What the Critics are Saying About Jessy J…

By Paige Richards

Over the years, Jessy J has become a dominant up-and-comer on the smooth jazz scene as a solo saxophonist. Throughout her career she has worked in the studio with big names such as Michael Bublé and toured with various artists including The Temptations, Jessica Simpson, Michael Bolton and Seal. She has also backed artists on American Idol and The Voice.

If Jessy J’s body of work isn’t enough, she’s has received praise in multiple languages and countries! The saxaphonist is headlining the RiverJazz Festival presented by Concannon Miller on Thursday, May 12! Until then, you can read some of the amazing things the critics have to say about Jessy J!

“Revolutionizing jazz as a young Latina”- People en Español

“Few musicians, no matter the musical genre, have made as powerful of an immediate impact as this talented multi-instrumentalist and composer” -Saxophone Journal Magazine

“Increasing the boundaries of jazz both musically and demographically” – Jazziz

“In the jazz world Jessy J has certainly become one of the genre’s most innovative young voices.” –Celebrity Café by Maria Miaoulis

“True Love demonstrates that Jessy has talent, chops, and originality…projecting a sound and identity of her own” – All Music Guide

“The album breaks new frontiers of Jazz and Latin music.” – Hombre Magazine

Jessy J
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling
PART OF: RiverJazz Festival presented by Concannon Miller

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Enter to win a spot in
this April’s Improv 101 class

Posted by Jon Lunger
March 14, 2016

Hello, internet user!

I’m sincerely delighted that you found your way to this page. You see, I want to turn you on to your next creative obsession and this page exists solely to help me do just that.

I want to teach you improv comedy.

There are countless reasons why you should give improv a try. Forbes Magazine, for example, published this great article about how learning improv can help you in business. Improv is also a great way to build-up some confidence, meet new people and/or work on being a better public speaker. That’s all true, but that’s not why I want to teach you improv.

I want to teach you improv because I know you’re going to have a blast doing it.

I want to teach you improv because I know you can do it and I know you can be great.

I want to teach you improv because I know you’re going to fall in love with it as an art-form.

So take that leap with me. Class starts April 4th and you can register here. We’re also giving away a spot in class to one lucky person who enters below. Don’t wait for the end of the class to enter though (if you’re picked as the winner we’ll adjust after the fact).

Lehigh Valley Music Awards Shine Spotlight on Neurofibromatosis

This year’s event will honor Tyden Lewis, who has battled the disease for the past seven years

By Kailee Baylor

After being born with more than 30 birthmarks, one-month-old Tyden Lewis visited an ophthalmologist, who checked his eyes for markings that might be similar to those that were on his skin. There were no spots, so the doctor sent him to St. Christopher’s Hospital to see a neurologist, who agreed that everything looked as it should.

About three years later, Tyden developed what looked like a bug bite on his right earlobe, so his mother took him to the family doctor who prescribed a cream. Over time, the earlobe continued to grow. After a year of going from doctor to doctor, Tyden had an MRI that revealed he had had a tumor inside his head. He was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis.

“My whole chest felt like it had collapsed,” says his mom, Danielle Finch. “A storm of questions came coursing through my brain. ‘Where do we go from here?’”

By the following year, Tyden needed surgery to remove the tumor. His mom calls him ”an amazing child,” saying he handled it all extremely well.

“The only time he was scared was when they came to get him for the surgery and I had to leave,” Finch says. “As they took him, he screamed and cried. I turned around, balling my eyes out. It was the worst feeling in the world.”

While the surgery was a success, Tyden’s fight is far from over. As of now, this courageous 7-year old has nine tumors on his body. But despite everything, he remains a happy, loving, energetic boy who loves music and dancing. It’s for this reason that the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association is honoring Tyden and his family at this year’s Lehigh Valley Music Awards ceremony with their annual Community Youth Award.

