New, old and crazy
The term New Vaudeville doesn’t adequately explain what the New Old Time Chautauqua is all about.
In fact, the only way to explain it is to list a few of the 13 acts on the bill at tonight’s benefit show for KYRS-FM (Thin Air Community Radio, 92.3/89.9).
Here’s how tour manager Joannie Murayama described them:
“Shoehorn, a tap-dancing saxophone player.
“Nanda, a hip-hop juggling troupe with martial arts moves.
“Faith Petric, a 91-year-old folk singer.
“The Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band/Orchestra, the 17-piece house band that plays everything from Sousa to Bollywood to salsa to funk.
“They’re pretty crazy,” said Murayama.
In the words of hobo troubadour Utah Phillips, a past member, the Chautauqua is a “highly organized, well-traveled, marvelously skilled and benign madhouse.”
The New Old Time Chautauqua was founded in 1981 by a group of performers including Seattle’s Flying Karamazov Brothers and Dr. Patch Adams, later portrayed by Robin Williams in the movie.
Most of the acts came up through the Oregon County Fair in Eugene or Seattle’s Moisture Festival, both famous spawning grounds of New Vaudeville acts.
It’s a show for all ages that is irreverent and innovative, while at the same time being respectful of the nation’s old-time traditions of variety entertainment.
The other acts on the bill are:
“Baby Gramps, Seattle’s well-known and eccentric old-timey musician.
“Ivan Karamazov, one of the famous brothers.
“The Planets, “retro rock from the future.”
“Land Fill Harmonics, “surprising music from surprising instruments.”
“Spike & Boom Boom, “music with environmental teeth.”
“The Dream Science Circus Acrobats.
“Stephen Bent, juggler.
“Haute Trash Fashions, a unique fashion show.
“David Clay, “the Christopher Walken of jugglers.”
The New Old Time Chautauqua is kicking off its summer tour with this show. After Spokane, they’ll head off to Troy, Polson, Browning, Missoula and other Montana towns, and then on to Boise.
They often partner up with nonprofit organizations – such as KYRS, which is Spokane’s volunteer-run, low-power progressive radio station – to do benefits.