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SteelStacks Comedy: April Shows To Help Your Allergies

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By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager / Original photo: Dani Nightlinger

Turn those sneezes into laughter this April with allergy-free comedy at SteelStacks! Avoid all that evil pollen inside our climate-controlled theaters, where tickets are less expensive than those pricey allergy meds. So wake up from your winter hibernation and head to Bethlehem for these hilarious improv, stand-up, and sketch comedy shows!

Rhea Butcher – 4/1 – buy tickets

Rhea Butcher is a Los Angeles-based stand-up comic, actor and writer. Rhea’s first television series, Take My Wife premiered as a critical hit. Rhea has also appeared on 2 Dope Queens, @Midnight and Conan.

Two Laugh Minimum: Chris Lamberth – 4/5 – buy tickets

Two Laugh Minimum, the Lehigh Valley’s best stand-up comedy showcase is every first Thursday of the month at 8pm! Chris Lamberth is an actor and comedian based in the New York City area. He has toured nationally with Chris Hardwick and has shared the stage with Bill Burr, Craig Robinson, Marc Maron, Maria Bamford and more.

We’re Good, You’re Great! – 4/6 – buy tickets

Matt Candio and Evan Stutts (formerly of Mandudebro) bring you the improvised show We’re Good, You’re Great! every first Friday of the month at 10:30pm!

Spoiler Alert: Terminator 2 in 3D – 4/7 – buy tickets

Two grown-ass men are preparing to blow your mind into itty-bitty tiny pieces by recreating James Cameron’s 1991 war-against-the-machines Terminator 2: Judgement Day live on stage.

Challengers of the Well-Known: Accept Nothing Dirty – 4/7 – buy tickets

Truth-challenging adventurers must face their dirtiest enemy yet…ACCEPTANCE. Sketch comedy so filthy, you might wanna bring soap. Featuring an opening performance by time-traveling improv sensation Period Drama.

#Bestof Facebook – 4/12 – buy tickets

How you spend 52% of your day? Facebook? A complete stranger is going to open up their ENTIRE PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGE for our improvisers to tear apart.

The Two Show Show: Cat Sweaters & Flumplenarfs – 4/13 – buy tickets

TWO improv teams for the price of one! Cat Sweaters is a high energy longform improv team who spent nearly two years as a SteelStacks Improv Comedy Power Hour team. The Flumplenarfs live under your bed, but they’re far from scary. Don’t you dare call them monsters, they just want to make people happy.

Improv Comedy Power Hour – 4/14 & 4/28 – buy tickets

The Improv Comedy Power Hour is 60 minutes of completely unscripted, high-energy longform improv performed by two of our resident comedy teams! The regular show happens the 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month.

Nerd Nite Bethlehem – 4/19 – buy tickets

Each night three speakers will present talks on a range of topics from science, video games, technology, and other nerdy pursuits. Grab a beer, pull up a seat, and learn something interesting at this unique event. Hosted by Lehigh Valley-based standup & writer Glen Tickle. The regular show happens the 3rd Thursday of every month.

Spitfire – 4/20 – buy tickets

Spitfire is a comedy show full of hot takes and even hotter improv every 3rd Friday of the month! Each show is completely improvised and features hot takes on audience-determined topics, delivered by a very special guest, which are then transformed into improvised, comedic gold.

Nick Di Paolo: The Nick is Right Tour – 4/21 – buy tickets

While 95% of comedians are liberal, Nick Di Paolo leans the other way and isn’t afraid to call it as he sees it. His strong political opinions and razor wit make him a perfect fit for talk radio on The Nick Di Paolo Show on SiriusXM. Nick has performed on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Conan.

Game Show Night: The Comedy Game Show – 4/26 – buy tickets

Comedy Game Show features the Lehigh Valley’s hottest comedians and dopest game masters. The audience can win prizes including concert tickets, one-of-a-kind Musikfest merch and other random awesomeness. Laugh. Win Prizes. Repeat.

Ryan & Steve Bust-a Movie: Superhero Night – 4/27 – buy tickets

After taking on such illustrious flops like Glitter, Battlefield Earth, and Showgirls, Ryan Hill and Steve Bost are back with a new Bust-a Movie format! Instead of one movie, they’ll be busting parts of at least three monstrosities for your viewing pleasure!

