Arts & Culture

Bethlehem native Ariel Torres became the first drag queen to perform at the Governor's Residence for its Pride Month Celebration Reception on June 26. Torres performed “I Was Here” by Beyoncé as his drag persona, Elektra Fierce St. James.

Duran Duran, which has 14 Top 25 hit songs including the No. 1 hits “Hungry Like the Wolf” in 1982, “The Reflex” in 1984 and “A View to a Kill” in 1985, on its Facebook page lists Allentown among seven cities in which it will announce shows "early next week."

One Earth ReggaeFest will take place at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks beginning at noon on Saturday, July 6.

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"

"Liberty and Justice for All" a new exhibition at the Ronald K. DeLong Gallery, features the works of Charles Stonewall, David Gothrad and mixed-media artist Christina "Tina" Galbiati. The three creatives are also adjunct instructors at the university.

The Christmas celebration held on Friday featured traditional Puerto Rican Christmas songs, food and visitors from the North Pole.

Lehigh Valley area ski resorts open this week. Check times and websites for details.

The holiday bundle offers a showing of "St. Nick of Bethlehem," with an opportunity to meet Danny Roebuck, and an afternoon of ice skating at SteelStacks Ice Rink.

Star of Raising Dion Ja'Siah Young will be honored with the Easton Recognition Award in Centre Square this weekend.

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.