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RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THE SWEETEST CHICK IN TOWN

Peepsfest® lights up the sky with two nights of fireworks

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Close out 2022 with a bang! Tickets are now on sale for the family-friendly PEEPSFEST® hosted by ArtsQuest and Just Born Quality Confections Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31. Bring the whole family to celebrate in sweet style at the SteelStacks campus from 3 – 6 p.m. To celebrate Just Born Quality Confection’s 100th anniversary, attendees will get a sneak peep of the tasty new flavor offerings that are hitting store shelves for the 2023 Easter season! This ticketed event will be hosted outside featuring fun and fireworks following the annual PEEPS® Chick drop. Looking for an extra special addition to the annual tradition, register for a skate session at The Ice Rink at SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. Tickets and additional details can be found at steelstacks.org/PEEPSFEST.

This year’s outdoor festival tickets can be purchased for $5 per person, are limited and include Just Born Quality Confections goodie bags for all children younger than 12, one coupon to redeem a free s’mores kit for all children younger than 12, PEEPS® sampling stations and live musical performances. The whole family can also enjoy activities like the PEEPSFEST® Scavenger Hunt, the Leaning Tower of PEEPS®, cornhole, Jenga and crafts by local groups from around the Lehigh Valley.

On both nights the massive PEEPS® Chick, weighing in at 400 pounds and standing 4 feet and 9 inches tall, will descend for the countdown to the New Year at 5:30 p.m., followed by a stunning display of fireworks.

Returning this year Friday Dec. 30 is the PEEPSONALITY Family Fun Run & Walk. Register the whole family to strut their Peepsonality around the SteelStacks campus. For a $5 ticket upgrade families can enjoy the annual run, early entry to the event, access to unique PEEPS sampling flavors and exclusive photo opportunities with Lehigh Valley mascots.

Make a magical family day more memorable by gliding across the authentic ice of the brand-new SteelStacks Ice Rink. For a $10 ticket up grade, families can book a skate session between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on both days.

Looking to win a sweet competition? Just Born Quality Confection’s Lehigh Valley PEEPS Diorama Competition candy kits are now on sale. Decide on an idea and start creating using all the sweets available in the kit. Kits can be picked up starting Nov. 7 at the Banana Factory from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Registration for kits close Dec. 11. Dioramas photos must be entered online by Dec. 12. The winner will receive a Candy Prize Package courtesy of Just Born Quality Confections. The online gallery will be on display through Saturday, Dec. 31.

A Moment with Vagina Monologues’ Kathy Freer

Director Kathy Freer was born and raised in Bethlehem PA. From an early age she had a love for the arts, and since has performed in numerous productions throughout the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia.

In 2017 she directed The Vagina Monologues, and is a burlesque performer/ producer of the only all plus size female burlesque troupe on the east coast, The SnaccTime Revue, based out of Philadelphia PA.

Q: Kathy, tell us about how you first became acquainted with the Vagina Monologues?

I first heard about it at the end of 2008. Civic Theater in Allentown had an audition announcement out for the show, and I researched it and decided I wanted to audition. I got in and the show was put on in 2009. At that time in my life I had an ex who was dying. He was just 30 years old and had a disease that we knew was killing him. I remember him telling me how he was too young, that he wasn’t ready and how he wanted to do so much more. There were things he put off because he thought he had time and knowing that he was passing away he wished he had done everything that he wanted to do instead of taking for granted the time he had. I thought about what I wanted to do, what I had been putting off thinking I have time and theater was the one thing that I wanted to get back into. So, when I saw Civic’s audition for it and read about it and what it stands for I decided to go for it. I told him I was auditioning; he knew I got in but sadly he never got to see it because he died a couple weeks before the show date.

