Prepare sus cucharas

Souper Bowl XIII vuelve a Lehigh Valley este febrero

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Tome sus cucharas y prepárese para degustar algunos de los mejores restaurantes, servicios de banquetes y estudiantes de cocina de Lehigh Valley en el Souper Bowl XIII de ArtsQuest dentro del Musikfest Café presentado por Yuengling, el domingo 5 de febrero desde el mediodía hasta las 3 de la tarde.

Se podrán degustar sopas a base de crema, a base de marisco, a base de carne y veganas. Los asistentes también podrán nominar a su sopa favorita para el “Premio del Público” del Souper Bowl. El ganador recibirá un trofeo de vidrio inspirado en el Trofeo Lombardi y creado por el Taller de Vidrio de ArtsQuest, en cuya parte superior figurará un tazón de sopa en lugar de un balón de fútbol americano. Un jurado de expertos y celebridades juzgará cada categoría y alzará sus cucharones para premiar la mejor creación.

Además de las categorías antes mencionadas, Behind the Grill, Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Buzzwell Catering LLC, Daisy Hill Kitchen and Grill, HOEM Kitchen, Jenny’s Kuali, Lemon Tree Kitchen, Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Bar, Palette & Pour, Passanante’s Home Food Service, Roasted, Strange Brew Tavern y otros también competirán por el primer puesto en las categorías de “Ingrediente más original” e “Ingrediente más sorprendente.”

Bethlehem AVTS triunfó durante el Souper Bowl XII, con tres nominaciones a “Mejor sopa a base de crema”, “Mejor sopa de marisco” y “La sopa más original”, victorias que el instructor de la AVTS, Scott Ferry, dice que su equipo de estudiantes de cocina espera repetir. En cuanto a mí, dijo Ferry, “me encanta ver brillar a los estudiantes. Ganar algunas cosas tampoco está de más”.

Según Ferry, los estudiantes esperan participar en el Souper Bowl cada año, y cuenta que el equipo de este año estará formado por cuatro o cinco estudiantes de la Bethlehem AVTS. “Los estudiantes se divierten mucho probando las recetas que se les ocurren, y las cambian hasta que son perfectas”, dijo. “Cada año tenemos un nuevo grupo de estudiantes que compiten, así que todo es completamente nuevo cada año.”

“Nos encanta estar en la comunidad”, añadió Ferry. “Cuando la gente prueba y disfruta de las creaciones de los estudiantes, se sorprende de que los alumnos de secundaria puedan competir a este nivel. Ganemos o perdamos, es una oportunidad de que nos vean (y prueben) cientos de personas.”

Aparte de todo eso, Ferry añadió que “en el fondo, el Souper Bowl consiste en divertirse.”

¿Quiere ser de los primeros en probar las tentadoras sopas que se ofrecen en el Souper Bowl XII? Considere una entrada VIP, que permite la entrada a las 11 de la mañana, e incluye un ticket de bebida gratis válido para cualquier cerveza Yuengling, vino Franklin Hills o un refresco. Además de muestras de sopa y la participación en un sorteo de tarjetas de regalo de los restaurantes participantes, los VIP también participarán en un sorteo especial sólo para VIP de diversas entradas para ArtsQuest. Las entradas VIP tienen un descuento y cuestan $54 hasta el domingo 29 de enero y pueden comprarse aquí.

Las entradas generales para los miembros de ArtsQuest cuestan $29 cada una, y las entradas para el público cuestan $34 hasta el 29 de enero. El precio aumenta $5 para todos los tipos de entradas desde el 30 de enero hasta el inicio del evento. Para más información, o para comprar entradas, visite steelstacks.org o llame a la taquilla de ArtsQuest al 610-332-1300.

