Arts & Culture

Isavel Mendoza will study theater at Pace University in the fall. He began writing poetry in first grade and comes from a family of artists in the Dominican Republic.

Tyler Rothrock is coming to Godfrey Daniels to film his first-ever comedy special, which he said he plans to distribute on YouTube.

Joyful Noise Music Festival is set for 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. June 14 at Univest Performance Center, 501 W. Mill St. Doors will open at 10 a.m. Lehigh Valley guitar favorite Craig Thatcher, who will play at Bethlehem's Musikfest festival in August, will perform

Dorney Park opens for its 141st season on Friday. Here's a look at the entertainment offerings for the season.

A handful of bands scheduled to perform on the free Plaza Tropical Stage during Musikfest were chosen by high schoolers from Bethlehem Area School District.

The awards show is now in its 23rd year and will take place on May 22 at the State Theatre.

ArtsQuest will hold an online ticket sale starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 8, with discounts of up to $39 per ticket to shows at Musikfest, Musikfest Cafe and SteelStacks festivals.

Wilson Phillips, whose 1990 self-titled debut disc sold five times platinum with the hits "Hold On" and "Release Me" — both gold — and "You're in Love," will perform at 8 p.m. July 25.

More than 50 local landmarks, restaurants, and shops are featured in a new TV and streaming platform commercial. The ad will air in households in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery will be the supporting act on the show at the fair's Grandstand stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28.

The 13th Oktoberfest opened Friday night at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. The German-inspired festival will be held Friday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 8, and Friday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 15. It features polka and other music, a variety of beer, food and entertainment.

LehighValleyNews.com gathers a list of local Halloween events this year, ranging from ghost tours and parades to trick or treat.

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet will hold auditions for children ages six to 17 this Friday, Oct. 6 at the Pennsylvania Classical Ballet Academy.

The Large Flowerheads will perform on a stage erected near home plate on the field at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. General-admission seating will be in the stadium bowl, on blankets on the field or in lawn chairs in designated areas.

Easton's Garlic Fest is coming back for its 20th year, offering up savory and sweet garlic dishes, drinks, memorabilia and more.

Hip hop, widely believed to have started in the Bronx borough of New York City, quickly spread to the nearby Lehigh Valley, says organizer Michael A. Frassetto.

Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is holding its first annual Ghouls & Glitter Pride Night at Dorney Park.

The East Penn area is getting a multitude of Halloween festivals in events in October. New festivals return and set off, while traditional events return.

The free tribute concert honoring two prominent members of the Lehigh Valley's music scene takes place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Central Moravian Church.

The Celtic Cultural Alliance, presenter of the Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, vows to do "everything possible" to continue the event. Rainy weather severely impacted attendance and revenues during last month's event, casting uncertainty over its future.

The German-inspired festival kicks off on Friday, Oct. 6 at SteelStacks.

Weekends from now until November will be filled with pumpkins, beer, bacon and more in the Lehigh Valley. Check out this guide to fall events.