Arts & Culture

The staff at Bethlehem Area Public Library has taken out the time to tell us their favorite chapters of the entire year that has just passed.

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.

Mahogany Reynolds-Clarke, founder and executive director of Just Be You Academy & Performing Arts, held a presentation on Kwanzaa at Easton Area Public Library's Palmer Branch Thursday evening.

The Winter Light Spectacular features 1.2 million lights in holiday displays, fire pits for s’mores, hot chocolate and live performances by princesses Anna, Elsa, Belle and Cinderella.

Chuck D, one of the founders of seminal rap group Public Enemy, will present "A conversation with Hip Hop legend Chuck D of Public Enemy" at 7 p.m. April 16 in NCC's Spartan Center.

Looking for a fun way to ring in the New Year? We've got you covered with some local events that are fun for the whole family.

The Lehigh Valley tradition started in 2009. The family-friendly New Year's celebration returns this Saturday and Sunday at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem. Fireworks are set for both nights.

The flagship store for Dave Phillips Music & Sound will close in the coming days, owner Joe DiMarco wrote on Facebook. On Wednesday, customers who flooded the store lamented the loss.

The second annual Allentown Film Festival will be from April 6-14 at the Civic Theatre of Allentown and its boutique Theatre514 across the street.

Ashley Cooke, best known for her song "Never Til Now," her gold single with Brett Young, will perform at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, Berks County, on Jan. 26.

A St. Patrick’s Day Ceremony/Irish Culture Celebration on Friday at Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem kicked off the St. Patrick's Day weekend in the Lehigh Valley.

The free Blues, Brews & Barbecue festival will be Saturday, June 22, along Allentown's Hamilton Street from Fifth to Ninth streets, and on North and South Seventh Street.

Shanita Hubbard, the author of “Ride Or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women," spoke at the 1869 Luckenbach Mill on Thursday in Bethlehem.

ArtsQuest said it will be a day filled with tacos from throughout the Lehigh Valley, along with music, game shows, Margarita Madness, the Chihuahua Beauty Contest, and food and drinks from a ton of vendors.

The Bethlehem festival, which organizers say barely muddled its way through a rainy event last year, got a $75,000 state grant announced Wednesday by state Sen. Lisa Boscola.

The Front Bottoms, the New Jersey-based band that had the Top 20 Alternative hit “Peace Sign” in 2018, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in the second paid Levitt Pavilion show announced for this season.

Gin Blossoms, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Vertical Horizon are on the bill for Aug. 15 at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. The show unites three acts that from 1991 to 2001 collectively produced 17 Top 20 alternative hits and five gold and platinum albums.

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest American Bach Choir. As it closes its 125th anniversary celebration, it's about to do something it's never done before — release a live CD. The choir also has released details of its upcoming 116th Bethlehem Bach Festival.

Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox, which reinterprets contemporary hit songs as jazz, ragtime and swing music, will perform at the theater at 7 p.m. July 21.

As Dorney Park begins testing and inches closer to the opening of Iron Menace, fans are heaping praise on Thunderhawk — a classic wooden coaster that turns 100 this year.

Slash, the guitarist for Guns 'N Roses, will bring his S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival, to the massive downtown and South Side Bethlehem music festival’s main Steel Stage on Aug. 5, it was announced Tuesday.

Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan's Grits and Glamour stories and songs stops at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at Mount Airy Casino. Tickets, at $55 and $65, remain available at the Mount Airy website.