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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Fiesta Colombia, the Hispanic Center's annual fundraising event, was held at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Polling places across the Lehigh Valley faced mainly light turnout throughout Primary Election Day, with early morning turnout lagging.
-
The massive street party and cultural celebration featured music from Rumba Caliente, Los Adolescentes Orquesta and Oro Solido.
-
A vibrant new mural by artist Matt Halm now brightens Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital’s Allentown campus. It was created with help from patients, staff, and volunteers.
-
Shop vinyl, vintage and handmade art at the Lehigh Valley Punk Rock Flea Market on Sept. 6 at the free family-friendly event and mini-concert. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with performances starting at 4:30 p.m.
-
Fans at the Allentown Fair got a triple dose of hair metal nostalgia as Quiet Riot, Ace Frehley, and Great White shared the stage for a night of heavy riffs and anthems on Saturday evening.
-
There are plenty of free acts to enjoy at the unofficial last of summer celebration, including a comedian/juggler with a crown of Solo cups and a tent filled with multi-colored butterflies.
-
Mac and cheese on a stick, barbecue-infused ice cream, and horseradish cheesesteaks are hoping to win over fairgoers in this year's food contest. Voting is done on-site, and the winners will be announced on Monday.
-
After a three-year hiatus, chick hatching is back at the Allentown Fair. The exhibition will be open daily at the Lehigh County 4-Club Livestock Experience tent.
-
The 173rd Great Allentown Fair opens Wednesday, Aug. 27, through Labor Day, Sept. 1. The fair features rides, food, concerts, and family fun at one of Pennsylvania’s oldest fairs.
-
The 2025-26 season will feature innovative performances, including a modern "Alice in Wonderland" and an adaptation of "Medea." Part of the new UnBound Year-Round series, the season will run from Oct. 8 through June 30 in Bethlehem.
-
This year's honorees are abstract artist Michael Freeman, Lehigh University producer Steven Lichak, museum accessibility advocate Elise Schaffer, and members of the IceHouse Performing Arts Collaborative. The group will be honored at an awards ceremony in September.
-
The backpacks, filled with supplies, were distributed to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, along with free haircuts, face painting, and community support from sponsors like Unity Bank and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
-
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church held a festival for the community to raise money for families and victims of the deadly attack at Prophet Elias Church (Mar Elisa) in Damascus, Syria.
-
The Route 22 Filmworks Film Festival returns to Bethlehem’s Charles A. Brown Ice House for its third year on Saturday. The nine-hour event will feature 39 short films, including student work from several Pennsylvania universities.