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Articles by Josh Berk
Pa. magicians’ show to honor Houdini centennial: ‘Expect to be amazed’
Entertainment Published: Oct. 07, 2026, 8:59 a.m. Joseph Keppel and his cohorts from the Allentown Society of Magicians are hosting an event honoring Houdini in the Lehigh Valley.Photo courtesy of Joseph Keppel By Josh Berk | Lehighvalleylive.com contributor “If you walk down the street and ask people to name an athlete or a celebrity, nine out of 10 will probably name someone current,” says Joseph Keppel of Bethlehem.
‘Expect to be amazed’: Lehigh Valley magicians honor Houdini centennial with upcoming show
“If you walk down the street and ask people to name an athlete or a celebrity, nine out of ten will probably name someone current,” says Joseph Keppel of Bethlehem. “But if you ask them to name a magician, 99% will say Houdini.” It’s true, there are few figures who hold such a place in the American imagination as Houdini, even a century after his death. This Halloween in fact marks exactly 100 years since the great Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz) died. It was Oct.
‘Free market’ event in Bethlehem offers goods with no price tags. How it works. When it’s happening. Original
Step into Sokols in Bethlehem on Sunday, April 26, and you’ll find the bustling energy of a vibrant flea market, with one radical twist: not a single price tag in sight. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., “The Free Market” will transform the hall at 613 Hillside Ave. into a bustling marketplace where goods change hands without a single dollar being spent.
After nearly a decade away, this Bethlehem indie rock band is finally making their comeback
Lehigh Valley music fans are abuzz at the return of Bethlehem indie rockers VoirVoir, set to perform at the Funhouse in Bethlehem on March 28. The band is no stranger to buzz – nearly a decade ago they were surrounded by it. They played Austin’s prestigious South by Southwest Festival, opened for Flaming Lips at Musikfest, had a cool record label, and a video featured on WXPN.
She made her first zine 30 years ago and is now teaching others the lost art
An upcoming zine-making workshop at Northampton Community College will be led by Taryn Hipp, a Bethlehem resident whose résumé spans life skills counseling and farming. Zine-maker-turned-counselor-turned-farmer may be an unusual set of hyphens, but it only begins to capture the many layers of Hipp’s life and work. “I grew up in Bucks County in the ’90s being a problem child,” Hipp says with a laugh. She was also a writer and zine-maker at the time.
She made her first zine 30 years ago and is now teaching others the lost art
An upcoming zine-making workshop at Northampton Community College will be led by Taryn Hipp, a Bethlehem resident whose résumé spans life skills counseling and farming. Zine-maker-turned-counselor-turned-farmer may be an unusual set of hyphens, but it only begins to capture the many layers of Hipp’s life and work. “I grew up in Bucks County in the ’90s being a problem child,” Hipp says with a laugh. She was also a writer and zine-maker at the time.
Bethlehem art show has a strange requirement for artists - they must all be named Doug Original
Quick Look - Current -Mostly Sunny TonightLow -Mostly Sunny TomorrowHigh -Mostly Sunny A one-of-a-kind art exhibition is opening at Bonn Brewing in Bethlehem, featuring nothing but Dougs. Art exhibits sometimes have regional themes, subject matter themes, or political threads tying them together. This one is made up exclusively of artists named Doug. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
‘A sort of L.A. Fitness for musicians’: Bethlehem recording studio opens with plan to fill void (PHOTOS)
Near the busy West Bethlehem intersection where Broad meets Market Street, you’ll find an interesting assortment of businesses including a sushi restaurant, a barber shop, a few mechanics, and an unusually shaped building that was once home to a biologic testing facility. That building, located at 1885 W. Market St., is now home to The Foundry, a brand new world-class recording studio. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Organic food. Eclectic music. Great vibes. It’s all at Fourth on the Farm next weekend.
“Vibes as high as Everest.” That’s how Rich Jeffreys of Bethlehem describes Fourth on the Farm, the annual music festival held at Morgan Creek Farms in Quakertown. Now in its eleventh year, the event includes local musicians as well as touring standouts in the jam band and electronic music scenes. This year’s lineup includes Dizgo, Smigonaut, Underground Springhouse, and Yak Attack, as well as local favorites Groove Merchants and Richard.
