NEWS RELEASE
DATE: April 25, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, 610-332-1342 or mdemko@artsquest.org
INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED MASS ENSEMBLE AT STEELSTACKS MAY 6-8
3-day Residency Presented by Bank of America Includes 4 Free Performances
BETHLEHEM, PA—Three days of dazzling, free musical performances by the world-famous MASS Ensemble highlight the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks™ Grand Opening Week (April 30-May 8) events and activities presented by lead sponsor Bank of America. During its residency at SteelStacks May 6-8, MASS will transform the campus into a giant "Earth Harp" as it strings and performs on giant cables running from the Air Products Town Square to the top of the ArtsQuest Center, a distance of more than 90 feet.
MASS (Music, Architecture, Sonic, Sculpture) is an internationally renowned musical performance group that combines unique musical sculptures and site-specific installations with traditional instrumentation, creating an unforgettable multi-sensory theatrical experience. The ensemble blends original music with cutting edge dance and visual arts, inspiring audiences of all ages throughout the world.
MASS’ Earth Harp, "The World’s Largest Stringed Instrument," places the audience inside the instrument, as the golden strings span out from the stage and use the architecture or landscape to create a harp 50–1,000 feet in length. Together, the long-string instruments create a unique string section, with the Earth Harp playing the bass and cello role and the Longbow Harp and the Wing Harp offering the role of viola and violin. MASS has dazzled audiences at festivals and venues throughout the nation including the Kennedy Center of the Arts in Washington, D.C., as well as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.; Lollapalooza in Chicago and Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle.
At SteelStacks, MASS will present three days of dynamic programming for young and old alike, highlighted by a feature presentation May 7 at 7:30 p.m. Other public performances will take place May 6 at noon and 7:30 p.m. and May 7 at noon. During the presentations, the audience will be invited to sit under the Earth Harp to enjoy the dazzling visual and musical experience, as well as the amazing view of the iconic Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces on the SteelStacks campus. MASS will also offer a free, family-friendly interactive exhibit on May 8, 1 p.m., during which guests can touch and perform on the Earth Harp, as well as the ensemble’s other instruments.
"At Bank of America, we recognize that cultural destinations not only lead to additional investment and development at the local level, but also improve the quality of life for individuals and families in surrounding communities," said Tom Woodward, Bank of America Pennsylvania president. "Through our support of SteelStacks, we are helping set opportunity in motion for residents of the Lehigh Valley."
Other highlights of the Grand Opening Week at the ArtsQuest Center presented by Bank of America include daily free music and arts programming for the community on the Air Products Town Square, as well as an all-star jam session featuring a Who’s Who of Lehigh Valley musicians to open the Musikfest Café on May 1. The Musikfest Café concert, Craig Thatcher Band with Special Guests, will start at 7:30 p.m. and feature performers such as Pat Flaherty and Craig Kastelnik of KATO, Pete Fluck of Zen for Primates, Bev Conklin of BC Combo and more. Tickets are $20 and $30 and are on sale now at www.artsquest.org and 610-332-1378.
The Air Products Town Square lineup from April 30-May 8 includes:
April 30, 11 a.m. Sally Snoo and The Bird From Kaloo (Peas & Qs family series)
May 1, 2 p.m. Dan DeChellis Duo
May 2, 6 p.m. School of Rock
May 3, 6 p.m. Daylen
May 4, 6 p.m. O'Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
May 5, 6 p.m. Bryan Herber
May 6, 6 p.m. Donovan Roberts
May 7, 11 a.m. "Kids Jam" drum circle led by Maureen "Moe" Jerant (Peas & Qs family series)
May 7, 6 p.m. Dina Hall
May 8, 2 p.m. Audio Dynamikz presents "Sundaze"
In addition to the MASS Ensemble residency and free community programming, Bank of America is also the sponsor of the Steve Miller concert and gala at the ArtsQuest Center on April 30. For information on all of the Grand Opening Week events and activities at the ArtsQuest Center, please visit www.artsquest.org.
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.
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Editor’s Note: Attached is an image from a MASS Ensemble performance. You can also view video of the musical performance group by visiting www.massensemble.com and clicking on the video link on the left-hand side of the page.
