News briefs

Festival Unbound opens Sept. 28

Five-day local, arts-infused community celebration and conversation to engage community through art and civic dialogue in envisioning our future together. Some events are free, and some are ticketed. 321 E. Fourth St. Information: visit www.touchstone.org or call 610 -867 -1689.

ICE HOUSE- The Loft Theater at the Ice House, hosting The Saturday’s Child Family Series and The Ice House Tonight Series, is now under the leadership of the Ice House Performing Arts Collaborative for cultural equity and the emerging artists of Bethlehem.

Wine pairing dinner Nov. 10

ArtsQuest and partner Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain invite you to the next installment in its dining series centered around rare wines and gourmet food pairings from around the world. This dinner will center on the sunshine state with Cruise the California Coast at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 10. The evening features a delectable four-course dinner created and prepared by ArtsQuest’s culinary partners Levy Restaurants. Tickets which includes wine, food and server gratuity are now available on steelstacks.org.

Event benefits victims of sex trafficking

Bloom for Women, Inc., a Lehigh Valley nonprofit organization providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ women survivors of sex trafficking, announces it will be holding its Justice Revival fundraiser dinner Sept. 28 from 6–9 p.m. at the Aster Event Center at Hyatt Place in Allentown.

The dinner supports Bloom’s expansion of services to serve pregnant survivors of sex trafficking. Recently, through the generosity of an anonymous donor, Bloom was able to purchase a residence in Allentown, the Mountain Laurel House. Pregnant survivors will receive two years of safety while they heal, deliver and care for their baby, attend parenting classes and receive mentoring and vocational training. Graduates will have a plan for living independently beyond their time at Bloom. The goal of the fundraising campaign, named “Welcome Home,” is to raise $300,000 to cover the capital and operating costs of the home for the next two years.

For more information on sponsoring or registering for this event, visit: https://bloomforwomen.kindful.com/e/justice-revival.

Farm food festival Oct. 16

The Monocacy Farm Project will host the seventh annual Monocacy Farm Food Festival, a family-friendly event for the whole community Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 395 Birdle Path Road. The festival will feature local food and artisan vendors, crafts and activities, farm tours, Bob Swaim’s unique collection of bikes and toys, a petting zoo, chef demo, live music, raffles and more. The first 100 individuals/families will receive a goodie bag.

An admission donation is expected. Free parking is available. All proceeds benefit The Monocacy Farm Project, a nonprofit educational farm initiative that grows and freely distributes fresh, healthy produce through our partners in the emergency food system including area soup kitchens, food pantries and other organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley. The MFP includes a “pick-your-own” program, community gardens, educational programming for all ages and abilities, and a variety of volunteer opportunities that engage youth and adults.

For updates / more information, visit the Monocacy Farm Food Festival’s Facebook page:

Through Friday, September 23

Downtown Historic Bethlehem Scarecrow Showdown contest. Three categories: Open (ages 18 and over), kids only and businesses. Purchase kits online or in person, 9 a.m. to -4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays; drop off scarecrows between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Sept.19 to 23; all at the Bethlehem Chamber Office, Suite 240, 74 W. Broad St. Visit https://getdowntownbethlehem.com/scarecrow-showdown/

Wednesday, September 21

Cops ‘n Kids Reading Room. Age three and up. Masks are mandatory. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fowler Center, 511 E. Third St. For information, visit www.lvcopsnkidslv.org

Afternoon dance. Jim & Robin. Nominal cost includes light refreshments. 1 to 3 p.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

Thursday, September 22

Bethlehem Farmers’ Market, Southside. Thursdays, till Oct. 25. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farrington Square, intersection of New and Morton streets.

Lehigh Valley Pops Orchestra rehearsals, 9- 10:30 a.m. Conductor: George Fennell. For information and to register, visit https://lvactivelife.org/registration-for-classes/or call 610-437-3700. Snare drummer needed.

Friday, September 23

Celtic Classic 35th anniversary, Sept. 23 through 25. Downtown historic Bethlehem, Conestoga, Spring, Main and Lehigh streets areas. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. September 23; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 24; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25. Schedules, contests, information: visit www.celticfest.org

Closing Day: “Town and Puppet: Backstage Drawings”. Illustrations, hand-made puppets by Doug Roysdon of Mock Turtle Marionette Theater. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. City Hall Rotunda Gallery, 10 E. Church St. Masks optional. CDC Covid regulations enforced. Visit www.bfac-lv.org.

Cops’n Kids on the Greenway Summer Storytelling Series: “Go Fly a Kite, Charlie Brown!” by Charles M. Schultz. 4- 6 p.m. Free. BeCaHi peers, city health bureau, city police, Cops ‘n Kids volunteer storyteller. Information: visit www.facebook.com/pg/CopsnKidsLehighValley/posts/

Elm Street Jazz Workshop rehearsals, 9 a.m. Director: Allan Meyerson. 1633 W. Elm St. Allentown. For information and to register, visit https://lvactivelife.org/registration-for-classes/or call 610-437-3700.

Saturday, September 24

Bethlehem Rose Garden Farmer’s Market, till Oct. 29. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rose Garden (corner of Eighth Avenue and Broad Street). Weekly live music, activities.

Saturday night dance. Glenn Kakowski. Nominal cost includes light refreshments. 7 to 10 p.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

Sunday, September 25

Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Till November 20. Hellertown Library area, 409 Constitution Ave., Hellertown. Food, fun, live music, fresh produce, local goods, artisans. Visit www.svfmpa.com/

Tuesday, September 27

Good Vibrations Chorus led by Nancy Shumaker. All singers welcome. 9:30 a.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

September 28 - October 2

Festival Unbound - Five -day-local, arts-infused community celebration and conversation to engage our community through art and civic dialogue in envisioning our future together. Some events are free, and some are ticketed. 321 E. Fourth St. Information: visit www.touchstone.org or call 610 -867 -1689.

Wednesday, September 28 to Saturday, October 1

Festival Unbound coffee hour, lunchtime, and happy hour conversations about the future of our community, moderated by Touchstone Ensemble Member Christopher Shorr. Some events are free, and some are ticketed. Information: visit www.touchstone.org

Wednesday, September 28

Festival Unbound opening celebration with Broughal MS choir, event performers, and festival artists-in-residence John Gorka, New Folk Movement singer-songwriter, and Mark Valdez, community organizer. Barrio outdoor stage. 7-9 p.m. Information: visit www.touchstone.org or call 610 -867 -1689.

Cops ‘n’ Kids Reading Room. Age three and up. Masks may be mandatory. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fowler Center, 511 E. Third St. For information, visit www.lvcopsnkidslv.org

The Bethlehem Press calendar listings are, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information submitted by external parties