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Lehigh Valley Happening: Single Sisters Series: Songs For Sisters: Celebrating Creative Women of the Lehigh Valley
June 13th, 2017 | In The News
Written by Ernie Reed for Lehigh Valley Happening
Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites celebrates the creative women of the Lehigh Valley with Songs for Sisters, a one night only, coffeehouse-style concert on Thursday, June 15 from 6 to 8 pm on the second floor of the Single Sisters’ House. Paying tribute to the artistic Single Sisters of the 18th and 19th centuries, this event will get your feet tapping and hands clapping with catchy, acoustic originals from three local female performers. Then explore two pop-up exhibitions curated by women: A page-turning collection of zines, self-published magazines, and a photo collection of earth mandalas, ephemeral circular designs made from pieces of nature.
Don’t miss this amazing acoustic line-up of original singer-songwriters Tara Walsh, Julia Sommer, and Chelsea Lyn Meyer, coordinated through Gerard Longo of Lehigh Valley Underground, Founder/Editor-in-Chief of the Lehigh Valley Underground Host and The Quinn Spinn, and Tara Walsh, local music artist and manager of Philadelphia-based artist Hy Deff and radio personality Phoenix the Oracle.
Kicking off the concert is local music artist Tara Walsh. This singer-songwriter brings emotion and passion to her original songs which allow listeners to feel like they have been transported into a film of life. A freelance writer for artist The Young King, Tara is currently working on her own album, “Silver Linings: A New Day.”
17-year-old vocalist Julia Sommer hits the stage next at 6:45pm a singing a selection of originals and rock covers. This Discover New Artist Award winner has performed at such venues as the Highline Ballroom in New York City, Hotel Bethlehem, The Sands Event Center, Musikfest, an audition for NBC’s The Voice, and New York’s Rock of 80s Band.
At 7:30pm, pop/rock singer-songwriter Chelsea Lyn Meyer will dazzle guests with her captivating originals, unique take on cover songs, and energetic performances. Beginning as the lead singer and guitarist for local pop-punk band 2AM, Chelsea now enjoys a solo career and has released such notable singles as “Between the Lies,” “Remember,” featured on Factory Fast Records new compilation CD with world-wide distribution, and “This One’s On You” which went to #1 on VRadio Nashville’s Top 40 chart within 2 weeks of being released!
Explore this pop-up exhibition of women’s regional zines curated by Pocono-based artist Lauren Beauchner of Many Mothers. What are zines? Zines are a type of magazine that is often produced informally with supplies found in the home or at the office supply store. These publications, which use do-it yourself production and low cost materials, make it possible for artists and writers to self-publish and distribute their work inexpensively and without restrictions of traditional publishing methods.
Speak to the artists and learn more about their work and processes while perusing zines are diverse in form and topic, ranging from illustrations to photography books, light-hearted to serious. Curator Lauren Beauchner began making zines in 2015 and found the self-publishing culture of the region to be rich and diverse. Lauren is part of a creative collective called Many Mothers, a collaboration with Corrin Magditch and Meg Yoder.
Enjoy ethereal photographs of earth mandalas from artist, art therapist, and curator Moriah M. Mylod. Part of the ephemeral art genre and an ancient art making practice, earth mandala can be seen all over the world for spiritual and aesthetic value. In fact, people create mandalas to: relieve tension, anxiety, fear and worry, relax and heal the mind and spirit, release repressed emotions, stimulate creative thinking/problem solving, and gain a sense of wholeness of self.
Moriah M. Mylod has a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Cedar Crest College and primarily paints at her home studio, Birds in the Attics in North West, New Jersey – where she continues to explore painting and mixed-media as both an artist and art psychotherapist.
Sip on exceptional, high-quality coffee from around the world provided by micro-roasters Electric City Roasters throughout the evening.
Admission for Songs For Sisters is $5 a person. Other exciting Single Sisters Series events and activities include Sit & Stitch, Back To Basics, A Town Hall on “Women of the Past, Present, and Future,” self-defense classes, artist-led workshops, and exhibitions.
Space is limited. To learn more, visit HistoricBethlehem.org or call the Visitor Center & Museum Store at 610- 691-6055. The Single Sisters’ House is located at 50 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
