Arts & Culture

Next year marks 250 years since the colonists produced a bold declaration of freedom and self-governance that still echoes today. It will be an occasion celebrated and recognized across the land — and we at Lehigh Valley Public Media are no exception.

In addition to live music, there will be more than a dozen local vendors, businesses and crafters, as well as trail and outdoor demonstrations, and group walks.

Steel Panther, which has had five albums top Billboard's Comedy chart, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, it was announced.

In the spirit of Shakespeare, Saturday's celebration will feature entertainment for all ages, including musical performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alpaca and ponies, and a student-led Latin band.

From 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 27, you'll be able to buy tickets for five of Musikfest's 11 headline shows, two paid-ticket Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks shows and nine Musikfest Cafe shows without paying any service fees.

Howie Mandel, who since 2010 has been a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will perform with fellow comedian Brad Garrett at 8 p.m. Aug. 24. And Alan Parsons Live Project, which continues the work of Alan Parsons Project, will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 2.

Now in its 14th year, the festival honors Puerto Rican culture in the city. The three-day celebration starts on Thursday with a documentary screening, a tribute to the women of salsa, and a flag-raising on Friday, and more Latin music and food on Saturday.

Lehigh Valley Dodgeball is building an inclusive, community-driven space for players of all skill levels in Easton. Open gyms are now underway every Monday night.

Shankweiler’s, renowned as the oldest continuously operating drive‑in theatre in the country since 1934, will soon be showcased to millions across the country on "Good Morning America."

Allentown Fair's first Mullet Contest will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Farmerama Theater.

Cosmic baseball, which lights a stadium with a black light and has a ball, bases and uniforms that glow, will play a record three-game series at Allentown's Coca-Cola Park in May.

Herman’s Hermits, known for the hits “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” “Listen People” and “There’s a Kind of Hush,” will perform at Easton's State Theatre.

Taking Back Sunday, best known for its song “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team),” will headline Musikfest's main Steel Stage in August with Yellowcard.

AJR, a brother trio known for its hits "I'm Ready," "Weak," "Burn Down the House" and "Bang," will perform at Musikfest in August.

Three Kings Day, which celebrates the Biblical visitors who followed the star of Bethlehem to take gifts to the Christ child, will return to SteelStacks, ArtsQuest has announced.

Voices of all ages and experience levels filled First Presbyterian Church as the Lehigh Valley Chorale presented its sold-out winter concert, celebrating inclusion, empathy and community.

Lights in the Parkway will be closed Sunday night after significant vandalism caused extensive damage to holiday light displays and park facilities at Lehigh Parkway, according to Allentown officials.

A new exhibition at Rigo Peralta Art Studio showcases Latino artists from across the United States and Venezuela, bringing bold technique, cultural stories and a crowded opening night to Allentown. The show will be on display through February.

Easton's State Theatre will offer The Magical Music of Harry Potter: Live in Concert at 1 p.m.; The Music of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and Rings of Power in concert at 4:30 p.m.; and The Music of Hans Zimmer & Others: A Celebration of Film Music, presented by a pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean at 8 p.m., all on April 19.

Sweet, opening for Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, plays tonight at Penn's Peak, 325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe. Tickets are still available online and at the box office.

Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures, starts a four-day PPL Center residency at 7 p.m.

Former Disney 'tween stars Aly & AJ at 7 p.m. March 26 will play at Allentown's Archer Music Hall. Tickets, the prices of which were not announced, will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at the Archer website and the box office at 939 Hamilton St., Allentown.