Blast Furnace Blues Festival Returns for its 14th Annual Event

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. June 5, 2025 – The Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield will return to the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks for its 14th year on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19. This free, two-day celebration brings the community together with live music performances honoring the deep roots and powerful legacy of the American blues tradition.  

“What a lineup for music lovers!” says ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan. “Including headliners Shemekia Copeland, who is returning to SteelStacks fresh off a year where her album received three Grammy Nominations, and Indigenous, a Billboard Blues Music chart-topping band that flat out rocks every time they come to the Lehigh Valley. Blast Furnace Blues celebrates an American art form with local greats and national acts who you simply can’t miss.”

In addition to the stellar musical acts, the festival will feature delicious food options. Udder Bar will be on-site on Friday, July 18 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.., offering their crowd-favorite ice cream and treats. On Saturday, enjoy food from the Kutztown Pub, who will be serving their delicious pulled pork, mouth-watering bites and special treats from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. More vendors will be announced as the event approaches.

Friday Schedule:

A seasoned blues band from Lehigh Valley, PA, active since 1992 led by Bev Conklin, The BC Combo perform a diverse mix of blues, jazz, swing, folk, R&B and soul. Known for energetic performances and sharing stages with legends like Ray Charles and Buddy Guy, they reached the finals of the International Blues Competition and continue to be a staple of the Northeast music scene. Their motto: “It’s all about having fun!”

Alexis P. Suter owns that big, booming voice heard roaring out of Brooklyn and straight into the heart of North America and beyond. Her voice ranges from a pained passion to explosive and soul-bearing. She and her backing band have released six albums to date. The Alexis P. Suter Band, a powerful and unique six-piece ensemble, artfully blends the lines between blues, soul and rock music. The band burst onto the music scene with regular performances at Levon Helm’s legendary Midnight Rambles in Woodstock, NY.

Indigenous front man Mato Nanji, a Native American blues musician from the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, dedicates his music, specifically his 2014 album Time Is Coming, to Indigenous youth. Influenced by his late father Greg Zephier Sr., a spiritual leader and musician, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mato formed Indigenous with his family, toured with artists like B.B. King and joined the Experience Hendrix Tour, working with other blues artists. His music reflects the challenges of reservation life and emphasizes family, heritage and the Indigenous community.

In a city swarming with some of the world’s most talented entertainers, Nashville’s Jax Hollow emerges as a rare triple threat: a nuanced and hard-hitting songwriter, a powerhouse vocalist and a world-class guitarist. She’s a true embodiment of the Music City Trifecta. A Berklee College of Music graduate and ISC Songwriting Competition winner, Jax fuses blues, rock and Americana. She’s shared the stage with rock legends and is celebrated for her electrifying live shows and lyrical depth.

Saturday Schedule:

Sarah Ayers Band is a classically trained singer who formed her band in 2002 and has become a prominent figure in the Northeast Pennsylvania blues and rock scene. She’s known for her powerful vocals and has garnered numerous Lehigh Valley Music Awards, including Best Female Vocalist and Best Singer-Songwriter. Sarah has also collaborated with other musicians, including a successful partnership with James Supra.

Dyer Davis is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his electrifying performances and a sound deeply rooted in southern blues rock. Davis’s powerful debut album, Dog Bites Back, debuted at #6 in the Billboard Blues Charts and was praised by DownBeat Magazine. Dyer graced the cover of Blues Blast Magazine and was nominated for the magazine’s Blues Blast Awards – Best New Artist. His highly anticipated second album, Kiss The Ring, was released in May, further cementing his place as a rising force in modern rock and blues.

The Kelly Bell Band blends soul, blues, reggae, funk and more into a unique urban sound that’s earned them the title of Baltimore’s Top Blues Band for 12 straight years. Mixing Motown vibes with modern rock and pop, their high-energy shows are unlike anything else. Frontman Kelly Bell—a pro wrestler, radio personality and teacher from inner-city D.C.—brings powerful stories and charisma to every performance. With over 100,000 records sold independently and tours alongside legends like Ziggy Marley, Buddy Guy and Maroon 5, this band is a must-see.