Ganadores del Souper Bowl XII:
Premio del Público: El estofado de asado de tira de Saucon Valley Country Club
Mejor sopa a base de crema: Sopa de maíz con pollo ahumado de la Bethlehem AVTS
Mejor sopa a base de carne: El estofado de asado de tira de Saucon Valley Country Club
Mejor sopa de marisco: Sopa de paella de la Bethlehem AVTS
La sopa más original: Sopa fría de fresas, coco y bourbon de la Bethlehem AVTS
Ingrediente más sorprendente: La melaza de granada en la sopa vegetariana mediterránea de Forks Mediterranean Deli.

Get Your Spoons Ready

Souper Bowl XIII returning to the Lehigh Valley this February

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Grab your spoons and get ready to sample from some of the Lehigh Valley’s top restaurants, caterers and culinary students at ArtsQuest’s Souper Bowl XIII inside the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling Sunday, Feb. 5, from noon to 3 p.m.

Savory selections for sampling will include cream-based, seafood-based, meat-based and vegan soups. Attendees will also nominate their favorite contender for the Souper Bowl’s “People’s Choice” champion award. The winner will be presented with a glass trophy styled after the Lombardi Trophy and created by the ArtsQuest Glass Studio, featuring a soup bowl at its top instead of a football. A panel of experts and celebrities will judge each category and raise their ladles to award the best creation.

In addition to the above-mentioned-categories, Behind the Grill, Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Buzzwell Catering LLC, Daisy Hill Kitchen and Grill, HOEM Kitchen, Jenny’s Kuali, Lemon Tree Kitchen, Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Bar, Palette & Pour, Passanante’s Home Food Service, Roasted, Strange Brew Tavern and others will also battle for top billing in the categories of “Most Original” and “Most Surprising Ingredient.”

Bethlehem AVTS triumphed during Souper Bowl XII, with three nods for “Best Cream-Based,” “Best Seafood” and “Most Original,” wins AVTS instructor Scott Ferry says his team of culinary students hope to repeat. “For me,” said Ferry, “I love seeing the students shine. Winning a few things also doesn’t hurt.”

According to Ferry, students look forward to participating in the Souper Bowl each year, sharing that this year’s team will consist of four or five Bethlehem AVTS students. “The students have a blast trying out recipes they come up with, and change them until they’re perfect,” he said. “With each year we have a new group of students competing, so everything is completely new each year.”

“We love being out in the community,” Ferry added. “When people try and enjoy the student creations, they’re shocked that high school students can compete at this level. Win or lose, this is a chance to be seen (and sampled) by hundreds of people.”

All of that aside, Ferry added “ultimately the Souper Bowl is all about having fun.”

Looking to be among the first to sample the taste-tempting soups offered at Souper Bowl XII? Consider a VIP admission, which allows entry at 11 a.m., and includes a free drink ticket good for any Yuengling beer, Franklin Hills wine or soft drink. In addition to –samples of soup and entry into a raffle to win gift cards from participating restaurants, VIPs are also entered into a special VIP-only raffle for a variety of ArtsQuest tickets. VIP tickets are discounted at $54 through Sunday, Jan. 29, and can be purchased here.

General admission tickets for ArtsQuest members are available for $29 each, with tickets at $34 for the public through Jan. 29. The price increases $5 for all ticket types from Jan. 30 to the event start. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit steelstacks.org or call the ArtsQuest Box Office at 610-332-1300.

Souper Bowl XII winners:
People’s Choice: Saucon Valley Country Club’s Braised Beef Short Rib
Best Cream-Based: Bethlehem AVTS’s Smokey Chicken Corn Chowder
Best Meat-Based: Saucon Valley Country Club’s Braised Beef Short Rib
Best Seafood: Bethlehem AVTS’s Paella Soup
Most Original: Bethlehem AVTS’s Chilled Strawberry Coconut Bourbon Soup
Most Surprising Ingredient: The Pomegranate Molasses in Forks Mediterranean Deli’s Mediterranean Vegetarian Soup

Cinematic Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Free film series, discussion slated for Monday, Jan. 16

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Celebrate and reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy at ArtsQuest on Monday, Jan. 16. Presenting sponsor Air Products and supporting sponsor Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley will present three free film screenings, beginning at noon in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, inside the ArtsQuest Center.

