Vengan uno, vengan todos al Día Anual de Reyes Magos en SteelStacks

La duodécima celebración anual, El Día de Reyes, se celebrará el domingo 7 de enero en ArtsQuest  

14 de diciembre de 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest se enorgullece de anunciar el regreso del Día De Reyes, se celebrará el domingo 7 de enero de 2024 en su duodécima celebración anual en el ArtsQuest Center del campus SteelStacks. Este evento gratuito, una apreciada tradición religiosa y cultural de muchos países latinoamericanos, es presentada por PPL y su socio de medios La Mega junto con el patrocinador de apoyo, B. Braun Medical, Inc. and Commonwealth Charter Academy. Siga la estrella hasta Belén, ya que las puertas se abrirán a las 2 p.m.

Durante la celebración de los Reyes Magos, se anima a los niños a que vengan a escuchar una lectura de la Historia de los Reyes Magos seguida de la entrega de regalos. Los niños también pueden participar en una variedad de actividades llenas de diversión que incluyen artes y manualidades, una visita a Einstein, el camello de nieve, deliciosa comida que se puede comprar en la Iglesia de la Santa Infancia y presentaciones musicales en vivo.

“Crecimos en Bethlehem con padres puertorriqueños, y la temporada navideña siempre incluía muchas festividades con familiares y amigos, celebrando alegremente cantando y bailando música de “parranda”, comiendo platos tradicionales puertorriqueños y, lo más importante, asegurándonos de que los niños pequeños recibieran regalos y/o obsequios”, dijo Myrna Rivera, miembro de la Junta Directiva de ArtsQuest y presidenta del Comité de Programación Latina.  «Seguimos compartiendo estas tradiciones con nuestros niños durante la celebración de los Reyes Magos en ArtsQuest para garantizar que estas tradiciones navideñas se conserven para las generaciones futuras.”

“Al crecer en South Bethlehem, siempre me sentí afortunada porque no solo pudimos celebrar la Navidad, sino que también celebramos el Día de Reyes. Para un niño, era lo mejor de ambos mundos”, comentó Lissette Santana, Gerente Senior de Responsabilidad Corporativa de PPL.  Agradezco a ArtsQuest por incluir esta tradición latina especial en su emocionante programa de celebraciones navideñas. PPL se enorgullece de apoyar el Día de Reyes de ArtsQuest y compartir esta tradición cultural especial con una nueva generación de niños en nuestra comunidad.”

El Día de Reyes, conocido como Epifanía o Teofanía, es una fiesta cristiana en celebración de la revelación de Dios a través de su Hijo, Jesucristo. El Día de Reyes marca el final de los “12 Días de Navidad” llenos de festividad desde España hasta Chile y México que conmemoran el viaje de los Reyes Magos de Oriente, Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar a Belén para presentar al bebé Jesús recién nacido con santas ofrendas de oro, incienso y mirra.

“Nací y crecí en Puerto Rico”, dijo Miguel Pérez, miembro de la junta de artes escénicas de ArtsQuest y planificador de demanda de B. Braun Medical Inc. “El Día de Reyes siempre ha formado parte de mi crianza durante las fiestas navideñas. Fue un día de verdadera celebración con familiares y vecinos, cantando música estilo “parranda”, compartiendo platos tradicionales puertorriqueños y por supuesto, ¡regalos!  Recuerdo recoger pasto en una caja de zapatos para alimentar a los camellos, ya que pasaban la víspera del Día de Reyes entregando juguetes a cada hogar. Comparto el valor cultural de esta tradición hoy con mis hijas.”

Pérez continúa: “Al reconocer la importancia de este día para nuestra creciente comunidad latina, ArtsQuest celebra esta tradición latinoamericana profundamente arraigada para garantizar que todos los niños que asisten a este evento reciban juguetes y/o golosinas mientras se ofrece una experiencia cercana a casa con comida típica, música, narración de historias y camaradería para esta y las generaciones futuras.”

Además de las festividades que tendrán lugar en el ArtsQuest Center, la pista de Patinaje sobre Hielo será la sede del Día de Reyes, organizado por La Mega, con dos sesiones de patinaje a las 2:30 y 4:15 p.m. Consiga sus entradas para patinar en christmascity.org  y para obtener información adicional sobre el Día de Reyes, visite steelstacks.org.

