Arts & Culture

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.

The final weekend of Musikfest is upon us, and while the festival is perhaps its best-know attractions, its "spectacles" — as Musikfest calls them — and street performers have become important to the environment of the ‘Fest.

Recently retired Parkland art teacher Linda La Due said her students were her greatest masterpieces.

Alt-rock band Wheatus, known for its 2000 hit "Teenage Dirtbag, will play Musikfest's Americaplatz stage at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 11

G-Eazy will headline Musikfest's main Steel Stage at the massive music festival in downtown and South Side Bethlehem at 7 p.m. Aug. 5.

After two months and $450,000 in renovations, the Bethlehem Area Public Library celebrated with a grand reopening on Saturday.

The event featured 35 local vendors selling vegetarian and vegan products as well as free workout classes and a live recipe demo.

The outdoor block party has been put off this year due to the rain and cold temperatures.

The walkable tour features gallery stops and showcases paintings, handmade jewelry and sculptures by Lehigh Valley artists.

The Olympic track and field star and accomplished public speaker will share some inspirational words on Saturday, April 29.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission clarified that the proposed South Side Bethlehem Cultural Arts Center isn't expected to meet LEED green certification in construction.

Following the introduction of a resolution to recognize Muslim holidays, the Easton City Council resolved to expand that recognition to include religious holidays from all faiths in a separate calendar.

It's an opportunity to celebrate Hispanic culture during the theater’s Latino open-air block party on Saturday, April 29.

The comedian/actor and his family survived a car crash last week, just days before his standup show at the SteelStacks.

This year's winners will be honored in November at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission comprehensive planning committee on Tuesday directed the project developers of the proposed cultural arts center to incorporate environmentally friendly materials in its construction.