TVS and two fingers
Performance Poetry and Sound Art
Fort Collins, Colorado
Who are we?
TVS and two fingers is a three-person performing troupe from Fort Collins, Colorado. All three are poets and sound artists. Since their first performance in 1996, they have pioneered “The Visual Sound” and presented it to audiences in theaters, coffeehouses, festivals and schools. They are known as charismatic performers and inspiring educators.
What are we talking about?
“Performance Poetry” is the act of presenting poetry out loud to an audience.
“Sound Art” is the process of using traditional and nontraditional instruments to create a background for the words.
Put performance poetry and sound art together and you have a unique art form that TVS and two fingers calls “The Visual Sound.” The original sounds and poetry that they perform aim at creating vivid imagery in the mind. Students of all ages can join in the fun and become “Poets Out Loud!” when the group comes to visit.
What do we do?
“Poets Out Loud!” is the name TVS and two fingers have given to their current school workshop program. The program includes performances that feature interactive situations, intensive workshops in writing, sound art and performance techniques, as well as gala events featuring students and/or the general public.
Why?
Poetry has become more and more popular in recent years. It is an expressive art that takes little or no materials- just a willingness to try. Adding sound art turns poetry into something new, interesting and entertaining. The “Poets Out Loud!” program by TVS and two fingers encourages and inspires young writers to think of poetry and sound in a new way. The group’s goal is to foster a more informed appreciation for performing arts and to create new poets and sound artists everywhere we go.
Where?
TVS and two fingers is now ready to bring “Poets Out Loud!” to your school, library or community center.
TVS and two fingers
TVS and two fingers have been creating their unique combination of performance poetry and sound art since the group’s debut performance in Fort Collins, Colorado on New Year’s Eve 1996. Poet Tim Van Schmidt joined forces with Mark J. Rosoff and Dave Zekman, members of the experimental music group two fingers, in the Fall of 1996 to record their first independent album release, “More Poets Inside,” a limited edition cassette. The group debuted the album and their act during their hometown’s inaugural First Night festival.
Since then, TVS and two fingers have performed extensively in Colorado and Wyoming, as well as in the East Coast states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The group has also released three more independent albums, including “Live,” “Dreaming of the Pyramids” and the most recent recording, “Air and Words,” also the title of the group’s first book. TVS and two fingers have appeared on two albums by Australian storyteller and didjeridoo player Paul Taylor and on a CD compilation of poetry from Sparrows, Colorado’s Performance Poetry Festival. They also recorded and produced the recent CD release by award-winning Colorado poet James Tipton, “Letters from a Stranger.”
TVS and two fingers have sought out a wide variety of venues for presenting their art. They have played in coffeehouses, nightclubs, book stores, theaters, festivals, residential treatment centers, craft shows, art galleries, museums, parks, libraries, arts centers, living rooms, churches, urban youth centers and on radio. TVS and two fingers have also supported a variety of nonprofit organizations by playing numerous benefit performances, including appearances for Public Radio for the Front Range, Swallow Hill Music Association, Friends of the Library, Rocky Mountain Center for the Book, Open Door Mission and the American Cancer Society. Not only does the group perform, but they also host open mike opportunities for other poets to read to improvisational background sounds.
Along with performing to the general public, TVS and two fingers have worked extensively at schools, doing performances and workshops for students in all grades- from pre-school through university graduate level. On two occasions, they did performance workshops with Columbine High School students in the time of healing following the Columbine tragedy. TVS and two fingers have worked with a variety of school organizations, including special performing arts schools, charter schools and public schools.
TVS and two fingers
"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
"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
"Parkview has had the pleasure of having TVS and two fingers present to our students on three separate occasions. The last visit to our school was a three-day artist-in-residence stay when they worked with all elementary and middle school students, and with our Destination Imagination teams more intensely. Their time culminated in a public performance, which was attended by a nearly full house- an audience full of fans and of those who heard of them through word of mouth. Our students have a better appreciation for rhyme, rhythm and the creative touch after spending time with these three wonderful creators/performers!"
Mary Lansing, Principal Parkview Elementary, Rangely, Colorado
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TVS and two fingers
TVS and two fingers would like to introduce you to an exciting and innovative new poetry program for youth of all ages. We have been creating our unique combination of performance poetry and sound art since 1996. Our Colorado-based performance troupe has also developed a series of performance workshops designed for the program needs of language, music and performance arts departments.
TVS and two fingers' performance workshop programs engage the listener as well as include them in the process of creating performance poetry. Workshop formats are designed to include interactive sessions in which students are encouraged to create original poetry, learn about making sound art and not only become familiar with performance techniques, but use them. This is why the program is called "Poets Out Loud!"