The 60-Minute Unauthorized Harry Potter Weekend – 4/28 – buy tickets

Hop on your Nimbus 2000 and make your way to SteelStacks for this laughter-filled, completely unauthorized parody about the exploits of the boy who lived and his associates.

See you at SteelStacks for comedy shows soon, fellow sneezy people!

via GIPHY

‘Your First Mud Run’ Coming to Step Outdoors Festival at SteelStacks June 3

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Families are invited to ‘step outdoors,’ have fun and get muddy as SteelStacks hosts ‘Your First Mud Run’ at Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley June 3, starting at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $47.50 through May 3, $50 starting May 4 and $60 day of the event; discounts are given for groups of three or more. Registrations can be done at www.yourfirstmudrun.com; both individuals and teams can enter.

At Your First Mud Run, participants navigate a fun and challenging two-mile course on the Levitt Pavilion Lawn and PNC Plaza that features as many as 10 obstacles including a 6-foot-high wall, 50 old tires, a set of tubes, heavy jump ropes, mud pit, cargo net and a secret obstacle. The event is ideal for families, with children as young as age 5 able to take part. It’s also a great test run for first-timers training for tougher, more challenging mud races like a Spartan, Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash. During the Mud Run, children get to run the same course side by side with their parents and all runners get a finisher’s medal and t-shirt.

A portion of all proceeds from Your First Mud Run will be donated to ArtsQuest. In addition, participants can also create a “Team Page” and use it to raise funds for any charity, school or team.

Now in its fourth year, Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley is a free festival June 2-3 that features presentations, hands-on activities and educational experiences designed to encourage children and families to get outdoors, as well as learn about the many wildlife, outdoors and conservation-focused groups working in the region.

At Step Outdoors, children enjoy presentations and activities by more than 25 local and state groups. Activities include archery, biking, gardening, art & nature activities, hiking, nature photography, bluebird box building, fishing activities and more. Throughout the weekend, organizations like Hawk Mountain and Wildlands Conservancy also offer a great mix of presentations featuring live wildlife.

Partners supporting the Step Outdoors festival include Ah-Ha! Arts Management, Aqua-Duck and Service Electric Cable TV & Communications. For more information on the festival, visit www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.

ArtsQuest “SouthSide Arts & Music Festival 2-Day Passes” Sweepstakes Official Rules

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 at http://fest.formstack.com/forms/ssamf_2daypasses by 11:59PM on Sunday, March 25, 2018. 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, N.A. (“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 as of March 25, 2018. Officers, directors, 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 26, 2018. 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”): Two (2) 2-day passes to the SouthSide Arts & Music Festival in Bethlehem, PA. Total approximate retail value (ARV) of prize package is $100. 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 prize are the sole responsibility of winner and/or his or her travel companion. Prize may be subject to restrictions imposed by prize sponsors.

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 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. Limit one winner and one prize.

6. Conditions; Waiver and Release. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. 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 prize sponsors’ rules and regulations or terms and conditions for use of prize. By participating, entrants and winner agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors, 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 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 corrupt or affect 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) the action 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, THE 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 State 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.

Valid email address required in order to win. By completing the sweepstakes entry form, you are agreeing to the official sweepstakes rules and the terms of our privacy policy. You will also be registered to receive email notices from ArtsQuest. Our goal is to provide you with important, valuable and timely updates about upcoming events and promotions. We will not sell your personal information. Also, you have the opportunity to unsubscribe at any time.

8. List of Winner. To obtain the name of the winning individual, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope by March 26, 2018 to: ArtsQuest / “SouthSide Arts & Music Festival 2-Day Passes” Sweepstakes Winner, ATTN: Marketing Manager: Ben Youngerman, 25 W Third St, Bethlehem, PA 18015.

9. Sponsor. ArtsQuest

Houston Ain’t Singing The Blues

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Blast Furnace Blues Festival Preview

By Mark Demko, ArtsQuest Senior Director of Communications

As a lifelong resident of the Houston area, Trudy Lynn has seen a lot during her nearly seven decades in the Bayou City. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for the destruction wrought by Hurricane Harvey last fall.

“We’ve had storms and things here, but they weren’t ever as devastating as that storm was,” says Lynn, one of the headliners of this year’s Blast Furnace Blues Festival at SteelStacks.

