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Lineup for 2023 Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival Announced

Celebrate local filmmakers and their top submissions during film showcase in ArtsQuest’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

March 16, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest is excited to announce this year’s top film submissions for the 2023 Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival at a special viewing event being held during two days: Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas.

“I’m excited to see this festival expand into two days,” commented Anthony DeSanctis, Programming Manager and Director of the GLVFF. “I want our talented local filmmakers to view this festival as a resource to not only celebrate local filmmaking and make networking connections, but also as an opportunity to learn more about what goes into film production.”

Join us as we support local filmmakers with celebrating two-day screenings of all the top submissions. The festival will be divided into three time blocks for attendees to enjoy. Tickets are $8 each, (full festival $29), and can be purchased on steelstacks.org.

Saturday April 1

Showcase Event (11:30 a.m.) – attend the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts’ student showcase. Free to the public, this showing will display a sampling of the most effective works of senior Literary Arts majors. Students produced various film projects, specially designed to be shot using smartphones, with no budget/high concept expectations where writing and vision are paramount.

2022 Spotlight (2 p.m.) – Join us as we showcase the films that won Best in Show and other awards at last year’s festival.

Block One in alphabetical order (3:30 p.m.):
“Altered” directed by Jenn Marinello (Allentown)
“Amerika Calls: Burgenlanders in the Lehigh Valley” directed by Jeff Titchenal (Macungie)
“Illuminated Perspective” directed by Grace Wyckoff (DeSales University)
“Life of the Party” directed by Graham Burrell (Coplay) *Out of competition*
“Lost & Found” directed by Daniel de Bryn (DeSales University) *Out of competition*
“Steve Brosky: Starting Over” directed by Amy Unger (Allentown)
“What A Difference A Day Makes” directed by Matthew Donley (DeSales University)
“Wise Body” directed by Emmanuel Beatty (DeSales University)
“Tomorrow, and…” directed by Dane Michael (DeSales University)

Panelist Discussion (5:30 p.m.) – Managing Movie Magic: How to Budget as an Independent Filmmaker. Price $8.

Block Two in alphabetical order (7:30 p.m.):
“Bombshell” directed by Maggie Mustion (Muhlenberg College)
“Fans Don’t Boo Nobodies” directed by Zachary Gutherman (DeSales University)
“I” directed by Daniel Paashaus (Quakertown)
“Introducing, Dorothy Hardy” directed by Jordyn Harris (Saylorsburg)
“MOTHER” directed by Juan Pablo Chaves (DeSales University) *Out of competition*
“The Savior” directed by Jeff Harvey (Nazareth)
“Something About Us” directed by Francisco Aguilar (Easton)

Sunday, April 2

Sneak Preview (1 p.m.) – 33 And Me with Stephanie Gardner

Join us for a Free sneak preview screening of 33 and Me, an international travel documentary television series, created by Lehigh Valley native Stephanie Gardner as she travels to over 33 countries around the world to meet and engage with other film directors in their thirties to explore their lives, careers and cultures. If you’d like to see more episode of 33 and Me w/ Filmmaker Stephanie Gardner, tickets can be purchased here for her full event on 4/30 at 6:00 PM: https://www.steelstacks.org/event/13781/33-and-me-w-filmmaker-stephanie-gardner/
For more information on the series as a whole, visit: http://33andmefilms.com/

Block Three in alphabetical order (2:30 p.m.):
“Grocery List” directed by Juan Pablo Chaves (DeSales University)
“Intrusion” directed by Nicholas Carrodo (Bethlehem) *Out of competition*
“The Language of Luggage” directed by David Toolan (Allentown)
“LISTEN” directed by Casey Schaffer (DeSales University)
“The Story of the 7 of Clubs” directed by Zachary Gutherman (DeSales University)
“Superfan” directed by Marc & Karina Ripper (Lehigh Valley)
“Torn” directed by Carmen Chan (Macungie)
“Twice for No” directed by Brandon C. Lay (Bethlehem)
“World of Shadow” directed by Emmanuel Beatty (DeSales University)  

Reel Memories & Futures Event (4:30 p.m.)

