Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square: August Shows

The Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square has been bringing music to the community for the past 3 summers. With bands that will stick around in your ear far after you’ve left SteelStacks campus, we hope you can make it out to groove in good company!

So what do you say? Come out and crack open a cold soda or a Yuengling while you enjoy the sweet sounds of summer!  All shows are 9pm to 11pm, including Open Mic, and food orders can be placed at the bar!

Now let’s take a look at what have in store for August!

Thursday, August 18th

Great White Caps

Bethlehem’s Great White Caps have been on an endless summer vacay since they threw in the towel back in 2014, but that hasn’t stopped this Beach Rock foursome from sticking their heads above water once every summer.

The group has previously shared the stage with Dick Dale, as well as opening for The Ventures here in the Musikfest Cafe. Don’t miss this very rare chance to catch their wave before it fizzles back to shore!

Friday, August 19th

The Wonton Soups

The Wonton Soups are a quirky and lovable horn band from Bethlehem, PA. Blending experience from musical theater, jazz, orchestra, Drum Corps and self taught musicians, The Soups have curated a unique sound influenced by pop punk, ska, jazz, swing and big band.

Expect to hear spicy original music and creative takes on covers you forgot you loved. 

Accolades:

Voted Lehigh Valley’s most handsome ska band (2019)

Awarded “Most Trombones” in South Bethlehem, PA (2020)

“Best in Soup” at 2021 North American Soup Championships

Thursday, August 25th

Open Mic

Friday, August 26th

Taylor Kelly

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.

Saturday, August 27th

Canyon Flower

Canyon Flower was formed by John Welsh (Philadelphia) and Mike Elliot (New Jersey) in 2020 when they discovered Josh Lis and Andrew Cerniglia imprisoned within the hidden city beneath the earth’s mantle.

The ensuing journey to free their comrades formed an unbreakable bond that inspired the slow and heavy psychedelic metal music indicative of the molten igneous rock from which the band was born.

By Frankie Malozi Marketing & Social Media Intern | 7/21/2022

Blast Furnace Blues & Lehigh Valley Bike Fest

Are you ready for a wild ride this weekend? Join us for the 9th annual Blast Furnace Blues & Lehigh Valley Bike Fest presented by Keystone Harley Davidson at ArtsQuest SteelStacks campus! This festival will take place from Friday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 24th featuring over 15 live performances! That means three days of live music, delicious food and drinks, and tons of entertainment options!

They did say the louder the crowd gets, the wilder they’ll get! Now, let’s look at our lineup for this wild weekend!

Friday, July 22

6:00 – 7:30 PM Phillip Michael Scales

Head on over to the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square to get this festival started! Get ready to groove to some “Dive Bar Soul” as Phillip calls it!

6:30 – 8:30 PM Reservoir Hill

Reservoir Hill is an original country rock band from Allentown, PA. Founded in 2018, they are Influenced by bands like Zac Brown Band, Tyler Childers, Tom Petty, The Black Keys and more. You can catch them this weekend on the Bike Fest stage on PNC Plaza performing their high energy lyrically driven songs!

7:30 – 9:00 PM Moonshine Society

Levitt Pavillion SteelStacks is bringing the Moonshine! Join us for Moonshine Society to hear a blend of blues, soul, rock and R&B!

9:00 – 11:00 PM The Good, The Bad & The Blue

Fresh and rich sounds? We’re in! This band is a mixture of the rich and fresh new sounds of the new and deep-rooted past of Gospel, Blues, Soul and Funk. Head down to the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square to hear the touching sounds of this incredible group!

Saturday, July 23

2:00 – 3:30 PM Little Buddy

Let’s start day 2 off right! Little Buddy will kick off Saturday down at the
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square with a blend of blues and rock! 

2:30 – 3:00 PM The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour

Get ready to get LOUDDDD!! This stunt group is gonna take you on a crazy ride! Join us at PNC Plaza for the Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour, a kick a$#, V-Twin Thrill Show performed solely on Harley-Davidson motorcycles!

3:00 – 5:00 PM Lou Franco Project

Are you ready for some amazing covers of classic blues and rock songs?! This group will cover favorites from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and Gary Moore. They’ll be waiting for you at PNC Plaza! 

