Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. August 19, 2026 – Music lovers can make a lifesaving difference this summer as Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks and Miller-Keystone Blood Center partner for the second annual Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive during the free Craig Thatcher Band concert on Thursday, August 27 at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks as a part of the Levitt Summer Concert Series presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health.
Beginning before the 7:30 p.m. performance, community members are invited to donate blood aboard Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s mobile donation bus while enjoying an evening of live music. The event combines an amazing opportunity to help replenish critically needed blood supplies with one of the Lehigh Valley’s favorite summer concert traditions.
Taking the stage will be the Craig Thatcher Band. To those familiar with their artistry, it’s no secret that Thatcher has been heavily influenced by Eric Clapton himself. Ever since first hearing Eric playing on “John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton,” to 2005 when Craig started paying tribute to his mentor with the presentation of the “Eric Clapton Retrospective.”
This combo is comprised of some of the top players in the Lehigh Valley, a hotbed of many esteemed musicians. Craig’s purpose is to present the music of Eric Clapton — dating back to the Yardbirds period and up to the present day.
Summer is one of the most difficult seasons for blood centers, with schools out of session and many regular donors away on vacation. Miller-Keystone Blood Center reports that only about 3-5% of eligible people donate blood, a gap that can lead to shortages for local hospitals and the patients who rely on them. To meet the needs of hospitals across the region, the center must collect donations from roughly 350 donors every day.
“Summer can be one of the most difficult times of the year to maintain a stable blood supply,” said Krista Brodbeck, Community Engagement Manager, Miller-Keystone Blood Center. “While many people are enjoying vacations and busy schedules, the need for blood never takes a break. Events like Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve provide a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together around great local music while helping save lives. Every donation made during this event will help ensure blood is available for patients at local hospitals when they need it most. We are thrilled to once again welcome Craig Thatcher and his band to Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks on August 27. There aren’t too many people in the Lehigh Valley who haven’t heard the name Craig Thatcher. Craig has been performing throughout our region for more than 35 years, sharing his talent with audiences across the country and around the world. We are incredibly grateful for his continued partnership and commitment to helping raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood donors.”
“I recently had the opportunity to visit Miller-Keystone’s donation center in Bethlehem and learn more about the process. While there, they showed me the donated stock they have stored. Unfortunately, many of the fridges are currently empty. It’s not for lack of trying—the summer months see a dip in donations. That is why Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeves is so important: our Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks community can provide a needed boost in donations during a critical time of the year. We hope that you will join us and Craig Thatcher Band on August 27. You can enjoy an amazing concert for free and save a life,” said Cory Stevens, Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.
As a thank-you, donors who give blood at the concert from 3 – 8 p.m. on August 27 will receive a limited-edition “Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve with Craig Thatcher” t-shirt. Those unable to attend the event can still receive the exclusive shirt by donating at any Miller-Keystone Blood Center in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton or Hamilton and mentioning Group Code E360.
Learn more about the event and schedule your blood donation at https://www.giveapint.org/promotions/craig-thatcher-concert/!
Event Information
Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive
Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
789 E. First St., Bethlehem, PA
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 2 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of close to $193 million in 2025. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.
Information provided to TVL by:
Bryn Keeney