During the LVMAs on March 6, Tyden will share the stage with some of the area’s most popular musicians as he receives his honor. In addition, the School of Rock, Lesson Center and the Lehigh Valley Charter Arts High School for the Arts will pay tribute to Tyden, dedicating their performance of David Bowie’s song “Space Oddity “to him.

“Tyden loves music and has a very positive outlook on life despite all the adversity he has faced,” says Gloria Domina, co-coordinator of the music awards. “We’re honored that we can recognize this courageous young man while helping to shine the spotlight on NF. He truly is an inspiration to us all.”

At the music awards, Tyden and his family will also be accepting donations for the NF Network and providing information about the Great Steps 4NF Awareness Walk, organized by Danielle Finch, set for May 14 at the Bethlehem Township Community Center.

Lehigh Valley Music Awards
All Ages
Sunday, March 6
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling

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ArtPop Helps Parkland’s Jeremy Gipson to ‘REACH’ for His Dreams

By Cezanne Colvin

The ArtPop Lehigh Valley billboard competition gives you a reason to look up when you’re stuck in traffic!

Through December 2016, motorists on the Lehigh Valley’s busiest thorofares will be able to see dynamic works of art from the ArtPop winners on Adams Outdoor Advertising billboards throughout the region. Among the seven winners this year is Parkland High School senior Jeremy Gipson, whose charcoal drawing “REACH” earned him the first-ever ArtPop Scholastic winner title.

We recently caught up with Jeremy to learn more about him and his work. Here’s what he had to say:

Jeremy, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Jeremy Gipson: I love to make art and music. I’m excited to grow and become a better artist and person.

Looking at your work, it’s difficult to believe you struggle with anything artistic, but what’s the hardest thing for you to draw?

Jeremy Gipson: The hardest thing for me to draw is when I don’t know what it is I’m drawing. I draw and doodle constantly, but some days nothing stands out to me. When I focus on the techniques and placement of the lines and values, though, I find that I’m not scribbling for nothing. I play around with it like a puzzle, attempting to make it into a final piece that can be used. The more that I work, the better I get, and that’s my drive.

What was the ArtPop competition like for you?

Jeremy Gipson: It was fantastic. After I saw the proportions required for this contest, I knew I had to start something that would work with the 24’ x 6’ format. Knowing that it was a billboard contest, I wanted to make the final version contain more realism so that the driving viewer could easily interpret it.

I was so excited to win and I’m very humbled that people liked my art enough to make a massive print of it and put it on a billboard. Opportunities like this just make me want to create more.

If you could sit down with any artist and ask him or her any question, who would it be?

Jeremy Gipson: Tim Burton. I’d ask him, “What were the most important steps and events that made you the artist you are today?”

What’s next for you after you graduate from high school?

Jeremy Gipson: I want to go to college and get a job in both art and music. Hopefully, I can work within these fields and be able to feed myself and care for my friends and family.

For more information on ArtPop Lehigh Valley, please visit www.bananafactory.org/artpop. For details on the national ArtPop program, check out ArtPopStreetGallery.com.

Oscar Picks: Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas Staff

By Ben Youngerman & the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas Staff

The Academy Awards are almost here! After all the smaller awards shows, speculation, controversies and questions, we’ll finally see who get all of those golden statues on Sunday!

Our Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas staff is hard at work preparing for the best Oscars viewing party in town: The Red Carpet Party presented by Wegmans! But they took a few momement to make their predictions on who will make Hollywood history at this year’s Academy Awards to help you win your office pool!