Acerca de ArtsQuest  

La misión de ArtsQuest es brindar acceso a experiencias artísticas, culturales y educativas excepcionales utilizando las artes y la cultura como elementos clave del desarrollo económico de nuestras comunidades urbanas. ArtsQuest™ apoya esta misión a través de la presentación de artes escénicas y visuales, cine, clases de educación artística y divulgación, programación juvenil y eventos culturales. Mediante festivales como su evento estrella, Musikfest; el Centro de Artes Banana Factory; y el Centro ArtsQuest Center en el campus artístico y cultural de SteelStacks, la programación de ArtsQuest llega a más de 1.9 millones de personas anualmente. Los programas y eventos de la organización, de los cuales más del 50% son gratuitos, tienen un impacto económico combinado de más de $136 millones anuales en la región.

Come One, Come All – to the Annual Three Kings Day at SteelStacks

The 12^th annual celebration, El Dia de Los Reyes, to be held on Sunday, Jan. 7 at ArtsQuest

December 14, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest is proud to announce the return of Three Kings Day, El Dia de los Reyes, in its 12^th annual celebration on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks campus. This free event, a cherished religious and cultural tradition of many Latin American countries, is presented by PPL and media partner La Mega along with supporting sponsor, B. Braun Medical, Inc. Follow the star to Bethlehem as doors will open at 2 p.m.

During the Three Kings celebration, children are encouraged to come hear a reading of the Story of the Three Kings followed by gift giving. Kids can also take part in a variety of fun-filled activities including arts and crafts, a visit with Einstein the Snow Camel, delicious food for purchase from Holy Infancy Church and live musical performances.

“Growing up in Bethlehem with Puerto Rican parents, the Christmas holiday season always included many festivities with family and friends where we celebrated joyfully by singing and dancing to “parranda” music, eating traditional Puerto Rican meals and most importantly making sure the young children received gifts and/or treats,” said Myrna Rivera, member of the ArtsQuest Board of Trustees and Chair of the Latin Programming Committee.  “We continue to share these traditions with our children during the Three Kings celebration at ArtsQuest to ensure these Holiday traditions are preserved for generations to come.”

“Growing up in South Bethlehem, I always felt lucky because not only did we get to celebrate Christmas, we also celebrated El Dia de los Reyes. For a kid, it was the best of both worlds,” commented Lissette Santana, PPL Senior Manager Corporate Responsibility. I’m grateful to ArtsQuest for including this special Latine tradition in its exciting lineup of holiday celebrations. PPL is proud to support ArtsQuest’s Three Kings Day and share this special cultural tradition with a new generation of children in our community.”

Three Kings Day, known as Epiphany or Theophany, is a Christian feast day in celebration of the revelation of God through his Son, Jesus Christ. Three Kings Day marks the end of the festivity filled “12 Days of Christmas” from Spain to Chile to Mexico that commemorate the journey of the Three Wise Men or Magi from the East, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar to Bethlehem to present the newly born baby Jesus with holy gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

“I was born and raised in Puerto Rico,” said Miguel Perez, ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board Member and B. Braun Medical Inc. Senior Demand Planner. “The Three Kings Day has always been part of my upbringing during the Christmas festivities. It was a day of true celebration with family and neighbors, singing “parranda” style music, sharing traditional Puerto Rican dishes and of course, presents!  I remember collecting grass in a shoe box to feed the camels as they would spend the eve of Epiphany Day delivering toys to each home. I share the cultural value of this tradition today. with my daughters.”

Perez continues, “Recognizing the importance of this day to our growing Latin community, ArtsQuest celebrates this deeply rooted Latin America tradition to ensure all children attending this event receives toys and/or treats while providing a close-to-home experience with typical food, music, storytelling and comradery for this and future generations.”

In addition to the festivities taking place at the ArtsQuest Center, the Ice-Skating rink will host Three Kings Day, hosted by La Mega, with both the 2:30 and 4:15 p.m. skating sessions. Get your tickets for skating at christmascity.org  and for additional information on Three Kings Day, visit steelstacks.org.

