2014 FESTIVALS & EVENTS...Save These Dates!

Photo credit Jonathan Davies

Lineup Includes 31^st edition of Musikfest, return of Blast Furnace Blues & More

The 31^st anniversary of Musikfest, the nation’s largest, free music festival; the return of Blast Furnace Blues presented by Highmark Blue Shield; and the new SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival highlight ArtsQuest’s festivals and events lineup for 2014. Event details and performer lineups will be announced on www.artsquest.org as they are confirmed; the Blast Furnace Blues lineup has already been announced.

SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival
Feb. 1, 2 p.m.-2 a.m.
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
It’s nonstop hilarity during the first SteelStacks Improv Comedy Festival featuring the Upright Citizens Brigade TourCo. The festival will showcase more than 30 short- and long-form improv groups from throughout the eastern U.S.

Blast Furnace Blues presented by Highmark Blue Shield
Feb. 7-9
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
Curtis Salgado, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Maria Muldaur & the Midnight Scramble and BeauSoleil highlight three days of scorchin’ blues music. The event also includes performance workshops and a Blues Brunch with Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters.

SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase presented by King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC
Feb. 16-March 16
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
The region’s finest high school jazz bands square off in this third-annual competition showcasing the region’s dynamic scholastic music groups. The winner earns the opportunity to open for one of the headliners at RiverJazz 2013.

“An Evening on the Red Carpet”
March 2
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
On March 2, you’re invited to walk the red carpet and join fellow movie lovers for a Great Gatsby-themed cocktail party and dinner before the Oscar telecast. Plus, don’t miss this year’s Oscar-nominated short films March 1 in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas.

RiverJazz presented by Concannon Miller
May 2-30
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
The Lehigh Valley’s jazz festival returns for its fourth year. Experience a wide range of sounds, from Bebop and Swing to Cool Jazz and Free Improvisation, as you enjoy internationally acclaimed artists and some of the best performers from the local area.

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Opening Weekend
May 23-26
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, 789 E. First St., Bethlehem
Bring the blankets and chairs and relax on the Levitt Pavilion lawn as the Summer Concert Series presented Highmark Blue Shield gets underway. The 2014 lineup will include 50 free concerts from Memorial Day Weekend through mid-September.

Memorial Day Celebration presented by Embassy Bank
May 23-26
SteelStacks, First Street and Founders Way, Bethlehem
Join Embassy Bank in honoring the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. The weekend, which also pays tribute to veterans and active members of the U.S. Armed Forces, includes a memorial service on Memorial Day, “Our Hometown Heroes” display featuring more than 250 images of local veterans and active military personnel, and patriotic and family-focused programming.

Flag Day presented by Embassy Bank
June 14
SteelStacks

¡Sabor! Latin Festival
June 20-22
SteelStacks
It’s three days of sizzling music, food and fun celebrating the region’s Latino culture. Enjoy the best in salsa, merengue, reggaeton, Latin jazz and other sounds as you dance the night away. Plus look for great, free family programming; interactive exhibits and special events all weekend long.

Independence Day Celebration presented by Embassy Bank
July 4-6
SteelStacks
Celebrate the birth of our great nation with three days of music and patriotic programming highlighted by a free concert and fireworks on the 4^th of July.

Musikfest
Aug. 1-10
Throughout Bethlehem
The nation’s largest free music festival returns for its 31^st year with more than 500 musical performances, 60 food vendors, 45 artisans and tons of family fun. The first two acts announced for the 2014 festival are The Avett Brothers Aug. 7 and Alan Jackson Aug. 8.

Patriot Day presented by Embassy Bank
Sept. 11
SteelStacks
Honoring our nation’s first responders, law enforcement agencies, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling
Oct. 3-5 and 10-12
SteelStacks
Indulge in music, food and fun as Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling returns for its fourth fun-filled year. Highlights include barrel rolling competitions, stein races, dachshund races and the return of the popular Bar Skills and Celebrity Skills challenges. It all gets underway with the official Oktoberfest Keg Tap featuring D.G. Yuengling & Son President Dick Yuengling on opening night.

Olympus InVision Photo Festival
Nov. 7-9
Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., Bethlehem, and ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
InVision is back with three days packed with presentations by internationally renowned photographers, dynamic photo exhibitions and more. The festival also kicks off Lehigh Valley Photography Month, featuring photography exhibits and presentations at more than 20 different venues throughout the region.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 20-Dec. 21
PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St., Bethlehem
Named one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, Christkindlmarkt features aisles of handmade works by 100 of the nation’s finest artisans; live holiday music; demonstrating artists; jolly, old St. Nicholas and more.

PEEPSFEST™
presented by Just Born Quality Confections and ArtsQuest
Dec. 30-31
ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
Enjoy two sweet days of family fun featuring live music, arts & crafts and plenty of PEEPS^®-themed programming. It all culminates with the popular giant PEEPS^® Chick drop and fireworks to welcome in the New Year Dec. 31.