Musical Nights and Sunny Days Ahead

There are two nights left to celebrate the artistic and musical talent at our public schools in the Upper Perkiomen Valley, at this year’s UPSD Arts Fest.  You can still take a look at the awesome displays of student artwork including paintings, sculptures, mixed media at the Upper Perkiomen Middle School and the Upper Perkiomen High School tonight, Thursday, May 9, 2024 – this is the last night to see the Elementary/UPMS student art at the Middle School!

The Elementary Orchestra and Middle School Orchestra will be taking the stage tonight at the UPMS auditorium, starting at 6:30 p.m. And over at the Upper Perkiomen High School tonight, and Friday night, one can stop by the Upper Perkiomen High School (just down the street at 2 Walt Road, Pennsburg, PA) to hear the High School Recital and High School Jazz Band (Thursday), and the High School Orchestra and Band Concert (Friday).

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The 59th Annual Juried Fine Art and Craft Show in Bethlehem, PA (Main Street – Historic Bethlehem) takes place this weekend, Saturday, May 11th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 12th from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 The Bethlehem Fine Art & Craft Show celebrates the finest local and regional artists and craft artisans. An event for the entire family, free to attend for all ages! 

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The North Pennsmen Barbershop Chorus will be holding their Spring is Bursting Out All Over concert on Saturday, May 11th at 2 p.m, at the Souderton Mennonite Church. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door; adults $20, kids 12 and under are free.

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Volunteer Meeting for this year’s Make Music Upper Perk is this Saturday afternoon – May 11th, 2024 – beginning at 1 p.m. at the New Goshenhoppen Park (618 3rd Street, East Greenville, PA) by the bandshell.

 MMUP needs volunteers before and after, as well as on the actual day of the event – Friday, June 21st, 2024.

At the Volunteer Meeting we’ll be talking about this year’s event, and there will be sign up sheets, where you can sign up for specific volunteer activities (times, places, jobs) as well as choose when and where you will site host (and choose one, or multiple, shifts), if that role interests you. We will also be showing and handing out the just printed MMUP 2024 program, listing the musicians, performance times and locations at 21 venues throughout the Valley for this year’s Make Music Upper Perk on Friday, June 21, 2024!

IF you are unable to make the meeting but are still interested in volunteering, please read more about volunteering for MMUP and sign up to volunteer.

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Free admission to Michener Art Museum on the 2nd Sunday of the month means free entry this Sunday, May 12, 2024! And time is running out to see CFEVA at 40: Four Decades of Supporting Contemporary Art, an absolutely fantastic exhibit that closes on May 26, 2024. The James A. Michener Art Museum is located at 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA .

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Mark your calendars now for next weekend when Valley Choral Society will hold their final concerts of their 40th anniversary season, while Red Hill Band will hold their first concert of 2024!

The Valley Choral Society will start singing For Hope We Sing; celebrating 40 years of music on Saturday afternoon, May 18th at 3 p.m., at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 81 Main Street, Pennsburg, PA. This is a free will offering performance (no tickets).

We celebrate this ruby anniversary with musical traditions that have been celebrated throughout VCS’s rich history, original compositions from previous milestone anniversary concerts, as well as tunes that have recently appeared in concert that communicate a message of why we come together to share in the gift of music.

The Red Hill Band starts their 2024 season, as is tradition, with a free concert at the Upper Perkiomen High School auditorium (2 Walt Road, Pennsburg, PA). The music starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

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Last minute plans for a rainy weekend..

The weather may have turned cool and wet this weekend, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay home and mope!

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The  Pottstown Area Artists Guild Fine Arts Show at our own local museum, the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center (105 Seminary Ave, Pennsburg, PA) opened yesterday. Admission is free, to both the museum and the arts show; hours are 10 a.m – 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m on Sundays. The public is invited to the opening Reception of the Pottstown Area Artists Guild Fine Arts Show on Sunday, May 5th from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., on the second floor (accessible by elevator as well as stairs) in the Putera Meeting Room. In addition to the art, there will be refreshments, and live music by harpist Betsy Chapman.

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Local band Go Commando will be hitting the stage at Pizza Como & PC Pub in Pennsburg, PA tonight, Saturday, May the Fourth, at 9:30 p.m. (and closing down the place, ending at 1:30 a.m.!) GO COMMANDO is a cover band playing hits from the 60’s to today’s radio in our high energy style!

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Spring has sprung, and May is just around the corner….