According to the Houston Music Hall of Famer and five-time Blues Music Award nominee, Harvey hit the community hard, including some of the musicians and clubs. Rock Romano, a longtime friend and colleague of Lynn’s, had his Red Shack Recording Studio damaged by flooding, while Lynn, herself, sustained home damage as a result of the gale force winds.

“I had a pecan tree fall across the back of the house–one of the bedrooms and the roof fell in,” she says.

The silver lining amid all the devastation? The Houston community came together en masse to help out those in need. At Romano’s studio, for example, friends and neighbors worked side by side to clean up and get the business back in action.

“It was just amazing to see,” Lynn says. “Everybody pulled together. It didn’t make no difference – color, size, creed or what – everybody pulled together and helped one another out.”

From March 23-25, Blast Furnace Blues attendees will have an opportunity to hear a number of artists from the Houston area music scene when they perform at the festival. In all, seven of the 19 artists at this year’s event hail from Southeast Texas including Step Rideau & the Zydeco Outlaws, Steve Krase Band, The Mighty Orq, Brad Absher & Swamp Royale, boogie woogie piano player Ezra Charles and steel guitarist John Egan.

ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan, who’s responsible for booking Blast Furnace Blues, says the idea for bringing in nearly 40 percent of this year’s festival lineup from Houston was born after a number of people asked ArtsQuest staff if there was any way it could contribute to hurricane relief efforts.

“We thought that rather than adding to our very robust and demanding programing schedule, we’d look for the right opportunities to partner in some way and offer a relief effort or fundraise for a relief effort,” Brogan says.

In October, leaders of the Lehigh Valley’s Latino community approached ArtsQuest about holding a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, and ArtsQuest staff responded by hosting and helping present performances by EnSecuencia, L Urban Orquesta, Orquesta Xariz and others at the Levitt Pavilion on Nov. 5. Around the same time, Brogan was contacted by one of 2017’s Blast Furnace Blues performers, singer Diunna Greenleaf.

“Diunna called me and said, ‘My community needs work here in Houston. Is there anything you can do?’ Brogan recalls. “Blast Furnace Blues, where she had performed the year before, seemed like a natural connection to bring some Houston based artists to.

“It was an opportunity to give them work, which is a paycheck for them as a band. Plus, they are going on to play additional dates here in the Northeast, so they got additional work as a result of the bookings.”

Going one step further, Brogan also eliminated the house’s take on merchandise sales for the Houston area artists during Blast Furnace Blues, allowing them to keep 100 percent of the proceeds.

“This is an area that is very profitable to a touring artist – that’s cash going right into their pockets,” Brogan says. “Performing at Blast Furnace Blues also helps them grow their audience and making new fans, which, we hope, helps to offset some of the lost opportunities back home.”

For Lynn, ArtsQuest’s focus on providing opportunities for Houston-area artists to support their livelihood through performances at SteelStacks came as a surprise. She says it was the first time she has heard of a festival or organization elsewhere trying to do something specifically for her region’s blues artists following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
“A lot of people got messed up here in Houston…and a lot of them still are,” she says. “I’m just in awe (over this); I think that is just so wonderful! It really is.”

Blast Furnace Blues Festival
MARCH 23-25
SteelStacks

Buy Tickets

ArtsQuest Invites Food Trucks to Apply for Border Brawl June 10 at SteelStacks

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Keystone State Faces off Against Garden State in Tasty Food Truck Battle

Do you have what it takes to win this food fight? ArtsQuest is seeking mobile eateries from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to serve up delicious and daring dishes for one of its most flavorful festivals of the year.

Now in its third year, the Food Truck Border Brawl returns to SteelStacks Sun., June 10, 1-8 p.m., with more foodie friendly fun than ever including a festive atmosphere featuring live music by Bruce Springsteen cover band The Bruce Show and Philly-based funk band The Groove Merchants. Food trucks interested in entering the 2018 Border Brawl can do so by filling out the official Food Vendor Application available at www.steelstacks.org/foodtruck by Fri., March 23, 5 p.m. If accepted, there is a $250 fee to participate.

At this culinary clash of tasty titans, trucks compete to win over the judging panel in the hope of earning the “Best Overall Food Truck” title, as well as the coveted “People’s Choice Award” decided in a public vote. The winning trucks take home Border Brawl glass trophies custom-made at the Glass Studio at the Banana Factory Arts Center, plus bragging rights for their home state for the next year.

