Lehigh Valley InSite

Exploring the Lehigh Valley arts scene thanks to ARTix Passport

I've always thought that Lehigh Valley is very fortunate to have the great visual and performing arts venues that it does. Over the years I have tried to get to as many of them as I can but often end up missing performances at theaters or exhibits at museums with much regret.

So I'm making a promise to myself to experience more of the region's arts with the help of an ARTix Passport. Produced every year by Lehigh Valley Arts Council for its members, ARTix gives you a buy-one-get-one-free deal at 25 local arts-related venues. They include some of my favorites such as Allentown Art Museum, State Theatre, and Historic Bethlehem Partnership.

I used the ARTix Passport last year to take a friend with me to see "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

Some of the places I hope to visit yet this year (or at least before the passport expires on 6/30/10) include:

• Godfrey Daniels - Even though I've lived in Bethlehem twice and have a friend that regularly performs at this intimate live music venue, I've still never made it there.
• Act 1 at DeSales University in Center Valley - Sure I've been there for the PSF, but I've never been to one of their dramatic fall or spring performances. Heard good things about them too!
• Bach Choir of Bethlehem - I've seen their annual Christmas Concert but have never been to the Bach Festival in May.
• Cedar Crest College in Allentown - Having recently discovered the great theater at nearby Muhlenberg College, I think I should give Cedar Crest it's due too. Besides, my older sister is an alum so I kinda feel a connection.

What are some of your favorite arts venues in Lehigh Valley?

A Lehigh Valley Wedding Savings Plan: Go to the casino!

My dad, mom, sister, Casey and I had originally decided to head over to the Sands Casino last night because our wedding band, Brian Kirk and the Jirks, were playing at the Molten lounge.

Since we were going to the casino anyway, my mom came up with a sound financial decision of cashing in her change jar and splitting it up between all of us. All profits made would go towards Casey and my upcoming the wedding. Sounded good to me.

Me, my dad and Casey headed over around 9 pm. They definitely accomplished their goal in making the place feel "industrial." It also reminded me of an airport terminal with all the service desks and restaurants around the perimeter. Overall I thought it was a nice layout.

After a bit of gambling we head over to Molten with its neat set up, similar to a nightclub lounge, on the casino floor. We were disappointed. The Jirks weren't there! So instead of hanging out at Molten, we went pack to gambling.

We played video poker, slots, and video roulette with little success. By the time my mom and sister got there, we were just about out of money. So far our "savings plan" was a complete failure.

But the late comers had luck on their side. As soon as they sat down, they started winning. We left them there to hopefully make up for what we lost and headed home.

We weren’t even on Route 22 when my sister texted Casey saying that she had tripled her money and my mom was up a good amount. They made a good choice and decided to quit while they were ahead.

At the end of the night, we doubled the amount in the change jar - now we can afford four chair covers for the wedding!

Have you had any success at the Sands yet?

Lehigh Valley's new "Snoopy Rocks! On Ice" is for the kid in all of us

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdomis celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and they gave themselves a really cool present, the Good Time Theatre. And when I say "cool," I mean that literally - the $6 million 600-seat theatre boasts a huge stage of ice.

So Lehigh Valley PA is now home to a first-class professional ice show, "Snoopy Rocks! On Ice." Don't let the name fool you, this show is a must-see for adults as well as kids. As a matter of fact, with all the beautiful female skaters performing their routines, some of the guys in our group didn't even pay attention to the Peanuts characters!

All my favorite Peanuts themes are featured in this show: Snoopy battling the Red Barron, Charlie Brown awaiting the Great Pumpkin, Lucy's psychiatric advise booth. Watching them made me realize how much Charles Schulz's neighborhood kids (and dog!) were a part of my growing up, too.

I have to admit, sitting in the front row made me a little nervous - it seemed like I was mere inches away from at least 16 skaters performing dare-devil maneuvers at top speed. I was amazed at how good they were, especially when I heard they've only been working together for a couple months.

All in all, the "Snoopy Rocks" show is a great addition to an already fun-filled park. I'm sure the three shows daily (four on Saturdays) will be performed to a packed house. But if you want to catch the show, don't go on Wednesday - even big furry beagles need a day off! 

Summer fun at Dutch Springs

Despite the fact that I've spent the majority of my 28 years in Lehigh Valley, it was only last summer that I discovered Dutch Springs. So in an effort to save you from missing out on this hidden gem of Bethlehem (like I did for so many years), allow me to formally introduce you ...

Dutch Springs is what I'd consider to be an amusement park for nature-lovers. There's scuba diving, a high ropes course/climbing wall, camping and an Aqua Park, which will be my focus for this post.

The Aqua Park area is filled with all sorts of inflatable ... things, designed especially for climbing on and bouncing off of.

