Arts & Culture

Next year marks 250 years since the colonists produced a bold declaration of freedom and self-governance that still echoes today. It will be an occasion celebrated and recognized across the land — and we at Lehigh Valley Public Media are no exception.

In addition to live music, there will be more than a dozen local vendors, businesses and crafters, as well as trail and outdoor demonstrations, and group walks.

Steel Panther, which has had five albums top Billboard's Comedy chart, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, it was announced.

In the spirit of Shakespeare, Saturday's celebration will feature entertainment for all ages, including musical performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alpaca and ponies, and a student-led Latin band.

From 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 27, you'll be able to buy tickets for five of Musikfest's 11 headline shows, two paid-ticket Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks shows and nine Musikfest Cafe shows without paying any service fees.

Howie Mandel, who since 2010 has been a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will perform with fellow comedian Brad Garrett at 8 p.m. Aug. 24. And Alan Parsons Live Project, which continues the work of Alan Parsons Project, will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 2.

Now in its 14th year, the festival honors Puerto Rican culture in the city. The three-day celebration starts on Thursday with a documentary screening, a tribute to the women of salsa, and a flag-raising on Friday, and more Latin music and food on Saturday.

Lehigh Valley Dodgeball is building an inclusive, community-driven space for players of all skill levels in Easton. Open gyms are now underway every Monday night.

Shankweiler’s, renowned as the oldest continuously operating drive‑in theatre in the country since 1934, will soon be showcased to millions across the country on "Good Morning America."

Allentown Fair's first Mullet Contest will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Farmerama Theater.

Artists Matt Halm and Hector Castro, prolific mural artists in the area, are working together to bring it to life, joining a growing array of public art in downtown Allentown

The organization will present "An 'Old Fashioned' Christmas" and "The Holiday Wine Dinner" to bring the holiday spirit alive.

The last showing of "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema in Bethlehem’s ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks is Nov. 5. It also ends its run then at AMC Allentown 16, 1700 Catasauqua Road, Allentown, and The Movie Tavern-Trexlertown, 6150 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown.

Clarice Assad, a Grammy-nominated composer, vocalist and pianist, has joined the Allentown Symphony as the Miller Symphony Hall's 2023-24 composer in residence.

From apples to musical artists, Bethlehem Area Public Library will have it all from Nov. 10-11, 2023.

The Bethlehem Running Festival half marathon and half marathon relay were Sunday. It was the second day of the festival, bringing thousands to the SteelStacks campus.

The inaugural Bethlehem Running Festival's first day brought a 5k and 10k race back to the Steelstacks campus and the City of Bethlehem. Runners embarked on a running tour of the city through fall foliage and braving the hills on the route. Organizers say they are happy with the event and excited for Sunday's half marathon.

The community chorale's founder, Ed Milisits passed away in January 2022. The chorus is gearing up for its December performances.

This weekend, Book and Puppet Company will feature Drag Queen Story Hour with the Yippee Skippy Puppets as part of the Easton Book Festival.

The local rock band will celebrate their album, "Maybe This is It" at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20.

Lehigh Valley Health Network held their annual Halloween party at the Children's Hospital. More than 100 children were expected to attend.

Dorney Park officials said the first piece of Iron Menace arrived Thursday, and represents the first truckload of what will be about 68 total.