Dear Friends,
We are at the beginning of a new arts Renaissance. There are moments when one can feel the shifting tides of change and that moment is now as people return to live performing arts. I have had many conversations about the role of the arts in bringing our diverse urban, suburban, and rural Lehigh Valley communities together through shared experiences. The 2024-2025 season will rejuvenate our spirits through world-class artists as we continue to gather.
Montreal-based Cirque Kikasse starts our Presenting Series with a unique twist, performing their production of Santé in front of Fritz Laboratory on our Lehigh University campus. This one-of-a-kind FREE performance, set on a food truck, will connect our campus, surrounding community, and local students in a truly memorable way (like the Strike Anywhere performance in Linderman Library last season).
Our dedication to inclusivity and diversity in the arts is exemplified by our partnership with the internationally acclaimed disability arts ensemble, Kinetic Light. Their residency, a testament to our shared values, will intertwine with Touchstone Theatre's Festival Unbound, culminating in a breathtaking performance of DESCENT. This dance performance promises to be a powerful and moving experience, showcasing the transformative power of art and the positive impact of our partnerships.
In case you missed Marc Martel's sold-out tribute to Queen the last time, he is returning to perform his spectacular show, One Vision of Queen. I knew he had to come back. I could not go anywhere without people asking me to bring him back. He's back. And if you happen to be asking for a little R.E.S.P.E.C.T., join us for an electrifying tribute celebrating the music of the legendary Aretha Franklin.
With our commitment to nurturing the next generation of art enthusiasta and helping create a healthy community, we continue our Family Series partnership with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital. Mark Saturday, September 28 on your calendar for Family Day Fest, a celebration of community partners, free activities, and music by Somos Amigos featuring Sonia de la Santos and the Grammy Award-winning band, The Okee Dokee Brothers.
Zoellner Arts Center embraces our role as a university-based presenter to transcend entertainment. Lehigh University student artists are integral to this construct as they present concerts and plays celebrating their creativity and that of the faculty that inspires them.
We strive to empower the youth of our community by curating and co-curating high-quality multidisciplinary arts programs with educators that integrate the arts into their classrooms and inspire students to create their own artwork. We remain steadfast in our commitment to foster meaningful dialogue by utilizing the arts as a lens through which we explore and celebrate our shared humanity.
With gratitude,
Mark Fitzgerald Wilson
Executive Director