Musikfest is the big ticket in town, not only in Bethlehem, but in most of the surrounding areas for the next week. If you haven’t visited Festplatz, Main Street or Banana Island, not to mention the SouthSide venues at the Steelstacks, you don’t know what you are missing with what has become the prototype for all other music festivals around the country.
First Friday in Bethlehem celebrates the art and music of the SouthSide with its theme, Midsummer Music. If this is just too much action for your little one to bear, introduce them to New York City for a quiet and free afternoon in Central Park and an evening at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
For those who want to get away from the festing but still want the fest, try Happy Hour at in Hellertown for fresh grilled pizza and drink specials.
If you still have not seen a dramatic performance at the , this is the final weekend, so hang up your mug for a night and check out the drama on the campus of DeSales University.
For families, check out Seussical Jr. at the Ice House or join the Hunt for History at the to learn more about the science of music.
If you don’t like music, crowds or dancing in the streets, there is always Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.
BEST PICKS FOR THIS WEEKEND
MUSIKFEST (THE SONG REMAINS…)
- WHERE/WHEN: 10 North Side sites and five South Side sites, Friday, 5 – 10pm and every day until Aug. 14, noon – 10pm.
- WHY GO: Even if you don’t have tickets for headliners Need to Breathe or Stone Temple Pilots, there are plenty of awesome free concerts all over Bethlehem. Enjoy Mike Dugan, the Lehigh Valley Idols or Zen for Primates among other artists, food vendors and merchants. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your mug to get refills of your cold beverages.
- COST: Many of the venues are free, but you should check the website for exact times of shows and ticket prices (if applicable).
HAPPY HOUR (SAGRA BISTRO)
- WHERE/WHEN: 620 Main St., Hellertown, Friday, 5–7pm.
- WHY GO: Drink specials and grilled pizza with friends make an evening at a fiscally sound alternative to Musikfest.
- COST: Happy Hour Specials: $1.75 Yuengling Lagers and $3 glasses of house wine. Grilled Pizza Alfresco -- enjoy a grilled pizza for only $5.
FIRST FRIDAY (SOUTH SIDE BETHLEHEM)
- WHERE/WHEN: Third Street, South Side Bethlehem, Friday, 6– 10pm.
- WHY GO: Move to the Music is the theme for August. Enjoy free food and wine samples at local businesses and celebrate the arts in South Side Bethlehem.
- COST: Free, sponsored by Artwalk.
FIRST FRIDAY FOR KIDS, NYC (CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MANHATTAN)
- WHERE/WHEN: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., New York, Friday, 5–8pm.
- WHY GO: Introduce your child to New York City and do it cheaply. Walk around Central Park in the afternoon and don’t miss the Bethesda Fountain, Shakespeare Gardens, the carousel and all the wonderful playgrounds. After dinner, take in the Curious George exhibit at CMOM and enjoy free admission.
- COST: Free to walk around in Central Park and CMOM has free admission the first Friday of every month.
HAMLET AND MORE (PA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL)
- WHERE/WHEN: DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley
Sleeping Beauty, Friday & Saturday, 10am.
The Two Noble Kinsmen, Friday, 8pm, Saturday, 2pm & 8pm, Sunday, 2pm & 7:30pm.
Pride & Prejudice, Friday, 8pm and Saturday & Sunday, 2pm.
Hamlet, Saturday 8pm & Sunday, 7:30pm.
- WHY GO: Don’t miss the last week of theater at the 2011 Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Sleeping Beauty is fun for the whole family. If you are planning on leaving the kids at home, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Pride & Prejudice and Hamlet are brilliantly performed dramas you will want to see.
- COST: Tickets, Sleeping Beauty, Adults $15, Children (12 & under) $11, Two Noble Kinsmen, $30-$32, Pride & Prejudice/ Hamlet, Adults $45-$50, Seniors $42-$47. Check seating and availability.
SEUSSICAL, JR. (PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH THEATRE)
- WHERE/WHEN: The Charles A. Brown Ice House, 57 River St., Bethlehem, Friday, 7pm, and Saturday, 1pm & 4pm.
- WHY GO: The kids of PYT will take you and your family on a musical adventure through the most beloved stories and characters of Dr. Seuss. Come dressed as your favorite characters and be ready to be entertained.
- COST: Tickets are $5. Call 610-332–1400 for information.
HUNT FOR HISTORY CLUB (TICKLING THE IVORIES)
- WHERE/WHEN: Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, 427 N. New St., Bethlehem, Saturday, noon-4pm.
- WHY GO: After learning about the history of pianos, experiment by making sounds with all sorts of common objects to learn more about the science of sound.
- COST: Free for children with paid adult admission of $7. Reservations are recommended. Sponsored by Historic Bethlehem Partnership.