Over the past two years, the Food Truck Border Brawl has drawn 8,000 visitors to SteelStacks as chefs served up eats and treats like Wisconsin fried cheese curds, sweet and savory empanadas, gourmet cupcakes, Korean kimchi fries, firecracker shrimp tacos, lobster grilled cheese, pulled pork sliders and everything in between.

Complete details and tickets for the Food Truck Border Brawl, which takes place at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, will be available later this spring. Admission to the event will include a free souvenir Border Brawl travel plate.

All proceeds from Border Brawl ticket sales will go to support the nonprofit ArtsQuest’s free music, arts and education programming for the region. For more information on the Border Brawl, visit www.steelstacks.org.

Staff Music Picks: March 2018

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None of the ArtsQuest staff would work here if they didn’t live for music and the arts. To share our passion, our programming and social media teams put together a list of new-ish songs they’ve got on repeat this month. We hope you’ll enjoy our eclectic mix of musical tastes and discover some great new tunes!

Emily “The Funk Junkie” Cummins
Public Relations Coordinator

“Make Me Feel” – Janelle Monáe

I will always pick something good to dance to, and “Make Me Feel,” fresh off Monáe’s upcoming “Dirty Computer” album, is a show stopper. It’s pure synth-pop fun with just the right amount of throwback funk. I love the soft energy of it and the playfulness of the guitar. Of course what really stands out is the music video which is eye-popping and electric and features stunning visual tributes to Prince and Bowie. I could watch it on repeat, but I think I’d rather dance.

Ben “The Resident Metalhead” Youngerman
Marketing Manager

“What It Is” – Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Davis, lead singer of Korn, rarely takes a break from making music and has never settled for making the same type of album in successive outputs. Over the course of twelve Korn studio albums, a few movie scores, a stint as a dubstep DJ and a cabaret tour with JDSFA, my favorite front-man is finally putting out a solo record. “What It Is” draws from many elements of Davis’ past music, creating a very catchy first offering off of his solo disc. I can’t wait to hear this song live on tour this Spring!

Cory “Don’t Put Me In A Genre Box” Stelzman
Performing Arts Coordinator

“Listening In” – Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog has been a consistent on my playlists for the past 10 years. Every year or so they release a new album and I have yet to be disappointed. “Listening In” is one of the tracks from their new album Critical Equation that comes out next month. It’s the perfect easy listening song with ethereal vocals and an almost haunting melody fitting for a scene with that monster guy from Stranger Things.

Helen “New Wave” Smith
Talent Buyer

“Beverly” – Low Cut Connie

With Low Cut Connie on my mind this week, my first monthly music pick had to be their new single “Beverly” off of their upcoming album Dirty Pictures Pt. II. A lovely string quartet intro and then Adam is off and rocking with Shondra. I’m very ready to hear Low Cut Connie at SteelStacks on March 3.

Matt “Hip-Hop & R&B Boy” Gotzon
Partnership Activation Specialist

“God’s Plan” – Drake

A little over a month ago Drake dropped two songs, “God’s Plan” and “Diplomatic Immunity,” under the title Scary Hours. “God’s Plan” went on to break several different streaming records and proceeded to change many fanss Instagram bios to “I only love my bed and my momma, I’m sorry.” Drake reconnected with Director X and blessed the world with the visuals on February 16. In the music video, Drake and other members of the OVO crew give away nearly one million dollars to different organizations, schools, and families. Good luck not tearing up watching the heartwarming video below. My favorite part about it all is that it seems like Drake just wants to genuinely do something good for those that deserve it, rather than just trying to show us how nice he is. Either way you should definitely get “God’s Plan” into your rotation, if you haven’t already!

Ryan “Comedian Who Likes Music” Hill
Programming Director

“Happy Hour” – Weezer

While I like the vibe of Happy Hour, I love the fact that the video I’m including was done by Allentown-raised NYC comic Jim Tews, who made this band-approved animation after half-jokingly responding to a tweet by Rivers Cuomo asking if fans had any ideas for the song’s video. Cuomo responded back, and Tews – who has a Weezer tribute band called The Undone Sweaters – ran with it from there.

Dani “I Stil Listen to Radio” Nightlinger
Marketing Intern

“Next To Me” – Imagine Dragons

The intro instantly grabs my attention with the fingerpicked acoustic guitar and strange drum pattern. The lead singer Dan Reynolds has such a smooth, strong voice that I could just close my eyes and escape reality during this song. The choral-style vocals in the background with electronic effects is so different that I have this alt-rock band’s song on repeat for the past few days. It’s about a women who stays by a man’s side no matter how many times he messes up and I love that loyalty.