Join us for an interactive discussion, celebrating the magic of cinema. Together we will reminisce about the first movies we saw, our go-to movie candies, our favorite moviegoing experiences and what we miss most watching movies on the big screen. We’ll also dive into the current state of the theatre industry, current trends and where we see the future of exhibition going. Price $8.

AWARDS CEREMONY (6:15 p.m.)
Announcing the winners in various categories including Best in Show and an Audience Award based solely on audience voting. The Best in Show film includes a $500 cash prize!


About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

National Touring Comedians Looking for Laughs at ArtsQuest Comedy Shows

March 8, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest announces a blend of national touring comedians with lots of homegrown talent coming right here to the Lehigh Valley. If you’re looking for an evening full of laughs, check out the full list of shows.

Comedic shows include:

  • Jim Norton
    • Norton is a stand-up comedian, radio personality, bestselling author and actor. He is co-host of The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show, heard daily on SiriusXM Radio. His latest stand up special, “Mouthful of Shame” is streaming on Netflix.
    • Date: Friday, May 19 at 9 p.m. (Doors and Dinner 7:30 p.m.) at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling
  • Brian Posehn
    • Posehn is a writer/actor/stand-up comic and has recently recorded his fourth hour-long stand-up special. He’s also co-creating and starring in an upcoming cartoon for Nickelodeon with Fall Out Boy’s Joe Trohman.
    • Date: Friday, April 28 at 8 p.m. at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling
  • Rachel Feinstein
    • Feinstein is a nationally touring comedian and actor whose acute observations create silly, sympathetic characters that relates to her audience. She’s had three Comedy Central specials, including a one-hour special “Amy Schumer Presents Rachel Feinstein.”
    • Friday, April 21 at 8 p.m. (Doors and Dinner 6:30 p.m.) at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling
  • Earl David Reed
    • Reed’s genius is the way he interacts with the crowd and has been hailed by the Las Vegan Review-Journal as “an urban Don Rickles.” His TV credits include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, HBO, Showtime, FOX’s Comic Strip Live, A&E’s Comedy on the Road and NBC’s Friday Night Videos.
    • Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Fowler Blast Furnace Room
  • Tina Friml
    • Friml is a New York-based standup comedian who uses animated optimism on her own physical disability, yet fearlessly honest about the social assumptions that come with living with cerebral palsy. She’s cultivated 127K followers on Instagram and over 92.5K on TikTok. She was a 2019 New Face in the acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival.
    • Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m. at Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network
  • Zach Zimmerman
    •  Zimmerman is a stand-up comedian and writer who was named a USA Today Comedian to Watch, TimeOut NY Comic to Watch and has appeared on The Late Late Show. Zimmerman performs regularly at the Comedy Cellar.
    • Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network
  • Glen Tickle Against The World Crime League: A Standup Special Recording
    • Tickle is a comedian from New Jersey who uses humor as a defense mechanism to avoid processing his feelings. His Dry Bar Comedy special “The Favorite” has racked up well over a million views and he has million of views and likes on TikTok.
    • April 22 (two shows), 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Visitor Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network

(Note: all shows contain adult language and/or situations. Anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No child 12 or under will be admitted)

ArtsQuest “Win Film Passes For A Year” Sweepstakes Official Rules – 2023

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 here on 11:59PM on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. 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 (“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 at time of entry. Officers, directors, trustees 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 March 17, 2023 (the “Drawing”). 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 $572. 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 prizes are the sole responsibility of winner and/or his or her travel companion. Prizes may be subject to restrictions imposed by Sponsor. Limit one winner and one prize.

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/their 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.

