The return of Musicircus

If you’re like me, you look forward all year to John Cage’s Musicircus presented by Brian Jones. It’s a celebration of cacophony, a nonsensical collision of opposing sounds in one space. But to the people who enjoy it, it’s an aural explosion that comes but once a year and an exploitation of what is considered unacceptable in music. And it’s tomorrow night.

September 15, 2010; 9:37 AM • by Dean Christesen

Pictured: Happy Lucky Combo went mobile at last year’s Musicircus in Richmond.

If you’re new to Musicircus, it goes like this: tons of musicians of Jones’s choosing (soloists, ensembles, acoustic, electronic) set up in a building and play for one hour, unaffected by their musicing neighbors. Have you ever been to a circus? It’s like that to your ears. A composition — or “happening” — by 20th century experimental composer John Cage, the Musicircus experience is meant to unique to each audience member (roamer), determined by their entrance, their path around the space, and their exit.

There’s not much more to be said that I haven’t already said in the two years past, so read the links below for more info, and experience it for yourself tomorrow night.

The lineup: Happy Lucky Combo, Susanna Klein, John Winn + JC Kuhl, Brian Jones + Marty McCavitt, Scott Burton + Scott Clark, Snow Panda, UTV chamber, The Hot Seats, Gamelan Raga Kasuma, Josh Small + Lance Koehler, Amy Cimini, James Elliot Shelton.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/7221816[/vimeo]

Video from last year’s Musicircus at the Visual Arts Center, October 22, 2009.

Background information on Cage and Musicircus: Geeks and Freaks
Video and audio from Musicircus 2009: In case you missed Musicircus
Photos from Musicircus 2009: Part 1, Part 2
Review and photos from Musicircus 2008

Musicircus takes place on Thursday, September 16, 2010, from 9pm to 10pm at Visual Arts Center of Richmond, located at 1812 W. Main St. All ages, no cover. View event details