CHARTER ARTS: Dance Quilt 2026 is a dynamic concert featuring original works by faculty and guest artists-including two Charter Arts Dance alumni-and showcases all 99 of the school’s dance majors Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 9 at 2 and 7 p.m.

The performance opens with an innovative cross-curricular collaboration, bringing Julius Caesar to life through modern dance, inspired by the structure of the play’s five acts.

The program weaves together a rich variety of genres, including ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, commercial, and jazz dance, highlighting the versatility and artistry of our students. The work presented in this concert is a direct reflection of the Dance Department’s comprehensive curriculum, demonstrating both technical range and creative depth.

The concert culminates in an exciting commercial dance work by special guest professional choreographer Tiffanie Carson.

Tickets are available in advance at CharterArts.org.

The Spring Choral Concert, taking place May 11 and 12 at 7 p.m., will feature the school’s 9/10 Choir, 11/12 Choir, Treble Choir and Touring Choir as well as a meaningful combined finale featuring all students involved. The concert showcases a wide variety of genres and languages including works by Elaine Hagenberg, Craig Hella Johnson, Moses Hogan and Caroline Shaw. All students will be singing “The Promise of Living” from “The Tender Land,” an opera by Aaron Copland, an epic and poignant work celebrating community, the dignity of labor, and hope. The Vocal Music Department is led by Erica Dickson.

The Spring Instrumental Concert, taking place May 13 at 7 p.m., will feature the Charter Arts Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble performing a wide range of repertoire. The Instrumental Music Department is led by Matthew Wells.

All concerts will take place in the Charter Arts Theatre located on the school’s campus at 321 East 3rd St., Bethlehem.

Tickets for each concert can be purchased through the school’s website, www.CharterArts.org.

FOXWYND GRANT: Valley Youth House (VYH) is pleased to announce a $30,000 grant from the Foxwynd Foundation to support the VYH Benevolent Fund. The grant was made possible through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) of the Foxwynd Foundation.

The Benevolent Fund serves as a last-resort resource, addressing emergency needs such as medical supplies, funeral expenses, employment documentation, and emergency transportation for youth struggling with housing instability. By removing these immediate barriers, the program helps vulnerable youth maintain stability in their housing, education, and employment goals.

GARDEN CLUB: The Bethlehem Garden Club is having a presentation on “Urgent Tree Care: How to Care for your Ornamental Trees and Shrubs in an Ever-Changing Climate,” Presented by Taylor Breinich on Thursday, May 21, at Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem. Doors Open at 12:30 p.m. Program begins at 1 followed by club meeting and refreshments.

HI NEIGHBORS: The speakers program offered by First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem. It brings a variety of local speakers who share their interest and passion for topics like music, history, travel, and technology.

The programs, all on Mondays, include a social time at 9:30 a.m. with the presentation starting at 10 a.m. They are free and open to the public, and there is no registration needed.

May 11: The Wildlands Conservancy protects natural areas in the Lehigh River watershed; Haley D’Agostino will share their story.

WELLNESS WALK: Battle Borne will host its 6th Annual Walk for Wellness on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Bethlehem, starting at The Wooden Match and along the D&L Trail. The community event supports veteran mental health, wellness, and connection, and is open to veterans, families, and the general public. It includes free general admission and a 5K walk/run designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities. In addition to the walk, the event will feature music, food, vendors, guest speakers, awards, and community resources.

Registration, sponsorship, and vendor information are available online, with proceeds supporting Battle Borne’s mission to serve veterans and their families. [HEY! Battl ... Bethlehem | Outlook]

CHARITY WALK: During the Northampton County Festival May 16, a multi-charity 3K Community Charity Walk is planned through Louise Moore Park. This family-friendly event will be accessible to participants of all ages.

The primary goal of the 3K walk, located on the opposite side of the park from the festival, is to raise funds for nonprofits, with proceeds distributed proportionally based on the number of participants each organization attracts.

Participants can register for a team by emailing the County Department of Community and Economic Development at DTomaino@norcopa.gov. Registration fees will be set to cover costs and contribute to the fundraising goal.

