Program

Fate...

by Colin

Performance Notes- The player is to assemble the stand that is to be put over the track.  Both the player and the snare drum are to be placed on the stand on top of the mat directly over the tracks.  The sub woofer is to be placed on the opposite end of the drum.  Ear plugs of at least 30db should be used as well as vic firth's noise canceling headphones.  A white noise track is provided that should be played into the headphones at maximum volume. The handkerchief used to blind the performer will be at his or her discretion as long as no light is visible through the cloth.  The clock will be started as soon as the performer raises his or her sticks.  The top bidder (therefore "Big Money") will have the closest seat to the performer and will be responsible for removing the performer in the case of a train arriving.  The piece ends when the train passes

Ok...no

by Colin

The assembly is to be constructed prior to the performance and then slid towards the train as it approaches.  Each of the ten jars should be filled with spare bike parts that are small enough to rattle at slight vibration. Rider on the train must be in the last car to end the piece with the gong hit.

Getting the Space

That's me....

Where to do it?

First idea...scheduling office.

Then I realized that it is never open so I don't want to hipe up a concert and then not because to get in.

Second idea...during a class. 

Then I saw hundreds of videos of lame people doing that on youtube...

Third idea...hallway

Then Bob shut it down.

Fourth idea...pirates game

They suck.

Final and most awesome idea...right here

(these photos were taken at 6:30 am in October...way to go iphone 5!!!)

Its's a railroad track.  

Here is the spot on a map...

Problems

Audience Participation/Monetizabilty/Audience and Performer Saftey

This one is tricky.  I am writing a piece for solo snare drum that is comparable to Cage 4'33"only the performer has to stand on the railroad tracks, infront of his or her drum, wearing noise canceling ear plugs and a blindfold.  The piece is 22'44".  One audience member (who ever paid the most aka "big money") gets to be the "exit strategy."  If the performer chooses an unwise time to start the piece it is Big Money's job to save his or her life.  It will be a silent auction held at a fundraiser two weeks before the performance to determine who gets to be Big Money.  Matt Boomer and Max Starks have already agreed to be there to draw a crowd and be co-auctioneer.  Not to mention my smokin' hot wife

Also if it rains we could all die...



Acoustics/Environmental Sound
Two factors weigh heavily on this one:  a train passing and rush hour traffic.  While the location is removed enough to keep the Lawerenceville hipsters from overpowering the drums with their smug, it is on an active railroad not but 40 feet from a main traffic artery. Also, with no walls around to bounce sound off of the audience would have to be quite close to the performer.

Public or Private Space/Access
Luckily it is right next to a parking lot with tons of space.  There are signs that say you will get towed but I was there and took these pictures and I didn't get towed they are totally bluffing.

Lighting

If it were up to my iphone 5, I could have to concert at any time of the day or night and the pictures would come out amazing.  Yet, since it isn't, the concert would have to take place during the 2 hours of sunlight Pittsburgh gets during any given month of the year.

...no blog is complete without a cat

a baby

and this guy...