Photo taken by Ken Duh<\/p>\n
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A Celebration of America: ArtsQuest\u2019s 15th Annual Blues Festival Returns with Star-Spangled Flair<\/strong><\/p>\n Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue Shield honors America\u2019s 250th anniversary<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., April 8, 2026 \u2013 The Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield will return to the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks for its 15th<\/sup>\u00a0year with a patriotic twist in 2026 on\u00a0Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, 2026.<\/strong>\u00a0In honor of America\u2019s 250th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary, the festival will be reimagined as\u00a0Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue Shield<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a one-year name change that honors the occasion while continuing the traditions of the Blast Furnace Blues Festival.<\/p>\n Celebrate America\u2019s 250th<\/sup>\u00a0at the former Bethlehem Steel site, where the sounds of one of America\u2019s foundational music genres echo beneath the historical blast furnaces. Feel the rhythm with electrifying sets from the Larry McCray Band, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas and Gospel Blues by Jontavious Willis, fiery blues-rock vocalist Dana Fuchs and Ireland\u2019s rising blues star Grainne Duffy and many more, including Lehigh Valley\u2019s own The BC Combo.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a way to celebrate both the blues and America\u2019s 250th<\/sup>!\u201d said Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer. \u201cStars, Stripes & Steel is a special one-year twist on Blast Furnace Blues, and we\u2019ve packed it with artists who truly represent the depth and energy of the genre \u2013 from rising stars to seasoned legends. It\u2019s all about honoring an American art form and bringing our community together in a place that tells its own powerful story.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the stellar musical acts, the festival will feature delicious food options. Mon & Mel\u2019s Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Truck will offer crowd-favorite ice cream and treats on both days of the festival, and Nick\u2019s BBQ will be serving their delicious, mouth-watering bites on both days of the festival.\u00a0More vendors will be announced as the event approaches.<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday Schedule:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Friday night headliner\u00a0Jontavious Willis<\/strong>\u00a0is a Grammy-nominated blues artist dedicated to revitalizing the genre with the spirit and rhythm of its roots. Drawing from his rural Georgia upbringing and early experiences singing gospel in church, he blends Delta, Piedmont, Texas and Gospel blues into a dynamic, danceable sound marked by strong vocals and technical skill. Inspired at 14 by Muddy Waters and later championed by Taj Mahal\u2014who dubbed him his\u00a0Wonderboy<\/em>\u2014Willis gained national attention opening for Taj Mahal and Keb\u2019 Mo\u2019 and winning the 2018 International Blues Challenge for his debut album \u201cBlue Metamorphosis.\u201d His follow-up album, \u201cSpectacular Class,\u201d further showcases his range, while his upcoming release highlights his evolving songwriting and commitment to carrying traditional blues into a fresh, modern era.<\/p>\n Saturday Schedule:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Saturday night\u2019s headliner,\u00a0Larry McCray,<\/strong>\u00a0is a powerhouse blues artist known for his soulful voice, fiery guitar work and deeply authentic storytelling, and his latest album, \u201cHeartbreak City,\u201d marks a bold new chapter in his career. Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the record blends gritty, roots-driven blues with soul influences, showcasing McCray\u2019s emotional depth and technical mastery across a mix of ballads and high-energy tracks. Drawing on his upbringing in Arkansas and musical evolution in Michigan, McCray channels decades of experience\u2014from early gospel roots to sharing stages with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy and the Allman Brothers\u2014into a sound that feels both timeless and revitalized. Following the success of his 2022 comeback album \u201cBlues Without You\u201d and his 2024 induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, \u201cHeartbreak City\u201d cements McCray\u2019s status as a leading voice in modern blues, grounded in tradition yet more confident and dynamic than ever.<\/p>\n *For full lineup details visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.artsquest.org\/festivals\/more-festivals-and-experiences\/blast-furnace-blues\/<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re a lifelong blues fan or discovering the genre for the first time, the Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue Shield is the perfect way to spend a summer day filled with great music, delicious food and amazing company.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About ArtsQuest<\/strong><\/p>\n ArtsQuest’s<\/a>\u00a0<\/u>mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event,\u00a0Musikfest<\/a>;\u00a0the\u00a0ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL<\/a>,\u00a0a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at\u00a0SteelStacks<\/a>;<\/u>\u00a0and the\u00a0LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop<\/a>,<\/u>\u00a0an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 1.9 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of more than $143 million annually. ArtsQuest’s\u00a0Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign<\/a>\u00a0<\/u>supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: Photo taken by Ken Duh A Celebration of America: ArtsQuest\u2019s 15th Annual Blues Festival Returns with Star-Spangled Flair Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue … Continue reading A Celebration of America: ArtsQuest\u2019s 15th Annual Blues Festival Returns with Star-Spangled Flair<\/span> \n
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\nBryn Keeney<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"