Arts & Culture

George Gray was the founder of the U.S. Coast Guard Art Program and a combat artist during World War II and in Vietnam. Gray painted 233 murals for hotels across the country. Historic Hotel Bethlehem is the only hotel that still retains Gray's work, and has gained national recognition.

A group of entertainers held their first-ever AfroBeats celebration with dance classes, DJ sets and West African and Caribbean eats on Saturday, June 28 at the Wooden Match.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

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.

The two events hosted in Bethlehem's Rose Garden will bring the city food and drinks, live music, artisans and more.

Yung Gravy, whose most recent hit, last year's "Betty (Get Money)," was his biggest-selling, will perform Sept. 2 in Allentown. Opening the show will be Gravy's frequent hit collaborator, rapper bbno$, best known for his 2019 triple-platinum hit "Lalala."

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs' first game featuring the ABS system, or "robot umpires," at Coca-Cola Park is in the books. Next stop: How will the new challenge system play out?

Relive some of Motown's greatest hits when the group performs Saturday, May 13 at the Wind Creek Event Center.

The IronPigs will host Memphis on Tuesday with the ABS system in use for the first time at home. It will call all pitches and transmit the results through an earpiece to the home plate umpire.

Pennsylvania Youth Theatre has initiated a $1 million capital campaign as it searches for a future home. The organization will likely be displaced when the Banana Factory complex is demolished for a new cultural arts center.

The tribute band will perform a handful of the “Allentown” crooner’s hits on Saturday, May 27 at the Wind Creek Event Center.

A fashion exhibit explores the relationship between artificial intelligence and fashion and features haute couture designs by Barbara Kavchok.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is opening to the public on Friday, May 12, with a preview day for season pass-holders on May 7.

Despite a devastating blaze at their North New Street vegan pizzeria, the owners and manager of Paranormal Pizza are still slinging pies in the Lehigh Valley.

Clothes of the 1960s and 70s are all the rage at the museum's free show opening Saturday, May 6.

Accessorize your festing togs with a mug.