This past weekend I went to Bethlehem, PA for the 35th Annual Musik Fest. Basically, there are about 12 stages/venues to see different musical acts. All music is free. There are several food and drink vendors. You can buy a Musik Fest mug, and then get it filled up at various places.
Because Brian and Jen were staying at the Hotel Bethlehem, and that hotel is right in the middle of the action, I decided to stay there too. We made our room reservations back in March.
The night before I planned to leave, I got on the hotel website to see if my room had a mini fridge or not. While looking over the site, I discovered that the hotel has 4 ghosts, one of which resides in a specific room and who has been known to be quite disruptive. I believe you have to specifically request that room – I don’t think they would just give it to you (but, I’m not sure). Anyway, I was a little on edge about the ghosts but didn’t feel anything ‘unkind’ so no worries. And, yes, the room had a mini-fridge.
Here is a photo from the bar:
So, Friday I left the house around 11am, with a small suitcase/bag, some snacks, some alcohol, and stuff to read. I didn’t bring my computer because I figured I’d wouldn’t be sitting around much to make it worthwhile to bring. I think I was right, although I did miss it a few times.
Brian and Jen got there before me and they were waiting for me to pull up – so nice! I left my luggage in the car for the time being since I was there fairly early before check-in time. So, we walked down to the main area with music to check things out. I bought my Musik Fest mug and got some food tickets.
The mug lights up!
First we went to the polka tent to check things out. Then we went to another tent and saw The Howling Tongues – they were pretty good!
We wandered around for a bit and came upon a band called KALO from Oklahoma City. They had a female lead singer who shredded on guitar – both lead and slide. We stayed til the end of the set and I bought their CD. Then I went up to the stage and told her she was my f*ckin’ hero and she held out her hand, as if to shake my hand, and then she kissed it. Needless to say, I caught crap for that from my friends for the entire weekend. They were just jealous! I did a couple video recordings of them but unfortunately the files are too big to upload here.
But here is a link to her site, with some music samples:
https://www.kaloband.com/listen/
I didn’t realize it at the time but she is Israeli. But check out her music – she really rocks it!
After that we saw a band called Church Girls. I liked them a lot and bought their CD also. Here’s a link:
http://www.church-girls.com/
Later in the evening, if I remember correctly, we saw ‘Soulsha’ – they play Afro-Celtic music. Here’s the link:
http://www.soulshamusic.com/music/
They were a lot of fun.
I think after that band, we walked around to a few different stages before having a ‘philosophical’ discussion and then calling it a night.
‘Calling it a night’ means you get off of Main Street before 11pm, as a team of mounted policemen form a line from 6 to 8 horses across, basically herding people out of the street and onto the sidewalks. They are followed by policemen on bicycles, and a few police vehicles to boot. They don’t mess around!
Next day we caught up with friends Chris and Liz, and later on friends Darin and Kelly.
I listened a little bit to Louie Bello (he was just okay in my opinion). We walked around a bit more, checking out the crafts area etc. If I remember right we saw The Groove Merchants. Later on, everybody wanted to see different music than I did, so I went to see Heather Gillis. She’s 24, from Atlanta, and has played with the Derek Trucks Band. Boy was she good! She played a two-hour set.
Here’s a link to her website:
https://heathergillisband.com/
When I walked to the venue, there was an empty chair next to an older guy. I asked if anybody was sitting there – no – so I got a good seat. He and I started talking and I found out his name is Po. Turns out his Italian father was fighting in WW2 and was captured by the Germans. He was taken to the Po River region and thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. So, later, when he was released and began his family, he named his firstborn son Po. What a cool story! This map shows where the Po river runs across Northern Italy. Anyway, Po and I enjoyed each other’s company and when the concert was over we hugged and he drove back home to his wife about an hour and a half away.
The next day we had Sunday Brunch at the Bethlehem Hotel. It was buffet style. They had so much food! The food was really tasty though.
Then off to listen to more music. First up was a band called Serene Green – really good bluegrass.
Then off to a different venue to see Making Movies. Wow did I like them! Two brothers from Panama and two brothers from Mexico, that oddly live in Kansas City, MO now. I danced about 2000 calories off! I also bought their CD and a T-shirt where ALL proceeds go to reuniting refugee children with their parents.
Here is a link to their site:
https://mkngmvs.com/
After that it was a walk over to the South Side of the festival. This is where the old Bethlehem Steel plant is. Pretty cool venue.
They light the structure with colored lights at night, and there is also a ‘high line’ type walkway so you can get up close and personal with the ruins.
We listened to a bunch of different music. Nothing all that notable for me, and then we staked out our place to watch the closing fireworks. I was standing next to an older man who had a drink in hand. So, I asked him “Whatcha drinkin’ ?” Captain and Coke was the response. Refreshing! So, he and I start talking and he asks me if I tried the Aw Shucks Corn. I said no, but the Island Noodles were really good. Well, it turns out this guy’s name is Dave and he founded Aw Shucks Corn!
Here’s their link: http://www.awshucksroastedcorn.com/about-us/
Anyway, we had a great conversation, we all watched the fireworks and then it was time to walk the roughly 1 mile back to the hotel.
Overnight it rained like a Mo Fo, and it was raining pretty hard in the morning. Watching the news I saw there was all this flash flooding all over the place, including where I was going to have to drive home. I got lucky – most of the water had receded before I got there, and it only rained on me a little bit.
And that was my first Musik Fest experience, at Musik Fest Number 35! I’m already planning to go back next year!