4:00 – 5:30 PM Ursula Ricks

Let’s go on a journey through the life of Funk, Soul, and Neo-Blues! Through songs and ideas, Ursula creates paths to greater living, leaving her audience free of worries, dancing, laughing, and making friends in a roomful of folks they had never met before! She’ll make you feel at home! Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square is where to find her on Saturday.

5:30 – 6:00 PM The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour

Couldn’t get enough? This group is back for another round of thrill over at PNC Plaza!

6:00 – 7:30 PM Sir Rod and the Blues Doctors 

The Blues Doctors are in! Join us at the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square for the funky, soulful, and Deep South trio-Sir Rod and the Blues Doctors! This band will bring blues, fun, and dancing to your service!

6:00 – 8:00 PM Friar’s Point

Head over to PNC Plaza to hear The Blues from the past, present, and even the future! We hope those dancing shoes aren’t tired yet!

7:30 – 9:00 PM Jackie Venson

More Blues? We got it! Head down to Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks to hear the beautiful sounds of Jackie Venson complex music and blazing guitar skills!

8:30 – 9:00 PM The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour

They aren’t done yet! Join us for one last crazy ride of the night! Make PNC Plaza get loud!

9:00 – 11:00 PM Slim and the Perkolators

This band’s got sounds that incorporate classic Chicago style house rockin’ blues, west coast jump/swing, rock and roll and roots music that will be sure to engage and entertain PNC Plaza!  

9:00 – 11:00 PM Slam Allen

What a way to end the night! Come on down to the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square for this ‘messenger of love’! Slam uses the genres of Blues, Soul, R&B, and a touch of Rock and Roll to deliver powerful soul stirring performances! 

Sunday, July 24

1:30 – 2:00 PM The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour

They’re backkkkk! Start this afternoon off with a thrill! The Busted Knuckle Stunt Tour is back at PNC Plaza to kick off our final day of Blast Furnace Blues!

2:00 – 3:30 PM Scott Marshall & the Highway Souls

This band will take PNC Plaza on a ride that delivers an honest to goodness, fun filled, foot stomping, soul shaking, hand clapping good time. Wow… sounds like something you don’t want to miss! I know I’m in! 

2:00 – 3:30 PM Little Red Rooster Blues Band

Known for being one of the Delaware Valley’s premier blues bands, this group consistently brings their own brand of blues that is always combined with a high-energy performance and a whole lot of fun that will be sure to keep you on your feet!  Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square is where to go!

4:00 – 4:30 PM The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour

It just keeps getting better! I hope you still have a voice because this group still needs PNC Plaza to make some noise!! 

4:30 – 6:30 PM SlideWinder Blues Band

The SlideWinder Blues Band brings their own brand of Texas and Chicago driven contemporary blues! Head over to PNC Plaza for an amazing show!

4:00 – 5:30 PM Pentley Holmes

This passionate artist will be sure to keep you singing and dancing with his blues, rock, soul, and pop! Woah that kinda rhymed! Hurry over to Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square!

6:00 – 7:30 PM Veronica Lewis

She’s got serious piano chops, soaring vocals, and songs that boogie away your blues. Head down to Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square with your dancing shoes!

6:30 – 7:00PM The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour

Last one, best one! Join us at PNC Plaza for one final round of The Busted Knuckles Stunt Tour! Be the loudest you’ve been all weekend!

7:30 – 9:00PM Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials

We’ve still got one more left! Levitt Pavillion SteelStacks is the place to be to close off Blast Furnace Blues! This band will be sure to end this festival off on a high note!

We hope to see you there!!

For more information visit https://bit.ly/3tPYoxG 

Let’s Taco ‘Bout TacoFest Weekend!

By Frankie Malozi Marketing & Social Media Intern | 7/5/2022

Join us at on the SteelStacks Campus Sunday, July 10th from 1-7 p.m. for TacoFest presented by Bacardi Rum and Cazadores Tequila!  Be ready to indulge in some fantastic tacos from all around the Lehigh Valley as you watch a dazzling Chihuahua Beauty Contest, compete in a ghost pepper bobbing contest, and laugh until your stomach hurts at a comedy game show! 

This festival is general admission for $5 in advance, $10 day of, and $5 for ArtsQuest members! With general admission you will have access to all food, drinks and fun on the SteelStacks Campus, with access to the Tacofest Sensory-Friendly Zone, hosted by Accessible Festivals in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room!

