Tag Archives: Allentown FilmFest

Allentown FilmFest: A Marriage of Two Mediums

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Last night, the inaugural Allentown FilmFest concluded at Civic Theater 514 on 19th St. A component of Allentown JazzFest, the film festival featured three nights of films – the 1966 Antonioni film, Blowup (Apr. 29), International Short Films (May 1), and last night’s showcase, the aptly titled A Night with the Experimental.

The concept for a film component to JazzFest began when Bryan Tuk, Executive Director of Performing Arts Live! Inc., approached local filmmaker Stephanie Gardner with a project.

“First, Bryan asked me to make a web teaser for JazzFest, and it branched out from there,” Gardner said. “He said he wanted to add film as an element and asked if I wanted to show something. I started giving him some ideas for programming he could show here, and he asked me to curate it.”

Gardner was intrigued by the idea, seeing an immediate connection between music and film that could be delivered to local audiences.

“I see music in general, and jazz especially, interrelated to film,” Gardner said. “I think cinema and music are a universal language, both a contrast between silences and sounds. I think film is an actual companion to JazzFest, and it’s something different that you’re not used to seeing.

Last night’s “experimental” films included several of Gardner’s, including a humorous take on William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 151, in which a man is portrayed pining over a meal from the original Nathan’s Hot Dog stand in Coney Island, NY; as well as “Allentown Grooves,” a music video showcasing the people and places of Allentown with live musical support from The Bryan Tuk Complex.

Each evening’s screening was capped by a discussion led by Gardner meant to engage the audience on a deeper, multi-cultural level.

“I like to start dialogues about how cinema is an art form of shared expressions,” Gardner said. “We can all relate to each other through it.”

Gardner hopes FilmFest leads to an ongoing discussion; one in which more local filmmakers have a voice and a platform for their work.

“I want to encourage more artists in the area to come out and say, “I have work that I can show,” Gardner said. “I know that there are arts happening here, but they’re not easy to find. I think a lot of people want to engage more in visual arts and music. I know there are filmmakers out there, but I don’t know what they’re doing or where to see them.”

Enjoy selections from Tuesday night’s “A Night of the Experimental” screening below.

Stephanie Gardner – Sonnet 151 (from The Sonnet Project)

Ishaan Kumar – Triumph of the Spill

Dave Meyers – Particles: Part II

Six Degrees: Allentown JazzFest 2016

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The day has arrived! Allentown JazzFest begins tonight with a big night of music (and film) in the Lehigh Valley’s largest city. Lehigh Valley Underground will be at the festival throughout its duration to cover key performances and highlights.

As a proud, official media partner of Allentown JazzFest, we want to tell you what we’re most looking forward to over the course of the next ten days. For full information, please visit allentownjazzfest.org.

A ‘Funky’ Beginning – Tonight at 8 p.m., Al Chez & the Brothers of Funk kick off the festival at the Renaissance Ballroom. Chez, a world-class trumpeter whose performance history reads like a “Who’s Who” list, brings a rock and roll feel to big band music as he and his band roll into Allentown for a second consecutive year.

More Than Music – For the film aficionado in all of us, Allentown FilmFest receives its trial run at Civic Theater 514 during three of the festival’s ten days. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., FilmFest begins with the 1966 Antonioni film, Blowup. That will be followed by International Short Films on Sun., May 1 at 4 p.m. and A Night with the Experimental on Tues., May 3 at 7 p.m. Performing Arts Live! Filmmaker in Residence Stephanie Gardner will lead a discussion each night.

We’ve Got ‘Nerve’ – Jojo Mayer and his trio Nerve will push the boundaries of jazz by intertwining it with their trademark genre-busting live electronica. This is sure to be one of the most unique performances associated not only with JazzFest, but the entire Lehigh Valley in 2016. It takes place Sat., Apr. 30 at Halo nightclub (22 N. 6th St.) beginning at 7 p.m.

I See London – After 15 years of touring, London-born singer Lucy Woodward makes her Lehigh Valley debut at Allentown JazzFest 2016. Lucy has toured with the likes of Rod Stewart and has major label credibility to her name. She’ll bring all of that and more to the Renaissance Ballroom on Thurs., May 5 at 8 p.m.

I See France – Scott Tixier, a French violinist quickly gaining international fame, is coming to 187 Rue Principale for his JazzFest debut this Sun., May 1 at 7 p.m. Scott has worked with an incredible list of artists, and both his recordings and live show prove him to be a cut above the rest.

Homegrown Talent – Of course, what would a Lehigh Valley music festival be without plenty of our own on the bill? Regional favorite Hector Rosado will make a couple of appearances, and local music fans can enjoy performances from Joe Wagner, Tiffany Ly, Eric Mintel, and the Bryan Tuk Complex – to name a few – at different points throughout the festival.