Last comics heard of

The State Theater, 453 Northampton St., Easton, brings back the Nobodies of Comedy show. This year's lineup has Ben Gleib, Erick James, Dan Boulger, Nore Davis and Tig Notaro starting at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $25. Call (800) 999-STATE or visit www.statetheatre.org.

Derby Day

The Goggleworks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading, celebrates the running of the Kentucky Derby from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Watch the race, sip mint juleps, and enjoy entertainment, games, raffles and gourmet food. Tickets are $75. Call (610) 374-4600.

Soul of Orbison

State Theater

The Jersey Shore Rock and Soul Revue pays tribute to Roy Orbison at 8 p.m. Saturday at the State Theater, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Tickets are $30 and $35. Call (800) 999-STATE or visit www.statetheatre.org.

Before the fame

Children's Day runs noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Daniel Boone Homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Road, Birdsboro, explores the everyday childhood world of frontiersman Daniel Boone. Admission is $5.50, $4 for ages 4-15. Call (610) 582-4900.

Traditions continue

The Museum of Indian Culture's Spring Corn Festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2825 Fish Hatchery Road, Allentown. The grand entrance is at noon and activities include American Indian drumming, craft and jewelry vendors, foods, dancing, singing, a children's craft area, Aztec fire dancers and more. Admission is $5, $4 for seniors and children 12 to 17. Call (610) 797-2121 or visit www.museumofindianculture.org.
Bach to Bach

The 102nd Bethlehem Bach Festival features lectures, concerts, festival luncheons and a buffet dinner over the course of two weekends, Friday and Saturday and May 8-9 at various venues. For a schedule and ticket information, visit www.bach.org or call (888) 743-3100.


Better with wine

- The Bear Creek Wine Festival is held 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center, 101 Doe Mountain Lane, Macungie. Enjoy wine samples at the base of the mountain, live music and seminars. Participating wineries include Blue Mountain Vineyards, Vinecrest Winery, Stonekeep Meadery, Paradocx Vineyard, Boyd's Cardinal Hollow Winery, Cherry Valley Vineyards, Hidden Creek Vineyard and Bastress Mountain Winery. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door with special rates for designated drivers. Call (866) 754-2822 or visit www.bcmountainresort.com.

- The Longwood Gardens Wine & Jazz Festival happens from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Sample wines from 20 Pennsylvania wineries and listen to Joe Baione, Joanne Pascale, Randy Brecker Quintet and Catherine Russell. New this year is a 7:30 evening concert with McCoy Tyner. Daytime tickets are $40, $25 for designated drivers, $15 for ages 5-20. Tickets for the McCoy Tyner concert are $60. Combination tickets are $90, $75 for designated drivers and children 12 and up. Longwood Gardens is at Routes 100 and 52, Kennett Township. Call (610) 388-1000 or visit www.longwoodgardens.org.

Making a difference

"Note By Note," a documentary that follows the creation of a Steinway concert grand piano from forest floor to concert hall, is presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Allentown Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Director Ben Niles will take questions from the audience and pianist Vivian Wang will perform. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors. Call (610) 432-6715.

Rock royalty

Foreigner is in concert at 7:30 May 7 at the Sovereign Center, 700 Penn St., Reading. Tickets are from $39.50 and $49.50. Call (800) 745-3000.

Down to Earth

- Earth Center for the Arts, a nonprofit arts organization at 10 Stable Mill Trail in Tyler State Park, Richboro, hosts a benefit auction at 7 p.m. Saturday. Guests can expect entertainment by local musicians, appetizers, and beer and wine. The live auction is of artwork and the silent auction features art, jewelry, vacation packages, massage, restaurant offerings and gift items. Tickets are $35. Call (267) 218-0290 or visit www.ec4ta.org.

- "Green and Growing," an environmental education event for all ages on the festival grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, is held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Friday. The festival grounds are off Route 72 south of Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 266, Manheim. Tickets are $10. Visit www.parenfaire.com or call (717) 665-7021. Also visit www.greatgreenameriafest.com.

Common 'Thread'

"Thread Count," a "loosely woven exhibition highlighting material strength," is presented by the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen's Guilded Tulip Gallery, 252 N. Prince St., Lancaster, from Friday to June 6. Materials used include paper, cotton, reed, silk, glass, felt, wood, pine needles and even dog fur. The gallery is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Call (717) 431-8706 or visit www.pacrafts.org/threadcount.


