Taco’bout Awesome! ArtsQuest Announces Return of Annual TacoFest

Bethlehem, PA, April 6, 2023 – Holy guacamole, it’s taco time! ArtsQuest announces its annual TacoFest, presented by Cazadores Tequila, on July 9, 2023 at SteelStacks. Last year’s event sold out, so purchase tickets sooner than later and get ready for a fun day of tacos from around the Lehigh Valley, not one but two Chihuahua Beauty contests, a comedy gameshow and of course, Margarita Madness.

Tickets for this much anticipated full day experience are now on sale at steelstacks.org. General admission tickets are $5 and Margarita Madness tickets start at $39 for members and $49 for general public. Tickets for Margarita Madness also include early entry into the festival at noon. For select discounted rates and presale opportunities become an ArtsQuest member or Circle donor today.

“We are excited to once again announce the return of TacoFest, just one of many ArtsQuest events popular with the Lehigh Valley community that has sold out year after year,” Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest’s Chief Programming Officer said. “It’s a great way to spend the day, here on the SteelStacks campus and Levitt lawn. Enjoying tacos from top taco vendors across the Valley, more Chihuahuas than you’ve ever seen at one time, contests and giveaways – there’s something for everyone to enjoy!”

General Admission begins at 1 p.m., with access to all the food, drinks and fun at the SteelStacks campus, including the comedy game show “Spicy Talk,” hosted by comedian Jon Lunger and featuring notable area personalities. General admission also includes access to the TacoFest Sensory-Friendly Zone, hosted by Accessible Festivals in the Blast Furnace Room.

This year, the number of participating vendors has increased significantly (more tacos!) and includes Cubano Xpress, Cousins Maine Lobster, Don Juan Mexican Grille, Fiesta Churros, Flying V, Grumpy’s BBQ Roadhouse, Grubnight Food Truck, Holy Infancy, Isasuma Art, Kona Ice, Mon & Mel’s Sweet Scoops, Oomie ZoOmiez, Taco Town, Take A Taco, The Angry Chourico BBQ, Uno Taqueria and 22 Peppers. ArtsQuest’s Mack Truck Stop, Central Tap and Palette & Pour will also be serving food and drinks.

Margarita Madness will begin in the Musikfest Café, presented by Yuengling, at 1 p.m., where attendees will vote on all of the uniquely twisted cocktails featuring Cazadores Tequila. Restaurants from throughout the Lehigh Valley will compete to see who has the best margarita and try to beat last year’s defending champions, Edge! Guests will receive one 1oz sample from each restaurant and the opportunity to vote for their favorite margarita. All restaurants will also have alcohol-free versions of their margarita. There will also be a complimentary tortilla chip bar stocked with guacamole, queso, salsas, and rice and beans.

The popular Chihuahua Beauty Contest is back and this year, there will be two contests at 2 and 5 p.m. Strut your pup for the chance to have your furry friend dubbed Goodest Doggo, Most Huggable, Cutest Tail Wiggle and more. (Human handler winners will also be awarded ArtsQuest tickets and merch). To register a pint-sized K-9 for a chance to showcase their magnificence, steelstacks.org.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit steelstacks.org. Please note that this is a 21+ event.

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. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.

¡Hablando de tacos increíbles! ArtsQuest anuncia el regreso del TacoFest anual

Bethlehem, PA, 7 de abril de 2023 – ¡Santo guacamole, es hora de tacos! ArtsQuest anuncia su TacoFest anual, presentado por Cazadores Tequila, el 9 de julio de 2023 en SteelStacks. El año pasado se agotaron las entradas, así que cómprelas cuanto antes y prepárese para un divertido día de tacos para todo el Lehigh Valley, no uno, sino dos concursos de belleza de chihuahuas, un espectáculo de comedia y, por supuesto, el Margarita Madness.

