Tag Archives: Zoellner Arts Center

Alex Radus: ‘Tributaries (Recorded Live at Godfrey Daniels)’ Album Release

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Alex Radus will release his long-awaited third album, Tributaries (Recorded Live at Godfrey Daniels), on April 7, 2022. The album is uniquely centric to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley region; it was recorded live at the legendary Southside Bethlehem listening room, Godfrey Daniels, and will be commemorated with a debut performance at Zoellner Arts Center, on the campus of Lehigh University.

Radus is known as a “sultry crooner” (City Paper) and “master guitarist” (Courier News), but his songwriting takes center stage, pairing whimsical and poignant storytelling with a genre-bending mix of Americana, swing, blues, folk, and more. Radus has toured the country extensively and earned critical acclaim for his songwriting, recording, and performing. His music has been featured on radio, television, and film, including Adolescence, directed by Ashley Avis (Black Beauty).

Tributaries is a collection of Radus originals, in celebration of a common theme: tributes to the people, places and muses that inspire and shape us. How fitting, then, for Radus to record Tributaries at Godfrey Daniels, an institution that is part of his family heritage. Radus’ uncle, Doug (Ol’ Moose) Anderson, performed at Godfrey’s with John Gorka, Richard Shindell, and Russ Rentler in the club’s formative years.

“The musicians in my family were a huge influence growing up, and Godfrey’s was part of the family folklore,” says Radus. “This album celebrates the many tributaries that come together to shape our lives. Recording a collection of songs of tribute at such a storied venue was the perfect fit.”

Tributaries includes a live version of Radus’ fan favorite, “We Can’t Play Like Django” – an homage to the guitar great, Django Reinhardt. “Django” features jaw-dropping performances by Pyrenesia, a Delaware Valley-based gypsy-swing quartet. Tributaries also includes songs in honor of Pennsylvania steel towns (“Monongahela”) and Radus’ daughters (“My Heart Will Stay” and “Prayer for Nicolette”).

“I’m thrilled to release this album with a debut performance at Zoellner Arts Center”, says Radus. “From inspiration, to recording, to release, Tributaries is firmly rooted in the Lehigh Valley.”

Lehigh Valley Underground and SouthSide Arts District Present First Fridays Concert Series

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Lehigh Valley Underground is thrilled to announce a partnership with SouthSide Arts District to bring music back to First Fridays in South Bethlehem.

Beginning on Friday, September 1, 2017 and continuing on the first Friday of every month, both organizations will team up to present the Lehigh Valley Underground Concert Series at First Fridays. The series will inject arts and culture into First Fridays by hosting live music in a variety of South Bethlehem performance venues, shops, and restaurants, providing performance opportunities to local artists while bringing an increased level of patronage to local businesses.

“Partnering with SouthSide Arts District on its First Fridays initiative is right in line with LVU’s mission to bring our community together,” said Gerard Longo, Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Lehigh Valley Underground. “This monthly series will support our vibrant music scene and our growing local business community, making South Bethlehem a shining example of progress for the Greater Lehigh Valley and beyond.”

September’s First Friday lineup is complete, featuring 12 performers across nine prominent South Bethlehem locations. The September 1 lineup is as follows:

Bonn Place Brewing Co. (310 Taylor St.)
5 p.m.: Cubbage

Color Me Mine (25 E. Third St.)
6 p.m.: Zach Russack
7:30 p.m.: Neil Grover

Comfort Suites Hill to Hill Grille (120 W. Third St.)
6 p.m.: The Bryan Tuk Complex

Godfrey Daniels (7 E. 4th St.)
7:30 p.m.: Not For Coltrane
8:30 p.m.: The Beautiful Distortion

Lit Roastery & Bakeshop (26 E. Third St.)
5:30 p.m.: Kayla Avitabile

Molinari’s (322 E. Third St.)
5:30 p.m.: Jordyn Kenzie
6:30 p.m.: Kara Hartzell

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub
6 p.m.: Brian Kibler

SouthSide 313 (313 E. Third St.)
5:30 p.m.: Roi and the Secret People
9 p.m.-Midnight: The Groove Merchants (Official LVU afterparty)

Zoellner Arts Center Courtyard at Lehigh University (420 E. Packer Ave.)
5:30 p.m.: Ralph Pagano

Additionally, Lehigh Valley Underground will now accept performer submissions for future First Friday events on a rolling basis. Performers interested in submitting should email streaming links and a short bio/EPK to lehighvalleyunderground@gmail.com or fill out this form.

Jakopa’s Punch Processional Hits the Greenway This Weekend

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After months of preparation (which included a spirited fundraiser along the way), Jakopa’s Punch is venturing outside of Touchstone Theatre’s confines this weekend with a performance that promises something for everyone.

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Lisa’s Saturday Night: Start Making Sense at Zoellner Arts Center

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In July, we reported on Start Making Sense’s upcoming show at Zoellner Arts Center. The Talking Heads tribute was to re-create the band’s 1984 film, “Stop Making Sense,” alongside an encore of additional Talking Heads covers.

Last week, while chatting about LVU, I asked Lisa what her plans were for Saturday. She informed me that she already had tickets to Saturday’s tribute.

At that moment, I thought back to July, and I thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great to cover that show?”

So, long story short, the folks over at Zoellner were super accommodating, and Lisa went there and was blown away by Start Making Sense’s incredible performance. When I asked about it on Monday, she told me that it just might have been even better than The Talking Heads themselves. This is consistent with what I’ve heard all around about Saturday night’s show — it has received nothing but glowing reviews. Kudos to the band and to the folks at Zoellner, who worked together to produce an incredible show in all respects.

Lisa, as she tends to do, captured the moment well with some great photos. I’m happy to share those with you right here. Enjoy!

Talking Heads Tribute to Recreate 1984 Concert Film in Bethlehem

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On Saturday, Sept. 17, Talking Heads tribute band Start Making Sense will recreate director Jonathan Demme’s critically-acclaimed concert film, Stop Making Sense, on stage at Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center.

Tickets cost $25 for grand tier and balcony seating, $35 for orchestra seating and $40 for pit seating. Tickets are available online now at Zoellner Arts Center’s  website.

Stop Making Sense, released April 24, 1984, was filmed during the group’s three-night stand at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Utilizing innovative camera techniques, the concert features the influential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band performing such hits as “Psycho Killer,” “Burning Down the House,” and their New Wave take on Al Green’s “Take Me to the River.”

Start Making Sense singer Jon Braun promises a “once in a lifetime” concert experience for fans.

“We’re very excited to be recreating Stop Making Sense in a live setting,” Braun said.”(The film is) widely regarded as one of the best concert films of all-time. It’s going to be quite a challenge, but we’ve been wanting to do this for a long time.”