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.

The state-of-the-art St. Luke's SportsPlex, which offers everything from pickleball memberships to sports performance training, will soon offer something specifically for the 21-and-over crowd: beer.

Tom Segura, who has had five Netflix specials and co-hosts two popular podcasts, will perform his stand-up comedy tour "Tom Segura: Come Together" on Sept. 26 at Allentown's PPL Center.

Billy Corgan, who led The Smashing Pumpkin to chart-topping hits such as "1979," will bring his new band, Billy Corgan and The Machines of God, to The Archer on June 17.

A 20-something eighth-generation farmer a few states away bestows the Lehigh Valley with a meaningful, restored artifact.

Local actor and director Adam Newborn talks about the production of August Wilson's award-winning "Fences," a play about family, love, betrayal and self-acceptance. It will run through April 13 at the Pennsylvania Playhouse in Bethlehem.

The fifth annual Be My Neighbor Day was held Saturday at Univest Public Media Center in Bethlehem. Children participated in crafts and gardening activities, interactive musical performances, and meet-ups with Daniel Tiger.

TacoFest, the annual event that pays homage to that Mexican dish that fills a fried tortilla with fresh, flavorful ingredients, will return to SteelStacks from 1-6 p.m. June 1, ArtsQuest announced.

The free annual spring and summer events that monthly motors onto the SteelStacks campus to let cars be admired by thousands of auto enthusiasts will return for a 10th year, ArtsQuest said.

Chevelle, whose 2002 album “Wonder What’s Next” went double platinum, will perform Aug. 27 at Wind Creek Event Center. And Big Country, whose 1983 debut album "The Crossing" went gold, will headline on June 20.

Promising outfield prospect Justin Crawford will be key to the fortunes of the 2025 Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who open their season on Friday at home.

Students from Arts Academy Elementary Charter School will visit the Allentown Art Museum this week as part of a new program to get students to engage with artwork in person.

Yächtley Crëw, a Los Angeles band that plays the 1970s and '80s soft rock sounds of the Yacht Rock trend, will perform at 6 p.m. July 16 at Univest Performance Center's Sound of Summer concert series.