TAVERN TAN

If your craving some live American Music, then head over to Godfrey Daniel's June 8th at 8:00 p.m. to hear the Tavern Tan- The Lowdown. Small town pubs, bars, and local dives are missing the standard sound that used to be played all over the country.  With members that have played (individually or collectively) at Gun Clubs, Honky Tonks, Festivals in Europe, NY Studios, down in Memphis TN at Sun Records, and opened for various Big Game like Neville Bros, Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker (R.I.P.), and R.L. Burnside (R.I.P.), this is the sound of original roots rock n' roll. The sound of a small portable drum kit with the guitar amps along the back wall. So get excited!!!

2ND ANNUAL LGBT FILM SERIES AT STEELSTACKS BEGINS MAY 6

Month-long Series Includes Films & Discussions Focusing on LGBT Issues

BETHLEHEM, PA--Equality Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Diversity Network, Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley and ArtsQuest are pleased to announce the 2nd annual LGBT Film Series at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks’ Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas May 14-June 9. The month-long series, designed to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, will feature seven films, as well as special discussion sessions and talkbacks hosted by prominent members of the Lehigh Valley’s LGBT community.

"Kudos to ArtsQuest for hosting the LGBT Film Series again this year," said Adrian Shanker, President of Equality Pennsylvania. "These aren't films that often get shown on the large screen. It's so great to have this series in the Lehigh Valley."

The 2013 LGBT Film series gets underway May 14 with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an adaptation of the hit off-Broadway musical. Tickets for each film are $10 regular, $8 for students and seniors, and $7.50 for ArtsQuest Members. They are available by calling 610-332-3378, visiting artsquest.org/film or purchasing them at the box office of the ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

"Pride is honored to be a supporting partner of the LGBT Film Series at SteelStacks with ArtsQuest, Equality Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Diversity Network," said Shawn Bausher, President of Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley. "We commend ArtsQuest for continuing their support of the LGBT community and helping to increase awareness and educate the Lehigh Valley on these issues.”

The 2013 LGBT Film Series schedule is as follows:

Hedwig and the Angry Inch - May 14, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 91 min
Rated R
Adapted from the hit off-Broadway musical of the same name, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the tale of an "internationally ignored" rock ‘n’ roll singer who hails from Communist Berlin and dreams of becoming an American sensation. The film features several songs by composer Stephen Trask, who also appears as a member of Hedwig's disinterested rock band; Miriam Shor portrays Hedwig's newfound love and backup singer.

Kiss Me (Kyss Mig) - May 20, 7:15 p.m.
Time: 105 min
Rated R
Released in the United States as Kiss Me (alternative American title "With Every Heartbeat"), Kyss Mig is a 2011 Swedish drama directed by Alexandra Therese Keining. The film won best Lesbian film at QCinema Fort Worth’s Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival.

Love or Whatever - May 22, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 84 min
Rated: NR
At 30, Corey thought he had it all: A successful career, a lesbian sister who's his best friend and, most of all, a bright future with his boyfriend, Jon. But when Jon dumps him - for a woman - Corey sets off on a wild journey of self-discovery that leads him to a GRINDR connection, Pete and a life changing choice: LOVE OR WHATEVER. This film is fresh off its world premiere at Frameline International LGBT Film Festival at The Castro Theater in San Francisco.

A Perfect Ending - May 28, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 90 min
Rated: UR
Perfect Ending is both very erotic and quite humorous. As we follow Rebecca Westridge on her journey, one thing becomes startlingly clear - sometimes a perfect ending isn’t what we expect it to be.  This film was officially selected at Frameline: San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival, Outfest: Los Angeles GLBT Film Festival and Philadelphia QFest in 2012.

Yossi - May 29, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 83 min
Rated: UR
From Israel's most beloved pop filmmaker comes a tender, joyous pleasure of a movie about love blooming in the wake of loss. Yossi was nominated for Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012, and Ohad Knoller won the People Award for Best Performance at the Paris Lesbian Film Festival.

