DCCA News: It’s indescribable!

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Darke County Center for the Arts sometimes gets complaints for presenting the “same-old, same-old,” a criticism with which I disagree, but one which regularly recurs regardless of its accuracy or fairness.

Paradoxically, when DCCA presents an out-of-the-box kind of performance, the response often is “I don’t know what they do. I don’t know if I’ll enjoy it. So why should I go to the show?”

DCCA will present AudioBody at St. Clair Memorial Hall on Dec. 15. The show is hard to describe, and you’ve probably never seen anything quite like it. However, this happy synthesis of music, comedy, music, and technology that has been amazing audiences with its ingenuity for almost 20 years should not be missed!

Masterminded by Matthew and Jason Tardy, AudioBody began in 1994 when the then teen-aged brothers performed some sketch comedy in their small hometown in Maine, capturing the attention of master artists with whom they apprenticed and trained. Comedians, jugglers, a mime master, and Cirque du Soleil artists helped shape the duo’s physical comedy routines which they successfully toured around the country for several years. And then they created something completely different!

Comparisons to similar acts do not exist, as there is no such creature; this one-of-a-kind performance simply must be seen to be believed. AudioBody uses an arsenal of audio-visual inventions during their fast-paced show. They wear electronic jumpsuits that play music as they move, manipulate LED light tubes at high speeds in the dark, utilize a 15-foot wide drum set rigged with bungee cords while constantly one-upping each other with juggling, music, contortions, and hilarity—and more.

AudioBody has appeared on national TV, played casinos and resorts, and performed at the White House three times, indicating a broad appeal for—whatever it is that they do. Comments from previous presenters offer insight into what to expect. “Two guys, great music, funny suits, and lights all add up to much more than the sum of their parts. They dazzled everyone from 5-year-olds to 85-year-olds,” claims one ecstatic presenter. “The show was something not seen before… lights, techno-music, dance, acrobatics, juggling comedy, robotics… a show that bristled with energy,” writes another. But the following blurb succinctly says it best: “An act like no other!”

The show is a part of DCCA’s Coffeehouse Series, but befitting the unique qualities of this performance, could not be staged in the intimate spaces usually housing this series. However, DCCA officials wanted to present this fantastic act for the broader community to enjoy in addition to AudioBody’s performances at Memorial Hall for junior high students as part of DCCA’s Arts In Education program. Since the show is simply too big to be contained in another venue, the decision was made to simply add a night-time performance for the general public at the small cost of $10 a ticket. And yes, coffee and cookies will be served, adding to the coffeehouse feel.

AudioBody will present a funny, hip, cool, cutting edge show unlike anything you’ve ever seen. To reserve your seat, contact DCCA at 937-547-0908 or [email protected]. Tickets can be purchased online at www.centerforarts.net, and will be available at the door prior to the show which starts at 7 p.m.

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By Marilyn Delk

DCCA News

Marilyn Delk is a director of the Darke County Center for the Arts and can be reached at [email protected]. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

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