American recording artist Zach Person, is the new face of indie rock. Wielding his electric guitar, Person plays loud, raw and connects with his music fans on a primal level sonically. His brand-new sophomore album entitled Let’s Get Loud showcases the songwriter’s ability to produce a variety of both high energy rock anthems and head-bobbing funk rhythms. Produced by Nashville-based rocker, Tyler Bryant, Person describes the album as an audio diary of his mid-twenties, bestowing it the title, Let’s Get Loud, as a nod to his musical mantra.

McKinley James is equal parts old soul and modern man. Armed with an electric guitar and sharp songwriting chops, he breathes new life into classic sounds with Working Class Blues, a debut album that introduces his mix of American rock & roll, amplified soul and raw rhythm & blues.

Shemekia Copeland is an award-winning blues, soul and Americana singer known for her soulful voice and honest, humorous music. Her latest album Done Come Too Far, produced by Will Kimbrough, blends social commentary with personal reflection, addressing gun violence, racial tensions and police brutality while celebrating life in songs like “Fried Catfish” and “Bibles” and “Fell In Love With A Honky.” Born in Harlem, Copelan earned critical acclaim from NPR and Rolling Stone. Her music champions change and hope on a global stage.

Dylan Triplett is a Blues and Soul prodigy from E. St. Louis and raised in a music family, He began at age nine and has been performing professionally since late 2016, when he began singing with Ms. Carolyn Mason. He’s graced many stages in the U.S. and many notable stages abroad as well. He’s only 23. Buckle up…

Visit https://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/blast-furnace-blues/ for additional information.

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 ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; 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 nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas Unveils Blockbuster Summer Lineup

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. June 3, 2025 – ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas is turning up the heat this summer with an incredible lineup of films! Whether you’re craving action, celebrating cinematic milestones or diving into music-infused nostalgia, there’s something for everyone.

Big Screen Action Awaits

Get ready for explosive excitement with major summer hits:

• Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Now playing                         PG13
  • Picking up two months after the events of Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) continues his mission to stop Gabriel from obtaining the AI program known as “the Entity”.
• The Phoenician Scheme: Premieres June 5 at 8 p.m.                             PG13
  • Wes Anderson’s new film about a wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda who appoints his only daughter, a nun, as sole heir to his estate. As Korda embarks on a new enterprise, they soon become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.
• The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou: June 22 at 6:30 p.m.                              R
  • As part of Sunday Night Staff Picks, on June 22nd, we will be screening another Wes Anderson title, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Internationally famous oceanographer Steve Zissou and his crew, Team Zissou, set sail on an expedition to hunt down the mysterious, elusive, possibly nonexistent Jaguar Shark that killed Zissou’s partner during the documentary filming of their latest adventure. They are joined on their voyage by a young airline copilot, a pregnant journalist and Zissou’s estranged wife.
• F1: The Movie: Opening June 27                                                             PG13
  • Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career.  Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse.  Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world.  He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace.  But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

Anniversary Classics

Celebrate legendary films on the big screen:

• The Goonies – 40th Anniversary: June 4 at 7:15 p.m.                                 PG
  • A group of kids who live in the “Goon Docks” neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon, attempt to save their homes from foreclosure and in doing so they discover an old treasure map that takes them on an adventure to unearth the long-lost fortune of One-Eyed Willy, a legendary 17th-century pirate, while being pursued by a family of criminals who are after the treasure as well.
• Dog Day Afternoon – 50th Anniversary: June 18 at 7:15 p.m.                        R
  • Three amateur robbers (including Al Pacino and John Cazale) plan to hold up a Brooklyn bank. A nice, simple robbery: Walk in, take the money and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.
• Bad Boys – 30th Anniversary: July 9 at 7:15 p.m.                                          R
  • On a hot summer night, $100 million in heroin is stolen from the Miami Police Department’s evidence room. While family man Burnett (Martin Lawrence) is envious of Lowrey’s (Will Smith) bachelor antics, and Lowrey knows zero about being a husband and father, they’ve never let their personal lifestyles interfere with their work–until now. Burnette and Lowrey must find the dope before their unit takes the fall. Their only lead: Julie Mott, a witness to a murder.

