Arts & Culture

As the third comedian to headline Musikfest, the Mexican-American jokester didn't disappoint.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Friday, Aug. 11. One of them is "probably the best free-stage show at Musikfest this year," says John J. Moser.

Musikfest is operating under a new code of conduct this year after an antisemitic incident at Christkindlmarkt in December. The nonprofit organization's CEO said it wants to create a welcoming environment but can't outright ban hate speech.

The ArtsQuest annual fête has an estimated 900 volunteers in 2023.

The Goo Goo Dolls played a concert of 25 songs in 107 minutes at Musikfest that included all of its hits, deep cuts and new songs.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Thursday, Aug. 10.

The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society is set to produce a historical docudrama film focused on the Fries Rebellion, a 1799 rebellion that resisted federal taxes. Dozens gathered at Rising River Brewing for the second of three events to premiere a teaser for the film and launch the fundraising campaign.

Goo Goo Dolls, the 1990s-2000s alternative rock group who produced the platinum hits “Name,” “Iris,” “Slide,” and “Black Balloon,” has sold out its concert for tonight, Aug. 9, on Musikfest’s Steel Stage.

From lack of parking and gridlock traffic to the increased prices for headliner tickets, as well as upticks in costs for food and beverages, there are plenty of reasons why some of the Lehigh Valley’s residents don’t like — with a contingent even going so far as to actively avoid — Musikfest.

The R&B artists thrilled the crowed with beloved favorites from throughout their careers.

Maingate Night Club, at 17th and Liberty streets, whose owner Dominic Germano for more than two years has sought a partner, has closed for good, Germano said in a Facebook post late Monday.

Greg Gutfeld, whose Fox News program "Gutfeld!" is television's most-watched late-night talk show, gave a presentation at the PPL Center in Allentown on Saturday night. He said he decided that overcoming fear was part of the message of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot Sept. 10.

Well over 1,000 fans descended on Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township on Saturday to catch a glimpse of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, who made an appearance at Spin Me Round record store for her new "Am I the Drama?" album.

Nick Hexum, lead singer for rock band 311, will perform with folk band Water Tower at Archer Music Hall in Allentown at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Tickets remain available.

Lehigh University Art Galleries' 100th birthday bash coincides with the "Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists" exhibition, which runs through May 22 and highlights the works of local creatives.

The Foundry Chief Executive Officer and studio Director Jason Wegfahrt, a Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts graduate with a creative arts background, said the new 6,000-square-foot Foundry takes creative possibilities to another level with a variety of services at a fair price.

"Elegance in Stone," an exhibition opening at Peralta’s studio, 1601 West Chew St., kicks off with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. and runs through Oct. 24.

Comedian Tom Shillue will perorm at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, as opening act for the Gutfeld Live 2025 show at Allentown's PPL Center. Tickets, at $49.60-$86.90, remain available at the PPL Center website.

Christkindlmarkt will open Nov. 14 and run Fridays through Sundays through Nov. 30. It then will open Thursdays-Sundays, Dec. 4 though Dec. 21.

Foodies now have another late night option in Southside Bethlehem. The Barbecue Boys, which opened Tuesday, Sept. 16, offers a fast-casual dining setting that's open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.

Lehigh Valley IronPigs unveiled the team’s new America 250 uniforms, created in collaboration with ArtsQuest and featuring Musikfest’s 2026 “Music Unites” artwork by local artist Doug Boehm.

The 12th annual Winter Light Spectacular, with 1.2 million holiday lights — which the zoo says is more than any other Pennsylvania attraction — will kick off Nov. 14 and run through Jan. 3.