Mark Wilson – Executive Director, Zoellner Arts Center
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Wilson, Executive Director of Zoellner Arts Center, to discuss the exciting lineup for the 2025 season. We kick things off with a deep dive into Kings Return, the acclaimed a cappella group known for their seamless blend of gospel, jazz, R&B, and classical music, set to perform on February 7. Mark also highlights the pre-show roundtable on mental health featuring Dr. Phillip A. Davis, emphasizing the importance of integrating meaningful discussions with artistic performances.
We then explore other standout events in Zoellner’s season, including:
The Aluminum Show (February 22): A dynamic performance combining dance, visual theater, and humor.
Pascuala Ilabaca y Fauna (March 28): A Chilean ensemble bringing a fusion of traditional Latin American music with contemporary influences.
The Sound of (Black) Music (March 29): A reimagined take on the classic, infusing it with gospel, funk, and R&B elements.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company (April 4): Presenting “Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo” through vibrant dance and storytelling.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (April 6): A powerful tribute celebrating the music of Aretha Franklin.
Mark shares insights into Zoellner’s commitment to diverse programming, community engagement, and the vision for the arts center’s future in the Lehigh Valley. Whether you’re an arts enthusiast or new to the scene, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what’s in store for audiences this season.
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate an incredible year for the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast. This year, we reached an extraordinary milestone: 2.7 million hits across all of our episodes, showcasing the power of community storytelling and local connections.
With 47 episodes in 2025, we’ve shared countless stories that celebrate the heart of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. From exclusive celebrity interviews like Tony Danza, to exploring local landmarks such as The Sayre Mansion and The Dery House, to diving into community-focused initiatives like New Bethany Ministries’ Turkey Drive and Festival Unbound, our podcast covered an incredible breadth of topics this year.
Thanks to your support, we connected with people from all walks of life, sharing the stories that make the Lehigh Valley truly special.
We’re proud of every episode we released this year, but here are a few that truly stood out:
Tony Danza: Standards & Stories – Tony joined us to share insights from his career and his one-man show at SteelStacks, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his life in entertainment. Listen / Watch here.
New Bethany Ministries Turkey Drive – We highlighted the incredible work of New Bethany Ministries in supporting our community during the holiday season. Listen / Watch here.
Festival Unbound with Touchstone Theatre – A deep dive into this vibrant annual festival celebrating creativity and community. Listen / Watch here.
Lafayette College Arts Tour – Exploring the rich arts culture on campus with exclusive insights. Listen / Watch here.
Toured The Sayre Mansion – An exclusive look at this historic gem in Bethlehem. Listen / Watch here.
Learned to Swim with Goldfish Swim School – A fun and educational episode about fostering water safety. Listen / Watch here.
Toured The Dery House in Catasauqua – Discovering the history and beauty of this iconic property. Listen / Watch here.
Celebrated 90 Years at Shankweilers Drive-In – A nostalgic dive into America’s oldest drive-in theater. Listen / Watch here.
These episodes, among many others, exemplify the diversity and richness of stories we’re privileged to share with our listeners. Your engagement—from sharing episodes to leaving comments—helped make this possible.
Wind Creek Event Center – Hosting incredible events! Link
Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate – Connecting us to our community. Link.
Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub – Fueling our team with great food and energy. Link
The Coop Sports Bar & Kitchen – Fueling our team with Dinosaur Eggs. Link
Banko Beverage Company – Helping us keep the conversation flowing. Link
Lehigh Valley Health Network – Keeping us healthy! Link
Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us bring these stories to life.
Looking Ahead to 2025
For more updates, episodes, and ways to connect with us, visit our website: www.lvwithlove.com.
We’re already planning for an even bigger and better year ahead, and we want YOU to be part of it! Whether you have a story to share, a business to spotlight, or an idea for collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out this form to get involved: https://forms.gle/3AXv59fdXrVirXke9.
Are you interested in being a guest on our podcast? Share your story with us by filling out our guest form here: https://forms.gle/V6czQLymPp1B31GW8.
Join the Conversation
Stay tuned for more incredible stories in 2025, and thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to another amazing year of connecting, sharing, and loving the Lehigh Valley!
In this episode, we sit down with three nationally acclaimed authors ahead of the Society of the Arts’ (SOTA) Cocktails with the Authors and Luncheon with the Authors events happening on October 9th and 10th, 2024. These events raise funds for the educational programs at the Allentown Art Museum and SOTA’s other community efforts.
