Who is the best?
Beginning November 1, the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association wants your answer to that question, as nominations for the 18th Annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards have begun.
Photo credit: ErinKellyMusic.com
In advance of the Third Annual Arts on the Move on Nov. 12 at Touchstone Theater, Lehigh Valley Underground is on a mission to talk to each of the musicians performing at the event. Stay tuned here and with our partners at DustinSchoof.com as we bring you everything you need to know about the people making this event go.
First up, we chat with Erin Kelly, a 21 year old country music artist with a powerful, award-winning voice. Erin will be performing at Arts on the Move, and was nice enough to answer some of our questions.
There is a myth that exists in the Lehigh Valley, and it goes a little something like this: the music scene dries up when summer ends. As the sun begins to set earlier in the day, so, too, does it set on the active season in our arts and culture community.
That notion could not be further from the truth.
Between festivals, showcases, and our typical haunts, our dance card is already filling up for the fall, and will likely keep us out of the pumpkin patches and absorbing the sights and sounds as the autumn chill permeates the air. Here’s what’s on our radar.
Allentown ArtsFest is happening, like, right now.
Allentown ArtsFest
Dates: Now through Oct. 2
Location: Cedar Beach Park, Allentown
Description: ArtsFest 2016 features more than 300 artists, vendors, musicians, buskers and performers. All admission and entertainment is FREE for all ages.
Oktoberfest
Dates: Now through Oct. 2; Oct. 7-9
Location: SteelStacks, Bethlehem
Description: Music isn’t all Oktoberfest has to offer, with games, dachshund races, food and, of course, plenty of great beer. If you’re looking for tunes, though, Scott Marshall (10/1, 9 p.m.), The Moondogs (10/8, 4 p.m.), and Truth & Soul (10/9, 12 p.m.) are among the highlights that stand out to us.
On Oct. 27, Alpha Zero Three returns to the scene of their live debut.
Alpha Zero Three and Rofo Audio at The Originals Music Series
Date: Thurs., Oct. 27
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Chicago Restaurant & Club Gravity, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown
Description: Both AZ3 and Rofo Audio, rising rock acts in the Valley, will be performing new tunes from their upcoming releases.
Thirteen Butterflies Productions’ Annual Anti-Bullying Show
Date: Sat., Oct. 29
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Allentown Masonic Temple, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown
Description: Craig Thatcher, Friar’s Point Band, Taylor Ash, and many more artists cap Anti-Bullying Awareness Month with an all-star jam.
There’s a lot of bacon in this photo. The only thing missing… is you.
PA Bacon Fest 2016
Date: Nov. 5-6
Location: Center Square, Easton
Description: 100+ vendors, 10+ musical acts, and bacon. Lots and lots of bacon.
Third Annual Arts on the Move
Date: Sat., Nov. 12
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. 4th St, Bethlehem
Description: We went into this a bit on Thursday, but to re-iterate: four great performers and an art/instrument auction to support the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association’s scholarship program.
We enjoyed our Musikfest rendezvous with the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association so much, we’ve decided it’s time for another round!
Lehigh Valley Underground is proud to sponsor the Third Annual Arts on the Move, taking place on Saturday, November 12 at Touchstone Theater, 321 E. 4th St. in Bethlehem.
Arts on the Move is a fundraiser for the GLVMA, with all proceeds funding the organization’s scholarships, to be awarded at the 18th Annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards on March 5, 2017. The evening will feature live music from local performers Triple G, Project 32, Jordyn Kenzie, and Erin Kelly. In addition, Arts on the Move will host an auction of unique instruments donated by local musicians and styled by local visual artists.
Tickets are $15 and can be found on the GLVMA’s Eventbrite page. For updates and more information, visit Arts on the Move on Facebook, and check back with Lehigh Valley Underground and DustinSchoof.com in the weeks leading up to the event.
Well… that was quite a month!
It started with the story of how we wound up here in the first place. Then, we announced a Mega Powerful partnership with our pal Dustin Schoof. That was reason to party, so we followed it up with a ten-day celebration of the grandest musical tradition in our Valley. We covered artists from our region and beyond, and even had the chance to get in on the action, thanks to a special assist from our friends at the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association and ArtsQuest.
The fun didn’t stop there. We hung out at an open jam featuring former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy and a couple of the best and brightest young bands in our region. We enjoyed a diversified #SuperSaturday around our Valley that included a studio performance, a grand opening, and a night of hardcore. We reviewed albums, featured some great pieces from contributors, and had a wonderful time doing it all.
What did all of that mean for us? It meant shattering every meaningful record – Every. Single. Record. – when it comes to LVU’s site traffic. Here are a few of the milestones we reached this August.
The moral of the story is that Lehigh Valley Underground grew up this month, from a fledgling local music blog to a force to be reckoned with. Our platform has improved greatly over the past month, which bodes well for the many talented artists and music people on our local scene.
There’s no sense in stopping now. Tonight, we cap our amazing month at the Great Allentown Fair, supporting just a few of our favorite local artists as they compete to win WZZO’s 28th Annual Backyard Bands Competition.
So, that was August — a milestone month for LVU in every way. After all of that, only one question comes to mind…
How will we #GoUnderground to make September even better?
