From the sounds of “The King” done bossa nova style, to stirring performances by a band whose members are all legally blind, the 27th edition of Musikfest this Aug. 6-15 promises a musical run to remember.

A 10-day musical extravaganza that takes place in Bethlehem each August, Musikfest has grown from a small community event started in 1984 to one of the nation’s largest free music festivals. Each year, more than a million people descend on the city’s historic downtown to enjoy a kaleidoscope of sensational sounds from artists and musicians who hail from every corner of North America. 

At this year’s festival, more than 300 different performers will take to 14 different stages - 11 of them free - woven throughout the city’s charming downtown district, delighting audiences with musical styles ranging from Afrobeat to Zydeco. Visitors can wander down cobblestone walkways, past gorgeous 18th century buildings and through the lush, green city parks to discover sultry salsa dancers, impromptu jam sessions and singer-songwriters accompanied only by their guitar and the words in their heart. 

Headlining this year’s festival at the Sands RiverPlace stage are Counting Crows’ Traveling Circus and Medicine Show featuring Augustana Aug. 6, Norah Jones Aug. 7, Martina McBride Aug. 8, Lynyrd Skynyrd Aug. 9, Heart Aug. 10, The Doobie Brothers Aug. 11, Styx with Blue Öyster Cult Aug. 12, Adam Lambert with Orianthi Aug. 13, Selena Gomez with special guests JLS and Hot Chelle Rae Aug. 14 and Sublime with Rome, with special guests The Dirty Heads and The Movement Aug. 15. 

At the Musikfest Performing Arts Series, audiences can dance to the free-flowing, improvisational music of the Grateful Dead when Dead tribute Dark Star Orchestra stops by Aug. 9, and experience the unique sound of rising alt-country stars The Avett Brothers on Aug. 11.  World-class artists abound at the PNC Bank Candlelight Concert Series, with performances such as “The Music of Simon & Garfunkel” by A.J. Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle Aug. 6, the jazzy Joe Lovano and John Scofield Quartet Aug. 7, legendary folk singer Richie Havens Aug. 8, all-female Celtic group Cherish the Ladies Aug. 12, rock legend Dave Mason Aug. 13 and country’s Suzy Bogguss Aug. 14.

Great music is also found in abundance on the festival’s 11 free stages, where visitors can see nationally-known blues, rock, world and swing acts, as well as up-and-coming artists that are sure to surprise with their talents and musicianship. For example, on Aug. 11-12 audiences will be treated to Toronto-based Elvis Bossa Nova, which offers quirky and eccentric arrangements of classic Elvis Presley tunes. Experience “Viva Las Vegas,” “Hound Dog,” “I’m All Shook Up” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight” in a completely different way as vibraphone, electric guitar, drums and bass breathe new and unique life into Presley’s hits.  And on Aug. 12 Lachi, a quartet of legally-blind alt rockers fronted by the talented vocalist of the same name, takes to the stage. Don’t miss this dynamic mix of impassioned vocals and original tunes as this group shares its inspired vision for music.  

Just a few of the many other artists that audiences can experience for free at the festival include rising funk and R&B star Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue on Aug. 11-12, New York City’s sensational George Gee Swing Orchestra Aug. 7, 18-time Grammy Award-winning polka legend Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra Aug. 7, Texas blues-rocker Chris Duarte Aug. 11, former Dispatch singer Pete Francis Aug. 10 and the multi-WC Handy Award winning and Grammy-nominated Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, who dish out a groovy mix of West Coast and Chicago-style blues, on Aug. 8.

While music is the main focus of Musikfest, it’s hardly the only thing guests will find at the world-class event.  Forty-five different vendors serve up a wealth of mouthwatering foods and decadent desserts, while 50 of the nation’s finest artisans are on hand showcasing gorgeous jewelry, handmade crafts and unique home décor items. Family fun is found around every corner, with dozens of delightful children’s performers, art & craft activities and timely appearances by entertaining buskers, amazing street performers who present logic-defying escape tricks, funky skateboard feats and marvelous magic acts, all in an effort to elicit shrieks, oohs and aahs from the crowds.