I tried climbing one of the icebergs, which can be accomplished by pulling yourself up via plastic handles. All around me, kids were clamoring up the 'burg like little spiders, while I hung there like a dysfunctional monkey, my weak arms shaking. Eventually, I made it to the top and for a few seconds felt like queen of the 'burg before half sliding/half bouncing back into the water.

The other inflatable ... thing I tried out was the Aqua Tower. Once you climb to the top of the tower,  again using plastic handles, you jump onto a huge airbag called The Blob. Ideally, you want to stay on The Blob (not as easy as it sounds), so when the next person jumps onto it from the tower, some force of physics will send you flying through the air. Unfortunately, I fell off The Blob before the kid behind me could jump.

By now, I was exhausted so I bobbed around in the Aqua Park, watching everyone else on the ... things. Thanks to my life vest, which everyone must wear, bobbing around took no effort on my part, making it the most relaxing part of my day.

What's your favorite way to stay cool during these hot summer days?

An elegant Lehigh Valley wedding at Historic Hotel Bethlehem

Saturday my fiance and I attended the wedding of Elizabeth Wallace and Elliott Stranzl here in Lehigh Valley. After a beautiful ceremony at the Packer Memorial Chapel on the campus of Lehigh University, we headed to Historic Hotel Bethlehem for the reception.  

The cocktail hour was held on the third floor of the hotel, which had a balcony overlooking the ballroom. It was a little crowded in this area for the 200 people that attended, but all-in-all the staff did a good job getting around with butlered hors d'oeuvres. There were also a few set stations with sushi, shrimp, fruit and cheese, etc.

The main ballroom was decorated lovely and had a very intimate feeling to it. Every detail went off without a hitch from the dj to the food service. In fact, the servers were almost military-like as they entered the room, one by one, in an organized pattern.

Our meal started with a nice salad and bread, followed by intermezzo. I chose the pecan-crusted chicken, which was served with red skinned mashed potatoes and a vegetable medley. I made a good choice. Michael chose the steak, which he said had excellent flavor, although I think the men at our table were still a little hungry after their entree. Desserts were served buffet-style and included cannolis, chocolate cake, coconut cake and a lot more.

Hotel Bethlehem was an excellent choice to hold an event like this. I know that we were both impressed. Have you been to any events at Historic Hotel Bethlehem? 

Now This is an Auto Stimulus Package!

The current dismal news about the challenges being faced by the auto industry made my trip to see the classic cars from the Nicola Bulgari collection at America on Wheels all the more compelling. 

Quick "local" side note: Bulgari stores a portion of his collection in a warehouse in Allentown. And since he believes that "cars are made to be driven," all of them are driven, often around Lehigh Valley, PA.

Now, back to the exhibit.

Eleven cars, built between 1931 and 1941, are on display as America on Wheels' current changing exhibit; however, this represents a mere portion of Bulgari's collection. Here are some highlights from my visit:

• 1936 Hudson Custom 8 Series 65 Convertible (pictured) - my favorite, although it’s a challenge to limit it to just one. The color, trim and pop up wing windows demonstrate just how well-designed this car is. And the flashy yet functional bumpers made me realize how cosmetically simple today's cars are compared to those of the 1930s.
• One of 7,200 LaSalles that were manufactured by hand in nearby Fleetwood, PA (a surprise to me) is on display. 
• 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton - a convertible with a Straight 8 384 cubic inch engine, I consider this to be the most ornate car in the exhibit.
• 1935 Nash Ambassador Sedan - a big car with plenty of legroom and height for those taller folks, something you'll be hard-pressed to find in a modern car.
• 1940 Supermodel 59 Estate wagon - formerly owned by Bette Davis; it was given to her after it appeared alongside her in several movies. 

You really need to see these vehicles up close to get a sense of the elegant design that once made the U.S. auto industry great. I say, bring back vehicles with flair and verve like these and we will see a resurgent auto industry. 

Think you'll go see this exhibit at America on Wheels? (It runs until October 15!)

Delighted by Muhlenberg College's "The Sound of Music"

My mother shared her love of Broadway musicals with me, so from a young age I was hooked.

One of my favorites is "The Sound of Music," but I've only ever seen the Julie Andrews movie version. So when I found out that Muhlenberg College in Allentown would be performing it this month as part of its annual Summer Music Theatre season, I jumped at the chance to go.

I'd never seen a show at Muhlenberg before, so it was also my first visit to the Dorothy Hess Baker Theatre. It is a new and intimate venue that was a perfect setting for the show. In fact, I don't think there is a bad seat in the place!

As the show started, I was immediately impressed by the elaborate sets, from the abbey and the mountainside, to the terrace and living room at the villa. The production team did a great job maximizing every inch of space on the rather small stage.

