Leading Ladies: Upcoming Performer Spotlights
By Ally Abramson, ArtsQuest Marketing Intern
National Women’s History Month is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the celebration should stop. Year-round, we enjoy the work of female performers, artists, and comedians who bring their vibrant talents to ArtsQuest programming. Here’s a look at some of the leading ladies showcasing their skills at SteelStacks, The Banana Factory and Musikfest…
Banana Factory Art Classes – Year-Round – Current Classes
Throughout the year, our teaching artists hold classes in various art forms at The Banana Factory. Artists include Virginia Abbott, Deborah Slahta, Angie Snyder Lande, Cotty Kilbanks & more. From single-day workshops to weekly sessions, these classes are a great opportunity to get creative in the Lehigh Valley.
L.V. Improv Comedy Showcase – 4/6 – buy tickets
The Lehigh Valley Improv Comedy Showcase features some of the area’s best female improvisers. Erica Sylvester and Cindy Marsh come together to form dynamic improv duo Aunt Merica. Tami Cantilia and Franny Klapac keep your laughs up-to-date on #NEWS. A lovely creature (don’t call her a monster) Gretch hams it up with The Flumplenarfs.
Marina Franklin – 4/15 – buy tickets
Comedian Marina Franklin has appeared in various festivals, shows, and movies, from Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck, to HBO’s recent Crashing. Franklin also hosts the weekly podcast FriendsLikeUs, where she speaks to women of color about different hot topics.
Ginkgoa – 4/20 – buy tickets
Broadway/TV actress and singer Nicolle Rochelle is 1/2 of Ginkgoa, a band that combines French songs with a distinctly American vibe. The group, discovered in the well-known French festival “Les Francofolies,” has performed more than 140 dates and will be releasing their first album later this year.
That’s Historical! – 4/29 – buy tickets
“That’s Historical!” is a history based sketch comedy show that you don’t have to study for! Local comedians Shelley Lee and Jen Santos invite you to take a ride in their DeLorean and travel through time to visit famous figures and witness little known historic events as they really* (read: probably) happened.
Sneak Preview Screening of Great News – 5/4 – buy tickets
Tracey Wigfield, Emmy Award winning comedy writer and executive producer of shows like 30 Rock and The Mindy Project, presents a special advance screening of Great News. The show, also produced by Tina Fey, debuts on NBC this Spring. Following the screening, Wigfield joins us for a Q&A!
Caroline Rhea – 5/14 – buy tickets
Comedian Caroline Rhea, best known as Aunt Hilda on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, joins us for this special Mother’s Day performance. Rhea has appeared in several movies including The Perfect Woman and was the host of her own variety and talk show The Caroline Rhea Show in 2002.
Lake Street Dive – 6/13 – buy tickets
Fronted by lead singer Rachael Price, Lake Street Dive got their start in 2005 when they recorded a song written by Bridget Kearney (bass, piano, vocals) that ultimately won the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. Since then, the band has released many albums; they describe their sound a combination of pop and swing jazz.
Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line – 7/14 – buy tickets
Nora Jane Suthers presents her new album Wake in this show in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room. Suthers and The Party Line are known for their self proclaimed “classic Americana” style, with songs like “Let Go” and “Carnival.”
The Band Perry – 8/11 – buy tickets
Grammy Award winning superstar sibling trio The Band Perry are an unstoppable presence in music, with hits like “If I Die Young” and “You Lie.” Frontwoman and big sister Kimberly Perry is joined by her brothers in this country/pop band releasing their third studio album this year.
Maria Bamford – 8/18 – buy tickets
Comedian Maria Bamford, star of the semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, and creator of the hit web series The Maria Bamford Show, brings quirky comedy and a great attitude to the Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling this August.
