Calendar

Shop

Donate

Search

SteelStacks Comedy: February Shows You’ll Love

februarycomedy
By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

If you love to laugh, SteelStacks has a comedy show for you this February. If you’re in a relationship, bring a date! If you’re single, who knows, you could find the love of your life in the audience! Either way, we want to fill your heart with joy from these stand-up, improv and sketch comedy shows!

Tracy Morgan – 2/23 – buy tickets

Tracy Morgan is one of the most respected comedians in his field. Starring for seven seasons on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning 30 Rock in addition to seven seasons as a fan-favorite on Saturday Night Live! TWO SHOWS on February 23!

Sasheer Zamata – 2/8 – buy tickets

Sasheer Zamata is a comedian, actress, writer and former Saturday Night Live cast member for four seasons. She recently made her broadcast television stand-up debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Your Love, Our Musical – 2/15 – buy tickets

“The premise sounds nearly impossible, but the execution is reliably brilliant!” – The New York Times

Comedic musical masterminds Rebecca Vigil and Evan Kaufman interview a couple from the audience and create a fully improvised musical about that couple’s love story.

We’re Good, You’re Great – 2/1 & 2/15 – buy tickets

Every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, Matt Candio & Evan Stutts (formerly of ManDudeBro) and a fresh cast of improvisers from all over the map to deliver a fully improvised show, that’s so GOOD, it’s GREAT!

I’m Probably Reading Into This… – 2/2 – buy tickets

Two teams of comedians, and over-thinkers, compete to find the deep, true, and profound meanings of seemingly mundane photos, videos, and situations.

Four Finger Discount – 2/7 & 2/21 – buy tickets

Four Finger Discount is a FREE hour long improv comedy show every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month featuring improv teams from the Lehigh Valley and beyond!

Nerd Nite Bethlehem – 2/8 – buy tickets

Nerd Nite is a worldwide series of fun and education lectures, comedy, music, games, and drinking. The Bethlehem version is hosted by Lehigh Valley-based standup & writer Glen Tickle.

The Improv Comedy Power Hour – 2/9 & 2/23 – buy tickets

The Improv Comedy Power Hour is 60 minutes of completely unscripted, high-energy improv comedy performed by two of our resident teams: Big Check & Verbal Cursive.

Ship It or Ditch It – 2/14 – buy tickets

Ship It or Ditch It is a Newlywed Game-style show where three different couples will compete to see who we’ll ship and who we’ll ditch!

Hockey Fight 2 – 2/16 – buy tickets

“The premise sounds nearly impossible, but the execution is reliably brilliant!” – The New York Times

Drop the gloves and get ready to laugh in this all-new follow-up to last year’s sold out show! A roster of the Lehigh Valley’s funniest enforcers throw down in this scripted character show about the only sport where you’re legally allowed to knock someone’s teeth out.

Spoiler Alert: Face/Off – 2/21 – buy tickets

Two grown men are preparing to blow your mind into itty-bitty tiny pieces by recreating a movie for you, live on stage! This time up it’s 1997’s candidate for the title of greatest movie of all time, FACE/OFF! Cage! Travolta! Candio! Lunger! Junk Science! This night will have it all.

Spitfire – 2/22 – buy tickets

Spitfire is a mash-up of live music and improvised comedy! Each month features a special musical guest, whose intimate, live, acoustic performance is used as the inspiration for completely unscripted comedy. February’s special guest is Carly Commando from Slingshot Dakota!

The ValleyWeird Squares – 2/28 – buy tickets

Circle up because X marks the spot as our wacky Celebrity characters Square up to play a legitimate game of TicTacToe. The personalities are pretend but the prizes are real.

There’s live comedy every Thursday, Friday & Saturday at SteelStacks! For a full list of upcoming comedy shows, CLICK HERE!

via GIPHY

Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School Named Souper Bowl X Champions

bavts-souper-bowl-champs-by-emily-cummins

BETHLEHEM, PA¬¬–Twenty teams cooked up a fierce competition at the 10th annual Souper Bowl, the culinary contest held at the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café in Bethlehem on Jan. 26. When the soups cooled, the Culinary Arts students from the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School were declared Souper Bowl Champions with their delicious take on Pumpkin Bisque with Smoked Gouda. The competition raised $19,000 for the Arts Education Fund for ArtsQuest, the nonprofit that presents Musikfest, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem and programs at the Banana Factory arts center and SteelStacks.

First runner-up for Souper Bowl Champion was Almost Home Catering for Cream of Crab Soup, while Joe’s Tavern took second runner-up for a Ham, String Bean and Potato Chowder.

The Souper Bowl Judging panel also named several category winners:

Best Cream-Based – Southside 313 Bar & Grille for Bloody Mary Bisque
Best Ethnic – Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School Culinary Arts Students for Puerto Rican Sancocho
Best Meat-Based – ArtsQuest Center Culinary Team by Levy for Hunter’s Stew
Beast Seafood-Based – Johnny’s Bagels & Deli for Lobster Bisque
Best Vegetarian – Steel Club for “Bento Box” Soup
Most Original – Iron Lakes Country Club for Pear Ginger Soup

“This year’s Souper Bowl was special for many reasons. Not only did we reach a decade of celebrating the culinary arts, we’ve now raised nearly $140,000 over the past 10 years to support ArtsQuest’s arts education programming,” says Michelle Veresink Richmond, ArtsQuest Sr. Manager of Membership & Advancement Operations and coordinator for the Souper Bowl. “We’re thrilled that BAVTS Culinary Arts students were the champions this year, since the Souper Bowl is an event that’s designed to support arts education opportunities in our region.

