Arts & Culture

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke, founder and executive director of Just Be You Academy & Performing Arts, held a presentation on Kwanzaa at Easton Area Public Library's Palmer Branch Thursday evening.

The Winter Light Spectacular features 1.2 million lights in holiday displays, fire pits for s’mores, hot chocolate and live performances by princesses Anna, Elsa, Belle and Cinderella.

Chuck D, one of the founders of seminal rap group Public Enemy, will present "A conversation with Hip Hop legend Chuck D of Public Enemy" at 7 p.m. April 16 in NCC's Spartan Center.

Looking for a fun way to ring in the New Year? We've got you covered with some local events that are fun for the whole family.

The Lehigh Valley tradition started in 2009. The family-friendly New Year's celebration returns this Saturday and Sunday at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem. Fireworks are set for both nights.

The flagship store for Dave Phillips Music & Sound will close in the coming days, owner Joe DiMarco wrote on Facebook. On Wednesday, customers who flooded the store lamented the loss.

The second annual Allentown Film Festival will be from April 6-14 at the Civic Theatre of Allentown and its boutique Theatre514 across the street.

Ashley Cooke, best known for her song "Never Til Now," her gold single with Brett Young, will perform at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, Berks County, on Jan. 26.

The Barcelona-based singer performed a mix of classic, flamenco, Valencia and Catalan music at a concert and fundraiser for child literacy at Lehigh Valley Public Media.

Iron Menace made its first successful test run on Wednesday at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, making a slow ascent before the ride plummeted 95-degrees from 160 feet.

The three-hour festival highlights 12 short films by students from the university's film and television department.

More than a dozen musical acts and food and craft vendors will be spread across the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem for the festival featuring Jamaican vibes. It's set for Saturday, July 6.

Fraleigh will discuss her latest exhibition, "Threaded with moonlight," on Saturday, March 23.

The Lehigh Valley Book Festival's 5th iteration will take place over five days, starting Wednesday March 20.

Lehigh Valley native Daniel Roebuck has a part in the ABC show "9-1-1," whose new season began last week and continues Thursday.

More than 2,000 marchers joined Allentown's St. Patrick's Day parade Sunday, an annual tradition celebrating the region's Irish culture. “It’s a great way to bring the community together,” said one of the parade-goers.

Muses at the Ice House will be from 4-9 p.m. April 6 at Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem.

“Ireland’s famous export is its people, but obviously our culture. This time of year everybody wants to be Irish,” said Neville Gardner, owner of McCarthy's Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in Bethlehem.

It's been a wonderfully warm week, so you might be hankering for some ice cream. Fortunately, these Lehigh Valley sweets shops have St. Patrick's Day themed frosty desserts that are perfect for this time of year.

A St. Patrick’s Day Ceremony/Irish Culture Celebration on Friday at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend in the Lehigh Valley.

The free Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival will be Saturday, June 22, along Allentown's Hamilton Street from Fifth to Ninth streets, and on North and South Seventh Street.