Arts & Culture

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.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Wednesday, Aug. 9.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Six years ago today, local noted musician Sal Ritz Jr. passed away shortly after performing at Musikfest. His widow, Laurie Ritz Dragotta, says a return to Musikfest is still too emotional for her.

Dan + Shay, a country duo from Nashville, played to a roaring crowd on the main stage at Musikfest 2023 on Sunday night. The two are just returning to touring as they've been recording a new album due out this fall.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Monday, Aug. 7.

Rapper G-Eazy performed at Musikfest on Saturday night.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Sunday, Aug. 6.

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.

The very fate of the event – now in its 26th year – gave way to speculative fiction earlier this year. Rumors swirled, as they often do, following media reports and social media posts in September that Lights in the Parkway could end. Not so, says the City of Allentown.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk has handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including the play "Odysseus" by Touchstone Theatre, Bacon Fest and "All Hands Hold" at the Bradbury-Sullivan Center.

The museum is set to use the funds towards key updates in the Kress Gallery, which houses the museum's renaissance works, and throughout the building.

The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBTQ Community Center is featuring a new exhibit, "All Hands Hold," by Philadelphia-based interdisciplinary artist Kara Mshinda. Mshinda said she came up with the idea of the exhibit while watching the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol unfold, and she was also inspired by the TV show "Pose."

Weekly neighborhood West Ward Market sees success and shares plans to return in 2023. Organizers value inclusivity with ideas for every age group from tots to seniors.

The Lehigh Valley ranked first in hotel occupancy rates across the state, according to 2021-2022 Smith Travel Research. The news was shared during Discover Lehigh Valley’s Board of Directors Breakfast and Annual Report on Tuesday.

Beer is a year-round reward but in the fall, special flavors make for heartier nectar at Shangy's in Emmaus.

State Senator Pat Browne has secured funding from PA's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for three local projects — including $1 million for the new downtown Allentown Da Vinci Science Center project.

The new work by Bill George tackles a work close and impactful to him takes stage Wednesday at the Bethlehem theatre.

Thousands gathered for Allentown’s revamped Halloween parade Saturday, and many said they liked the new format.

State Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) has helped bring a $100,000 grant to the Lehigh County Historical Society in an effort to support historic property renovations and new programming.

Paired with the return of the borough's Fall Festival, a local councilman took the lead on bringing the vision of a new, bigger Halloween parade to life. The weekend will include food trucks, floats, festivities and, of course, candy.