Micaela Hood
Arts & Culture ReporterI’m LehighValleyNews.com’s arts and cultures reporter covering the best in music, theater, food and lifestyles. I have covered entertainment and features for the Miami Herald, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, New York Daily News, the Pocono Record and USA Today Network. As a proud Latina, I look forward to showcasing the diverse and vibrant communities in the Lehigh Valley. A fashionista and foodie, when I’m not working you can find me shopping or dining at my favorite Colombian and Italian restaurants and local coffee shops. Contact me at micaelah@lehighvalleynews.com or 610-984-8217.
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Local artists and mother-daughter duo Mary Szakmeister and Virginia Ellen co-own the art studio at 3325 Hamilton Blvd. -
The crime series, starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey, filmed scenes at the former Bangor Union Quarry. While Pelphrey's character is seen swimming in the quarry, Bangor officials say it's illegal and dangerous.
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This year's production of "Much Ado About Nothing," a romantic comedy, will run through Sunday, June 15, with a special encore at PSF's community day on June 29.
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Fiesta Colombia, the Hispanic Center's annual fundraising event, was held at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem.
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The PA Shakespeare Festival, celebrating its 34th season, will hold its Play On! community tour beginning on Friday, May 30, at Emmaus Public Library. The free show will also take place at the National Museum of Industrial History and the Allentown Public Library.
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The arts and music extravaganza will run from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25. New attractions this year include a drone show on Sunday night.
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Nazareth Area High School's production won five Freddy Awards — including Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical — at the ceremony Thursday night at Easton's State Theatre.
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The ninth annual Good Neighbor Awards recipients were Darian Colbert and Yolanda Colbert, Ilene Hochberg Wood and Judith A. Harris. The ceremony was held at the Univest Public Media Center, home to Lehigh Valley Public Media, which consists of PBS39, 91.3 WLVR Radio and LehighValleyNews.com.
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Polling places across the Lehigh Valley faced mainly light turnout throughout Primary Election Day, with early morning turnout lagging.
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The massive street party and cultural celebration featured music from Rumba Caliente, Los Adolescentes Orquesta and Oro Solido.
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The production of "Macbeth" will take place at 8 p.m. Friday at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University.
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A must for fashionistas, Isriya McFillin, a former Los Angeles-based fashion designer, will teach attendees how to design a croquis inspired by the museum's Tiffany windows display. The free workshop will be given at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.
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According to ArtsQuest, programming ideas for the gallery space and lounge include a partnership with Bethlehem Area School District to include adult English programs, family workshops and other cultural learning opportunities.
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Paying tribute to their South African roots, the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir filled Lehigh University’s arts venue with soaring harmonies, faith and movement in a nearly sold-out performance Saturday night.
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Artsquest's annual autumn festival will run through Sunday, Oct. 12, on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem.
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Chelsea Southard's "Down the Line" was chosen as the Sculpture at SteelStacks 2025 exhibition, now in its fourth year and part of Steel Weekend and the steelworkers' reunion happening this Saturday and Sunday.
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In the new Amazon Prime documentary "Saquon," NFL star Saquon Barkley opens up about his Lehigh Valley roots. The film offers an intimate look at his family life, his decision to join the Philadelphia Eagles, and the moments that shaped his journey from Whitehall to the NFL.
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"Iron Chef" winner Jose Garces has opened Okatshe, a Japanese-inspired izakaya on Hamilton Street, with an eight-foot sushi roll instead of a ribbon-cutting. Located across from Rosa Blanca, Okatshe offers small plates, sushi, sake,and whiskey in a modern take on Japan’s traditional neighborhood bar.
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The festival spans two weekends of authentic German traditions, including stein holding competitions, bratwurst eating contests, live polka bands, schuhplattler dancers, dachshund races and new contests.
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After three years of low attendance because of inclement weather, the 2025 Celtic Classic & U.S. Highland Games returned with crowds and a packed celebration of the Celtic regions: Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Scotland, and Wales.
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Gwynn spoke at Moravian University on Sept.30 about his 30-year wrongful imprisonment and death row exoneration, sharing his journey of faith, art and justice.
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The PA Latino Convention in Pittsburgh drew leaders to discuss housing, education, and immigrant advocacy. Easton will host the 2026 convention, highlighting the Lehigh Valley’s growing Latino community.