“We’re also very fortunate to have tremendous support from the region’s restaurants and culinary community, who donate time and talents to make this event an annual success. Thank you to everyone who came together for this milestone year!”

Judges for Souper Bowl X were Michael Faccinetto of the ArtsQuest Circle, Alexandra Hogan from WFMZ-TV 69 News, Jennifer Sheehan from The Morning Call and George Wacker of Lehigh Valley with Love Media, LLC.

Special thanks to MacIntosh Services, 100.7 WLEV, Franklin Hill Vineyards and Social Still, which supported this year’s contest. Souper Bowl XI is set for Jan. 25, 2020. Tickets for the event will go on sale later this year

Oscar-Nominated Films at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

oscar-nominees-week-of-125

By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

The nominees are announced and it’s the best time of the year at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas: Academy Awards season!

As an arthouse cinema, we pride ourselves on packing in as many great films as we can at this time of year. The following FIVE films are coming to SteelStacks starting Friday, January 25 for limited engagements, so make sure to check them off your list while you can. We’ll be adding other Oscar-nominated titles soon, so check back here soon!

And the nominated films we’re playing are…

Vice

Nominations: 8

Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Original Screenplay

Buy Tickets

A Star Is Born

Nominations: 8

Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Song, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing

Buy Tickets

Green Book

Nominations: 5

Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay

Buy Tickets

If Beale Street Could Talk

Nominations: 3

Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay

Buy Tickets

Shoplifters (Manbiki kazoku)

Nominations: 1

Best Foreign Language Film

Buy Tickets

Cello-K Computer: A Classical Night of Radiohead

portlandcellookcomputer_web
By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

Radiohead’s OK Computer is a historic album that has proven over the years to yield an infinite variety of artistic inspiration to people of all walks of life. That includes Portland, Oregon’s premiere alt-classical group, the Portland Cello Project. About a week before Radiohead is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Portland Cello Project brings a huge, orchestral ensemble (including brass, percussion and guest vocals by Patti King of The Shins) to perform a night in homage to the celebrated 1997 album.

Whether you love Radiohead, classical music or interesting mash-ups, here are just a few songs you can witness live when Portland Cello Project performs Radiohead’s OK Computer in the Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling on March 21…

“Climbing Up the Walls”

“Paranoid Android”

“Karma Police”

“Exit Music (For a Film)”

“Jigsaw Falling Into Place”

Yeah, we know it’s from In Rainbows and not from OK Computer but it’s still awesome (and singer Patti Smith will be here for their performance).

Portland Cello Project Performs Radiohead’s OK Computer
Thursday, March 21
Musikfest Cafe pres. by Yuengling

Buy Tickets

Get tickets before this special performance fills up!

via GIPHY

7 Hilarious Tracy Morgan Moments

tracymorgan_web
By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

Tracy Morgan is one of the most respected comedians in his field for one simple reason: he’s downright hilarious. Morgan’s unique comedic style has earned him countless fans and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Before the comedian performs two stand-up shows in the Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling on February 23, and in honor of his 7 seasons on 30 Rock and 7 seasons on Saturday Night Live, these are 7 of our favorite Tracy Morgan moments…

Werewolf Bar Mitzvah – 30 Rock

It’s spooky scary how funny this quick cutaway was on 30 Rock.

That time he bought the Bronx Zoo…

After his accident, Tracy Morgan came into a large monetary settlement. Naturally, he made a zoo, and invited Jimmy Kimmel and Guillermo for a tour.

Brian Fellow – Saturday Night Live

Tracy Morgan is not an accredited zoologist, nor is his character Brian Fellow. However, these SNL sketches have us roaring with laughter every time.

Staying Alive – Netflix

Following his terrible traffic accident in 2014, we were blessed to see Tracy return to his roots in stand-up comedy.

Starring in The Last O.G. with Tiffany Haddish

Tracy’s current project, The Last O.G. on TBS, is one of his funniest roles yet. Add the super talented Tiffany Haddish as a co-star and you have a riotous series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLOtiuqzEuE

Tracy Googles Himself – 30 Rock

Do NOT let Tracy use your computer.

I Wish It Was Christmas Today – Saturday Night Live

Tracy doesn’t say anything in this decades-long recurring SNL sketch, but his deadpan face and running in place cracks us up every time. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Come for a night of laughs (and life advice) when Tracy Morgan performs 2 shows in the Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling!

via GIPHY

Tracy Morgan
Feb. 23, 7 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Musikfest Cafe pres. by Yuengling

Buy Tickets for 7 p.m.

Buy Tickets for 9:45 p.m.