About ArtsQuest  

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. 

Spread Holiday Cheer through Laughter and Comedy at ArtsQuest

Announcing the 11^th Annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival and upcoming Comedy Classes

December 12, 2023, Bethlehem, PA- ArtsQuest is excited to announce several upcoming comedy events taking place on the SteelStacks campus this winter season, including the 11^th Annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27, with The Improvised Shakespeare Company® as this year’s festival headliner. The festival starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, with The Improvised Shakespeare Company® taking the stage at 9:30 p.m. on both nights.

The Improvised Shakespeare Company® creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes. Prepare for an evening of spontaneous comedy using the language and themes of William Shakespeare. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All of the dialogue is said for the first time, the characters are created as you watch and if ever you’re wondering where the story is going…so are they!

“The Improvised Shakespeare Company received the most thunderous standing ovation I’ve ever seen when they performed at the SSICF in 2017; I can’t wait to have them back,” commented Addyson Young, ArtsQuest Programming Specialist and SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival Director. “I’m also excited to get improvisers from New York and Philadelphia all under one roof with our own area performers to further create community in our improv scene.”

The Improvised Shakespeare Company® is one of the funniest and most critically acclaimed improv troupes in the world. It was founded in Chicago in 2005 where it ran to sold-out audiences at the iO Theatre for over a decade and performs regularly at Los Angeles’s Largo at the Coronet. Guest performers have included Jason Alexander, Bradley Whitford and Patrick Stewart. To learn more about additional accomplishments, click here.

Get your tickets here to see this award-winning comedy festival and be prepared to laugh out loud! Please note, children ages 12 and under will not be permitted. Ages 13-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Are you interested in learning more about Improv comedy? This style of comedy is a fun, liberating performance medium with benefits that extend beyond the stage. Your team will learn improvisational techniques to better listen, support and ultimately satisfy your clients. The following classes are being offered through ArtsQuest:

Classes:

• Improv 301 with Evan Stutts on Tuesday, Jan. 9
• Improv 101 with Jamie Bleasdale on Wednesday, Jan. 10
• Intro to Sketch Comedy Writing with Jiah Peck on Monday, Jan. 22
• Improv 201 with Christy Devlin on Sunday, Feb. 4
• Intro to Standup with Glen Tickle on Monday, Feb. 12

Be sure to check out Steelstacks.org for more information on all things comedy including upcoming shows, workshops and more. Looking to spread holiday cheer? Consider giving the gift of laughter with an ArtsQuest gift card, available here.

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

2023 Winners of The Lehigh Valley Vegan s’MAC Down

ArtsQuest and Lehigh Valley Vegan are excited to announce the winners of the LV Vegan s’MAC Down, a contest to determine who has the best vegan mac and cheese in the region!

People’s Choice winner: Dominique’s Dishes

People’s Choice 1^st runner-up: Aman’s Artisanal Indian Cuisine
People’s Choice 2^nd runner-up: Mama Nicca’s Homemade Things

Kids’ Choice winner: Hummus House/Handheldz
Kids’ Choice runners up: Dominque’s Dishes & Paranormal Pop-Up

Judge’s Choice – Best Overall: Aman’s Artisinal Indian Cuisine

Judge’s Choice – Cheesiest: La Ame De Cuisine

Judge’s Choice – Most Original: Palette Kitchen

Emmy-nominated Song-and-Dance Man Tony Danza Performs his Newest One-Man Show, Standards & Stories

Tony Danza the iconic entertainer is coming to ArtsQuest to share his many talents.

November 16, 2023, Bethlehem PA- ArtsQuest is excited to announce that on Friday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m., actor and singer Tony Danza will perform his hit live show, Standards & Stories at the Musikfest Café in the ArtsQuest Center.

Combining timeless music with wit, charm, storytelling and a dash of soft shoe and ukulele performances, Tony Danza performs a selection of his favorite standards from the Great American Songbook while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music.

The hit live show has entertained audiences around the country with The New York Times raving “Tony’s a live wire who tap-dances, plays the ukulele, tells stories and radiates irresistible charm… He exudes the kind of charisma that can’t be taught!”

