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.
-
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 Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs has appointed 27 commissioners for its 2025-27 board, including several leaders from Lehigh and Northampton counties.
-
Historic Hotel Bethlehem was celebrated Wednesday for being chosen by USA Today as one of the nation’s 10 Best Historic Hotels/Resorts for the fifth consecutive year.
-
At his headlining Saturday show, Jordan Davis shared his love for family, faith, and country music heroes, while delivering hits and Nashville-style collaborations.
-
Third Eye Blind announced news onstage at Musikfest while encouraging kindness in the crowd Friday on the festival's main Steel Stage.
-
The five-story cultural hub, which will replace the Banana Factory, will house a recording studio, a 125-seat theater, STEAM classes, a glass studio and programming in English and Spanish.
-
"Rooted: A Story of Artists Embracing Place" debuted on Sunday at Zoellner Arts Center. It is produced by Doug Roysdon, Dave Fry, Bill George, and Bridget George. The riveting film features interviews with Bethlehem's community leaders, directors, and arts advocates.
-
Juneteenth Lehigh Valley celebrated its fifth year — a wet one — on the SteelStacks campus.
-
The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts graduate is reuniting with her fellow "The Voice" contestants and will release a new single in the fall.
-
Sporting "Eras" tour outfits, friendship bracelets, and glittery makeup, hundreds of Swifties turned out to the shopping center's celebration and tribute to the pop singer.
-
The documentary "Rooted" features interviews and videos with the founders of Bethlehem's arts community. It will premiere at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, at Zoellner Arts Center.
-
The film festival now in its 21st year will feature more than 80 films and shorts. Presented by the SouthSide Arts District, the festival runs from Tuesday, June 10, to Sunday, June 15.
-
Excitement at Target, Best Buy, and GameStop for the release of Switch 2, Nintendo's newest game console. While fans in New York City and Philadelphia reported longer lines, some local gamers were lucky enough to buy one before it sold out on Thursday.
-
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.
