Arts & Entertainment
Get Out: Mother's Day Weekend
This weekend it's all about Mom. Learn about local history at Saucon Valley History Day, relax to the sounds of classical music at the Bethlehem Bach Festival or dance around the maypole in celebration of spring at the Charles Brown Ice House.
For all the moms who do so much for so little recognition, this weekend is all about you. Mom should get to do whatever she wants, whether it is having breakfast in bed or enjoying dinner and a show on Saturday night. Here are the best picks for this weekend, keeping everything moms love in mind--beautiful art, music, theater, and of course, things to do with the children she loves.
First Friday is back and this month Southside Bethlehem is celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Whether mom likes the art or the margaritas, she will surely have a great night out if she decides to go. If classical music is more her thing, she might enjoy the two-day 104th Annual Bethlehem Bach Festival featuring the world-famous Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Just over the bridge another festival will take place Saturday, with the 46th Annual Bethlehem Fine Art and Craft Show scheduled to take place downtown.
For the mom with little ones still in tow, the Mom’s Day Tea at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, or the performances of Lucinda in Jam Town and All Around the Maypole would make for a fun Saturday. Or take the family out for a little tour of yesteryear at Saucon Valley History Day.
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If it is a night on the town that mom wants, she might enjoy the Star Party on South Mountain. She could always have a laugh at the State Theatre, where some of the least-known comedians in the industry will ensure side-splitting laughter. For dinner and a show, the Robin McKelle Jazz Cabaret and Dinner Show is the best bet for this weekend.
Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
BEST PICKS FOR MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND
• FIRST FRIDAY ()
Where/When: S. New and 3rd streets, Bethlehem, Friday, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Why Go: Everyone loves First Friday in Bethlehem for the open galleries, the restaurants, the music and the entertainment that are a part of this monthly event. This weekend, First Friday will be taken up a notch with a Cinco de Mayo theme featuring food samples from Looper's Grille & Bar, Molly's Irish Grille & Sports Pub and Tulum.
Pricing: Free. Sponsored the Downtown Bethlehem Association.
• THE 104th ANNUAL BETHLEHEM BACH FESTIVAL (BACH CHOIR OF BETHLEHEM)
Where/When: Packer Memorial Church and other locations, Lehigh University, Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Why Go: This two-day dose of the classical composer's music should satiate even the most diehard lovers of Bach. Brilliant vocal and instrumental performances as well as lectures about Bach and his music will be held across the Lehigh campus.
Pricing: $18 and up. Visit here for ticket information and ordering. Sponsored by Air Products and PGB Trust and Investments.
• SAUCON VALLEY HISTORY DAY (, , HELLER HOMESTEAD)
Where/When: 4216 Countryside Lane, Hellertown; 150 W. Walnut St., Hellertown; 1890 Friedensville Road, Bethlehem; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Why Go: Learn about the history of Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township with tours of , and . There will be entertainment, food, demonstrations of Early American colonial craftwork, a re-enactment and lots more fun for the family.
Pricing: Free. Sponsored by the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society, the Hellertown Historical Society and the Saucon Valley Conservancy.
• 46th ANNUAL BETHLEHEM FINE ART AND CRAFT SHOW (BETHLEHEM FINE ARTS COMMISSION)
Where/When: Main Street, Downtown Bethlehem, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Why Go: More than 80 juried artists and crafters will display their art in a sidewalk show along Main Street in downtown Bethlehem. Bring mom to view the finest local and regional artistic talent and, just maybe, pick out something that is just as beautiful as her.
Pricing: Free.
• A MOTHER’S DAY TEA ()
Where/When: 427 N. New St., Bethlehem, Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
Why Go: Children will investigate the plant Camellia senensis, used to make traditional Victorian tea, and how it was served on their continuing Hunt for History. Following tea they will make a Camellia blossom to give to mom or grandma.
Pricing: $5 for adults, free for children.
• LUCINDA IN JAM TOWN ()
Where/When: Banana Factory, 25 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem, Friday, 7:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Why Go: It’s opening night for this specially commissioned musical in honor of the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre's 25th anniversary season. An updated musical version of the Cinderella story, "Lucinda in Jam Town" features an eclectic mix of dance, physical comedy and outrageous costuming that the whole family will enjoy.
Pricing: Tickets: $12 for children and seniors; $15 for adults. Premiere reserved seating available for $20.
• ALL AROUND THE MAYPOLE (MOCK TURTLE MARIONETTE THEATRE)
Where/When: Charles Brown Ice House, 6 River Road, Sand Island, Bethlehem, Saturday, 10:00 am
Why Go: Celebrate the arrival of spring with the melodies of lute, guitar, fiddle as performed by local Renaissance music quartet Cambiata. The workshop will feature a dance around the Maypole for all ages.
Pricing: Tickets: $5 per person, $7.50 for performance and workshop.
• STAR PARTY (THE LEHIGH VALLEY AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY)
Where/When: South Mountain Observatory, Bethlehem, Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
Why Go: Mom has always loved you to the moon and back. Now you can see how far away the moon really is with a Night Sky Network talk about NASA missions and other topics. After the planetarium show, look through the telescope, not only at the moon, but also at planets, stars and deep sky objects.
Pricing: Suggested donation of $2.
• NOBODIES OF COMEDY (STATE THEATRE)
Where/When: State Theatre, 452 Northampton St., Easton, Friday, 8:00 p.m.
Why Go: This is hilarious, side-splitting, laugh-a-minute comedy with talent you have most likely never heard of before, including Mike Vecchione , Andy Woodhull, Rachel Feinstein, Kurt Metzger and James Johann.
Pricing: Tickets: $25 per person. Sponsored by Enter.net and WZZO.
• ROBIN MCKELLE JAZZ CABARET DINNER AND SHOW (ZOELLNER ARTS CENTER)
Where/When: Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, 420 E. Packer Ave., Saturday, 6:00 p.m. dinner, 7:00 p.m. show and 9:00 p.m. show only.
Why Go: Mom will enjoy a musical evening reminiscent of smooth jazz vocalists Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Promoting his new album Mess Around, McKelle has a great command of rhythm and blues, soul and jazz. Enjoy dinner, drinks and the show.
Pricing: Tickets: dinner and show $57, show only $20, alcohol available for purchase.
