Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast

This week, Ben, Elisabeth and Elise all got to sit down at the start of this episode to both catch up about what they've been doing and talk about a few events and opportunities they're excited about. That includes the Pennsylvania Playhouse looking for directors for their upcoming season, Allentown Art Museum's 2024 Cocktails and Collecting's Sunday Free for All, and Touchstone Theater's Festival Unbound!

This episode's interview is with Oliver Reilly and Becca Maye of Soft Guts Collective.

Oliver Reilly & Becca Maye started Soft Guts Collective in 2019 with their friend Lee Nobody. The trio strives to create safe spaces and uplift marginalized identities. Their mission is to host events that prioritize and uplift bands/musicians that are women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, & other marginalized identities. Reilly and Maye are also multi talented musicians and members of various music groups in the Lehigh Valley. You can follow them on instagram at @softgutscollective and follow their band Ghost Lilly at @ghostlilyband. You can follow Oliver at @ohholiver and Becca at @dancepartyghoul.

Join Soft Guts Collective at their 3rd annual Goth Prom. Come get spooky, dance your moody black heart out, and dress for the occasion, darling. Costumes welcome.

Live performances by:
THE NORMAL COLLEAGUES (performing STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE) - LV/NJ/NY
SOFT NO (originals) - Philly
NOW IS NEVER (performing THE VELVET UNDERGROUND) - Lehigh Valley
CIGARETTES FOR BREAKFAST (originals) - Philly
LOVE THEM (performing THE SMITHS) - Philly

Vendors will be announced closer to the date.

This event is on Friday October 11th, 2024 at National Sokols. Doors open at 6:30pm and Music starts at 7:00pm. Masks are strongly encouraged. Cover charge is $10-20 on a sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds. A portion of proceeds will be donated to a local nonprofit. For questions and/or accessibility, [email protected]. Get your tickets to reserve your spot at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/softgutscollective/1382173. 

On this week's episode, Ben sat down with We're from Antarctica!

Easton, Pennsylvania’s very own indie quintet, We’re From Antarctica, emerged onto the scene in late 2018 through a series of serendipitous events that would lead Carlos “Paco” Brown (Vocals, Rhythm guitar), Jessie Rae (Vocals, Keys), Jon Blanco (Lead guitar), Mackenzie Kressley (Bass) and Christopher Kendall (Drums) to meet. The group’s debut album, “The People We Knew”(2019) took off to much acclaim. The reviews are in: “The kind of music you play in the background as you make dinner for the friend you’ve been secretly in love with for two years now.” “Wistful make-out music.” While extensively touring through the years, the band has had the opportunity to open for national touring acts such as: Frankie Cosmos, The Unlikely Candidates, and Ryan Cabrera.

Their sophomore album, “We’ll Figure It Out” is releasing on September 27. Recorded December 2022-January 2024 at Headroom Studios, the album is a culmination of the sonic stylings of each member entering a new era that defines this group’s sound. The album is being produced by Kyle Pulley, who has engineered artists such as Alex G, Cafuné, and Dr. Dog.

You can follow We're from Antarctica on Instagram at @werefromantarctica, or TikTok, Bandcamp, Youtube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud. You can also email them at [email protected] for scheduling/booking. You can find Jon Blanco at @jonny_devito, Carlos “Paco” Brown at @timespentpoet, Mackenzie "Mack" Kressley at @theturtlehouse24, Jessie Rae at @jr.jrae, and Christopher Kendall at @organic_coconut. You can follow their manager, Ryan Susko, at @musicgardenpa.

Some upcoming show dates are:

9/21 - West End Food Festival (Allentown, PA)

9/27 - Free Parking with Death By Indie (Newark, DE - DM Band or Venue for Address)

10/4 - Album release show with My Cousins Girlfriends House and Just at sokols (Bethlehem PA)

For details on these shows and more, follow We're from Antarctica!

This week, Ben talks with Daniel Djuro-Goiricelaya.

Daniel, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, was the second of three sons of a Cuban Basque mother and first generation Ukrainian/Russian Father. He was raised in a colorful, multicultural home where different languages were spoken, and traditions upheld; opening the windows of his imagination and awakening his artistic soul and curiosity at an early age.

