Arts & Culture

A group of entertainers held their first-ever AfroBeats celebration with dance classes, DJ sets and West African and Caribbean eats on Saturday, June 28 at the Wooden Match.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

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.

Fans of the global superstar celebrated her 34th birthday at the SteelStacks campus on Wednesday night.

Sol Katana is a Latin singer and solo artist based in the Poconos.

Officials said demolishing the current facilities and starting from scratch is the most cost-effective option to continue to provide its range of public offerings.

The Smithsonian Institution-affiliate will begin to review applications starting in January.

Musikfest will have a Southern rock band as a headliner next year.

Swifties can celebrate the singer's 34th birthday on ice on Wednesday night.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries finally gives a first look at what's to come this holiday season when "Miracle in Bethlehem, Pa" premieres. Despite the title, the movie was shot elsewhere and not in the Lehigh Valley.

Musikfest, for the past four years it's been in-person, has added a "preview" night, and already has announced 2024's lineup also will have one. Is Musikfest becoming an 11-day festival?

Emmaus' borough council on Monday introduced an ordinance establishing an official borough historical commission to collaboratively govern efforts towards the historical borough landmarks of the 1803 House, Shelter House and Knauss Homestead.

Local volunteers gather every September to make thousands of 6-inch candles. It's the beginning of a process that takes hours of planning and preparation — and started in Germany in 1747.

LoCash, the duo of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, which has had three Top 10 Country chart hits, including 2016's No. 1 "I Know Somebody," will perform at 6:30 p.m. July 19 as part of the Sounds of Summer Series concerts at Quakertown's Univest Performance Center.

People can support local artists by shopping at Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks.