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.

After an "unimaginably" successful first year, IronPigs President Kurt Landes announced the Illumination experience will return to Coca-Cola Park for the upcoming holiday season. Tickets are on sale now.

Beatles tribute act Rain performing a Christmas tribute at 8 p.m. Dec. 5.

It's spooky season in July at the third annual Greenway Pride festival held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Juily 26, in South Bethlehem.

Country music hitmaker Riley Green has no tickets left for his Aug. 1 Steel Stage concert, Musikfest presenters ArtsQuest said on its Facebook page.

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom is bringing another Philadelphia Eagle to the area for a charitable event.

A community-driven plan to address upgrades to the city’s park network over the next decade is nearing the end of its public input phase.

Alejandro Escovedo, a member of the musical family that has made stars of his brothers — percussionist Coke Escovedo, who played with Santana, and Pete Escovedo, father of Sheila E. — will play Tuesday, Sept. 9 in The Archer's Arrow Room.

The city and Lehigh Valley partners want you and the whole family to check out the free World Heritage Community Celebration from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 6.

The Bethlehem Rose Garden, at West Union Boulevard and Eighth Avenue, recently was approved for the funding through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Scott Gordon is a professor of English and a scholar of the Colonial and post-Colonial history of the Lehigh Valley. He recently spoke with WLVR’s Brad Klein about the role the Moravians played in the American Revolution.

From 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 25, you'll be able to buy tickets for six of Musikfest's 11 headline shows — and a paid-ticket Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks show — at 25% off.

Megan Moroney, who last year won the Academy of Country Music's New Female Artist of the Year, is the first artist to sell out a concert on this year's Musikfest main Steel Stage.