2019 Off to Sweet Start as PEEPSFEST® Announces Winners of Scholastic Diorama Competition

12-days-of-peepsmas

More than 11,000 attend 10th anniversary of festival

Area students had a sweet start to the New Year when their marshmallow masterpieces were chosen as winners in the 2018 PEEPS® Scholastic Diorama Competition during PEEPSFEST®, the free family festival presented by Just Born Quality Confections and ArtsQuest Dec. 30-31. More than 130 dioramas incorporating PEEPS® candy were created by local school children and were on display during the event, which took place at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Other highlights of the 10th anniversary of PEEPSFEST, which was attended by more than 11,000 people, included two nights of fireworks, new cooking with PEEPS® demonstrations by ArtsQuest Executive Chef Barry Sullivan and more.

“12 Days of PEEPSmas” by Barbara Yurchishin, Maggie Yurchishin and Evelyn McPoyle of Liberty High School was selected as “PEEPles Choice” winner in the diorama competition based on voting at the festival; the group was also awarded the “Critics’ Choice for Best PEEPSonality” by the official PEEPSFEST® judging panel.

First Place winners included Mrs. Yoder’s 2nd Grade Class of Spring Garden Elementary School for its “Monocacy PEEP” display (Grades K-2nd), “2019 PEEPS Drop” by Kathryn Kloiber, Olivia Amorim, Catheraine Hanng and Bridgett Kloiber of Allentown’s Saint John Vianney School (grades 3-6) and “Aztec PEEPle” by Itxel Aguilar and Luna Gonzalez of Allentown’s Saint John Vianney School (Grades 7-12).

All winners took home PEEPS & COMPANY® Gift Bags, and the Critics’ Choice winners dropped the PEEPS® Chick on New Year’s Eve during the festival. The complete list of diorama competition winners is:

Grades K-2
First Place: “Monocacy PEEP” by Mrs. Yoder’s 2nd Grade Class of Spring Garden Elementary School.

Second Place: “Manger Scene” by Kelsey Bolash of Calypso Elementary School.

Third Place: “What Snowmen do After Dark” by Alivia Fisher of Miller Heights Elementary School.


Grades 3-6
First Place: “2019 PEEPS Drop” by Kathryn Kloiber, Olivia Amorim, Catheraine Hanng and Bridgett Kloiber of Allentown’s Saint John Vianney School.

Second Place: “PEEPS Theatre” by Sierrah Hope Bond of Calypso Elementary School.

Third Place: “Dunk Contest” by Patrick O’keefe and Keenan Michalak of Allentown’s Saint John Vianney School.


Grades 7-12
First Place: “Aztec PEEPle” by Itxel Aguilar and Luna Gonzalez of Allentown’s Saint John Vianney School.

Second Place: “Lunar New Year” by Anjali Khellawan, Samantha Buffer and Alexandra Rymsza of Liberty High School.

Third Place: “Ye Gallant PEEPle” by Kaysianna Yeager and Annalise Kloiber of Allentown’s Saint John Vianney School.


Critics’ Choice for Best PEEPSonality & PEEPles Choice

“12 Days of PEEPSmas” by Barbara Yurchishin, Maggie Yurchishin and Evelyn McPoyle of Liberty High School.

PEEPSFEST® 2019 is set for Dec. 30-31, 2019 at SteelStacks. For more information, visit www.steelstacks.org/peepsfest.
 

Stand-Up to Boredom in 2019

standupwinter
By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

If your 2018 was a laughing stock, we’re stocking your 2019 with laughs! Nationally-touring comics, TV stars, the Lehigh Valley’s funniest comedians & more are helping you stand up to boredom early in the new year at SteelStacks. So get out of the house, bring some friends and enjoy these incredibly hilarious stand-up comedians coming to Bethlehem, PA

Tracy Morgan – 2/23 (7pm & 9:45pm) – buy tickets


Tracy Morgan is one of the most respected comedians in his field. Starring for seven seasons on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning 30 Rock and seven seasons on Saturday Night Live.

Raymond the Amish Comic – 1/5 – buy tickets


The first (and only) Amish stand-up comedian in the world. With 25 years of show business experience. Raymond The Amish Comic is a high-energy ranting-storyteller. Fans and club owners have called him an Amish Robin Williams.

Ahamed Weinberg – 1/11 – buy tickets


Ahamed Weinberg is a Los Angeles-based comedian from Philadelphia, who made his late night stand up debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers. He is one of Vulture’s “20 Comics to Watch” and was awarded New Face at the 2016 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.

Pilot Light with Glen Tickle & Tyler Rothrock – 1/17 – buy tickets


Glen Tickle & Tyler Rothrock bring you a night of standup comedy and potential future TV glory in the making that you won’t soon forget! Pilot Light will feature standup sets and a live reading of a television show pilot.

Improvised Standup – 1/19 – buy tickets


The Lehigh Valley’s best standups and improvisers face a new challenge when they’re given topics to talk about…while they’re onstage!

Dry Humor: Standup for Recovery – 1/24 – buy tickets


This annual comedy show, now in its fourth year, celebrates the sobriety of recovering alcoholic and Lehigh Valley-residing comedian Liz Russo. Also starring headliner Dave Landau and featured comedian Patrick Holbert.

