For decades, New Hope and Lambertville have been a magical place for artists to showcase their talents. From live theatre, musical entertainment, and cabaret, to drag shows and pageants, the list of famous entertainers is endless. From Sondheim and Robert Redford, James Earl Jones, and Tyne Daly to Joseph ‘Mother Cavalucci’ and ‘Miss Pumpkin,’ New Hope has hosted numerous notable performances. Many area locals are nationally known and recognized as the best in their field.
Fine artists and artisans have always gravitated to the area producing award-winning paintings, crafts, sculptures, furniture, and more. Writers and poets have chronicled the New Hope experience; most notable are Pearl Buck, Oscar Hammerstein, and James Michener. Music Mountain Theatre, featuring superb community theater, is located just across the bridge in Lambertville at the former location of the infamous St. John “Sinjin’s” Lambertville Music Circus.
A hallmark of New Hope and Lambertville are outstanding culinary artists, featuring some of the finest chefs in the Northeast. There is no shortage of eclectic and delicious cuisine at numerous restaurants and bars throughout both towns.
Before closing due to floods in 2006, Chez Odette was an intimate cabaret, piano bar, and restaurant where locals schmoozed with nationally-known entertainers.
Over the years John & Peters has showcased seasoned veterans like Mary Chapin Carpenter and Norah Jones as well as some of the best in gay and lesbian entertainers including the extraordinary Christine Havrilla.
La Camp, which opened its doors as an LGBT destination, was later established in 1979 as The Raven Resort, an LGBTQ+ institution for locals and visitors.
In addition to featuring national cover bands, Havana hosts some of the best in regional entertainment including the incomparable Christine Martucci. Ladies 2000 holds its women-only parties at Havana several times a year.
An annual tradition, pageant drag debuted at the New Hope Firehouse and event center hosting the Miss Gay Pennsylvania Pageant. The tradition continues with the annual Miss New Hope Celebrates Pageant.
NHC Pride Week expands to include Pride Fairs featuring local and national entertainment, and offerings from select vendors. By 2019, 50+ vendors and a full day of live performances entertained an estimated 2,500 attendees.
Originally opened in 1939, the Bucks County Playhouse reopened to a standing ovation when the Bridge Street Foundation breathed life into this renowned theatre. Notable plays, such as Tyne Daly’s Mothers and Sons, debuted here before going on to Broadway.
“To me, Odette’s was the continuation of what Odette herself created in the early ‘60s – a place where everyone was truly welcome, a place that had no ‘labels’, a place that embodied the essence of ‘New Hope’ where an incredible mix of people became one of the main attractions. Fun people from all walks of life gathered and left their hang-ups at the front door. Everyone was celebrated.”
Bob Egan
Pianist/Entertainer/Producer
Located at the corner of Bridge and Main, the Delaware House was built by William Maris in the early 1800s to accommodate travelers using the new (1814) covered bridge. It later became the Solebury National Bank and is now home to Starbucks. Every May the NHC Pride Flag is unfurled from the second floor signifying the beginning of our annual Pride Celebration.
Located on South Main Street, Havana is a bar, restaurant and live music venue. Its outside bar is a weekend hotspot featuring great food and specialty drinks. Havana is also home to Ladies 2000 Sunday Pride Parties hosted by Diane Lusk and friends.
Located at 96 South Main St., J&P’s is the longest-running live music venue in New Hope. For more than 4 decades it has featured live music seven days a week, 365 days of the year, showcasing more than 48,000 musicians and entertaining more than 640,000 guests since the first performance.
Known by locals as the free bridge, it connects the two sister towns. Each year, numerous volunteers unfurl rainbow flags across its span signifying the opening of NHC Pride Week. Shown above are parade marchers proudly carrying the NHC 100’ flag.
Located on the corner at West Ferry & South Main, the Logan Inn was originally established as a tavern in 1722. Recently restored by Landmark Hospitality, it is now Bucks County’s oldest, continuously run inn. In 2017 and again in 2018, the Logan hosted the NHC Pridefest Fair in the back parking lot. In 2016 Landmark Hospitality donated funds for the purchase of the100ft NHC Pride Flag.
Located on South Main St. in an original Church, Marsha Brown (the restaurant) opened. After years in the restaurant business, Marsha opened her self-named establishment serving sophisticated, friendly southern dining in relaxed surroundings and understated Southern hospitality.
