Arts & Culture

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs flipped the switch on Illumination during a preview event Thursday. Getting to Opening Day involved significant staff efforts, with 12-15 part-time staff and 30-40 people on peak days over a four-week period.

The announcements continue a trend at Musikfest Cafe to book tribute acts and cover bands. In June, ArtsQuest announced more than a dozen shows for the venue's lineup.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will host the Tri-City Chili Peppers, a college summer team from Colonial Heights, Virginia, that plays in the Coastal Plain League, on May 17 at Coca-Cola Park.

Aaron Lewis, who with Staind sold 10 million copies of the group's first five albums, three of which hit No. 1, will perform with his solo band The Stateliners, at 8 p.m. April 10.

The Symphony is looking for volunteers for its March performances of Vaughn Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem."

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth U8 Development Program will present free games Nov. 23 and Penguin Figure Skating Club will presents a holiday-themed skating show Nov. 24 at ArtsQuest's Ice Rink at SteelStacks.

Lewis Black, who is known for his angry-face comedic style and also is an author, playwright, social critic and actor, will bring his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road tour to the venue at 8 p.m. Oct. 10.

Roberts was coached by guest mentor Jennifer Hudson and Michael Bublé on "The Voice" Knockout Rounds on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

A sale is scheduled to close in the coming months to Wilkes-Barre-based D&D Realty Group, which has plans for the holiday lights to continue, albeit in a new fashion.

Addison Agen, who finished second to Chloe Kohanski on the show's 13th season, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the center at 30 E. Belvidere St., Nazareth.

Shye Roberts will compete on the season 26 finale of "The Voice" on Dec. 9 on NBC.

Marshall Tucker Band, which had its first hit in 1973 with “Can’t You See,” will perform Feb. 14. And The Chippendales, the 45-year-old male dance troupe best known for its striptease performances, will perform April 5. Tickets go on sale Friday.

Shye Roberts, the Bethlehem teen and graduate of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, has a real chance to win Season 26 on NBC's "The Voice."

More than 70 Lafayette College students and other College Hill faithful packed into Gyro Concept at 323 Cattell St. in Easton to celebrate its grand opening. A Bethlehem-area location is coming soon.

The Avett Brothers, which blends folk, rock and country, will headline Musikfest's main Steel Stage on Saturday Aug. 2.

Darius Rucker, who has had almost as successful a solo career as he had as frontman of Hootie and The Blowfish in the 1990s, will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 3, making him the second headliner announced for Musikfest’s 41st year.

Popular Celtic groups, Christmas Vespers, the Allentown Symphony and church choirs help spread holiday cheer this December in the Lehigh Valley.

Bethlehem native and Hollywood actor Danny Roebuck, dressed as Santa Claus, delighted attendees of his heartwarming holiday film, shot entirely in the Lehigh Valley.

Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA, will play Miller Symphony Hall on July 18, and Brass Transit, which describes itself as "The Musical Legacy of Chicago," on July 12.

At 7 p.m. Dec. 6, Lehigh Valley-based jazz singer Corrine Mammana will perform A Jazzy Little Christmas, a concert of Christmas music at the church, at 75 E. Market St. Admission is free, but patrons are asked to bring household items to be donated to aid the unhoused of Bethlehem.

Looking for the top holiday events in the Lehigh Valley? From the traditional to the brand new, there's something for everyone, along with tree lightings and ceremonies across the area.

Shye Roberts, a graduate of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, performed Tuesday night on "The Voice" and earned a chance to compete in the live competition on the show.