Turn Up the Volume

Music lovers won’t want to miss:

• ·Beat Street: June 25 at 7:15 p.m.                                                                PG
  • An aspiring DJ from the South Bronx and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and the local culture.
  • The doors will open at 6:45 p.m. with a special pre-show live DJ performance by DJ Arm 18
• Our Latin Thing: June 26 at 7 p.m.                                                              NR
  • Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa) is a musical documentary revealing the exciting lifestyle of New York Latinos during the decade of the 1970s. The film captures the New York ’70s salsa explosion in all its power and adrenaline. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Leon Gast, highlights include performance by Cheo Feliciano at the top his game with an orchestra of superstars whose backup vocalists alone includes Héctor Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago and Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodríguez. Gast takes also to the streets of the Spanish Harlem where the salsa phenomenon was born, as well as into the recording studio for a peek into the creative process, featuring producer/keyboardist Larry Harlow. Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa) is remastered from original tapes.
  • Part of ¡Sabor! Latin Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield & Cinema Significa presented by Highmark Blue Shield.
• Dirty Dancing: July 16 at 7:15 p.m.                                                          PG13
  • In the summer of 1963, innocent 17-year-old Baby (Jennifer Grey) vacations with her parents at a Catskills resort. One evening, she is drawn to the staff quarters by stirring music, and there she meets Johnny (Patrick Swayze), the hotel dance instructor, who is as experienced as Baby is naive. She soon becomes Johnny’s pupil in dance and love.
• Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary: June 29 at 6:30 p.m.    NR
  • In their first ever feature documentary nearly sixty years after they met as teenagers before the British Invasion music scene, THE ZOMBIES tell their story of navigating the tumultuous music industry over the decades and making one of the most influential albums of all time, Odessey and Oracle. “She’s Not There” made them the first British band after The Beatles to reach #1 in the US. After years of touring and many missteps in the 60s, sadly the band missed out on their biggest moment yet, when “Time of the Season” hit #1 and became a global success, inspiring new generations each year. The band looks back on their journey, where true friendship led them to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Pride on the Big Screen

In celebration of Pride Month:

• Freedom Day Parade & Gay USA with DJ Brad Scott: June 5 at 6:30 p.m. NR
  • The doors open with a DJ set by DJ Brad Scott at 6:30 p.m. The films begin at 7:30 p.m.
  • Beautifully restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive in collaboration with Frameline and Outfest, Gay USA is the first American feature-length documentary by and about LGBTQ+ people. Gay USA conveys the passion, anger and defiant optimism of a community under attack.
  • Gay USA will be preceded by the short film Freedom Day Parade. Director Wakefield Poole moved to San Francisco in 1974 and captured the energy and sights of an early San Francisco gay pride parade, set to a campy, eclectic soundtrack.

Mark your calendars, grab some popcorn and experience the magic of cinema. Visit https://www.steelstacks.org/events/films/ for showtimes, tickets and more information.

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 ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; 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 nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Laugh Out Loud All Summer Long with ArtsQuest

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. June 3, 2025 – Prepare for belly laughs, wild improv and side-splitting standup as the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks brings a stellar lineup of comedy shows that promise outrageous fun and unforgettable moments.

Let’s Play Quiplash: The Party Game Show! – June 20 at 9 p.m.

Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health

It’s the game show that feels like a party—and everyone’s invited! Compete for instant
fame and eternal glory by answering ridiculous prompts right from your smartphone. Not
into the spotlight? No worries! You can still play the role of Kingmaker by voting for your
favorite answers. Whether you’re a comedy genius or just here for the chaos, there’s a
place for you. And hey… you might even walk away with a cash prize!

