I am so pumped for the Lehigh Valley Brewfest. I had a lot of fun last year but I drove myself to and from so I didn't get to do as much tasting as I would have liked. This year, I am finding alternative transportation and soaking (or drinking or guzzling, or whatever you want to call it) it all in.

I just hope it doesn't rain since it's outside in Riverside Park this year and I recall it being wet out when I left the State Theatre from last year's event. I'll keep my fingers crossed. It's rain or shine but I'd rather not be soaked outside (just inside will do).

If you don't have tickets yet, seriously check it out. If you do, see you there. Look for our Merge Party Crew handing out free stuff. T-shirts and stuff aren't as good as free beer but it's a bonus, right?

Need more convincing? Read our Brew Preview and meet some of the PA beers on tap for the fest.

- Judianne

Last night's Platform Hip Hop Fest at Lehigh University's Say Word! Hip Hop Theatre Festival was awesome.  It showcased several local artists, all of whom put on great sets and have a lot of talent.  It was nice to see so much support for the local hip hop scene, and getting so many acts together in one place is a feat in itself.

Check out photos of all the performers, and stay tuned this weekend for video from their sets.  Also make sure you keep an eye on the rest of the schedule for the Say Word! Fest, since there's plenty more hip hop to come.

    -Tucker

Last night was the kick-off lecture for the Say Word! Hip Hop Theatre Festival at Lehigh University.  To start things off was a lecture by the world-famous MC Lyte and music journalist Joan Morgan.  I didn't know if I should expect a typical class-style lecture or something else, so when I got there and saw the stage was set up casually with a couch for MC Lyte and Joan Morgan, I realized it would be nice and laid back.

The lecture was more of a discussion panel, really, with a moderator asking questions for the first half and an open Q&A for the end.  Lyte and Morgan talked about everything from the state of hip hop in general (it's become too commercial and is moving away from its roots) to the struggles of being a female (especially black female) artist and even a few digs and reviews of other artists in the industry.

It was great to hear them both speak - between the two it seemed like there was no topic or hip hop artist they couldn't talk about, and the insight from inside the industry (Lyte) coupled with a critic (Morgan) was really interesting.

The biggest problem with misogyny in hip hop, they said, is that nobody seems to care.  Morgan said that misogyny as a general  topic in the black community isn't talked about specifically because of the civil rights movement - she said the community ignored all other problems during the struggle for equality and never really got around to addressing them in later years.

Morgan also accused the activist generation with washing their hands after the 60s and 70s and not setting up a good transition of leadership. Lyte agreed, saying that's one of the big problems in the music industry too - a lot of MCs, producers and other artists who came up during the early days of hip hop just aren't providing the support to new talent trying to make it today.

It was a lecture about some very serious and interesting topics, but the chemistry between Lyte and Morgan, who seem like good old friends, was great. Both women have excellent senses of humor, and their sharp wit kept the audience enthralled to the very end.

To close out the lecture, festival coordinator Kashi Johnson asked if MC Lyte would do a little performance, so she obliged by reading some unreleased material.  The audience loved it, of course, and it was a great reward for staying through the whole lecture (though there were very few early exiters, since it was so interesting).

It was a great start to the Say Word! fest. Stay tuned throughout the festival for our ongoing coverage.

    -Tucker

I went to the Feast Of Sweets at Candlelight on Sunday and it was AWESOME! If you didn't check it out you totally missed out (until next year, at least). It was $12 to get in, and at first I was worried that I wouldn't get $12 worth of enjoyment. It turned out that I got so much more.

When I thought of desserts samples, I was picturing old, crumbled pieces of cookies and cakes. That was not even close. There were whole cakes cut up into birthday party size pieces, plates and plates of cookies, candies of all kinds and even a chocolate fountain to dip all sorts of fruits and other crap in.

I went around and around and around the room and I still felt like I didn't make a dent in the options. After about an hour I was so full that I just wanted to sit down and go to sleep, but after a short rest at home I wished that I had gotten my hand stamped to go back. The event was four hours and there were lots of people just soaking up the time, chilling with their friends and lots of sweet, sweet desserts.

This event - put on by PBS  - is a MUST DO when it comes up again. CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS.

- Judianne

Celtic Classic - or Celtic Fest to those of you that have been around for years past - is not starting this weekend. But that doesn't mean you can't break out your kilt and show off those legs. All things Celtic are coming to the Lehigh Valley to get you warmed up for the games (both Highland and drinking variety).

This weekend Looper's is having a St. Practice Day (halfway to St. Patrick's Day) party that also happens to be a Celtic Classic preview party AND a Merge Party Crew event. Pipes, dancers, beer, bands... it's going to be a serious party.Get the event details.