How to Survive a Plague - June 2, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 120 min
Rated: NR
How to Survive a Plague is the Oscar-nominated (Best Documentary Feature, 2013) story of two coalitions - ACT UP and TAG - whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. The film won Best Documentary at the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, as well as Best New Filmmaker for David France. It was nominated at the Sundance Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards and won Best Documentary at the Gotham Awards.

Cloudburst - June 9, 7:15 p.m.
Runtime: 90 min
Rated: UR
With equal parts humor and grace, Cloudburst explores the important themes of life, death and love through the eyes of Stella and Dot, an aging couple, and the young hitchhiker they pick up en route to Canada. This film won audience awards for Feature and Best Actress in competitions and film festivals around the world, including the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Audience Award – Best Feature) and the Milan International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Grand Jury Award – Best Film).

BRUNCH AND MAGIC OF FLOWERS HIGHLIGHT MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES AT STEELSTACKS

Arts Quest and Bethlehem Garden Club will be hosting a Mother’s Day Weekend, May 11-12 filled with specials and events featuring a Mother’s Day Brunch, the Magic of Flowers event presented by the Bethlehem Garden Club and special floral workshops at SteelStacks.
On May 11, the Bethlehem Garden Club will present the “Magic of Flowers” during a weekend long celebration of Mothers. This includes “The Art of Tablescaping” showcasing the talents of many award-winning designers along with 40 National Garden Club design miniatures, which use dried plant material in each display. In addition, there will be a Town Square Flower and Plant Sale featuring Plants, Annuals, Perennials, Herbs, Hanging Plants, Floral Bouquets, Flower & Garden Gifts, and Tools of the Trade.  Sales times are Saturday, 11a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 10a.m. to 3 p.m.  Both events are open to the public and free of charge.
Also on Saturday, there will be two Floral Workshops. The first workshop will feature the dried flower designer, lecturer and author of “Harvesting, Preserving and Arranging Dried Flowers,” Cathy Miller. Known for her amazing design and 62 dried flower arrangements for the White House, she comes to Bethlehem to share her anecdotes and demonstrate her craft.  The workshop will be held at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Ticket prices are $10 per person.
Scott Rothenberger, internationally recognized, award-winning designer will present his workshop “Green Spaces for Better Places—Creating your Own Outdoor Paradise while Improving the Planet.” It is a colorful picture show full of inspirations and plans perfect for helping you with your landscaping and outdoor living. Held at the Muskifest Café from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 per person.
The weekend will conclude with its Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Musikfest Café. Among the many options from which to choose are entrées such as Challah French Toast, Smoked Salmon, Cheese Tortellini, Herb Roasted Turkey, Roast Beef, Apple Crisp and more. The menu also includes a variety of appetizers and delicious desserts. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 610-332-3378 or visiting www.artsquest.org. Prices are $29.95 for adults ages 13 and over, $11.95 for ages 6-12 and free for children ages 5 and under.
The Bethlehem Garden Club will be providing the floral arrangements for the tables for the Mother’s Day Brunch.  Guests will be able to purchase any of the floral arrangements seen on the tables in the Musikfest Café!  Additionally, the Bethlehem Garden Club members will be designing and creating the floral arrangements in the Tent on the Town Square – come watch them channel their creativity and create beautiful pieces with flowers!

