Calendar

Donate

Search

ArtsQuest President and CEO, Kassie Hilgert Awarded with Lehigh Valley Business Power 100 List  

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA – March 25, 2024 – ArtsQuest is thrilled to announce that Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO has been selected by Lehigh Valley Business as one of the region’s power players for their annual Power 100 List.  

This list is composed of the area’s most significant, influential and respected leaders, as well as behind-the-scenes changemakers in their fields. The honorees are chosen by the editorial leadership team at Lehigh Valley Business, with some help from readers and others for input and perspective. 

“I am honored and humbled to be included in the Lehigh Valley Business Power 100 list,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. “I accept this award on behalf of each and every one of our team members. From staff to volunteers to partners and members, we truly believe in the mission of providing access to the arts for all. Whether it’s a Musikfest headliner, free shows at the Levitt Pavilion, a weeklong youth summer camp at The Banana Factory or an Improv comedy show at the Visitor Center, art-based programming helps to shape our communities, drive economic development and instill pride in the many cultures that call the Lehigh Valley home.” 

The LVB Power 100 list featuring Kassie Hilgert is available today, please visit lvb.com to view the entire Power 100 List.  

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% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.   

By Amber Kalnas, PR Intern and ArtsQuest Staff

Ever wonder how ArtsQuest can host so many successful events (large, small and everything in between) all year round? The answer is simple – our amazing and dedicated volunteers. From Musikfest – the largest non-gated music festival in the country, to Christkindlmarkt – which welcomed recordbreaking attendees this past holiday season, to our concerts in the Musikfest Café and all of the programming we offer, it is our volunteers that keep these events going year in and year out. And it’s easy to say that we’ve created a special connection with them, as many have been with our organization for years, even decades. In fact, this past Musikfest we celebrated our 40th year anniversary and we also celebrated a dozen 40 year volunteers. Talk about dedication! These individuals come back year after year and they range in age from teens to senior citizens. Our volunteers come together for the community and play an important role in making special memories for people from throughout the country and beyond who come to enjoy a concert, a comedy show, a festival, an exhibit and more.

Personally, I think volunteerism is getting involved in something that you’re passionate about, getting out in the community and trying to make a difference through that passion,” said Cory Stevens, Volunteer Program Manager at ArtsQuest. “It goes beyond what is required of you to pay your bills and move your life forward. It’s the equivalent of having gratitude and wanting to pay it forward in the lives of others; volunteerism helps achieve that.”


ArtsQuest has an arsenal of about 1,500 active volunteers and their duties can range from ticket scanning to beer pouring, ushering attendees to their seats to operational set-up and even helping backstage at Musikfest headliner shows. They often act as customer service agents and get to know the ins and outs of the organization and campus extremely well.

To show appreciation for volunteers, ArtsQuest provides volunteers with a Reward Program that offers free tickets to the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, the Musikfest Cafe and the Wind Creek Steel Stage Musikfest headliners. Each reward is distributed by milestones that vary from 100 to 1,000 hours. Further, there are raffles, giveaways and recognition events that take place throughout the year. “It really can’t be understated that if you put the right energy into it, you’ll also walk away with new friends who could quickly grow into friends for life,” continued Stevens. “Our volunteer opportunities are great resume builders, provide ample experience in retail, leadership and customer service and allow volunteers to be part of a long-standing Bethlehem tradition.”

Volunteering at its core is about giving back to your community in doing what you love,” commented Parker Ryan, Volunteer Program Assistant Manager at ArtsQuest. “And honestly, that is a big part of ArtsQuest; we want programming, events and initiatives to align with what our community looks like and embodies. Many ideas and events are fostered from the voices and thoughts of volunteers coming out to help.”

ArtsQuest’s commitment to providing access to the arts for all would never be possible without the dedication, generosity and love for community that our volunteers provide. If you would like to become a volunteer and make a difference in your local community while having fun and forming new friendships visit www.artsquest.org/volunteer. The minimum age to volunteer at ArtsQuest is 15, however, if you’re younger, you can still volunteer as long as you are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Certain positions, like ushering or alcohol pouring are reserved for age appropriate volunteers.

