Arts & Culture

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

Next year marks 250 years since the colonists produced a bold declaration of freedom and self-governance that still echoes today. It will be an occasion celebrated and recognized across the land — and we at Lehigh Valley Public Media are no exception.

In addition to live music, there will be more than a dozen local vendors, businesses and crafters, as well as trail and outdoor demonstrations, and group walks.

Steel Panther, which has had five albums top Billboard's Comedy chart, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, it was announced.

In the spirit of Shakespeare, Saturday's celebration will feature entertainment for all ages, including musical performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alpaca and ponies, and a student-led Latin band.

From 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 27, you'll be able to buy tickets for five of Musikfest's 11 headline shows, two paid-ticket Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks shows and nine Musikfest Cafe shows without paying any service fees.

Howie Mandel, who since 2010 has been a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will perform with fellow comedian Brad Garrett at 8 p.m. Aug. 24. And Alan Parsons Live Project, which continues the work of Alan Parsons Project, will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 2.

Now in its 14th year, the festival honors Puerto Rican culture in the city. The three-day celebration starts on Thursday with a documentary screening, a tribute to the women of salsa, and a flag-raising on Friday, and more Latin music and food on Saturday.

Lehigh Valley Dodgeball is building an inclusive, community-driven space for players of all skill levels in Easton. Open gyms are now underway every Monday night.

Shankweiler’s, renowned as the oldest continuously operating drive‑in theatre in the country since 1934, will soon be showcased to millions across the country on "Good Morning America."

Hundreds gathered Saturday for two sold-out showings of the film made by Lehigh Valley native and Hollywood actor Daniel Roebuck.

Take a look at stories 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 241-year-old structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places will be completely renovated. It will become a hands-on interpretation and demonstration space for visitors to learn about colonial industrial trades and crafts.

Blast Furnace Blues Festival will celebrate its 10th year when it returns to ArtsQuest’s SteelStacks campus July 21-23, it was announced Friday.

Salsa bands and Latin Rock will take over for the festival that celebrates Hispanic culture June 23 - 25 at SteelStacks.

The “Traitors” and “Schmigadoon!” star performs at ArtsQuest on Thursday, April 20.

The festival features free outdoor concerts on Fridays and a special presentation of Bach's Mass in B Minor on Saturdays.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms fans painted the ice Tuesday night at the PPL Center in Allentown, leaving good luck messages for the team ahead of its first playoff game.

Joshua Rifkin will be in residence at Lafayette College for the 2023-24 academic year to help mark the 40th anniversary of Williams Center for the Arts.

The brand-new Strawberry Festival joins The Peach Festival and Harvest Festival that began last year, and includes a ribbon cutting for the historical barn as an events center.

Phillies superstar Bryce Harper, who sent Allentown into a frenzy with a rehab appearance last summer, might skip a trip to the Lehigh Valley this time around as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

'Steelwalker’ archive tours, led by former steelworkers, are back for the season.