Calendar

Donate

Search

Call For Artists: Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Free Concert Series Thematic Artwork

December 13, 2023, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest announces a public ‘Call for Artists’ for the 2024 Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks free concert series. Specifically, artists are being invited to submit an original art piece, preferably digital art, which will be featured as thematic artwork for the 2024 Levitt Pavilion Free Summer concert Series.

Over 50,000 concert attendees are anticipated throughout the summer season and the selected thematic artwork will be featured in the Levitt program book, promotional materials, social media graphics, concert posters and other related merchandise. The winning artist will receive a $1,000 compensation (along with reproduction rights). Submissions deemed ‘Honorable Mentions’ will also be showcased.

“While the Levitt Pavilion Free Summer Concert Series is about creating a strong community through the power of free and live music, the artistic community we serve goes well beyond the music. We are so excited to offer this opportunity for local artists to showcase their creativity and share what the Levitt Pavilion means to them,” commented Shayna Super, ArtsQuest Programming Manager and Levitt Pavilion Executive Director.

Important dates:

  • Deadline to submit interest is Dec. 29, 2023
  • Artist finalist notification is Jan. 8, 2024
  • Request for digital art design is Feb. 16, 2024
  • The selected artist notification is Feb. 26, 2024

For more information on the scope of work, selection information and application requirements, please visit levittsteelstacks.org. Then, apply here, artist application.

About ArtsQuest  

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. 

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presenta la programación de la serie de conciertos gratuitos de 2023

Presentaciones gratuitas de jueves a sábado con espectáculos selectos los domingos, incluyendo ¡Sabor! Latin Festival, Blast Furnace Blues y One Earth ReggaeFest

Bethlehem, PA, lunes 1 de mayo de 2023 – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presentado por Lehigh Valley Health Network, se enorgullece de anunciar su programación de series de conciertos gratuitos para 2023. Comenzando el viernes 19 de mayo al sábado 9 de septiembre, todos los jueves y sábados y algunos domingos por la noche, Levitt Pavilion contará con conciertos profesionales gratuitos en el campus de SteelStacks. Incluidos en la 13va temporada de Levitt están los festivales anuales de ¡Sabor! Latin Festival celebrado del 23 al 25 de junio, Blast Furnace Blues del 21 al 23 de julio, y el regreso de One Earth ReggaeFest el 1 de julio.

“Estamos muy emocionados de compartir casi 50 conciertos gratuitos y 10 películas gratuitas para toda la familia con nuestra comunidad este verano”, comentó Shayna Super, directora ejecutiva de Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks y gerente de programación de ArtsQuest. “Con una alineación que representa una diversidad de etnias, sexos y géneros, ¡esperamos que todos se sientan bienvenidos y encuentren algo que puedan salir y disfrutar en el césped!”

Para dar inicio a la temporada el 19 de mayo, Vanessa Collier, una maestra de la música y multiinstrumentista entretejerá funk, soul, rock y blues en una actuación poderosa. Ella sacudirá el escenario con voces conmovedoras, saxofón abrasador y composición ingeniosa.

Programación de espectáculos confirmados:

