ArtsQuest to Present Sensory Friendly Family Film Series

Bethlehem, PA, May 16, 2023 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the beginning of their Sensory Friendly Family Film Series starting Wednesday, May 24 at 1:30 p.m. in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema (Red Cinema). The series runs until August 2 and all tickets are free. Shows are screened at 1:30 pm.

The Sensory Friendly Family Film Series is specifically designed for children and adults living with autism. This program allows everyone to experience the joy of seeing their favorite movies on the big screen. As part of the film screenings, talking and walking are permitted, and stimming (self-regulation behavior) is encouraged. The theater’s house lights are dimmed but remain on, while the film volume is lowered and previews are eliminated, in an effort to provide a comfortable viewing experience for attendees. Additionally, families with special dietary needs are allowed to bring food from home.

There will be a total of ten movies to be shown from May 24 to August 2. Tickets must be printed out before attending the film series.

Sensory Friendly Family Film Series Schedule

“Access to the arts is at the forefront of ArtsQuest’s mission,” Ryan Hill, Senior Director of Programming, said. “Offering sensory-friendly screenings allows for more access to these great family movies, which in turn creates more memories for kids and adults alike.”

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% of are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.  

Actor and Comedian Jay Pharoah to Take the Stage at Musikfest Café

Bethlehem, PA, May 9, 2023 – ArtsQuest is excited to announced that actor and comedian Jay Pharoah will perform at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling at ArtsQuest at SteelStacks on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

ArtsQuest Circle tickets are on sale now, Member tickets will go on sale Wednesday, May 10 at 10 a.m. and to the general public on Friday, May 12 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices start at $36 and can be purchased at Steelstacks.org. For more information on how to become an ArtsQuest member, visit ArtsQuest.org.

Pharoah most recently starred in the biopic SPINNING GOLD as Cecil Homes, the right-hand man of 1970s record producer Neil Bogart who co-founded Casablanca Records. Together they were behind the success of stars like Donna Summer, Kiss and The Village People. He also starred in the Toronto International Film Festival triumph, THE BLACKENING as Shawn. The film performed so well it was sold out of the festival to Lionsgate and will be released this upcoming Juneteenth weekend.

In the last few years, Pharoah has appeared in Comedy Central’s OUT OF OFFICE alongside Ken Jeong and Oscar Nuñez and in the independent comedy MORT IN SHERMAN OAKS with Lucy Hale and Jim Gaffigan. He starred in Netflix’s RESORT TO LOVE with Cristina Milian for producer Alicia Keys and in the Lionsgate thriller PRIVATE PROPERTY. Pharoah also co-starred opposite Harry Shum Jr. in Universal’s ALL MY LIFE, in Justin Simien’s critically acclaimed feature film BAD HAIR for Hulu, and in Lionsgate’s 2 MINUTES OF FAME for director Leslie Small. 

On the small screen, Pharoah starred as “J.J. Evans” in ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Live in Front of a Studio Audience version of ALL IN THE FAMILY and GOOD TIMES. He currently hosts and produces the Nickelodeon hit gameshow UNFILTERED. 

Best known for his spot-on impressions, Pharoah spent six seasons as a cast member on NBC’s SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. In 2017, he shifted to his first leading role as ‘Floyd Mooney’ in Showtime’s WHITE FAMOUS, which was executive produced by Academy Award-winner Jaime Foxx and inspired by Foxx’s real-life experiences. 

Additional film and television credits include Sony Picture’s animated feature, THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES, Steven Soderbergh’s UNSANE, Universal’s animated feature SING, CBS Films’ GET A JOB, CBS’s All Access’s REMOTE, FOX Searchlight’s LOLA VERSUS, FOX’s FAMILY GUY, FOX’s THE SIMPSONS, Netflix’s BOJACK HORSEMAN, and Cartoon Network’s ROBOT CHICKEN.

In addition to acting and his stand-up, Jay released his first EP titled “Spittin Image” in August 2021. The tracks are a marriage between Jay’s spot-on impressions and his love of songwriting and rapping.  All songs are written by Jay and produced by Andrew Hypes. 

