Arts & Culture

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.

Bob Mould, who was guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the influential band Hüsker Dü in the 1980s, will perform at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

The inaugural Bethlehem Running Festival's first day brought a 5k and 10k race back to the Steelstacks campus and the City of Bethlehem. Runners embarked on a running tour of the city through fall foliage and braving the hills on the route. Organizers say they are happy with the event and excited for Sunday's half marathon.

The community chorale's founder, Ed Milisits passed away in January 2022. The chorus is gearing up for its December performances.

This weekend, Book and Puppet Company will feature Drag Queen Story Hour with the Yippee Skippy Puppets as part of the Easton Book Festival.

The local rock band will celebrate their album, "Maybe This is It" at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20.

Lehigh Valley Health Network held their annual Halloween party at the Children's Hospital. More than 100 children were expected to attend.

Dorney Park officials said the first piece of Iron Menace arrived Thursday, and represents the first truckload of what will be about 68 total.

The Easton Book Festival is back, bringing reading fanatics and budding authors together for a wealth of exciting activities.

A new playground is painted true to the original color scheme of the 1994 set it's replacing, and cost the school board $165,354.

The festival still drew a combined 38,500 people over its Oct. 6-8 an Oct. 13-15, ArtsQuest said.

Pierson has performed in various configurations, including bands, trios, duos and solos. Her Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio hit No. 2 on the Folk Radio Charts in 2015 with its song "Still She Will Fly" and No. 1 on the Folk Radio Albums chart with its 2017 full-length debut, "Singin’."

The festival, scheduled Oct. 21-22, will feature 5K and 10K races on Saturday and half marathon and half marathon relay races on Sunday. A half marathon relay also allows for a three-person team to run two five-mile legs and one 5K leg.

"Heart is the Hero" makes for the band's eighth studio album. The group will be sharing selections from that and more during the incoming fall tour, with shows throughout the Midwest, East Coast and Europe.