In 2004, due to the turbulent political climate in Venezuela, Daniel and his family received political asylum and moved to the US.

As an interdisciplinary artist, he describes his process as Chromatic Immersion Journeys.  He uses the language of color to develop works through different concrete forms such as pigments, materials, and textiles as well as non-tangible forms such as light and performance, bodies of work in which he involves political, social, aesthetic and universal issues.

Aesthetically he has a great influence by the arts and crafts of the Wayuu people. He grew up as child exposed to the work of Venezuelan artists such as Armando Reveron, Carlos Cruz Diez, Jesus Soto, Francisco Hung, Lia de Bermudez. He learned directly from Frank O'Cain in the Arts Student League New York.

Daniel was featured in Italian L’UOMO Vogue as one of New York’s up and coming artists.

Daniel is the Art Director and Co-Founder of the artist community project EL PATIO DE MI CASA (@lptdmcs) and Residency program La Casita de Bambú.

Today, Daniel lives in Bucks County PA working in both his studio sharing with people the power of emotional growth through art making and as a Community Engagement and Arts Integration Manager for Arts Academy Elementary Charter School (@artsacademyelementary) in Allentown, PA And Art Commissioner of the Allentown Arts Commission (@allentownarts), and the Art Community and Action Fellow with the Allentown Arts Museum (@atownartmuseum).

You can follow Daniel Djuro-Goiricelaya on Instagram at @ddjuro or check out their website at https://www.ddgart.com/.

This week, we interviewed the multitalented Michael B. Judkins.

Michael B. Judkins is creating stories that reach, teach, and empower. He has 10+ years of experience in the creative industry as an independent Creative Director, Screenwriter/Writer, Content Creator, and Mental Health Advocate. Michael believes that art can truly change lives! He holds an Associate Of Science in Journalism, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. In addition, he has a Product Management Certification, Safe Set Certification, and is an Award Winning Director/Writer/Producer (Lonely Girl - Short Film 2022) Michael was Signed to AOIS 21 Media Publishing House, which published his Second Poetry Collection titled “Interlude to Sentimental Me.” Later, he turned the poetry collection into a stage play with two sold-out nights In Bethlehem, PA.

You can follow Michael by checking out his instagram at @oct14entertainment or his linktree by clicking here.

Michael wants to spotlight the upcoming film "Steve Brosky: Living in Allentown" which will delve into the life of a young man growing up in the inner city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, during the late '60s. With a logline that promises a journey encompassing happiness, personal conflicts, the allure of substance, and ultimately finding salvation, the biopic will provide a deep insight into Brosky's transformative experiences.

Written collaboratively by Michael B. Judkins and Steve Brosky during the development stage, the film is poised to become a significant milestone in the singer-songwriter's remarkable career. By sharing his story with the world, the aim is to inspire and uplift audiences while showcasing the vibrant city of Allentown.

For more information about the film and to contribute to the fundraiser,
please visit the official indiegogo link!

This episode's opportunity of the week is for the 2nd Annual Arts and Care 2024 held on August 30th & 31st, 2024 at the Charlie A. Brown Ice House. The purpose and mission of this event are to merge the worlds of creative arts and mental health/self-care through education, information, and accessibility. Arts and Care's core mission is to create a place of creative expression, education and community. Stay tuned to Oct 14th Entertainment's social media, website and linktree for more information about this upcoming event!
 

In this episode, Ben talks with Danny Finocchio.

Danny Finocchio is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Easton, PA. A designer by trade, Danny has enjoyed a long career producing graphics, apparel, and footwear for brands like Mitchell & Ness, Reebok, and La Colombe. Danny meshes his diverse design experience and a love of experimentation within his art practice drawing upon memories, abstraction, pop culture, and sport as touch points of inspiration. With deliberate playfulness, Danny's pieces reflect a perpetual pursuit to develop his own artistic voice through story, illustration, color, repetition, and form.

You can follow on instagram at @dannyfinocchio, visit his personal website at https://dannyfinocchio.com/ and his studio website at https://studiofinocchio.com/. To inquire about a project, you can email him at [email protected].