Viernes, Mayo 19, 2023 Vanessa Collier
Sábado, Mayo 20, 2023 Roberta Lea
Jueves, Mayo 25, 2023 Emily Drinker
Viernes, Mayo 26, 2023haZy cosmic jive – David Bowie Tribute
Sábado, Mayo 27, 2023 Tomberlin
Domingo, Mayo 28, 2023Craig Thatcher Band
Viernes, Junio 2, 2023 Ada Vox
Sábado, Junio 3, 2023 The Linda Ronstadt Experience
Domingo, Junio 4, 2023 The Ataris
Jueves, Junio 8, 2023 Jackson Pines
Viernes, Junio 9, 2023 The Outcrops
Sábado, Junio 10, 2023 Drew Angus
Jueves, Junio 15, 2023 The Chiclettes
Viernes, Junio 16, 2023 Buffalo Rose
Sábado Junio 17, 2023 Henry & the Reggae Rockers
Jueves Junio 22, 2023 Hotel Fiction
Viernes, Junio 23, 2023 Herencia Jibara
Sábado, Junio 24, 2023Little Johnny Rivero and His Salsa Band
Jueves, Junio 29, 2023 Garden State Radio
Viernes, Junio 30, 2023 Garth.
Sabado, Julio 1, 2023 One Earth ReggaeFest – Mighty Mystic
Martes, Julio 4, 2023 The Allentown Band
Jueves, Julio 6, 2023 Kyshona
Viernes, Julio 7, 2023 Erin & the Wildfire
Sabado Julio 8, 2023Grace Kelly
Jueves, Julio 13, 2023 Bassel & the Supernaturals
Viernes, Julio 14, 2023Morgan James
Sábado, Julio 15, 2023 Night Train – The Guns n’ Roses Tribute Experience
Jueves, Julio 20, 2023 De Tierra Caliente
Viernes, Julio 21, 2023 Bywater Call
Sábado, Julio 22, 2023 The Sensational Barnes Brothers
Domingo, Julio 23, 2023Toronzo Cannon
Jueves, Julio 27, 2023 Sons of Mystro
Viernes, Julio 28, 2023 Argonaut & Wasp
Sábado, Julio 29, 2023 Ryan Stevenson
Viernes, Agosto 18, 2023 Flow Tribe
Sábado, Agosto 19, 2023 Reservoir Hill
Jueves, Agosto 24, 2023 Celisse
Viernes, Agosto 25, 2023 Bumpin’ Uglies
Sábado, Agosto 26, 2023 La Santa Cecilia (Levitt National Tour)
Jueves, Agosto 31, 2023 Certainly So
Viernes, Septiembre 1, 2023 MAGICAL MYSTERY DOORS – Beatles, Zeppelin, Doors Tribute
Sábado, Septiembre 2, 2023 Chatham Rabbits
Jueves, Septiembre 7, 2023 Southern Avenue
Viernes, Septiembre 8, 2023 Metalachi
Sábado, Septiembre 9, 2023 The Aardvarks

“Creo en el poder de la música para traer alegría y unir a nuestra comunidad”, comentó Erin Zebertavage, presidenta de la junta directiva de Levitt SteelStacks y gerente del centro del distrito de artes de SouthSide. “Cada verano, Levitt SteelStacks trae al escenario una diversa línea de fantásticos artistas de rock, salsa, reggae, folk, country, indie y más. Está claro cuando miras al otro lado del césped, la alegría que la música trae a nuestra comunidad. Estoy muy orgulloso de servir en la junta de Levitt SteelStacks que ofrece música en vivo gratis y felicidad a tantos, todos los años”.

Acerca de Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks es parte de una red nacional de lugares de música y sitios de conciertos al aire libre de Levitt dedicados a fortalecer el tejido social de las comunidades a través de música en vivo y gratuita. Presentando una amplia gama de géneros musicales y programación cultural, los lugares de Levitt son destinos inclusivos donde se reúnen familias, amigos y vecinos de todas las edades y orígenes. Conozca más en: www.levitt.org

Acerca de ArtsQuest

La misión de ArtsQuest es brindar acceso a experiencias artísticas, culturales y educativas excepcionales utilizando las artes y la cultura como elementos clave del desarrollo económico para nuestras comunidades urbanas. ArtsQuest™ apoya esta misión a través de la presentación de artes escénicas y visuales, cine, clases de educación artística y divulgación, programación para jóvenes y eventos culturales.

A través de festivales como su evento principal, Musikfest; el Banana Factory Arts Center; y el ArtsQuest Center en el campus artístico y cultural SteelStacks, la programación de ArtsQuest llega a más de 1.9 millones de personas al año. Los programas y eventos de la organización, de los cuales más del 50 por ciento son gratuitos, tienen un impacto económico combinado de más de $136 millones anuales en la región.

