ArtsQuest to Host Patriot Day Ceremony September 11th

Sergeant Blake Kuntz will receive this year’s ArtsQuest First Responder Valor Award

BETHLEHEM, Pa. –The SteelStacks campus will host Patriot Day, presented by Embassy Bank, honoring the community’s first responders and revealing the Hometown Heroes First Responders Banners on Sunday, Sept. 11. The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. and include a presentation of ArtsQuest’s First Responder Valor Award to City of Bethlehem Police Sergeant Blake Kuntz.

“We’re extremely honored for this opportunity to acknowledge real-life superheroes, those who bravely go to work each day, placing others before themselves,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest’s Chief Operating Officer.

Opening the event, Stop the Presses will perform on the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square from 5:30 to 7 p.m. before the reveal of this year’s Hometown Heroes First Responders Banners. The banners consist of photos submitted by the community of family members, neighbors and friends who have served or are currently serving as first responders. The Banners will be on display throughout the SteelStacks campus.

ArtsQuest’s First Responder Valor Award recipient and Lehigh Valley native, Sergeant Blake Kuntz, is a Kutztown University graduate. He began his law enforcement career as a patrol officer for the City of Bethlehem for two years before being transferred to a specialized unit dedicated to the community policy efforts in public housing areas. In 2018, he was promoted to detective in the BPD Criminal Investigations Division. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2020 and is currently serving as the Sergeant of the Community Services Division. Kuntz has been a member of the City’s Emergency Response Team for 12 years. During his career, he has received a dozen Letters of Commendation and two Unit Citations for Merit. Kuntz serves the community as a liaison for the Cops ’n’ Kids program and led the City’s community engagement program Citizen’s Police Academy designed to educate the community on the police department by providing an opportunity for officers and community members to engage in meaningful conversation around community issues and concerns.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott, State Representative Steve Samuelson and Mosel will be featured speakers at the event. There will also be a moment of silence to honor our nation’s fallen.

Following the ceremony, the season’s last free show at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network will feature performances by Slingshot Dakota and Catbite at 7:30-9:15 p.m. Food and beverages will be available on-site at the Mack Truck Stop and Palette & Pour, the full-service bar and quick-service kitchen located on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center.

Raise Your Stein and Join Us!

Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), ArtsQuest to present 12^th annual Oktoberfest

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Oktoberfest, presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), returns to the SteelStacks campus Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 and Oct. 7 – 9, 2022. Now in its 12^th year, the festival will once again feature brews, food, live music, local artisans, fan-favorite dachshund dog parades, the Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championship, Dragtoberfest presented by Jack Daniels and so much more!

“The return of Oktoberfest marks the official start of fall, and we’re excited to welcome the public back to this popular annual event here at SteelStacks,” Kassie Hilgert, President & CEO of ArtsQuest said. “None of this would be possible without the support of our corporate and community partners.”

“ABE has developed a strong partnership with ArtsQuest, and we’re always excited to support this popular event in the Lehigh Valley,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority. “Oktoberfest creates an enjoyable environment for everyone, as there’s plenty of delicious food, music and cultural entertainment that is all free for the community. Your neighborhood airport is ready for the fun to takeoff in early October. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”

ACTIVITIES

The tail-wagging fun of the Oktoberfest wiener dog parade and dachshund dog races will take place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the festival in the Oktoberfest Arena located in the PNC Plaza. Dress your short four-legged friend to participate in the free parade. Is your hot-dog the fastest in the Valley? Pre-register your champion for the dachshund dog race in the Oktoberfest Arena. Purebreds, mixes and pups under 35lbs are invited to compete. Mark your calendars for the return of the Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K to the SteelStacks campus this year on Sunday, Oct. 2. Grab a partner and register to play the blown-up version of a popular party game during the Oktoberfest Kong Pong Tourney, presented by Yuengling.