Sponsorship packages will be sold to local businesses and organizations, offering branding opportunities on T-shirts, banners, and promotional materials.

The Community Charity Walk will be held at the Northampton County Festival at Louise Moore Park on May 16 from noon-3 p.m. Registration and packet pickup begins at 11:30 a.m.

CLEAN UP: 2026 Big Cleanup at the Rose Garden. Join the friends of the Garden and volunteers who maintain the garden Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Replace aging roses and plant new, sustainable varieties that support birds, bees, and other pollinators.

Email 18018mana@gmail.com. Funding etc.: there is a GoFundMe platform to make giving easier. (Please note: GoFundMe automatically suggests a 17.5 percent tip, but you can adjust it to zero or a modest 1.5 percent if you prefer.) Visit gofund.me/4dfe76cc.

ROSE GARDEN: The City of Bethlehem proudly announces the return of Live in the Garden, a beloved concert series celebrating its fifth season in the heart of Bethlehem’s West Side. This free, family-friendly series, facilitated by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Tape Swap Radio, and sponsored by Zoellner Arts Center, transforms the Rose Garden into a vibrant community gathering place, kicking off the season of warm nights, longer days, and outdoor celebration with live music, local food and beverage, and the unmistakable energy of the Bethlehem community.

Taking place Saturdays from May 9 through June 27, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., each evening features an opening act followed by a headlining performance, showcasing a dynamic mix of regional talent and emerging artists.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a relaxed evening. The event is rain or shine, with cancellations only occurring in the event of severe weather.

For more information, contact the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce or visit: Live in the Garden.

GREENWAY MUSIC: The Southside Arts District is kicking off the summer season with the return of Live on the Greenway, a free outdoor concert series bringing live music, local food and beverage makers, and community energy to Bethlehem’s Southside. This Sunday afternoon series invites residents and visitors to enjoy live performances in an open-air setting while supporting local bands and small businesses.

The series is presented by the Southside Arts District with and supported by the City of Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, and community partners. Concerts take place from 1–3 p.m. on select Sundays at Harmony Pavilion, located between Webster and Taylor Streets on the Greenway.

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating. Food and beverages from local food trucks and craft beverage vendors will be available for purchase, with vendors rotating weekly.

Convenient is available in the Mechanic Street Lot #2 next to the Greenway or along Mechanic Street, and in the New Street Parking Garage. It is free to park on Sundays in Bethlehem.

For more information, visit: southsideartsdistrict.com/live-on-the-greenway/

FASHION SHOW: Bright Communications is hosting a Books Are Fashionable Fashion Show in Hellertown Saturday, May 16, 2-4 pm, at the middle school gym, 2097 Polk Valley Road. Tickets are $15 on Eventbrite and at the door.

goals for the event are to support literacy, highlight local authors, and provide a fun, family-friendly afternoon for the community. In addition to the fashion show featuring local authors as models, we’ll also have a pop-up bookstore, vendors, and food trucks!

HISTORY EXPO: The Major History Expo will take place on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania, offering free admission as part of a daylong celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. More than 20 historical societies and organizations from across the Lehigh Valley will present interactive exhibits and displays highlighting their missions and local history. A featured exhibit, Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy from the Gilder Lehrman Institute, will explore key turning points in American history. Visitors can also enjoy student artwork, mini-tours of Trout Hall, a colonial-era mansion, a car show featuring rare antique vehicles, and appearances by the Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum Corps. Children will have special activities, including meeting PIP the Colonial Mouse and receiving commemorative coin sets for the first 500 attendees.

Special guests include Jon Provost, best known as “Timmy” from the television series Lassie, who will give presentations and sign autographs, and author Laurie Jacobson, who will speak on Hollywood child stars and the cultural impact of The Beatles. The Expo will officially open at 11 a.m. with remarks by Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel and the unveiling of a new historical painting. The day concludes with an outdoor performance by the Allentown Band at 3:30 p.m. on the museum grounds. Some outdoor activities may be weather-dependent.