After that I decided I was going to go all in. I was going to do what I wanted, when I wanted and performing was what I wanted to do. Since then I have performed in different shows around the Lehigh Valley, started a successful plus size burlesque troupe in Philadelphia and was fortunate to travel to different cities as a burlesque performer to do shows. I always loved The Vagina Monologues as it holds a sentimental place for me as how I first got started performing again as an adult. I decided to direct the play first in 2017 and was excited to go to NYC to see a show and meet the show’s creator, Eve Ensler. I got to speak with her about the monologues and talk with her about the importance of doing it and continuing the message and fight for women’s rights. This show is so politically important, so personally important, and so empowering. We as women are taught to be silent about this stuff, our vaginas are something we know are there, but we don’t openly discuss. Yet they are such an important part of us, and we ignore it. This show opens the door for discussion about them, about the abuse we deal with daily, about the inequality we experience and teaches all genders to respect and value women. I love seeing audience members who have never seen it watch it for the first time and walk away feeling proud, feeling empowered, feeling seen and heard and overwhelmed with emotion. This show gives us all something to think about and that to me is one of the most important things theater should do for us; change us and open us up to new ideas and discussion.

Q: What made you want to direct this production?

Since it holds a sentimental place for me, I always am looking for it in audition notices but found that usually it was local colleges performing it or community theaters far from me. My mentality is “if there is no seat at the table, make a new table and bring the seats!” That’s why I decided to direct it in 2017. There was no local production near me at the time, I wanted to do it and decided not to wait around for someone to give me that opportunity but instead to just create the opportunity. I seem to get an itch to do this show every few years and since I got that itch again, and already directed it, I decided to reach out to ArtsQuest to have the show done again. I enjoy putting this production on in ways that others may not have seen before.

Typically, this show is done as a fundraiser, in the month of February, the whole cast is on stage, everyone’s wearing black and red and it has a history of having a standard of how it looks and feels. I want to do something different. My goal is to direct a version of this show that even if you have seen this play before it will still be fresh and new to you and you can walk away saying you have never seen it done that way! My personal goals with theater are to direct shows that leave you talking about it days later and send a strong message to the audience and this show will do that.

Q: Tell us a little bit about which monologues you chose and why?

The monologues come pre-selected by Eve Ensler but my favorites are “The Flood” and “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could.” I don’t want to give away too much but “The Flood” is a conversation a woman had with the author about a man shaming her for the natural things that happen to us when we get “excited”. I am sure every woman has an experience with shaming like this we can all relate to in some way.

“The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could” is a woman who talked to the author about how she felt about her vagina over the years and her first sexual experience with another woman. That’s what I love about this show. These stories are all pieces of or the actual full story from the woman that the author talked to. Everything you hear in this show will be something someone said to her. She interviewed over 200 women about this topic and this show is the result of those interviews.

Q: What are you hoping audiences take away from this production?

I hope this opens conversations not only about the vagina but also the abuse some people face. I hope some can learn not to be ashamed of their bodies. I hope we can learn to talk to our daughters about what to expect from their partners, what to expect from random people passing them in the street, or in the workplace. How they should be treated, and how they should not tolerate anyone abusing them. I hope it opens doors to those who need help to ask for it and find a safe space to do that. I hope men take away the importance of respecting boundaries and understand why people have certain trauma regarding their body. Aside from that I hope everyone laughs, cries, and celebrates during this show. It really is a powerful play and teaches us all something new.

To Reserve Tickets to The Vagina Monologues on Nov. 12th Please Visit

¡DECOREN STEELSTACKS CON RAMAS DE ACEBO!

El tesoro navideño, Christkindlmarkt, vuelve el 18 de noviembre

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Ya están a la venta las entradas para Christkindlmarkt, presentado por Univest Financial®. La tradición navideña vuelve en su 30.ª edición durante cinco fines de semana, desde el viernes 18 de noviembre hasta el domingo 19 de diciembre. Este año, para celebrar la tradición navideña con tres décadas de historia, ArtsQuest estrenará The Ice Rink en SteelStacks, presentada por Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, una auténtica pista de hielo construida en el terreno de Levitt desde el martes 22 de noviembre hasta el domingo 1 de enero. Puede comprar las entradas para el Christkindlmarkt y la pista de hielo en Christmascity.org.

