Entertainment News

The federal holiday is a week away, but that doesn't mean celebrations are that far out yet. Festivities are taking place all over the area, with Juneteenth Lehigh Valley scheduling events through June 19.

The Bethlehem film festival will feature close to 70 shorts and indie films ranging from documentaries to comedy and horror. The screenings begin Tuesday at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity and close on Saturday, June 15.

From June 10-16, Pocono Raceway will team up with Crayola Experience in Easton to offer both racing-related arts-and-crafts and photo ops on site throughout the week, gearing up for the raceway’s NASCAR weekend July 12-14.

Rick Springfield, best known for his hits “Jessie’s Girl,” “I’ve Done Everything for You” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Tickets, at $39.50-$79.50, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at www.windcreekeventcenter.com.

The Lehigh Valley community is invited by the Allentown Symphony to contribute a short melody, chord progression, instrument timbre or rhythmic pattern to inspire the piece.

It all started with a wig, a Hannah Montana song and a sassy pose: this local vet is going above and beyond on social media to entertain and educate pet parents.

On June 29, the park will hold the 100th anniversary of Thunderhawk, which opened as The Coaster at Dorney in 1924 and continues as a popular attraction today, the park announced.

Sixth Street Shelter started providing services to unhoused people in 1984, with Thursday's block party doubling as a celebration of its four decades of work.

The "Orange is the New Black" actress was among the guest speakers at the Lehigh Valley Women's Summit. The event drew a crowd of 750 attendees and was held at Wind Creek Event Center on Thursday, June 6.

Ball players and families who are part of the South Side Baseball Program now will have a mobile food trailer at their disposal after repeated flooding of the nearby creek has taken a toll on the concession stand at Saucon Baseball Park.

A basketball hoop, lines and benches have been restored at the Wood Street Playground in Whitehall Township after a PennDOT plan to expand Route 22 was put on hold.

The Wheels of Time August Rod Run and Jamboree is returning to Macungie Memorial Park this weekend. The event brings thousands to view over 1,500 classic street rods and custom cars on August 25-27.

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.

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.

Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre owners Matthew McClanahan and Lauren McChesney found a pleasant surprise at their business last week — an adorable little gatecrashing kitten they adopted and named Funnel Cake.

Lower Saucon council approved general construction and sod-laying costs last week. Township officials plan to defer other field amenities for the time being and send them out for bid again.

The 18th Annual Doggie Dip Days at Mack Pool in Allentown brought out a crowd on Saturday. The event continues Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

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.