There are two great local music events to choose from tomorrow night, First Friday is back in Upper Perk next Friday – May 3rd, a local art show is opening a week from Saturday, and the annual UPSD Arts Fest showcasing student artists and musicians in Upper Perk School District starts on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024! All this to look forward to and more, along with a reminder that plans are underway for an awesome first day of summer celebrating music throughout the Valley on Friday, June 21st at Make Music Upper Perk.

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Friday night, April 26th, Terry Kane is leading and hosting an Irish Session (live music!) at Perkiomen Valley Brewery (101 Walnut Street, Green Lane, PA) the first in a series of 4th Fridays music nights. The music starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m.

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Tina Faigan will be playing a piano concert – Vignettes: Modern and Retro – at Church of the Holy Spirit in Harleysville, PA (2871 Barndt Road), beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024.

A recital featuring short works for the piano—from recent gems to beloved classics—including Claire de Lune, Rachmaninoff’s 18th Variation, Schubert, Chopin, Puccini and more.

Concert pianist, chamber musician, recording artist, teacher and published music-writer, Tina Faigen’s professional music endeavors also include engagements as an adjudicator, master class presenter, workshop presenter, orchestral pianist, instrumental & vocal accompanist, music editor, and even presently as an orchestral violinist serving as Principal 2nd. An active teacher from the age of 14, Faigen has maintained a private studio throughout her life and is a piano faculty member at both University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University Music Preparatory School.

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Support the Doylestown Library while checking out wonderful crafts this Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Friends of the Doyletown Library Arts and Craft Fair. There is no admission charge for this event at the James-Lorah House Auditorium, 100 North Broad Street, Doylestown, PA.

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First Fridays are back in East Greenville, starting on Friday, May 3rd! Part of Third Street and Bank Street (right off of Main Street) will be closed for crafts people and vendors. There will be live music and Main Street businesses in town (like the bakery and cafe!) will be open later than usual for this event.

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The public is invited to the opening Reception of the Pottstown Area Artists Guild Fine Arts Show at our own local museum, the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center (105 Seminary Ave, Pennsburg, PA) on Sunday, May 5th from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Free and open to everyone, held on the second floor (accessible by elevator as well as stairs) in the Putera Meeting Room, in addition to the art, there will be refreshments, and live music by harpist Betsy Chapman. The Fine Arts Show will be on display from Friday, May 3rd – Sunday, May 19, 2024. Admission to the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage is free.

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Celebrate all the artistic and musical talent at our public schools in the Upper Perkiomen Valley, at this year’s UPSD Arts Fest – May 7 – May 10, 2024. With concerts four night that week, and awesome displays of student artwork including paintings, sculptures, mixed media, and more, it’s worth finding some time on your calendar that week to stop by and check it out! Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening are the elementary and middle school concerts (Choruses on Tuesday and Bands, and UPHS Jazz Band!, on Wednesday, and Orchestras on Thursday) and the Elementary/UPMS Art Show – all in the Upper Perkiomen Middle School (901 Montgomery Avenue, Pennsburg, PA). Thursday and Friday night one can stop by the Upper Perkiomen High School (just down the street at 2 Walt Road, Pennsburg, PA) to see the High School Art Show and hear High School Recital and High School Jazz Band (Thursday), and the High School Orchestra and Band Concert (Friday).

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The North Pennsmen Barbershop Chorus will be holding their Spring is Bursting Out All Over concert on Saturday, May 11th at 2 p.m, at the Souderton Mennonite Church. Tickets may be purchased online or at the door; adults $20, kids 12 and under are free.

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The Pottstown Artists Guild is hosting their May Masters of Art Talk on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to everyone, Kevin Lynn will be talking about the art of photography – The art of seeing … Opening your mind’s eye to inspiration at the Hill School Center of the Arts, 760 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA.

As photographer, Kevin Lynn, will talk about his ability to see images everywhere. In any situation, any light and in any genre. Living in the moment… Composition that tells a story.

Working in multiple disciplines. Routines and best practices to develop those skills. His photos show a unique ability to see image possibilities that are not always just what the eye sees.

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And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the first day of summer – Friday, June 21st – the twelfth annual Make Music Upper Perk! With live music inside and outside at over 20 locations throughout the Upper Perkiomen Valley, starting at 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., this all free, all volunteer, and all open to the public event brings the community together to celebrate music of all types by musicians of all ages!

