NEWS RELEASE
DATE: Jan. 26, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, 610-332-1342 or mdemko@artsquest.org
RALPH STANLEY, RELIENT K, DANIEL RODRIQUEZ & MORE SET FOR MUSIKFEST CAFE
BETHLEHEM, PA—Grammy Award-winning bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley, rockers Relient K German classical piano duo Stenzl, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and beloved tenor Daniel Rodriquez are the latest acts confirmed for the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, located at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Details on the shows are as follows:
Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys - May 8, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32 cabaret, $37 VIP Box
Ralph Stanley has been performing professionally since he and his older brother, Carter, formed a band in their native Virginia in 1946. Between that date and 1966, when Carter died, the Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys became one of the most celebrated bluegrass groups in the world, rivaling in popularity such titans as Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. Stanley is a three-time Grammy Award winner. He was also the first artist of the new millennium to be inducted into the historic Grand Ole Opry. In 2002, Stanley was chosen to be the closing act for the Down From The Mountain Tour, a sold-out series of concerts inspired by the success of the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" album.
Stenzl Piano Duo - May 11, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 cabaret, $35 VIP Box
Classical pianists Hans-Peter and Volker Stenzl, from Bethlehem’s sister city of Schwäbisch Gmünd, rank amongst the best piano duos in the world. Critics marvel at the magical amalgam of the two brothers´ hearts into one musical soul and point out the "unique blend of innate musical instinct and knife-sharp intelligence." Winners of 11 international competitions, their extensive career has taken them to most European countries, North and South America, Africa, Japan, China and Hong Kong. In 1991, they made their debut at the Salzburg Festival. Since then, they have appeared in major concert halls throughout the world including Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall London, Merkin Concert Hall New York, Suntory Hall Tokyo, Cultural Centre Hong Kong, Philharmonie and many more.
Relient K – May 13, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $27 theater, $29 VIP Box
Since its formation in 1997, the Grammy nominated Relient K has released five full-length albums – three of which three have been certified Gold; five EPs and a Christmas collection. It has also toured incessantly, garnered two Dove awards and appeared on numerous national TV shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The Los Angeles Times has praised Relient K for "its smart blend of punk pop and power pop, weaving together influences as diverse as the Beach Boys, Blink-182 and Fountains of Wayne," while Spin noted, "Few bands play punk-influenced modern rock as proficiently." The band’s 2004 release, "MMHMM," hit No. 15 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Albums charts, launching a string of hit recordings for the group, including 2009’s "Forget and Not Slow Down," which cracked the Top 5 of several Billboard charts.
Daniel Rodriquez - May 30, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 cabaret, $35 VIP Box
Perhaps best-known as the "singing policeman," Daniel Rodriguez became a household name in America for his famous rendition of "God Bless America" shortly after 9/11. The widespread recognition of his vocal talent and inspirational motivation has led to appearances on "Oprah," "Larry King Live," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Live with Regis and Kelly," on PBS during the "Memorial Day concert in Washington, D.C.," the 2002 Winter Olympics and many other high profile appearances. Rodriguez’s performance at the Musikfest Café will be part of ArtsQuest’s new Memorial Day Celebration at SteelStacks.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds - June 21, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $32 Cabaret, $39 VIP Box
For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The thread throughout the group’s career has been the respect it commands for its peerless musicianship and devotion to the sounds of blues, R&B and rock 'n’ roll. In 1979, the group released its self-titled debut album, and in 1986 it reached widespread commercial success with the release of the album "Tuff Enuff," which featured the singles "Tuff Enuff," "Wrap It Up" and "Look At That", all of which went Top 40.
Tickets for the newly announced Musikfest Café shows, as well as all previously announced Musikfest Café concerts, will go on sale starting Tues., Feb. 15, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Fri., Feb. 18, 10 a.m., to the public. Tickets will be available at www.artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-3378. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets before the public to these shows and over 200 other ArtsQuest concerts at the Musikfest Café, Musikfest® and other ArtsQuest festivals is invited to become an ArtsQuest Member. Memberships are available at www.artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-3378.
ABOUT THE MUSIKFEST CAFÉ PRESENTED BY YUENGLING
The Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling is an intimate concert venue featuring one of the most unique backdrops in the nation, the historic blast furnaces of the former Bethlehem Steel plant. Guests attending concerts at the state-of-the-art performance venue will be able to look out upon the iconic furnaces, illuminated nightly, thanks to 26-foot-tall clear glass walls located behind the stage, making for a concert experience unlike any other.
The Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling is located on the third and fourth floors of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem. The venue, which will open May 1, will accommodate audiences of 450-900 people depending on the performance and seating configuration.
Editor's Note: Attached is an image of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, who will be performing at the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling on June 21.
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