Buddhist Monks Aim to Heal Flooded Musikfest Site

Starting with ceremonial ritual today, Tibetan monks of Drepung Loseling will craft a mandala, a sacred sand painting, as the artists in residence at Handwerkplatz.

  With more than a day to go before the opening of Musikfest, a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks today will practice a ceremonial ritual aimed at bringing environmental healing to Handwerkplatz, one of two platzes flooded in the final days of the 2011 festival. The monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery, the Center for Tibetan Studies in Atlanta, will be in Bethlehem until Monday as the festival’s artists in residence, according to an ArtsQuest news release. During that time, the monks will be creating a 9-foot-by-9-foot mandala sand painting – “Amitayus” – at Handwerkplatz. Amitayus is one of the deities of long life in Tibetan Buddhism. “The mural will be meticulously crafted using thousands upon thousands of grains of colored sand, …

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Viewfinder: Musikfest Flood Aftermath

Mud and debris was all that remained of Handwerkplatz and Volksplatz today.

The overflowing Monocacy Creek floods of Saturday night left behind a litter-strewn landscape where Volksplatz and Handwerkplatz had been for the first nine days of Musikfest. The Morning Call reported today that many vendors and artisans in the two platzes suffered significant financial losses from the flood damage. And since the platzes had to remain closed today, there was no opportunity to recoup any of that loss. This was the first-time in the festival's 28-year history that platzes had to be closed during the festival. ArtsQuest officials said the festival also took significant losses – as much as $750,000 – because it rained six out of 10 days. It is now seeking the public’s help in recouping the loss and has posted its own flood …

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Crafter's Profile: Fun Crafters

Breinigsville couple offers lawn sculptures, metal art and assorted other items.

Every year at Musikfest, there is a little area in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, between Festplatz and Volksplatz, where the emphasis is not so much on music, but artisan crafters and their wares. They call it Handwerkplatz. Veteran ‘festers know it as the place to buy unique items like handmade soaps, handcrafted jewelry and original works of art. All of the vendors there share the common bond of selling items they made themselves. Here is a closer look at one of them:     Owners: Bill and Margaret Tamburino, Breinigsville. 610-682-7791 Funcrafters@enter.net Products: yard birds, lawn sculptures, metal art and bead blasting, giant bicycles, wagons, fish, dog and cat sculptures, planters, candy dishes, letter organizers, lollipop …

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The Patch Musikfest Users Guide

Crafter's Profile: The Salsa Guy

Bethlehem craftsman has created 14 varieties of salsa, from Raspberry Mild to Stupid Hot.

Every year at Musikfest, there is a little area in the Colonial Industrial Quarter, between Festplatz and Volksplatz, where the emphasis is not so much on music, but artisan crafters and their wares. They call it Handwerkplatz. Veteran ‘festers know it as the place to buy unique items like handmade soaps, handcrafted jewelry and original works of art. All of the vendors there share the common bond of selling items they made themselves. Here is a closer look at one of them:     Owner:  George Gilreath, Bethlehem.  Products: 14 flavors by Casa DeJorge, including Fruit Salsas: Raspberry, Peach and  Mango Mild; Pineapple Habanero Hot, Raspberry Barbacoa Chipotle Medium;  Specialty salsas, including Roasted Garlic & Olives Mild/Medium, Chipotle…

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