Arts & Culture

Ditch the Chinese food and the sweatpants: Here are some fun ideas to help you and yours ring in the New Year in the Lehigh Valley.

The Esther M. Lee African American Heritage Center hosted a Kwanzaa celebration, which included the lighting of the kinara and a discussion of the Seven Principles, at PBS39 in Bethlehem Saturday evening.

Lower Saucon Township approved a decade-long funding agreement with Hellertown Area Library, ensuring broader access to library services for residents starting next year.

Bethlehem's menorah lighting on Thursday, drew a crowd of about 70 people to the upper area of Payrow Plaza near City Hall. One visitor even said she drove from the Poconos.

ArtsQuest in November at a gala news conference announced a renewed push to renovate the 26,000-square-foot brick structure that would open in 2027 or 2028.

"A Complete Unknown" — a biopic on Bob Dylan, portrayed by actor Timothée Chalamet — opens in area theaters today, Dec. 25.

Christkindlmarkt brought out 128,384 visitors from 40 states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert said.

The Freddy Awards aren't until May, but several theater departments have already announced their spring productions to be held in April and May.

The annual Trees of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites exhibit is now on display through Jan. 12.

Join Megan Frank at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Friday for Insights with LehighValleyNews.com on WLVR. This week, Brittany Sweeney takes her place with environment and science reporter Molly Bilinski and arts and culture reporter Micaela Hood.

Bruce Hornsby, best known for his hits chart-topping hits "The Way It Is," "Mandolin Rain" and "The Valley Road" in 1986-87, will perform at 7 p.m. July 2 at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center.

Sublime With Rome, the version of the ska band Sublime that reformed with new lead Rome Ramirez in 2009, will perform 8 p.m. Aug. 22 at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem.

Black Eyed Peas, best known for their hits "Let's Get It Started," "Where is the Love" and "I Got a Feeling," will headline the festival’s main Steel Stage on Aug. 8, the festival announced.

Scotty McCreery, who won “American Idol” in 2011 and since has released three No. 1 Country chart albums and two other Top 10 discs, will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, June 21.

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.

Singer-songwriter Lisa Bodnar and Whistlegrass will present OM (original music) from the Garden, which it calls an all-ages “pop-up event,” from noon to 5 p.m. at The Icehouse, 56 River St., Bethlehem.

Andria Zaia, joined NMIH as curator of collections in 2016, was appointed to the top position by the museum's Board of Directors, according to a release.

Summer Nights, to be held select nights July 12-Aug. 18, will “celebrate the best of summer at Dorney Park,” according to a news release.

As part of Black History Month, we celebrate the contributions of local artists, dancers, actors and community leaders whose achievements stand out year-round.

Justin Hayward, who led The Moody Blues for more than 50 years and Christopher Cross, who topped the charts with “Sailing” in 1980 and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” in 1981, will perform July 14 at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem.

Singer Joan Osborne, who had the 1995 hit 'One of Us,' will perform at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem

The first trailer has dropped for Dan Roebuck’s “Saint Nick of Bethlehem” — and the holiday movie bearing the name of the Christmas City was actually filmed here.