Jon Dore – 1/31 – buy tickets


Jon Dore is a talented Canadian writer and actor that has infused his comedic abilities into numerous hit television shows and films. In addition to his new one-hour stand-up special, Big Questions, Huge Answers with Jon Dore premiered on Comedy Central in late 2018.

Sasheer Zamata – 2/8 – buy tickets


Sasheer Zamata is a comedian, actress, writer and former Saturday Night Live cast member for 4 seasons. Sasheer has been listed in Cosmopolitan‘s “13 Funny Women to Watch,” Time Out New York‘s “Top 10 Funniest Women in NYC,” Brooklyn Magazine‘s “50 Funniest People in Brooklyn,” and Complex Magazine‘s “Women in Comedy You Should Be Paying Attention to Right Now.”

Michelle Buteau – 3/29 – buy tickets


Born in New Jersey to Caribbean parents, comedian/host/actress Michelle Buteau brings her unique perspective and big personality to stage and screen. She was most recently the co-host of VH1’s Big Morning Buzz Live.

Nick Di Paolo – 4/26 – buy tickets


In this day of watered down comedy, Nick Di Paolo’s brutally honest performances remind us of what great stand up should be – funny, socially relevant and a little bit reckless. He has performed on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan.

See LIVE comedy (including stand-up, improv & sketch comedy) every Thursday, Friday & Saturday at SteelStacks! CLICK HERE for our full hilarious lineup!

via GIPHY

New STEAM Fest, Pierogi & Woodstock Events and More Highlight ArtsQuest’s 2019 Festivals & Events

soccer-fest-womens

Popular SoccerFest Returning for Women’s World Cup in June

The inaugural S.T.E.A.M. Fest, new pierogi and Woodstock-themed events, and the return of the popular Lehigh Valley SoccerFest for the Women’s World Cup highlight ArtsQuest’s schedule of major events and festivals in 2019.

With its focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Makers (STEAM), the free PA S.T.E.A.M. Fest, presented by WeDiscoverGeeks and IMAGINE Event Concepts, will include a variety of science, engineering and technology-based attractions; maker programs and activities; video game workshops; cosplay and more at SteelStacks Aug. 31.

An iconic cultural food takes center stage at ArtsQuest’s new culinary event, Pierogi Fest, presented by The Clubhouse Grille, Oct. 5 during Oktoberfest. The festival offers a delicious array of dishes for guests to sample. Details will be announced this spring.

On June 11, 16 and 20 Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party returns to SteelStacks to celebrate the Women’s World Cup in France. The festival will feature all three of the U.S. Women’s National Team preliminary group matches on an outdoor LED screen on the campus, as well as a variety of soccer and family-focused programming taking place throughout the World Cup. Dates and times (EST) for U.S. women’s games are June 11, 3 p.m. vs. Thailand, June 16, noon vs. Chile, and June 20, 3 p.m. vs. Sweden.

ArtsQuest 2019 festivals and events include:


Jan. 25-26 | SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival
More than 60 improv troupes from throughout the nation perform at SteelStacks.


Jan. 26 | Souper Bowl
ArtsQuest’s annual culinary fundraiser features awesome soups by more than 20 local restaurants and caterers.


Feb. 3 | Big Game Watch Party
Catch the biggest football game of the year in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling.


Feb. 24 | Red Carpet Party
Celebrate the best films of the year at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas.


April 6
| Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival
Featuring the work of talented local and regional filmmakers.


April 21-Sept. 15 | Cars & Coffee Lehigh Valley
presented by Chevy 21
A monthly gathering of auto aficionados where thousands of car enthusiasts show off their prized vehicles. Dates are April 21, May 19, June 23, July 14, Aug. 25 and Sept.15.


May 3-4 | SouthSide Arts & Music Festival
presented by Capital BlueCross
This dynamic festival features live music, art workshops and demos, artisan pop-ups and more.


May 4 | Derby Watch Party
Featuring live Dixieland music, people decked out in their finest derby attire and all the excitement that comes with one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.


May 23-26 | Levitt Opening Weekend
presented by Coordinated Health
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks kicks off a summer of more than 50 free outdoor concerts.


May 25-27 | Memorial Day Celebration
presented by Embassy Bank
This patriotic celebration honors those who have served or are currently serving.


June 1-2 | Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley
presented by St. Luke’s University Pediatrics
From hiking and archery to birding and biking, this family-focused event features activities and presentations on conservation, wildlife, outdoor recreation and more.


June 11, 16 & 20 | Lehigh Valley SoccerFest

An official viewing party for soccer’s biggest event, this festival is a month-long celebration of the World’s Game complete with kids’ soccer activities, concerts and culinary surprises.


June 14-16 | SteelStacks Grand Prix
presented by Lehigh Valley Grand Prix
Everyone from the region’s business leaders to area families enjoy go-kart races on the site of Bethlehem’s old steel mill.


June 21-23 | ¡Sabor! Latin Festival
A celebration of the region’s Latino culture, ¡Sabor! is three days of music, food and family fun.