Las entradas para este día tan esperado ya están a la venta en steelstacks.org. Las entradas generales cuestan $5 y las del Margarita Madness cuestan $39 para los miembros y $49 para el público en general. Las entradas para Margarita Madness también incluyen la entrada anticipada al festival al mediodía. Si desea descuentos y posibilidades de preventa, hágase miembro de ArtsQuest o Donante del Círculohoy mismo.

“Estamos encantados de anunciar una vez más el regreso de TacoFest, uno de los muchos eventos de ArtsQuest populares entre la comunidad de Lehigh Valley que ha agotado las entradas año tras año”, dijo Patrick Brogan, Director de Programación de ArtsQuest. “Es una forma estupenda de pasar el día, aquí en el campus SteelStacks y en el césped Levitt. Disfrutar de tacos de los mejores vendedores de tacos en todo el Valle, más chihuahuas de los que jamás haya visto al mismo tiempo, concursos y regalos: ¡hay algo para que todos disfruten!”.

La entrada general comienza a la 1 p.m., con acceso a toda la comida, bebidas y diversión en el campus SteelStacks, incluyendo el programa de juegos de comedia “Spicy Talk”, presentado por el comediante Jon Lunger y con la participación de notables personalidades del área. La entrada general también incluye el acceso a la Zona Sensorial TacoFest, organizada por Accessible Festivals en la sala Blast Furnace.

Este año, el número de vendedores participantes ha aumentado significativamente (¡más tacos!) e incluye a Cubano Xpress, Cousins Maine Lobster, Don Juan Mexican Grille, Fiesta Churros, Flying V, Grumpy’s BBQ Roadhouse, Grubnight Food Truck, Holy Infancy, Isasuma Art, Kona Ice, Mon & Mel’s Sweet Scoops, Oomie ZoOmiez, Taco Town, Take A Taco, The Angry Chourico BBQ, Uno Taqueria y 22 Peppers. ArtsQuest’s Mack Truck Stop, Central Tap y Palette & Pour también servirán comida y bebida.

El Margarita Madness comenzará en el MusikfestCafé,presentado por Yuengling, a la 1 p.m., donde los asistentes votarán por todos los cócteles con tequila Cazadores. Restaurantes de todo Lehigh Valley competirán para ver quién tiene la mejor margarita e intentar vencer a los campeones defensores del año pasado, ¡Edge! Los clientes recibirán una muestra de 1 onza de cada restaurante y tendrán la oportunidad de votar por su margarita favorita. Todos los restaurantes tendrán también versiones sin alcohol de sus margaritas. También habrá un puesto gratuito de totopos con guacamole, queso, salsas, arroz y frijoles.

Vuelve el popular Concurso de Belleza de Chihuahuas, y este año habrá dos concursos a las 2:00 p.m. y a las 5:00 p.m. Presente a su cachorro para tener la oportunidad de que su peludo amigo sea nombrado el Perro más Bueno, el Más Abrazable, el Que Menea la Cola más Bonito y mucho más. (Los ganadores humanos también recibirán entradas y artículos de ArtsQuest). Para inscribir a un pequeño canino y darle la oportunidad de exhibir su magnificencia, visite steelstacks.org.

Para más información y para comprar entradas, visite steelstacks.org.Tenga en cuenta que este es un evento para mayores de 21 años.

Acerca de ArtsQuest

La misión de ArtsQuestes ofrecer oportunidades de acceso a experiencias artísticas, culturales y educativas excepcionales utilizando las artes y la cultura como elementos clave del desarrollo económico de nuestras comunidades urbanas. ArtsQuest™ apoya esta misión mediante la presentación de artes escénicas y visuales, cine, clases de educación artística y participación comunitaria, programación juvenil y eventos culturales.

A través de festivales como su evento principal, Musikfest; el Banana Factory Arts Center;y el ArtsQuest Center en el campus artístico y cultural de SteelStacksla programación de ArtsQuest llega a más de 1.9 millones de personas al año. Los programas y eventos de la organización, de los cuales más del 50 por ciento son gratuitos, tienen un impacto económico combinado de más de $136 millones anuales en la región. ArtsQuest es un orgulloso miembro de NIVA, el National Independent Venue Association y NATO, el National Association of Theatre Owners.

