Arts & Culture

Some shoppers and arts and crafts vendors were surprised to see Hallmark star Wes Brown at ArtsQuest's holiday market in Bethlehem on Thursday.

The chosen work will be featured on the Levitt program book, promotional materials, social media graphics, concert posters and other related merchandise.

Fans of the global superstar celebrated her 34th birthday at the SteelStacks campus on Wednesday night.

Sol Katana is a Latin singer and solo artist based in the Poconos.

Officials said demolishing the current facilities and starting from scratch is the most cost-effective option to continue to provide its range of public offerings.

The Smithsonian Institution-affiliate will begin to review applications starting in January.

Musikfest will have a Southern rock band as a headliner next year.

Swifties can celebrate the singer's 34th birthday on ice on Wednesday night.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries finally gives a first look at what's to come this holiday season when "Miracle in Bethlehem, Pa" premieres. Despite the title, the movie was shot elsewhere and not in the Lehigh Valley.

Musikfest, for the past four years it's been in-person, has added a "preview" night, and already has announced 2024's lineup also will have one. Is Musikfest becoming an 11-day festival?

Now that Musikfest has completed the announcements of the headliners on its main Steel Stage, the festival still has to reveal the wide offerings on the festival's 15 free stages.

The Struts, whose style recalls bands such as The Rolling Stones and Queen and who has had the hits “Could Have Been Me” and “Kiss This,” will perform at 7 p.m. June 28 at Archer Music Hall, it was announced Monday.

Jesse Royal, a Jamaican who blends traditional roots reggae with modern influences and socially conscious lyrics, will perform at the July 11 festival on the SteelStacks campus. Royal will be among more than a dozen acts across three stages scheduled for the festival, set for noon-1:30 a.m.

Brian Regan, who has starred in several Comedy Central specials and refrains from profanity and off-color humor, will play State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25, the venue announced. And Lewis Black, known for his cantankerous comedic style and also as an author, playwright, social critic and actor, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9.

Jessica Simpson, known for her 1999 platinum single "I Wanna Love You Forever," as well as for starring in the MTV reality show "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica" with her husband, singer Nick Lachey, will perform at 8 p.m. June 11.

The Major Arena Soccer League announced Thursday that league owners have approved a team for Allentown.

Zach Top, who in just two years has had four gold or platinum songs and is best known for his 2024 double-platinum hit "I Never Lie," will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 21, the venue announced.

The May 22 show will kick off five monthly concerts in the second year of free, family-friendly series "with an expanded and diverse lineup designed to bring the community together through live music, culture and shared experiences in the heart of Allentown," presenter ArtsQuest said in a release.

Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival will return, reimagined as Red, White & Blues for 2026, from noon-8 p.m. June 13 in downtown Allentown.

The festival, returning to the college campus for an eighth year, will be held 4-10 p.m. Friday, May 22, and noon-10 p.m. Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24.

Night Ranger, best known for its hits “Sister Christian” and “When You Close Your Eyes,” will perform at 8 p.m. May 22.

Comedian Bobby Collins, known for his appearances on "The Tonight Show" and VH1 and Showtime comedy specials, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. And The Fab Faux, which for more than 25 years has recreated iconic Beatles tunes and solo songs of its members behind guitarist and former "Conan" bandleader Jimmy Vivino, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30.