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.
-
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.
-
The boutique hotel in Downtown Allentown opened on Jan. 15 and is already booking dates for when the Archer Music Hall opens in March.
-
Several celebrations and church services in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. have been postponed due to weather. Check back for updates.
-
Rickhaslo "Ricky" Brown and his wife, Heather, celebrated his big win on "Wheel of Fortune" Wednesday at Rivals Sports Bar and Restaurant.
-
Construction is set to begin after the former Banana Factory building is demolished in March. There, the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory will house a Martin Guitar recording studio, volunteer center, artist studios and a year-round comedy club.
-
The new exhibits feature artwork by well-known creatives and former residents of the New Arts Program, plus pieces by local artists Rain Black and Mallory Zondag.
-
Volunteers from Los Rebolcones Jeep Club and Las Motos Mamis handed out gifts to children at the first celebration held on the last night of Lights in the Parkway.
-
Elevate Your Health and Wellness Expo will take place at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Delta by Marriott. The event is free and will benefit KidsPeace.
-
The fledgling cultural center on Church Road in Martins Creek is at the former Good Shepherd Church, built in 1864. The center offers monthly lunches for seniors, free classes for children, monthly movie nights, book clubs and gardening.
-
The Lehigh Valley Arts and Culture Alliance is offering grants to individual artists and nonprofits to help revamp parts of downtown Allentown. LVACA also seeks artists to paint a mural on the Spiral parking garage on Linden St.
-
The Three Kings celebration at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks will feature a children's story time, distribution of toys, and an appearance by Einstein the camel.
-
The Freddy Awards aren't until May, but several theater departments have already announced their spring productions to be held in April and May.
-
The annual Trees of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites exhibit is now on display through Jan. 12.