June 28-30 | Blast Furnace Blues – New Dates for 2019!
This now free festival moves outdoors to showcase the best in local, regional and national blues acts. Takes place at SteelStacks and Levitt Pavilion.


July 4 | Independence Day Celebration
presented by Embassy Bank
Fireworks, family activities and an annual free music performance highlight the 4th of July at SteelStacks.


July 13 | SangriaFest
Enjoy a taste of summer as this event returns for its fourth year. At SangriaFest, guests sample a variety of refreshing sangrias while enjoying live music and more.


July 18-20 | SouthSide Swing
Dance the night away on the Levitt Lawn as SteelStacks celebrates hot jazz with live music and free swing lessons.


Aug. 2-11 | Musikfest
Musikfest, the nation’s largest free admission music festival, returns for its 36th year with more than 500 performances on 17 stages. Acts confirmed so far include The Chainsmokers, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum and Train & Goo Dolls.

Aug. 16-18 | Woodstock Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock music & art festival with tributes to the artists who performed there and more. Takes place at SteelStacks and Levitt Pavilion.


Aug. 31 | S.T.E.A.M. Fest
presented by WeDiscoverGeeks and IMAGINE Event Concepts
Steam-punk meets S.T.E.A.M. education at this family-friendly festival.


Sept. 22 | Glass Blast

This party celebrating the ArtsQuest Glass Studio features demos and artwork by local artists, food from area restaurants, drinks in a beautiful keepsake glass and chance to make a work of your own.


Oct. 4-6 & 11-13 | Oktoberfest
With Dachshund races, stein hoisting games and bratwurst eating contests, Oktoberfest is a German celebration like no other.


Oct. 5 | Pierogi Fest
presented by The Clubhouse Grille
From pizza to smoked brisket, Pierogi Fest features sautéed variations of this famous, doughy treat.


Nov. 1-3 | InVision
This three-day celebration of all things photography and digital art features lectures by renowned photographers, workshops, demonstrations and more.


Nov. 22-Dec. 22 | Christkindlmarkt
presented by Univest Bank & Trust Co.
Featuring aisles and aisles of artisan-crafted gifts and holiday decor, Christkindlmarkt has been twice named one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure.


Dec. 30-31 | PEEPSFEST®
presented by Just Born Quality Confections
This sweet, family-friendly New Year’s celebration is highlighted by fireworks and the iconic PEEPS® Chick Drop.

 

ArtsQuest “Win Film Passes For A Year” Sweepstakes Official Rules – 2019

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. SWEEPSTAKES OPEN ONLY TO PERMANENT LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, WHO ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

1. How to Enter. No purchase necessary. To enter the Sweepstakes complete the online form at http://www.steelstacks.org/events/films/films-now-playing/ by 11:59PM on Friday, January 11, 2019. Limit one (1) entry per person. All eligible entries have an equal chance of winning. No automated entry devices and/or programs permitted. No mechanically reproduced entries, alterations, facsimiles or forged entries. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of ArtsQuest, N.A. (“Sponsor”) and receipt of entries will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, stolen, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, misdirected, postage due, technically corrupted or garbled entries, which will be disqualified, or for problems of any kind whether mechanical, human or electronic. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor.

2. Eligibility. Participation open only to permanent legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age as of January 11, 2019. Officers, directors, and employees of Sponsor, members of these persons’ immediate families (spouses, parents, children, and siblings, and their spouses regardless of where they reside), and persons living in the same households as these persons (whether or not related thereto) are not eligible to enter or win the Sweepstakes. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

3. Random Drawing/Odds. One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries. The drawing will take place on or about January 14, 2019. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these Official Rules, including the release and waiver of liability contained herein, and the decisions of the judges, and Sponsor, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes.

4. Prizes. One (1) grand prize (“Grand Prize”): Fifty-two (52) film passes for Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas. Total approximate retail value (ARV) of prize package is $520. Prizes are non-transferable. No substitutions or cash redemptions. In the case of unavailability of any prize, Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize or portion thereof of equal or greater value. All federal, state and local taxes, meals, gratuities, travel upgrades, incidentals, fees, service charges, surcharges, insurance costs or other unspecified costs or expenses associated with use of the prize are the sole responsibility of winner and/or his or her travel companion. Prize may be subject to restrictions imposed by prize sponsors.

5. Notification. Winner will be notified by email on or about the week following the Drawing and will be required to sign and return, where legal, an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release within seven (7) days of prize notification. If winner cannot be contacted within three (3) calendar days of first notification attempt, if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, if any winner rejects his/her prize, or in the event of noncompliance with these Sweepstakes Official Rules, such prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected from all remaining eligible entries. Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given. Limit one winner and one prize.

