Arts & Culture

Actor, musician and children’s author widely known for his portrayal of one of the first regular characters on the children’s show “Sesame Street,” Bob McGrath, has died at the age of 90. McGrath’s passing was confirmed by his family who posted on his Facebook page on Sunday. Sesame Workshop tweeted Sunday evening that it “mourns the passing of Bob McGrath, a beloved member of the Sesame Street family for over 50 years.” McGrath was a founding cast member of “Sesame Street” when the show premiered in 1969. He is survived by his wife, Ann Logan Sperry, and their five children.

Lehigh Valley Music Awards, once popular but on hiatus for three years, said it's looking to return, perhaps under ArtsQuest. But as it does, the upstart ABE Music Awards wants to take its place.

Lehigh Valley SoccerFest continues at the SteelStacks campus, while the City of Allentown partners with St. Luke's University Health Network to host World Cup watch parties.

Maltas Con Leche, an Allentown-based art collective, designed the Musikfest 2023 poster as a family unit. I will be unveiled at the Banana Factory’s First Friday event on Dec. 2.

Renderings of the HangDog ropes course coming to the Easton area in 2023. (Courtesy Mike McCreary/renderings by Sage Design-Build Inc.)

Country music superstar Keith Urban has played The Great Allentown Fair twice in his storied career. He'll return next September and is the first headliner announced.

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including Candy Cane Lane, Kids Jam and a Lovefeast.

The Christmas experience features immersive theatrical performances and special treats on Main Street, Bethlehem this December.

The Christmas City is holding a community breakfast in early December.

The channel, famous for its feel-good Christmas movies, has started streaming a live feed of historic Downtown Bethlehem on its website.

With help of sponsors D.G. Yuengling & Sons and Bazella Works, all men and women now serving in any branch of the military, all veterans and immediate family of those killed in action, are eligible to get tickets to a variety of events, ArtsQuest said.

Recently, many of Wildwater Kingdom's rides have been temporarily closed. All of them have reopened, except one, which will soon be replaced.

The federal holiday is a week away, but that doesn't mean celebrations are that far out yet. Festivities are taking place all over the area, with Juneteenth Lehigh Valley scheduling events through June 19.

The Bethlehem film festival will feature close to 70 shorts and indie films ranging from documentaries to comedy and horror. The screenings begin Tuesday at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity and close on Saturday, June 15.

Rick Springfield, best known for his hits “Jessie’s Girl,” “I’ve Done Everything for You” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Tickets, at $39.50-$79.50, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at www.windcreekeventcenter.com.

The Lehigh Valley community is invited by the Allentown Symphony to contribute a short melody, chord progression, instrument timbre or rhythmic pattern to inspire the piece.

It all started with a wig, a Hannah Montana song and a sassy pose: this local vet is going above and beyond on social media to entertain and educate pet parents.

The non-alcoholic cocktail trend has exceeded popularity beyond Dry January. More Lehigh Valley restaurants — and even mobile bartending services — are featuring mocktails on their menus as customers increasingly ask for them.

Portugal's Ambassador to the U.S. joined local officials to recognize, celebrate thriving Portuguese culture in Bethlehem and across the Lehigh Valley.

The release is the first of a long list of fun summer activities planned for young readers at the library.

The nine-piece group, which includes a horn section, play at 7:30 p.m. today, June 8, on the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks as part of the venue's free summer concert series.

Food flights throughout the area aren't just exclusive to dessert, cocktails, or pasta. Restaurants are cooking up a spin on typical entrees.