For the  second year, Oktoberfest will be the site of the official Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championship, presented by Samuel Adams and produced in partnership with the US Steinholding Association on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 4:30 p.m. To qualify for the state championship, competitors first must post one of the best times during Oktoberfest’s opening weekend and follow up on Sunday, Oct. 2 with one of the best times at the semi-finals. Contenders may also attend and post one of the best times at any sanctioned US Steinholding preliminary event. The two strongest people from the Oct. 9 state competition will take home $500 and be invited up to the national steinholding championships.

BEER AND FOOD

Oktoberfest wouldn’t be complete without the brews and food. Come sample seasonal craft beers from Yuengling, Hofbräu, Samuel Adams, Dogfish Head and more. Second only to the beer is the seasonal treats from vendor favorites Karl Ehmer, Heidi’s Strudel, Foodstuff and Heaven on a Bun to name a few.

Enjoy dishes from Palette & Pour, the full-service bar and quick-service kitchen located on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center. Festival goers can also shop from a variety of artisan crafters and retailers der Verkäufer (vendors). Back by popular demand after its sold-out debut year, PierogiPalooza returns on both Saturdays! Oktoberfest Brewers’ Village presented by The Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild returns for its sixth year. From German-style marzens to autumn-inspired pumpkin ales, the hand-crafted beers of over 33 local and regional award-winning craft breweries take center stage. Guests will enjoy a diverse array of Oktoberfest’s limited-edition and seasonal offerings. To order tickets for this special event visit: Oktoberfest Brewers Village.

ENTERTAINMENT

Live music and entertainment will take place on multiple venues throughout the festival. Everyone’s favorite Schuhplattler groups will return with their authentic German dance traditions. New to the festival, Allentown-based Matt Ossiander will bring his Cyr Wheel, a large wheel built for eye-popping acrobatic feats. Directed by Elektra Fearce St. James, Dragtoberfest presented by Jack Daniels returns for its sixth year Saturday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 8. This show features the best queens from around the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia areas ready to electrify the festival audience. Grab a mic and join us on Friday nights for Karaoke with Royal from 9 to 11 p.m., in the Oktoberfest Arena.

Oktoberfest and Musikfest alumi Polkadelphia, Fritz’s Polka Band and John Stevens Polka Band will return to PNC Plaza. Fresh off Musikfest, groups like The Wonton Soups, Pentley Holmes and DJ Jamal Knight will also perform during Oktoberfest. Don’t put those lawn-chairs in storage just yet, live musical performances at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network will take place on Friday and Saturday nights. Musical acts will include The Johnny Folsom 4- Ultimate Tribute to Johnny Cash, KC Makes Music & Serg, The Beautiful Distortion and Igor & The Red Elvises. For more details and full schedule visit Steelstacks.org.

HOOBASTANK & LIT: TRIED & TRUE TOUR COMES TO STEELSTACKS

Co-Headlining rock bands will be joined by guest Kris Roe of The Ataris

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Hoobastank & Lit: Tried & True Tour (with special guest Kris Roe of The Ataris) will make a stop in Bethlehem to rock the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling on Sunday Oct. 16 Tickets for this co-headlined tour will go on sale beginning at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 23 for ArtsQuest Members and Friday, Aug. 26 to the general public at steelstacks.org. All pre-sales will close at 10 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 25. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today. 

Formed in 1997 the American rock band, Hoobastank recently celebrated the 20-year anniversary of its self-titled release, Hoobastank featuring vocalist Doug Robb with guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse and Mark Lappalainen. The 2001 album launched the career of the band to mainstream success with platinum singles: “Crawling in The Dark”, “Running Away” and “Remember Me”. The band began touring with The All-American Rejects and Ozomatli before releasing the 2003 follow up studio album The Reason. The title track “The Reason” went platinum four times, with the album going double platinum. Over the past two decades the band has enjoyed continued success, building its fan-base and recording six studio albums.

Co-headliner and fellow California rock band, Lit is best known for hits “My Own Worst Enemy”, “Miserable”, “Zip-Lock” and “Lipstick & Bruises”. Having released six studio albums, including the certified platinum A Place in the Sun, the group features original members: lead singer Jay Popoff, guitarist Jeremy Popoff, bassist Kevin Baldes and newest member Taylor Carroll on drums. The mega-hit “My Own Worst Enemy” won a Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Song of the Year and is one of the most recognizable rock hits of the last 20 years. In April of 2022, Lit released its newest album Tastes Like Gold with the single “Kicked Off The Plane”.