To check out Danny's episode of The Social Tour Podcast, check it out here! And to check out Danny and Brandon's short conversation about the Bodies of Knowledge Sketch Book he designed for Lehigh University Art Galleries, check out this post.

This episode's opportunity of the week is for the Dear Misty x Glass Mask show on June 1st at the Bethlehem Rose Garden as part of the Live in the Garden series. It’s a free, outdoor, all ages concert with food trucks, wine and beer vendors, a nearby playground for the kids, and all the summertime neighborhood vibes you could dream of. Festivities start at 5:30PM. This event is organized by @bethlehemchamber and @tapeswapradio for @cityofbethlehempa. There is such a variety of good music through the whole series, so be sure to check out all the dates, every Saturday in May and June. The gig poster and custom animation for this show were done by Danny Finocchio! To learn more about his event and the Live in the Garden series, check out this post or this web page.

In this episode, Elise talks with Florence-Susanne Reppert and Daulton Reppert from Poetry as Promised.

Florence-Susanne Reppert (@schizo_trash_poet) is a neurodivergent, nonbinary poet/photographer from the Lehigh Valley. They run Nowhere as Promised open mic at Nowhere Coffee Co (@nowherecoffeeco), and they are the founder of Poetry as Promised Literary Magazine (@poetryaspromised). They also occasionally Co-host Noble Quills (@noblequills) at Barnes and Noble. You can often find them on instagram talking about books, birds, and their children non-stop.

Daulton Reppert (@daulton_reppert) is poet/writer/musician from Allentown PA. He co-hosts Nowhere as Promised Open mic and is one of the -co-hosts for Unraveled Conversations (@unraveled_influence). When he is not hosting poetry related shows and events, he likes long walks down the hallway with his cat.

Poetry as Promised Magazine is a unique homemade and handmade literary magazine devoted to publishing your poetry, prose, short stories, photography, and visual arts in a way that speaks to the readers. It's Editor/Founder Florence-Susanne Reppert spends their time to compiling the accepted works alongside beautiful pages and stickers as a form of scrapbook art. They pride ourselves on their eye for detail and do everything in their power to deliver a masterpiece the featured poets can be proud of.

You can follow Poetry as Promised on instagram: @poetryaspromised
You can check out their website at https://poetryaspromisedsu9.wixsite.com/poetryaspromisedmaga
If you're interested in picking up an issue, click HERE!
For a full collection of links and others ways to get/stay involved, check out their linktree!

This week's opportunity of the week is for the Nowhere as Promised Open Mic #18. This event will feature Cord Moreski (@cord_moreski) & Andy Morales (@theeandymorales). It will be on Saturday, May 18 from 6-8:30pm. This event is for all ages, but please be advised of occasional adult content or language, as artists are not censored. This is a safe space for everyone interested in poetry and all forms of poetry, art, music and vulnerability in creation are welcome. This is a judgement free zone welcome to all. For more information on this event, keep an eye on the Poetry as Promised instagram page. 

This week, Ben sat down with the band Food Truck.

Food Truck is an indie/alternative trio formed in 2017, based out of Bethlehem, PA. They are comprised of Miles Hiebsch on guitar and vocals, John Mackey on bass and vocals, and Ryan Flynn on drums.

You can follow Food Truck on Instagram at @foodtruck and check out their music through their linktree to find your preferred streaming platform. To keep up with Miles, check out @mileshiebsch or @mileshphoto. To keep up with John, check out @john_mackeyy. To keep up with Ryan, check out @ryanflynnstagram_. Stay connected with Food Truck for more information on when their sophomore album is coming out!

This episode's opportunity of the week is for The Spring Thing concert presented by the avenue. This fun night will include performances by Just Say When, Food Truck and Willowbrook. The door open at 7 and music starts at 7:30. This event has free admission but is 21 and up. DM any of the bands involved for the address! Hope to see you there!

This music at the beginning of this episode is an instrumental of "So Distant" by Food Truck. Recorded/Mixed by Matt Molchany at Shards Recording Studio. Mastered by Matt Poirier at Miner Street Recordings.

The drum fill used throughout the episode is from the song "Below the Sea" by Food Truck. Recorded/Mixed by Matt Molchany at Shards Recording Studio. Mastered by Matt Poirier at Miner Street Recordings.