“La Navidad en la Ciudad de la Navidad es una época mágica del año y estamos encantados de formar parte de la rica tradición navideña de Bethlehem”, dijo Kassie Hilgert, presidenta y directora general de ArtsQuest. “Con el paso de las décadas, diferentes proveedores, artistas, artesanos y comercios se unieron a nuestra gran familia, ofreciendo artículos únicos y una experiencia de compra festiva única. Hemos tenido la suerte de contar con mucho apoyo y entusiasmo de la comunidad en torno a la alegría de Christkindlmarkt y esperamos ofrecer una mejor experiencia con la pista de hielo en SteelStacks esta temporada festiva de fin de año”.

El Christkindlmarkt, inspirado en la tradición alemana, ha sido declarado uno de los mejores mercados navideños del mundo por Travel + Leisure y uno de los mejores mercados navideños de Norteamérica por el concurso anual 10Best Readers’ Choice de USA TODAY. Acérquese al mercado para saber si está en la lista de los niños malos o de los buenos visitando a San Nicolás. Cree recuerdos y manualidades con temática navideña con toda la familia en Crayola Creativity Station (Stand de Creatividad de Crayola). Siéntese con los niños y vea cómo se esculpe un trozo de hielo ante sus propios ojos. Entre en calor con la emocionante experiencia de crear su propia obra de arte en vidrio en ArtsQuest Hot Glass Experience o compre el adorno perfecto para el árbol hecho a mano por la artesana alemana de primer nivel, Käthe Wohlfahr.

“Univest Financial se complace en volver a patrocinar Christkindlmarkt”, dijo Annette D. Szygiel, vicepresidenta ejecutiva y directora de Experiencia de Univest Financial. “Mientras regresamos con entusiasmo a nuestras tradiciones más queridas, patrocinar este evento anual es una gran manera de unir a la comunidad, a la vez que apoyamos a los artesanos y pequeñas empresas locales. Univest se dedica a retribuir a las comunidades a las que sirve y estamos agradecidos por la oportunidad de asociarnos con ArtsQuest para apoyar las artes en Lehigh Valley”.

Este mercado montado en temporada es conocido por su experiencia única de compras navideñas, donde le espera el regalo perfecto. Compre ese regalo único que mamá siempre quiso a una de las docenas de artesanos y minoristas. Disfrute de la comida de temporada con strudel caliente, bratwurst alemán, buñuelos de manzana y poutine bien caliente. C

Llene el día de espíritu navideño con un delicioso Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter de Frosty’ s Pour Bar, una copa de vino tinto local de Franklin Hill Vineyards, una muestra de Apple Jack rústico de Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, un cóctel Sasquatch de Social Still o un chardonnay frío de Vynecrest para inspirar sus compras.

El mercado estará abierto de viernes a domingo las dos primeras semanas (del 18 al 20 y del 25 al 27 de noviembre) y de jueves a domingo las tres últimas (del 1 al 4, del 8 al 11 y del 15 al 18 de diciembre). Estará abierto de 10:00 a. m. a 6:00 p. m. los jueves y domingos y de 10:00 a. m. a 8:00 p. m. los viernes y sábados.

La pista de hielo de SteelStacks abrirá sus puertas desde el martes 22 de noviembre hasta el domingo 1 de enero y contará con hielo fresco que se mantendrá durante todo el día para ofrecer una experiencia de patinaje al aire libre como ninguna otra en Lehigh Valley. Para comprar entradas para The Ice Rink en SteelStacks, visite ChristmasCity.org.

