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The
Mutaytor
by
Rebecca Epstein
Flashy
theatrical percussion acts come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Think STOMP!,
Blue Man Group, or Cirque du Soliel. But L.A.'s own The Mutaytor has a unique
twist: This highly rhythmic and visually spectacular troupe is also totally
interactive. Blending fire performance, pyrotechnics, stunt performers, tribal
dancers, and the pounding of more than 50 drums, The Mutaytor's shows never
fail to dissolve the line between audience and artist. In other words, the
performance troupe causes people get up and dance.
The
Mutaytor is "a very visceral experience that forces people to
participate," says Matty Nash, who founded the group in 1998. "The
fireplay adds a level of excitement that's very primal, in addition to our
heavy drum attack." Yet, he remains amazed by how listeners at
performances begin to "mutayte," expressing themselves with physical
abandon, every time the band starts to play.
Nash
believes the music and the movement, in addition to being fun, help strengthen
communities by simply removing social and psychological barriers between
people. (The troupe also regularly performs to promote music therapy and
education.) Get "mutayted" yourself this weekend during the West
Hollywood Pride Festival.
West Hollywood Pride Festival
Saturday and Sunday along Santa Monica Boulevard in WeHo. For more information,
visit www.lapride.org.
© 2003
Southland Publishing, All Rights Reserved
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