Monday, August 12, 2013
Did You Go to Musikfest?
As a curmudgeon who hates people, has retired from drinking and whose musical taste is wanting, Musikfest has little appeal to me. So I'm sorry to say I did not go this year. If there was a freak show, I'd be there ... to audition. But I should not let my general misanthropy prevent you from sounding off on what you liked, and disliked, about the Lehigh Valley's biggest draw. So if you went, was it worth the effort? Should I have gone instead of spending my time throwing tomahawks into my walls? Was the food good?
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13 comments:
The girl and I went. We always have fun. We go for the music and food. We try to avoid the "high traffic" areas like Main St.... but there was a band I wanted to see in in Hotel B and another in Main platz (where sadly there is no longer polka) so... the dreaded "teenager platz" was unavoidable.
Sad about the polka. Always liked to pop head big tent and watch the old timers dance. I guess they still have polka but it's not the same as all day everyday in the Main Tent.
Went once this year.. busy this week. So no mug, wasn't worth it. (2) 6 dollar beers for me since I drove and 3 for her. I got a Halupki she got cabbage and noodles. Both great.
Ive never parked anywhere but neighborhoods north side, but this year tried parking at sands. Walked through the artsquest section past the Kesha concert which was in full swing. Neat to hear the crowd at the big show but Kesha isn't our thing. Looked like a glitter bomb went off. Apparently thats what girls do at Kesha concerts paint face and apply glitter everywhere.
Walked across Fahy bridge, wondered why they put pedestrians in a cattle chute next to the main sidewalk? Guessed afraid people would fall over the railing into the Lehigh? I dunno. Never walked across the bridge during fest before so not sure if thats something they always do that.
Walk back end of night was nice. Weather was perfect. Great raggae band outside artsquest and the aardvarks inside. (LV cover band staple for years and years inside). Was packed.
Walked through sands "mall" to the car. Still seems like quite a few stores empty in there. 25% maybe just eyeballing it?
We were there prime time saturday night.. didn't see anyone acting up or misbehaving at all. General good vibe. From what I read we missed the drunk guy climbing on the statue....
All in all great time. Alot of my friends hate on musikfest had to really bug another couple to go with us.
Ron, after reading your description, I wish I had gone. Next year.
I went but only stopped in at Greggyplatz. I didn't win the red Camaro. Did get to hear the Gregacappa's playing the blues. Too many pedophiles milling about for my taste.
Was the NorCo Twink there? I understand he was scouring the place with all his love lotions, but Angle ambushed him and dragged him off to South Mountain.
BH,
I went three times. First time for an event I helped produce and host, second time to walk around, and third time with little one. It seemed to me all the action was at ARTSQUEST. Downtown Bethlehem seems to be losing momentum every year since a large portion of the music moved to the Southside. I am unsure how long downtown will be able to hold on. I am sure they regret complaining about Jeff Parks now. Like the casino, I believe eventually, Musikfest will be self contained...
Alfonso Todd
www.alfonsotodd.com
Usually go three or so times. Went first Sunday. Good Santana tribute band. Discovered Brass Rail left the Fest after a hundred years. No pot roast sandwich = little incentive to endure the chaos and attend again. Musikfest gets 34% or something close from vendor receipts and the inside word is they notoriously under-weigh vendors tickets and constantly make vendors fight for a fair reimbursement. I can understand why The Brass Rail bolted. They'll be missed.
Love Musikfest. Particulary like Sarah King and the Smoke Rings.
Advocated to Parks & Co after their '12 appearance and he nheard us. This year they were spectacular.
One item badly in need of action is the SOUND level at Levin Pavilion.
No need to blast music at 120 decibels. Almost every act has this issue.
There is a reason Musikfest gets 34% of the receipts - if in fact they do - because it costs an enormous amount of money to put that festival together. When I hear people complain about Musikfest prices or policies, it blows me away. It brings over a million people to Bethlehem in 10 days exposing our lovely town to a ton of people who have never been here before!(..and who may come back and stay over night and eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores). There is free music EVERYWHERE throughout the Historic Downtown and the SouthSide. ALL of those bands cost money, the sound technicians cost money, the tents and stages cost money, the lighting costs money, the police, the - every night - clean up, the tables and chairs, the port-a-potties, the trucks, the walkie-talkies, the volunteer t-shirts all cost money.. not to mention the salaries of the core staff that work all year round to bring Musikfest to Bethlehem.
We run small, "1 day" events in the downtown at the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and I'm here to tell you an event like that takes an enormous amount of work, energy and money. We are just lucky that 30 years ago, Jeff Parks, not only had the idea for the festival but had the guts to pull it off.
The sidewalk was closed August 27, 2011 on the Philip J. Fahy Memorial (New Street) Bridge over the Lehigh River. A routine inspection of the Bridge was performed and analysis of the data showed deterioration to portions of the steel supporting the sidewalk. There is also deterioration to several concrete slabs.
On Oct. 19, 2011 a contractor installed concrete barrier along the right northbound travel lane of the Bridge.
The area behind the barrier indefinitely serves as a passageway for pedestrians wishing to walk across the Bridge and provides protection for pedestrians from motor vehicles.
Well said Lynn Collins Cunningham
Overpriced garbage I can and do do without.
Overall Lynn is correct in her assessment.As far as the Brass Rail, I love their steak sandwiches too but at a event with so many food options their brand takes a back seat. Even at the Atown fair steak sands and yoccos are no longer top sellers. Changes in demographics.Overall Mfest great event but boy are we all getting fat.
Now I wish I had gone, even though I hate everybody. I could have closed my eyes.
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