If you’d like to be a part of this event, sign up to volunteer today and/or come to the first MMUP Volunteer Meeting of 2024 on Saturday afternoon, May 11th at 1 p.m. at New Goshenhoppen Park (618 Third Street, East Greenville, PA), by the bandstand. Learn more about volunteering for this event – volunteers are needed before and after June 21st, as well as on the day of the event itself.

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March has come in like a lion (but you can do more than fly a kite this month)

As of Friday night’s sold out performance of Matilda Jr at the Upper Perkiomen Middle School (901 Montgomery Avenue, Pennsburg, PA) there were still 30 tickets left for the final performance on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024. Tickets are on sale now

There are still two more performances to go of Act 1’s staging of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd. Get tickets online for this show at DeSales University, Center Valley, PA

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Next weekend the pop musical Emma! will be on stage at Upper Perkiomen High School (2 Walt Road, Pennsburg, PA) Thursday, March 7 – Sunday, March 10, 2024. Buy your ticket now, before they sell out!

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Ain’t Misbehavin’ is on stage now until March 10, 2024, at the Civic Theater on 19th Street in Allentown, PA.

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Part One of CWTAP’s broadcast of Make Music Upper Perk 2023, featuring eight different entertainers is now on YouTube to watch and share with your friends. This great footage, shot live by The Ritters on June 21st, 2023, includes performances by Gravel Pike, Peregrine and the Band of Brothers, Michael Oelschlager, Jeanne Hunsberger and her harp, Lehigh Valley Pops, and Expressions Sax Quartet.

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The Celtic Heirs will be performing on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Upper Perkiomen Valley Library (350 Main Street, Red Hill, PA). Registration is encouraged (but not required) for this free concert.

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The Jameson Sisters, with special guest violinist Helene Zisook Speer, will be at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Harleysville, PA (2871 Barndt Road) on Friday, March 15, 2024 for the annual St Patrick’s Day Concert, which starts at 7 p.m. The concert is open to the public, with a suggested donation of $25.

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Funky Frets in Boyertown (124 N Chestnut Street) will be celebrating the grand opening of their new Vinyl Store on Saturday, March 16, 2024 with a day and night of workshops and performances, free and open to the public. The Uke Workshop will be from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Uke Jam from 2:30 – 5:30, and Open Mic (all instruments welcome) from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

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The Pottstown Area Artists Guild (PAAG) is starting their 2024 Spring Program with the March Masters of Art talk, on Thursday, March 21, 2024.  This event is free and open to the public.

In March, Gallery Owner, Caroline Kearney, will talk about “Some Common-Sense Ideas for Honing Your Art Career: A Gallerist’s Perspective”

This talk will be presented by Pottstown Area Artists Guild on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7pm. The talk will take place on the 2^nd floor above the Gallery in the North Hall of the West Campus of the Montgomery County Community College at 16 E. High Street in Pottstown, PA.

Information about attending this talk and parking at the college is available at https://paag.info/meeting-times/.

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The Pottstown Area Artists Guild has also put out a Call for Artists for their upcoming Spring Open Juried Fine Arts Show, which will be held this year at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center on May 3 – 19, 2024. The deadline to enter is Monday, March 25th for mail-in entries and Monday, April 1st for online entries.

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Don’t Stay Home on the First Weekend in December!

While the rain is not inspiring for the first day of December, there are plenty of indoor local events worth dropping by over the weekend, including live music performances all over the Valley, craft fairs, holiday museum displays (and decorated trees), and an opportunity to visit an artist’s studio and talk with the artists themselves!

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Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 is the PTFS sponsored Upper Perk Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Upper Perkiomen Middle School (901 Montgomery Avenue, Pennsburg, PA). Over 80 crafters and vendors, along with food and drinks for sale, raffle baskets, a new book fair and a bake sale supporting the school, are all expected to be present. The bazaar is free and open to the public.

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Enjoy live holiday music by local musicians, view the exhibits, and maybe do a little shopping (while enjoying roasted chestnuts and other winter treats) at The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center Christmas Market  (105 Seminary Street, East Greenville, PA) and the Goshenhoppen Historians Pennsylvania German Christmas Market at Red Man’s Hall (116 Gravel Pike aka Rt 29 and 63, Green Lane, PA) are both on Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd, 2023 (9:30 – 4 Saturday and noon – 4 Sunday). The museums and markets are open to the public and admission is free.

The first weekend in December is the annual Christmas Market (at Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center) featuring sales of folk art, small crafts, books, and gifts for children and adults. Pam Smith returns with her special jewelry, and we will have a rummage table too.