Grab a lawn chair

The 57th annual Festival of Bands Concert features a pops theme at 3 p.m. Sunday in West Park, 1551 Turner St., Allentown. Admission is free. Call (610) 709-8727.

Doors to history

The Historic Houses of Odessa offers a glimpse of 18th and 19th century Delaware rural farming community lifestyles. This season, the Historic Odessa Foundation offers the new Family Haversack Tour and the exhibit "The Costume of Great Britain" that runs through June.

The Family Haversack Tour stops include a scavenger hunt in the newly restored Corbit-Sharp House; a trip to the Wilson Store in the Brick Hotel and an interpretation of hearth cooking and a discussion of a child's responsibilities in assisting at the hearth in the Collins-Sharp House among other activities.

Tickets for the Family Haversack Tour are $18 per family, with an additional $4, if families want to include HOF's recently launched Living History Education program tour "Freedom Seekers: The Odessa Story." The historic village of Odessa, Del. is between the banks of the Appoquinimink River and Route 13. Call (302) 378-4119 or visit www.historicodessa.org.

Horse power

Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Sunday for the Winterthur Point to Point at the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Del. The event is a steeplechase race with tailgate picnicking available, plus an antique carriage parade, a historic Rolls-Royce parade and more. Admission wristbands are $30, $15 for ages 12-20, $5 children for children ages 2-11. Call (302) 888-4994 or visit www.winterthur.org.

Hopewell Furnace operated between 1771 and 1883 near Elverson in Chester County. This iron foundry, which supplied some of the needs of armies fighting the Revolutionary War, used the abundant forests in the area to fuel the massive furnace needed to heat the iron to 3000 degrees. The majority of iron foundry employees were woodcutters, who replaced many of the chestnuts original to the area with oaks. 6000 acres were needed for a sustainable forest to supply a foundry like Hopewell.


The site itself is maintained by the National Park Service, and features not only the original foundry building and outhouses, but also the foundry 'community' that included everything from blacksmiths and charcoal cookers to barns for the horses that carried supplies and finished products.



The site is nestled in a valley next to French Creek State Park, and can be reached by hiking trails from the park. A modern visitor's center offers exhibits and multimedia presentations describing the history and workings of the foundry.


The centerpiece of Hopewell is the foundry building, a large white wood structure with a steeple on top. Inside is the furnace itself, surrounded by the workshops where molds were created. Items forged at Hopewell include weapons, kitchen utensils, tools, pots and pans, and stoves. Many examples of these remain on the premises.


A full-sized, 22-foot working water wheel, fed by a water bridge system from a nearby creek, powered a large bellows that pumped air into the furnace. The current wheel was restored in 2006 and is in operation.

What's happening the weekend of April 17-19

Holy rock opera!

Living Colour’s Corey Glover is Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at 8 p.m. Friday, and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Tickets are $50 and $55. Call (800) 999-STATE or visit www.statetheatre.org.

Opera at ‘Symphony’

Allentown Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the Camerata Singers for “Italian Opera Night” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Allentown Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Tickets range from $25-$45. Call (610) 432-6715.

Young and old

Longwood Gardens, Routes 1 and 52, Kennett Township, hosts the Pocono Kite Symphony from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, filling the air with kites. Kids can join the fun by making their own kites. Fee for kite-making kit is $3.50.

April 21 is Senior Day with music, cooking demonstrations, history lectures, guided tours and more 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Younger visitors are also welcome.

Admission is $16, $14 for seniors 62+, $6 for ages 5-22. Call (610) 388-1000 or visit www.longwoodgardens.org.

Revved up for more

The America on Wheels Museum, 5 N. Front St., Allentown, celebrates its one-year anniversary with special events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, including the debut of the new exhibit “The Bulgari Collection: Automobiles of Elegance,” a program on British cars and an appearance by Herbie the Love Bug. Admission is $7, $5 for seniors 62+, $3.50 for students 6-16. Call (610) 432-4200.

Rebuild at the ‘Rock’

Philadelphia Rock Gym, 255 S. Mount Airy Road, Valley Township, holds a Family Fundraiser with climbing, rappeling, games and more, to benefit the victims of the Coatesville fires 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $20, $15 for children 12 and under. Call (877) 822-7673 or visit www.philarockgym.com.

