Billy Martin’s Stridulations for the Good Luck Feast

Saturday, March 24 / 10am ET / Visit Knoxville Visitors Center

In addition to his performance with Medeski Martin & Wood, solo show on the drums, and art exhibition to be announced, Billy Martin will also give a special presentation for kids (and kids at heart) during the Big Ears weekend, explaining and demonstrating his rhythmic game piece Stridulations for the Good Luck Feast. The educational program, free and open to the public, will be broadcast live on WDVX Kidstuff with Sean McCullough Saturday, March 24 at WDVX Studios located at the Visit Knoxville Visitors Center.

Children will be guided through the process of rhythmic and musical phrasing, as well as counterpoint and collective improvisation, to better understand how they contribute to our musical vocabulary and daily life. On-site musicians will join Billy for demonstrations, encouraging young participants to make rhythmic music of their own.

This unique approach to understanding “Rhythmic Harmony” (Billy’s term) is closer to the aural traditions in many folk cultures around the world, particularly the Pan-African diaspora. Billy hopes this will encourage kids to develop their own rhythmic vocabulary and connect with their communities. Join us!

Stay tuned for full programming details at WDVX Studios located at the Visit Knoxville Visitors Center including panel discussions and the Symposium of Sound, Blue Plate Specials broadcast live on WDVX with Big Ears artists, a special dual radio station broadcast called Music for 2 Radios, and info about Beats & Eats, our local food truck home base.