Improvised Nicolas Cage – June 21 at 9 p.m. 

Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health

You’ve seen The Rock. You’ve seen National Treasure. But have you ever wondered what The Notebook would be like… with Nicolas Cage? In this completely off-the-rails improv comedy show, we embrace the joke that Cage is in everything—and take it to its illogical extreme. Join us as the audience suggests iconic movies that don’t feature the Oscar-winning actor, and our cast of improvisers will show you exactly what those films would have looked like if he was. Every movie. One Cage. Infinite chaos.

Suzanne Westenhoefer – June 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Fowler Blast Furnace Room inside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks

With her platinum locks, immaculate makeup and chicest blazer, Suzanne personified 1990s lesbian chic when appeared on Sally Jesse Raphael’s “Breaking the Lesbian Stereotype” episode.

She has been breaking through barriers from being the first lesbian comedian with an HBO comedy special to the first lesbian comedian to perform on “Late Night with David Letterman” and all points in between. The girl who grew up on the wrong side of Amish country has been advocating for LGBT rights, women’s rights and choice and other causes since the 1980s.

Suzanne’s longtime passion for couponing and stockpiling toiletries paid off as she supplied her block with toilet paper during COVID’s darkest days. Yes, she saved their asses. It doesn’t matter whether you are in line for a TSA screening or in a sold-out auditorium, Suzanne will not stop until she has your rolling with laughter. Nothing is off limits to her. Every show is an off-the-cuff, unscripted laugh riot.

Tina Friml – July 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Fowler Blast Furnace Room inside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks

Tina Friml is a standup comedian who uses animated optimism to talk about living with cerebral palsy. In 2024, she was named one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics To Watch. Her sharp jokes and fearless honesty about the social assumptions that come with living with a disability has earned Tina a dedicated social media following with over 300K followers on Instagram and over 215K on TikTok. She made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She can also be seen on the Comedy Central series Featuring and Don’t Tell Comedy. She was a 2019 New Face in the acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival. Tina performs all over the country to sold out audiences and fans.

Visit https://www.steelstacks.org/ for tickets, full show details and additional summer events.

Get ready to laugh, cheer and maybe even join in on the fun!

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 ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; 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 nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Free Outdoor Shakespeare at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. June 2, 2025 – Experience the joy, wit and romance of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing live, outdoors and absolutely free! As part of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s Play On! Community Tour, ArtsQuest is thrilled to host this spirited production to the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on Sunday, June 8 at 2 p.m. For more information, visit steelstacks.org.

With its blend of sparkling banter, mischievous schemes and heartfelt romance, Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare at his most delightful. Audiences will be swept into the antics of Beatrice and Benedick as they spar their way toward love, while young lovers Claudio and Hero face trials of trust and truth. Laughter, surprises and memorable characters abound in this fast-paced production.

Presented in parks, libraries and community spaces across the region, the Play On!  Tour brings world-class Shakespeare performances directly to local neighborhoods, making high-quality live theatre available to everyone.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy an evening of timeless entertainment under the stars with us.

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 ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; 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 nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

ArtsQuest y Embassy Bank Honran a Nuestros Héroes con Celebraciones Patrióticas Gratuitas

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. 21 de mayo de 2025 – ArtsQuest se enorgullece de anunciar varios eventos patrióticos gratuitos que se llevarán a cabo durante el fin de semana del Día de los Caídos y el Día de la Bandera, presentados por Embassy Bank.

Por decimoquinto año, la Presentación de Héroes Locales transformará el campus de SteelStacks en un monumento viviente en honor a nuestros héroes locales. Del 23 de mayo al 7 de julio, el campus estará cubierto con imágenes de héroes militares locales como muestra de aprecio y gratitud por sus sacrificios y contribuciones. Las pancartas mostrarán fotografías de los soldados, su rango, rama de servicio, época de servicio y ciudad natal.