 6. Conditions; Waiver and Release. 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 Sponsor’s rules and regulations or terms and conditions for use of prize. By participating, entrants and winner agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor and its subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, volunteers and trustees (collectively “Sponsor Parties”), 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 Parties 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 have corrupted or affected 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) any actions above 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, 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 Commonwealth 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 March 17, 2023 to: ArtsQuest / “Win Film Passes For A Year” Sweepstakes Winner, ATTN: Marketing Coordinator: Saige Sufrin, 25 W Third St, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

9. Sponsor. ArtsQuest

Written by Amanda Seemayer, Marketing/Social Media Intern

Luck be at ArtsQuest in March! Unfortunately, there aren’t any leprechauns running around our campus ? Immerse yourself with art, music, movies, and more as the spirit of the Emerald Isle helps us transition out of winter.

From fine wine dining to fine arts, we have programming that will keep you entertained until the warm weather returns for spring!

Music

Sing along with your favorite (or soon to be fave) musical acts this month!

The Aardvarks

On Saturday March 11, come jam along with The Aardvarks, with special guest The Armadillos at Musikfest Cafe, presented by Yuengling. Be a part of it and come get down with The Aardvarks. Get your tickets here!

Tribes&Vibes Open Mic Session

via GIPHY

On Tuesday March 21, Tribes&Vibes returns with its second Open Mic Session – an intimate evening showcasing art from many forms. This event is not only a safe place for artists, but also a safe place for our audience to engage with fellow creatives. Learn more here!

The Feelies

The Feelies will be performing at Musikfest Café, presented by Yuengling on Friday, March 24. Catch the band featured in films such as Married to the Mob, Something Wild, Prelude to a Kiss, The Truth About Charlie, The Squid & the Whale and Ricki and the Flash. Get your tickets here!

Kofi Baker’s Cream Faith – Performing the Music of Cream & Blind Faith

Kofi Baker is keeping the music of his father alive by this exciting rock touring outfit, playing tribute to the music of Cream and Blind Faith on Friday, March 31 at Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. Be sure to be there for this experience like none other. Get your tickets here!

For more music acts, be sure to visit here!

Comedy

Laugh the month away with our usual house acts, and some special guests. Please note that these shows (with the exception of Frank Vignola) can contain strong language and adult material.

We’re Good, You’re Great

Start off the month right with We’re Good, You’re Great on Friday, March 3 at the Visitor’s Center, presented by St. Luke’s Health Network. With over ten years performing together, Matt Candio and Evan Stutts ask the audience “what’s great?” Get your tickets here!

Improvised Murder Mystery

Obsessed with true crime? Hosts Tami Cantilina and Christy Devlin are! Join them on Saturday, March 4 in the Fowler Blast Furnace room. What better way to celebrate this unique obsession than with an hour of improvised comedy! Real premises from popular true crime shows are replaced with suggestions from the audience and new episodes. Find your tickets for this eventhere!

Pinky Patel: New Crown, Who Dhis

Catch Pinky Patel at Musikfest Cafe presented by Yuengling on Friday, March 10! See why over 5 million people have followed her on TikTok. Get your tickets here!

Frank Vignola and Friends: A Family Friendly Comedy Show

Meanwhile on Friday, March 10 at the Visitor’s Center presented by St. Luke’s University Health Network, see Frank Vignola and Friends LIVE! This is a family friendly stand-up comedy show with a theme. To date, themes have included addiction, parenthood, sports allegiances and social commentary. Reserve your spot at the show here!

A Golden Girls Drag Show: What a Web We Weave…

Thank you for being a friend this March! Our favorite Girls are back for three shows this month!! A Golden Girls Drag Show: What A Web We Weave… is a staged reading of Season 5’s “Triple Play” and Season 3’s “My Brother, My Father”. Don’t miss out!

Click here for Thursday, March 23 tickets. Click here for Friday, March 24 tickets. Click here for Saturday, March 25 tickets.