The lead characters of Maria and Captain Georg von Trapp were expertly performed by alumni Courtnay Griswold and Troy Dwyer, an assistant professor in the college's Theatre Department. Courtnay gave Maria the right mix of innocence, femininity, and maternal instinct. Her renditions of "Do-Re-Mi" and "The Sound of Music" showed off her wide vocal range and great ability.

Troy's interpretation of the Captain made him firm yet sensitive which I thought made him easier to like after his transformation from stern military man to loving father. Accompanying himself on guitar, his rendition of "Edelweiss" was colored with heartbreak as he and his family prepared to leave his beloved Austria.

I was also delighted with the performance of the pinnacle song "Climb Every Mountain" by Traci Ceschin as Mother Abbess. The way she hit and held the final high note in the song left me with goosebumps.

The actors playing the von Trapp children were charming and adorable too!

"The Sound of Music" continues through Sunday. Some tickets are still available. I suggest you snatch them up before they are gone!

Looking forward to the U.S. Women's Open

In 2002, I had the opportunity to work at the Men’s U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in New York. It was an experience I will never forget.

In two weeks, I will once again have the opportunity to be a volunteer at a U.S. Open and get to admire the best golfers in the world. Specifically, I'll be at the 2009 Women’s U.S. Open at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem. I'm looking forward to another unforgettable experience.

It is impossible to experience the magnitude of an event as big as a U.S. Open through TV, which is why I jumped at the chance to volunteer. Anyone who plays golf knows that some of the shots these players make are close to impossible for us amateurs. Once you see them make those impossible shots in person, you gain even more respect for what they do on the course.

This isn’t the first time a U.S. Open has stopped at Saucon - they hosted Men’s Senior Opens in 1992 and 2000 - but it will be my first time volunteering at Saucon and I'm excited to see what the "Old Course" looks like in person.

The women's open begins Monday July 6th with practice rounds and championship play starting Thursday, July 9. Do you plan to head out to this nationally televised event right here in Lehigh Valley?

1776, the musical, is top-notch theater!

When I mentioned wanting to go to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, my husband Don was not enthused until I told him which show was on the top of my list - the Tony Award-winning musical "1776." How lucky we are to have Broadway quality theater right here in Lehigh Valley PA!

This was my first time experiencing 1776 but Don had seen it years ago. Kudos to the good people at DeSales University who bring us this festival ... he enjoyed their production more than the show in New York.

From the moment the curtain opened I felt as if I was actually witnessing history in the making. When taught in school, Congress signing the Declaration of Independence seemed so matter-of-fact. The actors playing John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and the rest really brought to life the passionate debate and compromise that preceded the final document's signing, and did so with intensity, humor and song.

I especially liked the way John and his wife Abigail's actual love letters back and forth help tell the story from a founding "family" perspective. In today's world, they'd be text-messaging constantly!

Every aspect of this show was top notch: the set, lighting, orchestra ...I could go on forever. At the end, the entire audience sprang to its feet for a well deserved standing ovation.

Will you go and sign the Declaration of Independence too? There are 14 more show times to experience PSF's "1776" for yourself. 

*Thanks to PSF & Lee A. Butz for the above photo.

Things to do in Lehigh Valley: 2009 Summer Edition

If you can believe the weatherman, it will actually feel like summer for the next 10 days here in Lehigh Valley, so it's time for my Top 5 Favorite Summer Activities in Lehigh Valley.

1. Dutch Springs - Although it's primarily known as a scuba diving facility (one of the largest fresh-water facilities in the country!), Dutch Springs has a fantastic Aqua Park. There's so much to talk about regarding Dutch Springs, I'm going to write an entire blog post on it, so stay tuned.

2. Fairs - There are lots of options (Musikfest, Kutztown Folk Festival, Schnecksville Fair), but the fair to end all fairs has to be The Great Allentown Fair. It literally has everything you'd ever want in a fair (except for tractor pulls, but that's what the Kempton Fair is for). Like Dutch Springs, I have a lot to say about the Allentown Fair, so you can expect to see a full post on it in the near future.

3. Rita's Water Ice - The Rita's locations throughout Lehigh Valley are only open during the summer, which means at least one trip to Rita's for one of their freshly made water ices is a necessity. New to Rita's? Try a gelati (water ice and vanilla custard) if you want to get hooked!

4. Rafting - I enjoy rafting because it's a great way to work on your tan, experience nature and get some exercise (especially if the other people in your boat think they're on a gondola ride with you as their driver). The Lehigh River has many rafting outfitters to choose from (Jim Thorpe River Adventures, Whitewater Challengers, Whitewater Rafting Adventures), but I recommend Pocono Whitewater Adventures - I had a GREAT time with them last summer.

5. Mini golf - Like fairs, there are lots of options (Putt U, Liber-Tee, Dorney Square), but my favorite is Bear Rock Junction. Why? Two fairly challenging courses with water hazards, Nathan's hot dogs, steam train rides (free on Fridays), and Leiby's ice cream.