Third Coast Percussion with Movement Art Is Student Matinee Pre-event Video Transcript

Welcome to Northrop at the University of Minnesota!

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We welcome Third Coast Percussion with Movement Art Is to the Northrop Stage!

“Metamorphosis” combines and celebrates U.S. street dancing styles and classical percussion ensemble music.

About the Performance 

• “Metamorphosis” explores "What does the world look like to you?" and "How is that shaped by where you come from and the experiences you have had?"
• Blending street dance and classical percussion expands what is possible in both music and dance.
• The choreography tells personal life stories that are specific to the experiences of young Black men growing up in America today.

About Third Coast Percussion

• They are a GRAMMY Award-winning percussion quartet based in Chicago!
• They strive to inspire and educate through the creation of exciting and unexpected musical experiences. 

Meet the Quartet: 

• David Skidmore, Rob Dillon, Sean Connors, and Peter Martin
• They met studying percussion at Northwestern University near Chicago, Illinois.

About Movement Art Is

Movement Art Is strives to use dance to inspire positive change in the world.

Meet the Artists

Movement Art Is was Co-founded by Jon Boogz and Lil Buck.

• Jon Boogz is a movement artist, choreographer, and director from Miami, Florida who seeks to push the evolution of dance.
• Lil Buck began jookin' in Memphis, Tennessee, and brings his passion for arts education to his choreography.

Jookin' evolved from Gangsta Walking, Buckin, and ticking. It's a smooth way of moving earning it another nickname, "urban ballet".

In this dance, these choreographers use life stories to represent transformation.

About the Collaborators

Meet the Composers

Jlin and Tyondai Braxton

• Jlin wrote a 7-movement work called “Perspective” that you will hear in today's performance. Jlin's electronic sound is rooted in Chicago's iconic footwork style.
• Tyondai Braxton, Brooklyn-based composer and performer, wrote “Sunny X” - a blending of electronic and acoustic sounds - which is featured in today's performance.

Meet the Performers/Interpreters

• Cameron Murphy is a movement artist, actor, and former bronze medalist Junior Olympian. He incorporates street dancing, body contortion, and acting into his movement style.
• Quentin Robinson, a Marine Corps veteran, has been dancing and performing for 20 years. He uses movement to help individuals navigate through mental and physical trauma with his non-profit organization.

What You Will See and Hear

What is Percussion?

Musical instruments played by striking with the hand or another handheld object.

Can you guess how many percussion instruments there are?

• This is a trick question because nearly anything can become a percussion instrument! At least 500 instruments are considered to be percussion and more are being created all the time!
• Third Coast Percussion often uses everyday objects as percussion instruments. Such as bowls filled with water and bird calls as you will see in this performance.

How many percussion instruments can you name? 

• Marimba
• Timpani
• Snare drum
• Cymbals.

What is choreography?

Choreography (kaw·ree·aa·gruh·fee): The sequence of steps and movement in dance.

Words that describe choreography:

• Unison
• Canon
• Mirroring
• Sharp
• Fluid, etc.

Look for these elements of choreography in the performance today.

What is collaboration?

Collaboration (kuh·la·br·ay·shn): The act of working with someone to produce or create something.

Examples of collaboration:

• Billie Eilish + Beats by Dr. Dre
• Justin Bieber + Chance the Rapper

Talk with the person next to you about some collaborations that you have noticed lately or that you really like.

"Metamorphosis" explores the duality of human nature.

What is Duality?

Duality (doo·a·luh·tee) The quality or state of two different or opposite parts or elements.

Examples of Duality:

• Light/Dark
• Happy/Sad
• Cold/Hot
• Negative/Positive

Can you spot moments of duality in the performance today?

The performance draws our attention to changes that take place over time through sounds and movement alike.

What is metamorphosis?

Metamorphosis (meh·tuh·mor·fuh·suhs): The change of physical form, appearance, or circumstances

Examples of metamorphosis:

• When caterpillars transform into butterflies
• When someone transforms from a child into an adult over time.

Reflect: 

• How have you changed over time?
• What things have happened in your life that have changed the way that you look at things?

More Opportunities to Learn about Third Coast Percussion

Check out the Pop-Up Library with videos, maps, music + more! z.umn.edu/TCPLibrary

Brought to you by UMN Libraries

Enjoy the Show!

We gratefully acknowledge the support from the National Endowment for the Arts, RBC Wealth Management, Minnesota State Arts Board, PNC Bank, and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music.