BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Are you ready for it?
From a Taylor Swift sing-along to an evening of laughs, there are plenty of artsy (and indoor) activities happening this winter.
'Swing' into January with comedy, jazz
A Night of Swing Dancing with Rob Stoneback Big Band: As part of the Stage On Stage at the State Theatre, relive the music of the 30s and 40s with local musician Rob Stoneback.
Dress to impress: Audience participation is encouraged in the theatre's series that transforms the stage into a giant dancefloor that will pave the way for plenty of jazz moves, taps and twirls.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $39
Info: 453 Northampton St., Easton, statetheatre.org/events/a-night-of-swing-dancing
Lush Life: the Music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn: Denzal Sinclaire, a well-known jazz vocalist from Canada, will perform song of Ellington's most famous tunes including "Satin Doll," "Take the A Train," "Lotus Blossom" and "Johnny Came Lately."
The soulful songs were written by Strayhorn during their three-decade collaboration that lasted from the 1930s to 1960s (Strayhorn wrote roughly 40% of the jazz legend's hits).
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan.20
Tickets: $25 to $72
Info: Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. 6th St., Allentown, millersymphonyhall.org
SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival: The 11th annual two-day laugh fest will feature local comedians from the Lehigh Valley, New York City, Baltimore, Boston and Toronto, Canada.
Headliners include the Improvised Shakespeare Company, Synced Up and the Breakfast Boys.
When: 4 p.m. Jan. 26 and Jan. 27
Tickets: $30 (in advance), $35 (week of shows), $27 (in advance, ArtsQuest members), $32 (ArtsQuest members, week of shows)
Info: Musikfest Café, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, steelstacks.org/festivals/improvfest
The School for Scandal: Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts' theater students present a modern spin on Richard Brinsley Sheridan's 18th century comedy that tells the story of a conniving widow's attempts to break up the marriage of two high society — and equally deceitful — English landowners.
This production is directed by Alison Gilheany as part of the department’s Alumni Artist in Residence Program.
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 and 2 p.m. Jan. 28
Tickets: $7 - 12
Info: 321 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, showpass.com/theatre-the-school-for-scandal-by-richard-brinsley-sheridan
Photo exhibitions, opera classics in February
Winter WineFest and Market: Sample an array of white and red wines from participating wineries including Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars, Cellar Beast Winehouse, Clever Girl Winery, Easton Wine Project, J&P Winery, King Cole Winery, Mount Bethel Farms LLC, Renegade Urban Winery, Sandcastle Winery, Sleepy Cat Urban Winery, Tolino’s Vineyards and Vineyard Hill Cellars.
Additionally, there will be fine cheeses and chocolates for sale, along with the chance to attend a seminar on how to make the perfect charcuterie board.
When: Feb. 18
Tickets: $34-$59
Info: 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, steelstacks.org/festivals/winter-winefest-market/
Opening Reception for Nick Brandt: Environmental photographer Nick Brandt presents select works from his series, "Inherit the Dust" and "This Empty World."
Through his photographs, he examines environmental devastation — with both human and animals as subjects — and the long-term effects of climate change and other weather-related catastrophes.
When: 5 p.m. Feb. 9
Tickets: Free entry
Info: LUAG Main Gallery at Zoeller Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem, luag.lehigh.edu/exhibitions
Cello Cayageum: The musical duo, consisting of cellists Sol Daniel Kim and Dayoung Yoon, will present music using a gayageum (a Korean musical instrument that is plucked with 12 strings).
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9
Tickets: $25
Info: Zoellner Arts Center,420 E Packer Ave., Bethlehem,zoellner.cas.lehigh.edu/content/cellogayageum
The Passion of Carmen: Inspired by the novel by Cervantes, the symphony will perform an overture to "Don Giovanni" by Mozart and selections from Bizet's "Carmen."
The performance will be conducted by Diane Wittry and feature Luigi Piovano (Principal Cellist of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome) on cello and Cynthia Phelps (Principal Violinist of the New York Philharmonic) on viola.
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 and 2 p.m. Feb.11
Tickets: $25 - $72
Info: 23 N. 6th St., Allentown, millersymphonyhall.org/calendar/event/1092/
Twelfth Night: Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" tells the story of Viola, who is shipwrecked and stuck in the ancient town of Illyria, where she disguises herself as a man to serve the court of Duke Orsino.
Filled with comedic moments, deception and a bit of debauchery, the performance is directed by Jessica Bedford and suitable for attendees 12 years and older.
When: Feb. 22-March 3
Tickets: $21-$25
Info: DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley, tickets.desales.edu/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent1019.html
Ain't Misbeheavin': the Fats Waller Musical Show: The sassy, and often sultry show, revisits the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s as told through Thomas Fats Waller's greatest hits.
The performance, directed by Gabe Moses, is based on the Broadway musical written by Richard Matlby and Murray Horwitz.
When: Feb. 23-March 10
Tickets: $35, $30 (students, military members), $13 (ages 13 and under)
Info: Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown, civictheatre.com/theatre/upcoming-performances
HeadEye: the Musical: If you happened to miss Touchstone Theatre's resident space creatures, the Headeyes (the extraterrestrials landed in Christmas City in September) here's the chance to see them live.
Written by Jason Hedrington, Jp Jordan and Christopher Shorr, "Headeye, the Musical," reveals the creatures innermost secrets including life on Tralfamadorian and what it means to be stuck on Earth.
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Feb. 29-March 10
Tickets: Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 10
Info: 321 E. 4th St., Bethlehem, touchstone.org/events/headeye-musical/
March into free family fun, a Taylor Swift sing-along
Young at Art: As an expo of creative learning, the event offers an array of activities for children of all ages.
Attendees will be able to try out musical instruments, participate in interactive arts activities, and experience performances by their peers in every artistic discipline.
Parents will have the chance to learn about summer youth camps, after-school programs, dance and music lesson and other educational programs offered by local organizations.
Young at Art is supported partly by the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 9
Tickets: Free entry
Info: Penn State Lehigh Valley, 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley, lvaca.org/youngatart/
Pinocchio!: We're telling the truth, Geppetto and his mischievous wooden puppet are really coming to town.
Based on the beloved novel by Carlo Collodi, and directed by Giovanni Marini, DeSales University's Act 3 senior Class of 2024 presents their rendition of "Pinocchio!" written by Megan Diehl.
Arrive early: Children can get a front row seat for the fun with on-stage carpet seating. Seating is first come, first serve.
When: March 13-April 13
Tickets: $10-$12
Info: Schubert Theatre, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley,
Let’s Sing Taylor: Swifties won't want to miss this sing-along in honor of Taylor Swift.
Fans of the songstress are encouraged to show up in their best Swift attire as the live band promises to show you "incredible things."
When: 7:30 p.m. March 23
Tickets: $29.75-$35.75
Info: 453 Northampton St., Easton, statetheatre.org/events/lets-sing-taylor
