Jake's (Backdoorhippie's) Bethlehem Musikfest 2014

It's that time of year again - Bethlehem Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA. 10 days with a great mix of people watching, music, food, arts and crafts ... all free (except for one large stage with big nat'l acts).

Day 1 - Wet an a bit dreary, so not a lot of photos outside after the rains came.









The Levitt Pavilion (dubbed "Amerikaplatz" for the week) in front of the old Bethlehem Steek Works



David Wilcox explaining how the old Bethlehem Steel Stacks would make an awesome water slide

Very cool. I like the backdrop to that stage. I look forward to the pics.

Day 2 - North Side

There are 2 distinct areas where 'Fest occurs. The North Side is in downtown Bethlehem proper, and has been hosting the festival for over 30 years. There are 5 separate and free stages, plus activities for the kids, street performers... basically a 10 day carnival.

Day 2 (cont.)...

In this first photo you can see the old Bethlehem Steel Stacks that dominate the South Side venue where the Artsquest facility and main stages are. Same amount of music, with more well known acts, but the people watching isn't nearly as good.

you dont see many "washboards" nowadays never mind someone playing it.

cools shots Jake

Day 3 - North Side

Rain was threatening most of the day, and there was only one local act we wanted to see (photos of them later), but there was plenty of people watching to be done.

Day 3 (cont.)...













These two were taken as this girl was waiting for a friend to use the Porta-Johns, and I was waiting for my wife to use the Member's Restrooms. I couldn't help but react to the way she was standing, especially given what's just out of frame to her right.

All are terrific, but the carousel shot is amazing!

Day 4... Monday saw a lot less people and a lot more music.



Charlie Sheen and his Handler?



The Badlees







The Brosky / Meyer Band w/ Full Force Horns

i bet you enjoyed the music Jake

Roy1961 said:

i bet you enjoyed the music Jake

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It's the reason we go every year, almost every day. The pictures are just part of the fun now.

Day 6 - Every year I stumble onto an artist that I've never heard of before that just blows me away, and last night I found that guy. If you love good, pure roots rock and roll and haven't heard of Kevin Gordon, he's worth looking into.

More shots as I have some time. We're off tonight as I have a gallery event, so I'll post the rest tomorrow.










Alas, we weren't the only ones who hadn't heard of him, so he didn't get a huge draw at 5PM on a Wednesday. Glad we made it.

BTW, before you ask, I never checked the ISO before I started, and had apparently shot some stuff at 400 the day before while testing something, so all my outdoor shots that should have been at 100 aren't.

Day 8 - Been busy and finally got around to doing these yesterday, but no time to post. Great evening at the South Side, which is where the old Bethlehem Steel works and new Artsquest facility is. Site was packed because of a trio of big shows, including Alan Jackson at the main stage. Another unexpected pleasure today was Puddles Pity Party, which is a 6' 5" (or bigger?) clown who says nothing, but sings a huge array of great pop songs from all generations. It's one of those things that will either annoy the heck out of you, or make you fall in love with clowns again. Judging from the reaction, it was the latter. BTW, these were all shot with my "new" D600 (more on that in another thread), which definitely needs a cleaning.

Day 8 (cont)... Here's Puddles!!

I really like your musikfest images, Jake! Cool pictures....you're right....your D610 needs a good cleaning (lol).

Day 9 - Last day for me at the 'Fest. Back on the North Side, so lots of people. Highlights today were seeing an old friend's band (he was a 14 year old drummer in a band I played in - my last, his first), hanging with some old friends and seeing Saurus, a European puppet troop that walks around in 18 foot tall dinosaur costumes. A lot of images from the day, so this will be spread across 3 posts.

Day 9 (cont)...

Day 9 (cont)... I should probably talk about Cast In Bronze, or as we call him, "Bell Boy". He plays a Carillon, which is essentially a bell piano, hammering keys with his fists, each laid out as they would be on a piano. Songs consist of Tubular Bells and the themes to The Omen and The Exorcist. People sit there and watch over and over and over. It's cool at first, but after a while we're happy not to hear him. LOL

BackdoorHippie said:

Day 9 (cont)... I should probably talk about Cast In Bronze, or as we call him, "Bell Boy". He plays a Carillon, which is essentially a bell piano, hammering keys with his fists, each laid out as they would be on a piano. Songs consist of Tubular Bells and the themes to The Omen and The Exorcist. People sit there and watch over and over and over. It's cool at first, but after a while we're happy not to hear him. LOL

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Interesting about the carillon!!! The first time I ever heard one was Florida's Singing Tower. Princeton University also has one. I've never known how they were played or how the instrument itself actually looks so thanks for sharing the information!