Annual SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase Winners Announced

Bethlehem, PA, Aril 5, 2023 – Recently, ArtsQuest held its annual SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase presented by law firm King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, in partnership with Moravian University and official media partner, Service Electric Cable TV. The competition was in collaboration with a music-in-education program between ArtsQuest and Moravian University’s Music Department’s Jazz Studies Program.

After several rounds of competition, the results are in.

Section awards:

Best Reed Section: North Penn Navy Band

Best Trumpet Section: William Tennent HS Jazz Ensemble

Best Trombone Section: Upper Moreland HS Jazz Ensemble

Best Rhythm Section: Quakertown Community HS Jazz Ensemble

Band Ratings:                      

Easton Area HS Jazz Band                            SUPERIOR

Quakertown Community HS   Jazz Band      SUPERIOR

North Penn HS Navy Jazz Band                    SUPERIOR    

Upper Moreland HS Jazz Band                      SUPERIOR

LaSalle College HS Competition Band          SUPERIOR

Solo Awards:

Best Jazz Saxophone/Woodwind:      Matt Pantos (tenor sax) Upper Moreland

Best Jazz Trumpet:                             Theo Peebles (trumpet) LaSalle HS Comp Band

Best Jazz Trombone:                          Emmet Sykes (trombone) LaSalle HS Comp Band

Best Jazz Rhythm Soloist:                  Liam Ritter (guitar) Upper Moreland

Best Jazz Vocal Soloist:                     N/A

Best Overall Jazz Soloist:                   Holly Kennedy (alto sax)        North Penn Navy

Overall Band Ratings:

Winner (1^st place):                             LaSalle College HS Competition Band     

First Runner-Up** (2^nd place):          Upper Moreland HS

Second Runner-Up** (3^rd place):     Quakertown Area HS

For the past decade, the city of Bethlehem has had the privilege of hosting high school bands from over 20 different local and regional schools to compete, showcasing their extensive musical abilities. This year, more than a dozen schools from Pennsylvania and New Jersey competed in front of musical educators, judge panelists, and a live audience for awards and titles.

The High Schools represented in this year’s 2023 showcase were Bangor Area High School, Brandywine Heights High School, Delaware Valley High School (NJ), Dieruff High School, Easton High School, Fleetwood Area High School, Freedom High School, the Hill School, Kutztown High School, LaSalle College High School Competition Band, LaSalle College High School Lab Band, Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, North Penn High School Columbia Jazz Band, North Penn High School Navy Jazz Band, Pocono Mountain East High School, Quakertown High School, Southern Lehigh High School Jazz Band Society, Southern Lehigh High School Jazz Trane, Upper Moreland High School, Warren Hills High School, and Wilson Area High School.

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

Run for the Rosé Returns to SteelStacks

ArtsQuest to once again host a unique and festive event, celebrating a ‘day at the races’ with a wine tasting and Derby watch party

Bethlehem, PA, March 23, 2023 – It’ll be an evening of great wine and fancy clothes capped off with a thrilling race when ArtsQuest hosts the Run for the Rosé Derby Watch Party. Produced in partnership with Noble Oak, this fashionable fête will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Air Products Town Square and Capital Blue Cross Creativity Commons at SteelStacks. Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain is back offering a tasting of rosés from near and far and the 149^th running of the Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on a large LED screen.

Patrons will have exclusive access to Noble Oak and Wyoming Whiskey tasting stations along with Rosés from Chile, Portugal, France and the Western United States including but not limited to: Monrande Pionero (Chile), Sol Real (Portugal), La Vie En Rosé (France), Charles Smith Band of Rosés (Washington State), Hayes Ranch (California) and Acrobat Rosé (Oregon). 

