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Meetings are underway to prepare for the nation\u2019s largest free music festival<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n BETHLEHEM, Pa.\u2014 Since the first Musikfest in 1984, Volunteers have been the heart, soul, and backbone of the festival. From logistics to the production aspects of the festival, volunteers make sure the festival runs smoothly, keeping musical acts on time and audience members happy. Every year volunteer groups are tasked with a unique set of responsibilities to help bring life to Musikfest whether it\u2019s building stages, assisting fans or tapping kegs of cold beer, every role is important for a successful and fun \u2018fest. Staging volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes to corralling musicians, setting up each act\u2019s equipment, taking it back down and an extremely long list of other backstage mayhem managing details that makes over 500 performances in 11 days seem easy.<\/p>\n The staging volunteer committee is comprised of Cathy Little (Chair), Guy Spotts (Co-Chair), Bill Hubbard, Linda Galitis, Keith Simon, Dave Swartley, Ed Rosselle, Jack Thomas, Shelby Morgan, Keli Ray and Judy Yuhas as well as ArtsQuest staff members Michael Liiro, Shayna Super, Alex Davison and Cory Stevens.<\/p>\n \u201cOne thing that makes Musikfest different from a lot of other festivals is that we really stick to the schedule,\u201d said staging volunteer Keith Simon. \u201cSimon has been volunteering at Musikfest for 24 years, originally starting as an usher for the headlining entertainment. This year Simon will have a full dance card, from being stationed at the new Stadtplatz to Americaplatz, and acting as house manager for the Wind Creek Steel Stage. \u201cA lot of the bands that are new to Musikfest, you gotta kinda explain that to them once or twice. They appreciate the organization. The other thing is our willingness to help them. A lot of places, the bands don\u2019t get any help, they set everything up themselves. We are willing to give them a VIP experience.\u201d<\/p>\n As August approaches the team\u2019s excitement is starting to build. Many of the staging volunteers have come back to help every summer for over a decade. In fact, one of the volunteers started helping at Musikfest in 1985. This group\u2019s enthusiasm is contagious and their genuine passion for their role is one of the things that makes Musikfest so special.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite thing about Musikfest is when we have the evening ceremony because everyone has their mugs and they\u2019re all riled up for the show. Getting them to all chant to get the band come out is so much fun. If you say, \u2018Repeat after me,\u2019 they\u2019ll say whatever, it\u2019s the best,\u201d said Keli Ray. This will be Pembroke\u2019s 13th year as a festival volunteer. In her very first year, she helped as a stagehand at the former Americaplatz at Payrow Plaza. Now, more than 10 years later the stage is making its return as PNC Stadtplatz, where Pembroke will be volunteering, just like old times.<\/p>\n The staging volunteers are always looking for extra helping hands. Interested in joining in on this year\u2019s fun? Visit https:\/\/www.musikfest.org\/support\/volunteer\/<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n About ArtsQuest<\/strong><\/p>\n ArtsQuest\u2019s<\/a> mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest\u2122 supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events.<\/p>\n Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest<\/a>; the Banana Factory Arts Center<\/a>; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks<\/a> arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest\u2019s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization\u2019s programs and events, approximately 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent<\/a> Venue Association<\/a> and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Meetings are underway to prepare for the nation\u2019s largest free music festival\u00a0 BETHLEHEM, Pa.\u2014 Since the first Musikfest in 1984, Volunteers have been the heart, soul, and backbone of … Continue reading VOLUNTEER STAGEHANDS PREPARE FOR MUSIKFEST 2022<\/span>
\nKelley Andrade, ArtsQuest
\nPublic Relations Coordinator
\nhttp:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
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