Bands on the Big Screen! 5 Concert Films & Music Documentaries!

By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

Some bands and musical artists are larger than life. Lucky for you, we have two big screens at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas to show their concerts and documentaries! You can see 5 concert documentaries about Pearl Jam, Slipknot, The Avett Brothers, David Gilmour and Black Sabbath at SteelStacks soon!

Slipknot: Day of the Gusano– 9/6 – buy tickets

Day of the Gusano documents not only a historic Knotfest Mexico City performance from Slipknot, one of the most exciting live bands on the planet, but delves deeply into the lives of the band’s fans as well. Slipknot’s fans, better known as “maggots,” are essential to the band’s legacy.

May it Last: Portrait of the Avett Brothers– 9/12 – buy tickets

Filmed with extraordinary access over more than two years, this film is a deeply intimate and revealing look at the Grammy Award-nominated North Carolina band fronted by Seth and Scott Avett. Directors Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio chart the Avett Brothers’ decade-and-a-half rise.

David Gilmour: Live at Pompeii– 9/13 & 9/17 – buy tickets

45 years after Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour filmed ‘Live At Pompeii’ in the legendary Roman Amphitheatre there, he returned for two spectacular shows. The performances were the first-ever rock concerts for an audience in the stone Roman amphitheatre, and, for two nights only, the 2,600 strong crowd stood exactly where gladiators would have fought in the first century AD.

Black Sabbath: The End of the End– 9/28 – buy tickets

The End of The End chronicles the final tour from the band who forged the sound of metal – Black Sabbath. After nearly 50 years together, the Birmingham band took to the stage for the last time in their home city, bringing down the curtain on their final tour ever.

Pearl Jam: Let’s Play Two– 10/3 – buy tickets

Let’s Play Two is a concert film that chronicles Pearl Jam’s legendary performances at Wrigley Field during the Chicago Cubs historic 2016 season. With Chicago being a hometown to Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam has forged a relationship with the city, the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field that is unparalleled in the world of sports and music.

Check out all of the upcoming special screenings at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas!

Double the Fun! SangriaFest by the Numbers…

Cheers to summer! The popular SangriaFest returns to SteelStacks in Bethlehem Sat., July 15. Check out the 7 reasons why this year will be better than ever!

Bigger & Better: 10 Sangrias at 10 Serving Stations with 6 oz. Pours

For 2017, SangriaFest is double the fun, offering more serving stations and tasting sessions to reduce lines and increase enjoyment. Plus, each delicious recipe like Georgia Peach and the pomegranate and green tea infused Zen Sangria will be served in a 6-ounce pour, twice the size of the 2016 sample.

The wines will travel 4,700 miles just to get here

Before transforming into flavorful sangrias, the wine, which is imported by Bethlehem’s own South Italy Imports, will travel 4,700 miles from Treviso, Italy to SteelStacks.

Top it off with 100 lbs. of Fruit

Throughout the festival, you’ll find garnish stations with the perfect summer fruits to pair with your sangria. To accommodate our many guests, our kitchen staff spent hours prepping more than 100 pounds of fruit.

South Italy Imports has been bringing fine Italian products to the U.S. for 16 years

South Italy Imports has been in business for 16 years. It first supplied the restaurant industry with products imported from Southern Italy such as pizza sauce, whole peeled and chopped tomatoes, artisanal pastas and extra virgin olive oil, and in 2005, expanded by importing wines from the estate of Cantore di
Castelforte, its first vineyard.

Ovens reach 700 degrees to cook artisan flatbread

Pair your sangria sample with snacks from visiting food trucks like Fired Up Artisan Oven which serves up flatbreads topped with arugula & prosciutto, quail eggs & micro greens, roasted butternut squash & sage as well as Nutella & strawberries all cooked in a food truck oven that reaches 700 degrees. Other food trucks at the event include Sprout Stream by Sven’s Café and Dough Heads Waffles.

Play ball! Bocce dates back to 5000 B.C.

With our new Bocce ball courts, you can enjoy some R&R just as the Italians do but while Bocce as we know it today became popular in Italy in 1896, Egyptians played a form of Bocce with polished rocks as early as 5000 B.C. Other games on hand include beanbags and quoits.

