Gin Blossoms, The Yardbirds, Taylor Dayne & George Winston Coming to Musikfest Café

GinBlossoms, legendary ‘60s rock band The Yardbirds, Taylor Dayne and pianist George Winston are among the latest performances announced for the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.  Tickets for the shows go on sale starting Feb. 3, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Feb. 6, 10 a.m., to the public at www.steelstacks.org and 610-332-3378.

The Gin Blossoms made their rise to fame with hits like “Til I Hear It From You,” “Hey Jealousy” and “Follow You Down.” Over the years, the group has toured more than 25 countries and performed as part of popular music tours including the Summerland Tour in 2012.  The band’s fans can enjoy a repertoire of songs that blend ‘90s pop and rock when the group stops by the Musikfest Café March 19, 7:30 p.m.

Famous for classics like “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul,” The Yardbirds were one of the leaders of the ’60s British Invasion.  On April 9, 7:30 p.m., in the intimate setting of the Musikfest Café, the audience will have the opportunity to hear the band that helped launch the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page as it perform the hits that made it so popular.

On April 15, 7:30 p.m., the Musikfest Café welcomes GRAMMY-winning pianist George Winston.  Originally inspired by R&B, jazz, blues and rock, Winston created his own style of melodic instrumental music called folk piano.  Since 1972, he has released more than a dozen solo piano albums, and he regularly tours the nation performing to the delight of fans from Coast to Coast.

On July 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Musikfest Café it’s an evening with the one and only Taylor Dayne.  Best known for songs such “Tell It To My Heart,” “Love Will Lead You Back” and “Prove Your Love,” Dayne has sold more than 75 million albums and singles worldwide while earning three GRAMMY nominations.  In all, she has had 18 Top 10 hits.

It’s a great event for a great cause March 7, 8 p.m., as Popular Talking Heads tribute Start Making Sense andEaston-based music festival Now Here This come together to raise funds to provide guitars to area homeless shelters.  During the event, called Giving Guitars, the audience will enjoy sets by Start Making Sense, Voir Voir and Led Zeppelin tribute Cool Zepplehem.  Following the benefit, Start Making Sense will deliver guitars to six shelters in Bethlehem, Easton and Allentown.

The complete list of newly announced Musikfest Café shows is:

SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase Preliminaries
(see www.steelstacks.org for list of participating schools)
Presented by King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC
Feb. 15, noon
Feb. 22, noon
Feb. 22, 4 p.m.
Tickets: $6

Gin Blossoms
March 19, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$40

Who’s Bad – A Tribute to Michael Jackson
April 3, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20-$32

The Yardbirds
April 9, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25-$35

George Winston
April 15, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24-$34

Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone
May 28, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $49-$64

Citizen Cope
June 19, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $31-$50

Taylor Dayne
July 12, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$45