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Reveals 2023 Free Concert Series Lineup

Free performances every Thursday through Saturday with select Sunday shows, including ¡Sabor! Latin Festival, Blast Furnace Blues and One Earth ReggaeFest

Bethlehem, PA, Monday, May 1, 2023 – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, is proud to announce its 2023 free concert series line-up. Beginning on Friday May 19 through Saturday, September 9, every Thursday-Saturday and select Sunday nights, the Levitt Pavilion will feature free professional concerts at the SteelStacks campus. Included in Levitt’s 13th season are annual festivals ¡Sabor! Latin Festival held June 23-25, the return of One Earth ReggaeFest on July 1 and Blast Furnace Blues  July 21-23.

“We are so excited to share nearly 50 free concerts and 10 free family-friendly movies with our community this summer,” commented Shayna Super, Executive Director Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks and ArtsQuest Programming Manager. “With a lineup that represents a diverse number of ethnicities, genders and genres, we hope everyone feels welcome and finds something they can come out and enjoy on the lawn!”

To kick off the season on May 19, Vanessa Collier, a master musician and multi-instrumentalist, will weave funk, soul, rock and blues into a powerful performance. She’ll rock the stage with soulful vocals, searing saxophone and witty songwriting.  

Confirmed show schedule:

Friday, May 19, 2023 Vanessa Collier
Saturday, May 20, 2023 Roberta Lea
Thursday, May 25, 2023 Emily Drinker
Friday, May 26, 2023 haZy cosmic jive – David Bowie Tribute
Saturday, May 27, 2023 Tomberlin
Sunday, May 28, 2023 Craig Thatcher Band
Friday, June 2, 2023 Ada Vox
Saturday, June 3, 2023 The Linda Ronstadt Experience
Sunday, June 4, 2023 The Ataris
Thursday, June 8, 2023 Jackson Pines
Friday, June 9, 2023 The Outcrops
Saturday, June 10, 2023 Drew Angus
Thursday, June 15, 2023 The Chiclettes
Friday, June 16, 2023 Buffalo Rose
Saturday, June 17, 2023 Henry & the Reggae Rockers
Thursday, June 22, 2023 Hotel Fiction
Friday, June 23, 2023 Herencia Jibara
Saturday, June 24, 2023 Little Johnny Rivero and His Salsa Band
Thursday, June 29, 2023 Garden State Radio
Friday, June 30, 2023 Garth.
Saturday, July 1, 2023 One Earth ReggaeFest – Mighty Mystic
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 The Allentown Band
Thursday, July 6, 2023 Kyshona
Friday, July 7, 2023 Erin & the Wildfire
Saturday, July 8, 2023 Grace Kelly
Thursday, July 13, 2023 Bassel & the Supernaturals
Friday, July 14, 2023 Morgan James
Saturday, July 15, 2023 Night Train – The Guns n’ Roses Tribute Experience
Thursday, July 20, 2023 De Tierra Caliente
Friday, July 21, 2023 Bywater Call
Saturday, July 22, 2023 The Sensational Barnes Brothers
Sunday, July 23, 2023 Toronzo Cannon
Thursday, July 27, 2023 Sons of Mystro
Friday, July 28, 2023 Argonaut & Wasp
Saturday, July 29, 2023 Ryan Stevenson
Friday, August 18, 2023 Flow Tribe
Saturday, August 19, 2023 Reservoir Hill
Thursday, August 24, 2023 Celisse
Friday, August 25, 2023 Bumpin’ Uglies
Saturday, August 26, 2023 La Santa Cecilia (Levitt National Tour)
Thursday, August 31, 2023 Certainly So
Friday, September 1, 2023 MAGICAL MYSTERY DOORS – Beatles, Zeppelin, Doors Tribute
Saturday, September 2, 2023 Chatham Rabbits
Thursday, September 7, 2023 Southern Avenue
Friday, September 8, 2023 Metalachi
Saturday, September 9, 2023 The Aardvarks