And, what’s a Derby party without contests? Dress in your finest Derby attire for your chance to win Best Hat, Best Dressed, Best Couple Coordination and more, hosted by Sara Viteri of ASR Productions. Guests can also participate in a hobby horse racing contest and play a variety of lawn games.

“We’re excited to bring back the Run for the Rosé for its second year,” Commented Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest’s Chief Programming Officer. “As an organization centered around the arts and culture, this is a perfect opportunity for everyone to come out and show off their creativity while enjoying a variety of rosés, alongside the traditions of the Kentucky Derby.” 

The festivities will also include a drink ticket for your preference of (one) Noble Oak Mint Julep, Oaks Lily, Yuengling beer, Franklin Hills wine or a non-alcoholic drink of choice. Derby-themed food and drink specials from Palette & Pour will be served and DJ Jamal Knight will be spinning tunes throughout the event.

Tickets will go on sale April 30, priced at $34 for ArtsQuest Members and $39 for non-members. Visit Steelstacks.org additional information regarding pricing.

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.

ArtsQuest Announces Return of ONE EARTH REGGAEFEST

This free festival, presented by Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, will be held outdoors at SteelStacks on Saturday, July 1, 2023

BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 20, 2023— ArtsQuest is proud to announce the second annual One Earth ReggaeFest, a free festival celebrating reggae music on Saturday, July 1. One Earth ReggaeFest, presented by Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, is an all-ages event celebrating a fusion of Cali reggae, classic reggae, hip hop and funk music with live performances from both nationally touring and local bands.

“We are excited to once again host this amazing celebration of culture this summer,” Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan said. “Reggae is more than a genre of music, it’s an energy and vibe that we are excited to share throughout our community. We’re also grateful to once again partner with Movement Moves Media along with our co-sponsors and media partner.”  

Mighty Mystic, headlining the festival, is considered one of the leaders in the U.S. Reggae scene and labeled by many as one of the more prolific artists to develop outside of Jamaica. Mighty Mystic has turned himself into one of the more sought after U.S. based Reggae artists on today’s scene. His brand of “HARD ROOTS” with his high energy stage performance has been a magnet for the young enthusiastic reggae fan base with his Jamaican roots, while adding elements of Hip Hop & Rock, giving Mystic a more unique sound. He has released three albums which all debuted in the top 10 on iTunes and Billboard reggae charts, “Wake up the World”, “Concrete World” and “The Art of Balance.”

Guests can also enjoy performances from Red Fox, Sun-Dried Vibes, Space Kamp, Cultivated Mind, Trouble City All-Stars, iRon Lion, Jah People, DJ Menace, LNJ Sessions, RootSetters and Lunch Trucks.

“One Earth Festival is extremely close to our hearts, we’re extremely thankful that ArtsQuest believed in and gave it a chance,” commented members of Space Kamp. “The energy last year was amazing. We look forward to this year and watching it grow every year moving forward. The reggae rock community is extremely tight knit and it is wonderful to have a home in the Lehigh Valley for this amazing community to come together.”

Presenting Sponsor of the event is Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, along with co-sponsor Sweetwater Brewing Company and media partner WDIY/88.1.  

Bring the whole family to this free day-long festival featuring eclectic vendors, authentic Jamaican food and fun under the sun. Tickets aren’t needed, but good vibes will be collected at the gate! The hours will be 12 p.m. to midnight. Visit steelstacks.org for more information.

Want to be part of the festival? Vendor spots are still available. Click here or contact vendors@artsquest.org to apply. This event is produced by ArtsQuest and Movement Moves Media as part of the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks free concert series, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network. The much-anticipated lineup for the summer will be announced at the beginning of May.

About Levitt Foundation
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and Levitt AMP concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities in America through free, live music in public spaces. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues are welcoming, inclusive destinations where families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Learn more at Levitt Foundation: levitt.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. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.

