Arts & Culture

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.

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.

Nelly, best know for his hits "Hot in Herre" and "Dilemma" (with Kelly Rowland) will perform on Sept. 1 at The Great Allentown Fair.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including Southside Bethlehem Restaurant Week, Lehigh Valley Phantoms Hockey and the Robert Fulton exhibit.

Tyler Hubbard, who with partner Brian Kelly as Florida Georgia Line had more than 20 No. 1 hits, will perform on Aug. 31.

Styx and REO Speedwagon will perform on the fair's first night Aug. 30.

Damn the Torpedoes will play at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Musikfest Cafe at SteelStacks in Bethlehem and play a good number of songs from the album "Wildflowers."

Due to increased prices of ingredients and lack of volunteers, the Good Will Fire Co. No. 1, of Trexlertown, will cancel its annual making of the popular Lenten treats.

The nonprofit Allentown Film Festival will screen dozens of short and feature films at Nineteenth Street Theatre, the boutique Theatre514, Allentown Art Museum and Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center.

Lara Bly dog fashion show showcased smiles, wagging tails and sequined wares on the runway.

Employees of a Lehigh Valley company recall the devotion to their guitars by music icon David Crosby, who died Wednesday at age 81.

Chinese Lunar New Year on Sunday, Jan. 22, starts the year of the Rabbit.

Jerry Blavat was known as “The Geator” during an eight-decade career as one of the Philadelphia-area’s best known disc jockeys and who had strong ties to the Lehigh Valley.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including Disney On Ice, Drive-In Double Feature and Hellertown - Lower Saucon Restaurant Week.