“Durante quince años, hemos apoyado con orgullo la presentación de ‘Nuestros Héroes Locales’ en SteelStacks”, afirmó el director ejecutivo de Embassy Bank, David M. Lobach, Jr. “Honrar a más de 1,800 héroes locales es más que una tradición, es un tributo al coraje, el sacrificio y el corazón que hacen que nuestra comunidad de Lehigh Valley sea tan especial. Cada uno de los héroes homenajeados tiene una historia y nos sentimos honrados de poder ayudar a compartirla con nuestra comunidad”.

Horario:

Sábado 24 de mayo

03:00 p.m. – Dina Hall Trio en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

Dina Hall, Artista Intérprete del Año 2024 de los Premios Linny, combina folk, rock y blues en un poderoso sonido Americano. Originaria de Bethlehem, aporta décadas de experiencia y una voz resonante a los escenarios de toda la región.

05:30 p.m. – Chasing Stars en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

Formada en 2022, Chasing Stars de Nueva Jersey fusiona el rock sureño con un toque moderno. Liderados por Tommy Dimovski, su sonido áspero impulsado por la guitarra canaliza influencias clásicas con energía fresca y letras sinceras.

07:30 p.m. – Chloe Kimes en el Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presentado por Lehigh Valley Health Network, parte de Jefferson Health

Chloe Kimes, residente en Nashville, ofrece música country alternativa con una narrativa de soul antiguo. Su debut en 2022 generó comparaciones con Lucinda Williams y le valió un lugar en el Top 10 de Artistas de Nashville a Tener en Cuenta de NPR.

09:00 p.m. – Stefanie Johnson Band en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

Stefanie Johnson de Lehigh Valley combina géneros con una voz potente y una banda experimentada. Su carrera abarca desde escenarios locales hasta lugares de interés nacionales como el Bluebird Café de Nashville.

Domingo 25 de mayo

03:00 p.m. – Garabo Brothers Band en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

The Garabo Brothers Band interpreta temas icónicos del rock de los años 60 y 70 con energía blues y psicodélica y prolongadas actuaciones estilo jam.

05:30 p.m. – The Castaway Band en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

Mediante la combinación de rock clásico, country y rock alternativo, The Castaway Band ofrece una experiencia placentera que mezcla géneros, impulsada por la pasión y la armonía.

07:30 p.m. – Uncaged: Tributo a Zac Brown Band en el Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presentado por Lehigh Valley Health Network, parte de Jefferson Health

UNCAGED es el tributo premium a Zac Brown Band – ¡uno de los artistas más importantes de la música country! En concierto, la Zac Brown Band es conocida por sus versiones creativas y poco convencionales y UNCAGED trae lo mejor de ellas, incluyendo éxitos de artistas como Jimmy Buffet, Mumford & Sons y Shawn Mendes.

09:00 p.m. – Tavern Tan en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

Tavern Tan mezcla el rock de raíces Americanas con energía cruda y modernidad. Desde 2004, son conocidos por sus originales de alto impacto y versiones sorprendentes.

Lunes 26 de mayo

03:00 p.m. – Ceremonia de Tiempo para Recordar dentro del ArtsQuest Center en SteelStacks

El fin de semana concluirá con un servicio conmemorativo para recordar a los soldados caídos de Lehigh Valley en las guerras de Afganistán e Irak. La ceremonia comienza en Air Products Town Square con un momento de silencio seguido del Himno Nacional interpretado por The Swing Time Dolls e incluye breves discursos de funcionarios electos y una lectura de nombres por American Gold Star Mothers en memoria de aquellos que hemos perdido. La ceremonia finaliza con la interpretación de “Taps” de Mitchell Roth y de “God Bless America” por parte de The Swing Time Dolls.