Besides shopping, there are special activities. The Christmas Putz exhibit, a traditional Pennsylvania German village scene, returns in two locations this year. On Saturday, the first 50 children ages 4-12 will have the opportunity to build and take home a brick built Christmas Tree from a kit containing genuine LEGO® pieces. In the afternoons, enjoy holiday music. On Saturday, members of the Red Hill Band will entertain us, and on Sunday at 1:30pm, festive tunes of the season will be presented by the students of Harmony Corner Music under the direction of Cynthia Hector.

Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center

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Local renowned artists Brad Hendershot and Katy Krieg are opening their doors to the public for their annual Holiday Open Studio (Hoppenville House, 5455 Hoppenville Road, Green Lane, PA), from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd, 2023. No admission charge, and all are welcome.

We open our doors to visitors on December 2 and 3 for all of your art gifting needs! This year, Katy and Brad will have original works and prints available, as well as class sign-ups. We will have some new framed bird images in mini print sizes and some new unframed prints as well.

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Payel Girwarr – a favorite local musician who has performed at nearly every Make Music Upper Perk since the beginning in 2013 – will be performing at Java & Friends (254 Main Street, East Greenville, PA) on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023, from noon to one.

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Jump Start the Weekend with the Arts

The Berman Museum of Art is hosting their Fall Opening Reception tonight, Thursday, September 14th, 2023, starting at 6 p.m., celebrating new and current exhibitions; Printmaking/Worldmaking, Janet Biggs: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape, Jose Ortiz-Pagan: Umbral, and Heaven is a Line; “Janet Biggs and members of the Printmaking | Worldmaking curatorial team will be in attendance to share lightning talks on their work.” Admission is free and all are welcome. RSVP is requested to ensure enough refreshments. The Berman Museum of Art is on the Ursinus College campus, 601 E Main Street, Collegeville, PA.

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The Michener Art Museum (138 S Pine Street, Doylestown, PA) has just opened what the Philadelphia Inquirer calls “a groundbreaking Lenape art exhibit,” Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories.

“Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories” is an exhibit that aims to tell the story — past, present, and future — of the Lenape people. This exhibit, which will be on display into January, appears to be the first to focus solely on Lenape art.

The inspiration for the exhibit came from a depiction of Penn’s Treaty being conducted with the Lenape, a painting originally made by Benjamin West. The painting has been reproduced on everything from textiles to fine china to textbooks — and Laura Igoe, chief curator at the Michener, wanted to highlight the problem with the image.

by Massarah Mikati, Philadelphia Inquirer

“Never Broken: Visualizing Lenape Histories” is on display through Jan. 14, 2024. The Michener Art Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

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The 48th Art in the Park 2023 at West Park Historic District in Allentown, PA, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., both on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Dozens of juried artists will be displaying and selling their creations; paintings, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, photography, weaving, and more. Free and open to the public, West Park, 16th and W Turner, Allentown, PA. Local public radio station WDIY hosted and interviewed Alan Younkin and Michael Schelp, co-chairs of the Art in the Park festival –

Together they explore the record-breaking number of exhibitors and their work, from jewelry to music to printmaking, the event’s collaboration with the historic Allentown Masonic Temple, the beauty of West Park, as well as how Alan and Michael put their spin on this Lehigh Valley artistic staple.

WDIY – Lehigh Valley Arts Salon

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“Once Upon a Thread” and “Nature, Night, and New York” will make you grateful for the rain!

When the sun in shining in the summer, sometimes it’s hard to talk yourself into staying indoors or going inside a museum, which is one more reason to be grateful to the rain this weekend, besides helping alleviate the drought conditions!

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Don’t wait to see Once Upon a Thread , a traveling exhibit stopping just one place in the U.S. – the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center (105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA). These astounding story themed textile artworks (think large quilts, fabric paintings/montages, etc) made by artists from all over the world, are on display for just one more week – the exhibit’s last day is July 2nd. Textile artists were invited to submit work from the stories of their childhood and to take a “fresh look …and find the heroes, monsters, nightmares, and dreams buried in your memory or your imagination.” As always, this exhibit is free and open to the public – and wonderful for all ages! Some stories will be familiar (Narnia, Red Riding Hood) and some are creations of the artists’ imagination. The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center is open Tuesdays through Sundays; admission is always free.

