Calendar

Shop

Donate

Search

Ben Folds: Five Favorite Videos

ben-folds-concert
By Ben Youngerman

Over the last couple decades, singer-songwriter Ben Folds has been one of the best storytellers in the entire music scene. He can brilliantly paint a picture using his piano and lyrics. Something you can experience LIVE when Ben Folds & yMusic headline the Yuengling Summer Concert Series on July 14th.

But when Ben Folds adds a visual touch to enhance songs in his music videos, the storytelling is raised to a whole new level. Funny, exciting, cameo-laced and overall entertaining, these are our five favorite Ben Folds music videos!

5. “Learn to Live with What You Are”

Ben Folds living a secret double-life as a pirate?! Yes, please. Maybe he’ll get a cameo in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sequel…

4. “One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces”

We now know why Ostriches like to stick their heads in the ground: they’re watching secret underground Ben Folds concerts.

3. “Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)”

Ben Folds fell off stage and lived to record a song about it. We’re ever so glad he’s okay and that he decided to use stop-motion animation to tell the tale.

2. “Rockin’ the Suburbs”

From the initial nose wiggle, through the onslaught of Ben Folds clones, with a Weird Al Yankovic cameo, rocking out in a cul-de-sac and ending with a parody of Korn’s video for “Freak on a Leash”, this video is a whole bunch of late-90’s suburban awesomeness. Put down your N64 controller and check it out.

1. “Do It Anyway”

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the Fraggle Rock crew emerged from their underground hiding to collaborate with Ben Folds. If having the Fraggles wasn’t enough fun, throw in appearances from Anna Kendrick, Rob Corddry and Chris Hardwick. This isn’t just our favorite Ben Folds video, it may be our favorite music video EVER!

BEN FOLDS & YMUSIC
THURSDAY, JULY 14
STEELSTACKS
Part of the Yuengling Summer Concert Series

Buy Tickets

Crazy Places Robert Randolph & The Family Band Have Played

2043
By Ben Youngerman

Robert Randolph and the Family Band are so infectious, so lively and so much fun that they could get us up and dancing just about anywhere!

In honor of the pedal steel guitarist and his incredible band headlining Blast Furnace Blues presented by Highmark Blue Shield, we’ve put together a list of the crazy places where Robert Randolph and the Family Band have entertained their fans!

RR&TFB have played on the college quad…

https://player.vimeo.com/video/104665360

RR&TFB have played while taking a nap…

RR sleeping

RR&TFB have played at a costume store…

RR hat

RR&TFB have played at a completely empty restaurant…

RR&TFB have played at halfcourt of a Knicks game…

RR half court

RR&TFB have played while shopping for new threads…

RR&TFB have played at the dentist…

RR dentist

RR&TFB have played while trying to go blonde…

RR hair

RR&TFB have played while waiting for the grocery store to open…

RR&TFB have played at their Miracle-Ear appointment…

RR getting ear plugs

RR&TFB have played in old shipping containers…

RR&TFB have played NEXT TO BILL MURRAY…

RR Bill Murray

RR&TFB will play across from an old steel mill on March 12th…oh, wait…that’s US!

Levitt Pavilion - Memorial Day Weekend 2012

ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling
PART OF: BLAST FURNACE BLUES

Buy Tickets

Meet the “Pretty Good” Musician with a 5lb. Alarm Clock: Eric Hutchinson

ERIC_HUTCHINSON14005 - cropped
by Kailee Baylor

With international hits and performances alongside artists like Kelly Clarkson and Jason Mraz under his belt, it’s safe to say that platinum-selling pop-rocker Eric Hutchinson is pretty good. That’s why we couldn’t help but ask him about his new album, who he’s dying to perform with and why he posts so many photos of his dog, Elmer, on Instagram (@EricHutchinson). Get to know him before his show March 5 in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks:

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Eric Hutchinson: A good time! I grew up loving The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel and Paul Simon, so my music is very rooted in classic songwriting.

You’ve performed with top musicians such as Kelly Clarkson, Jason Mraz, OneRepublic, O.A.R. and Pentatonix. Is there an artist or group that you’re hoping you’ll one day be able to add to that list?

