Arts & Culture

Rainy weekends have put a damper on attendance at fall festivals in the Lehigh Valley.

A large crowd of Muslim and pro-Palestinian activists gathered in Center City Allentown to decry officials' full support of Israel in the wake of humanitarian concerns in Gaza. Many continue to mourn as thousands have been killed in both Gaza and Israel since last weekend's attack.

Barktoberfest at Grange Park will be held this Sunday after the forecast predicted rain all afternoon Saturday.

The initiative aspires to tell a "more complete" version of the state's history that includes Indigenous stories, something the DCED acknowledges has been lacking. Friday's announcement included a grant to help fund the project.

The two-day fun presents puppy-related events, sipping and shopping, and more.

On Thursday the new concert movie 'Taylor Swift The Eras Tour' will open at ArtsQuest's Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, bringing Taylor Swift back to the Lehigh Valley in film version, but she has a long, real history in the area, as well.

The expanded ice rink, which will be 50-by-120 feet — 1,500 square feet bigger than last year — will officially open Nov. 21 and run through Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 15

The proposed legislation would prohibit sales of tickets that an agency doesn't actually possess, and prevent such organizations from using logos or images of venues with which they aren't affiliated.

The street festival starts at noon Saturday, Oct. 14, and will feature a free concert by 2000s pop star Ryan Cabrera, as well as other acts.

Bethlehem Oktoberfest wrapped up its first weekend Sunday, with one more weekend of beer, German culture and wiener dog racing to go

David Archuleta, who at 17 finished second behind David Cook on the seventh season of "American Idol" in 2008, will be the supporting act at the show, at 7 p.m. Aug. 31.

Singer Tom Jones, who has had more than two dozen Top 30 hits on pop, rock, R&B, country and dance charts, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethehem.

B Social, a state-of-the-art, multi-entertainment center and event venue, will hold its grand opening on July 15 at Saucon Square shopping center on Route 378 in Lower Saucon Township.

James Bartolacci, an Easton-area artist and grant-winner, is working on new pieces intended for an art exhibition in Germany.

A feature film, "The Next Play," is set to be shot in the Lehigh Valley in July 2025. The field hockey-themed drama also touches on pressure and suicide concerns that student-athletes face.

An early concept for a new mural planned for the plaza at Seventh and Hamilton streets in Allentown has left some asking why it doesn't showcase native species.

A show about vampires and a haunted magic show, just in time for Halloween, have been announced for October presentations at Easton's State Theatre. Also announced for October are shows focused on a popular children's character and a tribute to two iconic piano men.

ArtsQuest announced that it has dropped paid admission to the festival, set for noon July 20 on PNC Plaza on the SteelStacks campus during ArtsQuest's Blast Furnace Blues Festival.

Reminiscing on Pride Party Palooza 2023, which was also the inaugural event, organizer Scottie Prime said seeing smiling faces all around was his favorite part.

All Elite Wrestling came to the PPL Center in Allentown Thursday, with nearly four hours of high-energy matchups featuring legends of pro-wrestling and more.

The festival is now in its 16th year and will feature close to 20 blues acts, including Nikki Hill, Ghost Town Blues Band, Craig Thatcher Band and Dustin Douglas.

Cheer on the U.S. Men's Team at SteelStacks when they play Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia during the 48th Copa América games. For young soccer fans, there will also be soccer clinics and an all-day youth tournament in July.