Teen Idol Cody Simpson to Play Free Concert

ArtsQuest is looking to get a jump on Musikfest excitement by offering a free acoustic concert Wednesday morning with Australian teen heartthrob Cody Simpson.

The 11 a.m. show at the Musikfest Café at SteelStacks is open to the first 1,000 people in line that day—no tickets are needed.

Both B104 and ArtsQuest have also been giving away a limited number of VIP tickets for the performance. In addition, a limited number of meet and greet passes will be distributed by B104 and ArtsQuest via contests on B104, as well as online at www.B104.com and www.artsquest.org.

After debuting with the single “iYiYi” (featuring Flo Rida), Simpson released his first EP, 2010’s 4 U, which spawned the No. 1 Radio Disney hit “All Day.” In 2011, he made his chart debut with Coast to Coast, which entered Billboard’s album chart at No. 12 and earned him his second Radio Disney No. 1 hit, “On My Mind.”

He was among the top stars featured at Nickelodeon’s 2012 Kids Choice Awards, where he presented and took home the award for “Favorite Aussie Star.”

Simpson has co-headlined tours with Big Time Rush, and has headlined on his sold-out “Welcome to Paradise” tour. In 2012, he launched his first European headlining tour and also hit the road as support for Justin Bieber.

Let’s see what else is happening in Bethlehem this week:

• One of the staples of classic rock radio, Bad Company, plays live at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center at 8 p.m. Monday. Founded in 1973, Bad Company helped define the term “supergroup,” as it joined together former members of Free, Mott the Hoople and King Crimson. If you listen to 99.9 The Hawk at all, you know their music: “Bad Company,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love” are some of their standards. Ticket prices range from $75 to $115.

• Do you love art, but are incapable of telling the difference between abstract impressionism and classical realism,  cubism from constructivism or Bauhaus from baroque? On Tuesday, the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts begins a four-week workshop, "Art Appreciation for Adults: Demystifying Art.” The program runs four consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. The fee is $75.

• The “Impractical Jokers” bring their unique take on comedy to the Sands Bethlehem Event Center at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The four lifelong friends—James, Joe, Sal and Brian—make it their mission to embarrass each other by staging public, mortifying challenges. Their dares are captured for a regular TV show on truTV. The live show features audience interaction and stand-up routines. Tickets are $35 and $55.

• It will be Children’s Beach Day at the Bethlehem Farmers Market at Campus Square on Thursday. Free face painting and sand art necklaces as long as supplies last. The day will also feature live music from George Baier from noon to 2 p.m.