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Moment's Notice

September 5, 2010

	Performance Poetry and Sound Art Performances for All Ages

We would like to introduce you to an exciting and innovative new performance poetry and sound art experience.

TVS and two fingers have been creating a unique combination of performance poetry and sound art since 1996. This Colorado-based troupe have presented their art, playfully termed "The Visual Sound," in a diversity of venues including theaters, night clubs, coffee houses, arts centers, museums and galleries, as well as in festivals and on radio

Live performances by TVS and two fingers engage the listener as well as include them in the process of creating performance poetry. Event workshops are designed to involve event participants in experimenting and creating rhythms and sound art and interacting with others. Performances are appropriate for all ages, though not just for kids. TVS and two fingers have regularly performed in such regional events as the Colorado Performing Arts Festival, First Night Fort Collins, Kidspree and the Taste of Colorado.

We are hoping you will find our program of interest and would be excited to talk with you about bringing TVS and two fingers to your event or venue!

	What we do...

When TVS and two fingers hit the stage, the fun comes fast. Many of the performance poetry pieces are relatively short compared to the usual contemporary song forms audiences are used to hearing. This means that TVS and two fingers perform a much wider variety of material in a short time. The members of the group usually change instruments with each new piece, taking the audience on a truly unique word and sound experience. But more, all three members of TVS and two fingers are poets and each voice is featured prominently throughout the show.

In workshops, TVS and two fingers concentrate on writing activities that encourage individual work as well as group interaction. TVS and two fingers also introduce the concepts of sound art, demonstrate the use of performance equipment, then tie all of these elements together in practice.

	What we play...

One of the most striking elements of TVS and two fingers performances is the instrumentation the group uses. There are plenty of traditional instruments, including flute, guitar and mandolin. But it's the nontraditional instruments that often capture the audience's attention. These include "instruments" such as toys, masking tape, bubble wrap, paper bags, scissors and many more household items as well as various electronic and acoustic sounds. The percussion station in particular is a wild assortment of noise-making items including pot and pan lids, bundt pans, bicycle bells and honking horns. The instruments are all either found or made by members of the group. The percussion ensembles are the creation of member Mark J. Rosoff, otherwise known as "Doctor Sound Art."

	Performance Highlights

Fort Collins, Loveland: First Night Fort Collins, Stone Lion Bookstore, Bas Bleu Theatre, Avogadro's Number, Lincoln Center, LOFI Gallery, NewWestFest, Fort Collins Public Library, Max's Subsonic, The Starlight, Everyday Joe's, Jade Creek Bookstore, Starry Night Coffee Company, Colorado State University, Jon's Blue Note, Old Town Square, Sunset Events Center, Rocky Mountain Coffee Connection, Aggie Theatre, KKPI-FM, KCSU-FM, KRFC-FM, Foote Lagoon Amphitheatre, Rialto Theater, Loveland Museum, Java Hut.

Red Feather Lakes: Rocky Mountain Shambhala Center.

Denver: Swallow Hill Music Association Folkathon, Bug Theater, Colorado Performing Arts Festival, Daily Grind, Rocky Mountain Book Festival, Northglenn Recreation Center, Columbine High School, The Spot, Mercury Cafe.

Boulder: Penny Lane.

Salida: Sparrows Colorado's Performance Poetry Festival.

Wyoming: Laramie County Library System, LCCC Playhouse, Sheridan College, Fulmer Public Library, Pine Bluff Public Library, Hitching Post Inn.

New York City: Swift.

Northampton: Fire and Water.

	Quote: Jim Schwartzkopff

"Poetry that is witty and insightful melded to what can only be called 'sound art' creates a unique presence on stage. Both playful and serious, TVS and two fingers can take you places no other group even knows about!"

Jim Schwartzkopff, Coordinator for Secondary Stages, A Taste of Colorado

	Press Quote: Wingspan

"In addition to traditional instruments such as steel guitar, a baritone, a piccolo and a flute, the group utilized sounds created with ordinary household items. Masking tape was ripped in rhythm; scissors and hedge clippers snipped in time with one another; pot lids doubled as drums and cymbals, and bicycle ringers rang at different pitches. Large screeching and snorting balloons and a blatting baritone made the sounds of Godzilla. Whistles and tooters imitated bugs and beetles, and a thunderstorm emerged from tin foil, PVC pipes with springs, snapping bubble wrap and a tambourine. Coffee cans, authentic bundt cake molds, electronic toys, wood blocks, mixing bowls with water in them, squeaky dog toys, twirling plastic tubing and even an Australian didjeridoo player from the audience contributed to the performance."

Kiah Wilkins, Laramie County Community College Wingspan

	Schools

Kids rush the stage...

Rangely, Colorado

	Libraries

View from the stage...

Jackson, Wyoming

	Coffee Houses

View from the stage...

Salida, Colorado

	House Concerts

Connecticut

	TVS and two fingers Contact:

Mark J. Rosoff 970.482.8903 frisfirstaid@earthlink.com
Tim Van Schmidt 970.482.9473 timvs56@frii.com
Dave Zekman 970.498.0063 zekhills@juno.com