Allentown Blues, Brews and BBQ fest turns 17. Meet the featured performer who’s younger.
Allentown’s Blues, Brews, and BBQ festival turns 17 this year — meaning that the festival is two years older than one of its featured performers. In addition to national touring acts like Parker Barrow, Regina Bonelli, and the Mississippi Pig Farmers, 15-year-old Noah Malek of Coopersburg will show his chops on Saturday. The sophomore at Southern Lehigh High School will perform at the Inkwell stage, 1125 Hamilton St., with Paul Boddy and the SlideWinder Blues Band.
LVAC wrestling pins success on charity, punk ethos ahead of next event at Freedom High School
“Back around 2000, I knew all these weirdo punk guys from the music scene,” says Chris Regec of Bethlehem. “And then I found out they were doing this wrestling thing…” Regec wasn’t even a fan of wrestling at the time, but now nearly 25 years later, “the wrestling thing” is a surprisingly big part of his life. In addition to a screenprinting business, he runs the thriving professional wrestling operation known as LVAC, a one-of-a-kind independent wrestling federation based in the Lehigh Valley.
Punk rock, antiquing intersect at unique market embraced by Lehigh Valley music scene
Loud music, tattoos, piercings, and … antiquing? “Punk rock” and “flea market” might seem like an unlikely mashup, but the somewhat bizarre bazaars have become popular in many cities around the country, and right here in the Lehigh Valley. What makes a flea market “punk rock” exactly? Event co-host Matt Molchany of Bethlehem explains that it’s all about the vibe. “Punk is kind of in the eye of the beholder these days,” he says.
Enthusiasm high as Lehigh Valley’s newest concert venue lines up big names for shows
The marquee is lit up, the spotlights are on, and the doors are open for the first run of shows at Archer Music Hall at 939 Hamilton St. in Allentown. Many area music fans are excited to have a new venue bringing their favorite bands to the Lehigh Valley. One such music fan has his office just five blocks down Hamilton Street: Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
It’s the end of a post-punk, psychedelic era. Allentown-based Pale Fang will play its final show.
Late last year, an upsetting message appeared on the social media feed of Lehigh Valley music fans. In large block letters, like a newspaper headline reporting a tragedy, it read: PALE FANG IS PLAYING THEIR LAST SHOW ON FEBRUARY 8, 2025. A comment section full of broken heart emojis, crying eye sad faces, and declarations of “nooooooo” shortly followed.
This seasoned Bethlehem musician calls it ‘cat dad music.’ Hear it for yourself in concert.
Travis Hobbie is a contradiction. The Bethlehem musician is a singer of deeply sad songs who is known for cracking audiences up with some of the funniest stage banter you’ll hear anywhere. He dresses like he’s from the 19th century but is tech savvy and active on social media. He has lots of regrets due to negative experiences with the music industry yet remains an optimistic and enthusiastic mentor to young musicians.
Nine tracks for your rainy day playlist
When it rains, I find myself overlooking the inevitable wet socks and favoring the damp hair. Love it or hate it, rain is a part of the Eugene lifestyle, so you might as well make the most of it and throw on some good tunes. Here are some moody tracks to help round out that rainy day playlist of yours.
Eugene artist Munyaa releases new single ‘Danko’
Hot singles in your area: Munyaa releases afropop single “Danko” December 6, 2024 If you’re itching for exciting local music, Munyaa has you covered with his newest single “Danko.” Munya Mambira is an Eugene based artist going by the name Munyaa. He creates music inspired by Afropop, Amapiano and artists ranging from Young Thug to Rema that has been described as “beach music.” “I like to call myself an African artist,” Munyaa said.
Jon Nakamatsu opens Oregon Piano Institute’s first recital
Eugene music lovers rejoice: For the first time, Eugene will be hosting a series of world class piano recitals on a permanent basis. The Oregon Piano Institute held their first recital on Nov. 14, performed by Jon Nakamatsu. The performance was the first of three planned for this academic year. The institute was founded by UO piano professor Alexandre Dossin and his wife Maria Dossin as a way to bring world class pianists and piano education to Eugene.