“I believe in the power of music to bring joy and our community together,” commented Erin Zebertavage, Levitt SteelStacks Board Chair and SouthSide Arts District Downtown Manager. “Every summer, the Levitt SteelStacks brings a diverse line up of fantastic performers to the stage from rock, salsa, reggae, folk, country, indie and more. It’s clear when you look across the lawn, the joy the music brings to our community. I am so proud to serve on the Levitt SteelStacks board that delivers free live music and happiness to so many, each and every year.”

About Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities through free, live music. Presenting a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues are inclusive destinations where families, friends, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Learn more: www.levitt.org 

About ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

LEVITT PAVILION STEELSTACKS REVEALS 2023 FREE CONCERT SERIES LINEUP

Free performances every Thursday through Saturday with select Sundays

BETHLEHEM, Pa., April 25, 2023 — Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, will announce its 2023 free concert series line-up at a special season reveal event being held on Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling.

Local recording artist Melody Cruz will kick off the afternoon with a musical performance followed by the exciting season reveal. The event is free to attend, and Palette & Pour will be open for beverages.

Beginning on Friday, May 19 through Saturday, September 9, every Thursday-Saturday and select Sunday nights the Levitt Pavilion will feature free professional concerts at the SteelStacks campus. Included in Levitt’s 13th season are annual festivals ¡Sabor! Latin Festival held June 23-25, Blast Furnace Blues  July 21-23 and the return of One Earth ReggaeFest on July 1.

Media are encouraged to attend.

About Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities through free, live music. Presenting a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues are inclusive destinations where families, friends, and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Learn more: www.levitt.org 

About ArtsQuest

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

La Santa Cecilia to Headline 2023 Levitt National Tour

GRAMMY-winning band will make final stop at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks in Bethlehem on Saturday, August 26

Bethlehem, PA March 28, 2023 – Mark your calendars for a night of phenomenal live music as the Grammy-winning band La Santa Cecilia, selected as this year’s headliner of the 2023 Levitt National Tour, will perform at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m.

The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a social impact funder supporting nonprofits nationwide at the intersection of music, public space and community building, today announced the return of its annual, free Levitt National Tour this spring and summer. Continuing the Foundation’s mission of building community through music, La Santa Cecilia will headline the seventh iteration of the Levitt National Tour, which began in 2014 with the world-music fusion of Playing For Change.

 La Santa Cecilia is scheduled to visit six Levitt venues with the tour kicking off in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, May 12, and continuing to Denver (Saturday, May 13); Dayton, Ohio (Friday, June 23); Sioux Falls, S.D. (Saturday, June 24); Los Angeles (Saturday, July 22); and concluding in Bethlehem, Pa. (Saturday, August 26).

“We are excited to host this phenomenal band here at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks,” said Shayna Super, Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks & Programming Manager. “The Levitt Foundation, through its mission, demonstrates a unique opportunity to make a collaborative and positive impact on local communities and we are grateful to be a part of it.”

Hailing from Los Angeles, La Santa Cecilia combines elements of cumbia, rock, bolero, bossa nova, jazz, tango and ranchera into an electrifying and unmistakable signature style.  Named after the patron saint of music, La Santa Cecilia is comprised of singer Marisol “La Marisoul” Hernandez, accordionist and requinto player Jose “Pepe” Carlos, bassist Alex Bendaña, and percussionist Miguel “Oso” Ramirez. Formed 15 years ago, the group quickly began captivating audiences around the world with a soulful, high-energy blend of both Latin and American musical traditions, reflecting its members’ bilingual, multicultural identities. La Santa Cecilia’s songs about love, loss and everyday struggles have sparked collaborations with everyone from Los Lobos and Pepe Aguilar to Elvis Costello and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, as well as invitations to record songs for films such as Cantinflas, The Book of Life, and Pixar’s Oscar-winning Coco.