Anne “The Alternative Solution” Sturm
Senior Talent Buyer

“Silver Lining” – Mt. Joy

Mt. Joy is an emerging indie/folk/rock group based out of my hometown near King of Prussia, PA. Their song “Silver Lining” is appearing to be one of their break through songs with over 3.2 million listens after just a couple of months from its release. “Silver Lining” is a good reminder to grasp the hopeful side of any situation. Even the worst events can have some positive aspect. The song is also just really catchy.

Alicia “Better in Boots” Rohrbach
Senior Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator

“Asking For A Friend” – Devin Dawson

Devin Dawson released his first album in the early part of this year – and this is my favorite song on the album. My favorite part of any song are the lyrics and the story of the song. This particular song is about a guy who messed up his relationship and is trying to win the girl back – and the melody is also super catchy. Check out the whole album, Dark Horse, as I love a majority of the songs – but I find myself playing this track on repeat the most.

Kimberly “The Wild Card” Koehler
Partnership Activation Specialist

“Master Plan” – Ron Pope

Ron Pope has always been my go-to slow, sweet love song whenever I need to fulfill that musical genre itch and he does not disappoint with “Master Plan” off his new album. “Master Plan” reminds everyone that no matter what, everything will work out in the end because you love each other. Whenever this song comes on in my playlist, it allows me to sit back and relax because of its slow tempo and Pope’s voice.

BONUS PLAYLIST!

SteelStacks Comedy: Lucky March Shows

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By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager / Original photo: Dani Nightlinger

Top of the comedy list to ya! With live comedy every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (and other days, too, sometimes), March is more packed with comedy than a leprechaun’s pot is full of gold. Speaking of which, after you finish this list of March comedy shows, there’s a prize waiting for you at the end of the article…

Two Laugh Minimum: Leighann Lord – 3/1 – buy tickets

Two Laugh Minimum, the Lehigh Valley’s best stand-up comedy showcase is every first Thursday of the month at 8pm! Leighann Lord is a veteran stand-up comedian seen on Comedy Central, HBO, The View, and Netflix. Also featuring: Jason Brown, Rebecca Mackillop, Nate Marshall, and Ian Webster.

Ophira Eisenberg – 3/2 – buy tickets

Ophira Eisenberg is a comedian, writer, and host of NPR’s hit trivia comedy show, Ask Me Another. She has appeared on HBO’s Girls, Comedy Central, The Late Late Show, The Today Show, and VH-1.

We’re Good, You’re Great! – 3/2 – buy tickets

Matt Candio and Evan Stutts (formerly of Mandudebro) bring you the improvised show We’re Good, You’re Great! every first Friday of the month at 10:30pm!

Dear Diary – 3/3 – buy tickets

Hormones. Questionable fashion choices. First jobs. Terrible hair choices. Dating. Angst. So much damn angst. Somehow we all survived these so called “best years of our lives”. Come watch as six comedians explore, analyze, and improvise scenes inspired by their actual diary entries, photographs and poems.

#BestOf Craigslist – 3/8 – buy tickets

Improv comedy and a filthy clickhole! Explore the internet’s original stranger-danger website with some the Lehigh Valley’s best improvisers.

Ryan Hamilton – 3/9 – buy tickets

Ryan Hamilton is endearing comedy lovers, and his future is bright. Named one of Rolling Stone’s Five Comics to Watch with standout appearances on Netflix, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, The Late Late Show, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and Showtime, he’s establishing himself as one of the country’s favorite stand-ups.

The Two Show Show: Cat Sweaters & Flumplenarfs – 3/9 – buy tickets

TWO improv teams for the price of one! Cat Sweaters is a high energy longform improv team who spent nearly two years as a SteelStacks Improv Comedy Power Hour team. The Flumplenarfs live under your bed, but they’re far from scary. Don’t you dare call them monsters, they just want to make people happy.

Improv Comedy Power Hour – 3/10 & 3/24 – buy tickets

The Improv Comedy Power Hour is 60 minutes of completely unscripted, high-energy longform improv performed by two of our resident comedy teams, Family Laundry and Staycation! The regular show happens the 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month.