For more comedy shows, be sure to visit here!

Films

This time of year is a busy one for the film industry, and this is no exception at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas. We’ve got a month packed with our weekly repertoire, and some special screenings.

George A. Romero Double Feature

On Saturday, March 4, as part of our First Saturday Horror Series, we have a special double screening of director George A. Romero’s cult classics. First, there will be a showing of the once thought to be lost film, The Amusement Park.

Following The Amusement Park will be a screening of The Crazies. Two shows for the price of one! Get your tickets here!

Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro)

On Wednesday March 8, as part of our Cinema Significa… series, we have Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro). Don’t miss this Academy Award and Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or winner. Get your tickets here! This screening will be in Portuguese with English subtitles.

The Lunchbox

Presented in partnership with the Indian American Association of the Lehigh Valley, on Saturday, March 18, we will be screening The Lunchbox, from director Ritesh Batra. Get your tickets here! This screening will be in Hindi with English subtitles.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Bring your sweet tooth for a free screening of 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! This screening on Wednesday, March 22 is presented in partnership with Northampton Community College. After the film, NCC will host a talk back panel featuring NCC film faculty and candy artisans. Get your tickets here!

Angel’s Egg

Part of our Saturday Night Anime Series, we will be showing Angel’s Egg, directed by Mamoru Oshii. This screening will occur on Saturday, March 25. Get your tickets here! This film will be in Japanese, with English subtitles.

Carole King: Home Again Live in Central Park

On Sunday, March 26, feel the earth move under your feet with this brand new concert documentary! Carole King: Home Again Live in Central Park presents the musical icon’s triumphant May 26, 1973 homecoming concert on The Great Lawn of New York City’s Central Park before an estimated audience of 100,000. Get your tickets here!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Be a part of our monthly showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday, March 31. These screenings will feature a live performance from the Spaced Out Sensations shadowcast. Get your tickets here!

Be sure to keep yourself updated with all the films playing at our cinemas, as this changes every week. Click here to see all current screenings!

Classes

Continue (or start up!) a new hobby this month. The Banana Factory has a variety of selections in March to choose from.

Introduction to Adobe Photoshop

via GIPHY

In today’s day and age, learning skills in Photoshop can be very helpful! With this four week class, students will cover all bases around the in-program basics. This class is geared towards photographers new to Photoshop and to those looking for a good introduction to the software. The course begins Thursday, March 2 and students can sign up here!

13th Annual Hope & Healing Juried Art Show

via GIPHY

This art show is the signature project of Healing Through The Arts (HTTA.org) with the mission: Where those who are healing find strength, hope, and inspiration through the arts.  The exhibit will be running from March 11 through April 23. Learn more about it here!

Silversmithing Studio

via GIPHY

Starting on Saturday, March 11, learn the art of making silver jewelry! With instructor Erica Gramp, learn to use exciting tools, including the jeweler’s torch and saw to make your own one of a kind jewelry! Sign up here!

Paint Like Bob Ross

via GIPHY

Don’t be afraid to make some happy little accidents at this one day workshop on Sunday, March 12. This class follows a step-by-step approach leaving you with a completed Bob Ross design in just a few hours! Sign up here!

Date Night Experience: Matching Mugs

via GIPHY

Grab your sweetheart (or your friend, or whoever!) and make your very own matching mugs on Monday, March 13! At this one-day workshop couples will be given clay with instruction to create slab built mugs for themselves, or each other. Pieces can be picked up at a later date as bisque-ware or brought to a glaze day offered by the instructor after the first firing. Sign up here!

Beginning Glass Fusing – Organic Burnout

via GIPHY

At this one-day workshop on Saturday, March 18, bring your favorite leaf or evergreen branch to preserve in glass forever! Sign up here!

Art of Transformation

For five weeks, starting on Saturday, March 18, discover the Art of Transformation! In this class we activate that power through a holistic approach of mind, body, spirit connection. You’ll be introduced to a wide range of creative tools and techniques to discover the insights, inspiration and inner flame waiting for you. Sign up here!