Broadway World said, “His voice and showmanship is a welcome reminder of why the standards are just that-because they’re timeless.”

“The man has TRUE stage presence like we don’t see anymore. Seeing Tony Danza on stage in your lifetime is a must.,” said Scott Spears of WWGH Radio.

Danza has been one of the world’s most beloved and iconic entertainers for over 40 years. Perhaps best known for his starring roles on two of television’s most cherished and long-running series, Taxi and Who’s The Boss, Danza has also starred in hit films such as Angels in the Outfield, She’s Out of Control, Hollywood Knights and Don Jon. Well established as a song and dance man, Danza has also starred in numerous Broadway shows. For additional information on this event, visit Steelstacks.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., so grab your food and beverages before the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $55-$79 and ticket sales begin Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. ArtsQuest Members (all levels) can purchase tickets today, Nov. 16. Get your tickets here!

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

2024 Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival Announced

A celebration for filmmakers and cinephiles alike, call for submissions is now open!

November 14, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the 2024 Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival along with an open call for film submissions. The GLVFF viewing event will take place over two days, Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas located inside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

ArtsQuest is looking for submissions of never-before-seen films by seasoned filmmakers from Eastern Pennsylvania to Central/Western New Jersey.  Anyone wishing to submit a film may do so online, here.

During the event, the ArtsQuest Cinema Committee will present one winner with the Best in Show Award and a $500 cash prize. The award will be determined by a jury panel of committee members and regional film professionals. A celebration for filmmakers and cinephiles alike, the evening includes screenings of all the top submissions in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas. Former “Best in Show” winners include 2023’s Torn by Carmen Chan and 2022’s Purple Heart by Lawrence Kennelly.

Film entries can be up to 30-minutes long and must have been filmed after Jan.1, 2021. Copyrighted music is prohibited unless the filmmaker has proper documentation. The early submission deadline is Friday, February 2; films submitted by this date will have a discounted submission fee of $10. The discounted $10 rate will also apply to anyone 25 and under submitting films for the festival. All films must be submitted no later than Friday, March 1 for a rate of $20 submission fee. The full festival lineup will be announced Wednesday, March 13.

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Start the New Year Sweet at PEEPSFEST® 2023!

Bethlehem, PA, November 3, 2023 – Closeout 2023 in the sweetest way by joining ArtsQuest and Just Born Quality Confections for PEEPSFEST® Saturday, Dec. 30 and Sunday, Dec. 31 from 3-6 p.m. Tickets for this outdoor event, featuring fun, fireworks and the annual PEEPS® Chick drop are on sale now! You can purchase tickets for PEEPSFEST® here! In addition, the Ice Rink at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital will also be open for its second year in a row. Skate sessions are available between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. during PEEPSFEST®. Those tickets can be purchased here!

“We’re absolutely thrilled that the PEEPS® Chick Drop has become such a beloved New Year’s Eve tradition, not just for our local families, but for fans all over the country,” says Courtney Angle, Corporate Affairs Specialist at Just Born Quality Confections. “Every year, we look forward to celebrating with the PEEPS®-loving community at PEEPSFEST®, and we’re excited to give our fans a ‘sneak-PEEP’ at the newest Easter flavors!”

There will be outdoor family-friendly activities, entertainment, and s’mores prior to the annual PEEPS® Chick drop on Saturday and Sunday. The PEEPS® Chick, 400 pounds and 4 feet and 9 inches tall, will descend at 5:35 p.m. for the countdown into the New Year on both nights (Dec. 30 and 31), followed by a stunning display of fireworks.

This year’s outdoor festival tickets (limited supply) are $5 per person. Tickets also include Just Born Quality Confections goodie bags for all kids under 12, a free s’mores kit for all kids under 12, PEEPS® sampling stations and live musical performances. You can purchase tickets here!

The whole family can come and enjoy activities such as the PEEPSFEST® Scavenger Hunt, cornhole, Jenga and crafts by local groups from around the Lehigh Valley!