Musikfest 2010 hours are 5-11 p.m. Aug. 6 and noon-11 p.m. Aug. 7-15. For more information or tickets to the Sands RiverPlace, Performing Arts Series or PNC Bank Candlelight Concert Series shows, please visit www.musikfest.org or call 610-332-3378.

ABOUT ARTSQUEST
ArtsQuest is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest™, and the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center, ArtsQuest’s programming currently reaches more than 1.3 million people annually.

ArtsQuest is furthering its mission of celebrating arts and culture through the development of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. The 65,000-square-foot building, set to open in May 2011, will feature live music, independent and scientific films, new festivals and community celebrations year-round, reaching an additional 750,000 people each year. 

For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.

HEART

Since forming in the early 1970s, Heart has produced 21 Top 40 hits and sold more than 30 million records. Among its most popular songs are “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” “These Dreams,” “Alone” and “What About Love.” The group has sold out arenas worldwide, as well as been featured on television specials such as PBS’ SoundStage and VH1’s “Heart & Friends.”

 

In 2008, Heart embarked on a 40-plus city tour with Journey and Cheap Trick, which was voted Billboard’s “Best Touring Package” of the year. The group’s upcoming tour is the Red Velvet Car tour, named after the new album due out this summer. Heart’s visit to Musikfest marks the second time the band has appeared at the festival. In 2006, it performed in front of more than 6,000 people at RiverPlace.

 

The Heart concert is sponsored by Lehigh Valley Health Network and B. Braun Medical/Aesculap; media sponsor for the show is 99.9 The Hawk. Tickets for the concert are $22-$39. All tickets, including VIP section seating, will be available for purchase at www.artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-FEST (3378). 

 

STYX/BLUE OYSTER CULT

 

 

Two of the ’70s biggest acts will share the stage for one night of great rock ’n’ roll when Styx, along with Blue Oyster Cult, visits the Sands RiverPlace stage at Musikfest in Bethlehem on Thursday, August 12th at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.

 

Named after the mythological river that separates the world of the living from the world of the dead, Styx is the first act to record four consecutive triple platinum albums. Among its many hits are “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Babe,” “Lady,” “The Best Of Times” and “Come Sail Away.” Today, the group continues to perform throughout North America, delighting audiences with hits from four decades.
 

Best known for hits such as “Burnin’ For You,” “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Godzilla,” Blue Oyster Cult got its start on Long Island in the late 1960s as Soft White Underbelly. The group signed to Elektra Records in 1971 and released its self-titled debut the following year.   Led by the popularity of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” which was featured in the John Carpenter movie “Halloween,” the group’s 1976 album, “Agents of Fortune,” went platinum and reached No. 29 on the Billboard charts. In 1981, BOC had another mega hit when “Burnin’ For You” topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts and reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
 

Styx with Blue Oyster Cult is sponsored by Edwards Business Systems, AD Computer, The Morning Call and 99.9 The Hawk.

Tickets for the show are $22-$42. All tickets, including VIP section seating, will be available for purchase at www.musikfest.org or by calling 610-332-FEST (3378).

 

 

 

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

 

 

On Wednesday, August 11th, at Musikfest; it’s time to “Listen to the Music” as two-time Grammy Award winner The Doobie Brothers take to the festival’s Sands RiverPlace main stage for an 8:30 p.m. concert.

Formed in 1970, The Doobie Brothers have been entertaining audiences with great rock ’n’ roll for over four decades. The group has produced several Top 10 hits including the No. 1 classics “Black Water” and “What A Fool Believes.” Its breakthrough album, 1972’s “Toulouse Street,” included the hits “Listen To The Music” and “Jesus is Just Alright,” while its 1973 follow-up, “The Captain And Me,” reached No. 7 on the charts on the strength of the group’s first Top 10 hit, “Long Train Runnin.’”

In 1978, The Doobie Brothers released their most successful album, “Minute By Minute,” which peaked at the Top of the Billboard 200 charts and included the smash, “What A Fool Believes.” The recording earned the band two Grammy Awards, one for “Record of the Year” for “What A Fool Believes,” and another for “Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus” for “Minute By Minute.” 

Although the band split in the early 1980s, its members joined forces again in the late ’80s for a successful reunion tour. In 1989, the group returned to the top of the charts with the single “The Doctor,” from the gold-selling recording “Cycles.” The single reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Main Stream Rock Charts, as well as No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.  

