In just a few weeks, Musikfest will celebrate three decades of presenting amazing, live music with 500-plus concerts on 14 stages Aug. 1-10.              Here’s what’s new this year:

“Saurus” presented by Close Act Theatre
Aug. 8-10, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.
Enjoy three days of performances by this dynamic theater group from The Netherlands. These 18-foot-tall artistic dinosaurs walk (and roar) amongst crowds and are a ‘must-see’ spectacle performing in the area between Festplatz & Plaza Tropical. Everyone will be asking “have you seen the dinosaurs yet?”

Mucca Pazza
Parading through the North Side of the festival Aug. 2, 5 p.m.
Performing at Pennsylvania Lottery Volksplatz:
Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Mucca Pazza, everyone’s favorite 20-piece “circus punk marching band” will be parading from behind Red Stag Pub Liederplatz down Metro Beauty Academy Main Street and through FLYLVIA Plaza Tropical. This boisterous band is known for its quirky style and fun outfits that include speakers attached to their heads in order to project their sound to its full capacity.

Yarn Bombing
presented by The Knitter’s Edge
Aug. 1-10
Handwerkplatz presented by Air Products
The Knitter’s Edge staff and community are yarn bombing Musikfest! Yarn bombing is the act of covering an area or objects with knitted and/or crocheted pieces. After Musikfest, the pieces will be sewn together into afghans and donated to a local charity.

Aerial Mind
Aug. 8-10, 6 & 8 p.m.
Capital BlueCross Creativity Commons, ArtsQuest Center
Using aerial arts and mindfulness to experience the synergy and body as one, Aerial Mind is a local business that offers classes and programs to focus on adaptive aerials as a recreational source and the circus arts as a therapeutic tool.

Music Camp at Musikfest for ages 6-10 with Daria Marmaluk-Hijioannou
Aug. 2, noon-3:30 p.m.
$90 (ArtsQuest Members – $81)
Music and art come together in the true spirit of Musikfest in this exciting camp held at SteelStacks! In this class led by internationally-known folk musician and music educator Daria Marmaluk-Hijioannou, children will get the chance to create their own unique instruments. At the end of the camp, the kids will take to the TD Bank Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square at SteelStacks for a one-time only live performance. Class is limited to 20 students – Register at www.bananafactory.org or 610-332-1300

Spark Orthodontics Kinderplatz is for Kids!
Musikfest’s family venue is back to its original name, Kinderplatz (the ‘Children’s Place’ in German). We’ve added two new rides, plus look for special appearances and activities by the Philadelphia Union of the MLS, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and more.

Polynesian Dance Productions
Aug. 1-5 at 5, 6:30 & 8 p.m.
Handwerkplatz presented by Air Products
Featuring traditional Polynesian dancers and a Maori Fire Poi dancer, Polynesian Dance Productions performances are driven by the beauty, joy and origins of authentic Polynesian Dance.  Come experience the true Aloha spirit with dancers professionally trained in Tahitian and Hawaiian dance techniques.

Space Shuttle Blake
Aug. 1, 5-9 p.m.
Aug. 2-3, 1-9 p.m.
Aug. 4-8, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 9-10, 1-9 p.m.
FLYLVIA Plaza Tropical
Space Shuttle Blake is one of the world’s most unique educational tools. Six years and 40,000 volunteer hours went into making this 4/10-scale replica of the Space Shuttle on the outside, and a state-of-the-art classroom inside. Blake is 43 feet long, 27 feet wide and 17 feet high when fully extended. Don’t miss your opportunity to see this one-of-a-kind exhibit presented by FLYLVIA.
 
Restaurant Row
Musikfest may showcase a world of food over 10 days, but Bethlehem showcases a world of great eats all year long. This year, the festival is partnering with several local restaurants in a unique promotion to highlight some of the great dining options in the city. Anyone who buys a Musikfest mug or encounters the Musikfest Street Team powered by Think Energy will get their free coupon book to Restaurant Row featuring special offers by:
Corked
Hotel Bethlehem
Mama Nina’s Foccacheria
McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub & Restaurant
The Brick
Bethlehem Brew Works
 
MINI TAKES THE STATES
Aug. 8-9
SteelStacks
Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley will cruise into the national spotlight when MINI owners from across the country pull into Musikfest this August as part of the legendary cross-country road rally MINI TAKES THE STATES (MTTS). Rally participants will arrive on Friday to enjoy the festival, then line up on First Street on Saturday a.m. for a drive-off to Boston to finish the last leg of the 2014 MTTS.  The Lehigh Valley/Musikfest stop has the most participants registered out of any of the MINI stages.

