2 more days till... MUSIKFEST!

That's right! Musikfest 2011 will be here starting this Friday, August 5th!

I probably write about the coming of this event yearly but it's because it really is a big thing here in the Lehigh Valley. It seems like a large part of Bethlehem shuts down for it. It is one of the most popular festivals in the area. There is always a wide variety music to listen to and the food... oh my! So many things to fill your tummy with!

Majority of the entertainment is free but some of the headliners you will have to purchase a ticket for. Click HERE to see the full list of headliners and purchase your tickets.

Some of this year's headliners include:

Stone Temple Pilots - 8.5.2011

Maroon 5 - 8.6.2011

Steely Dan - 8.10.2011

Nick Jonas - 8.13.2011

This year they are changing it up a bit. They will have 10 venue sites on the North Side of Bethlehem + 5 NEW venue sites on the South Side area around SteelStacks and Sands Casino.

Below are the 5 new venues located at SteelStacks, details below provided by Musikfest.org:

• Sands Steel Stage at PNC Plaza 
  Capacity: 7,200
  Programming: Musikfest's main stage – featuring national touring acts
  Opens: 6 p.m. nightly; showtimes TBD
  Ticket required
• Americaplatz at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks 
  Capacity: 2,500
  Programming: Blues, rock, R&B, world, Americana and more!
  Open: 5-11 p.m. nightly
  Free
• Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
  Capacity: 450-900 depending on the show
  Programming: Indie rock, rock, singer-songwriters, soul, cabaret, plus new music-themed lunches Fridays through Sundays and late-night comedy shows nightly
  Open: Daily
  Ticket required
• Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks 
  Programming: Will offer regular cinema programming plus Musikfest events such as concerts, artist workshops, educational programs, music-focused documentary films
  Open: Daily
  Some events free; others require admission ticket
• Air Products Town Square
  First Street and Founders Way
  Programming: Street performers, local and regional bands, acoustic singer-songwriters
  Open: 5 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and 12p.m. - 1a.m. Fridays-Sundays
  Free to the public

So if you are in the area, I urge you to come out and experience it! There are things for everyone. Earlier in the day is perfect for families while the night time is an excellent time for the adults to come out and play. My family and I always hit up the night time for some Spanish music at Plaza Tropical or for funky like groups like, The Red Elvises at the Volkplatz. Daily schedule can be found HERE.

For more information on the Musikfest and what it is about, visit Musikfest.org or click here for Musikfest 101.

The Fest is Here!!

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Today is the day! The day one of the best music festivals in PA and maybe some parts of the states begins.

So what is the Musikfest?

Musikfest is a one week event where the locals and OOTowners get to enjoy some great music of many genres, great food and of course Beer!

Essentially they shut down a section of Bethlehem (my hometown) to dedicate to the million + people the attend the week long event. During the day, they have crafts and other goodies for the children but in the evening it is more of an adult's world.

Here are some of the headliners this year:

• The Commodores - Friday, July 31
• Chris Isaak / The Wallflowers - Saturday, August 1
• Yes with special guest Asia - Sunday, August 2
• David Cook - Monday, August 3
• Third Eye Blind - Tuesday, August 4
• The B52s / Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Wednesday, August 5
• Pat Benatar & Blondie with the Donnas - Friday, August 7

... and many more.

Those were just the headliners that you have to purchase tickets for. There are many, many more artists who perform for free at many of the platz locations around the fest.

So if you have some time this week and are a drive away from Bethlehem, PA, come on out and experience what it means to "fest".

Have a great weekend everyone!!

I am off to get our marriage license =)