Check out what current volunteers had to say about their volunteer experience at ArtsQuest’s vibrant community:

Susan Stachowski

14 yrs. of volunteering

ArtsQuest is one of the first big sponsorships that my company focused on. And it was my responsibility to work events and get volunteers from Wind Creek to make a difference. I would encourage everybody, from 18-96 years old, to volunteer with ArtsQuest; everything is fun and enjoyable. They have the means to work with you on what you would like to do , and there are so many options. the camaraderie with the guests and the volunteers makes each night or event here enjoyable for everybody.

Emily Heesen

33 yrs. of volunteering

ArtsQuest is what saved Bethlehem, If it wasn’t for them, we would be looking at dilapidated and falling down steel stacks. As a community member of Bethlehem, I really enjoy giving back; it’s rewarding to give back to my community. I feel ArtsQuest is integral to Bethlehem, adding to the scene entertainment and the arts. Why not volunteer here? You walk away with so much enrichment.

Kim Letourneau

25 yrs. of volunteering

I have volunteered at Musikfest and Christkindlmarkt. Volunteering with ArtsQuest is a family affair, both my children and husband are a part of it, too. Christkindlmarkt adds joy to the Christmas season; my children used to call it Christmas town. ArtsQuest greatly enhances the community, it’s fun and creates a good sense of purpose for me which is to be a good community person.

To learn more about volunteering with ArtsQuest this season please visit here

SangriaFest Upper Macungie is back in Summer 2024 

Bethlehem, PA, March 6, 2024 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of SangriaFest on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Grange Park in Upper Macungie, PA from 4 to 7 p.m. with premium access from 3 to 4 p.m. (Rain date Sunday, June 16, 1-5 p.m.). This event is in partnership with Upper Macungie Township and presented by Service Electric Cable TV & Communications along with ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages LLC, Clover Hill Vineyards & Winery, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Stony Run Winery and Vynecrest Vineyard & Winery. We invite you to come out for an afternoon full of food, music, fun and of course – sangria! 

Tickets are on sale now at ArtsQuest.org and we are once again offering ‘early bird’ pricing for ArtsQuest Members, premium access and the general public. (Early bird pricing ends March 17 at 11:59 p.m.) Additionally, tickets are limited with no guarantee that they will be available at the door, so get your tickets today.  

Premium Access tickets range from $64 to $79, allowing early access from 3 to 4 p.m. to enjoy FOUR additional exclusive sangrias (16 in total), catered food, a private bar, air-conditioned restrooms and premium access parking. General admission ticket prices range from $29 to $44 and will include UNLIMITED samples of 12 different sangrias from Clover Hill, Franklin Hill, Stony Run Winery and Vynecrest wineries, musical entertainment including bands and a DJ and access to a variety of food trucks and vendors and lawn games.  

“We are thrilled to continue the success of SangriaFest for another year here at Grange Park in Upper Macungie” said Emily Crosby-Piszczek, Recreation Supervisor. “This event continues to expand, and we are so excited to see what this year’s festival has in store. We love when our community comes together for a day filled with fun!” 

“Last year’s SangriaFest was a great success, and we are hoping this year’s will be even more amazing,” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful for our partnership with Upper Macungie Township and their commitment to bringing arts-based programming to this community through a variety of festivals and events.”    

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, approximately 50% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.  

By Jennifer LoConte, Director of Communications

Recently, ArtsQuest sat down with Emmy-nominated song-and-dance man Tony Danza to talk about his upcoming show, Standards & Stories, at ArtsQuest’s Musikfest Café on Friday, April 5 at 7:30p.m. Tony talked about the show, his early years as a professional boxer and as a high school teacher in Philadelphia, along with his current projects – including a non-profit, The Stars of Tomorrow Project.

As a child of the ’80s, I grew up watching eight seasons of ‘Who’s The Boss’ every Tuesday night and then on Saturdays. When Tony sang a few songs for me like ‘Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue’ on his ukulele, affectionately named Lucy, I was more than a little starstruck.

AQ: As a song-and-dance man, is Standards & Stories something you’ve always wanted to do?

