8 DAYS A WEEK: Your look at Valley Arts
Straight No Chaser, 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Dec. 3, State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton. Straight No Chaer, the male a cappella group, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The nine-member group has had two Recording Industry Association of America Gold-Certified albums, 2 million albums sold worldwide and more than 1.5 million concert tickets sold. Straight No Chaser has released eight albums, including its most recent, “Social Christmasing” in 2020. The group, originating in 1996 at Indiana University, includes Allentown native Jerome Collins and Forks Township native Walter Chase. Tickets: Box Office, State Theatre Center for the Arts, 453 Northampton St., Easton; https://statetheatre.org/ ; 1-800-999-STATE (7828)
The Bel Canto Youth Chorus, “Winter Concert,” 4 p.m. Dec. 4, Wesley United Methodist Church, 2540 Center St., Bethlehem. The Prep Choir and Concert Choir present music in various traditions and styles, including Medieval carols reimagined by contemporary composers and Michael Engelhardt’s version of “Gaudete.” Bach Festival Orchestra cellist Loretta O’Sullivan, guest artist, plays Sarah Quartel’s “Snow Angels,” a work for youth chorus, cello and narrators. The Bel Canto Youth Chorus of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem is directed by Dr. Joy Hirokawa since its founding in 1993. Tickets: https://bach.org/ ; 610-866-4382
Switchfoot, “This Is Our Christmas Tour,” 8 p.m. Dec. 4, Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe. Switchfoot’s latest album, its 13th, “This Is Our Christmas Album,” released Nov. 4, includes original tunes and covers of Christmas classics. Switchfoot, founded in San Diego, Calif., had early success as a Christian rock band. Switchfoot gained mainstream recognition with four songs on the soundtrack of the movie, “A Walk to Remember” (2002). Switchfoot’s major label debut album, “The Beautiful Letdown” (2003), sold more than 2.6 million copies. The group has sold more than 10 million albums and 5 million concert tickets in 40 countries. Its seventh studio album, “Hello Hurricane” (2011), received a Grammy Award for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album. Switchfoot is Jon Foreman, vocals, guitar; Jerome Fontamillas, keyboard, guitar; Tim Foreman, bass, and Chad Butler, drums. According to Foreman, the group’s name is a surfing term for using the “goofy foot,” or the opposite foot, in one’s stance on a surboard. Switchfoot has raised more than $2 million to aid youths through its BRO-AM Foundation. Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com; Ticketmaster: 800-745-3000; Box Office, Penn’s Peak, 325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe. Information: https://www.pennspeak ; 866-605-PEAK (7325). Doors open at 7 p.m.