Arts & Culture

A group of entertainers held their first-ever AfroBeats celebration with dance classes, DJ sets and West African and Caribbean eats on Saturday, June 28 at the Wooden Match.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.

Next year marks 250 years since the colonists produced a bold declaration of freedom and self-governance that still echoes today. It will be an occasion celebrated and recognized across the land — and we at Lehigh Valley Public Media are no exception.

In addition to live music, there will be more than a dozen local vendors, businesses and crafters, as well as trail and outdoor demonstrations, and group walks.

Steel Panther, which has had five albums top Billboard's Comedy chart, will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, it was announced.

In the spirit of Shakespeare, Saturday's celebration will feature entertainment for all ages, including musical performances by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alpaca and ponies, and a student-led Latin band.

From 8 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 27, you'll be able to buy tickets for five of Musikfest's 11 headline shows, two paid-ticket Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks shows and nine Musikfest Cafe shows without paying any service fees.

Howie Mandel, who since 2010 has been a judge on “America’s Got Talent,” will perform with fellow comedian Brad Garrett at 8 p.m. Aug. 24. And Alan Parsons Live Project, which continues the work of Alan Parsons Project, will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 2.

Now in its 14th year, the festival honors Puerto Rican culture in the city. The three-day celebration starts on Thursday with a documentary screening, a tribute to the women of salsa, and a flag-raising on Friday, and more Latin music and food on Saturday.

Lehigh Valley Dodgeball is building an inclusive, community-driven space for players of all skill levels in Easton. Open gyms are now underway every Monday night.

Easton's State Theatre will offer its final Blue Suede: The Premiere Elvis Birthday Bash, at 4 p.m. today, Feb. 2

About 150 people are expected to gather at Covered Bridge Park in South Whitehall Township early Sunday morning for the Lehigh Valley groundhog lodge's annual celebration.

Sixteen hardy souls braved the elements Friday to buy the first tickets for Kane Brown and top comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, who will perform Sept. 1.

"Crystal" a Cirque du Soleil performance on ice will take place at the PPL Center through Sunday, Feb. 2.

It was quite the circus at the grand opening celebration of the new hotel which features a decor that pays homage to the Vaudeville era of the 1930s and attractions Dorney Park and the Great Allentown Fair.

The iconic sculpture trio and a colorful mixed-media arched bus stop outside the soon-to-be-demolished Banana Factory will be gently moved and stored for use in the new structure.

Totally Tubular Festival, which features acts including Right Said Fred, The Motels, The Tubes, Men Without Hats and more, will perform Thursday, July 17.

'The Dream Makers' exhibit first debuted at the museum in 1985 and feature works created by elementary school students across the U.S.

With a new name and a new focus, the former Vineyard di Norma will reopen on Feb. 6 as 'Something Different.' It will feature a completely new concept at 605 North Fiot Street.

Famed chef Jose Garces announced Tuesday he will open two restaurants downtown this spring.

Rich Rudolph and son, Rich, opened Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls at The Promenade Center Valley this month. The Lehigh Valley natives are the first franchise owners of the chain in Pennsylvania.

The Musical Box, a Canadian band that says it recreates "historic Genesis concerts of the past," will perform the 1973 album "Genesis Live" at 7 p.m. June 15.