Upgrade to VIP for 8 Exclusive Cocktails & Tasty Treats

With VIP Access Tickets, which are available in limited quantities, you can get early access to the event and the opportunity to sample handcrafted sangria cocktails designed by mixologists from 8 popular Lehigh Valley restaurants like Tapas on Main, The Brick, Edge, White Orchid, The Bayou and Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Enjoy complimentary snacks including Cheesesteak Spring Rolls, Retro Dogs, Mac and Cheese Bites, Fried Mozzarella, and Mini Pierogies. All VIP ticketholders also receive an official SangriaFest lanyard, SangriaFest sunglasses and have the opportunity to vote for their favorite drink as the “Best Sangria of SangriaFest 2017.”

SangriaFest
VIP: noon-1 p.m. & 5-6 p.m.
General Admission: 1-4 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.
SteelStacks

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Defending Champ Surf and Turf Truck Returns to SteelStacks for 2017 Food Truck Border Brawl

By Emily Cummins, Public Relations Coordinator

Named one of the best food trucks in the nation by The Daily Meal, one of the best food trucks to have at your wedding by NJ Bride and “Best Overall Food Truck” at the inaugural Food Truck Border Brawl at SteelStacks, Surf and Turf Truck of Hamilton, N.J. is popular to say the least.

Serving up lobster, steak and veggies rolls, as well as sides like Parmesan truffle fries and breakfast sandwiches with pork roll, its menu runs the gamut of flavor including every combination from hot and cold to sweet and spicy.

The truck was started by Cindy Matas and brother-in-law Adam Browne in 2012, and just five years later, the family business has expanded to a second truck in Tampa, Fla. and several “brick and mortar” establishments led by Matas’s fiancé Mike Barlettano including the new The Surf and Turf Market in Philadelphia.

“It’s a full service seafood market, with 100% fresh seafood that I handpick and cut every morning, and we plan to open two more locations in 2018,” says Barlettano, who’s also a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain and charter boat operator.

While the truck is mainly booked for private catering like weddings and parties, Barlettano says they do participate in select festivals.
“I love the Food Truck Border Brawl,” says Barlettano. “Our truck straddles Pennsylvania and New Jersey all the time, so we have the pleasure to know most of the trucks from both areas, but it’s a great way for some of the north Jersey trucks to get to know the PA trucks and vice versa. There’s nothing wrong with a little competition, and in the end it gives the customers an even better experience.”

Defending its title at the 2017 Food Truck Border Brawl, Surf and Turf Truck will face 19 dynamic mobile eateries from the Keystone and Garden states who will serve up delicious eats including Wisconsin fried cheese curds, sweet and savory empanadas, gourmet cupcakes and Korean fusion like dumpling bowls and kimchi fries.

In 2016, more than 6,000 people turned out for the Food Truck Border Brawl, and Barlettano says the crowd devoured more than 800 rolls in addition to countless orders of firecracker shrimp tacos and the triple-decker lobster grilled cheese.

Prepping that much food in a short amount of time is stressful on any chef, but inside the truck, the heat is on.

“Our truck is a very intimate experience to say the least! Everyone better like each other because it’s very close quarters,” Barlettano says. “But it makes you work more efficiently, and adapt to the limited amount of space. One thing we do have on our truck is a lot of refrigeration, so we are able to keep our product as fresh as possible.”

His personal favorite on the menu? The BLT lobster roll.

“Who doesn’t love buttery lobster with bacon and truffle oil,” he says. “We believe in simple combinations that play off each other well.”

For those interested in testing their skills at home, Surf and Turf Truck offers an easy recipe for its Signature Warm lobster roll.
“Get some fresh lobster, heat it in some butter, and steam some kale in citrus water. Put the kale and lobster on a toasted bun of your choice, and top with fresh chopped mango and jalapeno,” Barlettano says.

Or do the next best thing, and get a fresh lobster roll in person when Surf and Turf Truck returns for the Food Truck Border Brawl, presented by Provident Bank, June 10 at SteelStacks.

Food Truck Border Brawl
Saturday, June 10
Noon-3 p.m. & 5-8 p.m.
PNC Plaza
presented by Provident Bank

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Go Karting’s Last Frontier?

