Arts & Culture

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

The outdoor block party has been put off this year due to the rain and cold temperatures.

The walkable tour features gallery stops and showcases paintings, handmade jewelry and sculptures by Lehigh Valley artists.

The Olympic track and field star and accomplished public speaker will share some inspirational words on Saturday, April 29.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission clarified that the proposed South Side Bethlehem Cultural Arts Center isn't expected to meet LEED green certification in construction.

Following the introduction of a resolution to recognize Muslim holidays, the Easton City Council resolved to expand that recognition to include religious holidays from all faiths in a separate calendar.

It's an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic culture during the theater’s Latino open-air block party on Saturday, April 29.

This year's winners will be honored in November at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem.

Eight rescue dogs will perform a variety of circus-like tricks in a family-friendly performance Sunday, April 30 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts.

Irish singer and comedian Seamus Kennedy and singer Gerry Timlin will perform in the same show at 7 p.m. on June 22 in Moravian College’s Foy Hall.

Ruben Studdard, who won the second season of “American Idol” in 2003 and followed up with two chart-topping albums that went gold and platinum, will perform at Symphony Hall as the “Special Guest Star” of singer/pianist Jim Brickman’s Comfort and Joy Holiday Celebration, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23.

The owner of Smartivities Showcase has opened a second location at the Promenade Saucon Valley.

The restaurant changed hands and its name around two years ago. Now, it's set to soon return to what the community last knew it as: Spiros Restaurant.

The event is organized by Interlace Cultural y Desarrollo Integral de Lehigh Valley in partnership with the Baum Art School and the City of Allentown.

Drake Bell, who is best known for his starring roles on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” with Amanda Bynes from 1999-02, and “Drake & Josh” from 2004-07, will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Signature Event Center, 137 Erin Lane, Brodheadsville.

11Fest will be from 5-11 p.m. Nov. 11 (11/11) inside the Main Library at 11 W. Church St., Bethlehem.

A four-man crew has been making haste since Oct. 1 in putting up the decorations, with most of the wreaths, ribbons, light wraps, trees and stars currently hanging on light poles above streets in South Bethlehem and along the city’s bridges.

The Indoor Auto Racing Series, in which the cars compete on the concrete floor, will drive into the area Jan. 3-4 for the ninth running of the Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races.

The festival, which features which retailers, artisans and food in heated tents on the SteelStacks campus, will open for its 32nd year on the weekend of Nov. 15.

Easton's Frank Pintabone announced Wednesday that a Hispanic Resource Day, catering to the needs of the city's Hispanic population, will be hosted at the Easton Area Community Center in November.

About 48,000 people attended the two-weekend Oktoberfest festival Oct. 4-6 and 11-13, ArtsQuest said.

The book festival will feature workshops, poetry, lectures by authors and discussions on the environment, LGBTQ rights, diversity and the steel industry. It runs through Sunday at various locations in the city.