Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast

The Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast team had the pleasure of hosting an in-person episode at the Icehouse Punk & DIY: Open House + Artist Meetup on Sunday, February 23, 2025, from 1-4 pm at the Ice House (56 River St. Bethlehem, PA). While there, we got to sit down with a few of the vendors, attendees, and artists!

This event was in partnership with Elise Schaffer and Brandon Dominguez, who have been hosting artists meetups ...

On this episode, Elise and podcast alum Robin Gow (@robin_gow_poet) sat down with Chloe Cole-Wilson from Basement Poetry (@basementpoetry) and special guest Khalid Taylor (@khalidantonio).

Basement Poetry is an organization dedicated to empowering diverse communities through the performing arts and poetry. They create opportunities for cultural participation and education in theatre, focusing on works that address contempor...

This week, we interview Damian Appiotti.

Damian Appiotti is a multi faceted musician and educator who has been playing the guitar for about as long as he can remember. He grew up with parents who both have musical backgrounds, and has had a life surrounded by music, film, and art at large. The style that Damian often works in is referred to as Prog, which some have gone on to describe by saying it’s not so much a genre as i...

In this episode, Ben sits down with Doug Boehm and Josh Berk of PLANET INFAMY.

PLANET INFAMY is an art rock collective of Lehigh Valley musicians playing innovative original compositions and irreverent improvised jams. The group features Josh Berk and Bryan Lazewski on guitar, Doug Boehm on bass, "Big Dom" Haberstumpf on drums,  Shaun Adickes on keyboards, and Al Johnson on percussion--with many talented instrumentalists jo...

This episode, Ben and Elise talk with Derick Fiedler.

Growing up, Derick never saw his father without a camera in his hand. His Father’s passion for photography inspired him to become a photographer himself. After graduating from College, Derick made backpacking throughout the world a priority. He took with him his Fathers Olympus mirrorless camera with a 20mm lens that easily fit into his pack.

Derick traveled throughout t...

This week, Ben, Elisabeth and Elise all got to sit down at the start of this episode to both catch up about what they've been doing and talk about a few events and opportunities they're excited about. That includes the Pennsylvania Playhouse looking for directors for their upcoming season, Allentown Art Museum's 2024 Cocktails and Collecting's Sunday Free for All, and Touchstone Theater's Festival Unbound!

This episode's i...

On this week's episode, Ben sat down with We're from Antarctica!

Easton, Pennsylvania’s very own indie quintet, We’re From Antarctica, emerged onto the scene in late 2018 through a series of serendipitous events that would lead Carlos “Paco” Brown (Vocals, Rhythm guitar), Jessie Rae (Vocals, Keys), Jon Blanco (Lead guitar), Mackenzie Kressley (Bass) and Christopher Kendall (Drums) to meet. The group’s debut album, “The Peop...

This week, Ben talks with Daniel Djuro-Goiricelaya.

Daniel, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, was the second of three sons of a Cuban Basque mother and first generation Ukrainian/Russian Father. He was raised in a colorful, multicultural home where different languages were spoken, and traditions upheld; opening the windows of his imagination and awakening his artistic soul and curiosity at an early age.

In 2004, due to ...

This week, we interviewed the multitalented Michael B. Judkins.

Michael B. Judkins is creating stories that reach, teach, and empower. He has 10+ years of experience in the creative industry as an independent Creative Director, Screenwriter/Writer, Content Creator, and Mental Health Advocate. Michael believes that art can truly change lives! He holds an Associate Of Science in Journalism, a Bachelor of Science in Human Serv...

In this episode, Ben talks with Danny Finocchio.

Danny Finocchio is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Easton, PA. A designer by trade, Danny has enjoyed a long career producing graphics, apparel, and footwear for brands like Mitchell & Ness, Reebok, and La Colombe. Danny meshes his diverse design experience and a love of experimentation within his art practice drawing upon memories, abstraction, pop culture, and spor...

In this episode, Elise talks with Florence-Susanne Reppert and Daulton Reppert from Poetry as Promised.

Florence-Susanne Reppert (@schizo_trash_poet) is a neurodivergent, nonbinary poet/photographer from the Lehigh Valley. They run Nowhere as Promised open mic at Nowhere Coffee Co (@nowherecoffeeco), and they are the founder of Poetry as Promised Literary Magazine (@poetryaspromised). They also occasionally Co-host Noble Q...

This week, Ben sat down with the band Food Truck.

Food Truck is an indie/alternative trio formed in 2017, based out of Bethlehem, PA. They are comprised of Miles Hiebsch on guitar and vocals, John Mackey on bass and vocals, and Ryan Flynn on drums.

You can follow Food Truck on Instagram at @foodtruck and check out their music through their linktree to find your preferred streaming platform. To keep up with Miles, check out @...

This week, Ben interviews Danny Moyer (@dannymoyer.artist).

Danny is an artist, teacher, administrator, father, and so much more. He was born in northeast Philadelphia and raised in central Connecticut, but Easton, Pennsylvania is where he has called home for most of the last 25 years. Through his studio practice, he wants to make Art that makes people feel as good as he does when he sees work that he likes.  He likes to us...

In this very special LVAP: Backstage episode, we went to the Lehigh Valley Music Industry Information Share presented by Icehouse Punk & DIY. While there, we chatted with a few of those in attendance. Follow Ice House Punk & DIY for info on when the next LV Music Industry Information Share will be held!

Here is a list of those interviewed in this episode:

Ryan Susko (@icehouse.punkdiy & @musicgardenpa)

Rachel Ana ...

This week, Elise interviews author and poet Robin Gow.

 Robin Gow (it/fae/he & él y elle) is a critically acclaimed trans poet from rural Pennsylvania. He is the author of several poetry collections, an essay collection, and Middle-Grade and YA novels. Faer novels include Ode to My First Car, A Million Quiet Revolutions, and Dear Mothman. Fae works as a community educator, calling folks into discussions around queer and...

This week, Ben interviews Brandon Dominguez.

Brandon Dominguez is a boundary-pushing contemporary artist navigating the realms of abstract and pop art. At the heart of his creative universe are the iconic characters Brian(the Brain) and Moonie(the Moon), who take center stage in his vivid compositions. Dominguez masterfully employs vibrant colors, crisp lines, and dynamic motion to convey the universal spectrum of human emo...

This week, Elise interviews the incredible Arta Brito.

Arta Brito is a classically trained oil painter who has studied with various professional artists in New York City. She’s worked for the world renowned Jeff Koons studios from 2014-2016, has had several group and solo exhibitions throughout the U.S. and is in the permanent collection of the Hunterdon Art Museum and Lehigh University Art Galleries.

Brito’s work e...

This week, Elise talks with jazzy drawing artist Doug Trachtman.

Doug Trachtman is a 26 year old artist, musician, and food pantry coordinator. He grew up in Allentown, Pa, went to school at Temple University and is now living in the Lehigh Valley area.  Doug began making art as a child and drew frequently until high school when he took drawing class and hated it. In college Doug got back into creating both music and visual...