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ARTSQUEST ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2012 FESTIVALS

Lineup Includes 29th Edition of Musikfest, New Indie Rock Festival & More

DATE: Dec 19, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org

BETHLEHEM, PA—The 29th edition of Musikfest, the nation's largest, free music festival; a new indie rock festival at the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, and the return of six festivals that made their debut in 2011 (RiverJazz™ presented by Concannon Miller, ¡Sabor! Latin Festival™, Blast Furnace Blues™ presented by Highmark Blue Shield, Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling, Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival and SteelJam™) highlight ArtsQuest's festival lineup for 2012. Festival details, lineups and ticket on-sale dates for each event will be announced on www.artsquest.org as they are confirmed.

Indie Rock Festival

March 30-31

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem

It's two nights of great, live music as ArtsQuest welcomes some of the hottest up-and-coming indie bands to SteelStacks. Look for details on this brand-new festival in early 2012!

RiverJazzâ„¢ presented by Concannon Miller

May 10-25

SteelStacks Campus, First Street and Founders Way, Bethlehem

From Bebop and Swing to Cool Jazz and Free Improvisation, you'll experience the finest this genre has to offer during this series showcasing national touring acts and some of the best jazz performers from the Lehigh Valley.

¡Sabor! Latin Festival™

June 22-24

SteelStacks Campus, First Street and Founders Way, Bethlehem

Experience three days of sizzling music, food and fun celebrating the region's Latino culture. At the ¡Sabor! Latin Festival™, you'll enjoy the best in salsa, merengue, reggaeton, Latin jazz and other sounds as you dance the night or day away. Plus look for great, free family programming; interactive exhibits and activities all weekend long.

Musikfest®

August 3-12

Throughout Bethlehem

The nation's largest free, non-gated music festival returns for its 29th year with more than 500 performances on 14 different stages. The event will also feature delicious food and desserts by more than 60 vendors, 50 of the nation's finest artisans and plenty of family fun.

Blast Furnace Bluesâ„¢ presented by Highmark Blue Shield

September 14-16

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem

What a way to end the summer! Enjoy three days of scorchin' blues music as SteelStacks welcomes some of the finest contemporary and traditional blues artists from around the region and throughout the nation.

Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling

October 5-7 & 12-14

SteelStacks Campus

Celebrate the arrival of autumn with Oktoberfest presented by Yuengling. You'll enjoy live polka, rock and dance music; delicious German cuisine and plenty of family fun. Last year's barrel rolling, dachshund racing and beer stein racing competitions were a big hit, so look for even more fun and games in 2012.

InVision Photo Festivalâ„¢

November 2-4

Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St., and ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem

Enjoy presentations by internationally renowned photographers, dynamic exhibitions and more at this festival focusing on the art of photography. The InVision Photo Festivalâ„¢ is also the kick-off to Lehigh Valley Photography Month, a month-long celebration that features photography exhibits and presentations at more than 40 different venues throughout the region.

Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival

November 2-4

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem

This new filmmaker festival, which made its debut in 2011, showcases a wide range of features, documentaries and shorts, all made by people living in or around the Lehigh Valley. Information on how to submit entries for the 2012 festival will be announced in spring 2012.

SteelJamâ„¢

November 9-10

ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem

It may be chilly outside, but the music inside the ArtsQuest Center will be red hot as SteelStacks hosts some of the nation's best bands for two days of nonstop jamming.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem®

Thursdays-Sundays November 15-December 16 (closed Thanksgiving Day)

PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 E. First St., Bethlehem

Named one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem showcases aisles of exquisite, handmade works by 100 nation's finest artisans, the heart-warming sounds of live Christmas music, delicious food and more. The event also features ice carving and glassblowing demonstrations; Germany's Käthe Wohlfarht, renowned for its handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles; and jolly, old St. Nicholas, who's eager to hear the holiday wishes of every boy and girl.

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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