Eric Hutchinson: I want to open for Billy Joel at his monthly Madison Square Garden show. If anyone out there knows Billy, please put in a good word for me.

 

Your latest album, Eric Hutchinson Is Pretty Good, is slated for an early 2016 release. What can you tell us about that album?

Eric Hutchinson: I’m really excited to share it! It’s my most soulful album yet and in many ways the independent recording process reminds me a lot of my first album, Sounds Like This. I produced the album myself for the first time and that was really thrilling to find I knew how to do that.

The album features the power ballad “Anyone Who Knows Me,” which you’ve called, “the song I’ve been trying to write my whole career.” What about that song makes it so special to you?

Eric Hutchinson: I tend to write upbeat songs you can dance to or clean the house while you listen. I have a hard time slowing the tempo down, but this was a song that I worked on for years to finally get it just right. It feels epic in a way that I always admire in other people’s songs. I’ve been singing it live every night and getting a crazy good response from the audience. It’s exciting.

There are quite a few photos of your dog Elmer on your Instagram page. Does he ever come on tour with you?

Eric Hutchinson: Yes! Elmer only weighs 5 pounds, so he can come anywhere with me. He sits under the seat on an airplane, or sleeps in my bunk with me on the tour bus. He’s great for morale, and gets me up early to take him for a walk in the morning.

You’re known for wearing sharp, often colorful suits on your album covers and on stage. Do you have a suit picked out yet to wear here in Bethlehem?

Eric Hutchinson: But of course! Just went shopping this week for the tour.

Anything else you’d like to add or share?

Eric Hutchinson: My show is great for fans and newbies alike. It’s high energy, fun, soulful and a great way to hang out and experience music. Hope to see you there!

Eric Hutchinson
All Ages
Saturday, March 5
Fowler Blast Furnace Room

Buy Tickets

HEARTSQUEST: Things to Do with Your Valentine

HeartsQuest

By Ben Youngerman

We know that finding the perfect Valentine’s Day date idea can be the most stressful part of a budding romance. So this February, ArtsQuest turns into HeartsQuest as your one-stop lover’s shop for Valentine’s Day entertainment. With live theater, comedy and films spread over the weekend, you’re sure to be struck by Cupid’s arrow!

Tony ‘N Tina’s Wedding: February 12-14 & 19-20

Need something to do with your significant other? Now you can FUGGEDABOUTIT!

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is a one-of-a-kind night of entertainment. It’s an Off-Broadway show staged as a festive celebration in which the audience doesn’t just watch but participates directly, from the first toast to the last slice of cake!

Buy Tickets

The “Best” of OkCupid: Sunday, February 14

This Valentine’s Day, experience an improvised take on internet creepers, online dating, and everything that is OkCupid! Featuring the Lehigh Valley’s most amorous improvisers.

Directed by Dan Maher (ManDudeBro, Men’s Health’s Next Top Trainer).

Buy Tickets

The Divas! present: Love is a Four Letter Word:
Friday, February 12

The Divas! are back to make your Valentine’s Day all it should be. Love is a four letter word. When you think of love, what four letter word comes to mind?

These sassy singers will entertain you with love AND hate songs made popular by divas throughout music history. Pop, jazz, standards, and Broadway. No date required!

Buy Tickets

ManDudeBro Saves Valentine’s Day: Friday, February 12

MDB Saves V-Day SQUARE

What’s better than Cupid? Four cherubic angels of improvised comedy filling your heart with laughter!

Join the cutie patooties of ManDudeBro, Lehigh Valley Style’s “Best Local Comedian” 2015, on a journey to save Valentine’s Day.

WARNING: They may steal your girlfriend in the process.

Buy Tickets

The Associated Mess: A Lovey Dovey Mess:
Saturday, February 13

Ass Mess VDay

After the lovey dovey, cutesy wutesy candlelight dinner, let The Associated Mess lighten the mood. Love stinks, so you might as well laugh about it.

Improv comedy in the style of “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

Buy Tickets

Films at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Go for the classic yawn-and-put-your-arm-around-them move!

Snuggle up with a cold Yuengling or mixed drink from our bar while enjoying one of the Oscar-nominated films currently playing in our theaters at SteelStacks.

Now Playing

Hot Glass Experience: Sunday, February 14 SOLD OUT!

