Recycalypso Orchestra Library Logistics
AVAILABLE IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Please contact Ian for pricing and logistics of the online version of this program
Destination: Youth Services
PRESENTER NAME: Ian Dobson
Address:126 SW 148th St., Ste C100 PMB 456. Burien, WA, ZIP: 98166-1984
Phone: 206-919-2328
E-mail: info@iandobson.com
Best time/manner to contact Ian: Email preferred. Any time. Phone also works.
PROGRAM TITLE: Recycalypso Orchestra
Program Description:
Throughout history, people from different cultures have wanted to make music but faced challenges, such as poverty, that prevented them from doing so. The show explores how such people overcame this adversity by inventing creative ways to make music through repurposing and recycling. The program is interactive, with the audience participating throughout as they learn about musical innovations such as steel drums from the Island of Trinidad, the hambone rhythm from the United States, and the cha cha cha dance from Cuba.
Roughly the second 3rd of the show is dedicated to a workshop where participants invent their own unique musical instruments out of recycled materials, invent their own playing techniques for their instrument, and, of course, come up with a name for their creation. During this part of the program participants come to Ian when they have finished their instruments and demonstrate how to play them while Ian records the performance and the name of the instrument.
Ian then creates a preliminary remix of the participant’s voices and instruments so they can enjoy their new group musical composition.
For the grand finale Ian leads participants, playing their instruments, in limbo and a parade. The parade typically goes through the library, which is great fun for the kids. However, parading through and creating a brief party atmosphere in the rest of the library is not required.
Shortly after the show Ian creates a complete remix including as many of the participants voices and instruments that he successfully recorded during the workshop portion of the program. He then posts this remix online and sends an email to the librarian with a link to the composition.
Recycalypso Orchestra is also available in Spanish or bilingually in Spanish and English.
Program Length: 75 to 90 minutes for ages five through eleven.
Space Preferred: At least 8’ X 8’, ideally more, for Ian’s instruments and stage space. Workshop activity should be set up at the opposite side of the room from the stage, with adequate space in between the workshop and the stage for all attendees to sit on the floor. Amount of space required for the instrument-making project depends on the number of participants expected. A minimum would be 2 to 3 six-foot tables with space to walk between them and work on them. Recycled materials and art supplies are placed on the tables.
Equipment Needed:
One chair. he performance also requires one standard (120v AC 60Hz 20amps) electrical outlet.
Recycled Materials:
The ideal is for the community to use their own recycling for the workshop, as that helps to better illustrate the idea that they can be creative and repurpose items from their own lives that they would otherwise throw away. Typically, well in advance of this workshop, the library puts a call out to the community to bring in recycled items before the date of the workshop. This is also a good way to promote the event and build interest! This does require some storage of the recycled items by the library. Iandobson.com has videos and information that can be used to inspire collection of the materials and to guide the community on what items are suitable.
There are other ways to go about getting the materials though if this approach is not suitable for your venue.
Can your program be successfully offered outside? Yes if it is a nice day with no rain and minimal wind.
Can your program be successfully offered in a library without a meeting room? Yes.
Set-Up/Take Down Time:
Ian prefers at least one hour setup and 45 minutes take down and must focus entirely on setting up his musical equipment, sound checking, testing the computer, etc. A 2 hour setup is ideal. Librarians should leave themselves plenty of time to set up the recycled materials for the workshop.
Anticipated arrival time prior to performance:
2 hours unless schedule is very tight and/or traffic is very bad and/or Library can’t accommodate setting up 2 hours in advance.
Audience Age Recommendation: Elementary School / Middle School / High School / Families / All ages. No age limits!
Preferred audience size? No size limit other than occupancy limit of the room.
Program Format: Audience Participation / Lecture/Demonstration / Hand-On Workshop
Location: Under this pricing structure Ian can travel to ANY library within Island, King, Kitsap, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. A different pricing structure may apply outside of these counties.
Availability: Spring / Summer / Fall
Morning / Afternoon / Evening / Weekends
For availability for specific requested dates individual librarians should contact Ian directly to see if the date is available.
Professional References: Please provide the name and contact information of at least two references who may be contacted regarding your work as performer.
Rebecca Ryan. RRyan@piercecountylibrary.org / 253-548-3588
Lisa Cipolla. lcipolla@piercecountylibrary.org / 253-548-3303
Deborah Schneider (Public Programming Coordinator KCLS). dschneid@kcls.org / 425.369.3319
Relevant Performer or Group Biographical Information:
Ian has traveled the world performing and learning about the music of various cultures. His first love is drum set and he studied timpani, marimba, vibraphone, piano, and other instruments starting at a young age and eventually earned a Master’s degree in Percussion. He began performing steel drum music in 1995. Ian can be found performing and teaching steel drum on Holland America Line cruise ships in the Caribbean during the winter months, playing abroad in such places as Mexico and Canada; performing at music festivals such as the Ethnic Heritage Festival in Edmonton, Canada; performing in libraries and schools throughout the Northwest, and so much more! He has performed with many musical luminaries, such as Jackson Berkey of Mannheim Steamroller and Lee Oskar of the band War. He currently lives and works most of the year in the Seattle area and part of the year in Guadalajara, MX.
Ian can provide a videotape of the performance. No press kit (publicity package) / hard copy color photo available.