VETERANS DAY COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

Join veterans for live and virtual conversation about their service

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— The community is invited to this year’s Veterans Day commemoration sponsored by Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries on Friday, Nov. 11.Beginning at 10 a.m. retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and head of Lehigh University’s Veterans Association, Frank Gunter, will host “Coffee & Conversation: Reflections of Three Generations,” at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema at SteelStacks followed by a screening of Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film “Dunkirk”. This commemorative event be held in person and stream live on the SteelStacks Facebook page and website, Phoebe Ministries’ Facebook page and website, and Embassy Bank’s Facebook page.

“We’re forever grateful to our partners Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries for a shared commitment to our annual Veterans Day commemoration here at ArtsQuest,” said ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert. “Our servicemen and women have made so many sacrifices for our freedoms. We’re honored to join with our partners and thank Embassy Bank for this again providing the opportunity to recognize and personally engage with our Lehigh Valley veterans.”

The hourlong in person and streaming event features Colonel Gunter interviewing multi-generational veterans, including U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Richard Schimmel, U.S. Army Specialist 5 Richard Bealer and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Steve Ondrusek, who will share their personal experiences of the World War II, Vietnam and Middle East Conflicts. Following the free program, guests in attendance are invited to stay for a live screening of Nolan’s film.

“Embassy Bank is so proud to partner with ArtsQuest to support this type of programming. It is important for conversations like these, filled with wisdom and experience, to be shared with our community,” said David M. Lobach, Jr. Chairperson, President, and CEO Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley. “The gesture of showing gratitude and thanking veterans for their service costs nothing to the extender but means so much to the recipient. This event provides an opportunity the extend that gratitude to those who have served our nation and learn from the experiences they share with the entire community.”

Featured Veterans

Steve Ondrusek served for 28 years (1981-2009 in Iraq and Afghanistan) in the U.S. Army. He trained as an Army Ranger at Fort Benning in Georgia and served in this capacity in the Persian Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert and Operation Desert Sabre. After that, he served at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania, where he trained the National Guard and supported their deployment in the War in Afghanistan. After his service, Steve worked for Bamburger’s Inc. as an HVAC specialist. In 2017, he joined the Phoebe Allentown staff as an HVAC Specialist. He was then promoted to maintenance manager of the Environmental Services department. Ondrusek, and his wife of 37 years, Ann, live in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. They have three children.

Richard “Dick” Schimmel joined the U.S. Army in 1940 and was assigned to the 580th Signal Aircraft Warning Company (1940-1945 Hawaii, South Pacific) on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. He worked as a plotter and switchboard operator at an information center at Fort Shafter, just east of Pearl Harbor. The center took calls from Oahu’s mobile radar stations. Schimmel was the fifth person to know that Japanese planes were coming to Pearl Harbor Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. Several months after the Pearl Harbor attack, Schimmel was assigned to set up an information center on Maui. After that, he spent six months on Guangzhou (formerly Canton) Island, north of American Samoa, where he endured three bombings by the Japanese. He then returned to Hawaii. After his service, he worked at Sears in various capacities for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Yolanda, who died in 2010, were married for 63 years and had two sons, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Schimmel is a resident of Miller Personal Care at 19th and Chew on the Phoebe Allentown campus.

Richard “Mr. B” Bealer joined the U.S. Army in 1969 (1969-1971 Vietnam and Germany) and trained at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia before being deployed to Vietnam as an U.S. Army Corps Engineer. His job was to repair and maintain construction equipment which were important to integrate new road surfaces and construct bridges. After his service, he returned home and worked for Keystone Cement for 30 years. He served 35 years as a volunteer Scout Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife have been married for 50 years and have two daughters, one son and five grandchildren. He is now retired but continues to work part-time as a member of the Event Services Department for ArtsQuest.

DECK THE STEELSTACKS WITH BOUGHS OF HOLLY!

