On opening night of the Allentown Fair, the sounds of Motown will join with the power of a live symphony orchestra.
The Allentown Symphony Orchestra will make its first-ever appearance at the fair in collaboration with legendary vocal group Four Tops at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, Sept. 2, on the grandstand stage.
Known globally as one of the most legendary vocal groups in music history, the Four Tops is celebrating 70 years of hits. Originally formed in Detroit in 1953, the group became one of Motown’s most iconic acts, delivering unforgettable classics, including “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Baby I need Your Loving,” “It’s The Same Old Song,” “Standing In The Shadows Of Love,” and “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got).”
With 24 top-40 hits in the U.S., more than 30 top-40 hits in the U.K., induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Four Tops has left an indelible mark on generations of music lovers. Backed by the orchestra, the group’s enduring legacy will come to life in a powerful performance, celebrating its unmistakable sound, spirit, and soul.
Current members are Theo Peoples, Ronnie McNeir, Lawrence Payton Jr., and Michael Brock.
The orchestra, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, will be conducted by Diane Wittry.
Tickets cost $47 and include fair admission.
‘Pets!’ on display
Studio B Art Gallery in Boyertown, Berks County, will celebrate the opening of an art exhibit entitled “Pets!” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday. The gallery is located at 39 E. Philadelphia Ave. (Route 73).
The show, which will run through Nov. 1, features artwork from dozens of local artists. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday.
Our pets are generally kept for companionship and pleasure and are found in nearly every culture and society. Pet-keeping satisfies a deep, universal human need.
Artists were encouraged to interpret the theme of “Pets” in their unique styles and mediums. The exhibit is curated by artist Bob Hakun, Studio B’s gallery director.
Juror for prizes in the exhibit is artist Sandra Severson. Internationally, Severson won first prize at Corso Nationale Arte Figurativa in Salerno, Italy, and has been commissioned to paint the British steeplechase horse Tagamet, Brazilian cutting horse champion Magella, and other portraits in Belgium and Morocco.
LUAG opening and Martin Guitar
Chris Martin IV, Martin Guitar Co.
John Walsh
Lehigh University Art Galleries is getting ready for “This Land: Reimagining the United States of America on its 250th Anniversary,” opening on Tuesday, with a “first look” opening reception and “An Evening with Martin Guitar” in Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem.
Weaving together maps, metaphor, music, and more, this thought-provoking exhibition draws from the LUAG collection and beyond, including a selection of historic images and artifacts from the C. F. Martin & Co. Archives.
Guests will start in the LUAG main and lower galleries at 5 p.m. for music, refreshments, and a first look at “This Land.” The evening will continue at 7 p.m. at “An Evening With Martin Guitar” as Chris Martin, the company’s executive chairman and the sixth generation of the Martin family to run the business, shares his passion and stories from more than 35 years of leading the iconic Upper Nazareth Township, Northampton County-based company, along with musical accompaniment by guitarist Craig Thatcher.
The gallery show is free to attend. Tickets for “An Evening With Martin Guitar” are pay-what-you-will. Half the proceeds will benefit The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.
For information, go to zoellnerartscenter.org.
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
1st Street Players will present “Dear Evan Hansen” at Birdsboro Community Theatre, which is located at 301 East First St. in Birdsboro, Berks County.
“Dear Evan Hansen” is a heartfelt and powerful production that follows Evan Hansen (Zach Bartholomew), an anxious high school student whose life is forever changed by a misunderstanding that spirals into something much bigger than he ever imagined. As he forms unexpected connections with the Murphy family, Evan must navigate truth, grief, and the desire to belong. With its moving score and emotional storytelling, the musical explores themes of mental health, honesty, forgiveness, and human connection.
The musical opened on Broadway in 2016 and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning six, including best musical, best book, and best score.
The cast will feature Louise Disch, Violet Tulig, Adam Crotty, Jeff Bezler, Lindsey Villecco, Julia Weaver, and Fox Peters.
This production contains mature themes, including suicide, grief, anxiety, and mental health. Viewer discretion is advised.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for students.
‘Rent’ in Exeter
Reading Civic Theatre will stage the rock musical “Rent” at Fox East Complex TheatreTwo, which is located at 4350 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township, Berks County.
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Jonathan Larson’s iconic rock musical. Since its Broadway premiere in 1996, “Rent” has inspired generations with its unforgettable score and powerful story of friendship, resilience, and chosen family. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama and four Tony Awards, including best musical, the musical helped transform Broadway and continues to resonate with audiences around the world 30 years later.
Set in New York City’s East Village during the height of the AIDS epidemic, “Rent” follows a close-knit group of artists navigating friendship, love, loss, and the pursuit of their dreams. Featuring songs that include “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” “Take Me or Leave Me,” and “I’ll Cover You,” Larson’s electrifying score celebrates the enduring power of community and reminds us that the measure of a life is found in love.
The cast features Dan Hauk as Roger Davis, Cody Hoppes as Mark Cohen, James Barksdale as Tom Collins, Moses Banks as Angel Dumott Schunard, Deacon Hearing as Benjamin Coffin III, Siera Runyon as Mimi Marquez, Jessica Skelly as Maureen Johnson, and Samantha Pineiro as Joanne Jefferson.
The ensemble features Melissa Adams, Billy Beck, Mackenzie Buckley, Julius Campbell, Deseon Eggleston, Maxi Estrada, James Francisco, Patrick Grinage, Lauren Heyer, Kelly Kantner, Stephen Stankiewicz, Sara Steber, and Vinessa Zimmerman.
Tickets cost $25 to $35.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Balloon Fest has new name, dates
Lehigh Valley Balloon Fest, formerly the Lehigh Valley Spooktacular Balloon Festival, will take place Friday and Saturday at Slatington Airport, which is located at 1000 Airport Lane in Slatington, Lehigh County.
The festival will feature hot air balloons, fireworks, family fun, food, and entertainment. While the name and dates may be new, guests can still expect the same balloons, balloon glows, laser light show, fireworks finales, special-shape balloons, and family-friendly atmosphere that have made this event a regional favorite for year.
There also will be live music and entertainment, food trucks and vendors, a beer and wine garden, and family attractions.
The morning launch is around 7 a.m. and the evening launch is around 6 p.m.
All balloon activities are weather permitting. Safety is always the top priority, and launches, rides, and glows are dependent upon suitable weather conditions.
Tickets cost $28 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
Japanese flute music
Thomas Piercy
Thomas Piercy will perform the sounds of the hichiriki, a traditional Japanese double-reed woodwind instrument used primarily as a main melodic voice in classical gagaku court music, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem.
With more than 300 works written especially for him, Piercy, based in Tokyo and New York City, presents an electrifying mix of tradition, collaboration, and innovation on the stage.
Tickets cost $10.