heART series

Hoping to energize the brain through creative thinking and meditation? Introducing a new workshop series, heART, the Banana Factory hopes to recharge the minds and spirits of its guests through a combination of art and meditation, regardless of art experience. The new series, set for April 26-28, 2013, is a collection of workshops emphasizing the renewal of the mind, body and energy taught by a group of world renowned artists.
During these workshops, guests will watch and participate in presentations by dancers, musicians, and visual artists from around the world. These workshops hope to teach and generate knowledge about different meditative art forms.
“I am a cancer survivor and when I came back to work as the Director of Visual Arts Education, I realized that there is a rich community of arts and healing. It became clear after working in a hospital environment that we could be really creative if we held these types of workshops at the Banana Factory. Whether or not you are a patient, survivor, family member, or even just the general public everyone would find this is of great benefit,” said Janice Lipzin, Director of Visual Arts Education at ArtsQuest.
The Banana Factory is pleased to welcome both resident artists, as well as some new faces.  Over the weekend, six workshops will take place. On Friday, April 26, John Fitzgerald Toya will be performing an Eagle Dance and Jim Donovan will teach a drum and chant workshop. On Saturday, April 27, you can create corn maiden pottery with John Fitzgerald Toya or learn the art of Vedic painting with Ingunn Moseng. Lastly on Sunday, April 28, Stephanie Smith is teaching a mandala drawing workshop followed by an art and rhythm workshop with Ibiyinka Alao.
Resident artist Stephanie Smith will be hosting the mandala meditation workshop. Smith’s workshop helps to focus on a person’s inner creativity. In the class, you will learn different techniques of rhythmic drawing to create a mandala—a circular art form used as a tool for meditation and self-expression. Participants will take home a beautifully crafted mandala they will be proud to display and use during meditation.
Jim Donovan, a former drummer and one of the founding members of the band Rusted Root, will provide a drum and chant workshop. Music lovers will “enjoy learning how to use power of sound to effectively unblock, transform and increase your energy” This workshop is open to all levels and will be an evening of ecstatic drumming and profound relaxation.
John Fitzgerald Toya, a Pueblo Native American and frequent Banana Factory artist, will be teaching two workshops. In his first workshop, he will perform an Eagle Dance, followed by a discussion on the significance of art as an integral part in healing and spiritualism in Native American culture.
 “The Eagle dance is extremely moving and I remember that there was not a dry eye in the house after it was done,” said Lipzin, a previous participant.
The next morning, Toya will lead a hands-on pottery workshop where participants will create their own traditional Native American corn maiden pot from clay.
Other heART workshops offered are Vedic Painting with Ingunn Moseng and an art and rhythm workshop with Ibiyinka Alao.
Moseng, a Norwegian painter, art educator and owner of Gallery Moseng in Norway, will lead participants in the way of Vedic art, described as “both feet firmly on the ground and the paint brush in heaven.” Vedic art is an individual process through which you can express yourself, but does not demand talent or mastering of any painting techniques.  
Alao, a Nigerian visual artist and first-place winner of the prestigious United Nations International Art Competition, will teach about African culture and spirituality, as well as art and rhythm.
 Both courses will offer a stress reducing and liberating creative experience for anyone enrolled.
“These workshops are a way to put art and wellness together. It is the correlation between these two that makes these workshops so wonderful,” said Lipzin
All the workshops will take place at the Banana Factory and will range from $35 to $45. The workshops are sponsored by Linny Fowler and Healing Through the Arts.  For more information and the complete workshop schedule, visit www.artsquest.org.

STEELSTACKS ART AND ARCHITECTURE TOUR

ArtsQuest and Historic Bethlehem Partnership will be serving visitors to Bethlehem by offering unique guided walking tours of the 150 years of American architecture at SteelStacks, as well as the public art and art exhibits that are part of this 21st Century cultural campus.
The 75-minute tour will feature art and architectural richness with examples of significant buildings erected as far back as the late 1860’s, in addition to public sculpture by local artisans. The trained guides will explore the history of the buildings and the emphasis is placed on learning how the architecture of the steel mills has evolved over time.

Visitors will start the tour with one of the earliest buildings on the former Bethlehem Steel site and now the oldest, the 1863 Stock House. Made fully of stone and brick, it was initially used to store raw materials in the iron making process.  Along the way, visitors will see the Bessemer Rail Rolling Mill, a “state of the art” facility and the first fully integrated steel mill in the United States, the 26,000 square food Turn and Grind Shop, the commercial style Steel General Offices, the new Leavitt Pavilion, the PBS 39 building and concluding with a tour of the ArtsQuest Center, home to a gallery, as well as a variety of permanent and temporary art.