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.

Saluting our Military with Upcoming Patriotic Events

Commemorating Memorial Day and Flag Day with ceremonies and music

Bethlehem, PA, May 9, 2023 – 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 13^th year, the Hometown Heroes Display will transform the SteelStacks campus into a living memorial honoring our hometown heroes. From Memorial Day weekend through mid-July, the campus will be draped with images of local military heroes as a display of appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifices and contributions. Close to 1,500 photographs were submitted by residents in the community.

Live musical performances will include:

Saturday, May 27

• Big Bone Daddy
• Hydraulic Lime
• Tomberlin
• The Wild Hymns

Sunday, May 28

• SwingTime Dolls
• Dina Hall Band
• Craig Thatcher Band
• Friar’s Point Band

Monday, May 29

• Band of Brothers

This commemorative event will feature the Hometown Heroes 2023 photo-banner, live music and remembrance ceremonies including “A Time to Remember,” and “Remember Our Heroes” luminary display honoring those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Visit SteelStacks.org for additional information on Memorial Day weekend events.

On Saturday, June 10, Embassy Bank’s Annual Flag Day event, honoring Lehigh Valley Veterans, will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Musikfest Café at SteelStacks. Enjoy the patriotic performance of the season with the famous Allentown Band, the first and finest civilian concert band in the U.S. Proudly wave your stars and stripes to America’s most honorable music, performed under the direction of Ronald Demkee.

Pre-show activities on the Town Square will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and include  ‘Dunk the Banker’ with proceeds being donated to a local veterans group. Food and beverages will be available inside the ArtsQuest Center at Palette and Pour. RSVP here.

“The tradition of honoring individuals who have dedicated themselves to protecting and serving the United States has become an event at the SteelStacks campus that we look forward to every year,” said Embassy Bank CEO, President and Chairman Dave Lobach Jr. “We are excited to see the new additions to this year’s Hometown Heroes photo-banner debut during the Memorial Day commemoration.”

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.

Lights! Camera! Action! Lucky Louie to Premiere at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks

Special screening event on Saturday, April 29 at 7:15 p.m. to include live Q&A with Dan Roebuck, Grace Roebuck and Tammy Roebuck

Bethlehem, PA, April 24, 2023 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the premiere of Lucky Louie, a film, co-written and co-directed by Lehigh Valley native Daniel Roebuck and Grace Roebuck and produced and edited by Tammy Roebuck at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks. While the film premieres on Friday, April 28, a special screening of the movie will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 7:15 p.m. and will include a live Q&A discussion with the Roebucks, following the film.

The film, starring Basil Hoffman, Daniel Roebuck, Willard Pugh, Duane Whitaker, Patrick Voss Davis, Madelyn Dundon and Tim Goodwin, is about a retired police officer, Wilbert Moser who is unable to solve a 50-year-old bank robbery. He eventually teams up with members of his Bible study, all of whom are ex-convicts that he arrested and rehabilitated. Together, and with the help of a Forensic Psychology major, the owner of the diner they frequent, and the Lehigh Valley community, they solve the decade’s old crime.

“It’s a dream come true for me to make films in the Lehigh Valley,” commented Daniel Roebuck. “I love it here so much and rarely will filmgoers have an opportunity to watch the movie and in one of the scenes, behind the character, see the actual theater on screen that they are sitting in to watch the move. I think it speaks to the great synergy we have making movies in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.”

Tickets are available online for all shows at SteelStacks.org. The film is rated PG and has a runtime of 1 hr. 52 min.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzxoKJe00Rg

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.

Blast Furnace Blues Rocking Return to ArtsQuest

10^th annual event, presented by Highmark Blue Shield takes place Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23, 2023 at SteelStacks campus.

BETHLEHEM, Pa., April 21, 2023— Blast Furnace Blues Festival, presented by Highmark Blue Shield, will return to ArtsQuest’s SteelStacks campus on Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23. This decade-long event will feature three free days of live music for the community to enjoy while honoring this great American genre’s history.

