Arts & Culture

Whether you're looking to side with safety to celebrate Independence Day this year, want a fun event or just don't want to deal with post-celebration clean-up, plenty of spots in the Lehigh Valley are offering free and purchase-required events.

Celtic Classic is scheduled Sept. 27-29 on the festival grounds near downtown Bethlehem.

That clash of fantasy and education worlds comes to Ag Hall at Allentown Fairgrounds July 5-7, when Jurassic Quest, which bills itself as North America’s most popular interactive dinosaur event, returns to Allentown.

On Saturday, thousands of Eagles fans descended upon Coca-Cola Park to watch the 3rd annual DeVonta Smith & Friends Celebrity Softball Game, where proceeds benefitted St. Luke's and IronPigs charities

The Thunderhawk, one of 10 wooden roller coasters still operating, was built in 1924.

Fans came together at Fairview Cemetery on Saturday to pay homage to actress Jayne Mansfield, star of stage, page, and screen.

Brooks & Dunn, the country music Hall of Fame duo who, after retiring in 2010 has reunited for a tour of 20 venues, made a stop Friday at Allentown's PPL Center.

The free performance will take place starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at the Rose Garden.

Tony Trischka’s EarlJam: A Tribute to Earl Scruggs, featuring Michael Daves, Jared Engel and Duncan Wickel, will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 30, Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem.

Pablo Batista, Hector Rosado and Luisito Rosario will headline ArtsQuest's ¡Sabor! Latin Festival on Saturday, June 29.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bethlehem held what is almost certainly its last Mass, with the historic building slated for sale.

The festival, in its second year, took place at ArtsQuest.

Take a look at stories throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact or that you might want to look at again.

Gamble has been to Bethlehem on a few occasions regarding the Moravian Church settlement. This trip marks Step Three in the site's potential World Heritage selection.

Morgan will share stores about motherhood, marriage and menopause in her standup routine Saturday, March 18 at Wind Creek Casino.

In preparation for St. Patrick's Day, the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society on Wednesday took to Rising River Brewing for a "history on tap" event highlighting the history of Irish immigrants in the township during the mid-1800s.

The film festival will feature seven short films that draw attention to women's issues such as gender equality and body dysmorphia. Ticket sales benefit the American Association of University Women's college scholarship fund.

Political writer Bhaskar Sunkara and British Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid are among the authors taking part in the Center for Ethics spring series.

An artist and musician, Phoebe Legere will perform new music inspired by her Native American roots at Arthaus on Thursday, March 16.

Hilgert is one of 50 women to be honored with an "Above & Beyond Women Award."

Keith Sweat, a leading force in the New Jack Swing movement, will headline the main Steel Stage at the massive music festival in downtown and South Side Bethlehem at 7 p.m. Aug. 8.

ArtsQuest is using the Bethlehem Visitor Center to present comedy shows. And it plans on a new dedicated comedy club at the new Banana Factory.