Arts & Culture

Bethlehem native Ariel Torres became the first drag queen to perform at the Governor's Residence for its Pride Month Celebration Reception on June 26. Torres performed “I Was Here” by Beyoncé as his drag persona, Elektra Fierce St. James.

Duran Duran, which has 14 Top 25 hit songs including the No. 1 hits “Hungry Like the Wolf” in 1982, “The Reflex” in 1984 and “A View to a Kill” in 1985, on its Facebook page lists Allentown among seven cities in which it will announce shows "early next week."

One Earth ReggaeFest will take place at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks beginning at noon on Saturday, July 6.

For two decades, borough officials have celebrated Independence Day by handing out hundreds of kazoos and American flags to residents before parading through the streets, blaring patriotic songs the entire time. It almost didn't happen this year.

Mayor J. William Reynolds says turning the lights on at SteelStacks' blast furnaces would be costly for land owner Wind Creek, running up to as much as $1 million. But one city councilman says they need to be illuminated by the time Musikfest begins.

Childish Major, who rose to fame as the producer of the 2013 Rocko single “U.O.E.N.O,” which peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, will join the show by Ludacris at 7 p.m. Aug. 10, Musikfest’s penultimate night. Also, opening the show will be a Philadelphia rapper LG (Team Genius), best known for her song “YBM,” which also has 10 million views on Instagram.

Enjoy an array of musical and theater performances, plus children's activities starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 at DeSales University.

Famed rockers Heart has canceled its headlining gig at Allentown Fair, and the rest of its recent tour, in light of singer Ann Wilson's cancer treatment.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs rolled out their Bethlehem City Connect merchandise Monday with a jersey, hat, and other offerings that take inspiration from the Bethlehem Star, along with nods to the history of Bethlehem Steel.

Freedom High School grad Lilly Moss, 19, is making her way up the music and video streaming platforms with debut album title track, "Meet Me on Broadway"

Tyler Rothrock is coming to Godfrey Daniels to film his first-ever comedy special, which he said he plans to distribute on YouTube.

The area's first Insomnia Cookies store will plant its roots in Bethlehem, becoming an anchor store to the Six10 Flats apartment building on East Third Street. A spokesperson confirmed in an email to LehighValleyNews.com that the store is expected to open this summer.

The fifth location in Pennsylvania, on West Broad Street, is owned by a longtime business owner and mom of four. The eatery’s menu includes coffee, cakes, tarts, donuts, and sandwiches.

Joyful Noise Music Festival is set for 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. June 14 at Univest Performance Center, 501 W. Mill St. Doors will open at 10 a.m. Lehigh Valley guitar favorite Craig Thatcher, who will play at Bethlehem's Musikfest festival in August, will perform

Dorney Park opens for its 141st season on Friday. Here's a look at the entertainment offerings for the season.

A handful of bands scheduled to perform on the free Plaza Tropical Stage during Musikfest were chosen by high schoolers from Bethlehem Area School District.

The awards show is now in its 23rd year and will take place on May 22 at the State Theatre.

ArtsQuest will hold an online ticket sale starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 8, with discounts of up to $39 per ticket to shows at Musikfest, Musikfest Cafe and SteelStacks festivals.

Wilson Phillips, whose 1990 self-titled debut disc sold five times platinum with the hits "Hold On" and "Release Me" — both gold — and "You're in Love," will perform at 8 p.m. July 25.

More than 50 local landmarks, restaurants, and shops are featured in a new TV and streaming platform commercial. The ad will air in households in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery will be the supporting act on the show at the fair's Grandstand stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28.

Kishi Bashi says he'll play from his entire catalog when he performs at 7 tonight, May 6, in The Arrow room at Allentown's Archer Music Hall. Tickets, at $38.50 for general admission standing, remain available.