Celebrations of Art & Culture

The goal of this anniversary component is to support and enhance the many Arts & Cultural events that already exist by driving new audiences to the events while promoting Allentown’s 250th. The focus is sustainability, awareness, and greater community impact for the city and the organizations who host these events. The elements of Arts and Culture to be celebrated include Visual Arts, Music, Science & Technology, Dance, Theater, Film, Food, History and Traditions.

Spontaneous Dance Crew (Dance Crew) – March through September

The thread throughout all the Arts & Cultural events will be a Spontaneous Dance Crew, performing a dance choreographed by the Repertory Dance Theater. RDT will also provide the “seed” dancers for the Dance Crew throughout the events of the year, and make a video of the dance routine. The Dance Crew will create a cumulative effect for the events. Dance studios will be invited to learn and participate at the events with the Dance Crew. The Dance Crew could also potentially be used at other events for the city’s celebration.

The finished video can be distributed via internet & emails through the city and other outlets. It is hoped the video will encourage public participation at the events where the Dance Crew is announced. The Crew’s ending performance will be at the last A&C public event September 9 in the Arts Park.

Proposed Organizations/Events:

Symphony Hall  -  March 11th

Premier of Philip Rothman’s Timeline, with a reception afterwards in the Rodale Room that will feature Mr. Rothman and highlight anniversary events. The reception may include a preview of the 250th Spontaneous Dance Crew.

Da Vinci Science Center- Lehigh Valley Science Festival - April

Allentown 250 will have a presence at the Festival to be held at Ag Hall on the Fairgrounds during the inaugural event. The festival will be executed by a partnership of organizations from across the Valley that include the Wildlands Conservancy and LV Zoo; Allentown Library and Allentown School District; Cedar Crest College and Lehigh University; and several other local partners. It will highlight the widespread and diverse impact of science in our lives and culture, and suggest many local employment opportunities available in the science fields. It is open to the public and especially targeted toward families with children. The festival will show that math and science studies can be a ticket to a better life. The Dance Crew may perform in parking lot or auditorium.

Civic Theatre of Allentown - Silent Film Festival - June 28th

A silent film event is planned at the 19th Street Theatre. The theatre will choose appropriate period film(s) to show at a special presentation. The event would be family friendly and reasonably priced. In addition, the theatre will be adding glamour to the event with period-attired concession workers roaming the aisles, velvet ropes, red carpet, and perhaps additional programming shorts before the film. A small, themed street fair will be staged in front of the theater for the entertainment of attendees and others.

The plan also includes hiring a renowned theatre organist who would provide live accompaniment on the theatre’s historic 1928 Moeller Grand organ to one of the classics of the silent era. The Dance Crew could perform outside of theatre.

The Great Allentown Fair – September 3rd Ethnic Food Chef’s event - August 28th

As a signature component to the overall City of Allentown’s 250th Anniversary celebration, The Great Allentown Fair will incorporate a spotlight event daily into its Farm to Table Chef Demonstration Series held inside the Agri-Plex. Each day different chefs will pay culinary tribute to one of the many cultures that Allentown residents have brought from their varied origins to celebrate the cultural diversity represented in the city. A special Sodexo demonstration is planned to honor the late Bob Wood. The daily “Culinary Diversity” events will afford fairgoers the opportunity to learn how to create these dishes, enjoy the culinary showmanship of the featured chefs and even sample the completed recipes. Dance Crew could perform at main entrance square.