TD: Yes! Back in 1993, I had a bad skiing accident that took me about two years to fully recover from. When I was rehabbing my injuries, I was thinking – what could I do? I wrote an act and have been doing it ever since. It’s great to be out there on stage, it turns me loose. It’s something you can’t just learn how to do from a class, you have to open your mouth and sing and see how it feels. I’ve been doing this for a long time.

I’m working with a new music director, John Otto, who served as Rosemary Clooney’s musical director for the last 20 years of her career. Performing with such talented musicians as these has given me great confidence. The show is very engaging and it’s not just a musical show. It’s a comedy, storytelling- some tap dancing and my secret weapon- my ukulele. (Danza picked up the ukulele after reading his Life’s Little Instruction Book Calendar whose page said- Get a ukulele and chord book and practice every day for 30 days. So, he did).

AQ: You went to college to become a teacher. Then you became a professional boxer and got discovered. Next thing you’re on Taxi. Did you have an interest in performing or becoming an actor as a kid growing up?

TD: As a kid I thought, well maybe I could do that. But in life, you have to pursue these things and as a kid, I wasn’t. I grew up in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn – as youth, we fought every day. But it was also the greatest time in the world to grow up in Brooklyn, about six years after WWII ended. I moved to Long Island when I was 15 and lived a very ‘Happy Days’ life in the ‘burbs. Then I lived in the Midwest for a while and came back to New York City in the early ’70s when the great Chickie Ferrara was there and American bandleader Sammy Kaye. I was in Hollywood in ’78 when Frank Sinatra was still running around. I felt like a lucky guy, and I still do.

After I graduated from college, I just didn’t feel experienced enough to teach school. I worked as a bartender, for a moving company and then I entered the Golden Gloves of America, where I had 15 professional fights. One day, a guy (who couldn’t rub two quarters together) walked into the gym and he was doing research on a pilot which was about a fighter who works out at an old fighter’s gym. He took an interest in me. I was interested in the part about the gym also being rented out to an aerobics instructor. Next thing you know, I’m in James L. Brooks’ office reading for the part of Phil Ryan, a heavyweight boxer, on a show called Taxi. They changed the name to Tony Banta, made him a lightweight and now I’m on Taxi.

AQ: What made you decide to go back and teach high school English in Philadelphia after a successful career?

TD: It bothered me that I never went back to teach, and I had a romantic notion about it. In 1981, I did an interview with Huell Houzer and he was talking about kids today. (That’s when I first got the idea for The Stars of Tomorrow Project). Back when I was about to turn 60, I wanted to see what was going on in inner city public high schools. And what did I see? Thousands of miracles happening every single day. Kids with little to no resources but such determination. I wrote a book about it; I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had. When I went back to teach, it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. I was Mr. D, and the kids didn’t know who I was. I really connected with Northeast High, and I still keep in touch with former students, who are now grown up with their own kids. The school named a stage after me and I’ve gone back from time to time.

AQ: Tell me about The Stars of Tomorrow Project, your non-profit.

TD: My co-founder, Brian Hills, and I have engaged with over 5,000 kids (over 200 of those kids are either currently in or have graduated from college). We started The Stars of Tomorrow Project with this idea of helping kids in New York City and giving them the opportunity to discover the world through acting. Teaching and mentoring them. I’m an old guy who believes in family hour and the concept of learning life skills as a kid. But that’s not how things are today. This year we added a wellness component- how to cook. We took the kids grocery shopping for chicken, broccoli and salad components and we did a cooking segment with them on zoom. (They’re now clamoring for meatloaf.) We also have a component with the Police Athletic League (PAL) and the Cops and Kids Chorus. This past December our group opened for the Rockettes at The Christmas Spectacular.

AQ: When you’re not touring, what are you up to these days?

TD: I’m playing the role of Stefano Marchetti, a bad guy from New York City’s mafia scene on ‘Raising Kanan’ which airs on the Starz network. It’s one of the Power Book shows. Love the show and its many layers.

AQ: At ArtsQuest, our mission is to provide access to the arts for all, paying significant attention to urban areas. We have a capital campaign going to build a state-of-the-art cultural and arts center here in Bethlehem that will be able to expand exponentially on that mission and offer even more visual arts and education programs to our youth. What’s your advice to kids and young people who are trying to make their dreams come true through an art form – like acting?