Yuletide treasure, Christkindlmarkt, returns Nov. 18

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Tickets to Christkindlmarkt presented by Univest Financial® are now on sale! The holiday tradition returns for its 30th year for five weekends beginning Friday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Dec. 19. This year to compliment the three-decade long holiday tradition, ArtsQuest will debut The Ice Rink at SteelStacks, presented by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, an authentic ice rink constructed on the Levitt lawn from Tuesday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Jan. 1. Tickets for both Christkindlmarkt and Ice Rink may be purchased at Christmascity.org.

“Christmastime in the Christmas City is a magical time of year and we’re delighted to be part of the Bethlehem’s rich holiday heritage,” Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest said. “Through the decades, various vendors, artists, crafters and retailers have become a part of our extended family, offering one-of-a-kind items and a unique festive shopping experience. We’ve been fortunate to have such great community support and excitement surrounding the merriment of Christkindlmarkt and look forward to offering an enhanced experience with the Ice Rink at SteelStacks this holiday season.”

The German-inspired, tented Christkindlmarkt has been named one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel + Leisure and one of the top holiday markets in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice annual competition. Come to the market to find out if you are on the Naughty or Nice with a visit to St. Nicholas. Create memories and holiday-themed crafts with the whole family at the Crayola Creativity Station. Grab a seat with the kids and watch as a chunk of ice is sculpted into shape before your very eyes. Warm up with the thrilling experience of creating your very own glass artwork at ArtsQuest Hot Glass Experience or purchase the perfect handcrafted tree ornament from Germany’s premier crafter, Käthe Wohlfahr.

“Univest Financial is excited to again serve as presenting sponsor of Christkindlmarkt,” said Annette D. Szygiel, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Univest Financial. “As we excitedly return to our favorite traditions, sponsoring this annual event is a great way to bring the community together while also supporting local artisans and small businesses. Univest is dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with ArtsQuest to support the arts in the Lehigh Valley.”

The seasonally constructed market is known for its unique holiday shopping experience where the perfect present awaits. Buy the unique gift that mom always wanted from one of the dozens of crafters, artisans and retailers. Enjoy the Season’s Eating with warm strudel, German bratwurst, apple dumplings and piping hot poutine.

Keep the day filled with holiday spirits with a delicious Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter from Frosty’ s Pour Bar, a glass of local red from Franklin Hill Vineyards, a taste of rustic Apple Jack from Eight Oaks Farm Distillery, a Sasquatch cocktail from Social Still or chilled chardonnay from Vynecrest to inspire your shopping spree!

The market will be open Friday – Sunday the first two weeks (Nov. 18 – 20, 25-27) and then Thursday – Sunday the last three weeks (Dec. 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18). Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Ice Rink at SteelStacks opens Tuesday, Nov. 22 to Sunday, Jan.1 and will feature fresh ice maintained throughout the day to deliver an outdoor skating experience like no other across the Lehigh Valley. To purchase tickets to The Ice Rink at SteelStacks visit ChristmasCity.org.

PROST!

Food, fun and brews at the heart of ArtsQuest’s fall favorite

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The fall skies might have been fickle during opening weekend, but ArtsQuest’s 12^th annual Oktoberfest, presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), welcomed nearly 40,000 people who eagerly donned lederhosen and imbibed hops throughout both October weekends. Along with food, fun and brews, the annual festival hosted a variety of local businesses, performers, and vendors at the SteelStacks campus.

“We’re always eager to host this area favorite,” said Curt Mosel, Chief Operating Officer of ArtsQuest. “Our annual Oktoberfest continues to grow because of our great corporate and community partnerships. It’s the dedication and work we do collectively that ensures people of all ages have a great time enjoying this popular festival and sharing this celebration of our German heritage.”

During the course of the outdoor festival, attendees enjoyed multiple October themed beers from Yuengling, Hofbräu, Samuel Adams, Logyard, Victory and Troegs, as well as hand-brewed creations in the Brewer’s Village featuring a plethora of craft IPAs, ales and lagers. Unique retailers and crafters set up shop at the German dubbed crafters village — Künstler Markt.