The PEEPSONALITY® Family Fun Run & Walk returns for another year on Dec. 30 at 1:30 p.m. You can register the whole family to enjoy the SteelStacks campus along the less-than-one-mile course. Best-expressed PEEPSONALITY® Family Fun Run and Walk winners will receive special gift bags. For $10 (including the cost of PEEPSFEST® and PEEPSONALITY® Family Fun Run and Walk) families can enjoy the annual run/walk, enjoy early entry to the event and pictures with mascots from around the Lehigh Valley. Brand new this year, participants throughout the walk will get to try new and exciting PEEPS® Marshmallow flavors that will be debuted this upcoming Easter season. Be sure to sign up for the walk as participants will be the first to try these tasty new flavors! You can purchase tickets for PEEPSFEST® and PEEPSONALITY® Family Fun Run and Walk here.

For $25, including the cost of ice skating and PEEPSFEST®, you can skate at the Ice Rink at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. The skating sessions available are 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 and 31. You can book these tickets here.

On Dec. 30, you can combine PEEPSFEST®, the PEEPSONALITY® Family Fun Run & Walk and ice skating for $30 altogether!

 Down for a sweet competition? Join in on the Just Born Quality Confections’ Lehigh Valley PEEPS® Scholastic Diorama Competition, now in its fifteenth year! Decide on an idea and start creating using all the sweets available in the kit. Kits can be picked up starting Nov. 6 at the Banana Factory during their operating hours listed here. Photos will need to be submitted by Dec. 11. There will be an online gallery on display through Sat. Dec. 31 where you can cast your vote for the PEEPle’s Choice winner! Register for the competition and get more information here.

Additional information and tickets can be found here.

Get in the Christmas Spirit at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas! 

Bethlehem, PA, November 1, 2023 – ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas are bringing Christmas classics to the big screen with the Christmas Classic Matinees and Holiday Quote-Along Series running throughout the month of December!  

The Holiday Quote-Along Series 
The Holiday Quote-Along Series has another great lineup of some of the most quotable and memorable holiday films! These movies run from Wednesday, Dec. 6 through Thursday, Dec. 21. All showtimes will be at 7:30 p.m. No shushers allowed!  

Kicking off the series on Wednesday, Dec 6, is Elf celebrating its 20^th Anniversary. After accidentally falling into Santa Claus’ gift sack, a human baby is raised at the North Pole, growing up to believe he is an elf. Due to his large size, the “elf” causes chaos in Santa’s workshop, forcing Kris Kringle to send him on a mission to find his human roots. This film is rated PG.  

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Gremlins the 1984 film will be playing! This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell-esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son, an erstwhile inventor purchases a cute, fuzzy little “Mogwai” from a Chinatown shopkeeper’s grandson. The town is invaded by nasty, predatory Gremlins, who lie to waste everything in sight. This film is PG.  

On Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 21, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation hits the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas! As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen, and their children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line. However, things go awry quickly. This film is rated PG-13.  

The Christmas Classic Matinee Series 
The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas will be presenting four enchanted Christmas Classics that demand the big screen treatment in the Christmas Classic Matinee Series. All showtimes are at 12 p.m.  

On Thursday, Nov. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 2, White Christmas will be playing as part of this series. A 1954 holiday classic, this film is about two talented song-and-dance men who team up after war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. One winter they join forces with a sister act and trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. This film is not rated.  

Following White Christmas, The Bishop’s Wife will be playing at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas on Thursday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 8. Heavenly bells are ringing, jubilant choirs are singing, and Christmas joy is blanketing the world like freshly fallen snow. But the Yuletide spirit has yet to warm Bishop Henry Brougham’s Victorian home. Struggling with raising funds for a new cathedral and neglecting his loving wife, an angel is sent from above to Henry. This film is not rated.  

Meet Me in St. Louis will be the third movie in the series playing on Dec. 14 through the 16. Directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien, this heartwarming tale of the emotional trauma of the colorful members of an early 20th Century St. Louis family experiences when they learn their father has been transferred and they will have to move to New York. This film is not rated.  