Want to know even more details? Scroll down for more!

First Things First…

What vendors will be there?!

You don’t want to miss this incredible lineup! Our vendors for TacoFest will be…

Cubano Xpress

Don Juan Mex Grill 

Fiesta Churros

The Flying V

Geakers Tacos

Holy Infancy Church

Kona Ice of Allentown 

Lu Taqueria 

Palette & Pour

Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Truck

Take a Taco

Taco Town 

The Bayou 

What vendors are participating in MARGARITA MADNESS???

The Bayou

Edge

Mixology Masters*

Molly’s Irish Grille

Palette & Pour

Stoke Pizza & Bar

Stooges

SURV

(*) = returning champions

Wow…That made me hungry just writing all of that! These vendors will have you in taco heaven! 

12-3 PM

Deejay Jonathan of La Mega

Let’s get this party started! Deejay Jonathan will be sure to bring the heat that will make you wanna dance all night long!

1-3 PM

Margarita Madness

You can’t have a taco in one hand without a margarita in the other! Join us at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling for Margarita Madness! There is so much in store! General Admission Benefits + MORE, exclusive early access to the festival at 12 p.m., a competition to see which local restaurant has the best margarita, access to a complimentary tortilla chip bar with a variety of different dips, and a raffle where guests can win two select tickets to a Musikfest headliner on Wind Creek Steel Stage, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema passes, Hot Glass experiences and so much more! 

Tickets are $54 in advance and $59 the day of the event. For ArtsQuest members tickets are $49 in advance and $54 the day of the event!  Sign up now by clicking on the ticket icon below!

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1:30-3:00 PM

Patrón Tequila Tasting 

TEQUILA! Join us at the Wind Creek Deck at the ArtsQuest Center for our Patrón Tequila Tasting! By participating you will receive early access to the fest at 12 p.m., five different samples of Patrón Tequilas including Gran Patrón Piedra, and an extra añejo tequila that retails for $400 a bottle, access to a complimentary tortilla chip bar with a variety of dips, and an automatic entry into a raffle  where guests can win two select tickets to a Musikfest headliner on Wind Creek Steel Stage, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema passes, Hot Glass experiences and so much more!

Tickets are $54 in advance and $59 the day of the event. For ArtsQuest members tickets are $49 in advance and $54 the day of the event!  If you love tequila, you do not want to miss this incredible tasting! Register now by clicking on the image below!

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3-3:30 PM

“Spicy Talk” Comedy Game Show

Ready for things to get a bit spicy? Give those dancing feet a break and enjoy “Spicy Talk” hosted by comedian Jon Lunger and featuring Diamond of La Mega’s morning show, Kristle LaCosse of Keystone Harley-Davidson, and the Brunch Boyz podcast duo! 

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3:30-4:30 p.m.

Music from Mariachi Maya Internacional

I hope you got your dancing feet recharged because this mariachi band will keep you on your toes! Take a break and dance to the wonderful sounds of the Mariachi Maya Internacional! 

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4:30-5:00 PM

Ghost Pepper Bobbing Contest 

Now things are about to get reallllll spicy! Do you think you can take the heat? Well, find out at our Ghost pepper bobbing contest hosted by comedian and Brooklyn Hot Sauce Expo Ghost Pepper Bobbing Champion Aliya Brown! Winner gets a prize of $200! Gosh… I’m sweating just thinking about it! 

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5-5:30 PM

“Spicy Talk” Part: 2 Comedy Game Show

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any spicer… Join us for “Spicy Talk” Part: 2 hosted by comedian Jon Lunger and featuring Elektra Fearce St. James, Tyrone Russell of LV Faces, Sara LaPrincesa Viteri of LaPrincesa Productions! 

5:30-6:30 PM

Chihuahua Beauty Contest

Did someone say… Chihuahua Beauty Contest?! Oh, yes they did! Join us for The first annual SteelStacks Chihuahua Beauty Contest! Come cheer on these gorgeous pups as they show off to the crowd! To register your fabulous pup go to https://bit.ly/3RenfW0  Submissions close Sunday at 12 p.m.!

We hope you’re excited!!

We hope that this blog got you excited for what’s to come this weekend at TacoFest! Tell your friends and family to come on our for an amazing time with delicious food, great music, and just overall a fun time! It’ll leave you taco bout it all week long! See you there! 

