NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 7, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1342 or mdemko@artsquest.org

FIRST LADY CORBETT TO ATTEND ARTSQUEST CENTER DEDICATION APRIL 14
New Performing Arts Center in Bethlehem Opens to the Public April 15 at 4 p.m.

BETHLEHEM, PA—The official dedication of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, the first building to open on the new SteelStacks arts and cultural campus in Bethlehem, will take place April 14, 4 p.m., at the building, 101 Founders Way. Pennsylvania First Lady Susan Corbett, Northampton County Executive John Stoffa and Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan are among the guests who will attend the event, ArtsQuest announced today.

“The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Northampton County and the City of Bethlehem have been major partners in the SteelStacks project since day one,” said ArtsQuest President Jeff Parks. “We are honored that Mrs. Corbett, Mr. Stoffa and Mayor Callahan will be joining us for this historic day as we prepare to open this dynamic performing arts center and kick off a year-long celebration at SteelStacks.”

The SteelStacks project was announced in November 2005. The first major public commitment to the project was made by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Dec. 18, 2006 through a $5 million commitment of Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding.  Additional allocations by the Commonwealth have resulted in a total of $12 million in state funding being dedicated to two of the projects on the SteelStacks campus, one of which is the ArtsQuest Center.

The ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, which officially opens to the public April 15 at 4 p.m., is a contemporary performing arts center that features the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, a two-screen art cinema; the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, a live music venue that will offer 200 concerts a year; the Fowler Blast Furnace Room, which will host comedy nights, family programs, special events and community functions; and the Creativity Commons, which will offer light entertainment, community programming and food and beverage service. Beginning April 16, the building will be open 365 days a year starting at 10:30 a.m. each day. The Musikfest Café will host its first public concert, Craig Thatcher Band with Special Guests,on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. 

ABOUT ARTSQUEST
ArtsQuest is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, 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^®; the Banana Factory^® cultural arts and education center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.5 million people annually.

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

-30-