All Levitt National Tour performances with La Santa Cecilia are free and open to the public, providing welcoming, inclusive experiences for all ages to enjoy. Bassist Alex Bendaña notes, “The energy you get at Levitt venues is so good, it always feels like a festival. It’s a beautiful open space where everyone can express themselves and just feel free. For us, it’s always cool that we get to see diverse communities at Levitt venues, with people from all different cultures and all different parts of the neighborhood. Our music is very inviting to that sort of atmosphere.”

Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and Levitt AMP concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities in America through free, live music in public spaces. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues are welcoming, inclusive destinations where families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Levitt venues are managed, programmed and supported by Friends of Levitt nonprofit partners, and the Levitt AMP Music series is presented by a range of nonprofit organizations. In 2023, the Levitt network is presenting 650+ free concerts in more than 40 towns and cities across the country, with audiences over 750,000. For more information, visit www.levitt.org

About the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation
The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation is a private family foundation that exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. Through its commitment to creative placemaking, the Levitt Foundation supports the activation of underused public spaces—such as neglected parks, vacant downtown lots, and former brownfields—into welcoming, inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together to create more equitable, healthy, and thriving communities. The Foundation’s primary funding areas include Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards. Both of these programs present free concerts in outdoor, open lawn settings featuring high-caliber talent in a broad array of music genres and cultural performances. Levitt venues and Levitt AMP concert sites attract people of all ages and backgrounds and reflect the character of their town or city, while benefitting from the framework and best practices of the Levitt program.

The Levitt Foundation invests in community-driven efforts that harness the power of partnerships and leverage community engagement. Levitt venue nonprofits and AMP grantees partner with other local nonprofits and community groups to inform programming, outreach and engagement, embodying the Foundation’s funding philosophy and core values to support projects that are inclusive, catalytic and dynamic, and create connectedness and joy. Reflecting its ongoing commitment to self-reflection and contributing to the creative placemaking field, the Levitt Foundation invests in research to evaluate the social impact of Levitt programs in communities, which in turn informs the Foundation’s evolving philanthropic practice. Learn more at levitt.org.

ArtsQuest Announces Return of ONE EARTH REGGAEFEST

This free festival, presented by Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, will be held outdoors at SteelStacks on Saturday, July 1, 2023

BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 20, 2023— ArtsQuest is proud to announce the second annual One Earth ReggaeFest, a free festival celebrating reggae music on Saturday, July 1. One Earth ReggaeFest, presented by Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, is an all-ages event celebrating a fusion of Cali reggae, classic reggae, hip hop and funk music with live performances from both nationally touring and local bands.

“We are excited to once again host this amazing celebration of culture this summer,” Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan said. “Reggae is more than a genre of music, it’s an energy and vibe that we are excited to share throughout our community. We’re also grateful to once again partner with Movement Moves Media along with our co-sponsors and media partner.”  

Mighty Mystic, headlining the festival, is considered one of the leaders in the U.S. Reggae scene and labeled by many as one of the more prolific artists to develop outside of Jamaica. Mighty Mystic has turned himself into one of the more sought after U.S. based Reggae artists on today’s scene. His brand of “HARD ROOTS” with his high energy stage performance has been a magnet for the young enthusiastic reggae fan base with his Jamaican roots, while adding elements of Hip Hop & Rock, giving Mystic a more unique sound. He has released three albums which all debuted in the top 10 on iTunes and Billboard reggae charts, “Wake up the World”, “Concrete World” and “The Art of Balance.”

Guests can also enjoy performances from Red Fox, Sun-Dried Vibes, Space Kamp, Cultivated Mind, Trouble City All-Stars, iRon Lion, Jah People, DJ Menace, LNJ Sessions, RootSetters and Lunch Trucks.

