Blake’s Picks

Good stuff in the Valley and beyond.  Go.

The Lehigh Valley has bred another bona fide TV star.  Michaela Conlin was born and raised in Allentown and plays Angela Montenegro on “Bones,” FOX’s hit forensic show.  She did community theatre growing up at Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, Parkland High School and the Civic Theatre.  As she recently told the Civic Theatre’s Spotlight magazine, “[Theatre] taught me how to speak up and speak out. It is alive and terrifying and it’s just you up there. On Bones, we shoot 12-14 hours a day, 10 months of the year. I use what I learned on stage every day on set: Be prepared. Try new things. Throw yourself in.” A casting director saw Michaela on a short-lived ABC show called “The D.A.,” which lead to her auditioning for “Bones.” Now living in L.A., she says the two things she misses the most about the LV are her parents and Brass Rail cheesesteaks. We’re lucky to have an independent theater right here in Allentown. Recent showings include It Might Get Loud with Jimmy Page, Jack White, and U2’s The Edge, Cold Souls starring Paul Giamatti and Emily Watson, and Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story. For schedules and to get Spotlight in the mail, visit www.civictheatre.com.

MUSIC FIGHTS CANCER

Check out this great line-up of local blues and pop-rock at the 3^rd Annual Community Carnival in Bethlehem:  Sarah Ayers, Jake Kaligis, Leechboy, Bev “BC” Conklin & Friends, The Billy Bauer Band, and Christy Jefferson. This will be at the Rose Garden this Saturday, October 17^th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation For Childhood Cancer. Bring your donations for a food drive, an animal shelter food drive, a book drive, and a coat drive.

HAUNTED IN THE POCONOS

This issue’s Halloween pick is Altered Nightmares in Weissport, a haunted Victorian era silk mill, circa 1895. Witness the horror of the Haunted Factory, and new for 2009 is their 3000 square foot Human Cage of Terror. Stories abound of a graveyard shift massacre, a young bride tortured and buried in a basement cavity, and documented paranormal activity. Can you escape 22 rooms of twisted mayhem? Get details, history, and videos at www.alterednightmares.com.

ROCK THE VOTE (AGAIN)

You’ve chosen the nominees for the 2009 Lehigh Valley Music Awards and now the official ballots are up for vote. The LVMAs strive to promote, honor and reward the hard-working musicians and music related businesses in the Lehigh Valley, but they can’t do it without your input. Go vote in scores of categories now through October 25^th at www.lehighvalleymusicawards.org. The 11^th Annual Awards show and concert will be at Allentown Symphony Hall on Dec. 1^st. Hit the website for ticket info and performance schedule.

WHAT A FINE MESS

Stand-up comedy takes smarts and guts to get on stage and perform and be good at it. Bethlehem’s Ryan Hill has been honing his comedy on stages both miniscule and kinda big from New York to Cincinnati for several years now. Not only does he do his own dates in the area, but he organizes and hosts regular open mics for his fellow comedians. Tickle Me Tuesdays take place at Allentown Brew Works and feature pro and amateur comedians from the Valley, Philly, and New York. (www.thebrewworks.com) Ryan also hosts the Valley’s live improv comedy troupe The Associated Mess on 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays at Pitchers Sports Bar in Allentown, first Fridays at Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, and every other Saturday at the Civic’s Theatre514. All the above are for “mature audiences.” Watch Ryan’s videos at www.myspace.com/ryanhillcomedy.