Heat up your relationship next to the glass furnaces!

Experience the Hot Glass floor! In this workshop, participants can work along side the glass staff on the Second Sunday of the month while transforming molten glass into a beautiful glass heart. No experience necessary. Ages 6 and up welcome.

SOLD OUT!

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE CRUNCH: Chipotle Shortbread® Mac ‘n’ Cheese Recipe

GS Chipotle Shortbread Mac n Cheese

By Ben Youngerman

The Girl Scout Cookie Crunch is like Christmas for your taste buds! We take already-delicious Girl Scout Cookies and make them even more delicious-er! In this creative food-based event, chefs and restaurants create unique dishes, be they sweet or savory, all of them made with Girl Scout Cookies.

The 2nd-annual Girl Scout Cookie Crunch is Saturday, February 28 at the Musikfest Cafe. To tide you over until then, enjoy this recipe from last year’s 1st place People’s Choice winner!

Iron Lakes Country Club
Chef Ellen Paredes
Girl Scout Shortbread® Chipotle Mac ‘n’ Cheese

– Prep Time 20 minutes

– Cook Time 25 minutes

– 12”x20” metal pan with sides (no greasing or vegetable spray needed)

– Pre-heat oven 350degrees

Ingredients

-2lbs cooked macaroni pasta

-3lb Smoked Gouda, shredded

-2 tsp freshly chopped chipotle peppers, not dried or canned

-1lb shredded parmesan cheese

-2 Quarts of Heavy Cream

-Paprika

-2 bxs Girl Scout Shortbread® Cookies, crumbled

Directions

– Set-up double boiler that allows ample volume

– Once water is boiling roughly, place heavy cream in top

– Once Cream is boiling put heat down to medium and add all shredded cheese and chopped chipotle peppers, let all melt, watch/stirring as to not burn

– Once all elements are melted add all but one cup of remaining Crumbled Girl Scout Shortbread® Cookies

– Thoroughly mix cooked macaroni and melted cheese/shortbread mixture and pour into hotel pan (no greasing or vegetable spray needed), top with the remaining 1 cup of crumbled Girl Scout Shortbread® Cookies and a sprinkle of paprika

– Place in oven on 350 degrees; bake for 25 minutes or till golden brown on top

Notes:

Refrain from using oil, salt or pepper prior to cooking; cheeses are inherently flavorful on their own and contain enough oils to keep recipe from sticking to pan


GIRL SCOUT COOKIE CRUNCH
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28
MUSIKFEST CAFÉ PRESENTED BY YUENGLING

Buy Tickets

Staff Picks: Best Films of the Year

(Image from blogs.indiewire.com)

(Image from blogs.indiewire.com)

The Academy has spoken, nominating 8 films for Best Picture at the 88th Academy Awards: The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Brooklyn, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, The Revenant, Room and Spotlight. As the staff at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, we have our predictions on who will win the awards — although the nominees aren’t necessarily our favorite films or performances of the year. You can check out our picks for best films of the year below.

From now through the awards ceremony (and beyond) we’re showing the best of the nominees. CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT FILM TIMES

Then on February 28, join us for THE RED CARPET PARTY! A night of stars, prizes and fun as we simulcast the 88th Academy Awards – and the Red Carpet arrivals leading up to them – in our cinemas!

RYAN HILL – Programming Director

Inside-Out-Movie-Review-Image-1-e1434808371228

1) Inside Out

I feel that 2015 was a year of B+ movies, with few As, and only one A+. Inside Out was that A+, a brilliantly-conceived and executed film on all levels.

2) Tangerine

Maybe Tangerine doesn’t have the best script, but it far and away had the most electricity of any film I’d seen in quite some time. I’d want to show Tangerine to anyone even mildly interested in making movies.

3) Spotlight

Much like Inside Out, the people behind Spotlight knew when to ease off on the melodrama pedal, and wisely but effectively told an incredibly important story. Add to it excellent acting and deft direction, and you get a piece of narrative cinema that is arguably much more impactful than any documentary on the subject could ever be.

4) Clouds of Sils Maria

The 2015 movie I spent the most time thinking about, hands down. Incredible acting from Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart.