“In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Air Products is proud to partner with ArtsQuest to offer this free film series,” said Laurie Hackett, Director of Community Relations at Air Products. “As we pause on January 16 to celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy, these important films are a chance to come together as a community.”

The documentary films to be shown in the Red Cinema include “King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis” at noon, 1972’s “Nationtime” at 4 p.m. and “Selma” at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at steelstacks.org/films-special-screenings or by clicking here. More information about these films can be found below.

In addition to the cinematic tribute, Dr. Karen Britt, Professor of Business and Economics at Northampton Community College and President of Juneteenth Lehigh Valley, will lead a special discussion about King’s legacy and how it applies to today’s society. Britt will be joined by colleagues from the Juneteenth Lehigh Valley Steering Committee in the Red Cinema at 3:15 p.m. The discussion is free to ticketholders of any of the three films in the series.

“We’re proud to partner with Air Products to present a collection of films curated to celebrate King’s legacy as we commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at ArtsQuest,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest COO. “King offered such a significant message of nonviolence and equality, so much so that it still resonates today, as society still seemingly struggles come together positively advocating for one another’s humanity.”

“King: A Film Record… Montgomery to Memphis” is a 185-minute documentary constructed from wealth of archival footage. This documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King’s speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of other high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause, punctuated by heartfelt testimonials by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

The film was originally presented as a one-night-only special event March 20, 1970, at an epic length of more than three hours (plus intermission). Since that time, the film has occasionally been circulated in a version shortened by more than an hour. 

Admitted to the National Film Registry in 1999, KING is a cinematic national treasure that allows viewers to be firsthand witnesses to Dr. King’s crusade, and thereby gain a fuller appreciation of both the personal challenges he endured and the vast cultural legacy he left behind. –

Directed by William Greaves, “Nationtime” is an 80-minute report on the National Black Political Convention held in Gary, Indiana, in 1972, a historic event that gathered black voices from across the political spectrum, among them Jesse Jackson, Dick Gregory, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Richard Hatcher, Amiri Baraka, Charles Diggs, Isaac Hayes, Richard Roundtree and H. Carl McCall. 

Narrated by Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, the film was considered too militant for television broadcast at the time and has since circulated only in an edited 58-minute version. This new 4K restoration from IndieCollect, with funding from Jane Fonda and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, returns the film to its original 80-minute length and visual quality.

At 128-minutes, “Selma” chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition.  Director Ava DuVernay’s tells the real story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Enhancing the Holiday Experience

ArtsQuest’s newest attraction adds to Christmas City’s charm

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Thousands of people strapped on skates and made The Ice Rink at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital part of their holiday celebration during this season’s inaugural run. The area’s only outdoor rink featuring authentic ice opened to much fanfare and excitement Tuesday, Nov. 22, hosting its final session –and last group of skaters – to welcome the new year Sunday, Jan. 1.

“Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital was honored to sponsor the Ice Rink at SteelStacks in its first year,” said Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital President Anne Baum. “Seeing the Levitt Pavilion lawn transformed into a beautiful wintery wonderland was magical! As the region’s only children’s hospital, we know just how important family fun is for kids as they grow and develop. We are thrilled to have sponsored this new tradition and enjoyed seeing our community out on the ice!”

With blast furnaces serving as its backdrop, the Ice Rink at SteelStacks quickly added to the Christmas City’s charm, providing opportunities to create new traditions and memory-making merriment. Presented in partnership with Rink Management Services Corporation, the new attraction served to complement ArtsQuest’s beloved Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, presented by Univest Financial.

“The Ice Rink at SteelStacks welcomed 12,264 guests during its first year,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “We’re grateful to LVRCH for the generous partnership that enabled ArtsQuest to present this exceptional addition to our holiday offerings.”

During its inaugural season, 75-minute skating sessions were offered daily. Children 13 and younger were admitted free Monday nights, courtesy of LehighValleyNews.com, with LVRCH presenting sensory-friendly skates Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

According to Ryan Hill, ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming, the Bethlehem-based nonprofit is excited to be reviewing plans to bring the rink back in 2023.

