Arts & Culture

Philadelphia psyche-pop master Kurt Vile and The Violators, who topped the Adult Album Alternative charts with the 2015 song “Pretty Pimpin’” and have had three albums in the overall Top 50, will headline a concert with the late jazz great Sun Ra’s band The Sun Ra Arkestra at Allentown’s Miller Symphony Hall.

The opening acts for Musikfest's main stage headliners have been announced. They include several Lehigh Valley favorites.

A completely dry stretch of weather is almost unheard of this time of year, said meteorologist Bobby Martrich of EPAWA Weather Consulting, the official forecaster of Musikfest.

The first celebration featured an array of talent with an emphasis on local artists.

With around 1 million people expected to attend Musikfest this year, health and safety take top priority for organizers. Everything from cooling misters to medical tents will be on site.

The Lower Macungie Township Historical Society is set to raise money for and produce a historical docudrama film focused on the 1799 Fries Rebellion, which led to a federal crackdown in the Macungie area during the John Adams administration.

ArtsQuest announced Monday that the Old World Wine Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room on the second floor of the ArtsQuest Center. And the two-session Fall Winefest & Market will be on Oct. 29 at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem.

As Musikfest kicks off next week, some notable figures in its history shared their perspectives on the humble beginnings and what it's become. Join in the action in Bethlehem from Aug. 3-13.

Local police departments are celebrating National Night Out Tuesday, a nationwide initiative to bring cops and community members together.

Four August events in Bethlehem focus on different aspects of Moravian and colonial culture.

Formed in 2008, local weekend event in May features separate day of beer and wine tastings, followed by a for-kids-only day of art and science fun.

Americus Nights will be on the lowest level of the Americus Hotel at Sixth and Hamilton streets. It will hold a grand opening at 8 p.m. March 14 with DJ Jon Gosselin, formerly a star of the reality TLC TV show, "Jon and Kate Plus 8."

Archer Music Hall, Allentown's downtown entertainment venue is brand new — so new, it had its official ribbon-cutting and first concert Thursday. But its roots in the city go extremely deep, officials said in a ceremony to open the venue.

Daryl Hall, who with John Oates made up Hall and Oates, a vocal duo that had 19 songs hit the Top 10 on various charts, will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 19.

Alan Doyle's music is heavily influenced by his Irish heritage and the Celtic sea shanties, filled with the sounds of accordions, whistles, fiddles and barons. He will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

Partnering with Moravian University, ArtsQuest will hold summer art camps on the south campus of the college.

Bethlehem’s Central Moravian Church will hold a free screening of the 2023 documentary on March 10 at Frank Banko Alehouse Theatre.

Cake, known for its 1996 double-platinum hit “The Distance” and platinum hit "Short Skirt/Long Jacket," will perform a paid-ticket show at the venue at 7 p.m. Sept. 28, ArtsQuest announced.

Heart, famed for hits including “Alone,” “Barracuda,” “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” will perform the fair's opening night, as it would have last year, at 7 p.m. Aug. 27, the fair announced.

A Lehigh Valley student has taken the top spot for a Pennsylvania poetry competition. In May, Isavel Mendoza will move on to the national finals in Washington, D.C., to represent Pennsylvania.

A week after Jahan Dotson's homecoming celebrations, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley will be recognized by the City of Allentown on Sunday, March 2, at the PPL Center. Ticket purchases will benefit his charity, the Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation.

The Sam Houseal Band, Highest Bidder and Sakura Ryoko will perform at a previously announced preview night for the new venue at a previously announced paid-ticket preview night.