5) What We Do in the Shadows

With the possible exception of Trainwreck (which would have been #11 or #12 on a longer list), I didn’t laugh harder at a movie in 2015. An excellent sendup of our fascination with vampires.

6) Ex Machina

The dance scene = the best scene of 2015. Nope, that one isn’t better.

7) Mad Max: Fury Road

The movie that gave me hope for big budget movie-making, or at least that I might actually enjoy some future big budget movies. Also, a mainstream action movie I’m excited to show my nieces someday soon… haven’t been able to say that in maybe ever.

8) Mistress America

I rank Frances Ha as my favorite film of the past 5 years, so Mistress America had a lot to live up to. It didn’t quite make it thanks to what I felt was a strangely-paced 20 minutes in the middle of the film (when all are at the really nice house outside of the city), but the Baumbach/Gerwig team still wins overall.

9) Brooklyn

I still can’t believe a simple love story captivated me like this one did.

10) 45 Years

A lot of people are talking about Phoenix’s final scene in their top 10 lists, and though I agree with them, the rest of that film doesn’t hold up as well to me. 45 Years, on the other hand, has a gut-punch of a final shot that’s been preceded by a beautifully-paced acting master class from Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay. It’s slow, but so rewarding.

Just missed: Carol, Room, Trainwreck, Amy

Lauren McAloon – Performing Arts Coordinator

brk

1) Brooklyn

This is a solid film, plain and simple. It is a very well told story that is extremely well acted by Saoirse Ronan.

2) Inside Out

I was most excited to see this film in 2015. Pixar put such a complicated story on the screen in such a simple, imaginative way. Very emotional and funny, everyone will take something away from it.

3) Carol

Watch this solely for the set design and costume design if nothing else! The two leads prove that they would win any staring contest. Incontestable pair that deserves to be watched and understood by everyone.

4) Clouds of Sils Maria

Interesting dynamics between Kristen Stewart and Juliette Binoche. I was present from beginning to end.

5) Phoenix

The best part of Phoenix is the last two minutes. What an awesome ending. Nina Hoss plays her character with a perfect juxtaposition of sadness and hope.

6) Mad Max: Fury Road

Amazing landscapes, incredible imagination and awesome use of color. I spent the first half of the movie thinking what am I watching, but in a good way! This will definitely be popular for years to come. Tom Hardy, you keep going!

7) The Revenant

Beautiful cinematography that accentuates the hardships that the characters face in this redemption film. You can tell it’s the first time Leo has eaten a raw bison liver and it sticks with you.

8) Ex Machina

Surprising, interesting, smart science fiction tale that only has three main characters and a lot of plot twists. One of the only roles this year that Domhnall Gleeson should have taken. Also, Oscar Isaac dances.

9) Tangerine and Girlhood

Both films are shot extremely well with limited resources. Tangerine shot on an iPhone and with non-actors pushes you into an underground world of L.A. that most people overlook. The principle actors bring a lot of attitude and personality to the roles. If you are in the mood to watch something off the beaten track this is it. Girlhood is a simple yet powerful coming of age story that touches on a gentle turned rebellious teen trying to make her way in life. Great acting from the lead actor, Karidja Touré.

10) What We Do in the Shadows

This is one of the best underrated comedies of 2015. Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi poke fun at vampire pop culture using a single camera setup to show aging vampires and how they go about their day to day lives. Hilarious and sweet: a must see as usual.

What I’m still looking forward to: Mustang and Room

Anthony DeSanctis – Cinema & Comedy Assistant

720x405-inside-out-d270_126cs.sel16

1) Inside Out

A funny yet insightful take on psychological tics both common and complex, and what’s more impressive is that it’s easily the most emotionally mature and heartbreaking film I’ve seen this year. Delightful from beginning to end, and also Kyle MacLachlan.

2) The Martian

An incredibly pleasing, touchingly human, genuinely thrilling masterwork. A winning script, great performances, excellent direction, sincere moments of levity with not a moment wasted.

3) Room

The greatest emotional gut punch of the year. Brie Larson deserves Best Actress for this heartbreaking and haunting films that stays with you for days after it ends.

4) Mad Max: Fury Road

Warner Bros. gave 70 year-old George Miller $180,000,000 to go in to the desert for sixth months and make a movie and he comes back with this two hour adrenaline rush. This is easily one of the greatest action films ever made.