Date Night Experience: Wheelthrowing

via GIPHY

Grab your favorite person (again) for another Date Night Experience this month! On Friday, March 24, we’re giving the pottery wheel a spin! Students will be given clay and basic instruction on how to throw on the wheel. This workshop is just a sample of what students can expect from a long term pottery wheel class. Sign up here!

To keep up with all the happenings at The Banana Factory, visit here!

Special Events

At ArtsQuest, there’s always a reason to say “cheers”! We have two special events happening in March.

Sláinte

Did you know that “Sláinte” is an Irish way of saying “cheers”? From March 16-18, we’re celebrating all things around Irish & Celtic culture, right here in the Lehigh Valley.

At Sláinte, there will be plenty of activities to fill out your weekend. Enjoy a four-course meal at The McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub Whiskey and Food Pairing, with Neville Gardner of Red Stag Pub & Donegal Square.

There will be options to include the Guinness Tasting add-on to your ticket, and an Irish Whiskey Tasting (21+) event! Also, be sure to support the incredible Youth Fiddle Competition.

For all things Sláinte, click here!

The French Wine Dinner

via GIPHY

Produced in partnership with Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain, bring your appetite for fine foods and even finer wine on Thursday, March 30. This will be a 21+ event. For information on the menu, and to buy tickets, click here.

Exciting things happen all month on our campus! Be sure to keep up with all of our events this month (and beyond) here.

ARTSQUEST ANNOUNCES 2nd Annual GINVITATIONAL SPIRITS EVENT

Presented in partnership with Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain, the cocktail celebration and educational event will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2023

Bethlehem, Pa, Feb. 16, 2023— ArtsQuest announces its 2nd annual Ginvitational, a celebration of cocktail culture featuring gin, bourbon, vodka and more, taking place on Sunday, June 4, 2023. This spirited event, produced in partnership with Jay Nee of Juniper and Grain, will be held at the ArtsQuest Center in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, from 1 to 5 p.m., with Premium Access beginning at 11 a.m.  

Tickets can be purchased now on steelstacks.org. Tickets start at $34 for ArtsQuest Members and $39 for the public. See website for additional pricing, including premium access. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today. 

“We really enjoyed helping Jay bring his vision to life last year and working with him to make this year’s event bigger and better,” said Ryan Hill, ArtsQuest Senior Director of Programming. “There’s no one in the Lehigh Valley better equipped to celebrate cocktail culture than Jay Nee and we’re glad for the opportunity to work so closely with him.”

Nee brings more than twenty years of beverage hospitality experience to the table. Since moving to the Lehigh Valley from New England 15 years ago, he has worked in the beverage hospitality industry in a number of roles. He helped develop one of the most interesting wine programs in the area and launched a recurring wine education night that has entertained hundreds of guests. He has gone on to present more than 400 wine, beer and spirits events for thousands of guests.

Guests of this event will be introduced to spirits from a long list of local, national and international distillers including the Ginvitational Lounge sponsor Edrington who will be featuring their No. 3 London Dry Gin, Wyoming Whiskey, Noble Oak and Naked Malt. Distillers and distributors include Bello Wines, Big Spring Spirits, Black River Farms & Wardog Spirits, Caledonia Spirits, Catskill Provisions Distillery, Christmas City Spirits, County Seat Spirits, Doan Distillery, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Eight Oaks Distillery, Kilimanjaro Distillery LLC, KLYR Rum LLC, Lucky Sign Spirits, Magical Spirits, Manatawny Still Works, Oasis Wine & Spirits LLC, Palm Bay International, Silverback Distillery, Social Still Distillery, St. George Spirits, Vintage Wine and Spirits and Wigle Whiskey.

