1. The 105th Annual Bach Festival When/Where: Events begin with a lecture at 2 p.m. May 11 and conclude with the reception at 6 p.m. May 12 at various Lehigh University venues. Why Go: Several concerts in Packer Memorial Chapel, other concerts featuring Bach performed on guitar and harpsichord. And just all that lovely music. Pricing: Prices vary by concert. 2. BOGO Jewelry Offer With a Twist ... or a Sparkle When/Where: All weekend at Ten Thousand Villages in the Lehigh Valley Mall Why Go: When you buy a regularly priced piece of jewelry you can buy a second for half price and either keep it…

1. Chocolate Lovers' Soiree When/Where: 7-10 p.m. Jan 28 at the Bank Street Annex in Easton. Why Go: People wait all year for this. Seriously. And many are very willing to travel across the Lehigh Valley to sample the fine chocolates offered by a variety of area chocolatiers. They are well rewarded. Pricing: Tickets, available in advance only, are $25. 2. Souper Bowl III When/Where: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Why Go: Because it's a warm and delicious place to go on a midwinter day. And it's for a good cause: proceeds benefit ArtsQuest's Arts…

This week we have a great movie you forgot to go see when it was out, flowers, a piano recital, an invention showcase and a place you can race all your Matchbox cars. 1. Rio When/Where: 2 p.m. Sunday at the Emmaus Theatre. Why Go: You can escape the heat and enjoy a pretty good movie at the same time. Pricing: $4, adults; $3, children 11 and under and seniors. 2. Best in Bloom 3rd Annual Art & Garden Festival When/Where: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11 in beautiful downtown Emmaus. Why Go: Local restaurants supply the food, visual and performing artists fill up the Triangle and it's the 2nd annual …

We have Wildwater, Mayfair, healthy fun and two parades! 1. Mayfair Festival of the Arts When/Where: 4-11 p.m. May 26; noon to 11 p.m. May 27-29, and noon to 7 p.m. May 30 at Cedar Beach Park, Allentown.Why Go: Because the annual festival is 25 years old!Pricing: Depends on what you buy/participate in! 2. Opening Day at Wildwater Kingdom When/Where: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 28 at Wildwater KingdomWhy Go: Because it's been a very long winter and we need some summer activities.Pricing: Prices start at $29.99 for admission and $12 for parking. 3. 2011 Coopersburg 5K Run, Kids’ Fun Run and Health …

This week we've got the Civil War, the Beatles, quilts, cars and Cinderella. 1. Historic Bethlehem Dine and Dash When/Where: Friday, May 20 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., 427 N New St, Bethlehem Why Go: When else will you have the chance to tour three new Civil War exhibits in one evening. There will be different food, drink and fun at each location. Pricing: Free for Historic Bethlehem Partnership members. Non-members pay $10. Call
 (610) 691-6055 for more information. 2. A Night of Beatles Music When/Where: Saturday, May 21, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Unity of Lehigh Valley Church, 26 N. 3rd St, Emmaus. Why …

This weekend we have baseball, Bach, historic structures, strolling art and WINE. 1. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs vs. Norfolk Tides When/Where: 7:05 p.m. May 13 at Coca-Cola Park, 555 Union Blvd., Allentown. Why Go: The weather should be fine and there are fireworks afterward. Oh, and it's good baseball! Pricing: Tickets start at $6. 2. The 104th Annual Bach Festival When/Where: Events begin at 2 p.m. May 13 and 10:30 a.m. May 14 at Lehigh University. Why Go: It's a series of concerts and get togethers that promotes and encourages appreciation of  the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Pricing: Some …

This week we have two different kinds of art shows, a scavenger hunt and plant sale, a movie and some comedians. 1. Art Exhibit Show and Sale When/Where: 3-8 p.m. May 7 at the Macungie Institute, 510 E. Main St., Macungie. Why Go: Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Pricing: Depends on what you like. 2. Arthur When/Where: 7:30 p.m. nightly beginning May 6 at the Emmaus Theatre, 19 S. 4th St., Emmaus. Why Go: If for no other reason to compare the remake to the original. Pricing: $4. 3. The Ninth Annual Nobodys of Comedy When/Where: 8 p.m. May 6 at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton …

