a.m. Admission: Adults/Youth $8, Children Ages 6-12 $2, Under 6 Free, Please No Pets

This popular autumn festival has been enjoyed by the local community for over 40 years. The Frolic is an opportunity to learn how Mennonites and their neighbors lived 100 or more years ago, and it’s great fun for young and old alike. It also raises important funds to support the mission of the Mennonite Heritage Center.

Parking at Indian Valley Middle School, 130 Maple Ave., Harleysville, with shuttle to nearby Frolic.

The Allentown Alternative Arts Fest was scheduled to begin today (4 p.m. – 11 p.m.) and continue through Saturday, Oct. 1st; noon to 11 p.m and Sunday, Oct. 2nd; 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., at Cedar Beach Parkway, 2600 Parkway Blvd, Allentown. This free fest will host 3 stages of continuous music by local performers, art vendors, yarn bombing, giant graffiti murals, film screenings, kid’s craft activities, upcycled sculptures, magic shows, comedy, improv, a skate park, and food vendors and local breweries (craft wine, mead, and beer) on hand selling their wares, as well.

 

(Free) Indoor Concerts for a Rainy Weekend

Friday night’s free chamber music concert in Harleysville at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Road. The concert, with piano, clarinet, violin, and cello, begins at 7:30 p.m. on September 30, 2016 and will feature music by Brahms, Milhaud, and Paul Reade.

Classical pianist Barry Snyder has performed around the world, in Australia, China, and Japan, among other places.  On Saturday night, October 1, 2016, he will be at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church (3441 Devonshire Road) in Allentown, Pa, beginning at 7 p.m. This concert is free and open to the public, as part of the church’s 275th Anniversary Concert Series.

Two Musical Comedies On Stage this Weekend

The Mel Brooks comedy classic turned into a stage musical,  The Producers, will be on stage in Allentown for only two more days ; Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 2 p.m., at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton Street, Allentown. Tickets for the MunOpCo Music Theater production may be bought online.

Big Fish: The Musical opens in Quakertown at McCoole’s Arts and Events Place (10 S. Main Street) on Friday, September 23, 2016.  Tickets for the show, which continues through October 8, 2016, may be purchased online.

Edward Bloom has lived a full and fantastical life, populated by witches, giants, and mermaids, marked by true love that stops time in its tracks, and framed by heroics that push the limits of believability. His adult son, Will, is no longer amused by his father’s fantastical tales, insisting on a rational rather than a fantastical account of one’s life. When Edward’s health declines, and Will learns that he and his wife, Josephine, will have a son of their own, Will decides to find out his father’s “true” life story, once and for all. Big Fish is a heartfelt, powerful, and truly magical musical about fathers, sons, and the stories that we use to define our identities. With spine-tinglingly beautiful music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, and a funny, heartwarming book by John August, Big Fish is a magnificent “big fish” of a tale, itself — spectacular, fantastical, and overflowing with love.

Free Concerts, inside and out, on First Fall Weekend of 2016

The Bethlehem Celtic Classic begins tonight, Friday, September 23, at 4 p.m. (until 11 p.m.) and continues on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., ending on Sunday, September 25, 2016 (9: 30 a.m. – 6 p.m.) Featuring a Pipe Band competition,  youth fiddle competition, Highland Dance competition, Celtic Songwriting contest, 21 Celtic bands (Barleyjuice, Burning Bridge Cleary, Low Lily, and The Moxie Strings), Celtic crafts, and more, this free event takes place outside, on five stages, in the fields below Hotel Bethlehem and Moravian Church, Main Street (north side of Bethlehem, in the historic district), and by the Ice House along the Lehigh River (all stages and events are within walking distance of each other). On site you’ll also find a Kids Tent (for crafts and children’s activities), and an Irish Pub Tent (for those over 21).

The wonderful chamber music trio Illumine is once giving a free concert in the sanctuary of  Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580 Shenkel Road, Pottstown, PA, on Friday, September 23rd, beginning at 7 p.m.,  illumine: Defined.

The violin, piano, and especially the voice are amongst the three most popular ‘instruments’ of all time – yet have scarcely been featured together as one. Until now. illumine: Defined is just that: a stunning elucidation of our versa-tile instrumentation as a chamber ensemble. Experience music sung in five different languages, an original composition, and a piece completely improvised on the spot based on your ideas! Learn of the many facets that define our distinctive group. This concert will feature compositions by Brown, Falla, Saint-Saëns, Spohr, and Whitacre. We invite you to come an enjoy a beautiful evening of music.

Consider spending Sunday afternoon outside enjoying the slightly cooler fall weather and the sounds of marching bands at J Birney Crum Stadium, 2021 W. Linden Street, Allentown. The 21st Annual Collegiate Marching Band Festival begins at noon on Sunday, September 25, 2016. Gates open at 11 a.m., giving you time to find your seat before the first of twenty college and university bands  take the field. Tickets are available at the gate, beginning at 10 a.m.

And mark your calendar for next Friday night’s free chamber music concert in Harleysville at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Road. The concert, with piano, clarinet, violin, and cello, begins at 7:30 p.m. on September 30, 2016 will feature music by Brahms, Milhaud, and Paul Reade.

 

On the stage this weekend…

This is the final weekend for Nana’s Naughty Nickers at DCP Theatre, 795 Ridge Road, Telford, PA.