SteelStacks to Host Go Kart Grand Prix on Father’s Day

By Mark Demko, Senior Director of Communications

On June 18, Lehigh Valley Grand Prix and ArtsQuest are teaming up to present a fast-paced go-kart race through the streets of Bethlehem’s old steel mill during the inaugural SteelStacks Grand Prix. The event, which will feature up to 30 local businesses going head to head, kicks off a full day of racing starting at noon.

The Grand Prix includes three preliminary races, with the finals of the event set for 3 p.m. Also planned are a media race, car show presented by Chevy21, family friendly activities, musical entertainment and several food vendors and food trucks.

ArtsQuest recently caught up with Lehigh Valley Grand Prix owner Michael McCreary to talk about the new event and his passion for go karting. Here’s what he had to say:

AQ: Mike, how did you first become interested in go kart racing?
MM: I became interested in go kart racing upon my first visit to an indoor karting facility in Wilmington, Del.

AQ: You’re a graduate of Lehigh University, where you won two entrepreneur competitions. How did people initially respond when you told them you wanted to open an indoor go kart racing facility?
MM: The initial response was speculative; however, upon further research the idea was well received. The entrepreneurship program at Lehigh University was instrumental in strengthening the business strategy.

AQ: What made SteelStacks so appealing for an outdoor street race?
MM: First off, we are extremely excited about this opportunity. What made SteelStacks an ideal location is that not only does it offer an ideal layout, the staff are experts in event planning. The professionalism and expertise within ArtsQuest is tremendous.

AQ: What are some of the unique elements you’re incorporating into the track?
MM: The track itself is extremely unique due to the venue. The opportunity to race on the former grounds of Bethlehem Steel is exciting. The straightaways going down First Street should be insanely fun!

AQ: So, driving a go kart through the streets sounds cool… but how fast do these cars really go?
MM: These karts rip. They will hit speeds of 45 mph just inches off the ground. Throw in some turns and you are going to feel some serious speed.

AQ: How has the community responded to the idea of this event?
MM: There is a tremendous amount of buzz going around about the event. People have been asking us for years to deliver this type of experience. It is exciting for it to be coming together.

AQ: Last question, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever attempted in a go kart?
MM: Last year during the big blizzard we thought it would be a good idea to rip a couple karts around the parking lot. It was an absolute blast!

SteelStacks Grand Prix
SUNDAY, June 18
Noon-4 p.m.
PNC Plaza
FREE to the Public

‘PIT ROW’ VIP PACKAGES
Looking for the ultimate Grand Prix experience? VIP Packages to the exclusive ‘Pit Row’, which features awesome food catered by Red Robin, a variety of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and the best seats at the event, are on sale now!

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Maria Bamford Talks the Weird and Wonderful World of Comedy

By Emily Cummins, Public Relations Coordinator

Named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Funniest People, and winner of the 2014 American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic, Maria Bamford takes oddball comedy to the next level. Whether she’s performing in her living room with her parents on the couch as her only audience in “The Special Special Special!” or she’s baring it all in the semi-autobiographical series “Lady Dynamite,” which explores her struggles with Type-II Bipolar, Bamford is unapologetically awkward in a way that is simultaneously endearing, uncomfortable and endlessly entertaining.

One of the most acclaimed and original stand-up comics in the country, Bamford was the first female comic to have two half-hour “Comedy Central Presents” specials and starred alongside Patton. Her new Netflix special “Old Baby” premieres later this year.
Ahead of her performance at SteelStacks’ Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling Aug. 18, 8:30 p.m., we chatted with Bamford about her career.

AQ: You’ve had a tremendous amount of voice acting roles including everything from “Hey Arnold” to “The Adventures of Puss in Boots.” What is special to you about voice acting, and who has been your favorite character to portray?

MB: I always like playing my mother’s voice because then I get to think like my mom or how I think my mom thinks. I got to do that on “Barnyard” by Nickelodeon and in sideline characters in “Adventure Time” and “Word Girl” on PBS.

AQ: In “Lady Dynamite” you play yourself in a show based on your life. What is it like to work on something so personal?

MB: It is wonderful in that it’s very cathartic to re-experience things with a whole team acting it all out, but in the same way it is stressful, as I definitely worry that I’m not being true to myself or other people involved, I don’t want to sell myself or others out. I’m not sure whether I’ve succeeded!

AQ: In the show, and in your standup, you address your struggles with mental illness. What’s the importance of sharing your experiences through a comedic lens?