It's really not winter anymore! So we have lots of outdoor activities including maypole dancing, baseball, Dorney Park, an antique extravaganza and a concert from another continent. 1. ASIA When/Where: 8 p.m. April 28 at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Why Go: Because these are all the original band members from 1982. Surely that means something! Pricing: Tickets are $40 and $45. 2. Renninger’s Antique & Collectors Extravaganza When/Where: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29 and 30 at Renningers Antiques & Farmers Market, 740 Noble St., Kutztown Why Go: …

This week we have a movie, a concert, a show, hiking and biking and the opportunity to recklessly fling eggs hither and yon. What more could you possibly want? 1. Da Vinci Science Center's EggCellent Adventures When/Where: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22, 23 and 25 at the Da Vinci Science Center, 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown. Why Go: Because visitors can send eggs flying down a speedy zip line using a Marshmallow Peep and other everyday materials as a cushion.  Guests who visit on Friday will also see Just Born's Peepster vehicle.  Pricing: Events are included in the price of admission: …

This weekend we have a ham and dandelion dinner, a movie premier, President Lincoln in Bethlehem, homemade Easter candy and the fruit of the vine. 1. Ham & Dandelion Dinner When/Where: Seatings at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. April 16 at Heidelberg United Church of Christ, 5187 Irwin Road, Slatington. Why go: Ham and dandelion is a tradtional Pennsylvania German favorite, and there are not very many of them around anymore. Pricing: Adults, $11; Children 4-10, $6. Call 610-767-6557 for tickets. 2. Movie Premier When/Where: 7:30 p.m. April 16 in Lock Ridge Church, Church and Franklin streets, Alburtis. …

This week we have hand-made crafts, some young dudes, baseball, baskets and good theater.  1.  Community Spring Bazaar When/Where: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 at St. Peter's Union Church, 7863 St. Peters Rd, Macungie. Why go: Because in addition to the assorted hand-crafted items and Easter gifts, they're featuring baked goods and a light lunch with take-out. Pricing: Come see what you'll find! 2. The Four Freshmen When/Where: 3 p.m. April 8 at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Why go: Now in their 62nd performing year, they are clearly no longer freshmen, but their music can take …

This week we have a bike ride for a worthy cause, great books, cars everywhere, whitewater rafting and....ghosts! 1. Ryan's Tree Ride for Kids When/Where: 2 p.m. April 2 at the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park, Trexlertown. Why go: The ride for kids around the flat and hill loops supports Ryan's Tree for Grieving Children a guided peer-support group of St. Luke's Hospice for children and adolescents aged 5-18 who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend. It will include music, face painting, balloon animals, a sandbox treasure hunt and more. The inaugural "Let Me Go" Charity Bike…

It’s Thursday; time to start thinking about the weekend. Here are five good bets. Add your suggestions in the comments section. 1. Snowblast Winter FestivalWhere/When: Emmaus Triangle Park; Friday, Feb. 4 and Saturday, Feb. 5Why Go:  Thumb your nose at winter and have fun close to home. Plus you can try an "icetini" at the Emmaus Main Street Program Ice Bar on the Triangle. Pricing:  Free. 2. Third Annual EHS Orchestra Coffee House When/Where: Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.; Emmaus High School CafeteriaWhy Go: Lots of desserts, coffee and hot chocolate cocoa for sale; basket raffles and 15 student-…

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore. 1. Pocono Bluegrass and Folk Society’s 11th annual Winterfest Where/When: Begins Friday at The Gem and Keystone in Shawnee with the Lost Ramblers at 9 p.m. and continues at various venues in that area until Sunday. Why Go: Best fiddle, guitar and banjo music around; free clinics and workshops for wannabe players. And it’s a great excuse for a weekend …