Arts & Culture

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.

About 48,000 people attended the two-weekend Oktoberfest festival Oct. 4-6 and 11-13, ArtsQuest said.

Lehigh Valley Beer Week kicked off this weekend, celebrating more than just the beverage used in its name. Festivities will continue through May 11.

Bethlehem Area School District students involved in the innovative Marketing MusikFest class announced the bands they booked for the big Lehigh Valley festival on Friday, May 3.

The deadline to apply is June 7. Selected artworks will be featured at the Disability Pride Lehigh Valley and at an exhibition at the Baum School of Art.

“24 Hours in Hell,” an upcoming television series will delve into the historical background and paranormal occurrences at the Waldorf Estate of Fear.

Easton Farmers' Market will celebrate its 272nd season on Saturday, May 4, with dozens of locally oriented vendors offering food, drinks, entertainment, specialty crafts and more.

Almost Queen, which performs the music of bombastic 1970s and '80s rockers Queen, will perform July 13 at Univest Performance Center in Quakertown. And Get The Led Out, which performs the music of 1970s heavy metal band Led Zeppelin, will close out the season with a show Aug. 24.

Nashville artist-songwriter George Birge, whose song "Beer Beer, Truck Truck" went viral on social media in 2021, then who hit No. 1 with the song "Mind On You" in 2022, will be Brad Paisley's "special guest" at the Aug. 30 concert at Allentown Fair grandstand.

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.