Nana’s Naughty Nickers: Bridget’s summer becomes an eye-opening adventure when she discovers her Nana has been running a lingerie boutique for the sexy senior out of her rent-controlled apartment!

Mild Adult Language and Content

This is the opening weekend of Next to Normal at Playcrafters of Skippack, 2011 Store Road, Skippack, PA (September 15 – October 1, 2016)

Next to Normal: Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal for their bright, wise-cracking teens, while battling mental illness. A family story with love, sympathy, and heart. Winner of the 2009 TONY for Best Musical Score, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Greater Tuna continues at Montgomery Theater, 124 Main Street, Souderton, PA (September 8 – October 2, 2016)

Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town: Tuna where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic citizens of Tuna are portrayed by only two actors in whirlwind performances, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the residents of this town– men, women, children and even the animals.

Fiddle Festival this weekend

33rd Annual Lyon’s Fiddle Festival – September 18, 2016

Featuring music by fiddlers of all ages, food, and crafts. Attendees are encouraged to bring and set up picnic chairs and blankets to sit under a tree in shade, or in the sun. (I happen to know, thanks to Facebook, that some Upper Perk natives have been known to show up and play some music at this festival.)

The 33^rd Annual Lyons Fiddle Festival 2016 will be held at the Lyons Community Park, 15 Park Avenue, Lyons, Pennsylvania, Sunday, September 18^th, from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. The Rain date is Sunday, September 25^th.

Admission is a $5.00 donation. Children 5 years and under are free. Donations for parking are greatly appreciated. Donations for parking benefit the Kutztown Hobos: Helping Others Before Ourselves and the Lyons Fire Company truck crew.

Theatre Openings

The comedy Greater Tuna opens this weekend and continues through October 2, 2016 at Montgomery Theater, 124 Main Street, Souderton, PA

Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town: Tuna where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic citizens of Tuna are portrayed by only two actors in whirlwind performances, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the residents of this town– men, women, children and even the animals.

Another comedy is playing at DCP Theatre, 795 Ridge Road, Telford, PA; Nana’s Naughty Nickers. This show will be on stage through September 17, 2016.

Bridget’s summer becomes an eye-opening adventure when she discovers her Nana has been running a lingerie boutique for the sexy senior out of her rent-controlled apartment!    Mild Adult Language and Content

Next weekend, Next to Normal opens at Playcrafters of Skippack, 2011 Store Road, Skippack, PA. This play runs September 15 – October 1, 2016.

Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal for their bright, wise-cracking teens, while battling mental illness. A family story with love, sympathy, and heart. Winner of the 2009 TONY for Best Musical Score, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Read more about upcoming local theatrical productions hitting the stage this fall on the Theater page.

Free Concerts this Weekend

The final free concerts of the summer season at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks take place this weekend. Friday night’s outdoor concert by Glen David Andrews begins at 7:30 p.m. The Young Dubliners close out the season on Saturday night, September 10th, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Coolers are permitted (non-alcoholic beverages only, as are blankets and folding chairs. Lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The front section of the Pavilion is reserved for blankets only. FREE SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA.

Live music, classic cars, crafts, and more can be heard and seen at the annual Community Days in Pennsburg and East Greenville on Saturday, September 10, 2016; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Red Hill Band will be playing at some point during the day, as will the Upper Perkiomen High School Band. A variety of food will be available for sale by local organizations and businesses. The event will take place on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic from Pennsburg Square (the intersection of Main Street, aka Route 29, and 663) to 4th and Main Street, East Greenville, PA.

Rescheduled from August, the Philly Rock and Soul plays Motown, oldies and R&B at Green Lane Park Amphitheater, 2298 Green Lane Road (off of Route 29) beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and some goodies to eat and drink, and enjoy this free concert under the setting sun and stars.

First Weekend in September (and last weekend of summer?)

A nice place to start the weekend this Friday night might be Skippack, where the live music, performed by local musicians outside the shops and alongside art displays featuring local artists, begins at 6 p.m. as part of First Fridays in Skippack. The music continues until 9 p.m.

First Fridays in Skippack offers an opportunity for people to get away from their routine and enjoy entertainment, the village, and a chance to spend time together. There are live musical performances and exhibits by local artists, which take place in porches, patios, and restaurants throughout the village.

Alyssa Dodge, who has performed at Make Music Upper Perk, and Open Mics near and far, will be taking the stage (the “Spicy Stage” – 337 State Street, Hamburg, PA) at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, September 3rd, 2016, at the 13th Annual Hamburger Festival. There are five stages where live music will be performed from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Hamburger Festival takes place on September 3, 2016, from 10 am to 6 pm, in Hamburg, PA, situated in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. In 2015, our Hamburg-er Festival drew approximately 40,000 people from all over the east coast and beyond, and that’s because each year we beef up the festivities! In fact, you really won’t want to miss this year’s festival. It will feature the 2016 Professional and Amateur Burger Eating Competitions! On top of that, you can expect over 30 hamburger stands, 5 stages of non-stop musical entertainment, numerous contests, children’s activities, local art and handmade crafts, and lots of other fun too!

If you have to stay close to the Valley this weekend, stop by New Goshenhoppen Park in East Greenville (3rd Street) on Saturday afternoon or early evening. Piano in the Park, featuring students from Grace Notes Piano Studio, will take the stage from 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., followed at 5:15 by the Allentown Band, which is scheduled to play until 8 p.m. Food will be available in the dining hall from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. and at the Refreshment Stand in the park.