Nerd Nite Bethlehem – 3/15 – buy tickets

Each night three speakers will present talks on a range of topics from science, video games, technology, and other nerdy pursuits. Grab a beer, pull up a seat, and learn something interesting at this unique event. Hosted by Lehigh Valley-based standup & writer Glen Tickle. The regular show happens the 3rd Thursday of every month.

Spitfire – 3/16 – buy tickets

Spitfire is a comedy show full of hot takes and even hotter improv every 3rd Friday of the month! Each show is completely improvised and features hot takes on audience-determined topics, delivered by a very special guest, which are then transformed into improvised, comedic gold.

Let’s Make a Website – 3/17 – buy tickets

Join rock-star computer programmer Mark Vigeant as he takes audience suggestions and builds and launches a completely new original website onstage- that is, if he can overcome his ego.

Improvised Standup – 3/17 – buy tickets

The Lehigh Valley’s best standups and improvisers face a new challenge when they’re given topics to talk about… while they’re onstage! And… YOU might even be the one providing the topic!

Irish Comedy Tour – 3/18 – buy tickets

The Irish Comedy Tour takes the party atmosphere of a Dublin pub and combines it with a boisterous, belly-laugh band of hooligans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV6XlmW-77g

Synced UP – 3/23 – buy tickets

Synced Up is Cindy Marsh, Erica Sylvester, Sam Beedle, Tami Cantilina, and Addyson Teal; 5 ladies who perform improv comedy inspired by something that’s a big deal in your life. They are also pretty snazzy.

Roy Wood Jr. – 3/31 – buy tickets

Currently a correspondent on The Daily Show w/ Trevor Noah, Roy has been described by the Hollywood Reporter as “A Standout”, and Entertainment Weekly called his brand of thought provoking comedy as “charismatic crankiness”. Prior to The Daily Show, Roy spent three years on the TBS sitcom, Sullivan and Son, and still appears as a regular guest.

Thanks for reaching the end of the article! Lucky for you, we have a year-long list of comedy shows going on SteelStacks! That’s your real prize. We’re a nonprofit, so no gold here, sorry.

via GIPHY

Oscar Predictions by the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas Staff

oscar-post
By Ryan Hill – Programming Director; Anthony DeSanctis – Cinema Coordinator; Lawrence Milano – Cinema Coordinator; Addyson Young – Cinema/Comedy Assistant

The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas have been the home to most of the year’s Academy Award nominated films. On Sunday, our big screen is the place to watch Hollywood’s biggest night at the Red Carpet Party presented by Whole Foods Market.

As the staff members in charge of choosing our films, promoting the movies and tearing your ticket stubs, the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas staff live and breath cinema. Who will raise the golden trophies? These are their expert predictions.

BEST PICTURE

oscarpost_picture

Will win:

  • The Shape of Water (Ryan, Anthony)
  • Three Billboards (Addy)
  • Lady Bird (Lawrence)

Should win:

  • Get Out (Ryan)
  • Three Billboards (Addy, Lawrence)
  • The Shape of Water (Anthony)

Ryan: I’m not gonna be mad when The Shape of Water wins, but the programmer in me says that Get Out not only should win, but needs to win in order to swing the Oscars back towards something that can actually be relatable to the entire American movie-going public. It helps that it was an incredible accomplishment; I am gonna be mad, however, if the film walks away without a single win.

Anthony: I wouldn’t be surprised if Three Billboards won, but it doesn’t have a Best Director nomination and films almost never win Best Picture without being nominated for Best Director. I think it’s happened like twice in the history of the Academy Awards. Plus The Shape of Water is, quite frankly, the better film.

Lawrence: Lady Bird struck a chord with audiences. It’s delightful, relatable, and touching. Something about it just screams “I’m going to sneak in here and steal this Oscar. Thanks.”

Addy: I didn’t love how angry Three Billboards made me, but I respect a film that can garner intense emotions from its audience.

BEST ACTRESS

oscarpost_actress

Will win:

  • Frances McDormand, Three Billboards (Ryan, Anthony)
  • Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird (Lawrence)
  • Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water (Addy)

Should win:

  • Hawkins (Ryan, Lawrence)
  • McDormand (Anthony)
  • Ronan (Addy)

Addy: Saoirse’s performance really connected with me; I think she does the most accurate portrayal of an angsty female teenager I have ever seen.

