Usually this would not be a big deal to me but this year the Allentown Fair is going to kick ass. So, it's important that you all know that tickets for Black Eyed Peas with the Pussycat Dolls for August 30 and My Chemical Romance with Taking Back Sunday for September 2 go on sale this Friday - that's tomorrow, people.

Go to the A-Town Fair Web site to order online through TicketMaster.This is one of those rare chances to see good music that's not unsigned, not outdated and not generally sucky in Allentown. Seriously - I'm not trying to be mean. It's kind of the truth. Consider yourself notified.

The Lehigh Valley isn't just white college students after all. There are a number of pretty cool fairs, festival and other special events coming up soon that will highlight different cultures and ethnicities.

Those kinds of things don't typically get much play around here so I thought I'd throw out some info...

Heritage Festival - St. George Antiochean Orthodox Church, June 22 - 25
Middle Eastern festival featuring traditional food, dance, music and games.
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Borinquenfest and Puerto Rican Parade - SouthSide Bethlehem, June 23 - 25
Music, food, games, car show, crafts. Reggeaton Night, 6-11 p.m. Friday; parade, 11 a.m. Saturday. Activities under the Hill to Hill Bridge.
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2006 Irish Festival - Penn's Landing, June 24 & 25
Irish music, food, dancing and entertainment with activities including a dance contest, crafts, music and more.
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2006 Israeli Fair - Temple of Israel of the Poconos, June 25
More than 20 vendors of items including art, oils and sculptures, dance lessons, music, magic, crafts and more.
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These are just a few that I noticed that sounded cool. To find more, use our search page.

- Judianne

You did the band thing (if you didn't, check out our coverage of the Musikfest Regional Band Showcase Semifinals), now it's time to go solo. It's the second annual Stars Of Bethlehem vocalist semifinals this weekend. Last year, there was a huge crowd at this event so get to the Banana Factory early - the singing starts at noon.

There are 16 semifinalists that will sing on Saturday:

Scott Marshall
Maggie Bangham
Stephanie Morffi
Ben Tyler
Jerry Allen
Edwin Bermudez
Lindsey Yorke
Emily Waisempacher
Kelly Gooley
Elana Zervos
Gabrielle Grube
Cassandra Ciciliot
Tim Marchetto
Rebecca Heller
Dawn Cavaluzzo
Cory Stelzman

Not necessarily in that order but they will all get a chance to sing for the judges who will pick four finalists. The fifth finalist will be chosen through online votes (kind of like they did with the final two in th band showcase). That's a lot of cutting... so the competition should be fierce.

Look for our event preview this week, a flashback to last year's competition and watch  our photos, features and results from Saturday's semifinals - all right here on MergeDigital.com under MUSIC in the LOCAL MUSIC section. In the meantime, though, you can get more info at musikfest.org.

I've had a lot of AH-HA moments lately that have to do with bands. I've noticed more and more washed-up, "I thought they either broke up or were dead" bands coming through with concerts.

It's even reflected in the Musifkest lineup - Styx and Kansas? Whoa! I've also seen recent concert listings for Tesla, Queensryche, Journey and A Flock Of Seagulls.

Where do we draw the line on how long a band can continue to be a band once their fame has gone down the drain. I say 10 years max - unless you have a super hit in the past 10 years, then please just let it go. If people still wanted to see you even though you are sagging and old, you'd be on tour like The Rolling Stones or Aerosmith.

- Judianne

The time is finally here.  This is as close to a 'groupie' as I'll probably ever come - there are three Nine Inch Nails shows on this leg of the year's tour, and I'll be attending all of them.  It all begins tonight at the Tweeter Center in Camden (the "Philly" show).  I'll get a one-day rest before heading over to PNC Center in Jersey on Friday and then Jones Beach in Long Island on Saturday.

Why, you might ask, am I going to three of the same band's shows in four days?  Because I am, that's why.  To be honest, I don't really know - I love going to concerts, and since NIN is one of my all-time favorite bands, it just seems natural to go to three shows that are so close together.  Besides, I'll get to see two different openers (TV On The Radio is opening tonight and Peaches will be opening Friday and Saturday.  Bauhaus will be a second opener all three nights).  Judging by the way Trent Reznor's going around doing radio spots with Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, these opening acts just might be something to pay attention to.

It's also apparently going to be my last chance to see them live for a while, since Trent basically said so on the NIN Web site.  Maybe I'm crazy for doing this, but all I know is I'm making a four-day weekend out of it so if nothing else, that makes it all worthwhile.

    -Tucker

I'm sorry - I couldn't resist. In case you weren't aware, A Flock of Seagulls is playing tonight at the Sterling Hotel. A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS! Not only was I unaware that they were still doing that gig, but I was also unaware that anyone in the Lehigh Valley would be remotely interested in seeing them.

I suppose it's something to say that you went to see them. And the Sterling is a great place to hang out pretty any night. But it's A Flock of Seagulls. The last time I heard that band name was in the Adam Sandler movie 'The Wedding Singer'.

No wonder some people think the Valley music scene is a joke. We're not setting very high standards.

- Judianne

I don't know about you but I am going to be at both days of the Regional Band Showcase this weekend. It's Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Northampton Community College. It's the semifinals in a competition between local bands to land a spot at Musikfest this year and a prize package that includes some recording time and stuff like that. It's a really cool thing for bands to be able to do and they need support.

You can stay all day (it's inside) or just show up for your favorite bands. They will each perform a 15-minute set on the day they're schedule. We've got the full lineup listed on our site so check it out.

It's really a fun thing to do and it's free so you can't go wrong there. Plus, audience response weighs in for the judges and there are two wildcard spots that will go to the bands that get the most online votes from fans after the shows.

All in all, it's a guaranteed good time. They're all semifinalists so none of the bands are going to suck.

Look for me there and say hi, and get some free Merge stuff while you're at it.

- Judianne