6. Conditions; Waiver and Release. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. Participation in Sweepstakes and acceptance of prize constitutes winner’s acknowledgement and acceptance of the Official Rules and winner’s permission for Sponsor to use his/her name, address (city and state), likeness, photograph, picture, portrait, voice, biographical information and/or any statements made by each winner regarding the Sweepstakes or Sponsor for advertising and promotional purposes without notice or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. Prize awarded “as is” without any representation or warranty by Sponsor. Winner assumes all risks associated with use of the prize and participation in prize-related activities. Sponsor is not responsible if any scheduled event is delayed, postponed, or canceled for any reason. Accommodations subject to availability. Winner is solely responsible for observing and abiding by prize sponsors’ rules and regulations or terms and conditions for use of prize. By participating, entrants and winner agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors, from any and all liability, loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death arising from, relating to, or which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel, or participation in the Sweepstakes, possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of prize, or preparation for, travel to or from, and participation in any Sweepstakes-related activity, and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy. Each entrant hereby agrees to indemnify Sponsor against any claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of or resulting from and breach by entrant of these Official Rules. Entrants who do not comply with these Official Rules, or who attempt to interfere with this Sweepstakes in any way, shall be disqualified.

7. Additional Terms. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, extend or suspend this Sweepstakes should Sponsor determine, in its sole discretion, that fraud, mistake, or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes. In such case, Sponsor will select the winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds, in its sole discretion, to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsor representatives.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

The Sweepstakes and these Official Rules will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Pennsylvania. Unless expressly prohibited by governing law, entrants agree that any and all disputes, claims or causes of action in connection with this Sweepstakes shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action. Any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual, direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred, but in no event and under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to claim or obtain indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages or any other damages other than actual, direct out-of-pocket expenses.

8. List of Winner. To obtain the name of the winning individual, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope by January 14, 2019 to: ArtsQuest / “Win Film Passes For A Year” Sweepstakes Winner, ATTN: Marketing Manager: Ben Youngerman, 25 W Third St, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

9. Sponsor. ArtsQuest

Staff Picks: Best Comedy of 2018

staffpickscomedy2018_web

It took us seven years, but, for the first time, the staff and volunteers behind the comedy programming at ArtsQuest have put together their lists of the best comedy of 2018. Some of these lists are only or mainly standup specials – the two most popular being John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City and Hannah Gadsby: Nanette – while some others feature TV shows, podcast episodes, web series, and even an album of Bill Murray reading poetry with cello & piano accompaniment. Netflix is about to drop 47 new specials on New Year’s Day, so get to these recommendations before your ‘My List’ explodes.

If you’re a comedy nerd like us, you’ll love LIVE COMEDY every Thursday, Friday & Saturday at SteelStacks and the 6th Annual SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival January 25-26!

RYAN HILL, ARTSQUEST PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR

comedy8
(This is a list of standup specials only)

1. Hari Kondabolu: Warn Your Relatives

The laughs per minute are off the charts. Yes, the comedy is political, but Kondabolu doesn’t want applause for the premise, he wants laughs for his brilliant punchlines, of which there are no shortage.

2. The Standups: Aparna Nancherla

The best use of a PowerPoint you’ll ever see.

3. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette

If you made up your mind on this special without watching it, it’s your loss.

4. Todd Glass: Act Happy

My main complaint with taped specials is that there is no way they can capture the energy and thrill of live performance. Glass, a known perfectionist regarding the atmosphere of his shows,
employs a live jazz band to do more than just rimshots, and the effect allows for one of the liveliest yet intimate specials you’ll ever watch.

5. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City

More brilliance from one of the best comedy writers working.

6. The Degenerates: Liza Treyger

This 30-minute set – as part of a Netflix collection featuring ‘dirty’ comics – gives us a young comic who, unlike other young comics, isn’t sacrificing a damn thing to get her message across.

7. Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife

Powerhouse keeps powerhousing.

8. Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh

I didn’t see this coming. Who saw this coming? Save for a couple moments that remind us why his movies are completely tone-deaf, this shows us a performer who I bet really misses doing standup as his main gig.

9. The Standups: Kyle Kinane

Kinane’s got the rhythms of jazz in his delivery, if the jazz was being performed by Tom Waits.

10. James Acaster: Repertoire (Recognize)

The imagination is off the charts with Acaster and all his gambles, however big, pay off.

ADDYSON YOUNG, ARTSQUEST CINEMA & COMEDY COORDINATOR, PERFORMER: SPITFIRE

7comedy6
1. My Favorite Murder

A true crime comedy podcast. Check out Episode 137 (Gloogle – yes, with the extra l there on purpose) about the guys who lived inside a family’s house for weeks, making them think there was a haunting!

2. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

The musical comedy sitcom that advocated for mental health in a way I’ve never seen before on television. Favorite moments include the “Heavy Boobs” song and the “Miracle of Birth” song.

3. Why Won’t You Date Me?

Nicole Byer is a truly wild human and I love listening to her podcast about the confusions of the dating world. While you don’t need to listen in order, the very first episode with Will Hines is crazy and really gets you right into what this whole podcast is about.

4. Glow
This series made me genuinely consider changing my whole life to be a pro-wrestler. The second season “promo” video they make in the episode where Alison Brie aka Ruth Wilder aka Zoya the Destroya rides a goat to from Russia to America is so terrible it’s wonderful.

5. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
“And also with your spirit.”

6. Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial
“Who’s the baby?!”