5) Spotlight

A tight and well-crafted look at one of the greatest scandals of the 21st century and the journalists who uncovered it. Director Thomas McCarthy’s subtle yet thrilling procedural grabs you emotionally and refuses to let go.

6) Brooklyn

This is a simple story, well told. Easily one of the most beautifully shot films of the year and perhaps one of, if not THE, biggest crowd-pleasers of the year.

7) Star Wars: The Force Awakens

JJ Abrams did it! Aside from a few moments of “fan service at the expense of the plot”, it’s unquestionably the best Star Wars movie since Return of the Jedi.

8) Ex Machina

A smart, sly and sophisticated piece of science fiction, destined to be a cult classic. This is also the year of Alicia Vikander; where have you have been all my life?!

9) Creed

Ryan Coogler returns the Rocky franchise to its glory with this spin-off, which he blends his style the best qualities of the original Rocky film. Sylvester Stallone hands over the Rocky reigns to a man with strong respect for the source material, as well as directing Michael B. Jordan and Stallone to potential Academy Award nominations.

10) Kingsman: The Secret Service

Who would have ever thought Colin Firth could be such a badass? Nonstop fun from start to finish, this over the top love letter to the great spy movies of the past displays Matthew Vaughn’s effortless ability to blend over the top style with rich substance.

Lawrence Milano – Cinema & Comedy Assistant

maxresdefault (1)
Even though there aren’t 10 films from the past year that I feel are worth mentioning, here are 7 that I truly enjoyed and stuck with me.

1) Mad Max: Fury Road

Both visually stunning and poetic, Mad Max is a relentless adventure that is able to tell a story just by its breathtaking imagery. It’s truly daring filmmaking on all levels.

2) Ex Machina

The soundtrack, the imagery, everything. It’s a near perfect film.

3) The Hateful Eight

The quickest three hours of my life. Seeing the Roadshow version of the film wasn’t just an ordinary movie going experience, it was an adventure. It captured the emotions you’re supposed to have when watching a movie. Also, the writing, the acting, and the incredible soundtrack makes this one hell of a piece of work.

4) Amy

The exploitation and collapse of one of the music industry’s most talented participants is all exposed here. The film is heartbreaking and alarming.

5) Love

I think I’m just a sucker for Gapser Noe films in general, so I’m a bit biased. This film is another experimental and ambitious project from the French director and holds no punches in subject matter or explicit imagery.

6) The Wolfpack

A beautiful and haunting observation of a unique American family.

7) Montage of Heck

This film removes, in my opinion, the God-like complex of Cobain and instead, paints him as just another individual who lead a life of poor decision making, but at the same time, managed to leave an incredible impact on the entire music industry and remains to be one of my favorite musicians of all time.

Ben Bailey talks about being mistaken as a comedian, predicting Cash Cab, and his new comedy special!

By now nearly everyone has heard of the Emmy Award winning TV game show Cash Cab, where host and comedian @RealBenBailey quizzes unsuspecting passengers of his New York City taxi cab for a chance to win cash. But did you know that he got his start in comedy by being mistaken as a comedian? Or that he drove limos before getting behind the wheel of the infamous New York City taxi cab?

Hear those stories and more in our exclusive interview below:

BEN BAILEY
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
MUSIKFEST CAFÉ PRESENTED BY YUENGLING

Buy Tickets

2016 IS LOOKING SWEET AS PEEPSFEST® ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF SCHOLASTIC DIORAMA COMPETITION

BETHLEHEM, PA — Area students had a sweet start to the New Year when their dioramas were chosen as winners in the 2015 PEEPS® Scholastic Diorama Competition during PEEPSFEST®, the free family festival presented by Just Born Quality Confections and ArtsQuest Dec. 30-31. More than 140 dioramas incorporating PEEPS® candy were created by local school children and were on display during the event, which took place at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

“New Year’s Eve in NYC,” created by Joseph P. Liberati 5th grade students Nathaniel Lycette and Brandon Verna, was named the “PEEP-les Choice” winner based on voting at the festival, while “Peep State,” done by St. John Vianney 8th graders Hannah Kistler and Raymond Kromer, was named “Best in Show” by the official PEEPSFEST® judging panel. Both groups of students won PEEPS & COMPANY® Gift Bags and were invited to help drop the giant PEEPS® Chick on New Year’s Eve to count down the coming of the New Year.