First Annual Spring Beer Fest Coming to ArtsQuest

In celebration of the first day of spring, ArtsQuest to offer a ‘spring break’ discount on tickets

Bethlehem, PA, March 20, 2023 – ArtsQuest, in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Brewers’ Guild, is excited to announce its first annual spring Beer Fest, to be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at SteelStacks. Celebrate with a festive day of sampling from 24 local brewers of the Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild.

As a kickoff to the first day of spring and hopefully warmer weather, ArtsQuest is offering a $15.00 discount toward the second session admission price. (Session one runs from 2-4 p.m. / Session two runs from 5-7 p.m.). The offer is only valid on new purchases made online for the 2^nd using promocode HAPPYSPRING from Monday, March 20 thru Sunday, March 26 at 11:59pm. Purchase tickets on SteelStacks.org.

 If you’re looking to level up your beer fest experience, purchase a VIP ticket for exclusive early-access to the fest, a limited-edition German-style pint glass from the Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild, and more.

“The Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild, started in 2016, exists to provide a forum for Lehigh and Northampton County craft brewers, meaderies and cideries to exchange ideas and to advocate on behalf of members for promotions, marketing and consumer education,” commented Chris and Kaitlin McCall, Co-founders and CEOs. One of the best ways to connect with the community is to allow them to experience our unique brands. This opportunity with ArtsQuest, to host a 100% local and 100% Brewers Guild attended Beer Fest is a perfect opportunity to take that tasting and brand experience to the next level. Attendees will not only try products from over 20 member locations, but also meet and interact with local brewers, owners, managers and more! ArtsQuest has become a staple for hosting some of the best events and on behalf of the entire Guild, we thank them for this opportunity and look forward to many years of successful Beer Fests.”

Participating breweries include: Birthright Brewing Co., Boser Geist Brewing Co., Bru Daddy’s Brewing Co., Colony Meadery, Country Club Brewing, Fegley’s Brew Works, Five Maidens Cider, Funk Brewing Co., Hawk Mountain Brewery, HiJinx Brewing Co., Hop Hill Brewing Co., Lost Tavern Brewing, McCall Collective Brewing Co., Portch Tea, Red Balloon Cider, Retriever Brewing Co., Richmond Farm Brewery, Rising River Brewing Co., Seven Sirens Brewing Co., Sherman St. Beer Co., Taylor House Brewing Co., Two Rivers Brewing Co., Weyerbacher Brewing Co. and Yergey Brewing,

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.

Gear Up and Fuel Your Engines at Cars & Coffee 2023

Join us at SteelStacks Campus as we explore the diverse car community!

BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 17, 2023 — The sun will be shining, the engines will be revving, and the coffee will be brewing as we approach the eighth annual spring and summer Cars & Coffee series in the Lehigh Valley, presented by Koch Automotive Group. A free event for the community, Cars & Coffee, encourages car enthusiasts from throughout the region to come together for a fun-filled morning featuring a variety of vehicles of all makes and models. The series typically draws more than 20,000 visitors to SteelStacks throughout the year. Opening day is scheduled for Sunday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. 

“We are excited for the eighth annual Cars & Coffee series on the SteelStacks campus,” event co-creator Dan Kendra said. “We value our partnership with Koch Automotive Group for this event and look forward to welcoming car enthusiasts from throughout the community.” 

Cars & Coffee features a variety of unique, exotic and classic cars from the Lehigh Valley and beyond. The Mack Truck Stop at the Levitt Pavilion will serve coffee, breakfast sandwiches and muffins, all available for purchase during the event.  

Cars & Coffee will be presented one Sunday each month from April through September with the diverse themes of American Muscle, European and Japanese vehicles. The 2023 dates are confirmed to be April 16 – Opening Day, May 21 – All Makes, June 4 – European Theme, July 16 – American Muscle, August 27 – Japanese Theme, and the Grand Finale on Sept. 17. All events will be held from 9 a.m. to noon.

