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.”

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 49^th 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.

Siga la Estrella hasta SteelStacks

11.ª celebración de El Día de los Reyes, Three Kings Day anunciada para el domingo 8 de enero en ArtsQuest

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Reúna a la familia y haga los planes necesarios para unirse a los Reyes Magos en su búsqueda para seguir a la “Estrella de las Maravillas” de Belén hasta el campus SteelStacks de ArtsQuest, el domingo 8 de enero. La undécima celebración cultural anual, El Día de los Reyes, Three Kings Day, se celebrará junto con los medios de comunicación La Mega, Baby J Production, Sabroso Video y 69-WFMZ Edición en Español de 3:00 a 6:00 p. m. Patrocinada por B. Braun Medical, PPL Corporation, con regalos financiados en parte por los patrocinadores y promotores del evento, entre los que se incluyen B. Braun Medical, PPL Corporation, Westside Hammer, Carlos López, Latinos Affinity Group en Amazon ABE4 y el Programa Toys for Tots del Cuerpo de Infantes de Marina de los Estados Unidos. Este evento familiar es gratuito y abierto al público.

“Mi familia y yo siempre esperamos con ansias la tradición de la celebración de Día de los Reyes, Three Kings Day, en ArtsQuest”, comentó Myrna Rivera, miembro de la Junta de Fideicomisarios de ArtsQuest y presidenta del Comité ¡Sabor! de ArtsQuest”. Aunque mi familia de PA se ha criado fuera de la isla de Puerto Rico, cada año nos reunimos con otras familias latinas y no latinas para recordar y enseñar a nuestros hijos (y a sus hijos) la tradición de los Reyes Magos. Sin duda, es una forma muy divertida de cerrar las fiestas”.

La celebración incluirá una lectura en vivo de “Los Reyes Magos”, tanto en español como en inglés, por los presentadores de La MEGA Radio y actuaciones musicales de Herencia Jíbara y la visita de Einstein the Camel, de 3:30 a 4:30 p. m. Habrá deliciosas meriendas de la Iglesia Católica Holy Infancy para la venta durante todo el evento.

“El Día de Reyes, Three Kings Day, es una hermosa tradición religiosa y cultural, sobre todo para las familias latinas”, expresó Iris M. Cintron, miembro del Comité de Programación Latina de ArtsQuest. “Nuestro hijo siempre preparaba su caja de hierba para los camellos la víspera de la llegada de los Reyes. Ahora sus hijos continúan la tradición”.

El Día de Reyes, conocido como Epifanía o Teofanía, es una fiesta cristiana que celebra la revelación de Dios a través de su Hijo, Jesucristo. El Día de Reyes marca el final de los “12 Días de Navidad” repletos de festividades, desde España hasta Chile y México, que conmemoran el viaje de los Tres Reyes Magos o Magos de Oriente, Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar a Belén para traer al recién nacido niño Jesús regalos sagrados de oro, incienso y mirra.

“Este acontecimiento anual se ha convertido en una maravillosa tradición y marca el inicio de nuestro calendario 2023 de conciertos, clases, eventos y festivales”, dijo la presidenta y directora ejecutiva de ArtsQuest, Kassie Hilgert. “Estamos encantados de recibir a la comunidad una vez más en nuestro campus para esta celebración familiar”.

Los niños harán un recorrido por el Centro ArtsQuest, disfrutando de actividades muy divertidas, como manualidades, antes de conocer a los Reyes Magos, que repartirán juguetes. Todo el mundo está invitado a asistir a esta dinámica experiencia cultural.                                

Follow the Star to SteelStacks

11^th annual celebration El Dia de Los Reyes, Three Kings Day announced for Sunday, Jan. 8 at ArtsQuest

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Gather up the family and plan to join the Three Wise Men in their quest to follow Bethlehem’s “Star of Wonder” to the ArtsQuest SteelStacks campus on Sunday, Jan. 8. The 11^th annual cultural celebration, El Dia de los Reyes, Three Kings Day, will be hosted with media partners La Mega, Baby J Production, Sabroso Video and 69-WFMZ Edicion en Espanol from 3–6 p.m. Sponsored by B. Braun Medical, PPL Corporation with gifts funded in part by sponsors and supporters of the event including B. Braun Medical, PPL Corporation, Westside Hammer, Carlos Lopez, Latinos Affinity Group at Amazon ABE4 and US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

“My family and I always look forward to the Three Kings celebration tradition at ArtsQuest,” said Myrna Rivera, ArtsQuest board of trustee member and chairperson of ArtsQuest’s Sabor! Committee. “Although my PA family has been raised outside the island of Puerto Rico, each year we gather with other Latinx and non-Latinx families to remember and to teach our children (and their children) the 3 Kings tradition. It certainly is a festive way to close out the holiday season.”

The celebration will include a live reading of “The Three Kings” in both Spanish and English by La MEGA Radio hosts and musical performances by Herencia Jibara and a visit from Einstein the Camel from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Delicious snacks by Holy Infancy Catholic Church will be available for purchase throughout the event.

“The Three Kings Day is a beautiful religious and cultural tradition particularly with Latino families,” said Iris M. Cintron, ArtsQuest’s Latin Programing Committee member. “Our son always got his box of grass ready for the camels the day before the Kings arrived. Now his children carry on the tradition.”

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.

“This annual event has become a wonderful tradition and it kicks off our 2023 calendar of concerts, classes, events and festivals,” said ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert. “We’re excited to welcome the community back in person to our campus for this family-friendly celebration.” Children will take a journey through the ArtsQuest Center, enjoying fun-filled activities including arts and crafts before meeting the Three Kings who will hand out toys. Everyone is welcome to attend this dynamic cultural experience.