Throughout the tour, visitors will learn about how in the early days of the 20th century, Bethlehem Steel became a major producer of structural steel and the wide flange beam, “the I beam,” which is now the logo of the company. It was said that 80% of New York’s skyscrapers contained structural steel produced by Bethlehem Steel. Being able to witness history in the making is what makes this tour different than any other.

The community’s commitment to bringing new life to the former Bethlehem Steel plant is also highlighted by the five large public sculptures at the SteelStacks campus. The art pieces featured on the tour will include the steel and fire sculptures designed by Elena Columbo, the “Bridge” and “Alchemy;” the handmade glass sculpture “The Four Elements;” the neon sculpture “Transformation” by Stephen Antonakos; and Salma Arastu’s “Celebration of Life,” a sculpture representing the joy of humanity and community.

The SteelStack Art and Architecture Tour will be on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday. The tours depart at 11 am, rain or shine. The tour will leave from the Visitor Center at SteelStacks 7 11 E. First Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015, and has a moderate walking distance. Tickets for the tour are $12 and are available online at artsquest.org and historicbethlehem.org or on the phone at 610-332-3378
 
For more information on the SteelStacks Art and Architecture Tour, please visit www.artsquest.org.

STEELSTACKS FEATURES FREE FAMILY MOVIES UNDER THE STARS THIS SUMMER

This summer, children of all ages are invited to enjoy family movie classics under the stars during the new Summer Family Movies Series at SteelStacks. The free weekly movie series presented by ArtsQuest will take place Wed., June 19-Aug. 28, at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, 789 E. First St., with presentations starting at 8 p.m.

The Summer Family Movies Series at SteelStacks, which is made possible thanks to Caruso Benefits Group Inc., features some of the most popular family movies in history including The Muppets, Paranorman, Shrek and The Lion King. The series gets underway June 19, 8 p.m., with Mary Poppins, the musical that warmed everyone heart’s when a magical nanny comes to work for a British family. The film starring Julie Andrews won five Oscars including best music.


The complete lineup for the Summer Family Movies Series at SteelStacks is:

JUNE
June 19, 8 p.m.- Mary Poppins
June 26, 8 p.m.- The Muppets

JULY
July 3, 8 p.m.- Rise of the Guardians
July 10, 8 p.m.- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
July 17, 8 p.m.- Paranorman
July 24, 8 p.m.- The Lion King
July 31, 8 p.m.- The Pirates: Band of Misfits

AUGUST
Aug 14, 8 p.m.- An American Tail
Aug 21, 8 p.m.- Madagascar 3
Aug 28, 8 p.m.- Shrek


Guests attending the Summer Family Movies Series are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs to sit on as they enjoy the movies under the stars. Free parking is available at the parking lots on First Street immediately adjacent to Steelstacks; food and beverages will be available at the Mack Truck Stop at the Levitt Pavilion, as well as the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, located across the street from the Levitt Pavilion.

For more information on the Summer Family Movies Series at SteelStacks, please visit www.artsquest.org.

ArtsQuest Grease Sing-Along

Working at ArtsQuest has opened my eyes to a whole new understanding of both the Bethlehem cultural scene and non-profit organizations. Many Lehigh students do not not fully comprehend the expansive and sensational opportunities ArtsQuest provides as an organization. Yes, Musikfest is what they are most known for and the excitement around the office is unmatchable. However, there are so many smaller events coming up before August. 

One upcoming event that shouldn't be missed is the Grease Sing-Along at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema. Paramount Pictures has produced a subtitled* re-release of their blockbuster film Grease (which happens to be celebrating its 35th anniversary), and they will be screening it for audiences May 1st. It would be a great break right before finals to let off some steam and watch one of everyone's favorite classics! 

Your hosts are Joshua Neth and Cheryl Moritz from Allentown Public Theatre, who will be leading you through Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, You're the One That I Want and all of the awesome songs you know you want to hand jive to! They will have prizes for best costumes, so come dressed as your favorite character! 

It will be wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and $8.00 for students.