OUR STAFF

Ryan Hill, Programming Director
Lauren McAloon, Performing Arts Specialist
Lawrence Milano, Cinema & Comedy Assistant
Anthony DeSanctis, Cinema & Comedy Assistant

BEST PICTURE

Will win:

– The Revenant (Anthony, Ryan, Lauren)
– Mad Max: Fury Road (Lawrence)

Should win:

– The Revenant (Ryan)
– Room (Lauren)
– Mad Max: Fury Road (Anthony & Lawrence)

Comments:

Lauren: I would like Room or Brooklyn to win; they’re both very touching films that have great acting and directing. The Revenant or Spotlight will win based on the following they’re receiving, however. Also, think about who’s voting this year…

Lawrence: George Miller’s return to the Mad Max franchise is an unforgettable, unforgiving, rollercoaster experience and that’s what cinema is and should be about: An experience. His latest post-apocalyptic installment stands out among the nominees as a unique, visually poetic, chaotic, breathtaking, and outstanding achievement in the world of filmmaking.

Best Director

Will win:

– George Miller (Ryan & Lauren)
– Alejandro G. Inarritu (Anthony)
– Tom McCarthy (Lawrence)

Should win:

– George Miller (Anthony & Lauren)
– Lenny Abrahamson (Lawrence)
– Tom McCarthy (Ryan)

Comments:

Ryan: This category is pretty much a toss up between Miller, McCarthy, and Alejandro G. Inarritu, but I think Inarritu’s win last year, combined with his almost-cocky Golden Globes speech, will keep him off of some ballots. Miller will get this as something of a Lifetime Achievement Award, but McCarthy deserves the win. He knew exactly when to ease off the pedal on Spotlight, a film that in less-talented hands would have veered into overwrought pap.

Best Actress

Will win:

– Brie Larson (Anthony, Ryan, Lauren)
– Saoirse Ronan (Lawrence)

Should win:

– Brie Larson (everyone)

Comments:

Anthony: Brie Larson broke my heart in this movie. One of the most powerful performances I’ve seen in years.

Ryan: Saoirse Ronan does an excellent job in Brooklyn, but the role didn’t call for the kind of emotional calisthenics Academy voters require to hand over the trophy.

Best Actor

Will win:

– Leonardo DiCaprio (everyone)

Should win:

– Leonardo DiCaprio (Anthony, Lauren, Lawrence)
– Michael Fassbender (Ryan)

Comments:

Lawrence: DiCaprio’s performance in The Revenant was blistering and incredible. It’s also the best thing about the film.

Ryan: Do I credit Leo for all the hard work that had to have gone into his role in The Revenant? Sure. But do I ever believe Leo in a role that isn’t a smug bastard? No.

Lauren: Tom Hardy should’ve been in this category! I do think Leo should win though, just because he had to eat that raw liver.

Best Supporting Actor

Will win:

– Sylvester Stallone (Anthony, Lauren)
– Tom Hardy (Ryan)

Should win:

– Tom Hardy (Ryan, Lauren)
– Sylvester Stallone (Anthony)

Comments:

Anthony: Stallone brings a vulnerability to Rocky Balboa that audiences haven’t seen before. How he did not win an Oscar for such classics as Over-the-Top, Cliffhanger, and Stop or My Mom will Shoot, I’ll never know.

Lauren: Tom Hardy deserves all the awards.

Best Supporting Actress

Will win:

-Alicia Vikander (Anthony, Lauren)
-Kate Winslet (Ryan)

Should win:

– Alicia Vikander (Lauren, Ryan)
– Jennifer Jason Leigh (Anthony)

Comments:

Ryan: The toughest category to call. Vikander deserves the win for carrying The Danish Girl – a film I only liked when she was onscreen, if then – and her turn in Ex Machina. I’m having a hard time voting against Jennifer Jason Leigh, too… this one is harsh.

A FEW MORE PICKS…

Best Documentary Feature

Will & Should Win:

– Amy (Lawrence)

Music documentaries seem to be a favorite at the Oscars and this year should be and will not be an exception. Amy is a wake up call about the pressures of the music industry, manipulation, abuse, and addiction. This is a film that should be seen by everyone.

Best Animated Feature

Will & Should Win:

– Inside Out (Anthony)

My favorite movie of the year. It should have been nominated for Best picture. Nothing else stands a chance.

