Arts & Culture

Ruben Studdard, who won the second season of “American Idol” in 2003 and followed up with two chart-topping albums that went gold and platinum, will perform at Symphony Hall as the “Special Guest Star” of singer/pianist Jim Brickman’s Comfort and Joy Holiday Celebration, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23.

The owner of Smartivities Showcase has opened a second location at the Promenade Saucon Valley.

The event is organized by Interlace Cultural y Desarrollo Integral de Lehigh Valley in partnership with the Baum Art School and the City of Allentown.

Drake Bell, who is best known for his starring roles on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” with Amanda Bynes from 1999-02, and “Drake & Josh” from 2004-07, will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Signature Event Center, 137 Erin Lane, Brodheadsville.

11Fest will be from 5-11 p.m. Nov. 11 (11/11) inside the Main Library at 11 W. Church St., Bethlehem.

A four-man crew has been making haste since Oct. 1 in putting up the decorations, with most of the wreaths, ribbons, light wraps, trees and stars currently hanging on light poles above streets in South Bethlehem and along the city’s bridges.

The Indoor Auto Racing Series, in which the cars compete on the concrete floor, will drive into the area Jan. 3-4 for the ninth running of the Ironton Global Allentown Indoor Races.

The festival, which features which retailers, artisans and food in heated tents on the SteelStacks campus, will open for its 32nd year on the weekend of Nov. 15.

Easton's Frank Pintabone announced Wednesday that a Hispanic Resource Day, catering to the needs of the city's Hispanic population, will be hosted at the Easton Area Community Center in November.

About 48,000 people attended the two-weekend Oktoberfest festival Oct. 4-6 and 11-13, ArtsQuest said.

The weeklong art festival features free performances and concerts by saxophonists, dancers and poets.

After a low turnout last year caused by lousy weather, Celtic Classic organizers have their sights set on returning in full force this weekend. The festival runs Friday through Sunday and includes the Highland Games & Festival.

Greater Shiloh Church celebrated its 120th birthday Sunday with a special joint worship service.

The International Cultural Festival will he held at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22.

This year's Steel Weekend focuses on women in steel, celebrating the often unheard stories of female Bethlehem Steel employees. The two-day event is organized by the National Museum of Industrial History and will be held Saturday and Sunday.

Miller Symphony Hall is marking two major milestones for the Symphony Orchestra's 74th season as the hall celebrates its quasquicentennial and its music director celebrates 30 years.

Bullet for My Valentine, which has had 16 Top 40 songs on the Mainstream Rock and Alternative Rock charts, will perform at 6:30 p.m. May 9 at Wind Creek Event Center. Joining it on the show will be Trivium, whose 2011 album "In Waves" hit No. 13 and whose 2015 song "Until the World Goes Cold" hit the Top 10 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Artist Vaughn Randall's cast iron and bronze Locus sculpture was chosen as winner of the third annual Sculpture at SteelStacks national contest. An official ceremony was held outside the Bethlehem Visitor Center on Thursday evening where the sculpture will be displayed for one year.

The Puerto Rican political activist and author was in town to promote his new memoir "Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That is Transforming America."

The foodie festival is now in its ninth year and will occur from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, showcasing "diverse options" of food, drinks and concerts.

The Harlem Globetrotters will return to Allentown's PPL Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 27, it has been announced.

Performers Kassi Ashton, Kelsey Hart, Meghan Patrick and Annie Bosko will be the lineup for Cat Country 96 Jingle Jam, which traditionally night for up-and-coming country acts performing acoustic music.