By the time Tuesday evening hit, there was not a cloud in the sky anywhere near downtown Bethlehem. After a late night on Monday night (we closed out Plaza Trop, after all), Tuesday was a nice, easy day; one where it was important to take my time in my travels through Musikfest.
As we approach the official halfway point of Musikfest 2017, it appears that things have dried out. Of course, yesterday’s rains didn’t stop the action at the nation’s largest free outdoor music festival, but it’s always a nice thing to have sunny skies ahead.
It’s also nice to have a strong lineup to count on. Today’s action at Musikfest features just that.
Some of you went back to work today after the first weekend of Musikfest. For those who didn’t – or for those who did, but still are in the ‘Festing spirit – good news: there’s still a lot to like about heading out in Bethlehem today.
For sure, we’ll be at the LVMA Musikfest Country Roots Showcase as a co-presenter, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. But, it is our duty to give you options and spread the love. That’s what we’ll do!
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.
In addition to being a locally-coveted performance opportunity in the Lehigh Valley, Musikfest has grown to appeal to bands from outside our region – including those across the country and around the world.