- Reflections on Learning
- My play excerpt at the Playwright's Festival
- Robert Wallace and Total Rhythm
- Reaffirming a committment
- State of Grace
- The Holy Trinity of Music's Appeal
- Cold weather and drumming don't mix
- Cheb-i-Sabbah and the spirituality of the musical moment
- Refound: The English Beat's "I Just Can't Stop It"
- Lessons from a yogi
The Tech in Techlorico
(This description originally appeared as a brief article in the 2004 SF Fringe Festival daily journal.)
Balé Techlorico blends contemporary performance forms - predominantly urban theatre, music and dance - with folkloric traditions from around the world. Named after the balé focloricos that represent traditional performance throughout Latin America, we also wanted to incorporate the modern concrete and chaos to which we have adapted.
Technology: We live in the technological world, and our group is influenced by this fact. But our shows generally do not contain much, if any, electronic or multi-media elements. We have our hands full with drums for the time being - not to mention the occasional shopping cart or puppet.
Technique: Each company member brings and shares their training in contemporary and traditional performance. From Caribbean to modern dance; traditional Brazilian songs to hip-hop; contemporary drama mixed with magical spiritualism and contact improv. We learn from each other as we go; rehearsals are an ongoing workshop.
Technics: Yes, the 1200s - the turntables that revolutionized music. Our show is heavily influenced by urban music, from hip-hop to drum and (washtub) bass.
Texture: It's a phonetic stretch, but that's our aim: to create performance pieces that relate viscerally, through your body as well as your ears and eyes. We want you to enter our world - not just see it from the outside. And if you feel the need to sing along, clap to the rhythm or shake your booty, then be our guest.