TD: That’s phenomenal! Study! You have to add that foundation because it’s the most important thing. Be a student of that art form and take in everything you can. Two, if you’re an actor, you gotta believe in your heart that nobody can do what you can do. Truly believe in it- that will help take some of the pressure off. Know your lines, don’t learn it, know it. Don’t get in your way. And lastly take care of yourself health-wise so that you can be there for when the opportunity knocks.

To catch Tony Danza live April 5, tickets can be found here

Hello Everyone!

I thought it would be a fun idea to make calendars for the month with all the volunteer events we have! Click the image below to download the attached document if you would like to print it out and color it!

Thank you!

New Volunteers February 2024

new-volunteers-pic

Hello New Volunteers!   

Throughout December-January, we continued welcoming new volunteers at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema and our other ArtsQuest Events!    

A very hearty welcome to each one of the below volunteers. ArtsQuest is what it is because of our strong volunteer community, & that community only gets stronger with each new person. We are happy to bring you into the family and look forward to working with you even more!    

Ryland Kimock 

Addison Fenicle 

Alexis Fernandez 

Latrell Williams 

Julia LoConte 

Alyssa Riker 

February Volunteer Spotlight

Each month, our volunteer committee decides on volunteers to spotlight. For February 2024, the volunteer committee selected Michelle Sterner! Michelle first volunteered in 2023 with our usher training. Since then, she has been a great addition to all our other wonderful ushers! She is always willing to lend a hand where it’s needed and demonstrates leadership qualities. Thank you for all the help you have given us and we look forward to seeing you more at our Café shows (and hopefully other events too!). 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time when you’re not volunteering?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and my 8 year old Cockapoo, Molly. I like to travel, enjoy going to listen to live music and visiting local wineries.

Q: What inspired you to begin volunteering?   
A: I retired in September of 2023 and knew that once I had more free time, I wanted to volunteer at ArtsQuest. I enjoy meeting different people and all the events.

Q: In your opinion, what is the most important work that this organization does?
A: I’m so impressed by this organization. They continue to promote Arts in the area, which is very important to me. They are so creative in the events they offer. There are options for everyone, no matter your interests.

Q: What is your favorite winter activity?
A: Honestly, my favorite thing to do in the winter is to escape it 😊. I’m not much of a winter person. I like to travel to warmer places when I can.

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering?
A: Do it! It’s fun. The nice thing about volunteering is that you can plan it around your schedule.

January Volunteer Spotlight

Each month, our volunteer committee decides on volunteers to spotlight. For January 2024 (first one of the year!), the volunteer committee selectedDavid Wong! David is one our EcoSquad Supervisors for Musikfest. We are happy him as one of our volunteers and can’t wait to see him for our 2024 Musikfest!  

Q: If you could pick any act to play on the main stage at MusikFest, who would you pick and why?  
A: The Warning, as it is an up and coming rock band from Mexico. The three sisters, who are fluent in both Spanish and English, have toured as an opening band for Halestorm, Muse, and Guns and Roses, along with their own band tour in Mexico, the US, South America, and Europe over the past two years. They recently performed at the 2023 MTV Music Awards.

Q: What is your favorite memory from volunteering?
A: A mother and son volunteering with a pair of sisters (unrelated to the mother) with the EcoSquad, as it demonstrates the positive parenting and bonding that occurs when families work together to keep the Bethlehem community clean and safe. The pride that parents have in seeing their children growing to be responsible adults in helping prevent plastics and trash from polluting our waterways and harming the ecosystem.

Q: How long have you been volunteering?
A: Seven years at Musikfest.

Q: Who inspires you?
A: Volunteer supervisors Rhonda and Gary, along with the Logistics volunteer supervisor. Every year, they work double shifts to help train and manage the volunteers to make each Musikfest a safe and positive experience for the performers, volunteers, and attendees. Their experience and dedication in helping this wonderful family friendly community event is inspiring.

