START 2023 WITH A SONG
Shake off the winter blues with dance parties, indie bands and tributes
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Short days, early sunsets and winter weather got you down? Gather your friends, get out your calendars and shake off those winter blues planning for an exciting 2023 in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. ArtsQuest has a variety of upcoming dance parties, indie pop, classic rock and tribute shows sure to start 2023 with a song! Tickets are available now and can be purchased at Steelstacks.org. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today.
The Feelies will bring their post-punk, jangle pop style to the Café Friday, March 24. Formed in 1976 in Haledon, NJ, the Garden State group has released four studio albums starting with their debut “Crazy Rhythms” – chosen by Spin Magazine as the 49th best alternative record of all time. The group toured extensively, appearing alongside the Patti Smith Group, REM and Bob Dylan. Founders Glenn Mercer and Bill Million serve as songwriters, their twin-guitar attack providing the group’s infectious sound. Pairing Mercer and Million with driving drums and percussion has left an indelible mark on the landscape of rock and roll. The group recently wrapped up a brand-new studio album expected to be released later this year. Their work has been featured in films “Married to the Mob,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” and “The Truth About Charlie.”
Join Kofi Baker Friday, March 31 as he brings the music of his father Ginger Baker’s legendary bands to the Café stage. Kofi Baker’s Cream Faith- Performing the Music of Cream & Blind Faith will bring all the groundbreaking drumming classics to the Lehigh Valley audience. Without question, Kofi not only continues but extends the family legacy! First taking the stage with his father for a performance on the cult UK TV music show “The Old Grey Whistle Test,” at the age of 6, he toured with his father in the early 80s playing drum duets. Kofi later went on to tour with John Ethridge of Soft Machine, Steve Waller of Manfred Mann and Randy California of Spirit. In the 90s he recorded the album “Lost City” and continued to tour extensively often being joined by his father onstage.
The Legendary Lenny Kaye with the Craig Thatcher Band will bring and unforgettable night of music to the Café Saturday, April 1. A former member of the Patti Smith Group, Lenny Kaye is an American guitarist, composer and writer and will be joined by Lehigh Valley’s popular Craig Thatcher Band. Thatcher, an international clinician/Ambassador for C.F. Martin & Co. began his career in 1968 and has joined musical icons on stage like Simon, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughn, Steve Miller and so many more. Thatcher has performed in every U.S. State and 35 different countries and is an ArtsQuest staple, performing at every venue from Musikfest to the Levitt Pavilion and the Café.
Never failing to provide a good time, Go Go Gadjet brings their unique and innovative blend of traditional instruments and modern synths to the Café Friday, Jan. 6. After a decade on the road, this Pennsylvania-based band has homed in on its grove and never disappoints. A Go Go Gadjet show is your chance to dance!
Embrace the angst, put on the flannel and plan to “Come as You Are” to the SteelStacks Campus Thursday, Jan. 12, for Smells Like Nirvana with opening act Dead Original. Celebrate the crunch of electric guitar chords, hard-driving drums and everything else you remember about groundbreaking grunge as Smells Like Nirvana performs hits from “Nevermind,” “Bleach” and includes the B-sides and deep cuts with support from Dead Original. Dead Original has toured with rock bands Candlebox, Seether, 10 Years and more, and will open the show with songs from their debut album.
Come “Shake it Off” at the dance party you’ve been waiting for! On Saturday, Feb. 4, the 18+ show Long Live: A Taylor Swift Inspired Dance Party will take over the Café. Come celebrate T-Swift throughout her eras where trivia, lip syncing, costume contest, photo walls and more await you. Red scarves and heart glasses are optional.
Get your low-rise jeans and backward fitted hats ready to welcome The Dude Ranch and 40oz to Freedom to the Café Friday, Feb. 17. These two tribute groups, straight out of the 90s, will present authentic and accurately played classics from Blink 182 and Sublime.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, join the fun of Dancing Dream – ABBA Tribute Band inside theCafé as they play all the Swedish supergroup hits, unleashing your inner dancing queen! The New York based tribute band of seasoned musicians and talented singers will take you back to the glittering and glamorous 70s with their harmonies, costumes and choreography.
Tribute band singing on a Saturday night. Join Strawberry Fields- The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band Saturday, April 8, for an evening full of all the beloved songs from the mop-top crew. Strawberry Fields deliver a unique and theatrical trip through one of the most famous music catalogs in history. The use of costumes, vintage instruments and amplifiers give a truly authentic audio and visual experience for the causal listener or the forever fan. The group is comprised of cast members from the Broadway and touring company of the hit musical “Beatlemania.” They have performed throughout the country and hold the record for the longest running Beatles show on Broadway.