Nee will present these spirits along with educational seminars to help take attendees’ cocktail knowledge and skills to the next level with topics such as Icebreaker, Syrups/Shrubs, Life of the Party, Infusions and Gin is In. The event will also feature food from some of the area’s top restaurants – The Bayou, Whiz Kids, and Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti. Additionally, NiteLiters LLC will be spinning soul, funk and lounge classics.

Premium ticket holders will enjoy exclusive access to the first hour of the Ginvitational (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.), access to the Chasing Cocktail Classics seminar from Edrington as well as a custom cocktail shaker can.

Guests are also invited to join Jay and ArtsQuest on Thursday, March 30 for a French Wine Dinner. Purchase tickets at steelstacks.org.

ArtsQuest and Embassy Bank Invite Community to Submit Images for 13th Annual ‘Our Hometown Heroes’ Photo Display at SteelStacks

Photo submission deadline of March 31 to be included in the annual recognition display

Feb. 14, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest, partnering with Embassy Bank, invites the community to submit photos of family members, neighbors and friends who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces for the 13th annual ‘Our Hometown Heroes’ display at SteelStacks. Submissions will be accepted beginning March 1 through March 31. The photos will go on display beginning May 27 through July 4, (Memorial Day weekend through the Fourth of July).

“We’re proud to partner with ArtsQuest in continuing the tradition of honoring our members of the miliary, especially those who have lost their lives protecting and serving our nation,” Embassy Bank President, CEO & Chairman Dave Lobach said.

The deadline for photo submission is March 31 and only the first 200 photos received will be accepted for the 2023 display. Over the past thirteen years, more than 1,400 images of local servicemen and women from all branches of the military have been on display in honor of our hometown heroes. Individuals can submit photos two ways, either through ArtsQuest’s website or photos can be dropped oof in person at a local Embassy Bank branch or at ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory, located at 25 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem.

To upload digital photos, visit Steelstacks.org/memorial. Images must be of high-resolution jpeg, tiff, bitmap or PDF file. Color photographs in addition to black and white photos will be accepted. All hardcopies will be returned promptly to the location where they were submitted.

The first 200 photos submitted will be displayed on one of the ‘Our Hometown Heroes’ banners on the SteelStacks campus and will include the soldier’s rank, branch, dates of service and hometown. All images submitted in previous years will automatically be displayed as part of the ‘Our Hometown Heroes’ display. The public is invited to attend “A Time to Remember” Memorial Day event on May 29 at 3 p.m. on the stage at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. Additional details of 2023 Memorial Day events and activities held at SteelStacks will be available later this spring at Steelstacks.org

Written by Cassidy Wampole & Rianna Aucker | 2.10.2023

Sláinte! Or “Cheers” to our second annual three-day Sláinte Festival- A Celebration of Irish Heritage! From whiskey and food pairings to youth fiddle competitions, join us for a weekend of fun from March 16-18 as bands from Ireland, Scotland, the Lehigh Valley, and beyond will perform to give us a true experience of the music and traditions of the Emerald Isle! 

Irish Whiskey Tasting

Saturday, March 18 at 1p.m.

Sláinte offers the finest whiskey tastings that come from the Emerald Isle!

Neville Gardner will be on hand to guide guests through each selection, while incorporating details on the history of Irish Whiskey, St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and more!

Whiskeys being offered:

Method & Madness Single Pot

Green Spot

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still

Knappogue Castle 12

All attendees will be getting a complementary Sláinte logo souvenir as a Glencairn glass sourced from Scotland! That won’t be the only thing, as ground coffee beans and delicious Irish chocolate pieces will be served as palette cleansers after the whiskey tasting!

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets to try some whiskey!
This event is 21+

The McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub Whiskey and Food Pairing

Thursday, March 16 at 6:30p.m.

Neville Gardner of Red Stag Pub & Donegal Square presents a special pre-Saint Patrick’s Day dinner with Executive Chef Jill Oman, along with Director of the Saint Patrick Centre in Northern Ireland, Tim Campbell. Make sure to bring your appetites because they won’t let you go home hungry!

