Allentown ReFringe

05/20/2026

Allentown Refringe would like to take a moment to recognize some of those who believed in reFringe Allentown before this weekend's proof-of-concept, without whom it might not have happened.

Allentown Association has long been a volunteer effort stewarding the neighborhood behind the scenes, with an ear to the ground and open mind to those with an idea. Thank you for being our credibility representatives in standing behind our efforts to be welcome by the spaces we inhabit.

Just In Case Party Rentals for generously loaning the silent disco, not as just a neat party feature but a means to party in parkinglot while maintaining peace and quiet for the neighbors, to host one party within another, and other things we discovered in the moment. The potential applications for community use are truly mind-bending.

To all of our local businesses who offered their space before they knew what would be done, thank you for the good faith, and we hope it comes back to you: Afterglow Books , Bend Buffalo , Chef BigWayne Jamaican Cuisine , Buffalo Barkery , Casa Azul , CowPök Piercing & Tattoo Gallery , El Buen Amigo & LACA Non-Profit , Elmwood Market , Elmwood Smokeshop , FBF Repair Services , Holley Farms Inc. , Kleinhans Music Hall , MOXIE hair , MS Eye Candy , Nickel City Housing Cooperative: Ol' Wondermoth , Paint the Town , Public Flower , Rick Cycle Shop , Rick's Sports Apparel , Root 716 , The Intersection Cafe , Spotted Octopus Brewing Company , and Timeless Babez , we couldn't do this without your willingness to host.

On the topic of great hosts, thank you to the dynamic duo behind newly-established Benten Music Center at 292 Summer Street, who kindly welcomed our weekly meetups among other multifaceted support. Be on the lookout for this rising establishment, on the boundaries of Allentown but most certainly part of the neighborhood
https://bentenmusiccenter.squarespace.com/

To other rising communities, we would like to recognize the clownmunity for their consistent care, the witchy community and the bunch of bananas that broke channel 4 news's brain -- you came seemingly out of nowhere to find a place in our hearts.

Lastly, we would like to recognize a role model and singular force in the Allentown community, and dear friend to many. One who may have been the first to believe in ReFringe, to understand what it could be when it was little more than an idea. While the greenspace at 169 Allen is a new community space for all sorts of things, in our hearts and circles it was known as 'Cleevey Groves'. For his life of support both public and private, and so many other reasons, reFringe Allentown Year Zero 'A Tree Grows In Allentown' is dedicated to the memory, legacy, life and times of Mickey Harmon

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05/18/2026

As the dust settles, extension cords are recovered, and recovery happens however it looks like for each of us, Allentown has remembered the art of self-healing. It's a feeling, like this. Each time, a revival of something deeply rooted in us, as we branch out into this unscheduled portion in day 5 and beyond.

Refringe sure felt like a festival. May it serve as a roadmap for all the Restival.

05/17/2026

Fun is different for everyone

It's all good, and in the neighborhood.

Get your on,

05/17/2026

First art survived. Then it reminded us how to feel alive. Then it sprung roots sturdy enough to thrive. Now The Allentown ReFringe — Day 4: Seeds leaves us with fertile grounds with which to strive to continue, an adaptive system of help that helps each self dig deep and unbury a tradition age-old, a revival for our own times.

Good times still ahead, now let us put heads together and see how to see to it that the future holds us as we hold each other, in harmony with all good times past.

The present of the present moment is here to bloom.

Let's make space for each other in this gift we collectively give, and with shared permission collectively unwrap, before ReFringe Year 0 is a wrap. A tree grows in Allentown, don't you know. If there's room enough to grow, there's room for you, and the future too.

See you all soon.

05/17/2026

Come out, come out, I.R.L. where it all plays out.

208 North Street. Free. Now.

05/16/2026

Darn tootin'.

Hula Loops has transformed into a stairwell party for the first half and will become a porch party at 208 North Street shortly, with No-Show In the Klein hands lot moving to 208 North Street as well, performance art porch picnic anyone? Performances for people, wherever we can be together is where the party is at. Stick around Ol Wondermoth for I.R.L., get your animal on at Spotted Octopus for Furry Logic, or travel to 85 & 73 Trinity's backyards when rain subsides for Buffalo Buffs - whatever your path,
The Allentown ReFringe — Day 3: Roots

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

05/16/2026

Today we remembered fun. Tomorrow we use it to grow roots.

Good models are all around, and come in all forms — no one size fits all, but many sizes might fit some. Follow on your own path.

Dig into what keeps you grounded whether that's makers, placemakers, fellow dungeon masters, meditation inner-peacemakers, performance art picnics, a nightclub for animals, fabric arts (pt 1 of 2!), loopy daytime discos, experimental empty spaces, histories in backyards of mystery, a fashionista matinee, buskers along the way, tomorrow will make a believer, or at least a make-believer, out of you. The Allentown ReFringe Day 2: Branches → The Allentown ReFringe Day 3: Roots

so share your side of the story, a day's just too small to see it all.