Entertainment News

The Major Arena Soccer League announced Thursday that league owners have approved a team for Allentown.

Zach Top, who in just two years has had four gold or platinum songs and is best known for his 2024 double-platinum hit "I Never Lie," will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 21, the venue announced.

The May 22 show will kick off five monthly concerts in the second year of free, family-friendly series "with an expanded and diverse lineup designed to bring the community together through live music, culture and shared experiences in the heart of Allentown," presenter ArtsQuest said in a release.

Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival will return, reimagined as Red, White & Blues for 2026, from noon-8 p.m. June 13 in downtown Allentown.

The festival, returning to the college campus for an eighth year, will be held 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 22, and noon-10 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24.

Night Ranger, best known for its hits “Sister Christian” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” will perform at 8 p.m. May 22.

Comedian Bobby Collins, known for his appearances on "The Tonight Show" and VH1 and Showtime comedy specials, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. And The Fab Faux, which for more than 25 years has recreated iconic Beatles tunes and solo songs of its members behind guitarist and former "Conan" bandleader Jimmy Vivino, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

French Montana, best known for his 2017 11-times-platinum single "Unforgettable" (featuring Swae Lee) and 2012 double-platinum hit "Pop That" (featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne), will perform at 7:30 p.m. June 27.

Patrick Roach's Cheeseburger Tour will stop at Gin Mill and Grille, 1750 Main St., Northampton, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 4. Tickets, at $39.58 each, and limited VIP meet-and-greet tickets for $148.23 that include an hour hangout with Randy, "Trailer Park" question-and-answer session, photo with Randy and an autographed tour poster, remain available at eventbrite.ca.

Local Legends Live, a celebration of local music, will take the grandstand show at 2 p.m. Sept. 6, the fair announced Thursday. It will feature sets by The Aardvarks, Scott Marshall & The Highway Souls, Strange Culture, Common Bond, Stereotype and Social Call.

The Musical Box, a Canadian band that says it recreates "historic Genesis concerts of the past," will perform the 1973 album "Genesis Live" at 7 p.m. June 15.

A staged reading of "Spit Out the Poison" will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29. at Touchstone Theatre.

ArtsQuest has announced three new shows for Musikfest Cafe.

Archer Music Hall developers City Center and operators Live Nation gave the media an early look at the venue before its scheduled March 8 opening by gold-selling Brazilian metal band Cavalera.

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias, best known for his Comedy Central channel specials “I’m Not Fat … I’m Fluffy,” will headline Allentown Fair's grandstand stage at 7 p.m. Sept. 1, it was announced Monday.

Tickets, at $119, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at the fair's website or at its box office on Allentown Fairgrounds at 17th and Liberty streets.

The USA Luge Challenge is coming back to Blue Mountain Resort on Jan. 25-26. The competition previously scouted out talent at Blue Mountain and is looking to do so again, while also encouraging public participation in the sport.

Peter Frampton, best known for his 1976 album “Frampton Comes Alive,” which was the biggest-selling live album for more than 20 years, will play Thursday, April 3.

A.J. Brown, an All-Pro wide receiver with The Philadelphia Eagles, will be hosting a youth football camp at the J. Birney Crum Stadium on May 4, 2025.

Marilyn Manson, the heavy-makeup-wearing alternative rocker whose 1996 album “Antichrist Superstar” branded him a negative influence on young people but sold double platinum, will perform at 8 p.m. May 7, it was announced.

The Allentown Art Museum took the opportunity to shine a light on local talent, who echoed Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of equity, during several MLK Day activities on Monday.

Live Nation, the huge entertainment company that will run the Archer Music Hall, will hold a job fair Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23-24. It has said it expects to fill more than 200 permanent jobs at the venue in nearly 20 categories.