Backstage parties, art installations: what’s new at Musikfest this year
From backstage extravaganza to lively art installments, Musikfest has plenty to offer other than summer tunes.
Here’s some new additions to the festival, now in its 38th year.
VIP Backstage Fun
Looking for a one-of-a-kind backstage experience? New this year, Musikfest will host four unique events for fans located behind the Wind Creek Steel Stage and the newly built PNC Stadtplatz.
Wind Creek Steel Stage headliner tickets are not required to purchase tickets to the newly created events.
Kip Moore Pre-Game BBQ: Enjoy the first Friday of Musikfest with a barbecue buffet and county music concert by local singer, Stefanie Johnson. Attendees will receive a drink ticket (good for one beer, glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage), a Yuengling koozie, plus access to a VIP cash bar open during Johnson’s performance.
When: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5
Cost: Price: $49 or $45 for ArtsQuest members
Poison Pre-Game: 80s Trivia Contest: Ticket-holders for this pre-show event will be able to test their 80s knowledge and compete to win front row seats for the Poison show. The trivia contest will be hosted by ArtsQuest Programming Manager and Poison fan, Anthony DeSanctis. Guests receive enjoy a drink ticket, snacks and a Yuengling koozie. While front row seats to Poison are the grand prize, other prizes will be handed out such as tickets to ArtsQuest event.
When: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7
Cost: Price: $24, $21 ArtsQuest members
Ziggy Marley Post-Show Ice Cream Bar: After a night of reggae with Ziggy, who will belt out his father, Bob Marley’s biggest hits, cool off at the ice cream sundae bar featuring different flavors and a variety of toppings. After party concert-goers will receive a bottle of water and access to a cash bar, accompanied by live Caribbean-inspired tunes.
When: 11 p.m. to midnight Tuesday, Aug. 9
Cost: Price: $24, $21 ArtsQuest members
Sparklers and Sparkling Wine: An Exclusive MusikfestFireworks Watch Party: The brand-new PNC Stadplatz is the perfect place to watch the closing night fireworks display. Attendees to the soiree can sample four different wines including Hy Def Sparkling Riesling (Germany), LifeVine ‘Cole’s Valley’ Blanc de Blancs (Oregon), Mont Paral Brut Rose Cava (Spain) and Sedonia de Sousa “Nature” Brut (Portugal). Dinky’s Bethlehem Ice Cream Parlor and Grill will provide also provide a ”last night” Musikfest sweet treat to guests.
When: 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14
Cost: $49, $44 ArtsQuest members
Tickets to all four events are now on sale at musikfest.org or steelstacks.org
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Get Artsy at Steel Stacks
The festival is not only about the music.
Check out Loop: an illuminated musical installation that will features a distinctive retro-futuristic look, uses cylinders two meters in diameter while playing short flip book-style movies inspired by literature.
Members of the public are invited to sit down inside the zoetrope (perfect for selfie taking!) pump the bar and make the image cylinder turn so the pictures will spring into motion.
At the center of the giant wheel is a music box to provide accompaniment for the hand-drawn animations.
The work is inspired by the zoetrope, which is an optical toy invented in the 19th century. The installment was created by Prismatica, which made its debut at the festival in 2019.
Loop will be on display until Aug. 14 at Steel Stacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.
Be a gamer on the go
The Nintendo Switch Road Trip brings family hands-on playtime to Musikfest where gamers can test their skills in the new Switch OLED model.
Play demos of the latest games, including Nintendo Switch Sports, Mario Strikers, Battle League, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land.
The consoles will be set up on the intersections of Spring and Main Street at the north side of the festival in Downtown Bethlehem.
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Honoring local veterans
Wells Fargo and Military Warriors Support Foundation will be at Wells Fargo Fest Platz to honor former U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal James R. Fizer, for his sacrifices to our country on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
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Free concerts
You don’t have to spend big bucks to enjoy Musikfest.
The free stage line-up includes an estimated 500 musical acts across 16 stages including at the new northside venue.
This year’s acts for the Air Products Americaplatz at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks include KC Makes Music on Friday, 9 p.m. Aug. 5, Coast 2 Coat and Beha Men on 5 p.m. Sunday Aug. 7, JJ Grey & Mofro at 9 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 9, We Banjo 3 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, Shovels & Rope on 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, and RDGLDGRN 9:30 p.m. Saturday Aug. 13.
The Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, located in the ArtsQuest Center hosts two venues this year. Lutron Jazz Cabaret offers acts for jazz enthusiasts like Acute Inflections on Monday, Aug. 8, at 5:30 p.m. Performing in the Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz are a Girl and a Guy Sunday, Aug.7. The Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, will host Common Bond on Friday, Aug. 5 at 9:30 p.m.
Northsideacts include at the festival’s T-Mobile Plaza Tropical stage include Shamarr Allen at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, and Screaming Females at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7.
Enjoy performances at Wells Fargo Festplatz such as Garden State Radio 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5. The Aardvarks round-out the weekend with a performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 and Sofa Kings 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7.
While exploring the Provident Bank Main Street, the Swamp Guard performs Friday, Aug. 5 at 8:30 p.m., and Mosey Beat taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11.
Get excited for more free stage performances showcasing the reinvention of past styles with performers BC Blue on Friday, Aug. 12 at 9 p.m., and the Dina Hall Band on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 9 p.m.
Don’t miss Marielle Kraft on Friday, Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m., at Guardian Life Insurance Company of America Zinzenplatz.
Musikfest’s new stage PNC Stadtplatz, located at Payrow Plaza, will be featuring Igor and the Red Elvises on Friday Aug. 5, Kat Wright on Sunday Aug.7 at 4:30 p.m., Boat House Row on Wednesday Aug. 10 at 8:30 p.m. and The Clarks on Friday Aug. 12 at 8:30 p.m.
In addition, The Musikfest Drag Show, presented by Jack Daniel, takes place at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling. The show will contain adult language and situations. Any child between the ages of 13 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult. No child 12 and under will be admitted.
For a complete schedule, go to bit.ly/3bnWVIK
Musikfest takes place Aug. 5 - 14 with a preview night on Aug. 4. For info go to, musikfest.org or download the free Musikfest App from the Apple or Google Play stores.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Free concerts, art installments and backstage parties at Musikfest