Anthony: I’ve always known McDormand was one of the best out there, but I’ve never seen her so raw. To put it simply: she’s badass.

BEST ACTOR

oscarpost_actor

Will win:

  • Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour (Ryan, Anthony, Lawrence)
  • Timothee Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name (Addy)

Should win:

  • Oldman (Anthony, Lawrence)
  • Chalamet (Ryan, Addy)

Ryan: Timothee Chalamet, along with fellow nominee Daniel Kaluuya, is the revelation of 2017 in actor-world. His face during the end credits of Call Me By Your Name tells the entire story of that movie.

Lawrence: Will someone give this beautiful man (Oldman) an Oscar already?

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

oscarpost_supportingactor

Will win:

  • Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards (Ryan, Addy, Anthony)

Should win:

  • Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project (Ryan, Anthony)
  • Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards (Addy)

Anthony: Dafoe has always been one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, mostly known for his characters with a dark side. His character in the Florida Project was warm, generous and incredibly likable and one of my favorite characters of 2017. I absolutely love Rockwell, but Dafoe should be going home with the Oscar.

(For some reason Lawrence doesn’t count the Supporting Actor/Actress categories as major and therefore didn’t answer as to who will/should win. Please notify the Screen Actors Guild as to his insubordination.)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

oscarpost_supportingactress

Will win:

  • Allison Janney, I, Tonya (Ryan, Anthony)
  • Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird (Addy)

Should win:

  • Janney (Anthony)
  • Metcalf (Ryan, Addy)

Addy: A lot of times in films, moms are either seen as the enemy or the heroine, with little in between. Laurie’s performance captures the tension that can form between mother and daughter while also showing their bond and love for one another. Like Saoirse’s performance, it just feels very real.

Ryan: [posts the Meryl Streep clapping enthusiastically GIF in response to Addy’s comment despite the fact that he can never truly know what she means]

BEST DIRECTOR

oscarpost_director

Will win:

  • Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water (Ryan, Anthony, Lawrence)
  • Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk (Addy)

Should win:

  • del Toro (Anthony, Lawrence)
  • Nolan (Addy)
  • Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird (Ryan)

Lawrence: del Toro has managed to present to us a haunting masterpiece that is a throwback to old school Hollywood and Universal horror movies. It’s his time to win.

Anthony: del Toro’s heart is all over The Shape of Water. He shows that despite his love for creatures and violence, he’s also a big softie. And the finished product is simply beautiful.

Addy: I love how much story Nolan packed into an hour and a half.

Ryan: Hands down the best field for this category since the FBAC opened in 2011. All of these directors are deserving of recognition and there’s not a single outcome that would be disappointing to me. But Greta Gerwig is an American treasure so she should win.

ALSO:

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

(via Anthony)

Will win:

  • “This is Me”, The Greatest Showman

    • The song is inspiring and uplifting and will be a guaranteed showstopper at the Academy Awards.

    Should win:

  • “Remember Me”, Coco

    • This song is wisely used as a plot device; as the film progresses, you cry harder and harder every time you hear it. And if a simple song like “Remember Me” can get that sort of reaction out of you, it deserves the win.

    BEST FILM EDITING

    (via Lawrence)

    Will/Should win:

  • Baby Driver

    • The best thing about Baby Driver was the incredible and on-the-edge editing.

    ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

    (via Ryan)

    Will win:

  • Martin McDonagh, Three Billboards

    • Should win:

  • Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick

    • or

  • Jordan Peele, Get Out

    • THERE ARE TWO COMEDIANS NOMINATED FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY OSCARS THAT IS THE BESTTTTTTT [posts Meryl Streep clapping GIF yet again]

    via GIPHY

    THE RED CARPET PARTY: Presented by Whole Foods Market
    SUNDAY, MARCH 4
    Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at SteelStacks

    Buy Tickets

    Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School Students Take Home Top Prize at Girl Scout Cookie Crunch

    cookie-crunch2-bylisaboehm

    Although they came first and foremost for the experience, the students from the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School’s Culinary Arts Program wowed judges at the 4th Annual Girl Scout Cookie Crunch, taking home top honors at the culinary event held Feb. 25 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks’ Musikfest Café in Bethlehem. The culinary students faced off against some of the Lehigh Valley’s most creative chefs, ultimately earning the title of “Cookie Crunch Champions” thanks to their Lemonades® Pepper Chicken Bites with Mango Salsa.