Kris Roe, singer/songwriter and guitarist for American punk rock band The Ataris, will open the show. Getting its start in the late 90s, the California group recorded five studio albums including the certified gold So Long, Astoria featuring cover song “The Boys of Summer”.

A variety of Musikfest Café shows are now scheduled. For tickets visit steelstacks.org. 

Thursday Oct. 27 The Amish Outlaws.

Friday Nov. 4. The Aardvarks featuring opening act The Armadillos.

Friday Nov. 18. Boat House Row – A Yacht Rock Experience.

Friday Feb. 24. The Brit Pack.

ARTSQUEST ANNOUCES SEPTEMBER SHOWS

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears joined by Cedric Burnside will perform this fall

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – ArtsQuest is thrilled to announce two upcoming shows in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. The excitement begins on Monday Sept. 26, when King Crimson Founder, Robert Fripp and his manager David Singleton will host a host a one-of-a-kind conversational experience for a live audience while on Thursday Sept. 29, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears with co-headliner Cedric Burnside will bring their signature blues to the stage. Tickets for ArtsQuest Members will go on sale Saturday July 23 and for the public on Monday July 25, at steelstacks.org. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today. 

After more than two decades on the music scene, Joe and the Honeybears, are still going strong, “cashing checks and snapping necks.” Over the course of his career Joe has honed his unique blue-riffing guitar style while finding his true voice. Influenced by the Godfather of Soul James Brown and Howlin’ Wolf, Joe and the Honeybears have released six full-length albums, made numerous television appearances and headlined Coachella, Bonnaroo and Musikfest.

There are few artists like Cedric Burnside. The Mississippi Hill Country blues guitarist and singer/songwriter contains within him the legacy and future of the region’s prescient sound stories. Burnside’s two Grammy-nominated album projects— the 2015 Descendants of Hill Country and 2018’s Benton County Relic— channeled the blues spirit on drums, guitar and vocals in the North Mississippi Hill Country tradition. His newest album I Be Trying is a 13-track album treatise on life’s challenges, pleasures and beauty.

On Monday Sept. 26   An Evening of Talking with Robert Fripp and David Singleton (An Evening of That Awful Man and his Manager) will be hosted on stage with Fripp and Singleton sharing stories from the music business and behind the scenes anecdotes for a one-of-a-kind night in the Café. Robert Fripp is a founding member of King Crimson, contributor and collaborator with Brian Eno, David Bowie, Daryl Hall, Peter Gabriel and many other music legends. Fripp will be joined by David Singleton who established DGM with Fripp in 1993 and has reluctantly managed King Crimson since 2018.

FIRST-EVER WRESTLING SHOW TO BE PRODUCED AT ARTSQUEST CENTER

Tickets are now on sale for SteelStacks Smackdown, poetry-burlesque show and live music

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – ArtsQuest is excited to partner with Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations (LVAC) to present the first-ever SteelStacks Smackdown, a wrestling show like no other. This epic event will be hosted in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling on Sat., Aug. 27 at 8 p.m., with a meet and greet starting at 6 p.m.  Tickets for ArtsQuest Members are now on sale, while tickets for the general public will go on sale Mon., July 18 at steelstacks.org. For more exclusive ticket access and advance purchase opportunities, become an ArtsQuest Circle donor today. 

Having presented wrestling exhibitions throughout the Lehigh Valley region, LVAC has worked tirelessly to create their biggest live show yet featuring the finest talent from across the independent wrestling scene and television. The seven matches will include colorful characters like Logan Easton Laroux, Boar, Mach 10 and the debut of Little Mean Kathleen in this action-packed event everyone is sure to enjoy! Get your tickets online at SteelStacks.org.

Tickets are still on sale for a variety of live shows.

On Sun., July 17 in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling Brett Dennen will perform with opening guest Galen Deery of Mystik Fool. Brennon is from a small town in California and since 2004 has released seven studio albums and is known for hits like “She’s Mine” and “Darlin’ Do Not Fear.”

