Saturday, May 02, 2015

Calypso Band Dance Rhythms Return 

 HSU Calypso Band brings its authentic Caribbean dance rhythms home after a triumphant northern California tour, and the Percussion Ensemble features a work highlighting Hawaiian rhythms on Saturday May 2 in the Van Duzer Theatre. 

 Back for its second concert this spring, the Percussion Ensemble presents for the first time this year a 1978 work by American composer Christopher Rouse called Ku-Ka-Illimoku, evoking indigenous Hawaiian rhythms. The performance also features 24 dancers choreographed by HSU Dance professor Sharon Butcher. 

 The Percussion Ensemble also performs Marimba Spiritual by Japanese composer Minoru Miki and a reprise of Toccata for Percussion by Mexico’s foremost composer Carlos Chavez. The HSU World Percussion Group presents authentic Afro-Cuban folkloric music based on the traditions of the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

 Then in what has become a pre-finals tradition, the HSU Calypso Band takes over for the rest of the high-energy evening. This year’s highlights include two Panorama classics by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe from the island of Trinidad: “Misbehave” and “Woman is Boss.” 

 The Calypso Band and its more than 40 steeldrums recently returned from a northern California tour, playing to enthusiastic audiences in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Tomales, San Rafael and Berkeley. 

The HSU Percussion Ensemble and Calypso Band perform on Saturday May 2 beginning at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre. Tickets from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door: $10 general, $5 seniors and children, $3 HSU students. Directed by Eugene Novotney and Howard Kaufman, produced by HSU Music department.

Media: Times-Standard "Urge," Mad River Union, Humboldt State Now

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