Hungry festival goers enjoyed fare favorites from over a half dozen vendors including Karl Ehmer’s Smoked Meats, Heaven on a Bun, Heidi’s Strudel, and newcomers Bacon on a Stick. According to food and beverage vendors, sales were up from 2021 despite the first weekend’s chilly overcast weather.

For Jeff Terleski, owner of Island Expression/Heidi’s Strudel, Oktoberfest went great. “ArtsQuest is a great organization to partner with,” said Terleski. “The event is growing every year, there is so much to do with all the different games and entertainment.” Terleski said his most popular items this year were the warm strudel, hand-twisted pretzels and the newest addition – Papa Sarges Homemade Pierogies. “The pierogies were a huge hit,” Terleski said.

Oktoberfest 2022 Highlights

ArtsQuest hosted the experiential dining experience PierogiPalooza for the second year during both Saturdays of the festival. Attendees purchased passports and sampled their choice of six pierogi creations at different locations in the ArtsQuest Center.

This year’s Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championship produced in partnership with the U.S. Steinholding Association and presented by Samuel Adams, culminated with Jillian Matthews of Bangor and Samuel Raup of Bethlehem winning the Sunday finals, each earning a spot in the National Steinholding Championship.

In the Oktoberfest Arena PNC Plaza, 135 four-legged racers competed in the much-loved dachshund races during the festival. The Hasselhoff-off contest returned, with competitors stepping out in their best Hasselhoff duds.

The ever-entertaining Dragtoberfest presented by Jack Daniel’s returned this year. So widely-popular, it was moved from the arena to the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling on both Saturday nights. Other activities included axe-throwing, Karaoke with Royal and the Kong Pong Tourney presented by Yuengling.

Live musical performances occurred in the festivals Biergartens, Arena and the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network. The Wonton Soups opened this year’s Oktoberfest while John Stevens Polka Band, The Beautiful Distortion, Melody Cruz, Big Bone Daddy, Acoustic Kitty Project, Regina Sayles and The BriTles brought nonstop entertainment throughout Oktoberfest.

OCTOBER 13, 2022 1:31 PM BY SAIGE SUFRIN

135 dogs raced.

The people PARTIED.

AND Jillian Matthews (Bangor) and Samuel Raup (Bethlehem) were crowned 2022’s PA State Steinholding Champions!!

As we recap Oktoberfest 2022, take a trip through the lens of our wonderful photographers, Jeff Auger and Lisa Boehm to see if you can find yourself in the digital photo album!

A big thank you to all the folks who helped make the magic happen for Oktoberfest 2022!!

For tickets to the Ice Rink at SteelStacks presented by
Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital please click the image below to purchase tickets!

Stay tuned for more information on Christkindlmarkt 2022!

ALL SEASON SUNFLOWER ON DISPLAY AT STEELSTACKS

SunFlower sculpture artist Alyssa Imes will host in-person talk Sunday

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— You can now enjoy a touch of summer all year long at the SteelStacks campus thanks to a recent installation of Sculpture Artist Alyssa Imes’s newest work SunFlower at the Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network. During the Steel Weekend, Imes will host an in-person, on-site artist talk at noon on Sunday, Oct. 16, to introduce and discuss her larger than life flora.

“ArtsQuest is thrilled to launch this annual sculpture program to celebrate the Steel Weekend and Steelworkers Reunion event,” Lisa Harms, ArtsQuest’s Senior Director of Visual Arts and Education said. “Public art projects like these give us the opportunity to offer powerful visual experiences in our community that are accessible to everyone. Imes’ SunFlower uses steel in its structure, which is a nod to the site of the sculpture and the impact of steel on our local history. The fiery oranges used in her piece evokes the molten metal that was once poured from the blast furnaces, which now stand as a dramatic backdrop to the SteelStacks campus. The sculpture emits a powerful energy that creates an interesting contrast to the industrial landscape. We are excited for the public to see this work of art in person.”