“One Earth Festival is extremely close to our hearts, we’re extremely thankful that ArtsQuest believed in and gave it a chance,” commented members of Space Kamp. “The energy last year was amazing. We look forward to this year and watching it grow every year moving forward. The reggae rock community is extremely tight knit and it is wonderful to have a home in the Lehigh Valley for this amazing community to come together.”

Presenting Sponsor of the event is Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, along with co-sponsor Sweetwater Brewing Company and media partner WDIY/88.1.  

Bring the whole family to this free day-long festival featuring eclectic vendors, authentic Jamaican food and fun under the sun. Tickets aren’t needed, but good vibes will be collected at the gate! The hours will be 12 p.m. to midnight. Visit steelstacks.org for more information.

Want to be part of the festival? Vendor spots are still available. Click here or contact vendors@artsquest.org to apply. This event is produced by ArtsQuest and Movement Moves Media as part of the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks free concert series, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network. The much-anticipated lineup for the summer will be announced at the beginning of May.

About Levitt Foundation
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and Levitt AMP concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities in America through free, live music in public spaces. Presenting high-caliber talent and a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues are welcoming, inclusive destinations where families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together. Learn more at Levitt Foundation: levitt.org

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.

Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, over 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.

How Sweet the Sound

bboa-photo-1

The Blind Boys of Alabama’s Ricky McKinnie Talks Positivity & the Power of Gospel Music

By Emily Cummins, Public Relations Coordinator

Performing and recording for more than 75 years, The Blind Boys of Alabama have stayed true to their gospel mission of spreading joy and teaching strength. As children, the original members began singing together at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the late 1930s. Through the years, the musicians have changed, but their inspiring and uplifting message has stayed the same.

“I’m not blind; I just can’t see,” says drummer and vocalist Ricky McKinnie.

Around the age of 20, McKinnie, who had been performing with notable gospel groups like The Soul Searchers and The Gospel Keynotes, began losing his sight due to glaucoma. By 1975 he had lost his sight. Instead of letting his disability derail his life, he persevered through faith, and in 1990 joined The Blind Boys of Alabama.

Hailed as “gospel titans” by Rolling Stone, the group first rose to fame in the segregated south with their thrilling vocal harmonies and roof-raising live show. They released their debut single, “I Can See Everybody’s Mother But Mine,” on the iconic Veejay label in 1948, launching a 70-year recording career that would see them earn five GRAMMY Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award; enter the Gospel Music Hall of Fame; collaborate with everyone from Mavis Staples and Stevie Wonder to Prince and Lou Reed; and perform on the world’s most prestigious stages.

Ahead of the group’s Levitt National Tour with Paul Thorn which stops June 1 at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, we spoke with McKinnie about the legacy of The Blind Boys of Alabama and why Gospel music matters now more than ever.

AQ: In July and August you’re traveling the country on the 2018 Levitt National Tour. What does it mean to you to perform on free stages in a variety of different communities?

Music is a universal language. It means a lot to be able to reach out and connect with people, and if we can impact just one person in the audience with our music that’s important. People need people. When we sing, we want to show people they have a friend in us.

AQ: Can you talk about what’s special about experiencing your music live and in person, and how it’s different for you as an artist?

What’s from the heart reaches the heart. When you do a live performance that’s something you can’t get on the radio. It means the world for someone to get a chance to see music live. You can’t put a price on connecting with people. That’s what our music is for. If they’re sad, we want to make them feel glad. That’s what it’s all about.

AQ:What makes for a great gospel song?

Gospel music is feel good music. It puts something on your mind. It lets you know that no matter how bad a situation is, there’s always a way out and a way through. In a world like this we all need something to hold on to, whatever that may be for each of us. We don’t come to preach, but we come to sing about positivity and prosperity… the notion that you can make it if you try.

AQ:What’s your favorite gospel song?

