Southside Bethlehem and Lehigh University have a history of strained relations, but two organizations are working together to improve that situation.

The Superiors art collective clothing line and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity are hosting “Extravaganza: Celebrating Brother Kevin Stripling’s 21st Birthday” to bring the Northampton Area and Lehigh University together.

“I think it’s going to really let people know that there are creative people at Lehigh University,” said Miles Davis, a member of The Superiors and also the performer MJ the Sensei. “[There are] creative students that are willing to open themselves up and not limit themselves to just Lehigh University and the campus, but who are willing to go out and meet and interact with the people in Southside and the people in Lehigh Valley, as well.”

The event is a birthday celebration for Lehigh University student Kevin Stripling and will have live performances by Thouzand, SliM, Steel City Sunrise, Minnit and MJ the Sensei. Stripling will also be a featured performer at the event under his stage name Samuraimayyne. He said the night will be “everyone’s birthday,” and will take place Sept. 3 from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the Comfort Suits on Third Street. Tickets will be $2 with college ID and $5 without college ID. Attendees must be 18 years old to enter, and 21 years old to drink.

The collection of musical talents is being brought together from Lehigh University and the local area. Steel City Sunrise, Minnit, MJ the Sensei and Samuraimayyne are all from Lehigh University, while Thouzand and SliM and local rap groups. The Superiors clothing line will have a pop-up shop to sell apparel at during the Extravaganza, too.

Christian Naunay, member of Alpha Phi Alpha, said the event has a lot of potential to bring the talents of Southside and Lehigh University together. He said it is important to expand the networks of the creative talents because the event will be an appreciation of different music genres. Stripling said he hopes people put down their judgments. He feels that the Northampton community and Lehigh community are one whole community, but segregated.

Through the use of flyers, social media and word of mouth, about 150 people are expected to attend, although more are welcome. Stripling said the location was chosen because it is walking distance for the local community and the university students. There will be a bar in the hotel that is walking distance from the ballroom the Extravaganza is held in.

“It’s a cool thing to just bring everyone together and show everyone what each other is about, and have a good time with good people and network,” Stripling said. “We are a community as a whole, too.”