The complete list of diorama competition winners is:

Categories:

Kindergarten-2nd Grade
1st place: Remembering Paris
Calypso Elementary School, Bethlehem – 2nd grade – Allison Shook

2nd place: Peeps on Ice
Calypso Elementary School, Bethlehem – Kindergarten – Megan Shook

3rd – 5th Grades
1st place: New Year’s Eve in NYC
Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School, Center Valley – 5th grade – Nathaniel Lycette and Brandon Verna

2nd place: LV Phantoms Fight Back to Win!
St. Anne’s School, Bethlehem – 4th grade – Alex Greenberg, Malcolm Collins and Robert Welsh

6th Grade
1st place: Project Peepway
Joseph P. Liberati Intermediate School, Center Valley – Amanda Haussmann and Evie Braden

2nd place: Peep Washington Crossing the Delaware
Liberty Bell Elementary School, Coopersburg – Samantha Haggenbuch

7th – 12th Grades
1st place: Peep State
St. John Vianney Regional School, Allentown – 8th grade – Hannah Kistler and Raymond Kromer

2nd place: Walkin’ in a Winter Candyland
St. John Vianney Regional School, Allentown – 7th Grade – Christopher Faccniao and Adam Pryblick

PEEPSFEST® 2016 is set for Dec. 30-31 at SteelStacks. For more information, visit www.steelstacks.org/peepsfest.

We’ve filled January and February with comedy shows because winter is the worst.

Cameron Esposito, Ben Bailey, Improvised Shakespeare Company, Christ Gethard at SteelStacks

The start of a new year can often be a daunting thing: You’ve got resolutions that -let’s face it- you’re going to eventually break, it’s still dark and cold out all the time, and the sheen has worn off your Christmas presents so you once again have nothing to do ever.

Don’t panic. That’s where this handy list of comedy shows coming to SteelStacks comes into play. Seeing live comedy is the best way you can spend a night. Especially in winter, when everything is cold and scary. It’s scientifically proven, probably.

So don’t hibernate this winter – put on your fancy sweatpants and make your way to SteelStacks for any/all of the following:

The Regularly Scheduled Shows

There are a handful of shows that happen on a regularly scheduled basis. That doesn’t make them less special, on the contrary, it makes them dependable ways to get out of the house.

  • ManDudeBro: Every Friday, 10:30pm – Longform improv comedy from Lehigh Valley Style’s “Best Local Comedian” 2015
  • The Associated Mess: Every-other Saturday, 10:30pm – Shortform improv in the style of “Whose Line is it Anyway”
  • TWO LAUGH MINIMUM: Every-other Thursday, 8pm – A showcase of stand-up comedy featuring some of the area’s best stand-ups:
  • Improv Comedy Power Hour: Every-other Thursday, 10pm – Improv comedy from our very own house teams
The “Best” of YouTube – 1/9 – buy tickets

It’s an improvised take on viral videos, weirdo vlogs, and everything that is YouTube. Be prepared for shock and awwwww-that’s cute. Also, weird stuffs. You’ve been on YouTube before right? This could be all-sorts-of amazing weird.

Dry Humor: Stand-up for Recovery – 1/13 – buy tickets

January 11th, 2016 will mark Liz Russo’s 5 year sober-anniversary and she wants to celebrate with laughter, while also giving back! Liz and her clean and sober comedian friends will entertain you by sharing their experience, strength, and hope through humor. This show is a benefit for the non-profit Livengrin Foundation For Addiction Recovery.

Ban Bailey of “Cash Cab” – 1/16 – buy tickets

Before he got behind the wheel of The Cash Cab, Ben Bailey began his career as a Stand Up comedian. Don’t just believe this sentence you’re reading, google it. Dude even has two Comedy Central specials. Why not have someone drive you to this show? Who knows, maybe “Cash-Uber” is a thing now.

SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival – 1/22 and 1/23 – buy tickets

It’s two marathon days of non-stop comedy featuring more than 50 different improv teams from around the country! Friday is headlined by New York’s Christian Capozolli (RECKLESS THEATRE). Saturday features a performance from Chicago’s Improvised Shakespeare Company! Check out the complete lineup here.