MB: Well, it’s the only material I have. I work with what I’ve got, and that’s been a big part of my life. So, in that way the reason I don’t have a lot of material about having kids or being from Russia is arguably because of sloth and a lack of curiosity to research other people’s experiences.

AQ: Many fans were first introduced to you as DeBrie Bardeaux. What was it like to join “Arrested Development” when it was picked up by Netflix for its fourth season?

MB: Awesome! Always great to get a job! Especially with a very creative set with people I admire!

AQ: Before comedy, what was the worst job you’ve ever had? And if you had to be something other than an actress/comedian what would you be?

MB: The hardest job, for me, was waitressing and it was so hard that I quit. Same goes for substitute teaching- the anxiety was so high that I couldn’t even begin – despite being qualified and accepted to do it. I think that I’d make an okay Mayor, but I’d definitely need more patience and willingness to listen to the thoughts of others. That’s not my greatest skill, but I don’t mind a rousing speech.

AQ: What can the audience expect from your upcoming show at SteelStacks this summer?

MB: A grandiose display of wealth. No, just myself and my friend Jackie Kashian, working hard and playing hard to bring you joy. All are welcome!

AQ Bonus Question: If you were an astronaut where would you want to go first?

MB: Home! I love the returning flight.

Maria Bamford
FRIDAY, Aug. 18
8:30 pm
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling

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Kevin Nealon’s Five Funniest TV & Film Roles

By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

Since debuting on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as a standup in 1984, comedian and actor Kevin Nealon has been a versatile and hilarious part of many of your favorite TV shows and movies.

In honor of Kevin Nealon’s standup show in the Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling on May 7, here are five of the comic’s funniest roles over the past three decades…

Pumping up with Hans & Franz on Saturday Night Live

The late-80s and early-90s on SNL were packed with iconic characters, including the iron-pumping tandem of Hans & Franz! With fellow cast member Dana Carvey, this was one of Kevin Nealon’s first big roles on the iconic show. Brought back in 2014 for a series of insurance commercials with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Hans & Franz are still pumping you up almost 30 years later.

Doug Wilson from Weeds

Appearing on all 8 seasons of the Showtime series Weeds, Nealon played Doug Wilson who was arguably the show’s funniest character. Riding the ups and downs of Nancy’s pot dealer career, Doug Wilson gave us classic moments like this banjo montage.

Weekend Update Anchor on Saturday Night Live

“I’m Kevin Nealon, and that’s news to me.”

For three seasons between 1991-1994, Kevin Nealon was the anchor of SNL‘s longest-running sketch Weekend Update. Nealon skewered the news and acted as the straight man for legendary character bits such as Adam Sandler’s “Operaman” and Chris Farley’s “Bennett Brauer” (watch below).

Being Humiliated in Adam Sandler Movies

If you’ve seen any of Adam Sandler’s many movies. You’ve seen Kevin Nealon. He’s had roles in Happy Gilmore, Anger Management, Eight Crazy Nights, Little Nicky, and more. Although, as Nealon explains to Conan O’Brien, it seems like Sandler is always trying to embarrass him on camera…

Mr. Subliminal on Saturday Night Live

Perhaps (definitely) Kevin Nealon’s best SNL character is Mr. Subliminal (hilarious). The character made many (not enough) appearances in sketches and Weekend Update segments throughout the late-80s (gnarly) and early-90s (phat).

Harness the good energy. Block out the bad. Get tickets to see Kevin Nealon at SteelStacks.

via GIPHY

Kevin Nealon
SUNDAY, May 7
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling

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Programmers’ Picks: SouthSide Arts & Music Festival

The new SouthSide Arts & Music Festival (April 28-29) is a glorious combination of the two things ArtsQuest does best: showcasing nationally-touring musicians and providing high-caliber visual arts programming to the Lehigh Valley. Patrick Brogan and Stacie Brennan, tasked with picking the bands and artists to feature at the Southside Arts & Music Festival (SSAMF), are extremely excited and proud to present this festival for the first time. Below, you can find their picks of can’t-miss programs over this awesome April weekend!

TOP 5: Music to catch at SSAMF!

