Lehigh Valley InSite

Elizabeth Gilbert

Has a book ever fallen into your hands just when you needed to read it? Five years ago, Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, was that book for me. It found me at a time when I was no more certain about my future than I was about the weather and it told me exactly what I needed to hear.

That book turned me into a huge Elizabeth Gilbert fan…although cyber-stalker might be a more accurate description. From the moment I turned the last page, I wanted more of Gilbert’s wit and inspiration. So I tuned in when she appeared on Oprah, I watched her TED speech on YouTube, I scoured every corner of her website; I even visited her Frenchtown, N.J. furniture store, Two Buttons, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. So you can imagine my excitement when Zoellner Arts Center announced that she was coming to Lehigh Valley as part of its Notations Lecture Series. Let’s just say I would’ve knocked down old ladies to get tickets. (Fortunately, I didn’t have to.)

SteelStacks

What do you get when you combine a lot of history with a bit of new architecture in Lehigh Valley? A whole lotta awesomeness! This is the way I would describe the new ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks which sits on the Bethlehem Steel property that shut down in 1995. It’s built right in front of the steel stacks making for a dramatic backdrop, especially at night when they’re illuminated with colored lights.

For me, the location is one of the best parts. Not only have they converted one of the largest industrial brownfields in the nation, but my grandfather used to operate a crane at Bethlehem Steel for years, so just being on the site where he worked gives it an eerie, yet comforting feeling. I remember when I was a little girl he used to take us for a ride to the SouthSide to pick up his paycheck. We were always in awe over the grand inspiring views of the site.

Angus Young

A few weeks back I ventured to the Great American Music Theater in Lancaster to see Boz Scaggs.  I really couldn’t believe I was going to see Boz Scaggs, as I’m a product of ‘80s rock like AC/DC, KISS, and others, but I have to say his soulful sound was really enjoyable … and who doesn’t like the “Lido Shuffle?”

It got me thinking about the venue and how fortunate we are living in Lehigh Valley.  We are blessed to have such an abundance of exceptional music venues; from the larger facilities like Penn’s Peak and Stabler Arena – to the more intimate settings of Allentown Symphony Hall and the State Theatre.

My Hero Zero

Last night I met a hero.

As a member of the Lehigh Valley Arts Council I was invited to attend their annual membership reception held at Penn State Lehigh Valley’s beautiful campus in Center Valley. There were a lot of cool Lehigh Valley events I could have attended last night, but I’m so glad I picked this one.

Blog Photo - Easton

Last week was a very exciting week in Lehigh Valley.  It was opening day for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and a birthday celebration for the America on Wheels Museum in Allentown.  In addition to those events occurring, there was also a very special event taking place in Easton.  The Longaberger Basket Festival was taking place at The Crayola FACTORY®.

Since this was a unique event I decided to spend Thursday in Easton talking to the visitors of the Basket Festival.  I spent the first 2 hours in The Crayola FACTORY® answering questions about the festival and encouraging guests to explore Easton on their way out.  After spending this much time talking about Easton, I decided it was my turn to take a walk.

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Nowadays it seems that every channel you turn on the TV has some sort of ghost show being featured, doesn’t it? Some of them feature human experiences and others may be animals that have had these types of paranormal experiences. Overall, some of those programs just really fascinate me. I have seen a few that had Lehigh Valley venues featured which really got me thinking, so I decided to take a step back and really dig into what there is here. I found that there are over 80 locations that have either documented proof of a spirit, or a horrific story behind the location, such as an Indian massacre.

This piqued my curiosity that there were so many stories so I decided to check one of them out for myself. The Sun Inn in Historic Downtown Bethlehem was featured on one of the shows I had watched so I thought this would be a great location to start my own investigation.

Statecafe-1a

Last Monday evening on my drive home from my guitar lesson, I was the first to call WDIY during a segment of Folk Classics and won two tickets to see The Kingston Trio at the State Theatre. Later in the week I made reservations at the State Café & Grill. I had promised the owner, Juan Martinez, that I would visit for dinner.

The State Café is just off  Northampton Street on Fifth. Its open kitchen and intimate interior are a treat. The place was hopping, as I’m sure it usually is on a show night, being the restaurant closest to the theater. Our strategically located table allowed us to watch the “dance” of food preparation in the kitchen and the end of the Butler/Florida overtime game. Both were entertaining.

ADDY_Best_of_Show

About two weeks ago I felt like I had my shot at “walking the red carpet” at an event I attended at Green Pond Country Club in Bethlehem. It was the Greater Lehigh Valley Ad Club’s 2011 ADDY Awards Gala, and it was a night of great people who were all looking for the same ending … receiving an award.

As soon as I walked in the door it was a non-stop flurry of activity. Just about everyone was dressed to impress. There was a bar that seemed to have an endless line. Around the reception area were displays of some of the creative pieces that were submitted. And of course you couldn’t miss out on getting your picture taken for Lehigh Valley Style magazine! (I always want to do the Charlie’s Angels pose but no one ever wants to partake!)

View from Southside windows of ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks

A few of us from Discover Lehigh Valley recently went on a hardhat tour of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. It was impressive, to say the very least. The massive 4-story performing arts center will be the anchor for the SteelStacks campus, bringing musical and cinematic performances to Lehigh Valley every day of the year.

The list of functions that this space will allow is incredible. Aside from the musical, cinematic and theatrical elements (many of which are FREE), the ArtsQuest Center will offer an Alehouse Cinema (yes, you can enjoy cocktails, beer or wine while watching a movie in stadium style seating), al fresco dining, areas for business/conference meetings and free space for local non profits and community groups to offer programming.

2008 Emmaus SnowBlast Winter Festival - ice carving

Let’s face it, this winter in Lehigh Valley has been perfect for Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain Ski Area and for those with plow attachments on their pickup trucks. Unfortunately, I don’t ski, and my little convertible can barely make it out of my ice covered driveway. I officially have cabin fever.

Luckily there are plenty of local indoor attractions to keep even the most active families busy. Lehigh Valley Grand Prix and Lehigh Valley Laser Tag are perfect examples. I wish they were around when my son was a “tween”.