    The Cookie Crunch crowd had its favorites too. More than 300 guests sampled 19 delicious dishes and then voted for their top choices. Bethlehem Dairy Store’s Peanut Butter Patties® Ice Cream was named winner of the coveted Kids’ Choice Award, while Aramark at SteelStacks won Best Sweet Dish for its Caramel deLites® Stuffed French Toast and Carmel’s Braised Thin Mint® Short Ribs won best Savory Dish. All four winners took home cookie jars as trophies.

    cookie-crunch1-bylisaboehmThe complete list of winners is:

    Cookie Crunch Champion – Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School: Culinary Arts
    Best Sweet Dish – Aramark at SteelStacks, Bethlehem
    Best Savory Dish – Carmel, Allentown
    Kids’ Choice Award – Bethlehem Dairy Store, Bethlehem

    The Cookie Crunch also featured an exclusive pre-event cooking demonstration for Girl Scouts led by four Fearless Female chefs. The Girl Scout Cookie Crunchdown, now in its second year, included motivational talks and dessert workshops with 2017 “Hell’s Kitchen” runner-up Heather Williams formerly of OAK Steakhouse and Marblehead Chowder House; Pastry Chef Sarah Sobers of Buddy V’s Ristorante at Sands Resort Bethlehem; Girl Scout and “Chopped Jr.” winner Lucy Chelton; and Aramark at SteelStacks Executive Sous Chef Ashley Sherman, a 2014 “Hell’s Kitchen” Contestant.

    “The creative dishes that Cookie Crunch chefs make are undoubtedly the big draw at this event, but it’s the incredible partnership between ArtsQuest, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and our culinary partners that makes this event so successful every year,” says ArtsQuest President & CEO Kassie Hilgert. “The past two years we’ve really focused on providing a unique educational experience through our Cookie Crunchdown pre-event, so we were very excited to see even more Girl Scouts at this hands-on workshop this year.

    “We thank the Girl Scouts, the participating restaurants, our volunteers and all of the attendees at Cookie Crunch for coming together for an amazing event. Congratulations to the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School and all of the Cookie Crunch winners – we’re already looking forward to seeing what the chefs will make for the 5th-annual Cookie Crunch in February 2019.”

    This Cookie Crunch fundraiser benefits both Girl Scouts of Eastern PA (GSEP) and the ArtsQuest Art Education Fund, which provides quality arts and education programs for area students. GSEP is the largest girl-serving organization in Pennsylvania and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves close to 40,000 girls in partnership with more than 15,000 volunteers. For further information about Girl Scouts, visit www.gsep.org.

    Double-Festing with Walter “Wolfman” Washington

    wolfmanweb
    By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager

    A NOLA musician that’s so good, we’re having him play two major ArtsQuest festivals in 2018! Walter “Wolfman” Washington, a mainstay on the New Orleans music scene, comes to Bethlehem as part of the Blast Furnace Blues Festival at SteelStacks in March and as part of Trombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown at Musikfest Preview Night in August!

    Before he comes to town, let’s get to know the iconic bluesman…

    Washington cut his teeth backing up some of the best singers and performers in New Orleans history before putting together his long time band The Roadmasters who have been burning down and burning up local and national stages since their first gigs in the 1980s.

    His guitar style combines both rhythm and blues, blues, New Orleans funk, and modern jazz into a way of playing that is uniquely his. His singing is emotional and heartfelt. His guitar work is intricate, intimate and full. There is a little Bobby Blue Bland, a little Kenny Burrell, a little George Benson, a little church, and a lot of New Orleans charm and experience in a Walter “Wolfman” Washington performance.

    Walter “Wolfman” Washington and The Roadmasters are known for doing their own soulful originals and then tackling some great unsung covers such as Otis Redding’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” and Bill Withers’ “Use Me.” And in this day and age of musicians imitating the past or trying to recreate it, The Wolfman stands out as a musician steeped in the history but completely contemporary. Few musical acts, if any, do what he does. He is real, authentic and unique.

    The Wolfman is a leader in the New Orleans musical pack! Make sure to catch him once or twice this year on the SteelStacks campus!

    Walter “Wolfman” Washington at the Blast Furnace Blues Festival
    Saturday, March 24

    Buy Tickets

    Trombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown at Musikfest (ft. Walter “Wolfman” Washington)
    Thursday, August 2

    Buy Tickets

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