BETHLEHEM, Pa. — In celebration of Earth Day, a one-day free mini-music festival that “aims to raise awareness about sustainability and the importance of taking care of our planet” is coming back to Bethlehem.
The 3rd Annual No Planet B Jamboree will be at 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 19. For the first time, it will be at the ArtsQuest Town Square Stage on the SteelStacks campus.
"This event has always been about celebrating music and the Earth, seeking to raise awareness on the value and importance of taking better care of the only planet we have."No Planet B organizer Philip Reese
It will feature live performances by:
- 1:30 p.m. — Drew & the Blue: A garage- surf-punk rock ’n' roll band from Reading
- 2:30 p.m. — Roberta Faceplant: A honky-tonk singer from Philadelphia
- 3:30 p.m. — Shane Guerrette, a blues guitar prodigy with a throwback sound
"This event has always been about celebrating music and the Earth, seeking to raise awareness on the value and importance of taking better care of the only planet we have," No Planet B organizer Philip Reese, host of the "Your Next Favorite Band" podcast, said.
"So in addition to the vibrant line-up of NextFavBands who will be performing, you can meet organizations that offer products and/or services that can help in the efforts to become more sustainable and renewable.
"And this year we are thrilled to be co-promoting with ArtsQuest and moving this event over to the outdoor Town Square stage on the SteelStacks campus."
That will make the event rain-or-shine, Reese said. In the case of rain, it would move into the ArtsQuest Center's Palette & Pour stage.
Vendors, fun run
The festival will kick off with a blessing by Native American Delwin Elk Bear Fiddler of Paza — Tree of Life, who will honor the Earth through a mix of sound and ceremony.
Throughout the day, attendees can hear live music, visit sustainable vendors and get educational opportunities with local environmental organizations — learning about renewable energy, green living and ways to help protect the planet.
Organizations who will be available to meet with attendees are:
• Green Pond Packaging, an advocate for the environment by focusing on reducing the negative environmental impact of disposable packaging.
• The Bethlehem Co-op Market, providing healthful, affordable food and emphasizing local, sustainable, humane and natural food systems
• FEATpa (Fostering Equitable Access to Transportation), providing electric bikes to people in the Lehigh Valley in need of reliable and affordable transit
• Lehigh Valley Girls Rock, dedicated to empowering cisgender girls and women, and nonbinary and transgender, through music and art.
For the first time this year, there also will be a three- or five-mile Fun Run held by The Running Kind, a sustainable running group.
That will start at 12:30 and will finish where the music starts. For more details on the run or to join, visit the Facebook Event page.
Food and beverages will be for sale inside ArtsQuest Center.
