ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - This week's PBS39 Culture Shock report includes cartoon characters, a virtual coronavirus relief concert and a performance by a Bethlehem-based pianist.
MASCOTS & MORE
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs is hosting a ''Character Cruise Thru'' event on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park.
Starting at noon, guests are invited to drive through the stadium parking lot and see various characters who will be stationed around the lot. The event features over 40 different characters, including the IronPigs mascots, Santa and Mrs. Claus, all genres of superheroes and movie princesses.
Tickets are $10 per car and must be purchased online prior to the event. All proceeds benefit IronPigs Charities.
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF VARIETY SHOW
A group of Lehigh University students are organizing a virtual coronavirus relief variety show called ‘’Lehigh Strong.’’ The show will feature videos created by performing arts groups and community members from around the Lehigh Valley, as well as Lehigh University students.
Organizer Victoria Collum says the goal of the event is to honor essential workers.
''You'll see two months of hard work that we put into this. It's just a lot of good content, and original content too,'' Collum told PBS39. ''We want to make sure that all of the essential workers are being recognized for all of their hard work right now.''
A ''Go Fund Me'' page has been set up for the event. All proceeds go towards non-profits in the region, including Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, New Bethany Ministries, St. Luke’s Community Health and Preventive Medicine Department and the Street Medicine Program at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Follow this link to donate.
The hour and a half broadcast airs next Saturday, June 6th at 7 p.m. on Lehigh University's YouTube page.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
In this week's edition of Culture Shock, we welcome a student from Lehigh University’s Music Master Mentor Program. Rachael Mége just graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School, and will attend Moravian College in the fall. In her virtual piano solo for PBS39, she performs George Shearing’s arrangement of ‘’Over the Rainbow.’’ You can watch her performance at the conclusion of PBS39 News Tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2020 or in the video player below.