This week, Ben interviews Danny Moyer (@dannymoyer.artist).

Danny is an artist, teacher, administrator, father, and so much more. He was born in northeast Philadelphia and raised in central Connecticut, but Easton, Pennsylvania is where he has called home for most of the last 25 years. Through his studio practice, he wants to make Art that makes people feel as good as he does when he sees work that he likes.  He likes to use every tool he sees fit to communicate visually with people who are open to seeing how he feels. In addition to being an artist, he has been teaching for the Whitehall-Coplay School District full time, serving as a Drawing teacher, Graphic Design teacher and Director of the Zephyr Art Gallery at Whitehall High School.  He has received awards in Arts Education from Kutztown University, Lehigh Valley Arts Council, and the Scholastic Arts and Writing Organization.

To keep up with Danny, you can follow him on instagram at @dannymoyer.artist!

Here is a list of individuals who submitted remarks for the beginning of today's episode. They are listed by order of appearance.
Maryann Riker (@maryannriker)
Anthony Smith Jr. (@asmithjrnyc)
Doug Boehm (@dougboehmart)
Giancarlo DeMarchi (@notgiancarlo)
Peter Mayes (@wcsdwhs)
Kate Hughes (@ih8kate)
Todd Frankenfield (@wearemostaliveindreams)
DJ Brad Scott (@djbradfscott)
Al Johnson (@aljohnsonart)
Anthony Marraccini (@connexions_gallery)

This episode’s opportunity of the week is for the ongoing figure drawing sessions every Thursday in the Williams Visual Arts Building. Thank you  to Lafayette College for making this possible. Sessions are from 6-8:45 pm and is free for all, however, tips for the model are gratefully appreciated, but not required. The doors unlock at 5:45 pm, and re-lock at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit their facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/499807193546210/

In this very special LVAP: Backstage episode, we went to the Lehigh Valley Music Industry Information Share presented by Icehouse Punk & DIY. While there, we chatted with a few of those in attendance. Follow Ice House Punk & DIY for info on when the next LV Music Industry Information Share will be held!

Here is a list of those interviewed in this episode:

Ryan Susko (@icehouse.punkdiy & @musicgardenpa)

Rachel Ana Dobken (@rachelanadobken)

Jason Reif (@freestone_jason)

Barry Knoblach (@ocean.avenue.musical)

Marlana Faye Ryan of The Normal Colleagues (@thenormalcolleagues & @Lane2go)

John Hoofman (@sonny_dai.feed)

Elflok (@elflokviolin)

Stewart Brodian of WDI (@nickelstew & @wdiyfm)

Rachel Mackow (@rachel.mackow)

Jon Blanco of We're From Antarctica (@werefromantarctica & @jonny_devito)

Jess Meoni (@scrantonpunkco)

Ray Meoni (@diavolobooking)

Cris & Craig of Loaf of Toast (@loafoftoast.lot)

Jason Shanes (@justsaywhenband)

Sol Katana (@solkatana)

Madison Van Duzer (@madisonv137)

Katie (@k8s_art_and_nails)

This week, Elise interviews author and poet Robin Gow.

 Robin Gow (it/fae/he & él y elle) is a critically acclaimed trans poet from rural Pennsylvania. He is the author of several poetry collections, an essay collection, and Middle-Grade and YA novels. Faer novels include Ode to My First Car, A Million Quiet Revolutions, and Dear Mothman. Fae works as a community educator, calling folks into discussions around queer and disability justice. It lives with it's partner Rain and their menagerie of animals.

 To find more of Robin's work, you can follow them on instagram at @robin_gow_poet, on tiktok, or by checking out their website at https://robingow.com/.

 For more of Robin's upcoming events and readings, you can find a list here.

 For more about Robin and Rain's training click here.

 Our opportunity of the week is the Fine Arts and Curiosities Craft Show and Vendor Market presented by Arkana Antiques and Oddities. This craft show and vendor market is dedicated to showcasing fine art, oddities and the metaphysical. It is going on March 9, 2024 from 10am-4pm. Robin will be there vending and book signing! for more information, check out Arkana's facebook page.