Arts & Culture

Call it sludge, stoner metal, heavy rock, whatever. Melvins, one of the most influential acts in the game, came out to Musikfest Cafe on Thursday and played an incredible set exploring its vast and varied four decades.

"Iron Chef" winner Jose Garces has opened Okatshe, a Japanese-inspired izakaya on Hamilton Street, with an eight-foot sushi roll instead of a ribbon-cutting. Located across from Rosa Blanca, Okatshe offers small plates, sushi, sake,and whiskey in a modern take on Japan’s traditional neighborhood bar.

The festival spans two weekends of authentic German traditions, including stein holding competitions, bratwurst eating contests, live polka bands, schuhplattler dancers, dachshund races and new contests.

After three years of low attendance because of inclement weather, the 2025 Celtic Classic & U.S. Highland Games returned with crowds and a packed celebration of the Celtic regions: Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Scotland, and Wales.

Comedian Michael Che, currently in his 11th season of "Saturday Night Live," will perform Dec. 10 at Easton's State Theatre, it was announced.

Gwynn spoke at Moravian University on Sept.30 about his 30-year wrongful imprisonment and death row exoneration, sharing his journey of faith, art and justice.

Blues star Kenny Wayne Shepherd will perform at Wind Creek Event Center on Friday, March 6, as part of a 30th anniversary tour for his 1995 chart-topping, platinum debut album "Ledbetter Heights."

Melvins perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

The PA Latino Convention in Pittsburgh drew leaders to discuss housing, education, and immigrant advocacy. Easton will host the 2026 convention, highlighting the Lehigh Valley’s growing Latino community.

Karl Stirner Arts Trail has confirmed a few upcoming residencies and programs, including a new building which could be used as a gallery and community space.

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.

ArtsQuest hosted this year's first Cars and Coffee car show Sunday, drawing thousands of automobile enthusiasts from across the region to see everything from new Lamborghinis and Ferraris to a vintage tractor.

The tour celebrates Jackson’s 50th anniversary in the music industry and will feature songs from her albums “The Velvet Rope” and “Janet.”

ArtsQuest and the Lehigh Valley Brewers' Guild teamed up to launch the Spring Beer Fest in Bethlehem Saturday. With more than 850 tickets sold, the festival is likely to make a return, organizers said.

More than 100 children participated in the Mayor's Egg Hunt in Jordan Park Saturday.

Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown is introducing a new "Young Professionals Circle" hoping to connect a younger audience to the symphony and provide networking opportunities and break down barriers

The African singer will perform a mix of old hits and new songs at her concert on Tuesday April 25.