Arts & Culture

Dr. Lee Riley treats cancers at St. Luke’s University Health Network, but in his free time, he sculpts. He is the recipient of ArtsQuest’s Linny Award for Visual Artist of the Year.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will host the Bacon and Brews Festival at Coca-Cola Park on Sept. 30. There will be brewers, ciders, distilleries, wineries and bacon items from IronPigs Concessions and select food vendors.

The Weight Band, featuring former The Band guitarist Jim Weider, will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

Several theaters in the Lehigh Valley will offer discounted tickets on Sunday, Aug. 27. Close to 20 films will be shown throughout the region, including summer hits "Barbie," "Oppenheimer," and "Little Mermaid."

The Hooters, who combined ska and folk-rock on 1980s hits such as “Day By Day” and “And We Danced,” will perform at 8 p.m. at Univest Performance Center, 301 W. Mill St. Gates open at 6, and an opening act will go on at 6:30 p.m.

Starting Wednesday, gates at the Allentown Fairgrounds will close between Liberty and Chew Streets, the north and south borders of the grounds.

The Macungie family has other notable works around the Lehigh Valley and tri-state area, including the artwork for the most recent Musikfest.

While the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ stadium again will have music emanating from its baseball diamond — and will look to do more — it doesn’t mean the park is likely to become a steady stop on the concert circuit, General Manager Kurt Landes said.

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.

At its 30th anniversary, the Lehigh Valley's Magic: The Gathering scene is going strong say local players and game store owners. Some events have seen a downturn in players following the pandemic and expansion of online play, while others have seen a strong resurgence of new and returning players.

The theme for the 29th annual festival in Allentown was 'Be Loud! Be Proud!"

Set for Saturday, the festival is a nod to the old orchard that used to occupy the site.

Billed as the longest-running outdoor music festival in the U.S., the last 2 have been virtual.

The event will bring LGBTQ+ artists and performers, arts and crafts, yard games, and food and drink to the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley in Allentown.

Folks from 39 states and 8 countries attended the festival, which was marred by a Saturday night shooting.

Police tape and several officers were in the area of Plaza Tropical, near Main and Lehigh streets.

Mug refills at designated Musikfest tents are $10 for domestics and $11 for craft beers, but some merchants go their own way.

The Century Fund is the benefactor.

The refillable mugs have become hot sellers -- and symbols of the Bethlehem festival.

Tracking 10 miles makes you eligible for the ticket drawing for next year's headliner shows.

Folks tried to find ways to beat the heat Sunday on the third day of the 10-day summer festival.

It's one of the first times British cars have been part of the festival.