Welcome ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, one and all… to Musikfest!
Over the next 10 days, hundreds of performing artists and potentially more than a million people will come through downtown Bethlehem. Â Mugs will be filled. Corn will be eaten. Good times will be had.
Here at Lehigh Valley Underground, we will start each day with five things that you should check out. Let’s kick it off!
Singer-songwriter, radio host, and Godfrey Daniels Board of Directors President Dina Hall wears many hats in the Valley’s music scene. Here’s another one: multi-time Musikfest performer.
Dina has nearly a decade of performing experience at the nation’s largest free outdoor music festival under her belt. With that, she offered her profound experience and sage advice on the matter to conclude this year’s inaugural “Meet the ‘Fest Vets” series.
Over the next two weeks, potentially more than one million visitors to Bethlehem will have the opportunity to get their hands on a plastic mug featuring the artwork of local mixed medium artist Bobby Zeik, a Banana Factory resident artist and the man behind the 2017 Musikfest poster.
New York City alt-Americana band Evening Darling has a unique sound that has gained a lot of steam beyond the confines of the Big Apple. Their debut, self-titled album (which you can hear at the bottom of this article) is an exciting blend of influences that range from new wave to the folk and Americana of their previous incarnation, The Hunting Party.
We checked in with the band in advance of its performance this Saturday, August 5 at the Red Stag Pub Liederplatz stage at Musikfest to hear all about what makes them tick, and what we have to look forward to when they come to town this weekend.
In addition to old favorites who perform at Musikfest every year, the festival boasts a healthy offering of first-time performers each year. Whether they are local, or they come to us from afar, ‘Festgoers have a guaranteed opportunity to discover something new for ten days in August in downtown Bethlehem.
We reached out to a few ‘Fest rookies to get their thoughts on their upcoming debut at the nation’s largest free outdoor music festival. They are…
Neil Grover, local singer-songwriter, performing Wednesday, August 9 at 7 p.m. at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz, and Thursday, August 10 at 8 p.m. at Yuengling Lagerplatz (amid the Festplatz site).
Kara Hartzell, singer-songwriter and bassist for Alex Mery & The Townsmen, performing at Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works on Friday, August 4 at 9 p.m. (unofficial Musikfest performance); Wednesday, August 9 at 9 p.m. at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz (w/ Alex Mery & The Townsmen); and Thursday, August 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Provident Bank Main Street Stage.
Jim Rea of Springfield, MO-based bluegrass quintet, The HillBenders, performing Monday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Americaplatz, and Tuesday, August 8 at 7 p.m. at Volksplatz.
Zach Russack, Hackettstown, NJ-based singer-songwriter, performing a full-band set Thursday, August 10 at 3:30 p.m. on the Provident Bank Main Street Stage, and a solo set at Red Stag Pub Liederplatz on Sunday, August 13 at 2 p.m.
This year, Musikfest will feature a dash of laughter at the Charles A. Brown Ice House, as it teams up with Lehigh Valley with Love on the first official Lehigh Valley with Love Comedyplatz. The two-day showcase, taking place on August 11-12, will give 30 comics from New York, Philadelphia, and the Greater Lehigh Valley the opportunity to showcase their material at the historic venue.
Lehigh Valley Underground sat down with George Wacker, Lehigh Valley with Love founder; Ryan Hill, ArtsQuest programming director; and comedian Tyler Rothrock for a look at what’s in store, both now and in the future.
We are fewer than two weeks until Musikfest gets underway in Bethlehem on Friday, August 4. This is one of the more opinionated times of the year on our music scene; folks will take to social media to express their opinions on the matter in a polarizing manner that is second only, perhaps, to the period surrounding the Lehigh Valley Music Awards every March.
Before spending some time at the Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Blueberry Festival, I spent the early part of my day at SteelStacks to capture a few photos of the Second Annual VetFest.
Saturday was a beautiful day for fresh fruit, family fun, and an afternoon of live music — and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites had just what the doctor ordered.
If you’re looking for family friendly entertainment, a variety of talented live performers, and, of course, all things blueberry, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites has the place for you to be on July 15-16.