"September Sixth" by Nathan Wheeler
is Boulder artist Wheeler's musical/theatrical memoir and response to the devastation of the recent Four Mile Canyon fire.
Free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended.
Reserve your seats here.
CU music graduate Wheeler explains, "September Sixth is my reaction to the Four Mile Canyon Fire which started on September 6th, 2010. The fire burned our home to the ground--home to my grandfather who built the house, my parents, younger brother and me. My mother and her family were raised there, and so were my brother and I. We moved in when I was six."
The piece uses a combination of found art, sound sculpture, dance, music and video to explore the fire, its aftermath and effect on Wheeler's life. Photos of the site taken by collaborators Michael Theodore, Jeff Ruane, Mark McCoin as well as Wheeler will be projected on the video wall of the ATLAS lobby.
The performance features:
- Wheeler on electronics, harmonium, voice, guitar, found objects and live video and dance.
- Janet Feder (regular performer with Boulder Laptop Orchestra) on prepared guitar and found objects.
- Mark McCoin on found objects.
- Curtis Broome on drums.
- Also dancers Luke Iwabuchi and Skye Hughes of CU's Music & Dance.
"The work mirrors the emotions I continue to go through as a result of the fire--surprise, anguish and suffering, then acceptance, and finally peace, joy and reverence."
Musical genres include a cappella, ambient, drone, noise, post-hardcore rock, and electronica. Live video accompanies most of the performance. Dance includes contact improvisation.
Note: The show will have moments of loud sustained sounds; earplugs will be provided at the door.