7. Jack Whitehall

British comedian whose arch nemesis is Robert Pattinson.

8. The Good Place

Such a great cast and a forking bonkers show. Definitely watch this show in order, but the last episode of this season with D’Arcy Carden playing all the characters (“Janet(s)”) was incredibly enjoyable.

9. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

A show about standup in the 1950’s by the creator of Gilmore Girls. The first episode of this season – where Susie experiences a delightful kidnapping – was both hilarious and beautifully shot.

10. Queer Eye

Get out your tissues and learn to french tuck. The first episode of the second season with Mama Tami will make you cry your eyes out. I’m not sure most people would count this as a comedy, but this show brings me joy so I just thought I should let everyone know about it in case there is anyone who has yet to discover this Netflix masterpiece.

JON LUNGER, ARTSQUEST MARKETING DIRECTOR, PERFORMER: SPITFIRE

comedy6
1.-4. James Acaster: Repertoire:
S1:E1 – Recognise
S1:E2 – Represent
S1:E3 – Reset
S1:E4 – Recap

If you haven’t watched these 4 hour long stand-up specials, you’ve wasted your life this year. Dude has 4 hours of material and they’re all incredible.

5. The Good Place S3:E9 – Janet(s)

The Good Place is easily the best comedy on television right now. D’Arcy Carden is amazing and this episode proves it. We don’t deserve her.

6. Peter Rabbit
Not a joke. This movie was a friggin’ delight. Surprisingly funny and surprisingly violent, it may be the movie I enjoyed the most this year.

7. Hannah Gatsby: Nanette

Duh. This is great and I’m sure you’ve heard that from like everyone by now.

8. Astronomy Club S1:E2 – Relationship Status – Uncensored

I’ve been in love with Astronomy Club’s improv since I saw them at UCB-NY and I’m in love with their web series too. Come see them at the SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival on January 25th.

9. How Did This Get Made ep189 – Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow: LIVE! (w/ Joe Mande, Tawny Newsome)

Paul Sheer, Jason Mantzoukas and June Diane Raphael’s podcast is a national treasure.

10. Off Book: The Improvised Musical Podcast ep71 – Flula Borg in Throwing The Robot Planet For A Loop

Off Book is easily one of the silliest best times you can insert directly into your ears. Pair that with the absurdly delightful Flula Borg and you have pure comedic joy. You can also see them at the SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival, but on January 26th!

BEN YOUNGERMAN, ARTSQUEST MARKETING MANAGER, PERFORMER/DIRECTOR: HOCKEY FIGHT 2

comedy5
1. Gritty

Mascots are just furry, non-speaking versions of comedians. Nobody – or thing – had a more epic 2018 than our favorite orange fuzzball with googly eyes.

2. Tenacious D’s Post-Apacalypto

The D returned with a the greatest concept album and YouTube series that ever existed (so they’d say). Jack Black’s hand-drawn cartoons make this project look childish and genius at the same time.

3. “Diner Lobster” sketch on Saturday Night Live

I’m just sad this sketch never made it out of table read while John Mulaney was a Saturday Night Live writer. It’s the weirdest but best sketch SNL has produced in many years.

4. Conan in Japan

Conan O’Brien’s travelling segments are must-watch content. His latest trip to Japan was no exception.

5. Late Night with Seth Meyers, “A Closer Look”

The news is a daily horror show. Seth Meyers’ daily segment is one of the things that’s kept me laughing through the darkness.

6. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City

John Mulaney is at the top of his game and only getting better.

7. Hiking with Kevin Nealon

This low-budget YouTube series features former-SNL star Kevin Nealon hiking in L.A. with his famous friends. Funny stuff and great insight into many of their careers.

8. South Park, “Dead Kids”

Since transitioning from fart jokes in the early seasons to social commentary in recent years, South Park has always had spot-on critiques. In season 22, though, Matt Stone and Trey Parker came out with their most biting episodes yet, beginning with the incredibly funny and sobering episode “Dead Kids.”

9. A President Show Documentary

Anthony Atamanuik is the best Trump satirist in the world. It’s a shame Comedy Central didn’t give the show a full second season of episodes, but this special hour was bigly.

10. Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh

Pun kind of intended, this was a breath of fresh air from one of my early comedy heroes. I haven’t been fond of most of his recent work, but Sandler looks reinvigorated (and is hilarious) in this Netflix special.

RICKEY NEGRON, ARTSQUEST CINEMA & COMEDY ASSISTANT

comedy4
1. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
2. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
3. John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons
4. Vir Das: Losing It
5. Gad Elmaleh: American Dream
6. Chris Rock: Tambourine
7. Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia
8. Ali Wong: Hard Knock Life
9. Tig Notaro: Happy to be Here
10. Ricky Gervais: Humanity

GLEN TICKLE, ARTSQUEST COMEDY COMMITTEE, HOST: NERD NITE BETHLEHEM

comedy1
(presented in no particular order)

Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity

I think comedy makes the world a better place in like, an abstract way, but it’s also nice to see people using it for concrete, measurable good, like this sixth-annual Hilarity for Charity variety show to raise money for Alzheimers. With appearances by Michelle Wolf, Tiffany Haddish, John Mulaney, and a bunch more people, it’s a great watch.

