| THE SCOUT 03.24.08 11:15 AM |
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| Avant-Garde Entertainers |
| On the hunt for an original act? Here's a collection of offbeat performers who can amuse, shock, and intrigue an audience. |
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A Light Show
Using light, color, and motion to create dramatic effects, Luma’s performers (each clad entirely in black) dance and spin to create high-tech effects that are surprisingly not computer-generated, producing displays such as spiraling DNA helixes or a galaxy of stars. Luma has entertained audiences at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and corporate clients include the SciFi Channel and Mercedes-Benz. Booking is through Industrial Artist Management, and rates start at $17,500. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Luma uses light to represent DNA helixes or a galaxy of stars.
Photo: Courtesy of Luma |
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 | The Magnetic Poets pair their original music with videos.
Photo: Courtesy of Scott Dewar |
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 | Performing arts troupe Flam Chen combines theater and pyrotechnics.
Photo: Courtesy of Stu Jenks |
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 | Performance artist Nelson Loskamp gives "electric chaircuts."
Photo: Courtesy of Jason Graham |
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 | Lucent Dossier combines circus acts with flamboyant costumes and modern dance.
Photo: Courtesy of Brion Tapolski |
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Poetry in Motion
The Magnetic Poets create live music videos with high-tech instruments that allow the group to improvise video production. The five-person group (mostly based in the Bay Area) is led by founder Christopher Hedge, a two-time Grammy-nominated recording artist. Content ranges from a live interpretation of Web traffic converted to music and video waveforms to original branded images and music for corporate presentations. The Magnetic Poets have performed during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and for corporate clients such as Cisco and Oracle. Depending on the scale of the project, rates can range from $18,000 to more than $200,000.
Up In Flames
Flam Chen, a Tucson-based pyrotechnic theater troupe, uses fire and other theatrical effects like cluster balloons and elaborate costumes in its performances and installation-art-like displays. The group’s Rites of Spring show merges modern dance and oversize insect sculptures that erupt into flames. The troupe has performed at festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival and for corporate clients like Tucson-based Angel Charity. Customizable shows start at $8,000.
A Real Buzz
Nelson Loskamp provides Electric Chaircuts, a performance that involves taping volunteers into a chair and, armed with scissors and clippers outfitted with microphones to pick up the cutting sounds, cutting their hair—providing anything from trims to Mohawks. (Consider it a high-art take on a sales leader’s typical “I’ll shave my head if you meet this target” motivational stunt.) The New Yorker has performed at London’s Horniman Museum, at the Siren Music Festival, and at events for Paper and Intercoiffure magazines. Rates start at $2,500.
A Couture Circus
Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque incorporating wild costumes, modern dance, and imaginative sets to put a twist on acts like aerial performers, fire breathers, and stiltwalkers. The Los Angeles-based troupe has toured worldwide with bands like Aerosmith and Panic at the Disco and played for corporate clients including BCBG and video-game manufacturer Activision. Customized performances start at $10,000.
—Lisa Cericola & Mark Mavrigian
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