“I could not be more excited for the entire lineup of the Blast Furnace Blues Festival this summer,” said Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer. “Three nights of headliners featuring the southern blues & roots of Bywater Call led by Meghan Parnell’s engaging vocals; the soulful sounds of the Sensational Barnes Brothers which will make you feel like you are Memphis TN at a Stax recording studio; and Toronzo Cannon’s Chicago blues guitar returning to SteelStacks.”

Levitt Pavilion Presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network headliners include: (shows start at 7:30 p.m.)

Bywater Call (July 21) -, Powerhouse 7-piece Southern Soul, Roots Rock band from Toronto, nominated for the Maple Blues and Independent Blues Award and has extensively toured Europe.

The Sensational Barnes Bros. (July 22) – As Pop Matters states, “The brothers run through a spectrum of moods and modes in their gospel soul, often bridging the gap between the Soul Stirrers and Stax, all the while keeping a local flavor.”

Toronzo Cannon (July 23) – Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon defies all expectations. The blistering guitarist, soulful vocalist, singular songwriter and city bus driver fuses his muscular, rock-inspired blues guitar playing with his original, keenly detailed slice-of-life songs, blazing his own blues trail.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, July 21:

Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6 to 7:25 p.m. –
Duwayne Burnside and BC Blue from 9 to 11 p.m.

Saturday, July 22:

Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 4 to 5:30 p.m. – The Nighthawks

Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6 to 7:25 p.m. – Lionel Young

Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 9 to 11 p.m. – Chris Pierce

Sunday, July 23:

Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 4 to 5:30 p.m. – John Primer

Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6 to 7:25 p.m. –Kelly Bell Band

“We are thrilled to team up with ArtsQuest on the 10^th annual Blast Furnace Blues,” commented Highmark Blue Shield Vice President of Community Affairs, Kathleen McKenzie. “This weekend-long festival is just one of many that celebrates a variety of musical styles and genres, all possible through ArtsQuest. Listening to Blues performers on a summer evening, while enjoying the SteelStacks campus will make for a great weekend.”

Visit steelstacks.org for additional information.

Blast Furnace Blues is made possible by presenting partner Highmark Blue Shield and sponsors Adams Outdoor, Coca-Cola Bottling of the Lehigh Valley, Jack Daniels, Service Electric Cable TV Communications and WDIY. 

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, approximately 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.

 ¡SABOR! LATIN FESTIVAL RETURNS TO STEELSTACKS JUNE 23-25

ArtsQuest is proud to announce the return of the 12^th annual free admission ¡SABOR! Latin Festival, a celebration of Latin heritage including music, food and family fun

BETHLEHEM, Pa., April 20, 2023— ArtsQuest, in partnership with Highmark Blue Shield and media partner La Mega Radio, is excited to present the return of ¡Sabor! Latin Festival, to the SteelStacks campus on Friday, June 23 through Sunday, June 25, 2022.  The free-admission family friendly celebration of Latin heritage and Hispanic culture will be hosted over the course of three days featuring music, food and fun throughout the campus.   

“If you’re looking to enjoy authentic, savory Latin American cuisine while listening and dancing to live Latin performers, join us at ArtsQuest’s annual ¡Sabor! Festival,” commented Latin Programming Committee Chair Myrna Rivera. “You can learn to salsa dance and practice your dance moves to the rhythms of the live musicians and DJs that are scheduled to perform throughout the weekend-long festival.”

Kicking off the celebration on Friday, June 23, the Annual Puerto Rican Flag Raising Ceremony will take place at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square at 6 p.m. and will include both the U.S. and Puerto Rican National Anthems along with community speakers. The Puerto Rican flag will be displayed all weekend long.

Weekend schedule includes:

Friday, June 23:

• Levitt Headliner presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network 8-10 p.m.
  Folk group Herencia Jibara will display their Puerto Rican musical roots with beautiful melodies and energetic rhythms creating by exploring Caribbean, Salsa, Merengue and Bachata flavors.
• Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6:30-8 p.m.
  Lehigh Valley Urban Latin Orquesta
• Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on theAir Products Town Square 10 p.m. – midnight
  Hector Rosado and His Group, who is an internationally acclaimed percussionist, bandleader, arranger, educator and recording artist, has performed and toured with many notable performers in the world of Latin music.

