Event Calendar

The fourteenth annual SteelStacks High School Jazz Band Showcase will feature 26 bands and be held over five events in February and March at the Musikfest Cafe.

Come show us what you've got and sing your heart out. This weekly open mic features acoustic performances only, feel free to bring a djembe or box drum, but no full bands please. Signups begin at 6:30 P.M.

Cass Noelle grew up listening to the great female troubadours of our time. Revered artists like Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell, The Cranberries, and Jewel were among her first inspirations to pick up a guitar at age 12. The eastern Pennsylvania native’s influences stretch beyond the “chick folk” of her formative years. Cass draws inspiration from a vast array of artists, from megastar showmen like David Bowie and Billy Joel to architects of “beautifully sad” compositions, like The Civil Wars and Over the Rhine.

At age 3, Melody Cruz began her musical pursuit performing alongside her mother and paternal grandfather with their band, Los Paisanos, at MusikFest (2003). She sang Ecuadorian nursery rhymes accompanied by her grandfather’s guitar playing. At 8, she began busking annually on the Ocean City, MD Boardwalk. At age 14, she began performing at bars, restaurants, and festivals in the Greater Lehigh Valley Area. In 2021, she released her first pop single “TOOLATE.” The song was written by Cruz and co-produced by her and her father, Christian. She landed her first MusikFest gig later that year where she performed her new release in front of an audience for the first time. Soon-after, Cruz was featured on WFMZ’s 69 News Music Monday, at which she debuted her successive release “Make Me Stay.” Since then, Cruz has also appeared as a musical guest on The Mike Zambelli Show and Fox 29 News. To date, Cruz has released 12 singles and amassed 30,000 followers across her social media accounts.

Riley Lauren is an indie folk singer/songwriter from the Philadelphia area. Highly influenced by artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Sara Bareilles, and Billy Joel, her music is a blend of styles creating a unique listening experience. Her musical theatre background is reflected in expressive lyrics and melodies, often complimented by soft, intricate layers of background vocals. The subject matter of Riley’s music is relatable and digestible to a wide audience, but when it comes to the lyrics—there’s always more than meets the ear.

To those familiar with the guitar artistry of Craig Thatcher, it's no secret that he has been heavily influenced by Eric Clapton. Actually, this has been the case since Craig first heard Eric's playing on "John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton,"commonly referred to as the "Beano" album. A spark was ignited in Craig's own guitar playing after hearing the blues played in Eric's (at the time) inimitable and innovative style using a Gibson Les Paul and a cranked Marshall combo amp; arguably the first time this combination was used on a recording.