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If you stopped by for music on June 21st, you might have noticed the photography exhibit hanging on the walls on the 2nd floor of the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center – or you might have been too distracted at the time, in which case this is a good reminder to head back over! Local photographer Steve Pestrock’s first exhibit, Nature, Night, and New York, featuring local as well as New York city images, will be on display through August 15th. The Schwenkfelder Library is hosting a reception celebrating this summer art exhibit on Sunday, June 25th, 2023 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free, refreshments will be served, and the photographer will be on hand for conversation (and congratulations!) – all photos are for sale.

Storms today, Sunshine tomorrow!

The desperately needed rain is pouring down today, but sunny days are predicted to come our way this weekend. In other words – tonight is a good night to stay home and read, or go out to the theater; maybe Bakersfield Mist at Montgomery Theater in Souderton, Lin Manuel-Miranda’s In the Heights at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, on the DeSales University campus, or the final performances at DCP Theater in Telford, The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holiday.

And, if the weather clears – which is very well may by this evening, the Wunderbarn is once again hosting their Only An Hour Variety Hour Open Mic tonight, beginning at 6:30 p.m. “Bring your poems, songs, skits, comedy, dance and enjoy the spotlight!” The Variety Hour is free and open to the public (donations are accepted). Refreshments including fresh baked goods are usually available on site at the Rainbow Tomatoes stand, next to the Wunderbarn.

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Stahl’s Pottery Festival starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, Saturday, June 17th, 2023. The event is rain or shine, and runs until 4 p.m. at Stahl’s Pottery in Zionsville (GPS address: 6826 Corning Road, Zionsville PA)

The Pottery Festival features:

• Around 30 local potters displaying and selling traditional & contemporary pottery
  • See the list of potters here.
• Tours of the potting sheds and kiln
• Pottery demonstrations
• Hands-on potting opportunities
• An exhibit of original, historic Stahl’s pottery
• The sale of baked goods & light refreshments
• Our newest Commemorative Ornament & other SPPS items

Parking is free.
Admission is $5.00 per person; children under 18 are free.

Stahl’s Pottery Festival

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The newly opened A & A Legacy Center (437 Dotts Street, Pennsburg – across from Tri-County Bank) is hosting the first Upper Perk Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023. This free event is open to the public, and features live music, Spoken Word, crafts, Kids’ Activities, food trucks, a bake sale, speakers, and more.

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This weekend the Hendershot and Krieg Studios are opening their doors at the Hoppenville House (5455 Hoppenville Road, Green Lane, PA) to visitors from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday; June 17th and 18th, 2023. Original works and prints by the artists Brad Hendershot and Katharine Krieg will be on display, along with Ray Hendershot prints. Light refreshments will also be on hand.

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Green Lane Park has started their series of free summer concerts at the Amphitheater (2298 Green Lane Road, Green Lane, PA – parking by the tennis courts). This years theme is “Great Music Through the Decades” and Sunday, June 18th “The Large Flowerheads bring to life the musical sights and sounds of the groovy ’60s. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sonny & Cher, Mamas and Papas, The Monkees, Jefferson Airplane and many more!”

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And don’t forget that this Wednesday, June 21st, 2023, the first day of summer, is Make Music Upper Perk!

2023 is the 11th year of the all day, free celebration of music, at twenty venues, and four pop-up locations, throughout the Upper Perkiomen Valley!

Make Music Upper Perk 2023 Schedule and Map is now online, in this week’s Town and Country newspaper, and available all around the Valley! You can also look at the musicians’ list to see where and when your favorite group or musician is playing on Wednesday, June 21st – remember, the music starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 10 p.m.!

Merry Month of May!

Along with May flowers, May brings an array of local concerts, as well as Make Music Upper Perk 2023 news!

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Anyone interested in volunteering with Make Music Upper Perk this year should drop by the MMUP Volunteer Meeting on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at 10 a.m. at New Goshenhoppen Park (618 Third Street, East Greenville, PA). Volunteers are needed before and after the event, as well as on the actual date – Wednesday, June 21st, 2023. You can sign up online, as well as read about all the different volunteer opportunities (sign posters, roadies, site hosts, yarn bombers, and more).

Schedules and maps for this year’s Make Music Music Upper Perk should start popping up this coming week (including on this website!) – look for printed schedules next week at the Upper Perkiomen School District Arts Festival – in the lobby before the concerts – and at the Red Hill Band concert later this month, as well as at various public places around the Valley.

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Sondheim’s A Little Night Music opens at Civic Theater (19th Street, Allentown, PA) tonight, Friday May 5th, and runs through May 21st, 2023. Tickets may be bought online or at the box office.