Starting early next week Godfrey Daniels is hosting at least a couple of Celtic bands in Bethlehem.

Before you know it, you'll be drinking in the street, dancing a jig and reciting profound sayings. And that will still be part of your warm-up. Take a sneak peek at some of the Celtic events coming up in October and beyond.

Well the week of Fair madness is over, and it seems to have come and gone more quickly than expected.  I was in the press office before the Demolition Derby yesterday, and I mentioned that they must be glad it's over.  Bonnie Brosious, the marketing director, said to me, "To be honest, I feel like it only just started."

She's right - a week ago, Judianne and I were wandering around trying to find rides that looked like they'd kill me, then the Fair accelerated right through the Black Eyed Peas, The Flaming Lips/Ween/Sonic Youth/The Magic Numbers, past James Taylor to a soaked concert with Taking Back Sunday (and no My Chemical Romance), then some boot-kickin' country with Gretchen Wilson and Lonestar to finally end with a bang (or several) at yesterday's Demolition Derby.  Whew!  If it sounds like a blur, that's because it was.

Make sure you check out our weeklong coverage of the fair, since there was plenty to miss.  I can't speak for everyone, but I'm really looking forward to next year if it's even remotely close to the quality this year.  I even enjoyed walking around the midway and other sections to an extent - though the food smells do get nauseating rather quickly when you smell them almost every day.  I also had fun looking at the animals, especially since they're all cleaned up and groomed for judging. We're not talking about shit-covered pigs wallowing in rotten garbage - they were all pink and shiny. The cows weren't shaggy, the goats didn't have poop all over them and in general the animals were placid, nice to look at and fun to pet.

Yeah, I sound like a six-year-old in the last part there, so let me also say it was enjoyable to crack a few beers on top of the elevated deck at Maingate at night looking out over all the stuff lit up.  I got a little muddy with the rainy days, but when there were nice nights they were killer.  Monday's weather was perfect, and the crowds were certainly there in agreement.  Altogether, it was a far less painful - and occasionally very enjoyable - experience this year. I encourage everyone to give it a chance next year.

    -Tucker

"If you are calling about tonight’s or upcoming concerts in the Grandstand in the event of inclement weather, please Press 1. If you are calling about other activities at the fair in the event of inclement weather, Press 2..."

There is some news from the Allentown Fair about the storm that's coming this weekend... and it's not good for you. Basically the info says that the concerts are rain or shine and that if you have track seats where it's not covered, you'd better dress warm and bring a pancho (umbrellas aren't welcome - trust me, I tried to open one on Tuesday night and got a talking to by security).

So, if you are going to see James Taylor or My Chemical Romance, plan to get a little wet. Of course, Ernesto might be a lots of hype and no action but don't risk it going without cover.

Oh, and there's this little bit about possible changes of venue for tonight at the Fair:

In the event of heavy rain, we will change locations of some of the entertainment attractions.   The shows will go on in their originally scheduled locations unless announced one hour prior to show time.

2:00 PM - T-Bone’s Tropical Adventure show from FAIR-adise Beach to Variety Show Tent

3:30 PM - T-Bone from FAIR-adise Beach to Centennial Stage in Agri~Plex

4-7  PM-  Port Of Spain from FAIR-adise Beach to Lobby of Agri~Plex

4:00 PM - Lehigh Valley Drum Circle from Farmerama to Variety Show Tent

7:30 PM - B-104 Idol Contest from Farmerama to Centennial Stage in Agri~Plex

All finalists performing this evening report to Farmerama stage for check in at 5 PM.

8:00 PM - T-Bone from FAIR-adise Beach to Variety Show Tent

- Judianne

Note to self: before attending a six-hour concert, check the weather forecast.  Like a dumbass, before I left for last night's Flaming Lips/Ween/Sonic Youth show, I was trying to choose between shorts and jeans. Since the night before was nice, I decided to go with the shorts and a T-shirt. Big mistake.

Even during the Magic Numbers' set, it was obvious that the temperature was dropping.  Starting with Sonic Youth, it started getting downright chilly.  By the end of the show I was near shivering.  Luckily between sets I was able to go up to the press office to warm up, but then it was right back down to sitting and freezing. If it wasn't for the fact that I had to stay on the wheelchair platform, I'd have welcomed jumping into the crowd just for the shared warmth.

If you're going to the fair this weekend (especially tonight or tomorrow) check to see what the evening temperatures are going to be like!  I still had a great time and enjoyed the hell out of all the bands, but it's no fun to do so while freezing your ass off.

    -Tucker