The first ever Cars & Coffee event was presented in 2013 by Dan Kendra and Dr. Johnny Chung whose goals were to bring car collectors together to showcase their prized vehicles in a fun, relaxed environment. Their vision has become a phenomenon to the car world of Lehigh Valley with no plans for stopping in the future, as it creates a strong bond within the community like no other.  

Being able to see the car and truck community come together to show their dedication and passion for their vehicles is one of the many reasons the SteelStacks Campus continues to flourish. Some of the generous vendors for this event include Koch Automotive Group, Beadz Auto Detailing, The Clean Garage, Lehigh Valley Motors, America on Wheels and Shine Techs. For more information regarding Cars and Coffee, visit http://www.steelstacks.org/carsandcoffee.  

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.  
—  
Media Contact
Jennifer LoConte 
Director of Communications 
jloconte@artsquest.org 

Lineup for 2023 Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival Announced

Celebrate local filmmakers and their top submissions during film showcase in ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

March 16, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest is excited to announce this year’s top film submissions for the 2023 Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival at a special viewing event being held during two days: Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas.

“I’m excited to see this festival expand into two days,” commented Anthony DeSanctis, Programming Manager and Director of the GLVFF. “I want our talented local filmmakers to view this festival as a resource to not only celebrate local filmmaking and make networking connections, but also as an opportunity to learn more about what goes into film production.”

Join us as we support local filmmakers with celebrating two-day screenings of all the top submissions. The festival will be divided into three time blocks for attendees to enjoy. Tickets are $8 each, (full festival $29), and can be purchased on steelstacks.org.

Saturday April 1

Showcase Event (11:30 a.m.) – attend the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts’ student showcase. Free to the public, this showing will display a sampling of the most effective works of senior Literary Arts majors. Students produced various film projects, specially designed to be shot using smartphones, with no budget/high concept expectations where writing and vision are paramount.

2022 Spotlight (2 p.m.) – Join us as we showcase the films that won Best in Show and other awards at last year’s festival.

Block One in alphabetical order (3:30 p.m.):
“Altered” directed by Jenn Marinello (Allentown)
“Amerika Calls: Burgenlanders in the Lehigh Valley” directed by Jeff Titchenal (Macungie)
“Illuminated Perspective” directed by Grace Wyckoff (DeSales University)
“Life of the Party” directed by Graham Burrell (Coplay) *Out of competition*
“Lost & Found” directed by Daniel de Bryn (DeSales University) *Out of competition*
“Steve Brosky: Starting Over” directed by Amy Unger (Allentown)
“What A Difference A Day Makes” directed by Matthew Donley (DeSales University)
“Wise Body” directed by Emmanuel Beatty (DeSales University)
“Tomorrow, and…” directed by Dane Michael (DeSales University)

Panelist Discussion (5:30 p.m.) – Managing Movie Magic: How to Budget as an Independent Filmmaker. Price $8.

Block Two in alphabetical order (7:30 p.m.):
“Bombshell” directed by Maggie Mustion (Muhlenberg College)
“Fans Don’t Boo Nobodies” directed by Zachary Gutherman (DeSales University)
“I” directed by Daniel Paashaus (Quakertown)
“Introducing, Dorothy Hardy” directed by Jordyn Harris (Saylorsburg)
“MOTHER” directed by Juan Pablo Chaves (DeSales University) *Out of competition*
“The Savior” directed by Jeff Harvey (Nazareth)
“Something About Us” directed by Francisco Aguilar (Easton)

Sunday, April 2

Sneak Preview (1 p.m.) – 33 And Me with Stephanie Gardner

Join us for a Free sneak preview screening of 33 and Me, an international travel documentary television series, created by Lehigh Valley native Stephanie Gardner as she travels to over 33 countries around the world to meet and engage with other film directors in their thirties to explore their lives, careers and cultures. If you’d like to see more episode of 33 and Me w/ Filmmaker Stephanie Gardner, tickets can be purchased here for her full event on 4/30 at 6:00 PM: https://www.steelstacks.org/event/13781/33-and-me-w-filmmaker-stephanie-gardner/
For more information on the series as a whole, visit: http://33andmefilms.com/

