AOW Hosts Regional Auto Show

On Sunday, The New Imagine Auto Club held an auto show at the America on Wheels Museum in downtown Allentown. Over 400 people attended this great event to showcase their vehicles and to network with other car enthusiasts. There was music, movement, entertainment and fun for all ages! The vehicles that were on display ranged from tuners, luxury & classic cars, unique cars to the hottest models currently in the auto industry.

The New Image Auto Club is a non profit organization that began in 1994 in NYC and has since supported many chartiable organizations throughout NY, NJ & PA. With the support of the New Imagine Auto Club members and car lovers across the tri-state area, over $1,000 in proceeds were raised from this event and will be donated to AOW.

Free Music Three Times a Week in Downtown Allentown

Remember the number three this summer.  Three, as in three times a week. That's music, three times a week on PPL Plaza...and, best of all, it's free.

1.  Every Tuesday at lunch you can hear music on PPL Plaza during the Summer in the City Concert Series.

2.  Every Wednesday at lunch you can hear music on PPL Plaza during the Homegrown Music Series that takes place during the Plaza Growers Market (and buy some local flowers, veggies, honey or cheese while you're there).

3.  And, every Thursday after work, you can hear music on PPL Plaza during the Jammin' on the Plaza event.  This event is NEW -- just started last week.

And, all three concerts are free.  "If it's free, it's for me!"

Come out and enjoy the city, the people watching and the fountain at 9th and Hamilton.

Chen Artists Create Gallery Space on Hamilton Street

The artists of the Chen Arts group, spearheaded by the street puppeteer, Yodi, have created gallery space for their work in some storefront windows on Hamilton Street.  

The first picture here is one of Yodi's doves, street puppets featured recently in the International Peace Parade.

The next time you're driving down Hamilton, park your car and check out the Chen Artists work in these storefront galleries.  They are located on the left side of Hamilton Street between 9th and 10th (closer to 10th).   While you're at it, stop in to the Deli Plaza at 10th and Hamilton and grab a coffee or bagel.  Mike and Mohamed, the proprietors there provide good food, fast and always with a smile.  Everyone I've sent there has come back and told me how much they like it.

Yodi tells me that the storefront galleries you see on Hamilton today are are only the beginning.  He says that he's got more coming.

Thanks Yodi for organizing these storefront galleries and letting us see the Chen Artists' work.

7th Street Offensive Transforms Gateway to City

Can enough good be said about the 7th Street Main Street Progrm and their fabulous volunteers working hard to transform 7th Street? 

Here are some of them in action setting up planters last weekend for the 7th Street Offensive.  

And, in the following picture, the whole group of them enjoying a well deserved rest.

Working under the guidance of Peter Lewnes, 7th Street's Main Street Manager, these amazing volunteers filled, planted and set out decorative planters up and down 7th Street (designed by the gifted gardener, Bernie Cozart).  

If you're coming into Allentown from 22, I encourage you to take the 7th Street exit and join me in watching this street transform before your eyes this summer.  

You will now see these planters, attractive waste receptacles, cafe style seating and as of last week, new decorative light poles to replace the old cobra head lights.   What an improvement!

Meanwhile, Peter is busy this summer working with contractors who are doing facade improvements on a whole host of storefronts on 7th.  

Additionally, some new businesses have opened recently on 7th...an antique store and a bike shop!

By now you've probably noticed that the Main Street approach works.  Did you know that Miriam Huertas and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Allentown, will be making an application by July 1 to the PA DCED to get Main Street designation for Hamilton Street?  She's already working with over 100 volunteers in five committees laying the groundwork for the program.  

Blues, Brews and Bar-B-Q Rocked Downtown Allentown

Last Saturday was rocking in downtown Allentown with eight hours of Blues, Brews and Barbecue.  It rained three times (okay, it was more like a downpour each time), but we learned for the second time in two years that blues fans can handle a little hardship.  They ran for cover and waited out the rain, to re-emerge in force once the skies cleared.  Thank you to the bands, the crowds, the food vendors and the volunteers who made this event a success.

