Arts & Culture

Dr. Lee Riley treats cancers at St. Luke’s University Health Network, but in his free time, he sculpts. He is the recipient of ArtsQuest’s Linny Award for Visual Artist of the Year.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will host the Bacon and Brews Festival at Coca-Cola Park on Sept. 30. There will be brewers, ciders, distilleries, wineries and bacon items from IronPigs Concessions and select food vendors.

The Weight Band, featuring former The Band guitarist Jim Weider, will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

Several theaters in the Lehigh Valley will offer discounted tickets on Sunday, Aug. 27. Close to 20 films will be shown throughout the region, including summer hits "Barbie," "Oppenheimer," and "Little Mermaid."

The Hooters, who combined ska and folk-rock on 1980s hits such as “Day By Day” and “And We Danced,” will perform at 8 p.m. at Univest Performance Center, 301 W. Mill St. Gates open at 6, and an opening act will go on at 6:30 p.m.

Starting Wednesday, gates at the Allentown Fairgrounds will close between Liberty and Chew Streets, the north and south borders of the grounds.

The Macungie family has other notable works around the Lehigh Valley and tri-state area, including the artwork for the most recent Musikfest.

While the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ stadium again will have music emanating from its baseball diamond — and will look to do more — it doesn’t mean the park is likely to become a steady stop on the concert circuit, General Manager Kurt Landes said.

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.

At its 30th anniversary, the Lehigh Valley's Magic: The Gathering scene is going strong say local players and game store owners. Some events have seen a downturn in players following the pandemic and expansion of online play, while others have seen a strong resurgence of new and returning players.

Lehigh Valley native Sabrina Carpenter (shown performing at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center in 2024), is nominated in six categories at Sunday's Grammy Awards. She has a chance to tie or break five Grammy records.

Femi J. Johnson's "Like It Is" will be on display through May 9. The exhibition is open to the public noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 3 p.m. Fridays. Admission is free. An artist reception will be Feb. 4.

Modest Mouse, whose 2007 album “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” topped the chart and went gold, will perform at 7 p.m. June 6.

Wonder, a fast-growing food and delivery concept that blends elements of a food hall, restaurant and delivery service, is coming to the Promenade this summer, it was announced Tuesday.

Toad The Wet Sprocket, who from 1989-97 had eight Top 25 hits on various charts, will perform at 7 p.m. July 12, ArtsQuest announced Monday.

Alton Brown, who started the Food Network’s “Good Eats” show, will perform An Evening of Alton Brown at 7:30 p.m. April 16, the theater announced. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30.

Cameron Whitcomb, whose songs "Medusa," "Options" and "Hundred Mile High" have hit that chart, has been added to the show by country-rock star Hardy at 7 p.m. March 26.

Just Born and its Peeps are bringing out some unique store exclusives for Easter 2026, including strawberry Pop-Tarts, SunnyD and mango chili lime.

ArtsQuest will offer its fourth annual Winter Winefest & Market on Feb. 15 in Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

On view through May at the Allentown Art Museum are solo exhibitions "The Clouds are Luminous" by Ellen Berkenblit and "Aftertouch" by Amanda Valdez, curated by Elaine Mehalakes and Claire McRee, respectively.

The Menzingers will headline a show at Allentown's Archer Music Hall at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Fewer than 100 tickets, at $48.05 for general admission standing, remain available at The Archer website or the venue box office at 939 Hamilton St., Allentown. Elevated seating is nearly sold out.

Luke Bryan, who is among the Top 6 best-selling male country music artists of all time, will perform at PPL Center on Thursday, June 25.