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette

This special sparked a lot of debate about what is and isn’t stand up, and I’m glad it did. And to be clear: It is stand up, but more importantly, let’s all stop trying to force taxonomy onto comedy. I’ll admit that the first few minutes aren’t really anything special. But after seeing the thing as a whole I think that’s by design. Gadsby lulls you in with some softballs, gets into some genuinely brilliant jokes about art history, and then just lays the audience out with the turn.

Drew Michael: Drew Michael

I’m including this special on my list even though I didn’t actually like it very much. Michael performs in a weird black void to no audience, with occasional interruptions by a woman on a Skype call that only kind of pays off at the end. Directed by Jerrod Carmichael, it’s beautifully shot. It makes bold choices that I don’t necessarily agree with or even enjoy, but they’re made intentionally, and I think it’s definitely worth your time.

Demetri Martin: The Overthinker

Here’s another one that takes a few shots at breaking the standard format of a standup special. Demetri Martin performs his usual style of absurd one-liners, music, and drawing, but leaves ample pauses while on stage for added voice-over jokes. It feels a little gimmicky, but what it does manage to accomplish is to make the finished special a very different experience than having seen the live show. Sometimes it can feel like you’re missing out on the experience of seeing live comedy when you watch something that was filmed, but the voice-over technique adds an element for the home viewer that the live audience didn’t have.

W. Kamau Bell: Private School Negro

W. Kamau Bell is doing some of my absolute favorite material about parenting right now. It’s hilarious, but he also blends the day-to-day aspects of being a parent with trying to raise a kid in the nightmare hellscape that is the year 2018. Bell even manages to make it seem like there might be a little bit of hope out there.

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King

Minhaj uses one story and a slideshow presentation to try to summarize his life as an immigrant to the United States, and all the racism that entails. It’s a carefully scripted performance that doesn’t feel as loose as most standup, but both the jokes and the serious moments land well.

Bill Murray, Jan Vogler, and Friends: New Worlds

This one isn’t actually a comedy album, and it came out in 2017, but I need to round out this list, so I’m including it. New Worlds is an album where Bill Murray reads poetry over classic cello and piano music. Parts of it are funny, like when Murray recites the lyrics to “I Feel Pretty” from West Side Story, but his reading of Whitman’s “Song of the Open Road” and a few other moments on the album are genuinely very moving. The pairings of music and poetry are put together beautifully. It’s also incredibly relaxing and I frequently put the album on as I’m falling asleep.

Jason Brown: Jokes Through the Bathroom Door

Full disclosure, I produced this album on my label Circus Trapeze Records, Jason is one of my best friends, and the album was recorded at SteelStacks. All that said, it’s a really good album. I met Jason at the first open mic I did, so I’ve seen him grow as a performer a lot in the nine years we’ve been doing comedy together, and this was one of the best sets he’s ever had. It’s available to buy and stream everywhere you get albums.

John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City

I don’t know. John Mulaney is just really good at standup comedy and I like watching him do it.

Adam Sandler 100% Fresh

Listening to Sandler’s early albums as a kid and watching Billy Madison 500 times had a big impact on my life in comedy. I’ve always been a fan of Sandler’s, and I’ll even go to bat for his later, less-loved stuff (turns out your sense of humor changes as you get older and have kids) but 100% Fresh feels every bit like throwing on What the Hell Happened to Me? at a sleepover after the parents went to bed. I could have done without the gay-panic Rob Schneider astronaut song, but the bit about Chris Farley absolutely wrecked me.

LAUREN KELLY, ARTSQUEST COMEDY COMMITTEE

comedy3
(presented in no particular order)
The Standups: Aparna Nancherla
The Comedy Lineup: Aisling Bea
Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here
Todd Glass: Act Happy
Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Natasha Leggero, Moshe Kasher: the Honeymoon Standup Special
Daniel Sloss: Jigsaw
The Standups: Kyle Kinane
Comedy Bang Bang Podcast – ep 574 November 19, 2018 – Scott Aukerman, Conan O’Brien, Lauren Lapkus, Paul F Tompkins, Mary Holland

LEEANMERIE ROUSE, ARTSQUEST COMEDY COMMITTEE

comedy9
(presented in no particular order)
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
Katt Williams: Great America
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh
Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
Chris Rock: Tambourine
The Comedy Lineup: Tom Dillon
The Comedy Lineup: Sam Jay
The Comedy Lineup: Taylor Tomlinson
The Comedy Lineup: Phil Wang
The Comedy Lineup: Michelle Buteau

ERIK PARKER, ARTSQUEST COMEDY COMMITTEE

comedy2
(presented in no particular order)

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
The Comedy Lineup: Sam Jay
Any time Julio Torres is on the Tonight Show
The ‘House Hunters’ sketch on the Liev Schrieber SNL
Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
The Comedy Lineup: Phil Wang
Detroiters (RIP) – Trevor
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City

Processing...
Thank you! Your subscription has been confirmed. You'll hear from us soon.
Join the Mailing List >>>
ErrorHere