4th Annual VITAL VOX: A VOCAL FESTIVAL Set for Brooklyn's Roulette, 10/29 & 30

The 4th annual VITAL VOX: A VOCAL FESTIVAL-an event that explores the myriad power of the human voice in its solo and ensemble forms across a multitude of genres-will take place at 8pm on October 29 and 30 at Roulette, located at 509 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Tickets are $15 ($10 Students/Seniors/Members) and can be purchased at www.roulette.org or by calling 917-267-0363. More information on the festival and the performers can be found at www.vitalfoxfest.com.

Over the course of two diverse evenings VITAL VOX will explore the theme of 'vox electronics,' featuring artists who expand their sonic vocabulary with electronics of all kinds. Performances will draw from wide-ranging international influences and genres including jazz, experimental, contemporary, free improvisation, world music, interactive electro-acoustic and audio sampling.

The October 29 program includes vocalist Philip Hamilton performing "Vocalscapes: Solitude", vocalist/composer Sabrina Lastman performing her original piece "An Encounter with 'El Duende'", and Unearthish-a duo comprised of violinist/composer/vocalist Sarah Bernstein and percussionist/electronic musician Satoshi Takeishi-performing Bernstein's compositions.

The October 30 program includes composer/vocalist/video and performance artist Lisa Karrer in collaboration with composer/multi-instrumentalist David Simons performing "Collision Theory: Works & Premieres for Voice & Multi-Media", composer/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Sasha Bogdanowitsch performing his new song cycle "Mirror Upon Mirror", and composer/performer Pamela Z performing works for voice, live processing and video. Full program details below.

VITAL VOX premiered in May 2009 at Teatro IATI (InterNational Theatre Arts Institute) in the East Village then continued in 2010 at ISSUE Project Room before moving to Roulette in 2011. Since its founding, the Festival has brought together some of the most talented & creative vocalists in NYC and featured nearly 20 projects and 30 vocalists. Sasha Bogdanowitsch & Sabrina Lastman are Artistic Directors for the festival, which is produced by World in One & Roulette. Roulette is a major New York City venue for contemporary music and intermedia art, internationally recognized for the presentation and promotion of experimental contemporary music, an incubator for young talent, and a laboratory where new ideas and new technologies are examined, appraised and developed.

VITAL VOX 2012 PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 8pm
Event link: http://roulette.org/events/vital-vox

Philip Hamilton - Vocalscapes: Solitude
Vocal explorer Philip Hamilton takes audiences on a journey of sounds using his voice, percussion and electronics. Hamilton, creator of the hit acapella show "VOICES", uses vocal styles from across the globe to expand the imagination. (www.voicestheshow.blogspot.com)

Watch a video HERE.

SABRINA LASTMAN – An Encounter with 'El Duende'
Sabrina Lastman will be presenting excerpts from her original piece An Encounter with 'El Duende': a multidisciplinary music performance for voice, sound, bowed psaltery, megaphone, percussions & visuals. Federico Garcia Lorca's eerily passionate world comes to life through this re-imagination of his written & visual artistry. Visuals by Shige Moriya. (www.sabrina-lastman.com)

Watch a video HERE.

SARAH BERNSTEIN – UNEARTHISH
Unearthish is the duo of Sarah Bernstein (voice, violin, electronics) with Satoshi Takeishi (percussion), performing Bernstein's compositions. Minimalist motifs meet avant-jazz formations, integrating sung and spoken poetry with acoustic and electric sound sculpture. (www.sarahbernstein.com)

Watch a video HERE.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 8pm
Event link: http://roulette.org/events/vital-vox-2

LISA KARRER - Collision Theory: Works & Premieres for Voice & Multi-Media
Lisa Karrer (in collaboration with composer/multi-instrumentalist David Simons) will present works for voice, electronics, interactive video, triggered theremin and keyboard, including premieres of Karrer's "Meeting Max: Vocal Experiments with Interactive Video Mixer", and Simons' "The Opera Within the Opera". (http://www.simons-karrer.com)

Video links:
1) Ziarah Dalam Gereja Gunung
2) Molecular Self Assembly (excerpt)

Sasha Bogdanowitsch - "Mirror Upon Mirror"
A new song cycle for solo voice & instruments that explores the 'reflecting glass' of live looping & processing. The work delves into the intersection between sung text and vocables and is accompanied by an assortment of original and world instruments, such as wind instruments like the syrinx, fujara & koncovka and percussion instruments like the ilimba. All this is intermingled with the unique electronic instrument, the tenori-on. The work will also feature unique dance and movement from guest artists, Andrew Broaddus, Helen Joyce and Michael Bauer on Cyr Wheel, all members of the Loom Ensemble. (www.sashabmusic.com)

Watch a video HERE.

PAMELA Z - Works for Voice, Live Processing, and Video
Pamela Z will perform short works for voice, live processing, gesture-controlled samples and interactive video, including excepts from Memory Trace. (www.pamelaz.com)

Watch a video HERE.