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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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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A new exhibition at Rigo Peralta Art Studio showcases Latino artists from across the United States and Venezuela, bringing bold technique, cultural stories and a crowded opening night to Allentown. The show will be on display through February.
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En un foro en Lehigh Valley, Elizabeth DeJesus relató la detención de su esposo por el ICE mientras expertos explicaban derechos, límites de acción y cómo apoyar vía la red ERN.
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At a Lehigh Valley town hall, Elizabeth DeJesus recounted her husband’s ICE detainment as experts explained immigrant rights, enforcement limits, and how the community can help through the ERN network.
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ArtsQuest and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks announced Monday an open call for artists to create an official poster and program book artwork for the 2026 Levitt concert season. The deadline to apply to the artist open call is Friday, Dec. 12, and finalists will be notified by Friday, Dec. 19.
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Nearly 800 students at Southern Lehigh's Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School spent a week learning to write, address, and mail handwritten letters through the Dearist literacy program — sending holiday messages to local seniors, veterans and nonprofit groups.
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Perros con suéteres festivos en Lights & Leashes, la noche canina de Illumination en Coca-Cola Park. El evento vuelve el 17 y 30 de dic. para más diversión familiar.
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Dogs in festive sweaters and antlers stole the show at Lights & Leashes, the dog-friendly night at Illumination at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. The event will return Dec. 17 and Dec. 30 for more tail-wagging family fun.
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"Saint Nick of Bethlehem" is available to rent on Amazon Prime starting at $2.99. The holiday movie, which was filmed in the Christmas City, features recognizable scenes in downtown Bethlehem, Nazareth, Bath and Northampton.
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Touchstone Theatre's Christmas Follies, the Bach Choir and more: The Lehigh Valley offers a variety of concerts that capture the spirit of Christmastime.
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Lehigh University Art Galleries' 100th birthday bash coincides with the "Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists" exhibition, which runs through May 22 and highlights the works of local creatives.
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"Elegance in Stone," an exhibition opening at Peralta’s studio, 1601 West Chew St., kicks off with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. and runs through Oct. 24.
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From Allentown to Easton, volunteers spent the day beautifying schools, reading to seniors and building beds for shelters. The American Red Cross and the Allentown Fire Department also participated by installing smoke detectors in homes across the city during the annual event.
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Lehigh Valley IronPigs unveiled the team’s new America 250 uniforms, created in collaboration with ArtsQuest and featuring Musikfest’s 2026 “Music Unites” artwork by local artist Doug Boehm.
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ArtsQuest unveiled the 2026 Musikfest poster, “Music Unites,” honoring America’s 250th anniversary. The design came from two-time Musikfest artist Doug Boehm.
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The event will mark 80 years since WWII’s end and its sister city bond with Tondabayashi, Japan, on Saturday, Sept. 13 with a peace mural unveiling, taiko drumming, and concerts at the Bethlehem Area Public Library and Congregation Brith Sholom.
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Arlan and Pat Christ’s 1,000-piece quilt collection is featured in “Cutting Edge” at the Allentown Art Museum, with a special quilt turning event. The collection will be on display through Oct. 26. Admission to the museum is free.
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The new exhibition “Here and Now: 100 Years of LUAG, 100 Local Artists,” runs through May 22 and coincides with a community birthday celebration on Sept. 19 at Zoellner Arts Center.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.