Northampton Press

The ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, Bethlehem, will be transformed into a steel plant blast furnace during the multi-dimensional photography installation, "Blast Furnace," opening Jan. 10.

The exhibit, created by Mike and Jamie Cabreza of iMiJ Shop of Easton, will include more than 50 photos, including 30-plus featured on the Cabrezas' three-dimensional iMiJ Blocks on display throughout the building.

The Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) "Tri-Cees" Community Chorale is seeking members.

Music-reading skills and choral technique such as listening, blending, intonation and diction are developed in rehearsal. No previous musical training is required. The group performs at least one concert at the end of the semester.

"Tri-Cees" Community Chorale meets 7 - 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 14 - May 6. There is no charge.

Registration information: ncregistrar@ mymail.lccc.edu, 610-799-1197

Suspense. Intrigue. Shock. Irony. Dark humor. Romance.

These themes are often the stuff of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's films, most of which are now regarded as classics of cinema.

These themes are also the stuff of "Hitchcock," a semi-biographical film about Hitchcock (an uncanny Anthony Hopkins), his wife Alma Reville (a fine Helen Mirren) and the producing, filming and 1960 premiere of "Psycho."

Hitchcock's "Vertigo" (1958) is now regarded by movie critics and movie-goers as the greatest movie of all-time, eclipsing director Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane."

"We've been contemplating it for a number of years," said Patrick Mulcahy, Producing Artistic Director, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, of The Shakespeare Theatre Association's 22nd annual meeting, Jan. 7 - 12.

The highest concentration of Shakespeare theater leaders in the world will occur at the home of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, DeSales University, Center Valley, according to Lisa Higgins, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

The variety, depth and entertainment value of Lehigh Valley regional theater never ceases to amaze, especially so when looking back at a year's worth of productions.

In 2012, there were two world premieres in the Valley, numerous Valley premieres, incredibly fun musicals and seriously dark dramas among them.

The ABEs, as in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, now in its seventh year, lauds shows and performances on area community and professional theater stages:

The Focus section published 40 theater reviews in 2012, up from 38 theater reviews published in 2011.

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem begins its 2013 Winter-Spring "Bach at Noon" series Jan. 8 in Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem.

The performance opens with Johann Sebastian Bach's arrangement for organ of Antonio Vivaldi's "Concerto in D Minor," Opus 3 No. 11 (RV 565) for two violins, cello, strings, and basso continuo. Soloist is Thomas Goeman, Bach Choir organist and assistant conductor.

Artistic director and conductor Greg Funfgeld's programming for the 2012-'13 Bach at Noon series has focused on the connections between Bach and Vivaldi.

"9 to 5," 8 p.m. Feb. 21, 22, 23; 2 p.m. Feb. 24, Cedar Crest College, Samuels Theatre, Tompkins College Center, 100 College Drive, Allentown. cedarcrest.edu, 800-360-1222

"A Chorus Line," 8 p.m. Jan. 12, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, 420 E. Packer Avenue, Bethlehem. zoellnerartscenter.org, 610-758-2787

"Boeing Boeing," 8 p.m. Jan. 18, 19, 25, 26, 21. Feb 1, 2; 3 p.m. Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Pennsylvania Playhouse, Illick's Mill Road, Bethlehem. paplayhouse.org, 610-865-6665

Here is a sampling of the topics to be addressed at the Shakespeare Theatre Association Conference:

Jan. 7: "Shakespeare's Geography of Thought," Lisa Wolpe, Globe International Theatre Fellow, Actor, Director, Playwright

Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company

Jan. 8: "New World Shakespeare," Terry OBrien, Founding Artistic Director, Hudson Valley Shakespeare

Jan. 9: "Original Practices and the Actor-Audience Connection," Laura Cole, Director of Education and Training, Atlanta Shakespeare Co.

The Thomas Fun Room is open through Jan. 13, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown.

The 3,000-square-foot exhibit re-creates the era when railroads were king.

The display includes 50 enlarged images of Lehigh Valley Railroad steam locomotives.

Information: lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org, 610-435-1074

Despite its title, there's not too much that's unexpected in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

There are goblins, wizards, trolls, rock monsters and, of course, dwarfs.

This should please fans of the J.R.R. Tolkien (1892 - 1973) novels, on which "The Hobbit" is based, as it did my son, Elias, who accompanied me to a 3D screening of "Unexpected Journey."

It was the second time Elias saw "The Hobbit" movie. The first time he saw it was in the regular format. Elias said the 3D version enhanced some scenes, but it's not necessary to see "The Hobbit" in 3D.