As you know from reading Lehigh Valley Underground, this year’s Musikfest was not my first rodeo. However, it was the first go-round for LVU at the nation’s largest free outdoor music festival, and we are beyond grateful that A) this thing happens in our backyard and B) we had the opportunity to take part.
We saw and heard some amazing musicians – some good friends of LVU, while others were completely new discoveries for us. We ate good food, we filled our mugs, and we even got to hang in the Sands Steel Stage pit and get some pretty cool photos of X Ambassadors. We got to see this entire community come together to celebrate music, summer, and the Lehigh Valley – and we were fortunate enough to join in.
So, with that, I personally want to thank a few people and organizations for making our first Musikfest as an organization one for the ages.
First, thank you to the team at ArtsQuest who, in addition to being SUPER supportive of LVU, take weeks out of their summer every year to ensure that you and I have a good time in downtown Bethlehem for 10 days. You all were the first folks I met when I came back to the Valley, and I look forward to working with you all for years to come.
Thank you to amazing teammates like Lisa, Ambrose and, of course, our fellow Mega Power Dustin Schoof for covering what I couldn’t. Next year, I promise that I won’t book any vacations before knowing the dates of Musikfest (not that I regret fulfilling my lifelong, bucket list dream of finally seeing my Cubs play at Wrigley Field, because that place is amazing and I WILL be going back – just not from Aug. 4-13, 2017).
Thank you to our partners at the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association for the honor and privilege of introducing Another Day Dawns, Doubting Thoma$, The Cherrybombs, and Social Call at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase on Aug. 7. This night was easily a highlight of 2016 so far, both for LVU and for me personally. We can’t wait to work more with you to create opportunities, large and small, for everyone on the music scene.
Also, special thanks to Lisa and my wonderful girlfriend, Meg, for volunteering their time to LVU at the event and believing in this hare-brained scheme of mine.
Thank you to all of the musicians, who use their talents to make Musikfest and, as always, the Lehigh Valley’s music scene what it is. Without you, there would be no ‘Fest or LVU, and this place would be a lot less vibrant.
Finally, thank you, the readers, for making last week by far the most successful week in LVU history. We shattered records for page views and unique visitiors during our Musikfest coverage, and it’s because you all care so much about your music scene. We couldn’t do it without your support.
#ThanksMusikfest, for being you. See you in 2017!
To me, Sunday’s incredible Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase at Musikfest’s Plaza Tropical reinforced a few things that I already knew:
Personally, it was a blast to be on-hand for four great, local bands like Another Day Dawns, Doubting Thoma$, The Cherrybombs, and Social Call. All four bands rocked so hard and put on such a great show that, in all honestly, it’s hard to say which one was my favorite. It was an excellent night of rock across the board.
I also have to thank the GLVMA and, of course, ArtsQuest for the opportunity to introduce each of the bands and represent Lehigh Valley Underground at the event. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Musikfest in this way, and I look forward to working with both organizations again in the not-too-distant future.
Of course, since I was there all night, I couldn’t help but to bring my camera and get some photos. So, you get some bonus shots of the action!
Another Day Dawns
Doubting Thoma$
The Cherrybombs
Social Call
Last night, Musikfest was rocked by four local bands as part of the Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Underground.
Local rockers Another Day Dawns, Doubting Thoma$, The Cherrybombs, and Social Call packed Musikfest’s Plaza Tropical tent with friends and fans all night long. The evening featured a mix of originals and covers, and was hosted onstage by LVU Founder Gerard Longo.
Here are some photos — more are coming with a full recap a bit later. Enjoy!
I’ll start by saying this: You know where you need to be tonight.
Just in case you don’t, I’m here to tell you: You need to come to the Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Underground.
Starting at 8 p.m., Another Day Dawns, Doubting Thoma$, The Cherrybombs, and Social Call will be at FLYLVIA Plaza Tropical. We’ll be there. Everyone will be there!
Including you. Yes, you.
Fritz’s Polka Band | 12 p.m.
Stage: Wells Fargo Festplatz (North)
Description: Would it be Musikfest without polka? No. The answer is no.
Burning Bridget Cleary | 3 p.m.
Stage: Volksplatz (North)
Description: Sunday’s diverse offerings continue with the popular Celtic folk group.
Eric Mintel Quartet | 4 p.m.
Stage: Red Stag Pub Liederplatz (North)
Description: Jazz on a beautiful, lazy Sunday afternoon? Where do we sign up?
Belle-Skinner | 5 p.m.
Stage: Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas (South)
Description: Keepin’ it indie from all the way in Albany!
The Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Underground | 8 p.m.
Stage: FLYLVIA Plaza Tropical (North)
Description: We already told you, didn’t we?
There’s more where that came from! Check in with DustinSchoof.com every morning throughout Musikfest for a full free stage lineup!
Musikfest starts this weekend, and we’re popping in on our summer break to preview the action! Joining us is Ricardo Flores, President of the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association, who talks to us about the organization’s mission, values, and the Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Underground, happening Sunday, Aug. 7 from 8-11 p.m. at Musikfest’s Plaza Tropical stage.
Plus, we play music from artists who you’ll hear at the festival!
Track listing:
The Groove Merchants – John the Savage
Alex Radus – We Can’t Play Like Django
This Way to the Egress – Earworm
Doubting Thoma$ – Slate Clean
Voirvoir – I Wanna
Scott Marshall – Hope on the Cross