Every song tells a story. If the lyrics are powerful and tell a story that people understand, that’s what makes a powerful song. I have a lot of favorites, but I’d have to say the one that speaks to me the most is “If I Can Help Somebody.” The lyrics say, “If I can help somebody, as I’m singing the song you know, my living shall not be in vain.”

That’s a powerful message, and that’s what I live by.

AQ: Personally, you’ve been an inspiration to people with blindness, can you talk about how that’s impacted your work?

Disability doesn’t have to be a handicap. I lost my sight in ’75, and as a musician it was tough. The Blind Boys of Alabama inspired me, seeing how they endured throughout the years. It’s one thing to be a sighted group, but to be a black blind quartet and to have done all the things The Blind Boys have done, they were really favored by God.

I’ve been a member of The Blind Boys for 30 years, and it’s because I’m a dreamer. I’ve learned that if you dream and dream, do the work and keep the faith, things usually work out all right.

AQ: What is next for the group?

We’re getting ready to go to Europe for 18 days then we’ll be headed to Dollywood and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Then it’s time for Levitt, and we’ll make our first stop in Bethlehem. Don’t miss it when the boys are back in town!

AQ: With such a long and historic career, what has been your favorite place to perform of the years?

All of our performances are special for us, but anytime you’re invited to the White House is a spectacular honor. We’ve done it for three presidents; that’s when you know you’re doing something right.

Bonus Question: If you could play a show anywhere in the world (and I mean “under the sea” anywhere) where would you play and who’s in the audience?

If we could play in heaven, that would be good enough for me.

The Art of Humanity

_kek0021_c

Coordinated Health’s Dr. Emil DiIorio Talks About the Role the Arts Play in Healthcare and the Community

By Mark Demko, Sr. Director of Communications

Dr. Emil DiIorio is the Founder & CEO of Coordinated Health, the Lehigh Valley-based specialized hospital and health network and the Presenting Sponsor of the 2017 Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Summer Concert Series. As both an artist and a corporate leader, DiIorio has a unique perspective on the role the arts play in our world. ArtsQuest talked with the Bethlehem resident about his roots in the arts and how his creativity informs his career.

AQ: Dr. DiIorio, in addition to being a surgeon and founder & CEO of Coordinated Health, you’re an accomplished sculptor and painter. Where did the passion and interest in art come from?
ED: The best art, I think, happens as a result of human experiences. I have had good and bad experiences, more than most people have in a lifetime. I was at the forefront of a man going to the moon when I worked on an Apollo Space Program lunar module while at Grumman Aerospace Corporation. I was 27 years old when I first had a patient die in my arms. I raised a family, a large one, and I operated five days a week, not because I needed the money but because that’s what challenged me. These experiences shape my art; it’s like a diary to me. I can look at a sculpture I did 15 years ago and remember exactly the circumstances it was created under. There are sculptures I will never sell. They are a part of my life and they inspire me.

img_4435AQ: How has art helped shape your approach to running Coordinated Health? Why does your organization invest in community arts projects like Musikfest and the Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert Series?
ED: In the healthcare business, the struggles and the challenges of the industry can reduce the amount of humanity in you. It’s so easy to lose it. Balance the spreadsheet, quick conference call, the insurance companies are calling, take more meetings. The arts force you back into that humanity. We’re not a car dealership. We change the lives of people every day. There’s basis in healthcare for creativity and humanity, and both of those are exemplified by involvement in the arts.

AQ: If you could go back in time and meet any artist in the world, who would it be and why?
ED: The Italian sculptor Marino Marini exemplifies the Etruscan traditions that really are the source of my inspiration – their art, their simplicity, their structure. The Italians of that region still carry with them that sense of design that has been in them for centuries. That’s why I named my art company Atelier Lucca, after the Italian city of Lucca that I draw my inspiration from.