Tribes & Vibes Presents: Sweetest Taboo, a poetry/burlesque show set for the Fowler Blast Furnace Room, will also be presented on Sun., July 17. The show will feature a two-hour long dialogue about the importance of creating safe places to talk about sex. The show contains explicit content and language. Attendees for this show must be 21 years of age or older.

On Fri., Sept. 23 Broken Arrow- A Tribute to Neil Young will perform in the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. Broken Arrow specializes in music by Neil Young and features rockin’ electric Crazy Horse tunes and the more acoustic, pedal steel driven country rock material.

Tickets for each show can be purchased at steelstacks.org or the ArtsQuest Center Box Office.

MUSIKFEST TO HOST EXCLUSIVE BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCES

Backstage events and firework watch party added to this year’s ‘fest  

Bethlehem, Pa.— Looking for a one-of-a-kind backstage experience? New this year, Musikfest will host four unique events for fans located behind the Wind Creek Steel Stage and newly announced PNC Stadtplatz. Wind Creek Steel Stage headliner tickets are not required to purchase tickets to the newly created events. Tickets are now on sale at musikfest.org or steelstacks.org.

Fri., Aug. 5. 5-6:30 p.m. – Kip Moore Pre-Game BBQ with Stefanie Johnson

Enjoy the first Friday of the festival with access to a barbeque buffet and a special country music concert! Guest will enjoy an exclusive solo performance by Lehigh Valley’s own Stefanie Johnson, a drink ticket good for one beer, glass of wine, or non-alcoholic drink of your choice, a Yuengling koozie and of course a delicious barbecue buffet provided by Levy Restaurants with all the fixings! Guests will also enjoy access to an exclusive cash bar during the intimate concert with Johnson.

Sun., Aug. 7. 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Poison Pre-Game: 80s Trivia Contest

Ticket holders for this pre-show event will be able to flex their 80s knowledge and compete to win front row seats for the night’s headliner – Poison! The trivia contest will be hosted by charismatic ArtsQuest Programming Manager and Poison fan, Anthony DeSanctis. Participants will enjoy a drink ticket good for one beer, glass of wine, or non-alcoholic drink of your choice, salty snacks and a complimentary Yuengling koozie. While front row seats to Poison will be the grand prize, there will also be plenty of other special prizes, including tickets to a wide range of ArtsQuest events!

Tues., Aug. 9. 11 p.m. – 12 a.m. – Ziggy Marley Post-Show Ice Cream Bar

After enjoying an awesome Ziggy Marley concert or a full day of ‘fest fun, ticket holders to this event will be able to keep the party going while enjoying a refreshing ice cream sundae bar featuring a wide selection of toppings provided by Levy restaurants provided by ArtsQuest partner Levy Restaurants. After-party guests will receive a complimentary bottle of water and access to a cash bar, accompanied by reggae music.

Sun., Aug. 14. 9 p.m. – Sparklers and Sparkling Wine: An Exclusive Musikfest Fireworks Watch Party

The brand-new PNC Stadtplatz serves as the perfect location to watch the annual closing night festival fireworks show! Ticket holders for this event can sample four different wines including Hy Def Sparkling Riesling (Germany), LifeVine ‘Cole’s Valley’ Blanc de Blancs (Oregon), Mont Paral Brut Rose Cava (Spain) and Sedonia de Sousa ‘Nature’ Brut (Portugal). Dinky’s Bethlehem Ice Cream Parlor and Grill will provide one last Musikfest sweet treat to guest, all while enjoying an amazing view of the dazzling Musikfest fireworks spectacular! All of the delicious sparkling wine varieties at this event were thoughtfully chosen by Jay Nee, founder of Juniper and Grain. Nee brings more than two decades of beverage hospitality experience to the table. He has gone to present more than 400 wine, beer, and spirits events for thousands of guests.

Tickets to all four events are now on sale at musikfest.org or steelstacks.org. To stay up to date on all Musikfest happenings visit website musikfest.org or download the Musikfest App today.