By Patrick Brogan, Chief Programming Officer & Manager of the ArtsQuest Center

1. The headliners: Rusted Root & Robert Randolph

We’ll have great headliners in the Café each night with Rusted Root taking you back to the 90s playing their hits and creating a great vibe of fun and energized music, and then Robert Randolph and the Family Band simply crushing an audience with skilled blues and rhythm music. Randolph was such a hit at Blues Fest last year we couldn’t wait to get him back, and Rusted Root has been regularly filling the Café with great performances year-after-year. Both nights will end with a great show in the Musikfest Café.

2. Discovery Artist: The Sun Parade

This four piece indie rock band from Northampton, Massachusetts is my favorite “new” act on the lineup. They are a little bit Beatles, a little bit Dr. Dog. I’m a big fan of their singles “Heart’s Out” and “Need You By My Side.”

3. Legendary Artists: Steve Forbert, Coco Montoya, Pablo Batista

80s pop songwriter Steve Forbert is a great live show made even better by the intimacy that the venue of Godfrey Daniels provides, Coco Montoya is a legendary blues artist with amazing guitar skills and  Pablo Batista (a Holy Infancy & SouthSide alum!) is the coolest Latin percussionist you’ve ever met having toured with the likes of Alicia Keys, John Legend and more.

4. Younger Favorite Artists: Ceramic Animal

Ceramic Animal, our Artist In Residence this year, has a great retro-rock sound heavily influenced by the 60s/70s, but with a modern take, while Ballroom Thieves is more pop-indie-folk; I could listen to their song “Arrows”on repeat for hours. Also, Blair Crimmins & the Hookers (out of Atlanta, GA) are southern Dixieland & Ragtime soul, and just may deliver the highlight shows of the whole event.

5. Everything else!

There are dance performances in the Commons at the ArtsQuest Center each night, there is an improv comedy show, there are students performing, there’s an Indian pop singer, there are visual art engagements everywhere, there is Social Still, The Bookstore and Bonn Place Brewing Co. for great drinks, plus Jenny’s and Molinari’s and countless places for great eats. The spirit of the SouthSide of Bethlehem is one of engaging discovery across a palate that honors the grit of the work and workers here before alongside the passion and energy of the future through the arts. It’s going to be a ton of fun!

Click here to check out the full SSAMF performer lineup!

TOP 5: Visual Arts activities to check out at SSAMF!

By Stacie Brennan, Senior Director of Visual Arts

1. Dripped on the Road

Experience the power of public art in action as the Dripped on the Road artists install a giant mural to the gateway of the shops in the SouthSide Arts District on the side of 24 East 3rd street. Then learn from the artists at a hands-on workshop that gives you tips and tricks designing and mural for installing artwork outdoors.

2. Jay Walker: “The Steelworker” Tape Art Installation, Plaid Shirt Project and Graffiti Tape Art Workshop

Jay Walker is a classically trained artist from Pennsylvania Academy of Art, who has taken pop and street art to the next level using alternative materials including tape. Inspired by the history of Bethlehem Steel and the workers who breathed life into its past, Jay Walker created a colorful large-scale installation from duct tape that incorporates the uniform and everyday clothing that were once worn by steel workers. He will also be including SouthSide Bethlehem as a destination for his international public art project called the “Plaid Shirt Project,” where he adheres vinyl and tape art shirts like graffiti in unexpected places.

3. Lehigh Valley Art Wars

Watch local artists create in a competitive environment where they are challenged to complete a work of art based on a theme within in a two-hour period. Four separate battles will take place during the festival where 16 artists will be whittled down to 8 artist who will move on to the next round. Artists bring their own supplies and Art Wars supplies the substrate to create on.

4. Hands-on Arts Projects

Choose from a variety of hands-on art projects for children and adults that are sure to jump-start your creativity and leave you with a feeling of pride when you complete them. From a cute and vividly painted cactus, to a Frida Kahlo inspired flower crown, you will have lots of creative projects to either wear or display.

5. Face Painting by Peanut Butter

Experience face painting like you never have before, and become part of the artistic display at the festival. With unique and easy to remove air brushed designs using water-based, non-toxic paints and jewels, festival attendees become a work of art in less than 12 minutes.

Click here to check out the full SSAMF visual arts lineup!

SouthSide Arts & Music Festival
APRIL 28-29
Bethlehem, PA

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