Arts & Culture

More than 70 people waited in line — some for nearly five hours Friday in temperatures in the 30s — for the Allentown Fair box office to open to buy tickets to Keith Urban's concert Sept. 3 at the fair grandstand.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including a holiday pop-up at the Promenade Shops, Live Advent Calendar and Christmas in Nazareth.

The real specimens that will be on display at Da Vinci Science Center are designed to compare and contrast healthy bodies and organs with those that are diseased, with an emphasis on common ailments along with cardiovascular issues and dementia.

After five years of successful summer sipping with its annual SangriaFest, ArtsQuest announced Wednesday it was adding a new Winter Winefest and Market to its lineup, which will be noon-5 p.m. on Feb. 19 inside ArtsQuest Center on the SteelStacks campus.

Ja'Siah Young is the star of 'Raising Dion.' He was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Preschool, Children's or Young Teen Program. He and the show were nominated for a total of six Emmys.

Do you want to see the National League champs? The upcoming Phillies Winter Caravan in Bethlehem will take place at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem on January 19.

A nonprofit community group responsible for the lighted trees in Easton's Centre Square will flip the switch on new lights on South Side this Friday.

Bradbury-Sullivan Center is hosting four free art history classes in December and January.

Alt-rockers Goo Goo Dolls, which has had more than a dozen songs in the Top 10 of Billboard's adult rock chart over the past 15 years, will headline Bethlehem's Musikfest festival, it was announced Monday.

Actor, musician and children’s author widely known for his portrayal of one of the first regular characters on the children’s show “Sesame Street,” Bob McGrath, has died at the age of 90. McGrath’s passing was confirmed by his family who posted on his Facebook page on Sunday. Sesame Workshop tweeted Sunday evening that it “mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years.” McGrath was a founding cast member of “Sesame Street” when the show premiered in 1969. He is survived by his wife, Ann Logan Sperry, and their five children.

The local singer will debut her newest music at the National Sokols on Saturday.

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.

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.