Performance poetry workshop programs by TVS and two fingers have been presented to students of all ages, including poetry therapy classes at Columbine High School, at-risk youth treatment facilities and urban youth centers. TVS and two fingers have also presented at numerous elementary, junior high and high schools, graduate classes at Colorado State University and at performing arts schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts. 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 school or facility.
Purpose
The purpose of the Poets Out Loud! program is to inspire students of all ages to write poetry, play sound art and perform for an audience. This is accomplished by creating an encouraging and supportive atmosphere with a positive attitude. TVS and two fingers provide performance poetry and sound art instruction as well as a willingness to explore new ideas. The group maintains an adaptability that can only be the result of experience in a wide range of situations.
The Poets Out Loud! program is not only meant to be fun, but it also fulfills learning objectives in a wide range of curriculums. These include English, Theatre and Music programs as well as Creative Writing, Public Speaking and Production Arts. The benefits include boosting self-esteem, learning to work with others, writing for personal expression and thinking outside the box.
How it works...
TVS and two fingers custom design each program to the specific needs of each group. The basics of the program, however, remain the same. First, TVS and two fingers perform their original work in an introductory concert segment. The group then introduces the interactive process with "On a Moment's Notice," an activity where sound art instruments are demonstrated for the audience and word reactions are solicited. One member of the troupe then creates a poem on the spot using the suggestions. The new poem is performed for the audience immediately. The result is usually delight as audience members hear their own words in a new context.
Further, the members of TVS and two fingers lead workshop segments for specifically designated classes. These workshops concentrate on writing activities that encourage individual writing as well as group interaction. Often the group work becomes the basis for multi-voice performance pieces. TVS and two fingers also introduce the concepts of sound art and demonstrate a wide variety of instruments making a full palatte of sound.
Next, the group demonstrates the use of performance equipment, most notably a microphone with an amplifier. Then all these elements are tied together in practice. The desired conclusion of these sessions is a performance for peers and/or the general public. During performances, TVS and two fingers frequently ask for volunteers to act as guest sound artists. Between performing multi-voice poems and using sound art volunteers, TVS and two fingers attempts to use as many students in the final performance as possible
TVS and two fingers
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 with 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."
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We welcome your comments and booking inquiries!!TVS and two fingers
Performance Poetry and Sound Art
Fort Collins, Colorado
by TVS and two fingers
TVS:
My path started in Germany, England,
Canada, the farm lands of Illinois
It got big when we moved out West,
shallow roots in the desert soil
In the city I got LA wings,
then I perched high in a rainforest tree
I settled near the mountains to love and breed
and now this poem is coming to me
My path doesn’t have a name
There is no direction it’s an inner flame
My path is not completed yet
And what you are is what you get
MJR:
My path started in Connecticut
UMass, New York, Jersey and the rest
Married early, chose the best
Moved around and headed West
My path picked Colorado
A small town city to build a nest
Evolving into new choice
Giving art another voice
My path has been changed
Chosen new and left the blame
My path is growing still
And what you get is what you will
DZ:
The road behind me
Had flowed through Russia
Down to rivers of Hungary
Sailed to lands of distant freedom
Onto these shores as émigré
My road sprouted o’ deep western
Ran down east to waters of Maine
Turned Northwest to lands of lava
Churning in circles and turning again
The road behind me is laced with silver
The road ahead a boundless plain
I walk my path in big glass slippers
From time to time there is some pain
All three:
Three paths,
collaboration,
An invitation to the integration of imagination
To life…to words…to song
Three paths talking it out,
Mixing it up, overcoming doubt
Three paths converging here
Including you and your ears
Three paths working as one
Music and words, moon and sun
Three paths dancing with sound
Whatever it is keeps us around…
TVS and two fingers
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
TVS and two fingers
Colorado: Columbine High School, Colorado State University, Parkview Elementary, Parkview Middle School, Early Learning Center, McGraw Elementary, Pioneer School, Fort Collins High School, Salida Middle School, Preston Junior High, Mesa County Library, Fort Collins Public Library, Lost and Found Boys Residential treatment Center, The Spot Urban Youth Center, Sparrows, Colorado's Performance Poetry Festival, Kidspree, Boys and Girls Club.
Wyoming: Laramie Community College, Lander Elementary, St. Stephens Indian School, Sheridan College, Highland Park High School, Laramie County Library System, Fulmer Public Library, Pine Bluff Public Library.
Connecticut: CES Middle School, Coleytown Elementary, Bassick High School.
Massachusetts: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School, Hilltown Elementary
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