At the October 16 on-site artist talk, Imes will discuss her creative process in creating the more than four-foot-tall mixed media flower. According to Imes, SunFlower was created during the darkest time of Covid Pandemic. The bright colors bloom and explode while the petal-like shape form to create a giant loom for knit fabric planes of color. Imes was selected out of six artist submissions from across the country who applied for the Sculpture at SteelStacks exhibition. SunFlower is the latest installation in exhibition series. The first sculpture, Optic Wall by Emil Lukas, was installed on site from 2017-2021.

Each year ArtsQuest and the Steel Weekend Arts Sub-Committee send out a national call to experienced professional sculptors, students and emerging artists who were invited to submit their work for the annual Sculpture at SteelStacks exhibition. The outdoor display is featured at the entrance of the former site of Bethlehem Steel, where the work will be visible to over a million people annually. The annual program includes educational and community outreach events such as artist talks, public art walking tour and an artist-led knitting loom that will be hosted in spring of 2023.

Artist Bio – Alyssa Imes grew up in Emmitsburg, Maryland and currently lives in Knoxville, MD. She received her undergraduate degree from Shepherd University in 2018. During her time in undergrad, she used mediums of knitted fibers and communal cast iron. She graduated with her MFA from University of Maryland in May 2022. She has a small cast iron furnace named Phil-US she has used for more than 10 pours at various universities, museums and historical sites. Currently her work has transitioned from heavy iron work to light fiber works. Through the years of her art practice, her work reflects on ideas of growth after trauma and inspired by the connections she makes with people.

For more information on Steel Weekend and Steelworkers Reunion weekend visit: https://www.nmih.org

For a full schedule of current and upcoming Art Exhibitions visit: https://www.bananafactory.org.

GRAB A SEAT FOR STAND-UP

ArtsQuest to host three comics on the Visitor Center Stage

BETHLEHEM, Pa.— Weekends are about to get a whole lot funnier! Three hilarious stand-up comics, Tyler Rothrock, Chanel Ali and Blake Wexler will bring their talents to ArtsQuest’s Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network on November 19, December 16 and December 17. Tickets for each show are now on sale: $14.50 for ArtsQuest Members, $15 for seniors and 25 and under, $16 for general public at steelstacks.org. For more exclusive ticket opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today.

On Saturday, Nov. 19 Nazareth native Tyler Rothrock will bring his new show “It’s Great to be Here” to the Visitor Center for two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Rothrock released his debut album, recorded at the SteelStacks campus, “Tyler of Nazareth” in 2017, and has performed in the New York Comedy Festival, opening for legendary comedians Dave Attell, Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane and Michael Che. Rothrock is a co-founder of Musikfest’s own ComedyPlatz and the Night Moves podcast with Sean Preston and Lou Misiano. After 35 years of life, with more than a decade of not making it in comedy, he is eager to share the comical reasons for what changed his mind.

On Friday, Dec. 16, stand-up comedian and writer Chanel Ali will bring her commanding New York stage presence to Bethlehem, sharing her life experiences –from her time as a cast member on MTV’s Girl Code to her experience as a budding comedian on the Philadelphia circuit– with the audience. Ali has been featured on two Comedy Central sets, honored as a “New Face” in 2019 at the Just for Laughs festival, can be seen on the Starz series “Night Train” with Wyatt Cenac, having recently released an album titled “Chanel No. 1”.

On Saturday, Dec. 17, chart toping comedian Blake Wexler will take the Visitor Center stage. At 15, Wexler began his stand-up career as a high school student in Philadelphia. He continued performing in Boston while attending Emerson College, ultimately moving to Los Angeles in 2011. In addition to writing for and appearing on Comedy Central and ABC, Wexler has also been a featured performer in The Boston Comedy Festival, Seattle Comedy Competition, Laughing Skull Fest, 10000 Laughs and The Aspen Comedy Festival. Wexler can regularly be heard on The Cracked, Daily Zeitgeist and The Todd Glass Show podcasts. His critically acclaimed stand-up recordings “The Blake Album” (2016), “Stuffed Boy” (2018), “Live from The Pandemic” (2020) and “A Lifetime of Laughter” (2021) all debuted at #1 on iTunes and Amazon comedy charts. His album “12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass to Blake Wexler” charted on Billboard.

