HONK NYC!
World Maker Faire 2015
September 26th-27th
HONK NYC! is an annual extravaganza of D.I.Y. street bands that celebrates the spirit of communal spectacle making. Over 200 musicians and performers gather to play for audiences in parks, schools and venues across NYC.
Barritone Army
Founded in 2008 by Stefan Zeniuk, Baritone Army is a group of baritone saxophonists who disrupt public environments with flash improvisations, commercial confrontation, and a playful philosophy of social commentary through satire and absurdism. In 2014, they curated "Seven Days And Nights of Baritone Army,” which culminated on November 6th, the 200th anniversary of Adolphe Sax's birthday. Five formations of the group assembled around the world, performing "La Brabanconne" (the Belgian national anthem), in public spaces, which included the Belgian Consulate in both Vilnius (Lithuania) and NYC. www.facebook.com/BaritoneArmy
Batala NYC
BatalaNYC is an all women samba reggae drumline. We play the music heard on the streets of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. BatalaNYC was founded in 2012 by Stacy Kovacs in response to the lack of opportunities for women to learn to drum in NYC. 80 women strong, playing over 200 shows and events, we are a community band with a mission to teach any woman regardless of musical experience to play powerful rhythms, encouraging self-expression and confidence. www.batala.nyc
DJA-Rara
Originating in Haiti, Rara music is part-carnival, part-social protest, part-vodou ceremony. Raras utilize African drums, marching band percussion and bamboo tubes. The distinctive sound of a Rara band comes from the hand-made metal “Kone” horns that are each tuned to a single note and then “hocketed”: when multiple players blow in patterns to create complex melodies. DJA-Rara has been keeping the rara tradition alive in America for 20 years. www.othersideofthewater.org
Funkrust Brass Band
Funkrust Brass Band mixes punk, disco, EDM, metal and funk with Balkan and New Orleans influences and megaphone vocals-- like the soundtrack to Tron and David Bowie in the Thunderdome. The 12 piece brass band features choreography, futurist uniforms, and all original songwriting by Phil Andrews (Gay Panic, Apocalypse Five & Dime) and Ellia Bisker (Charming Disaster, Sweet Soubrette). www.funkrust.com
Hungry March Band
Hungry March Band fuses street band traditions with raw energy and performance art antics. A true New York City original, the band has become an institution that embodies the chaos of its urban home. Demolishing the fourth wall and engaging onlookers directly with choreography and improvisation, HMB has shared their creativity with audiences throughout the United States, South America and Europe. Their huge sound links traditional big bands with free jazz and connects the sonic spaces between punk rock and global brass. This is what it looks like when the cheerleaders go AWOL and team up with with the band geeks for an after-hours costumed dance party in the town square. www.hungrymarchband.com
Wollesonic Labs presents Sonic Massage & MEAT
Wollessonic is a collective of instrument makers and musicians. The project is spearheaded by percussionist Kenny Wollesen. Their Sonic Massage is an ultra-low volume, acoustic, kaleidophonic, surround-sound experience. Audience members are invited to lie down on yoga mats while "sonic massagers" move throughout the space delivering sounds directly into the ears. MEAT (a/k/a Himalayas) is a marching band that plays anywhere & anytime. MEAT have been known to play on bridges, mountain tops, beaches, in elevators, on Grammy nominated records, on huge uptown stages & in dinky downtown clubs. MEAT is a spontaneous, organic, ephemeral pleasure-filled situation! www.wollesonic.com
Shinbone Alley Stilt Band
Shinbone Alley Stilt Band Bond Street Theatre is a physical theatre company with a social consciousness, a global view, and a sense of humor. Their Shinbone Alley Stilt Band has been appearing in festivals and special events around the world since 1982, including the Kim Tom Festival in Shanghai, China; the Sibiu Theatre Festival in Romania; the Ordu Children's Theatre Festival in Turkey; and the 600th Anniversary of Stilt Walking in Namur, Belgium. This dynamic ensemble of musicians on stilts plays an eclectic repertoire of Dixieland, Swing, Rock, Jazz, and Blues.