Q: Tell us something about you that most people don’t know!
A: Have helped clean up abandoned rockets and other high explosive munitions to make areas safe for the Afghan people, while miraculously surviving accidentally stepping on an unexploded cluster bomb submunition on Kandahar Airfield, before the mine clearing equipment detonated it two weeks later. Cleaning up the Musikfest trash cans is significantly safer!

A Creative Outlook for Older Adults 

ArtsQuest provides important programs for keeping senior populations active and vibrant members of the community throughout the Lehigh Valley.  

Feb. 6, 2024, Bethlehem, PA – ArtsQuest’s Visual Arts and Education programs offer classes of various topics and themes for all ages. The Creative Aging Program, an important initiative, focuses on serving senior populations in the community through art and creativity. In partnership with various organizations like Casa Guadalupe, this program will include intergenerational activities at community centers, senior centers, assisted living, adult day care, art institutions and libraries.  

There is a roster of Teaching Artists who specialize in working with older adults. ArtsQuest offers Creative Aging programs throughout the year for many community partners such as Phoebe Ministries which previously ran January 2023 – December 2023 and Casa Guadalupe from November 2023 – January 2024.  

The purpose of Creative Aging is to help older adults get involved and remain active in their communities. Art programs help older people to feel a part and wanted in society. The goal for this program is to provide accessible and high-quality arts programs that meet the needs of an aging population. ArtsQuest is also aiming to create and foster new relationships with additional community partners. The hope for the Creative Aging program is that it will be developed into a program model that can be used at various locations throughout the Lehigh Valley.  

Participants will learn and create using visual arts and music. Examples of projects include symmetry drawings, clay sculpture, and mural-making. The Creative Aging Program will take place at multiple different locations: the YWMCA Adult Day Center, The Rooney Building in South Bethlehem, Moravian Village, and Casa Guadalupe. 

While this program is not open to the public it is open to older adults who are in a rehabilitation facility or living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia and other diseases with cognitive and physical impacts. “Our Creative Aging program allows us to serve our older adults population through art-enrichment,” said Joanne Garcia, Education Coordinator/AIE-PA Council on the Arts Program Coordinator. “Whether we go to them or host classes at the Banana Factory, we make it accessible for them to enjoy the arts. We continue to find ways to expand our program through collaborations with UWGLV Age-Friendly initiative, LUAG, Casa Guadalupe and others.”  

Anyone Interested in learning more about how to bring a Creative Aging program to their organization should reach out to Lisa Harms at lharms@artsquest.org or Joanne Garcia at jgarcia@artsquest.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.

Poetry Out Loud Inspires Youth Through the Power of Poetry

Regional competition to take place at SteelStacks; winners will compete in state finals in March.

BETHLEHEM, PA, January 30, 2024 — ArtsQuest is excited to announce that it will once again host the Poetry Out Loud regional competition, a national recitation contest that includes 4,500 high schools across the country and 112 high schools in Pennsylvania. Partnering with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon and Monroe counties students will compete for the prestigious title of Pennsylvania’s Poetry Out Loud champion.

The event will take place on Wednesday, January 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in the Fowler Blast Furnace Room. Competitors memorize three poems to recite in front of a live audience and a panel of judges made up of community members, teaching artists, facilitators and performers who are all dedicated to supporting youth programs and performing arts.

Poetry Out Loud is a free, national program offered to every high school student including Pennsylvania. The initiative encourages students to immerse themselves in the world of great poetry, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and honing essential skills such as memorization, public speaking, active listening and language proficiency. The contest has become a staple in high schools, enriching the curriculum and giving students a unique opportunity to express themselves creatively.

“Last year, we held our competition in-person for the first time since our partnership began in 2020-2021. We are ecstatic to be hosting again in person with an amazing line-up of students,” said Joanne Garcia, Education Coordinator/AIE-PA Council on the Arts Program Coordinator.  “This free event highlights the art of poetry and the importance of collaboration. We are thankful for our teacher coordinators, judges composed of community members and the students’ friends and families that come out to support our youth.”

The regional competition winner will compete in the Poetry Out Loud state competition in March 2024. For more information, visit artsquest.org.

Media are encouraged to attend for interviews with competing students, judges and representatives from ArtsQuest.

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% of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.