Cameron Esposito with Rhea Butcher – 1/30 – buy tickets

Chances are that if you own a TV, you’ve seen Cameron Esposito. For example, she’s appeared on (deep breath) Comedy Central, TBS, CBS, NBC, E!, IFC, HBO Canada and Cartoon Network. Cameron has also been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Marie Claire and has performed at top festivals like Montreal’s Just for Laughs, Bonnaroo, Outsidelands, SF Sketchfest and many more. So basically, there are lots of people who are telling you she’s awesome so SEE THIS SHOW!

Chris Gethard – 2/5 – buy tickets

Comedian Chris Gethard is the creator and host of “The Chris Gethard Show,” a variety and talk show that began as a stage show at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre in New York before becoming a weekly live public access show during the summer of 2011. Last year, TCGS was picked up by Fusion which aired 10 hilarious episodes, including one just for dogs. The AV Club says the Chris Gethard Show “undoubtedly belongs in the conversation with the best of TV” and the New York Times called it “an often riveting experiment in seat of the pants broadcasting.” Chris also plays the role of Derek in the Comedy Central series “Broad City,” had a recurring role on the last season of NBC’s The Office and can be seen on the silver screen in “The Heat” and “The Other Guys.”

After his show, Chris will be joining ManDudeBro to perform some improv at 10:30.

Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding – 2/12-14 and 2/19-20 – buy tickets

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! It’s the return of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding – a one-of-a-kind night of entertainment. It’s an Off-Broadway show staged as a festive celebration in which the audience doesn’t just watch but participates directly, from the first toast to the last slice of cake. The New York Times calls it “audaciously imaginative” and Variety says “it’s worth not missing.”

The “Best” of OK Cupid – 2/14 – (tickets aren’t on sale yet)

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than by making fun of the best-of-the-worst of internet dating? It’s an improvised show tackling internet creepers, online dating and all-things OK Cupid. Perfect for a first date, a 300th date, or no date at all.

Ryan & Steve Bust-a Movie: Cool As Ice – 2/20 – buy tickets

Stop, collaborate and listen. Ryan and Steve are back with a brand new edition of their “Bust-a Movie” franchise! Watch as comedians Ryan Hill and Steve Bost make fun of one of American cinema’s worst achievements: Vanilla Ice’s “Cool As Ice.” It’s two comics, two microphones and one hella terrible movie.

Winners Announced in SteelStacks’ Annual Gingerbread House Competition

It’s a marshmallow world this winter, despite the lack of snow. As the candy-coated cottages and frosting-covered flats are being returned to their creators, ArtsQuest is pleased to announce the winners of its 3rd-annual SteelStacks Gingerbread House Competition.

This year’s competition featured winners in four categories. All entries were judged based on five key factors: Overall appearance and composition, originality and use of materials, the design execution, how the entry fit into its category, and the “Holiday Spirit” incorporated into the design.

The complete list of winners is:

Traditional Gingerbread:

  1. “Keystone Confectionary” ($125 first place prize) by Nicolas Calabrese
  2. “Santa’s Barn” ($100) by Connie Renaldi
  3. “Country Meadows” ($25 ArtsQuest Gift Card) by Country Meadows

Kids/Family Gingerbread Creation:

  1. “Christmas Eve on the Farm” ($125) by Jordyn, Ethan and the Zaro Family
  2. “Superhero Headquarters” ($100) by Daisy Girl Scout Troop 8709
  3. “Gingerbread House” ($25 ArtsQuest Gift Card) by Lazette Kwiatkowski

Student Gingerbread Creation (Grades 6-8):

  1. “Christmas Party” ($125) by Kaelyn Gerencher
  2. “Winter Wonderland” ($100) by Sierra Gerencher

Student Gingerbread Creation (Grades 9-12):

  1. “Up on the Treetop” ($125) by Miranda Calabrese
  2. “S’more Fun in the Winter” ($100) by Nicolette Gerencher

Gingerbread house submissions were on display at the ArtsQuest Center Nov. 20-Dec. 20. For more information, visit http://www.steelstacks.org/gingerbread.

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