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.

The Wheels of Time jamboree will be back this weekend in Macungie, bringing about 1,500 classic hot rods and more to Macungie Memorial Park.

Think of it like this - table tennis double-elimination bracket, but with the attitude of boxing.

The theme for the 29th annual festival in Allentown was 'Be Loud! Be Proud!"

Set for Saturday, the festival is a nod to the old orchard that used to occupy the site.

Billed as the longest-running outdoor music festival in the U.S., the last 2 have been virtual.

The event will bring LGBTQ+ artists and performers, arts and crafts, yard games, and food and drink to the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley in Allentown.

Folks from 39 states and 8 countries attended the festival, which was marred by a Saturday night shooting.

Police tape and several officers were in the area of Plaza Tropical, near Main and Lehigh streets.

Mug refills at designated Musikfest tents are $10 for domestics and $11 for craft beers, but some merchants go their own way.

The Century Fund is the benefactor.

The refillable mugs have become hot sellers -- and symbols of the Bethlehem festival.

Tracking 10 miles makes you eligible for the ticket drawing for next year's headliner shows.