Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Summer Festival went down on August 18-21. I hadn’t attended since I was a kid so I headed over with a companion to see what it was all about. The festival resembled more of a small fair with rides for kids, a few games, and a bunch of food. There was a semi-large tent where bands were playing with most of the crowd leaning towards the geriatric age (not making digs here, just calling it like I saw it). Another large part of the festival was very craft-oriented, with people selling various crafts from sports plaques to handmade clothing. My favorite part? Books. Tons and tons of books. I got two HUGE bagfuls of books with soft cover and hardbacks for $4. I went to Barnes & Noble tonight and saw one of the books for over $30 on the shelf. Can you say deal? All-in-all I found the whole thing a little boring, but it was all for a good cause: Last year’s festival raised over $90,000 for Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg which has been used to purchase various types of medical equipment for the non-profit hospital. I’d say the whole thing would be good to take kids or to suggest to the older crowd to check out. The 18-late 30s crowd with no kids? Probably not.
theelvee_w2oe3m
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Now that (I hope) everyone’s Musikfest hangovers have been cured, the horses are back in their stables, and downtown is back to normal I figured I’d reflect on this year’s festivities, share some photos, and a few concert reviews.
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If you’re not already committed to something tomorrow, I’ve got something for you to do. If you are committed to something tomorrow, well then you’ve got an event to cancel. Tomorrow at Allentown Brew Works they’re kicking off the only Lehigh Valley whiskey event I’ve ever heard of and it’s shaped up to be an awesome event.
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Well, I know it’s been a stupidly long time. Life’s been busy and I’ve got no other excuse. However, the El Vee’s biggest event of the year is upon us and some of you may need a heads up on what to do or where to go.
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The past few weeks saw the introduction of two very different wine festivals to the Lehigh Valley. Both were the first annual iterations, however one was a massive failure while the other was a glimmer of hope for the future.
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Welp, we’re experiencing some downtime right now… (Click that delicious salad to read more)
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Following on the trend of beer dinners that have been taking over the valley (first at the Farmhouse in the 80s, and now at Tap and Table [same owners as Bookstore], Spinnerstown Hotel, and even Starter’s), the Bookstore Speakeasy decided to attempt to pair liquor with entrees. How did it go?
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Well I’m finally getting to some of my material from March to put up (hooray free time). The $2,500 Night was a benefit held at the Comfort Suites on Broad Street in Bethlehem to raise money for the SouthSide Film Festival that took place on March 26th.
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Last Tuesday night I got a little surprise on my phone in the form of a Facebook message notification. It was about 11pm and I popped it open and, much to my delight, found a notice from the organizer of the Lehigh University Sundaze. It said that Louis C.K., a very popular comedian across the nation, was coming to Lehigh the next night for a free show. Naturally I was a bit skeptical about it so I googled the show. No dice…nothing online. So I checked out Louis’ website and sure enough, there was a show for Lehigh posted for the next day. Louis C.K. replaced Aziz Ansari, a comedian and actor who plays on Parks and Recreation, who apparently bailed at the last minute.
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Well, you may have heard about the new business by now since the Morning Call and the Express-Times picked up on them pretty quick. It’s a new place called Seasons on Main Street in Bethlehem, right next to the Mexican fusion restaurant, Tika’s. Billed as a vinegar and olive oil taproom, it’s one of the most unique business ideas I’ve seen in some time.