Arts & Culture

Organizers had hinted that this year's crowds were expected to break records. On Tuesday, ArtsQuest confirmed it. More than 1.3 million visited Bethlehem during the 11 nights of Musikfest 2023.

The opening line of The Band's song "The Weight" — “I pulled into Nazareth/Was feelin' about half past dead” — has again put the spotlight on the Northampton County borough with the death of its writer, Robbie Robertson.

The time-lapse was shot from the weather camera atop the Univest Public Media Center on the SteelStacks campus.

The 40th Musikfest drew to a successful close on Sunday night in Bethlehem. The nation's largest open-gate free music festival delivered more than 500 free performances, plus paid-ticket headliners. Organizers believe a record of roughly 1.25 million attended the 11-day event. An official count is expected to be announced Tuesday.

The Grammy-winning band closed out the 11-day spread with a 90-minute set of their biggest hits and covers of The Eagles and Journey.

Giuseppe Iatarola, 11, of Hellertown, is a widely known gearhead looking to make a mark on the automotive industry with his YouTube channel and MotorWeek segment.

In a stripped down production that felt custom-made for the Musikfest stage, Morris capped a 17-song set with three songs that put a rush of energy into the crowd as the skies opened up over Bethlehem.

Musikfest attracts tens of thousands of people to the city each day during its 10-day run. Officials said they’re continuously working to lessen the event’s impact on the environment.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Here are the Musikfest acts and more you should see today, Saturday, Aug. 12.

Join the Watching the Skies guys at Shankweiler’s Drive-In next Tuesday, June 17, for a special filmed presentation on the "red planet," followed by a screening of the 1985 film "Explorers."

The band plays Allentown's Archer Music Hall with co-headliner Static-X at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12. General admission standing tickets, at $56.50 each, remain available.

The film festival now in its 21st year will feature more than 80 films and shorts. Presented by the SouthSide Arts District, the festival runs from Tuesday, June 10, to Sunday, June 15.

Sister started colorectal cancer awareness fundraiser last year for her brother, who loved cars and cookies and died too young from the disease.

Butch Patrick, who played son Eddie Munster on the television show "The Munsters," will be at the drive-in on June 17 as part of the Munster Go Home Summer Scream Series.

A "team of experienced food entrepreneurs" purchased the former Buca di Beppo restaurant at 714 Grape St. for $1.15 million, Sultan Property Group LLC, which completed the acquisition.

The sale will take place rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Broughal Middle School football field, 114 W. Morton St., in South Bethlehem.

Blippi's Join the Band Tour will perform at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Wind Creek Event Center, it has been announced.

Dorothy, the Los Angeles band best known for 2022's rock hit "Rest in Peace" and last year's "MUD," will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 9 in Musikfest Cafe.

Local artists and mother-daughter duo Mary Szakmeister and Virginia Ellen co-own the art studio at 3325 Hamilton Blvd.

The crime series, starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, filmed scenes at the former Bangor Union Quarry. While Pelphrey's character is seen swimming in the quarry, Bangor officials say it's illegal and dangerous.

This year's production of "Much Ado About Nothing," a romantic comedy, will run through Sunday, June 15, with a special encore at PSF's community day on June 29.