BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A popular Lehigh Valley music performer has released a new song that captures the area’s Christmas connection — and she had help from singers from The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and students from East Penn and Parkland school districts.
Area movie audiences have a chance to see it on the big screen, including a release celebration at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Saturday.
Stacy Gabel, who three years ago was top winner at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards, last week released “Merry Christmas My Friends,” a classic holiday song about embracing the uplifting meaning of the holidays.Stacy Gabel
Stacy Gabel, who three years ago was top winner at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards, last week released “Merry Christmas My Friends,” a classic holiday song about embracing the uplifting meaning of the holidays.
A news release said the single will be distributed through the Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment in affiliation with Catch My Riff Records.
It’s available at https://orcd.co/merrychristmasmyfriends and on all digital streaming and download platforms.
A video for the song was shot in and highlights the "Christmas City of Bethlehem" — Main Street, Hotel Bethlehem and the city’s Christmas tree at Payrow Plaza at City Hall — at holiday time.
Scenes also were shot at the Winter Light Spectacular at Lehigh Valley Zoo.
Gabel said she wrote the song and decided it "was going to be 100% fully written and produced in the Lehigh Valley as a tribute to my hometown."
"I released a Christmas Song last year called 'Just Ain't Christmas' which was a co-write with a colleague in Los Angeles," Gabel said in an email. "I've been writing and recording with producers in Los Angeles and travelling a lot this past year for the release of my first EP album and my Great Escape Tour, which included performances in Europe.
"When traveling, I so much appreciate the support that I have back at home in the Lehigh Valley. So because I've been working a lot outside of Pennsylvania, it was important to me to work with an entirely local team: producer, videographer and especially local young singers.
"It's my way of giving back to the community and to express my love and appreciation for friends, fans and supporters at home."
'A challenge to get anyone together'
Gabel said in an email that she’s a member of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, and “extended the opportunity to the young singers from the [choir’s] Bel Canto Choir as well as some of my own private singing students” from East Penn and Parkland to participate in the project.
“It's always a challenge to get anyone in the arts together at holiday time, with concert and show schedules, and we had a small window at holiday time last year to film on location with the lights and decorations in Bethlehem. I selected a small group of singers who were available to shoot on location and then we recorded the final audio in the spring of 2023.”Stacy Gabel
“It's always a challenge to get anyone in the arts together at holiday time, with concert and show schedules, and we had a small window at holiday time last year to film on location with the lights and decorations in Bethlehem,” Gabel said.
“I selected a small group of singers who were available to shoot on location and then we recorded the final audio in the spring of 2023.”
The release celebration at Frank Banko Cinema will start at noon Saturday before the feature "White Christmas."
Gabel will do a meet and greet in the lobby with the cast and production crew from the film.
The video also will be shown before all the theater’s Christmas Classic Matinees through Dec. 23. Other features playing through December are "The Bishop's Wife," "Meet Me in St Louis" and "It's a Wonderful Life."
At the movies, and elsewhere
The video also is currently being shown at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton before Disney's feature film "Wish," then will also be shown again Dec. 22 through Jan. 1 before "Trolls Band Together."
Emmaus Theatre also plans to show the video but hasn’t confirmed a date, Gabel said.
A part of the song with a special greeting will play at the AMC theaters at the Promenade Shops in Upper Saucon Township before all the feature films, and will play on Lehigh Valley radio station WLEV-FM 100.7 throughout December, Gabel said.
The song also will be featured in the Christmas show "The Other Side of Dickens' Ghosts, A Christmas Special with Grover Silcox" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 at McCoole's Arts and Events Place, 4 S. Main St., Quakertown.Stacy Gabel
The song also will be featured in the Christmas show "The Other Side of Dickens' Ghosts, A Christmas Special with Grover Silcox" at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17 at McCoole's Arts & Events Place, 4 S. Main St., Quakertown.
Tickets, at $25, are available at McCoole's website.
Gabel, a Lehigh Valley native, performs regularly at Musikfest, Mayfair and other area festivals and venues.
Last January, she released a five-track EP, “Straight to Voicemail,” and her most recent release, "At the Zoo-oo-oo" is the official jingle of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.
Gabel will perform at the zoo from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 15 and Dec. 21.
"I have already received an overwhelming outpouring of love and support from fans," Gabel said. "I'm incredibly happy with the response I've received so far.
"It brings me great joy to see people reacting positively, sharing and commenting online, and showing immense appreciation for the song. It's heartwarming to have the public's support and recognition of my effort."