Grasp and their return to the house show scene
Every new school year, University of Oregon students see which bands have returned, who has moved on from the scene and who has taken the next step toward becoming local legends. This year is marked by the homecoming of a Eugene favorite. Put it in the headlines: Grasp is back. Grasp’s sound is hard to place. It draws from a variety of genres and artists. From upright bassist Avishai Cohen to singer-songwriter and rocker Jeff Buckley, there is a wide range of influences in the band.
UO Valorant Team Green talks Big Ten Esports
UO is world renowned in track and field, ranked No. 1 in the country for football and recently made a big move to the Big Ten Conference. But UO also has a rich diversity of programs outside of athletics, including but not limited to esports. Senior marketing major Jackson Zyskowski is the team manager for all of UO’s Valorant teams. The teams are divided into three: Green, Yellow and White.
Bethlehem man promotes boundary-breaking music through record label, concert bookings
When provocative punk-poet Lex Gray of Vancouver was looking for a label to put out her experimental debut album, she found it in Love’s Devotee. When Chris Cohen of the famously unorthodox rock band Deerhoof was looking for a tour stop, he found Love’s Devotee as well. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
The best shows to catch in your first weeks back in Eugene
The first month back at school can set the tone for the entire year. Going out of the way to get outside your comfort zone and check out some of Eugene’s finest concert venues can go a long way toward making college feel like home. Eugene is not a traditional tour stop, but it does have some great smaller acts coming by every week. WOW Hall WOW frequently hosts smaller acts, making it a great place to catch local bands. The intimate venue is an amazing spot for a night out in Downtown Eugene.
A Daily Emerald playlist for the back to school season
The start of the school year marks a great time for change and great tunes. Presenting: back to school blues. 1. “Last Laugh” – Badbadnotgood Badbadnotgood is coming off a heater with its recent drop of the three-sided LP “Mid Spiral.” Every track would make my “best of the year” list, but “Last Laugh” is on my decade list, making it the perfect instrumental for your first steps back on campus. 2. “Sabotage” – Snow Strippers Snow Strippers is one of my favorite duos making music right now.
‘Metal, but family friendly’: Carnival of Chaos to bring loud, local sounds to Lehigh Co.
The Schnecksville Fire Hall is in a relatively quiet corner of the Lehigh Valley known for its lovely views of the nearby Trexler Game Preserve. But once a year it is home to a whole lotta noise, thanks to the heavy metal festival known as the Carnival of Chaos. The event is the brainchild of Dave and Rosie Kite of Fogelsville. The couple also runs Chaos Guitars, a company they started as a hobby in 2015 that has grown into a thriving business.
Exciting new NFL Jerseys for 2024
NFL fans can finally rejoice; football is almost back. A new season means new gear and regular season games are less than a month away, so what better time to talk about these new looks? Starting off strong with the team of choice for many students, the Seattle Seahawks and their electric throwback uniforms. One of the cleanest looks league wide makes its return for week six versus the San Francisco 49ers.
Ghibli Fest 2024 presents “Ponyo”
My own enjoyment of Studio Ghibli Fest 2024 begins with “Ponyo”; a childhood classic for many. Last year I celebrated Ghibli fest with a rewatch of the fantastic “Spirited Away,” and the year before with “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Ghibli Fest brings Studio Ghibli’s most celebrated films back to theaters, and this year the festival has a rather extensive catalog of the studio’s classics compared to last year’s iteration.
Lolly Hopwood brings her guitar, her imagination and her kid-friendly tunes to Musikfest
Doylestown resident Lolly Hopwood (also known as Larissa Hopwood) will play at Musikfest in Bethlehem on Aug. 2, 6 and 9.Photo courtesy of Lolly Hopwood By Josh Berk | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Lolly Hopwood hasn’t played Coachella yet, but she has played Kidchella. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Oregon Geo Fest brings out local gem sellers
Oregon rocks — and gems too. Eugene residents came flocking to see and purchase rocks, gems and minerals at the 2024 Oregon Geo Fest. The festival was hosted and organized by 5 Elements Gem and Mineral in front of their storefront and ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 20. Over a dozen vendors came to sell their wares and promote their businesses.