Course One

Honey and Vanilla Glazed Sea Scallop, paired with Balvenie Caribbean Rum Cask Scotch Whisky

Course Two

Hazelnut and Currant Jam Burger Slider, paired with Red Breast 21 Irish Whiskey

Course Three

Smoked Whiskey Wings and Charred Pineapple Salsa, paired with Teelings Black Pits Irish Whiskey

Dessert

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake, paired with Glenmorangie Signet Scotch Whisky

Click here to reserve your spot today!
This event is 21+

Guinness Tasting

Friday, March 17 at 8:15p.m.

Saturday, March 18 at @ 6:00p.m.

For Sláinte 2023, add-ons for the exclusive Guinness Tasting are available for guests to taste a variety of Irish beers. If you’re looking to cleanse your palette from all of the Irish whiskey and food pairing, you won’t want to miss out on tickets to this!

Come take a trip through the history of Guinness and taste delicious Irish beer.

Guinness being offered:

Guinness Extra Stout (1801)

Guinness Foreign Extra (1810)

Guinness Draught in a Can (1958)

Guinness Blonde (2017)

Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee (2021)

Guinness Zero (2022)

For Sláinte ticket holders, you will receive a pre-engraved glass and a voucher to get yourself a full pint of Guinness Extra Stout! For the fun of it, you can also get your face put in the head of your pint with Guinness’s special ripple machine!

Want some beer? Purchase your ticket here! This event is 21+

Youth Fiddle Competition 

Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m.

The Youth Fiddle Competition is having their second annual competition set for Saturday, March 18 at 11am!

Divided into two levels: 13 and younger, and 14 to 18 years old.

First place will win $100, Second place will win $50, and Third place will win $25

Click here for tickets to enjoy some good tunes!

Gather your friends and family to join in the three-days of fun at
Sláinte this March! If you can’t wait until then for a fun experience, be sure to check out what other events are coming up, as the fun never stops on the SteelStacks campus!

MEDIA ADVISORY  

+LIVE+ RETURNS TO THE STEELSTACKS STAGE  

Lightning strikes twice with Platinum artist revival tour Thursday, June 1, 2023 

Bethlehem, PA, Feb. 13, 2023 – Coming to the SteelStacks campus this summer, ArtsQuest and media partner 95.1 WZZO are thrilled to announce platinum recording artist +LIVE+ will return to the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks stage with its revival tour Thursday, June 1 2023, at 7 p.m. Tickets for ArtsQuest Members will go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 14 with general admission tickets on sale Friday, Feb. 17 on steelstacks.org For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today.  

In 1984, a group of four York, Pennsylvania pre-high school graduates came together to create music. The singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer tried out several names ranging from Action Front to Club Fungus, releasing their self-recorded cassette tape of original songs under the name Public Affection. By the early 1990s, the band evolved their sound and name, settling on +LIVE+, and released the studio recorded single “Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)”. The song hit No. 9 on the Modern Rock charts and gained regular rotation on MTV, gaining the group the chance to perform on MTV 120 Minutes tour, Woodstock ’94 and Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD tour. 

In 1994, the group released its biggest success “Throwing Copper” featuring “Lightning Crashes,” “All Over You” and “I Alone.” The album sold over 10 million copies. The follow-up album, “Secret Samadhi” featuring singles “Lakini’s Juice” and “Heropsychodreamer” immediately became #1 on the Billboard Top 200, going double platinum. The 1999 release “The Distance to Here” turned +LIVE+ into an international powerhouse moving them from arenas to stadiums around the world. +LIVE+ went on to record and release nine full-length albums. In 2019, “Throwing Copper” celebrated its 25th anniversary with a newly released deluxe edition accompanied with a global tour across major festivals, amphitheaters and arenas.  