Block Three in alphabetical order (2:30 p.m.):
“Grocery List” directed by Juan Pablo Chaves (DeSales University)
“Intrusion” directed by Nicholas Carrodo (Bethlehem) *Out of competition*
“The Language of Luggage” directed by David Toolan (Allentown)
“LISTEN” directed by Casey Schaffer (DeSales University)
“The Story of the 7 of Clubs” directed by Zachary Gutherman (DeSales University)
“Superfan” directed by Marc & Karina Ripper (Lehigh Valley)
“Torn” directed by Carmen Chan (Macungie)
“Twice for No” directed by Brandon C. Lay (Bethlehem)
“World of Shadow” directed by Emmanuel Beatty (DeSales University)  

Reel Memories & Futures Event (4:30 p.m.)

Join us for an interactive discussion, celebrating the magic of cinema. Together we will reminisce about the first movies we saw, our go-to movie candies, our favorite moviegoing experiences and what we miss most watching movies on the big screen. We’ll also dive into the current state of the theatre industry, current trends and where we see the future of exhibition going. Price $8.

AWARDS CEREMONY (6:15 p.m.)
Announcing the winners in various categories including Best in Show and an Audience Award based solely on audience voting. The Best in Show film includes a $500 cash prize!

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.

National Touring Comedians Looking for Laughs at ArtsQuest Comedy Shows

March 8, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest announces a blend of national touring comedians with lots of homegrown talent coming right here to the Lehigh Valley. If you’re looking for an evening full of laughs, check out the full list of shows.

Comedic shows include:

• Jim Norton
  • Norton is a stand-up comedian, radio personality, bestselling author and actor. He is co-host of The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show, heard daily on SiriusXM Radio. His latest stand up special, “Mouthful of Shame” is streaming on Netflix.
  • Date: Friday, May 19 at 9 p.m. (Doors and Dinner 7:30 p.m.) at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling
• Brian Posehn
  • Posehn is a writer/actor/stand-up comic and has recently recorded his fourth hour-long stand-up special. He’s also co-creating and starring in an upcoming cartoon for Nickelodeon with Fall Out Boy’s Joe Trohman.
  • Date: Friday, April 28 at 8 p.m. at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling
• Rachel Feinstein
  • Feinstein is a nationally touring comedian and actor whose acute observations create silly, sympathetic characters that relates to her audience. She’s had three Comedy Central specials, including a one-hour special “Amy Schumer Presents Rachel Feinstein.”
  • Friday, April 21 at 8 p.m. (Doors and Dinner 6:30 p.m.) at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling
• Earl David Reed
  • Reed’s genius is the way he interacts with the crowd and has been hailed by the Las Vegan Review-Journal as “an urban Don Rickles.” His TV credits include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, HBO, Showtime, FOX’s Comic Strip Live, A&E’s Comedy on the Road and NBC’s Friday Night Videos.
  • Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Fowler Blast Furnace Room
• Tina Friml
  • Friml is a New York-based standup comedian who uses animated optimism on her own physical disability, yet fearlessly honest about the social assumptions that come with living with cerebral palsy. She’s cultivated 127K followers on Instagram and over 92.5K on TikTok. She was a 2019 New Face in the acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival.
  • Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m. at Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network
• Zach Zimmerman
  •  Zimmerman is a stand-up comedian and writer who was named a USA Today Comedian to Watch, TimeOut NY Comic to Watch and has appeared on The Late Late Show. Zimmerman performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar.
  • Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network
• Glen Tickle Against The World Crime League: A Standup Special Recording
  • Tickle is a comedian from New Jersey who uses humor as a defense mechanism to avoid processing his feelings. His Dry Bar Comedy special “The Favorite” has racked up well over a million views and he has million of views and likes on TikTok.
  • April 22 (two shows), 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network

(Note: all shows contain adult language and/or situations. Anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No child 12 or under will be admitted)