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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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At his headlining Saturday show, Jordan Davis shared his love for family, faith, and country music heroes, while delivering hits and Nashville-style collaborations.
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Third Eye Blind announced news onstage at Musikfest while encouraging kindness in the crowd Friday on the festival's main Steel Stage.
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“Cutting Edge: Inventive Nineteenth-Century Quilts” opens Saturday, Aug. 9. The new exhibit explores over 30 unique quilts from Arlan and Pat Christ’s collection and will run through Oct. 26. Admission is free.
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The "Gentleman of Salsa" remarked he "felt at home" at his debut at Musikfest, where he delivered an evening of elegant dance moves, smooth vocals, and Puerto Rican pride.
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German food, polka and Cast in Bronze are just some of the beloved traditions found at Musikfest each year.
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Three-time Grammy Award winner Nelly performed some of his biggest hits, such as "Ride Wit Me" and "Hot in Herre," on Wednesday at Musikfest's main Steel Stage.
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Lehigh Valley siblings and filmmakers produced their second movie, this time at Moravian University and Liberty High School in Bethlehem. It is expected to be released next year in time for film festival season.