03:30 p.m. – The Swing Time Dolls en el Escenario Comunitario Highmark Blue Shield en Air Products Town Square

Este trío vocal retro da vida a las décadas de 1940 y 1960 con armonías ajustadas, estilo vintage y estilo teatral, presentando éxitos desde Glenn Miller hasta Michael Jackson.

 El 14 de junio, el evento Anual del Día de la Bandera del Embassy Bank , en honor a los veteranos de Lehigh Valley, se llevará a cabo de 01:30 p. m. a 03:00 p. m. en el Musikfest Café. Disfrute de la actuación patriótica de la temporada con la famosa Allentown Band, la primera y mejor banda de conciertos civiles de los EE. UU. Le invitamos a ondear con orgullo sus estrellas y rayas al ritmo de la música más honorable de Estados Unidos, interpretada bajo la dirección de Ronald Demkee. Los asistentes pueden disfrutar de comida y bebida dentro del ArtsQuest Center en Palette & Pour.

Los veteranos que asistan al evento serán elegibles para ganar una serie de interesantes premios en una rifa, incluyendo entradas para un partido de béisbol de los Iron Pigs en el Coca Cola Park. Los ganadores se anunciarán durante el intermedio del concierto de la Allentown Band.

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 de desarrollo económico para nuestras comunidades urbanas. ArtsQuest™ apoya esta misión mediante la presentación de artes escénicas y visuales, cine, clases de educación artística y participación comunitaria, programación juvenil y eventos culturales. La programación de ArtsQuest llega a más de 1.9 millones de personas cada año a través de festivales como su evento estrella, Musikfest; la ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; y el ArtsQuest Center en el campus artístico y cultural de SteelStacks, . Los programas y eventos de la organización, de los cuales casi el 40 por ciento son gratuitos, tienen un impacto económico combinado de más de $136 millones anuales en la región.

ArtsQuest and Embassy Bank Honor Our Heroes with Free Patriotic Celebrations

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. May 21, 2025 – ArtsQuest is proud to announce several free to attend, patriotic events to be held during Memorial Day weekend and Flag Day, presented by Embassy Bank.

For the 15th year, the Hometown Heroes Display will transform the SteelStacks campus into a living memorial honoring our hometown heroes. From May 23 through July 7, the campus will be draped with images of local military heroes as a display of appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifices and contributions. The banners will display photos of the soldiers, their rank, branch of service, era of service and hometown.

“For fifteen years, we’ve proudly supported the ‘Our Hometown Heroes’ display at SteelStacks,” said Embassy Bank Chief Executive Officer David M. Lobach, Jr. “Honoring over 1,800 local heroes is more than tradition – it’s a tribute to the courage, sacrifice and heart that makes our Lehigh Valley community so special. Each of the heroes honored has a story and we’re humbled to help share them with our community.”

Schedule:

Saturday, May 24

3 p.m. – Dina Hall Trio at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

2024 Linny Awards Performing Artist of the Year, Dina Hall blends folk, rock and blues into a powerful Americana sound. A Bethlehem native, she brings decades of experience and a resonant voice to stages across the region.

5:30 p.m. – Chasing Stars at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

Formed in 2022, New Jersey’s Chasing Stars fuses Southern rock with modern flair. Led by Tommy Dimovski, their gritty guitar-driven sound channels classic influences with fresh energy and heartfelt lyrics.

7:30 p.m. – Chloe Kimes at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health

Nashville-based Chloe Kimes delivers alt-country with old-soul storytelling. Her 2022 debut drew comparisons to Lucinda Williams and earned her a spot on NPR’s Top 10 Nashville Artists to Watch.

9 p.m. – Stefanie Johnson Band at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

Lehigh Valley’s Stefanie Johnson blends genres with powerful vocals and a seasoned band. Her career spans from local stages to national landmarks like Nashville’s Bluebird Café.

Sunday, May 25

3 p.m. – Garabo Brothers Band at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

The Garabo Brothers Band covers iconic rock from the ’60s and ’70s with bluesy, psychedelic energy and extended jam-style performances.

