Arts & Culture

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs flipped the switch on Illumination during a preview event Thursday. Getting to Opening Day involved significant staff efforts, with 12-15 part-time staff and 30-40 people on peak days over a four-week period.

The announcements continue a trend at Musikfest Cafe to book tribute acts and cover bands. In June, ArtsQuest announced more than a dozen shows for the venue's lineup.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs will host the Tri-City Chili Peppers, a college summer team from Colonial Heights, Virginia, that plays in the Coastal Plain League, on May 17 at Coca-Cola Park.

Aaron Lewis, who with Staind sold 10 million copies of the group's first five albums, three of which hit No. 1, will perform with his solo band The Stateliners, at 8 p.m. April 10.

The Symphony is looking for volunteers for its March performances of Vaughn Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem."

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth U8 Development Program will present free games Nov. 23 and Penguin Figure Skating Club will presents a holiday-themed skating show Nov. 24 at ArtsQuest's Ice Rink at SteelStacks.

Lewis Black, who is known for his angry-face comedic style and also is an author, playwright, social critic and actor, will bring his Goodbye Yeller Brick Road tour to the venue at 8 p.m. Oct. 10.

Roberts was coached by guest mentor Jennifer Hudson and Michael Bublé on "The Voice" Knockout Rounds on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

A sale is scheduled to close in the coming months to Wilkes-Barre-based D&D Realty Group, which has plans for the holiday lights to continue, albeit in a new fashion.

Addison Agen, who finished second to Chloe Kohanski on the show's 13th season, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the center at 30 E. Belvidere St., Nazareth.

Arlan and Pat Christ’s 1,000-piece quilt collection is featured in “Cutting Edge” at the Allentown Art Museum, with a special quilt turning event. The collection will be on display through Oct. 26. Admission to the museum is free.

The Darkness is on a U.S. tour that stops Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Allentown's Archer Music Hall. Tickets, at $45.75 and $48.05, remain available at the Archer website.

Ryan Eldredge, regional manager of public relations for Dorney Park and other Six Flags Entertainment Corp. properties, said operators continue to focus on refreshing and enhancing attractions.

The new exhibition “Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists,” runs through May 22 and coincides with a community birthday celebration on Sept. 19 at Zoellner Arts Center.

Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley was inducted into the Whitehall High School Hall of Fame on Friday night.

A vibrant new mural by artist Matt Halm now brightens Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital’s Allentown campus. It was created with help from patients, staff, and volunteers.

Shop vinyl, vintage and handmade art at the Lehigh Valley Punk Rock Flea Market on Sept. 6 at the free family-friendly event and mini-concert. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with performances starting at 4:30 p.m.

Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, said Six Flags, which merged with Cedar Fair last year to become Dorney Park’s parent company, is sitting on roughly $5.5 billion in debt after a season marked by bad weather, rising costs and attendance declines.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra will return to Allentown's PPL Center with its The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO & More show on Friday, Nov. 21, it was announced.

The Bacon Brothers play Zoellner Arts Center's Baker Hall, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem, at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7.

Cindy Jakoby, of Barto, was selected on Tuesday night as the 10 millionth fan in the 17-year history of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Last year’s festival sold out of desserts. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites said it’s hoping for the same success with another assortment of seasonal sweets this time around.