Tag Archives: Ruthie Foster

GRAMMY Award-winning blues sensation Ruthie Foster performs at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on a recent August evening at the base of the iconic blast furnaces that once powered Bethlehem Steel.

GRAMMY Award-winning blues sensation Ruthie Foster performs at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on a recent August evening at the base of the iconic blast furnaces that once powered Bethlehem Steel.

Two Sundays ago, echoes of Ruthie Foster’s smooth blues vocals invited me onto the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks lawn during on an otherwise quiet evening. Following my 90-minute drive to Bethlehem, Pa., from my hometown of Freehold in New Jersey, my anticipation grew as towering blast furnaces—rusted remnants of Bethlehem Steel, known as “the ruins”—came into view, welcoming me to the historic manufacturing hub-turned-arts campus. As I arrived at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, I noticed a lush green lawn filled with the energy of a music-loving audience who showed up for the performance despite dark gray clouds and scattered showers earlier in the day. From couples snuggled into folding chairs to families lined up at food and beverage stations, to volunteers galore, the excitement for Foster’s free, live show was palpable.

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Black History Month Playlist_14

Artists pictured above (clockwise, from top left): Barbara Morrison, Black Violin, Tia Fuller, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Gedeon Luke & the People, The Soul Rebels, Chubby Carrier, Ruthie Foster, Booker T. Jones and The Drifters)

African Americans have shaped many of the most iconic American music styles—gospel, jazz, rock and roll, funk, hip-hop…the list goes on and on. As we wrap up Black History Month, we’d like to celebrate the musical contributions of some of the many talented African American artists who’ve graced Levitt stages across the country. Continue reading

Spotify Playlist CollageWhether your local Levitt’s season is well underway or you’re waiting for the concert season to start up again, check out some highlights from 2014 with this summer playlist of Levitt performers! From Latin fusion to Celtic, Big Band Jazz to rock and blues, Levitt has something for everyone!

Summer 2014 playlist artists include: Casey Abrams (pop); John Fullbright (Americana/folk/rock); Young Dubliners (Celtic Rock); Rosanne Cash (country/folk/rock); Alo Brasil (Brazilian); Black Violin (classic); The Damn Quails (folk); Janiva Magness (Blues); Ceci Bastida (Latin); Telegraph Canyon (country); Cas Haley (reggae/rock); The Hot Sardines (jazz); Rick Trevino (country); Jose Feliciano (soft latin/bolero/acoustic); The Cowsills (bubblegum pop); Carolyn Wonderland (blues); Marcia Ball (blues); Tab Benoit (swamp blues); Baskery (alt. country); Incendio (world guitar); Black 47 (Celtic punk); Ruthie Foster (blues/folk); Old Crow Medicine Show (bluegrass); Vaud and the Villians (cabaret/jazz); Very Be Careful (cumbia); Carlton & The Shoes (reggae); Playing For Change (World); Loudon Wainwright III (Americana); Richard Thompson (folk rock); Kiddle Karoo (Children’s).