BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest and VSYN+, a new streaming platform established by the sign language community, have joined forces to present two nights of sign language entertainment at this year's Musikfest.
- ArtsQuest and VSYN+ collaborate for two nights of sign language entertainment at Musikfest
- Events are planned Sunday, Aug. 6, and Monday, Aug. 7
- All performances are free and accessible with ASL and English interpretation
The event, curated and produced by Executive Producer CJ Jones, a deaf artist who has created Navi Sign Language for Avatar 2 and 3, will start at the Musikfest Café at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6.
On the first night, Nyle DiMarco, "America's Next Top Model" and "Dancing with the Stars" winner, will be the emcee for the evening. The event will kick off with SignTasTic!, an interactive game show designed to teach American Sign Language (ASL) to the crowd, led by show host Dan Cook.
DJ Hear No Evil will hit the stage for two musical performances alongside Orel Tha Coda, a musician and sign language storyteller, followed by a set by Keith Sho’Roc Brown, the first hard-of-hearing pop recording artist to sing and use ASL simultaneously.
The finale of the night will feature Mandy Harvey, a deaf singer and songwriter who earned the golden buzzer on "America’s Got Talent."
At 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, the second night will be hosted by Justin Osmond, a deaf musician and activist. The audience will once again be treated to the SignTasTic! game show.
The musical performances will continue with "Prinz-D, The First Deaf Rapper," who has been a prominent figure in the deaf hip-hop community, and Jamar "J. Cacao" Scales, an ASL performer, songwriter and producer.
The second-night event will be wrapped up by Beautiful the Artist, a deaf rapper and former Miss Black Deaf America.
"Entertainment transcends the limitations of language by introducing new experiences fueled by different backgrounds and unique perspectives."Todd Donnelly, Chairman of VSYN+
"Entertainment transcends the limitations of language by introducing new experiences fueled by different backgrounds and unique perspectives," Todd Donnelly, chairman of VSYN+, said in a news release.
The performances are free to attend and open for everyone to enjoy. American Sign Language will be used throughout SignTasTic! and all musical performances, with sign language interpreters on-site to provide English interpretation.