Best Original Screenplay

Will win:

– Spotlight (Anthony)

Should win:

– Ex Machina (Anthony)

Ex Machina is one of the most original and intelligent science fiction films ever written.

Best Cinematography

Will & Should Win:

– The Revenant (Ryan)

In any other year, I’d give this one to Carol. But damn, Emmanuel Lubezki, you ain’t bad at this.

The Red Carpet Party presented by Wegmans
Sunday, February 28 at 6:30 PM

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GIRL SCOUT COOKIE CRUNCH: Caramel deLites® Chicken Wontons w/ Peanut Butter Sandwich® Sauce Recipe

by Kailee Baylor

With the Girl Scout Cookie Crunch now nearly a week away, we just can’t help but get excited to taste all of the delicious culinary creations area restaurants are putting together. And new comers, including students at the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, are bursting out of the gate with unique eats sure to satisfy your cookie cravings.

The 2nd annual Girl Scout Cookie Crunch is Sunday, February 28 at the Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling. For a taste of what participating restaurants will be preparing, try whipping up the BAVTS’ recipe for Caramel deLites® Chicken Wontons with a Peanut Butter Sandwich® Sauce, then sample theirs at the event on the 28th!

BETHLEHEM AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL
CARAMEL DELITES® CHICKEN WONTONS
WITH A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH® SAUCE

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 2 wontons

INGREDIENTS

SAUCE
Peanut Butter Sandwich® Cookies, ½ cup
Coconut Milk, 3 Tbsp
Soy sauce, 2-3 Tbsp
Fresh garlic, minced, ½ tsp
Hot Sauce, 1 tsp
Brown sugar, 1 Tbsp
Fresh lime juice, 2 Tbsp
Hot water, 1-2 Tbsp
Cilantro, minced, to taste

CHICKEN
Chicken breast, 1 pound, sliced into thin strips
Olive oil, ½ cup
Flour, seasoned, 2 cups
Eggs, 6
Green Onion, chopped, ¼ cup

WONTONS
10 wrappers

GARNISHES
Cilantro, chopped, ¼ cup
Red Onion, diced, ¼ cup
Caramel deLites®, crushed, 2 sleeves

DIRECTIONS:

Peanut stir fry sauce:
In a blender or food processor combine the Peanut Butter Sandwich® Cookies, coconut milk, soy sauce, minced garlic, hot sauce, brown sugar and lime juice. Blend or process, slowly adding hot water until desired consistency. Keep warm.

Chicken: Slice Chicken thin. Season. Take chicken, dip into flour, then into egg, then back into flour. Add oil into pan over medium heat. Toss chicken and green onions in pan and sauté until golden brown. Then bake until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Shred thinner if needed.

Wonton wrappers: Add olive oil to pan over medium high heat. Fold the wonton wrapper into a triangle but do not seal. Fry or bake until golden brown on one side, turn, and fry until golden brown on the other side.

TO ASSEMBLE:

Spread a thin coating of the peanut sauce on the inside of the fried wonton. Add the chicken and top with crushed Caramel deLites® Cookies, minced cilantro, and red onions.

Serve and enjoy!

Girl Scout Cookie Crunch
All Ages
Sunday, February 28
Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling

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Ben Folds: Five Favorite Videos

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

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Crazy Places Robert Randolph & The Family Band Have Played

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&TFB have played at a costume store…

RR&TFB have played at a completely empty restaurant…

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

RR&TFB have played while shopping for new threads…

RR&TFB have played at the dentist…

RR&TFB have played while trying to go blonde…

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

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

RR&TFB have played in old shipping containers…

RR&TFB have played NEXT TO BILL MURRAY…

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

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

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

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.

A photo posted by Eric Hutchinson (@erichutchinson) on Aug 1, 2015 at 3:35pm PDT

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.

A photo posted by Eric Hutchinson (@erichutchinson) on Jul 22, 2015 at 8:32am PDT

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

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