“We received so much positive feedback on the rink, from how it ties our campus together to how adding it further enhanced the holiday experience for patrons,” said Hill.

Hill explained that throughout its first season, the rink featured themed night events –geared for all ages. “We had a lot of fun with the theme nights,” he said. “A number of them were sellouts and people were thrilled to participate either via costumes, by playing trivia or by simply singing along.”

LIVE COMEDY CREATION BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES

The SteelStacks Improv Festival returns for its 10^th year

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— The 10^th annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival (SSICF) returns live to the Fowler Blast Furnace Room Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28. The two-day marathon festival features national improv groups, solo acts and workshops taught by this year’s headliner Raaaatscraps. Tickets are now on sale for ArtsQuest Members and the general public.

“We’re thrilled to bring the 10th annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival back to its traditional format,” ArtsQuest Senior Programming Director Ryan Hill said. “The energy that performers from all over the country bring to Bethlehem to celebrate improv comedy -and each other- is truly what makes this festival so special.”

This year’s SSICF headliner is New York based Raaaatscraps. Led by former Upright Citizens’ Brigade Artistic Director Shannon O’Neill, Raaaatscraps, is a reimagining of UCB’s flagship show “ASSSSCAT” with a team of rotating players. For each performance a guest monologist shares their true-life stories used to inspire the cast who create fully improvised scenes on the spot. Former guest monologists include Gloria Steinem, Kevin Bacon, Ilana Glazer and so many more. The cast’s rotating members, Shannon O’Neill, Sebastian Conelli, Bridgette Rizkalla and Connor Ratliff can be found everywhere from “Broad City” to “Marvelous Ms. Maisel,” “Succession,” “Black Mirror” and multiple Marvel movies.

“We are so excited to headline this year’s festival,” Shannon O’Neill said. “We love to be around people who love improv and hopefully we will infect some noobs while we are at it.”

The two-day improv marathon begins its 2023 run with its classic, opening “Yes and…” ceremony Friday, Jan. 27. Teams hailing from Toronto, ON to New York City and our very own Lehigh Valley-based backyards will be featured in the 10th annual festival. A variety of comedic styles will entertain the crowds from the tarot inspired “Whatever Fate Decides” to the solo “I Am the Show.” Looking for something a bit meta, enjoy the art-inspired artform with comedian Torrey Shineman, performing spontaneously crafted poetry in “Mashed POET-atoes,” musically centered “Heavy Rotation” and famous works of visual art inspired team, “ART.”

In addition to closing the festival Saturday night Raaaatscraps will be hosting workshops throughout the weekend. For tickets and to view the full schedule visit steelstacks.org.

Raaaatscraps cast

Shannon O’Neill, host and founder of Raaaatscraps can be found on episodes of “Broad City,” “High Maintenance,” “Difficult People,” “The Chris Gethard Show,” and as the lead in the true-crime docu-series “How to Fix a Drug Scandal” on Netflix portraying Sonja Farak.

Sebastian Conelli is comedian from Staten Island and a “cawfee” from Dunkin’ kind of guy.  He has appeared as a blue-collar worker on TV shows such as “Search Party,” “The Last OG,” and “The Detour.” Conelli also hosts a podcast called “Loud About Nothing” from his mother’s basement.

Bridgette Rizkalla is a writer and comedian born and based in Brooklyn. Her standup has been featured on “Vulture,” “Elite Daily,” “HuffPost” and “Funny or Die.” If you text her in full sentences, she will think you are mad at her.

Connor Ratliff is an actor/comedian and can be seen in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Search Party,” “The Blacklist” and is the creator of the critically acclaimed podcast, “Dead Eyes.” He’s been doing comedy in NYC for more than 10 years, including “The George Lucas Talk Show,” the livestream version of which has been described as “The Internet’s Coolest Talk Show” and “The Worst Podcast Ever Made.”