5:30 p.m. – The Castaway Band at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

Blending classic rock, country and trop rock, The Castaway Band delivers a feel-good, genre-crossing experience driven by passion and harmony.

7:30 p.m. – Uncaged: Zac Brown Band Tribute at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health

UNCAGED is the premium tribute to the Zac Brown Band – one of country music’s biggest acts! In concert, the Zac Brown Band is known for their creative and offbeat covers and UNCAGED brings you the best of those, including hits by artists like Jimmy Buffet, Mumford & Sons and Shawn Mendes.

9 p.m. – Tavern Tan at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

Tavern Tan mixes American roots rock with raw energy and modern grit. Since 2004, they’ve been known for high-impact originals and surprising covers.

Monday, May 26

3 p.m. – A Time to Remember Ceremony inside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks

The weekend will conclude with a memorial service to remember the Lehigh Valley’s fallen soldiers from the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. The ceremony begins on the Air Products Town Square with a moment of silence followed by the National Anthem performed by The Swing Time Dolls and includes brief speeches from elected officials and a reading of names by American Gold Star Mothers in remembrance of those we have lost. The ceremony ends with a playing of “Taps” by Mitchell Roth and a singing of “God Bless America” by The Swing Time Dolls.

3:30 p.m. – The Swing Time Dolls at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square

This retro vocal trio brings the 1940s and 1960s to life with tight harmonies, vintage flair, and theatrical flair, featuring hits from Glenn Miller to Michael Jackson.

On June 14, Embassy Bank’s Annual Flag Day event, honoring Lehigh Valley Veterans, will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Musikfest Café. Enjoy the patriotic performance of the season with the famous Allentown Band, the first and finest civilian concert band in the U.S. We invite you to proudly wave your stars and stripes to America’s most honorable music, performed under the direction of Ronald Demkee. Patrons can enjoy food and drink inside the ArtsQuest Center at Palette & Pour.

Veterans attending the event will be eligible to win a number of exciting raffle prizes, including tickets to an Iron Pigs baseball game at Coca Cola Park. Winners will be announced during the Allentown Band concert intermission.

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 ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; 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 nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

One Earth ReggaeFest Regresa a SteelStacks para un Día Lleno de Música, Cultura y Ambiente Comunitario

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. 16 de mayo de 2025 – ArtsQuest se complace en anunciar el regreso de One Earth ReggaeFest presentado por Movement Moves Media en su cuarto año. One Earth ReggaeFest, un festival gratuito que celebra la música reggae y las buenas vibras, tendrá lugar el sábado 5 de julio en el Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presentado por Lehigh Valley Health Network parte de Jefferson Health, Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage en la plaza Air Products Town Square, el Williams Brew Stage en Palette & Pour y a lo largo de First Street desde las 12:00 p. m. hasta las 02:00 a. m.

El cartel del ReggaeFest de este año ha sido creado por el artista local Todd Juknevic, vocalista y baterista del grupo Trouble City All-Stars.

“OneEarth ReggaeFest, que se celebra cada fin de semana del 4 de julio en SteelStacks, se ha convertido en una alegre tradición para Movement Moves Media, los artistas locales de reggae y los aficionados de toda la región,” declaró Michael Frassetto, director ejecutivo de Movement Moves Media. “Nuestra colaboración con ArtsQuest ha sido decisiva para hacer realidad esta visión año tras año. Estamos orgullosos de recibir a más de 10,000 personas cada año para celebrar las buenas vibras, la energía positiva y el género más universal del mundo — ¡el reggae!”

Comience el festival a mediodía con una proyección gratuita de Bob Marley: One Love (2024) en los cines Frank Banko Alehouse dentro del ArtsQuest Center y vea la historia de cómo el icono del reggae Bob Marley superó la adversidad y el trayecto que hay detrás de su música revolucionaria.

