Arts & Culture

For two decades, borough officials have celebrated Independence Day by handing out hundreds of kazoos and American flags to residents before parading through the streets, blaring patriotic songs the entire time. It almost didn't happen this year.

Mayor J. William Reynolds says turning the lights on at SteelStacks' blast furnaces would be costly for land owner Wind Creek, running up to as much as $1 million. But one city councilman says they need to be illuminated by the time Musikfest begins.

Childish Major, who rose to fame as the producer of the 2013 Rocko single “U.O.E.N.O,” which peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, will join the show by Ludacris at 7 p.m. Aug. 10, Musikfest’s penultimate night. Also, opening the show will be a Philadelphia rapper LG (Team Genius), best known for her song “YBM,” which also has 10 million views on Instagram.

Enjoy an array of musical and theater performances, plus children's activities starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 at DeSales University.

Famed rockers Heart has canceled its headlining gig at Allentown Fair, and the rest of its recent tour, in light of singer Ann Wilson's cancer treatment.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs rolled out their Bethlehem City Connect merchandise Monday with a jersey, hat, and other offerings that take inspiration from the Bethlehem Star, along with nods to the history of Bethlehem Steel.

Freedom High School grad Lilly Moss, 19, is making her way up the music and video streaming platforms with debut album title track, "Meet Me on Broadway"

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.

Taylor swift tribute act Blank Space will perform tonight, Dec. 6, at Wind Creek Event Center. The show follows the general presentation of Swift's recent Eras tour, with her hits from the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.

In celebration of its 90th anniversary, the Allentown Art Museum this week installed on its windows on 5th Street vinyl representations of popular works from its collections.

Meet the man behind Hotel Bethlehem's Christmas display: Anthony Sierra's vision comes to life in this sprawling, multiroom display that pays homage to the Christmas city.

Jon Pardi, whose songs "Head Over Boots" in 2015 and "Dirt on My Boots" in 2016 both hit No. 1 and each sold six times platinum, will perform Saturday, June 7. Tickets go on sale Friday.

The First Friday events started in 1998. For the last celebration, students from Bethlehem Area School District and local artists will showcase their works of painting, drawings and podcasting.

The third annual Winter WonderJam, presented by the "Your Next Favorite Band" podcast, will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the listening room venue at 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem. Doors open at 7.

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.