On Sunday evening, May 7th, the Civic Theater is hosting Stephen Sondheim – a Celebration in Concert. This one night only event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the 19th Street Theater. $23 tickets are available online.

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There will be live music outdoors, along with a chance to explore the Haines estate and vehicle museum at this year’s Upper Perkiomen Valley Library Beer, Wine, and Spirits Fundraiser on Saturday, May 6th. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate, beginning at 4 p.m. The event runs until 7 p.m. and is the library’s biggest fundraiser of the year!

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Bel Canto Youth Chorus’ 30th Anniversary Spring Concert will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church of Bethlehem (2540 Center Street) at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 6th – so much happening this first Saturday in May! Tickets will be sold at the door, although they are also available to purchase online.

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Next week is a great opportunity to support, see, and hear the outstanding artistic and musical talent of the students in the Upper Perkiomen School District! Starting Tuesday, May 9th with the Elementary School Chorus, followed by the Middle School Chorus Concert – both on stage at the Upper Perkiomen Middle School (901Montgomery Avenue, Pennsburg, PA) starting at 6:30 p.m., make sure to make time to also see the Art Show. Wednesday night, May 10th, the Elementary Band and Middle School Band will be performing (6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively), while the Elementary Orchestra and Middle School Orchestra take the spotlight on Thursday May 11th (6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.). The Elementary/UPMS Art Show will be open from 6 p.m. -8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

The Upper Perkiomen High School Art Show opens on Thursday, May 11th at 6 p.m. Art and Xlab Awards will be handed out at 6:30 p.m., followed by High School Music Recital at 7 p.m., at the Upper Perkiomen High School (2 Walt Road, Pennsburg, PA) The Upper Perkiomen High School Orchestra and Band Concert will be performed on Friday, May 12th, starting at 7 p.m. The High School Art Show will be on display from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

And keep an eye out for the newly released Make Music Upper Perk 2023 Programs, free for the taking, outside the auditoriums before each concert!

Not to be left out, the Upper Perkiomen High School Choir Concert, also open to the public, is scheduled for Friday, May 19th, 2023, beginning at 7 p.m.

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The 58th Annual Juried Bethlehem Fine Arts and Craft Show is once again over Mother’s Day Weekend, Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 14th from 11 a.m. -5 p.m., along Main Street in Historic Bethlehem, PA. There will also be live music and a children’s art tent at this free public outdoor event.

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Sunday, May 21st, the Red Hill Band will be opening their 2023 Season with a concert at 2 p.m. in the Upper Perkiomen High School auditorium (2 Walt Road, Pennsburg, PA). As always, this concert is free and open to the public.

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A Cold February Start – perfect for indoor Art Shows and outdoor Winter Festivals!

First Friday in February got off to a cold start, but that needn’t deter folks from going out to see some wonderful local art, inside and out. So bundle up, and take a short drive, to see and celebrate some local artists.

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East Greenville professional photographer (and long time MMUP volunteer) Kristi Morris (owner of Littlewing Studio Photography) will be in Bethlehem at Banana Factory’s First Friday, showing her photographs – which are part of the Lehigh Art Alliance 88th Annual Winter Juried Exhibition. The exhibit will remain on display in the Crayola Gallery at the Banana Factory through March 5, 2023.

First Friday on February 3, 2023 at Banana Factory (south side of Bethlehem, 25 W 3rd Street) takes place from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., features two exhibitions; Lehigh Art Alliance 88th Annual Winter Juried Exhibition and We are Empowered: Women Veteran Art Exhibit & Ritual Storytelling, and artists’ talk – “at 6:30PM in the Banko Gallery to hear from a selection of artists that are part of We Are Empowered: Women Veteran Art Exhibit & Ritual Storytelling and Women Veterans Empowered and Thriving (WVE & T) ” – Street Art Workshop, glassblowing, paper marbling, and mosaics demonstrations, a chance to look at many artists’ studios, and live music.

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The weather will be quite cold tomorrow, which means it will be just right to head over to Emmaus for Saturday’s Snowblast Winter Arts Festival!

Live music, ice carving, and a gnome scavenger hunt start at 12 noon on Saturday, February 4th, 2023 in Emmaus Triangle Park (399 Main Street, Emmaus, PA).

More than 50 local artists, vendors, and art activities will be at the Triangle Park and local businesses – and the Emmaus Public Library – for Snowblast, along with food trucks.

See a map of vendors and list of planned activities around Emmaus here. The Emmaus Public Library’s slate of events for the day starts with Storytime with the Ice Princess at 10:30 a.m.