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STRAIGHT NO CHASER PERFORMS AT MUSIKFEST’S SANDS STEEL STAGE AUG. 11
DATE: February 4, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org
STRAIGHT NO CHASER PERFORMS AT MUSIKFEST’S SANDS STEEL STAGE AUG. 11
BETHLEHEM, PA—Soaring vocals and stunning harmonies will fill the Sands Steel Stage at Musikfest® 2011 when a cappella sensations Straight No Chaser perform Thursday, Aug. 11 at 8:30 p.m.
In an era when so much pop music is the product of digital processing and vocal pro-tooling, Straight No Chaser is the real deal - the captivating sound of 10 unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense…and with a sense of humor. Originally formed over a dozen years ago while students at Indiana University, the group has reassembled and reemerged as a phenomenon, with a massive fan base, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous national TV appearances and three hit albums.
Straight No Chaser’s 2010 release, “With a Twist,” which debuted at No. 29 on the Billboard 200, featured the group’s dynamic takes on modern hits such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under The Bridge," Coldplay’s “Fix You," Crowded House's “Don't Dream It's Over" and Oasis’ “Wonderwall." The album also features renditions of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Barry Manilow’s “One Voice,” the latter featuring Manilow himself.
Prior to “With a Twist,” the group had released two extremely successful holiday CDs. Its 2008 debut, “Holiday Spirits,” hit No. 4 on Billboard's Top Holiday Albums charts and spent two weeks in the No. 1 slot on Amazon, while 2009’s “Christmas Cheers” reached No. 6 on the Top Holiday Albums charts and No. 38 on the Billboard 200.
On the road, Straight No Chaser has built a reputation as an unforgettable live act. In 2010, the group performed more than 160 shows, including a hugely successful eight-week, 40-show run at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.
The Straight No Chaser concert is sponsored by 100.7 WLEV. Tickets for the show are $29 and $37. They will go on sale at www.musikfest.org and 610-332-3378 starting Tues., March 1, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Fri., March 4, 10 a.m., to the public. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets before the public to this show and all other Musikfest ticketed concerts is invited to become an ArtsQuest Member. Memberships are available at www.artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-3378.
ABOUT ARTSQUEST
ArtsQuest™ is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, 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®, and the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center, ArtsQuest's programming currently reaches more than 1.3 million people annually. ArtsQuest is furthering its mission of celebrating arts and culture through the development of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks™. The 65,000-square-foot building, set to open in May 2011, will feature live music, independent and scientific films, new festivals and community celebrations year-round, reaching an additional 750,000 people each year. For more information on ArtsQuest, visit www.artsquest.org or call 610-332-1300.