The Doobie Brothers concert is sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield; the media sponsor is 99.9 The Hawk. Tickets for The Doobie Brothers are available at www.musikfest.organd 610-332-3378
 

 

 

LYNYRD SKYNYRD

 

The southern rock legends, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, will perform at the Sands RiverPlace main stage at 8:30 p.m. Monday, August 9th.

 

Formed in Jacksonville, Fla. more than 35 years ago, Lynyrd Skynyrd rose to prominence in the 1970s with a string of hits that included “Sweet Home Alabama,” “What’s Your Name,” “Saturday Night Special,” “Gimme Three Steps” and the rock anthem “Free Bird.” During its lengthy career, the band has issued more than 60 recordings and sold more than 30 million albums.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most recent recording is the fall 2009 release “God & Guns,” the first set of new material by the group since 2003’s “Vicious Cycle.” The band’s Musikfest 2010 concert will be its second appearance at the festival. On Aug. 8, 2000, the group performed to a sold-out audience during the inaugural year of RiverPlace.

           

Tickets for Lynyrd Skynyrd are available at www.musikfest.organd 610-332-3378

 
  

Let's Get...

 

 

 
“Amped up” is Musikfest’s new online band competition that gets underway May 1. From April 1-23, bands are invited to register for the competition at by submitting YouTube Links, Facebook pages, MySpace profiles, SonicBids EPKs and official website links. ArtsQuest, the organization that presents Musikfest, will then select 10 acts to advance to the online voting stage of the competition in May.

From May 1-31, the public is invited to visit www.musikfest.org to sample contestants’ audio and video clips and then vote for their favorite acts. The three groups that garner the most votes will earn $500 eacIt’s every band for itself as Musikfest, one of the nation’s largest music festivals, invites musical acts from throughout the nation to get “Amped Up” while competing for a spot at this year’s festival, set for Aug. 6-15 in downtown Bethlehem .

“Amped up” is Musikfest’s new online band competition that gets underway May 1. From April 1-23, bands are invited to register for the competition at www.musikfest.org by submitting YouTube Links, Facebook pages, MySpace profiles, SonicBids EPKs and official website links. ArtsQuest, the organization that presents Musikfest, will then select 10 acts to advance to the online voting stage of the competition in May.

From May 1-31, the public is invited to visit www.musikfest.org to sample contestants’ audio and video clips and then vote for their favorite acts. The three groups that garner the most votes will earn $500 each and a performance at Musikfest’s The Morning Call Plaza Tropical venue on Aug. 9. Winners will be announced in early

 
It’s every band for itself as Musikfest, one of the nation’s largest music festivals, invites musical acts from throughout the nation to get “Amped Up” while competing for a spot at this year’s festival, set for Aug. 6-15 in downtown Bethlehem.

 

DARK STAR ORCHESTRA

Deadheads young and old can relive the magic of The Grateful Dead when Dark Star Orchestra drops in for a jam session at the Musikfest Performing Arts Series at Musikfest 2010. The group will perform Monday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m., at the Zoellner Arts Center, 420 E. Packer Ave., Bethlehem, Pa.

Dark Star Orchestra shows capture the magic, feel and music of a Grateful Dead concert by tapping into the extensive setlists of the legendary rock act. The band performs Dead classics in the same way an orchestra interprets the music of classical composers. Over the past 12 years, DSO has played more than 1,700 shows, delighting audiences from coast to coast with the same energy, excitement and improvisation that made the Grateful Dead the foremost jam band in the world. 

DSO’s Musikfest 2010 show, which will take place on the 15th anniversary of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia’s passing, marks the band’s second appearance at the festival. On Aug. 8, 2007, the group performed a sold-out show at the Zoellner Arts Center as part of the Musikfest Performing Arts Series.

The Musikfest Performing Arts Series is sponsored by 69-WFMZ-TV and wdiy 88.1 FM. Tickets for the concert are $30 and go on sale Monday-Tuesday, April 19-20, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Friday, April 23, 10 a.m., to the public. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.musikfest.org or by calling 610-332-FEST (3378).