Arts & Culture

Organizers had hinted that this year's crowds were expected to break records. On Tuesday, ArtsQuest confirmed it. More than 1.3 million visited Bethlehem during the 11 nights of Musikfest 2023.

The opening line of The Band's song "The Weight" — “I pulled into Nazareth/Was feelin' about half past dead” — has again put the spotlight on the Northampton County borough with the death of its writer, Robbie Robertson.

The time-lapse was shot from the weather camera atop the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus.

The 40th Musikfest drew to a successful close on Sunday night in Bethlehem. The nation's largest open-gate free music festival delivered more than 500 free performances, plus paid-ticket headliners. Organizers believe a record of roughly 1.25 million attended the 11-day event. An official count is expected to be announced Tuesday.

The Grammy-winning band closed out the 11-day spread with a 90-minute set of their biggest hits and covers of The Eagles and Journey.

Giuseppe Iatarola, 11, of Hellertown, is a widely known gearhead looking to make a mark on the automotive industry with his YouTube channel and MotorWeek segment.

In a stripped down production that felt custom-made for the Musikfest stage, Morris capped a 17-song set with three songs that put a rush of energy into the crowd as the skies opened up over Bethlehem.

Musikfest attracts tens of thousands of people to the city each day during its 10-day run. Officials said they’re continuously working to lessen the event’s impact on the environment.

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.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Saturday, Aug. 12.

Part 2 of 3: A higher percentage of people died of AIDS in the Lehigh Valley than in most of the country. The Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive tells the story of efforts to help those affected by the disease, although there are conflicting reports.

Part 1 of 3: The Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive tells the story of the LGBTQ community in the Lehigh Valley. The archive's earliest records go back to the spring of 1969, when the local homophile organization Le-Hi-Ho was formed.

The festival, now in its 13th year, featured salsa performances, Latin eats and rum tastings on Friday and Saturday.

Starting Sunday and going all week, patrons can enjoy prix fixe menus, outdoor dining and a chance to win gift cards.

The bakery Let Them Eat Cake opens Saturday at 143 S. Main St. in Nazareth. Among the desserts: Velvet Volcano cupcakes, made with red velvet cake, Oreo cream cheese frosting and salted caramel and chocolate drizzle.

The gala was held on Friday night at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. Among the honorees were attorney and real estate development company owner Michael Perrucci and Bethlehem police officer William Rodriguez.

Bayou soul singer Marc Broussard will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem.

HNL announces winners of annual Children's Art Contest with three winners from each age group. The theme was "design your own lab coat."

The seven-member Brother and Sister Band, led by late Allmans drummer Butch Trucks’ son Vaylor Trucks and daughter Melody Trucks, will mark the 50th anniversary of The Allman Brothers’ 1973 album “Brothers and Sisters.”

There are plenty of festivals and musical performances happening in the Lehigh Valley starting on Friday, June 23.

Buy tickets early and save on the venue's fall season.

The event will include activities such as a dog show, adoption information, and a dog-friendly atmosphere, with proceeds from the auction of the players' jerseys and caps benefitting the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.