This summer, lead singer Ed Kowalczyk will be joined by a group of musicians as a part of the band’s extended family, including guitarist Zak Loy, drummer Robin Diaz and bassist Chris Heerlein. The group will bring an electric performance filled with all the fan-favorites and hits from their Billboard chart topping music catalog to the SteelStacks crowd.  

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CLICK FOR PHOTO 

About ArtsQuest  

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, approximately 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.  

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Contact: 

Jon Lunger

Sr. Director of Marketing

jlunger@artsquest.org

STEELSTACKS TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL YOUTH FIDDLE COMPETITON

AS PART OF SLÁINTE IRISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Bethlehem, Feb. 10, 2023 – ArtsQuest is pleased to announce the second annual Sláinte Fiddle Competition taking place Saturday, March 18, from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. The competition will include two categories: 13 years of age and under and 14 to 18 years of age. Fiddlers will have up to six minutes each to play tunes of their choosing from Celtic origins and may bring another musician to provide accompaniment.

Prizes will be awarded as follows: 1st place – $100; 2nd place – $50; 3rd Place – $25. Registration is $19 and includes one (1) Saturday pass to the Sláinte festival. Fiddlers can use the following link to register: https://fest.formstack.com/forms/slaintefiddlecomp23. The fiddle competition is free to attend. Tickets to the rest of Sláinte festivities can be found here: steelstacks.org/slainte

For more information, contact Programming Specialist, Addyson Young at ayoung@artsquest.org. ArtsQuest Box Office: 610.332.3378

About ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, approximately 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Gettin’ Jazzy at the Musikfest Café

Annual SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase Returns for 11th consecutive year

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest is honored to host and present the annual SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase presented by law firm King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, in partnership with Moravian University and official media partner, Service Electric Cable TV. The preliminary rounds will be held at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, and Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, with the first and second rounds consisting of nine and twelve schools, and the finalists called back to perform Sunday, March 19, 2023. Tickets for the preliminary rounds are now available, priced at $7 and can be purchased on our website, steelstacks.org, or by calling the box office at 610.332.3378. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today.

“KingSpry is thrilled to partner with ArtsQuest to present this festival for an amazing 11th year,” said Matthew Tranter, Deputy Managing Partner of the KingSpry Law firm and a board member of the Friends of Levitt Pavilion. “Our education practice serves many of the schools represented in the competition, so it is particularly fun for us to see these incredible students performing on the ArtsQuest stage.”

“We are honored to once again be able to host these talented musicians from so many high schools throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond,” commented Shayna Super, Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks & Programming Manager at ArtsQuest. “The level of competition that these students perform at is exemplary and will make for a memorable experience for all of the bands as well as the audience.”

For the past decade, the city of Bethlehem has had the privilege of hosting high school bands from over 20 different local and regional schools to compete, showcasing their extensive musical abilities. This year, more than a dozen schools from Pennsylvania and New Jersey will compete in front of musical educators, judge panelists, and a live audience for awards and titles.

The High Schools represented in this year’s 2023 showcase are Bangor Area High School, Brandywine Heights High School, Delaware Valley High School (NJ), Dieruff High School, Easton High School, Fleetwood Area High School, Freedom High School, the Hill School, Kutztown High School, LaSalle College High School Competition Band, LaSalle College High School Lab Band, Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, North Penn High School Columbia Jazz Band, North Penn High School Navy Jazz Band, Pocono Mountain East High School, Quakertown High School, Southern Lehigh High School Jazz Band Society, Southern Lehigh High School Jazz Trane, Upper Moreland High School, Warren Hills High School, and Wilson Area High School.

This competition is in collaboration with a music-in-education program between ArtsQuest and Moravian University’s Music Department’s Jazz Studies Program. The competition will be split between five events over the course of February and March. The dates and times are as follows: Sunday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 19 at 2 p.m.

About ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, approximately 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.