I'm really looking forward to the concert on Tuesday. I think it will be fun to listen to him after interviewing him and I'd like to hear some of his songs and I'd like to see more of his instruments; I like some of his songs; I don't know a lot of them. I think it will be really fun.
Spot reporter,
Elijah
Cyro and Beat the Donkey were very nice on Friday and interviewing them was fun. They play on about anything they can find that makes sound: toys,copper,plastic, you name it. But they use normal instruments, too, like a piano or guitar,but the less "normal" stuff is funner,so that's what they use.
Spot Reporter,
Elijah
On April 4 below we talked about the instrument called a theramin and asked if anyone knew what it is. Spot Kid Bryan wrote what he knows about it below. Read about it in the comments and then google the theramin and see more. It is the one instrument you play without touching it! WHAT?!!!
It was so fun in Marshalltown to see Beat the Donkey create on the spot.
Now, when you see them perform you have to really pay attention to the instruments they are playing because it might just as easily be a metal Thermos bottle as a cuica and you can't tell from the sound if it is something ordinary or something extra ordinary.
So we had a great two sessions at Rogers Elementary in Marshalltown. The students there were right into the performance from the very start and made for such a fine time. There was a break of about a half hour between the two groups. We were in the gym at the school and while we waited the Beat the Donkey members, located some balls in a closet that were used for gym class. They pulled out 4 different sizes and proceeded to experiment with using a ball bounced on a drum head. They then tried out various combinations of balls as drum sticks with balls bounced on the floor and wall and balls passed around. Within 10 minutes they had created a new thing for their next performance! It was stunning visually and sounded great. The kids loved it!
It seems like this is such a freeing and creative part of the group: being open to any possibility and not limiting ideas. I find it so entertaining to see "what's next." Of course, the real purpose is to make great music that engages people. And that it does that always. Extraordinary.
Ron
First stop on the Spot Tour 4 left everyone feeling they had learned something new about the world, made some new friends, heard some instruments we hadn't heard before. After a Family fun night, two workshops, and a school visit, the final performance pulled together things we had seen over the three days and lots of new things into an amazing performance.
We recognised some things from the workshop like the plumbing pipe instrument and Chikako's tap dancing. Then here were new things: African percussion intruments, the "don't smoke" song, and the superb musicianship of all the members of Beat the Donkey.
Here are a few pictures of the time in Perry (click on thumbnail for larger picutres):
Cyro and local Perry student at Family Fun night play music
with world percussion instruments.
Beat the Donkey working with a drumming group
at Woodward Academy.
Cyro plays the plumbing pipe and
flip-flop instrument.
Cyro and Perry kids play instruments that
recreate the Brazilian rainforest sounds.
Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey
performance in Perry.
Cyro and Beat the Donkey have amazed kids and adults here in Perry now for two days. Only the main performance remains and I for one can't wait. I hadn't seen them perform before we arrived in Perry and what a delight! The group is so fun and inventive and incredible percussionists. Every time they perform there is something new--Cyro playing the plastic plumbing pipe and flip-flops instrument. Brian's Fisher-Price piano. The Brazilian influence. Instruments and sounds from Africa. Much, much more all pulled together into an amazing and beautiful performance.
Here is snapshot from the Family Fun night on Friday at the Perry Elementary school.Click on the photo to see it larger.
Ron
Cyro and Chikako and Brian and Zé and Lisette and Clay and Gil are heading to Iowa and will be in Perry day after tomorrow. No matter which town you are in, be sure to check the schedule at Spot Kids and see where they will be. You won't want to miss hearing them, meeting them, and learning new things about world music!
Write us and we will post it on the blog right here! Send to spot@spotkids.com
The schedules for Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey as they head out to Perry, Marshalltown, Spencer, and Iowa City are all listed on the Spot Kids website. Take a look and get the events on your calendar. Be sure to check back from time to time in case there are any additions or changes. The schedules are right here.
