Arts & Culture

The staff at Bethlehem Area Public Library has taken out the time to tell us their favorite chapters of the entire year that has just passed.

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.

Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke, founder and executive director of Just Be You Academy & Performing Arts, held a presentation on Kwanzaa at Easton Area Public Library's Palmer Branch Thursday evening.

The Winter Light Spectacular features 1.2 million lights in holiday displays, fire pits for s’mores, hot chocolate and live performances by princesses Anna, Elsa, Belle and Cinderella.

Chuck D, one of the founders of seminal rap group Public Enemy, will present "A conversation with Hip Hop legend Chuck D of Public Enemy" at 7 p.m. April 16 in NCC's Spartan Center.

Looking for a fun way to ring in the New Year? We've got you covered with some local events that are fun for the whole family.

The Lehigh Valley tradition started in 2009. The family-friendly New Year's celebration returns this Saturday and Sunday at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem. Fireworks are set for both nights.

The flagship store for Dave Phillips Music & Sound will close in the coming days, owner Joe DiMarco wrote on Facebook. On Wednesday, customers who flooded the store lamented the loss.

The second annual Allentown Film Festival will be from April 6-14 at the Civic Theatre of Allentown and its boutique Theatre514 across the street.

Ashley Cooke, best known for her song "Never Til Now," her gold single with Brett Young, will perform at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, Berks County, on Jan. 26.

The 19th annual Emmaus Arts Commission Student Film Festival has opened registration, giving students throughout the Lehigh Valley opportunities to make something for the big screen with a kickoff event taking place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 in the Emmaus Community Park's Arts Pavilion.

Laura Brady is hosting a reception on Friday, Sept. 22.

The Sigal Museum's "Forged by Fire" exhibition opens at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, featuring relics from Northampton County's long history of firefighting.

Now in its 35th year, the event — organized by the Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA) — will feature five stages of Celtic entertainers, Irish food, beer and whiskey, a Haggis Bowl contest, a youth fiddle competition and a Tartan parade with pipe bands.

Ryan Cabrera, who had the 2004 Top 10 Pop chart singles "On the Way Down" and "True," will perform at Bethlehem's Harvest Fest — the free street fair that runs noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at Main and Broad streets.

The Berks Fiddle Festival, an annual celebration of folk music, held its 40th anniversary edition at Bear Creek Mountain Resort on Sunday. "It's the music that's in my heart," said one festival-goer.

The historical site celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Apple Days Festival and the 275th year of the plantation.

Bill George will present a solo retelling of Homer's classic Greek tale on Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17.

Two Bethlehem Area School District art teachers created a colorful stairs mural designed to inspire those faced with life's obstacles.

The annual Lehigh Valley Polo for Equi-librium will take place at Braden Airpark on Sunday, Sept. 17.

The Ice House in Bethlehem will host a singer-songwriter showcase Thursday night. Tickets are available online and at the door.

Ayat, the Lehigh Valley's first Palestinian restaurant, welcomes diners to savor authentic Palestinian cuisines such as hummus, laffa and mashawy.