Blues, Brews and Bar-B-Q This Saturday

This is shaping up to be an amazing weekend in Allentown.

If you like any of the following...Hot Blues, Cool Brews or Tasty Barbecue you will definitely want to come to downtown Allentown on Saturday between noon and 8 p.m.  

All of the action (music, food and fun) will be taking place on Hamilton between 8th and 9th Streets on PPL Plaza.

Original Play About the Revitalization of Allentown Opens Next Friday Night at Symphony Hall

JUNE 19-21 & 26-28 When I heard that the oldest story on the planet, Gilgamesh, was being  adapted to the stage by a local playwright and theatre company in  Allentown, I was intrigued.  When I heard that the play was about the revitalization of Allentown,  they had my attention.   Then I heard that one of the characters in the play, Allentown's  beloved General Henry Trexler, was being played by the Lehigh  Valley's beloved George Miller.  I knew I had to see this play.   So, now I have tickets for opening night which is next Friday,  June 19th at Symphony Hall.  This is going to be very interesting.   Let's all go, bring our friends and fill the house. You can purchase your ticket for $22 ($18 for seniors) through the Allentown Symphony Hall box office.   Call 610-432-6715 for tickets.

Date and Times Fri June 19 @ 8pm Sat June 20 @ 8pm Sun June 21 @ 2:30pm Fri June 26 @ 8pm Sat June 27@ 8pm Sun June 28 @ 2:30pm Ticket Prices Adults $22 Students/Seniors $18 Group discounts available

Fashion in Film at the Allentown Art Museum

May 17 – August 9, 2009

Fashion in Film: Period Costumes for the Screen 
Kress and Rodale Galleries 
Non-member exhibition admission: $5
(plus museum admission)

Nicole Kidman wore this dress. 

Here's a great opportunity to use your Allentown Art Museum membership (or purchase an Allentown Museum membership if you've been holding out).  I've been noticing those billboards all over with the beautiful dress advertising the new show at the Allentown Art Museum.  I haven't decided if I'm going to pop over some day at lunch or or bring my 14 year old niece on the weekend (or both).  In any case, I'm not going to miss this show. 

p.s.  The best kept secret in downtown Allentown is the museum's gift shop.  They have great cards and beautiful one-of-a-kind gifts (but be warned...you'll be tempted to buy plenty "from me-to-me" gifts if you go).

While you're in downtown Allentown, stop by the Bayleaf Restaurant on Hamilton (between 9th and 10th Streets) for lunch or dinner.  Or, Robata's on 9th between Hamilton and Walnut for sushi (dinner only). 

What the Art Musuem's website has to say about the show...

"The mystique and allure of historical costumes never fail to fascinate, and when you add in the star power of Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore and Madonna, the combination is potent for young and old, male and female alike. “Fashion in Film” showcases 36 period costumes worn by these and other high-profile celebrities in film classics known to all. The costumes, drawn from the collection of Cosprop Ltd., the renowned London costume house, present a sort ofProject Runway that spans four centuries of style, from Elizabethan England to the “Golden Age” of 1890s America to 1950s Argentina. The films in which the costumes were used include“Elizabeth, Evita, Dangerous Liaisons,Ever After, Pride and Prejudice,Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Out of Africa, and Titanic, among others. Mounted photo murals and posters from the films complete the show. The details and artisanship of the costumes is impressive, closely following the styles of the times they emulate, right down to the underwear. The costumes not only reflect the required period look so necessary for capturing the spirit of the films but also reflect a quality and authenticity that becomes part of the wearer’s dramatic support system.

The exhibition will also showcase some of the historical textiles in the Allentown Art Museum’s own collection. Textiles chosen from the periods represented by the films will be included in the exhibition to give attendees a sampling of the riches of our own collection as well as a look at authentic fabrics of the period. An embroidered muslin shawl from 1810, for example, might represent the era of Pride and Prejudice, and our gem-trimmed Indian prince’s vest will provide a dramatic accompaniment to the Little Maharajah’s robe from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Organized by the Trust for Museum Exhibitions, Washington, D.C. in cooperation with Cosprop Ltd., London, England"

Check it out!