Kam Franklin Talks 2017 Levitt National Tour & What’s Next for The Suffers

the-suffers
By Emily Cummins, Public Relations Coordinator

Building upon the success of previous Levitt National Tours—Playing For Change in 2014 and Black Violin in 2015—the Levitt Foundation is pleased to present the 2017 Levitt National Tour this summer featuring Houston’s The Suffers.

Led by Kam Frankin’s powerful vocals, The Suffers masterfully meld classic American soul with genres as wide-ranging as rock, Latin, ska, Cajun, hip-hop, country and R&B to create what they call “Gulf Coast Soul.” This approach has already earned the 8-piece band a place on numerous ‘artists to watch’ lists, rave reviews from Billboard, NPR and The New York Times and a growing international fan base.

The group will make its stop at SteelStacks Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m., for a free performance as part of the Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert Series. Ahead of the tour, we spoke with Franklin about the band and its music.

AQ: In July and August you’re traveling the country on the 2017 Levitt National Tour. How is this different from other shows our tours you’ve done before?
KF: It’s different because these shows are all outdoors and all ages. We try to keep the energy even higher, happy and inspired.

AQ: What’s the importance or impact of sharing your music to a live audience at no cost to the public, especially in a diverse community like South Bethlehem?
KF: We try to help people find a little bit of joy by letting go of whatever is troubling them at our shows. Music can be therapy, and we just want to do our part to help people feel better about themselves. We understand that concerts can be expensive, and we love opportunities like this because it allows us to share our art with everyone no matter what their background or financial situation may be.

AQ: With appearances on late night shows like Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Daily Show, a lot of your fans may only have exposure to you through recorded music or those performances. Can you talk about what’s special about experiencing your music live and in person, and how it’s different for you as an artist?
KF: The emotion. We’re not robots, so you’re going to have a different energy at each show, but I can guarantee that you’ll end up feeling great when you leave. Unless you just hate having a good time.

AQ: The Suffers’ sound is self-described as “Gulf Coast Soul.” Deeper than just the genre, what does “Gulf Coast Soul” mean to you?
KF: It means whatever we decide it is that day. Forbes magazine has labeled Houston as the most culturally diverse city in the U.S. the last two years, and we feel as though our music is a representation of that diversity. We are inspired by the city of Houston, and that culture can be heard in our music. It’s all over the place sometimes, but it all comes together in the end to form this familiar, yet unique sound.

AQ: What has inspired your intense and powerful songs like “Make Some Room,” “Giver” and “Stay,” and with a large group, what is the creative process like?
KF: The lyrics are inspired by personal experience. “Make Some Room,” for example, was written about the spouses of my bandmates. They do so much to help us pursue this dream, and I’m so grateful to them. I wrote the song as a reminder to the guys of how lucky they are. The creative process usually starts out with someone presenting a bare bones demo. From there, each member adds their own flare during a jam, and we go from there. Again, sometimes it’s super chaotic, but it’s our own organized chaos, and we love it.

AQ: Who are your musical icons or major influences, and what new artists do you most admire?
KF: Prince, Fania All-Stars, Dolly Parton, King Tubby, U.G.K., Earth, Wind and Fire, and Chicago are just a few and right now we’re listening to Raury, Haihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM3hj-6F1pk Natives.

AQ: I’ve read a little about this elsewhere, but can you explain where the band got its name and why it was chosen?
KF: It’s a reference to an old Jamaican film called “Rockers.” In that film, the artists are actually the sufferers. They aren’t rewarded fairly for the work that they do, even though everyone else is making money off of them.

AQ: What is next for The Suffers? What is the group working on now?
KF: We are about to head out onto the summer festival circuit. We’re excited about playing the Interstellar album. We’re taking our time, but we hope to have some new music out within the next few months.

Bonus Question: If you could play a show anywhere in the world (and I mean “under the sea” anywhere) where would you play and who’s in the audience?
KF: Even tie between Glastonbury or The Hollywood Bowl. In the audience? Everyone that has supported us along the way. Standing outside without a ticket? Everyone that ever doubted us.