Musikfest hat trick: Local artist to take stage 3 times - solo, in duo, with full band
Emma Bockrath is performing solo, in a duo and in a full band during Musikfest 2024 that gets underway with a preview night Thursday, Aug. 1 and runs for 10 days Friday Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 11.Jordan Marenick Photo
UO Chamber Choir departs for competitions
The myriad of events UO offers for free to students and community members continues well into the summer. On July 11, the UO Chamber Choir held their Bon Voyage concert before departing for New Zealand and Australia for the World Choir Games. The Bon Voyage concert was a part of the now concluded Oregon Bach Festival that ran from June 28 to July 14. All of the Oregon Bach festival’s spectacular performances were free or a meager $5 for students to attend.
Jukebox musical penned during lockdown comes to life in Bethlehem. It premieres next week.
Some of us learned to paint during lockdown. Some baked bread. Some just watched a lot of Netflix. Barry Knoblach of Bethlehem wrote a musical. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
One for the ages: the minds behind the Founded Fashion Show
On June 9, Founded Vintage store owner Peter Michaels and his collaborator Jackson Mangum held the first Founded fashion show. The show brought together several local young creatives ranging from designers to models to showcase the talent of the Eugene fashion scene.
What to add to your summer 2024 wardrobe
As the old adage goes, “You can always put more layers on, but only take so many off.” But I would rather die of heat stroke in a pair of swim trunks and a t-shirt than freeze in the cold weather and have to cover up my fit with a big jacket. These are a few of my favorite and least favorite essentials for low layer weather. Whether I’m lounging around my apartment without air conditioning or going on a stroll, I like to wear loose shorts. My favorite pair right now is a pair of white linen shorts.
Dungeons and Drag Queens conquered Eugene
The violin swells and three mythical figures appear. Ready to take on the baddies in their large boa, dragon wings and a pink wig, the queens enter. Dungeons and Drag Queens is produced by the Dungeon Master Paul Curry and accompanying violinist Carson Grubb. The show originated in Seattle, and the Queens came to WOW Hall on Friday, May 24. Tinashea Monét is based out of Seattle and has been a queen for the show since its inception.
How to approach your next job interview
Graduating is a uniquely scary experience. Many college students fantasize about the day they can take their last test and move into the professional world, while many others dread this new-found freedom. The hunt for a job, and particularly the lengthy interviewing process that goes with it, is new to many former students. On top of this, a large number of employers have started to rely on telecommunications for recruiting and interviewing, widening the distance between employee and employer.
Justice for the Time Being: Lehigh Valley indie rock band seeks to help wrongly incarcerated
Ask Jess Denke of the Emmaus-based indie rock band Time Being what her goals are as a musician and you’ll get a one-word answer: Joy. She joyfully plays the bass in the band alongside husband/guitarist/vocalist Marcus Denke, as well as guitarist Nick Petrella, and drummers Ben Schmidt and John Corrado. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Stunners and Head-scratchers: the defining looks of the Met Gala
The Met Gala once again brought out the best looks of the year. This year's theme was “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion with a Garden of Time.” Remember this key detail and you will already have done a better job than most celebrities. Musician Tyla leaned into the dress code and had what I thought was the best outfit of the night — only one or two other guests came close. Her dress, made by Olivier Rousteing of Balmain, was made of sand and molded to her body.
Eugene Symphony gives Star Wars a revamp
This May 4, the Eugene Symphony presented “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” in the Hult Center for the performing arts. Magical and immersive, the symphony brought an all time classic to new heights in a wonderful venue. Combining live music and a cultural phenomena like Star Wars is a recipe for success. On top of the symphony’s performance, the Hult Center itself is a spectacle. The acoustics are top notch, even for a theater, and the design looks like something out of a Star Wars movie.
Misses and makes: the defining looks of Coachella 2024
Every year, Coachella draws in countless people from around the world to watch their favorite musicians perform online or in person. With all eyes on them, it’s hard for celebrities to not want to leave an impression. Peso Pluma stunned weekend one with an all-white Prada outfit. The sleeveless jacket he wore is my favorite individual piece worn at Coachella 2024.
The Lehigh Valley music scene’s new hot spot comes with a side of fries
The Lehigh Valley music scene has a new hot spot, and it comes with a side of fries. The Flying V in Bethlehem is known for serving up poutine – the Canadian delicacy of French fries, cheese curds, and gravy – but upstairs you’ll find one of the most buzzed about listening rooms in town. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
UO professors prove style still exists in academia
I sat in class wearing open-toed Birkenstocks, dark blue Fila sweatpants and a light gray crewneck portraying four dogs crossing Abbey Road. The crewneck reads “The Beagles.” A third of the students in this class are dressed like me in their sweat-somethings. The rest in jeans and a t-shirt. No exception. Professor Peter Laufer stands in front of us wearing his latest outfit, one surely seen before but new to these eyes, a “counterpoint to the slovenly reality that is UO,” he said.