Rock show

Third Eye Blind is at Moravian College’s Johnston Hall, Elizabeth Avenue, Bethlehem, at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25. Visit www.moravian.musictoday.com.

Better than class

A French and Indian War Interpretive Sunday with the Pennsylvania Regiment First Battalion is offered noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Conrad Weiser Homestead, 28 Weiser Lane, Womelsdorf. Call (610) 589-2934.

Spirit medium

Postponed from last week, Lifetime TV’s Lisa Williams appears at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets range from $35.50-$45.50. Call (800) 999-STATE or visit www.statetheatre.org.

Dog days now

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Route 345, Birdsboro, somehow knows the birthdate of former First Pooch Fala, who was Franklin Roosevelt’s dog. During Fala Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, enjoy activities that involve getting outside with your dog, including dog competitions, refreshments and more. Call (610) 582-8773 or visit www.nps.gov/hofu.

Part of the ‘Circle’

The annual Artists Circle Show features paintings in a variety of media. Check it out in Schlack Hall at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon. The show opens at 1 p.m. friday and a Meet-the-Artists Reception is planned for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Show hours continue 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Artists Circle is a group of area professional female artists who have been painting and exhibiting together for more than 25 years. Free. Call (610) 688-0122.

Stewart's crew

John Oliver, a correspondent on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, will be joined by fellow "Daily Show" writer Wyatt Cenac and the show's senior producer Rory Albanese at a program at 9:30 p.m. Friday in Johnston Hall at Moravian College, Elizabeth Avenue, Bethlehem. Tickets are $15. Visit www.moravian.musictoday.com.

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'Four Seasons,' just one night

The Curtis Institute of Music String Orchestra performs an all-Vivaldi program, which includes "The Four Seasons," at 8 p.m. Friday in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens, Routes 1 and 52, Kennett Township. Tickets are $40 for the concert and $35 to feast on the tapas table that will be available. Call (610) 893-1999.

Double bill

The Williams Center at Lafayette College, High Street, Easton, presents "An Irish Homecoming" Cherish the Ladies and Maura O'Connell at 8 p.m. April 7. Tickets are $20. Call (610) 330-5009.

Hot to trot

A Spring Horse Expo is held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Annex at the Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 N. 17th St., Allentown. Highlights include live horse demonstrations, lectures and door prizes. Admission is $5, free to children 12 and under. Call (610) 433-7541 or visit www.pahorseexpos.com.

Party like a hippo

It's Buttons the hippo's birthday at the Adventure Aquarium, 1 Aquarium Drive, Camden, N.J. A Bigger Birthday Bash features special activities slated for 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through April 19, including characters from "The Backyardigans," live music, watching as the birthday girl feast on slices of specially made hippo cake, arts and crafts activities and more. Admission is $19.95, $15.95 for children 2-12. Call (856) 365-3300 or go to www.adventureaquarium.com.

Toe to toe

The Moiseev Russian Classical Ballet presents Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" at 8 tonight at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Tickets are $35 and $40. Call (800) 999-STATE or visit www.statetheatre.org.

Home improvement

The spring Home Show at Stabler Arena, 124 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem, runs 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6, free to children under 12. Call (610) 432-4101 or visit www.lvba.org.

Herr Rabbit

The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, holds the Easter on the Farm event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Singing in the Pennsylvania German dialect, pysanky, food samples, newly hatched chicks, Easter egg dying, home made fastnachts and more will be going on. Admission is free. Call (610) 683-1589.

Get literate

Why is it that many Americans have trouble with basic history and civic literacy? The Le

high Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown, will take this trend head-on when 50 historical organizations convene a free, public History Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call (610) 435-1074, ext. 19.

Pirate life

The Swashbuckler Brewery & Restaurant on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, 2775 Lebanon Road, Cornwall, offers the Swashbuckler Pyrate Feaste Friday and Saturday evenings in April. Would-be pirates can carouse with scurvy sea dogs and a dastardly captain whose identity is a bigger secret that the location of Davy Jones' Locker, while devouring a five course meal. Seating for the adult only voyage of the Swashbuckler Pyrate Feaste is 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $39.95 and includes two complimentary drink tokens. This show is not appropriate for patrons under the age of 18.

Children are invited to form their own pint-sized crew of seafaring adventurers at the special Children's Pyrate Feaste at 12:30 p.m. April 18 and 25. Admission is $13 for children and adults.

Call (717) 665-7021 or visit www.parenfaire.com.