Saturday, June 24:

• Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 4-6 p.m.
  Singer, guitarist and producer Fabricio Orihuela
• Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6:30-8 p.m.
  Kiltro, a band that draws from an array of stylings of Brian Eno and progressive rock.
• Levitt Headliner presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network 8-10 p.m.
  Master percussionist, song writer, producer, performer and band leader Little Johnny Rivero and His Salsa Band continue their world tour.
• Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 10 p.m. – midnight
  Pancho Bongo y su Orquesta is a high energy classic Salsa group consisting of 14 talented musicians.

Sunday, June 25

Holy Infancy hopes to host a Mariachi Mass in the Musikfest Café, details coming soon.

“We are excited to join with ArtsQuest to bring this event back to the Lehigh Valley for its 12^th year,” commented Highmark Blue Shield Vice President of Community Affairs, Kathleen McKenzie. “The SteelStacks Arts and Cultural campus is an excellent venue for our community to come together and celebrate Latin music and culture while sampling traditional food. It will be a fun and festive weekend for all.”                                   

New to the festival this year, is Brugal Lounge, a free tasting lounge that will include a variety of Brugal Rums for sampling (age 21+). Throughout the weekend, Latin inspired food will be served by Hogar Crea, offering his famous shish kabobs; Holy Infancy will offer tacos, pastelillos, bacalaitos (fried cod fritters) and tostones; and new to the festival this year, Cubano Xpress, will offer Cubano sandwiches, Cuban nachos, loaded Yucca fries and a Cubano Bowl (rice, beans, plantains and pork, chicken or veggies).

Additionally, ArtsQuest’s Pallet Kitchen, Pour Bar, Central Tap and Mack Truck are all open for walk-up service. Pallet kitchen will be serving Elotes (Mexican street corn topped with Siracha Aioli, Queso Fresco, cilantro and fresh squeezed lime) and Chicken Tinga served over Arroz con Gondules.

Family crafts will be hosted over the course of the festival by the engaging artists of the Banana Factory. Te Lo Juro, a retail vendor, will be selling clothing, glassware, and more (Saturday, only).

Supporting sponsors for which we are grateful include Brugal, B. Braun Medical, Inc., Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, Lagom Care and PNC Bank. Visit Steelstacks.org 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 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 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas Offer Unique Movie Experiences for Theatergoers

Bethlehem, PA, April 13, 2023 – Looking for a movie theater that offers a wide variety in film titles and other movie-related experiences? ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, a two-screen independent, foreign and arthouse cinema, located in the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, are showing several fun flicks this month that you don’t want to miss.

Are you a budding filmmaker? On Sunday, April 16 at 2 p.m., join film producer and editor Tammy Roebuck in Filmmaker Workshop – Film Editing 101, an in-depth interactive discussion into the process of film editing. Roebuck will provide the ins and outs of getting your film prepped for your composer, sound editing team and colorist, as well as what is required for theater distribution and international distribution. Learn about why sound editing and color timing makes a dramatic difference in the end result and how to manage your media before you start shooting a project. Q&A discussion to follow. For more information and to purchase tickets to this exclusive event, visit steelstacks.org.

Who doesn’t love Coldplay? On Wednesday April 19 and Sunday, April 23, Coldplay – Music of The Spheres: Live at River Plate will be shown at 7:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., respectively. This brand new, definitive director’s cut of the show was filmed during the band’s sold out, ten-night run at Buenos Aires’ River plate stadium and features remixed/remastered sound and stunning visuals captured by BAFTA-winning and Grammy-nominated director Paul Dugdale, including a host of previously unseen footage. For more information, visit steelstacks.org

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and featuring a brand-new high-definition restoration, will be shown on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:15 p.m. See the ‘stars before they were stars’ in this revisited epic with an added 22 minutes of footage that includes a beginning and ending which are truer to the book and a rousing rock ’n’ roll soundtrack. For more information and to purchase tickets 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, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.