¡O únase a nosotros para una revitalizante sesión de Yoga Para Todos los Niveles dirigida por Sophie Hami de Henna Chakra en el One Earth ReggaeFest! Con el vibrante telón de fondo del Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, esta clase GRATUITA de 30 minutos está abierta a todos los niveles y ofrece la manera perfecta de relajarse y recargar energías justo antes del inicio del festival anual de reggae. La sesión tendrá lugar el sábado 5 de julio de 12:00 a 12:30 p. m. ¡La entrada es gratuita! Solo tiene que traer su tapete de yoga, ropa cómoda, agua y ¡buenas vibras!

Entre las actuaciones destacadas de este año figuran:

Space Kamp es un dúo innovador que fusiona hip-hop alternativo, reggae e influencias psicodélicas para crear un sonido que llaman música Rebel Hippie. Formado en 2017 con la misión de “Romper las reglas y difundir el amor”, su música se basa en un lirismo consciente y una energía estimulante, inspirando a los oyentes a vivir el momento y disfrutar la vida al máximo.

Con una amplia experiencia en giras, Space Kamp ha actuado por todo Estados Unidos y Canadá, llevando su enérgico espectáculo en directo a festivales como Boston Freedom Rally, Musikfest y muchos más. También ayudaron a crear y comisariar el One Earth ReggaeFest.

Arise Roots se formó en 2010 con la intención de crear una nueva y única banda de roots-reggae que reflejara sus pasiones colectivas. La banda, que surgió de las calles de Los Ángeles, tenía un objetivo; crear un sonido reggae fresco con un toque moderno que atraiga a todos los sectores de la sociedad sin comprometer el verdadero sentimiento del roots reggae.

Un enérgico quinteto de Reggae/Ska proveniente del noreste de Pensilvania, Elephants Dancing logra ese equilibrio perfecto entre lo melodioso y lo emotivo, con influencias del Reggae, Punk, Ska y el Hip-Hop. Con una diversa trayectoria musical, los cantantes y compositores Michael Iorio (Voz/Bajo) y Danny Sales (Voz/Guitarra) se enfocan en mantener su música única y enérgica, a la vez que mantienen una vibra estupenda. En cuanto a las letras, Elephants Dancing abarca desde la buena vibra hasta la explosividad, complementada con melodiosas señales acústicas y una cuidadosa dirección vocal.

Los espectadores del ReggaeFest también podrán disfrutar de las actuaciones de:

• Marrissa Joy
• Young Lion
• P-Dub Assassins
• Yahn I Arkestra
• Addis Pablo
• Eli-Mac
• Trouble City All-Stars
• DJ Dread Head
• Bez Musiq

Habrá una gran variedad de puestos de comida y artesanos/minoristas en el festival, incluyendo Cubano X- Press, D&S Caribbean Kitchen, Island Noodles, Kona Ice of Allentown, La Frikitona, The Udder Bar, Sedellah’s Island Grill, Kou Kitchen y ¡más por anunciar!

Este evento está producido por ArtsQuest y Movement Moves Media como parte de la serie de conciertos gratuitos de Levitt Pavillion SteelStacks, presentada por Lehigh Valley Health Network, parte de Jefferson Health.

¡Traiga a toda la familia a este festival gratuito de un día de duración en el que habrá vendedores eclécticos, auténtica comida jamaicana y diversión bajo el sol! No se necesitan boletos, ¡pero la buena vibra se recogerá en la entrada! Para más información 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 de desarrollo económico para nuestras comunidades urbanas. ArtsQuest™ apoya esta misión mediante la presentación de artes escénicas y visuales, cine, clases de educación artística y participación comunitaria, programación juvenil y eventos culturales. La programación de ArtsQuest llega a más de 1.9 millones de personas cada año a través de festivales como su evento estrella, Musikfest; la ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; y el ArtsQuest Center en el campus artístico y cultural de SteelStacks, . Los programas y eventos de la organización, de los cuales casi el 40 por ciento son gratuitos, tienen un impacto económico combinado de más de $136 millones anuales en la región.