New Food Vendors
Nine food vendors are making their first appearance at the festival this year. They are:
 
Red Stag Pub Liederplatz
Roasty Toasty
Grilled Cheese, Tomato Cheese, Italian Cheese, Crabby Cheese

Carolina Barbecue
Pork BBQ, Philadelphia Style Pork BBQ, Pit Beef, Chicago Style Italian Beef, Chicken BBQ, Pot Roast Sandwich, Italian Sausage, Carolina Chili

PA Lottery Volksplatz
Strawberry Street Concessions
Falafel, Hummus and Pita, Grape Leaves, Tabuoleh, Big Ass Burrito, Big Ass Steak Burrito, Steak Quesadillas, Veggie Quesadillas, Garlic Parmesan Fries

Grateful Spread
Cheesesteak Egg Roll, Buffalo Chicken Egg Roll, Crab Fries, Grilled Pork Chop on a Stick, Cuban Sandwich

Bee’s Knees
Grilled Cheese, Grilled Cheese w/ Bacon, Grilled Cheese w/ Havarti, Apples, Arugula on Sourdough; Grilled Cheese w/ Pesto, Mozzarella, Fresh Tomato on Italian; Grilled Cheese with Kimchee, Grilled Tempeh, Swiss on Marble Rye, Grilled Cheese with Avocado, Bacon, Cheddar on Sourdough, Grilled Cheese with Avocado, Arugula, Pesto, Havarti on Sourdough
 
Felix’s Tacos
Tacos, Taco Salad, Flautas, Fajitas, Nachos

Sangtawan Thai Food
Chicken on a Stick, NY Strip on a Stick, Pad Thai, Red Curry Chicken, Pannang Curry, Spring Roll, Fried Chicken Dumpling, Tofu

Handwerkplatz presented by Air Products
Delicious Bites on the Go
Mini Doughnuts

Aetna Americaplatz at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
Rodale Catering
Bulldog Burger, Hot Dog, Walking Taco, Hand Cut Fries and Sweet Potato Fries, Veggie Wrap, Turkey Club Wrap, Pulled Pork Parfait, Organic Ice Cream Bars and Sandwiches, Cookies

Martin Guitar Contest
Aug. 1-10
Martin Guitar will be giving away a Seth Avett custom guitar during Musikfest. Visit www.musikfest.org in July for your chance to win. Winner will be chosen Aug. 5.
 
PNC Bank Contest
Aug. 2 & 9
PNC Bank is giving away $1,000 in gift cards on each Saturday of the ‘fest. A promo code will be posted on a specific PNC ATM at the festival both Saturday mornings. There will then be a time, announced through social media, to meet a Musikfest street team member at another specific PNC ATM in order to relay the promo code and receive an envelope to win.

Share Your Musikfest Story
Aug. 1-10
ArtsQuest Member Booth at Wells Fargo Festplatz
From getting married at the festival to bringing their kids and now their grandkids to Musikfest, many patrons have very special memories of the festival. For the first time its history, Musikfest is inviting patrons to share their stories by recording video clips at the ArtsQuest Member booth. Stories can also be shared online prior to the festival at www.musikfest.org/stories. ArtsQuest will be using the stories as a way to document some of the rich history as the festival, as well as share online via social media.
 
Chair Massages and Manicures with Metro Beauty Academy
Daily, Metro Beauty Academy Main Street
Be pampered while enjoying all the fun at the ‘fest.At Metro Beauty Academy Main Street, guests can enjoy chair massages and manicures courtesy of the Metro Beauty Academy students and staff. Plus, they can enter to win great prizes including a Metro Beauty Academy spa package.
 
South Italy Imports Sampling
Aug. 1-10, 5 -10 p.m.
1st Street
Partnering with twelve vineyards in eight regions across Italy, South Italy Imports aims to introduce Americans to the indigenous wines of Italy. During the ‘fest, South Italy Imports will be stationed on First Street at SteelStacks offering tasting samplings. Wines will also be available for purchase via the Mack Café at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.

Storytime Comedy Hour with ManDudeBro and Friends
Aug. 7, 11:15 p.m.
ArtsQuest Center, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
Tickets: $5
A special guest monologist shares true-to-life stories that ManDudeBro and a cast of all-star area improvisers then turn into comedic gold.   Part storytelling part frenetic, anything-goes comedy show, Story Time Comedy Hour is going to be your new favorite part of being alive!

A Complete Schedule of 2014 Musikfest can be found at musikfest-lineup-2014