Two standout jewelers at the Saturday Market
Some come for the food, others for the tie-dye and I come for the jewelry. The much beloved Eugene Saturday Market returned for the first time in 2024 on April 6 and brought out dozens of talented jewelers to one central location. These two jewelers carve out their own lane. Negar Jewel Negar Tehmidi, originally a painter, has been making jewelry for over 20 years and selling at the Saturday Market for eight.
Local tattoo artists share their passion
The Evergreen Tattoo Invitational is an annual event bringing out talented tattoo artists across the country and locally. The event ran from March 15-17 and was held at the Lane Events Center. Mark Mullins started his tattoo apprenticeship three years ago in January 2021. He currently works at Parlour Tattoo located at 1097 Willamette Street. “I was always drawing and painting as a kid, but learning how to draw and paint to make tattoos work is a completely different animal,” Mullins said.
What to expect from this year’s Saturday Market
Eugene Saturday Market will be entering its 55th season on Saturday, April 6. The history of the oldest open air crafts market in the country begins on “the butterfly lot” in the Eugene Town Square, where it debuted in 1970. “It wasn't an ideal space for Saturday Market, but it was the only thing that the county would let us use at the time,” Diane McWhorter, a Saturday Market vendor and board secretary, said. McWhorter taught herself how to screen 50 years ago through books at the library.
Spring styles to look forward to this season
Warm weather and a season change opens up possibilities for all wardrobes. Some might choose to keep wearing their sweatshirts and jeans. But people like me will be saying goodbye to our three favorite hoodies and one heavy jacket and hello to our seven favorite t-shirts. I spoke to five UO students about what they’re expecting for spring fashion this year.
Lehigh Valley jazz musicians find big band vibe in the smallest of venues… a living room
Lehigh Valley jazz musicians Patrick Kerssen and John Valinote were driving across Pennsylvania the long way when the idea struck them. “We had played a gig in Ohio and were on the way home,” Kerssen explains. “It was a fun show with our trio but we realized we both really missed playing in big bands.” What they also missed was the sense of community Moravian University gave them in their student days, when they were surrounded by other young jazz players.
How Eugene celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day
Saint Patrick’s Day, while being an Irish holiday, is celebrated by Americans from all walks of life. The holiday seems to be particularly popular among college students and young adults. The holiday means more than green beer and corned beef. But two things can be true: Saint Patrick’s Day can be embraced as an Irish holiday and fun can be had celebrating Americanized Saint Patrick’s Day traditions.
Our World Vintage brings life back to East 13th Avenue
Michael Raasch is the owner of Our World Vintage, a new vintage clothing store on East 13th Avenue. The store’s throwback vibe and atmosphere has already garnered some attention from Eugene residents. Raasch, 35, started selling vintage clothing five years ago in antique malls throughout Oregon, most recently in Springfield. Raasch graduated from UO in 2014 with a degree in sociology. As a student, Raasch would frequent thrift stores like St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill around the Eugene area.
Eugene clothing designers pave their own way
Eugene, like many college towns, is relatively fashion forward compared to the rest of the state. With so many young talented designers and fashion aficionados, it only makes sense there would be a few local clothing brands to shop from. Lux Lux -– Latin for light — is operated by Page Van Pernis. Van Pernis started making clothing his senior year of highschool when he got a sewing machine from his mom. He said sewing was, and continues to be, a way to keep him out of trouble.
Her show is called ‘Lisa Joins a Cult.’ It’s coming to Bethlehem with a key disclaimer.
To be clear, despite the title of her podcast and upcoming one-woman show, Lisa VanArsdale did not join a cult. What the Center Valley resident and host of “Lisa Joins a Cult” has done plenty of is to visit and collect fascinating stories from groups on the fringes of America’s religious landscape. And although the word “cult” is in the title, VanArsdale offers a disclaimer about that particular term.
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