Arts & Culture

Consignment and thrift stores in the Lehigh Valley carry clothes and accessories to DIY Halloween costumes on a budget.

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.

The shop, Dear Santa, is at 458 Main St. across from Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Owner Tom Dubreuil has a close connection to Santa Claus — He's portrayed him for several years as part of Christmas season festivities organized by the Downtown Bethlehem Association.

The series of 10 Wednesday night movies will feature new and classic Disney fare, recent blockbusters and some films with important anniversaries.

Sugar Ray, which had the chart-topping hits "Fly" in 1997 and "Every Morning" in 1999, will take Musikfest's Steel Stage on Aug. 2, the first full night of the festival.

Sounds of the Underground, at 7:30 p.m. June 21, will showcase eight Lehigh Valley-connected music acts.

C.F. Martin & Company has unveiled a vivid new museum display focused on sustainable manufacturing practices, highlighting years of innovations which focus on quality instruments with an environmentally-friendly orientation.

Forty-six concerts (the same as last year) are scheduled for Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks' 14th year, announced Sunday at a season reveal event at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

With Orthodox Easter just around the corner, we spoke with artists about the rich history of pysanky, passed down through generations and a product of detailed, ornate handiwork.

Meet staff and learn about the studio's art and music classes at the open house on Sunday, April 28.

The free Blast Furnace Blues will be from 5-11 p.m. July 19 and from 2-11 p.m. July 20 on two stages, both outdoors: Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks and ArtsQuest Center’s Town Square.

The War and Treaty — Tanya Trotter and Michael Trotter Jr. — will play at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on July 26 as part of the Levitt's free summer lineup.

Asia, the arena-rock band that rose from the ashes of progressive rock heavyweights Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer to have the hits "Heat of The Moment," “Don’t Cry” and "Only Time Will Tell," will perform at the event center at 8 p.m. July 13.

Starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 25, ArtsQuest will have a 48-hour online Spring Cleaning sale for seven of this year’s 10 announced Musikfest headline shows on the main Steel Stage.