For a full schedule of weekend stand-up shows visit SteelStacks.org.

Highmark Community Stage Summer Recap 2022

Photo: Ted Colegrove; Space Kamp performing during One Earth Reggaefest

What an INCREDIBLE summer we had together this year! With so many incredible performers on the Highmark Community Stage from May through September, we hope you enjoyed warm nights in the company of new friends and live music! As the months went by, this special stage also saw musicians transform the stage for festivals like, One Earth Reggaefest & Sabor! Latin Festival.

To keep those memories of the warm season alive in our hearts, we’ve put together a summer recap for the Highmark Community Stage for you to revisit some of your favorites from the shows you saw over the last few months!

Bad Cameo

“Funk Train”

Tampa, FL based band BadCameo blends all types of influences into a unique cocktail of grooves they call Indie-Funk Fusion! In late 2021, the band earned a slot at the renowned Gasparilla Music Festival in Tampa, after completing three separate self-booked tours. These tours totaled 3.5 months on the road & 60+ shows and saw them reach the Pacific Ocean.

In 2022, the band signed with Pivotal Touring to coordinate their upcoming tours and partnered with PR company Unable Music Group for the August release of their second album. Check out the BadCameo Funk Train and learn what these funky boys are all about!

Taylor Kelly

“Maybe”

Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Taylor Kelly is now a fixture in the vibrant Philadelphia music scene further honing her introspective take on jazz, soul, and funk. She combines her smooth, powerful, technically-informed voice with a full horn section, addictive hip hop and electronic beats, and complex arrangements. Her sound is a dynamic blend of several established genres: she melds the improvisational looseness of jazz, the rhythmic earworms of funk and the moving resonance of soul to carve out a niche all her own.

Kelly names Stevie Wonder, Chet Baker, Roy Hargrove, Art Farmer, and Erykah Badu as influences, integrating strong melodic contour and intricate harmonies into lyrically personal and sonically anthemic tracks.

Kelly was a finalist in the PHL LIVE Center Stage Competition for R&B in 2018, has amassed over half a million listens for her single “California” on Spotify, and has uplifted, inspired, and energized thousands of ardent concertgoers at hundreds of live shows with her unabashed authenticity and immersively freeing performance style.

Dentist

“Don’t Let Me Catch You”

Dentist comes from the oceanfront urban landscape of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Their sound combines the freedom of the beach atmosphere and the urgency of the city into a fuzzed out, surf punk-tinged brand of indie pop with hooks and infectious melodies to spare. The ethereal vocals of Emily Bornemann are countered by the sometimes aggressive, but always addictive sounds of Justin Bornemann on guitar and Matt Hockenjos on drums.

Graffiti Smile

“Airplane”

Graffiti Smile is a Philadelphia-based indie rock band consisting of Andrew Montoya (guitar, vocals), Alex Montoya (guitar, vocals), Chaz Ladson (drums), Ashwin Suseendran (bass, vocals), and Troy Simpson (keyboard, vocals). The band currently has released a 3-track, self-titled EP, and new recorded music with the current lineup is coming soon! #experiencethesmile

The Wild Hymns

“Shit Show”

Dreamy and sweet, York, Pennsylvania natives, The Wild Hymns will be performing May 21st at 9pm with their mystical performance of original songs. The duo consists of singer/songwriter Megan Woodland Hewitt (née Donley) and her husband, guitarist Jeff Hewitt. Inspiration for their compositions are derived from the connections made by human relationship, emotion, nature and mysticism, reclaiming the word “hymn” to celebrate the natural world, free human spirit and cosmic love!

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