Closing out the Christmas Classic Matinee Series is the beloved film, It’s a Wonderful Life, plays at the cinemas on Thursday, Dec. 21 through Saturday, Dec. 23. Directed in 1946 by Frank Capra, the film is set in a small town and is about George Bailey. A man whose life seems so desperate he contemplates suicide. He has always wanted to leave the small town of Bedford Falls to see the world. As he prepares to jump, his guardian angel intercedes, showing him what life would have become of the residents of Bedford Falls if he had never lived. This film is rated PG.  

Tickets for the cinemas are $10 for the general public, $8 for ages 25 and under & seniors and $7.50 for ArtsQuest Members and Circle Donors. 

To see the full movie schedule during the months of Nov. and Dec., visit the SteelStacks website! Be sure to come out to our Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas and catch all of our unique screenings.  

Veterans Day 2023 – The Vietnam War: Reflections from Before, During and After – presented by Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries 

Bethlehem, PA, November 1, 2023 – ArtsQuest and partners Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries, will be hosting a Veterans Day 2023 – The Vietnam War: Reflections from Before, During and After a panel discussion on Friday, November 10 at 6 p.m. in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room at the ArtsQuest Center. Special guest Artimus Pyle, a veteran who also played drums with the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, will join fellow veterans for a question-and-answer panel about their time in the military, hosted by Frank Gunter of Lehigh University. 

This event, presented by Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries, is free to attend but you must register for a ticket and can do so here.   

“Embassy Bank is proud to partner with ArtsQuest in order to present this important conversation,” said David M. Lobach, Jr. Chairman, President and CEO of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley. “Thanking veterans for their service is just the beginning. This event provides an opportunity for those who have served our nation to share their personal experiences with each other and the entire community.” 

“We are once again honored to partner with ArtsQuest on Veterans Day to bring you programming that spotlights our dedicated veterans,” said Scott Stevenson, President and CEO of Phoebe Ministries and veteran of the US Air Force.” We are proud to serve seniors who have served our country in the armed forces. I am grateful to all of the men and women who have served in the past and those who are serving today.”   

Veteran panelists include: 

Thomas Delmer “Artimus” Pyle 
Pyle enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968. He was named platoon and series honor man and promoted to private first-class following completion of boot camp in San Diego. Pyle went to school to become a Marine pilot when his father was killed in a mid-air plane collision in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pyle, who also responds to the nickname Gomer, worked as an avionics mechanic at various military bases, including Millington, Tennessee and Beaufort, South Carolina, ultimately rising to the rank of sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1971.  

Eugene “Gene” Derenick  
From Center Valley, PA, Derenick enlisted in the US Navy in 1965 at the age of 17. He served for three years in Dam Neck, Virginia and Key West, Florida, where he ended his tour as a Third-Class Petty Officer. In 1980, he reenlisted in the US Air Force Reserves and served at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, until 1997. During his reserve tour, Derenick worked on Chemical Warfare, Rapid Runway and Operation Readiness. He retired as Master Sergeant E-7. During his service in the US Air Force Reserves, Derenick was a Pennsylvania State Trooper for 30 years, working in both Bucks and Lehigh Counties. He and his wife, Vicky, are active members of Pathstones by Pheobe, a continuing care-at-home program.  

George Campbell  
Also from Center Valley, Campbell enlisted in the US Navy Officer Candidate School located in Newport, Rhode Island, after graduating from The Pennsylvania State University in 1960. He served on the USS Providence in Yokosuka, Japan. He resigned from active duty in 1964 with the rank of Captain. He then enlisted in the US Navy Reserves, where he served primarily in Little Creek, Virginia, until 1986. Campbell spent more than ten years working with the Navy Seals, including the last four years of his reserve tour as Captain in Special Warfare. 

During his service in the US Navy Reserves, Campbell worked in finance and accounting at Bethlehem Steel, W.R. Grace and The Rouse Company. He retired in 2004 from American Resource Consultants as the Chief Financial Operator. He and his wife, Gretchen, are active members of Pathstones by Pheobe, a continuing care-at-home program. 

This event will be streamed online for those who cannot attend in person. Artimus Pyle will also be performing that night with his band, The Artimus Pyle Band, in the Musikfest Café. Tickets to this panel discussion do not include a ticket to the Musikfest Café show which must be purchased separately. Those tickets can be purchased here.