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.
-
Despite frigid temperatures — gusts drove the wind chill down to a bone-chilling 14 degrees Tuesday — families still lined up both indoors and outdoors across the SteelStacks campus for the 17th annual PeepsFest. -
With the new year comes a new season of high school musicals, as hundreds of student performers begin rehearsals, hoping for a nomination at the 24th annual Freddy Awards.
-
A look back at some of our favorite arts, culture, and entertainment stories of the year, including Allentown Art Museum's must-see windows, Musikfest, Super Bowl bling, and a rock legend's last performance in Allentown.
-
El Quinteto Clave Legacy, grupo de jazz de inspiración religiosa, ofreció un concierto gratuito en Palette & Pour de ArtsQuest Center como adelanto de la celebración de los Reyes Magos del domingo 4 de enero.
-
Clave Legacy Quintet, a faith-based jazz group, performed a free concert at the ArtsQuest Center’s Palette & Pour, previewing the Three Kings celebration scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 4.
-
Locally filmed BET+'s 'Love After Holidays' premieres in Bethlehem, showcases homegrown student filmCast, crew, students and community gathered at the Univest Public Media Center, home to Lehigh Valley Public Media, for a red carpet premiere of the BET+ film celebrating local talent and the next generation of creatives.
-
Voices of all ages and experience levels filled First Presbyterian Church as the Lehigh Valley Chorale presented its sold-out winter concert, celebrating inclusion, empathy and community.
-
Integrantes del Comité de Ciudades Hermanas de Bethlehem visitaron Patillas, Puerto Rico, para vivir las tradiciones navideñas y fortalecer alianzas en los ámbitos de la educación, el desarrollo económico y el turismo entre ambas ciudades.
-
Una nueva exposición en el Rigo Peralta Art Studio presenta a artistas latinos de Estados Unidos y de Venezuela, aportando técnicas audaces, relatos culturales y una inauguración multitudinaria en Allentown. La exposición estará abierta hasta febrero.
-
Members of Bethlehem’s Sister City Committee visited Patillas, Puerto Rico, to experience traditional tradiciones navideñas and to strengthen partnerships in education, economic development, and tourism between the two cities.
-
Allentown has completed a comprehensive update and digitization of over 2,000 property records across its three historic districts — Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds and West Park.
-
Now in its fourth year, the awards ceremony recognized excellence across 17 categories, honoring everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs, actors, models, and filmmakers to emerging young talent. It was held at Archer Music Hall in Allentown.
-
Even after Hispanic Heritage Month ended, Northeast Middle School in Bethlehem was alive with the sound of salsa and the aroma of arroz con gandules during BASD’s annual Hispanic Heritage celebration.
-
The production of "Macbeth" will take place at 8 p.m. Friday at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Artsquest's annual autumn festival will run through Sunday, Oct. 12, on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem.
-
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.
-
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.
-
"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.
-
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.