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Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square: July Shows

By Frankie Malozi Marketing & Social Media Intern | 6/29/2022

The Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square has been bringing the heat for the past 3 summers with bands that will keep you dancing all night long! Why stay at home when you can join us for free live music? Summer is a time for relaxation, and that is just what we hope you do. Come crack open a cold Yuengling and grab some food at the bar while you enjoy the sweet sounds of summer!  All shows are 9pm to 11pm, including Open Mic. Here’s what we have in store for July…

Mystik Fool

Friday, July 1st

Mystik Fool is a four-piece original band from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania. A revival to say the least. A new, edgy, beautiful, and wild sound fronted with a Ukulele. They formed in 2016 by brothers Galen (vocals) & Simon Deery (Bass) and launched when drummer Michael Lear and guitarist Will Coccia joined in 2018. Mystik Fool has toured across the US (including Alaska & Hawaii), parts of Europe, with sights set on Australia. Opening for artists such as Trevor Hall, Matisyahu, Kyle Smith, Sensi Trails, Mike Pinto and more. Their self-proclaimed genre, “Spirit Jam”, has been coined due to the surplus of styles coming together from Rock to Reggae, Pop to Folk, and medicine music to prog. With all of these influences, Mystik Fool brings a message to reintroduce a seemingly lost idea of living through love.

Pepperwine

Sunday, July 3rd

Pepperwine is a female-fronted, four-piece band producing hip-shaking rhythms, soulful grooves, and funky vibes since 2012.  They have released two 5 song EP’s and one full length album (Bright Ideas) available on all streaming platforms.  Look out for more new music in 2022! Pepperwine has played over 200 live gigs at various venues and festivals throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut.

Open Mic

Thursday, July 7th

We3 Band

Friday, July 8th

The band started as a trio (We3) in 2013. When Zendrummer Wayne Achey joined in 2018, We3 became We3 Band. While members have come and gone, the core philosophy and musical direction have remained the same: perform relatable music for a wide range of venues and audiences. We3 Band performs classic rock tunes to get audiences to reflect and remember times in their lives touched by these timeless pieces. The band plays some album tracks and songs that standout as those not on the charts, but in the minds and hearts of the dedicated listener.

49 Burning Condors

Saturday, July 9th

49 Burning Condors is a gothic witch rock band based out of Philadelphia, PA, birthed in 2019, and made up of a hodgepodge of souls: including Kimber Dulin (vocalist + lyricist), Chris Tremoglie (guitarist + pianist), Andriana Markano (violin) Zach Rinck (bassist), and Kat Wilson (Drums).We thrive off the myths of malefic witches, lustful gods, and unholy ghosts bound to the Swamp, slithering with its snakes, home and grave to human and beast alike. Our acoustic style mirrors the fables passed down –  tongue to tongue and ear to ear — becoming more twisted and ruinous with every passing listen, with every gulp of whiskey around the fire.

Open Mic

Thursday, July 14th

The Castaway Band

Friday, July 15th

The Castaway Band plays classic rock, modern country, trop rock, and favorite party music from ALL decades!!  We play the music you want to sing along with and dance to.   Come party, dance, and celebrate with us!

Herencia Jabara

Saturday, July 16th

Herencia Jabara is a Puerto Rican folk group that focuses on maintaining their roots alive. Musica Tipica is at the core of the group, but they bring with them all of the sounds and flavors of the Caribbean; Trova, Plena, Bomba, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata & more. Beautiful melodies and rhythms allow the public’s minds to be transported through music. Their chemistry and energy flows through their music in harmony which is present in every song they perform.

Open Mic

Thursday, July 21st

Open Mic

Thursday, July 28th

Dentist

Friday, July 29th

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.

No Sailor

Saturday, July 30th

It Started As A Trio…

“The band formed like a snowball down a mountain. I was living in Ljubljana, Slovenia when I met an English expat, Lloyd Betsworth. We started playing around with a few songs and then met our violinist Jelena Ždrale, which brought the music to a new level. At the same time I was going through an intense breakup with the woman I moved there to be with, and I had to choose between leaving the country or sticking around and starting a new life with the band we just formed. Everything was uncertain, but knowing I’d found something truly special with these two gifted musicians—that believed in me—I chose the latter.”