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HOT CHELLE RAE, TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING & CHRIS SMITHER COMING TO MUSIKFEST CAFÉ

DATE: Sept 15, 2011
CONTACT: Mark Demko, ArtsQuest, 610-332-1300, ext. 342, or mdemko@artsquest.org

Shows by Blues Artist Sarah Ayers and Jimmy Buffett Tribute Jimmy & The Parrots Also Announced

BETHLEHEM, PA--Rising pop sensations Hot Chelle Rae, folk singer-songwriters Chris Smither & Ellis Paul, and an interactive theatrical presentation of the smash Tony n' Tina's Wedding are among the five new shows announced for the Musikfest Café presented by Yuengling, located at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Tickets for the shows go on sale starting Tues., Sept. 20, 10 a.m., to ArtsQuest Members and Fri., Sept. 23, 10 a.m., to the public. They will be available at www.artsquest.org or by calling 610-332-3378.

Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Hot Chelle Rae

Formed in Nashville in 2005, Hot Chelle Rae released its debut recording, Lovesick Electric, in 2009. Now the Nashville-based quartet, which features singer Ryan Follese, guitarist Nash Overstreet, bassist Ian Keaggy and drummer Jamie Follese, is rocketing to the top of the pop charts on the strength of its hit, "Tonight Tonight." The song made the Top 5 on the Billboard Pop Songs Chart and has received more than 13 million plays on YouTube since its release earlier this year.

Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.

Sarah Ayers & Friends

With a resume that includes a degree in opera, performing at New York's Plaza Hotel (from her highchair at age 2), singing with rock cover band Alaska, jump-starting a blues music career while raising two toddlers and winning 19 regional Pennsylvania music awards in less than three years, Sarah Ayers has almost done it all. A favorite of blues fans everywhere, Ayers has delighted audiences at Musikfest, First Night, Mayfair and countless other events and venues throughout the region.

Dec. 30, 8 p.m.

Jimmy and The Parrots – Holiday Parrot Party

Grab your beach chair, your suntan oil and your favorite drink, and get ready for a trip to the islands! From the West Indies and Jamaica to cities all over the East Coast, Jimmy and the Parrots have been playing to delighted crowds for almost a decade. One of the most requested Jimmy Buffett cover bands in the country, this group performs not only all the great Buffett songs you love, it also plays new and classic rock 'n' roll, as well as outstanding original songs written by lead singer/guitarist Jimmy Maraventano.

Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Chris Smither with Ellis Paul

Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for more than 40 years and having released 13 records, Chris Smither is truly an American original. A profound songwriter, he continues to draw deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers. A blistering guitarist, Smither melds the styles of his two major influences, Lightnin' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt, into his own signature guitar sound. Reviewers praise his dazzling guitar work, gravelly voice and songwriting.

Ellis Paul is one of the leading voices in American songwriting and one of the top songwriters to emerge out of the fertile Boston folk scene. His songs are heard in various commercials, documentaries and TV shows such as "Ed" and MTV's "Real World;" and in the soundtracks of blockbuster films including three Farrelly Brothers films: "Hall Pass," "Me, Myself, & Irene" and "Shallow Hal." He has also won an unprecedented 14 Boston Music Awards and sung at Fenway Park and The Boston Garden.

Jan. 17, 18, 19 and 20, 7 p.m. | Jan. 21, 2 and 7 p.m. | Jan. 22, 2 and 6 p.m.

Tony n' Tina's Wedding

Since opening in New York City in February 1988, this unique theatrical experience has won over the hearts of thousands of people, in over 100 cities worldwide, including Japan, Australia and many European cities. At Tony n' Tina's Wedding, audience members actually play the roles of Tony n' Tina's family and/or friends. During the performance, audience members are invited to eat, drink, dance, converse and allow themselves to be caught up in the activities. This all inclusive evening of entertainment, which includes the wedding's pasta dinner and wedding cake, will be something you and your friends will be talking about for many years to come.

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.