Bringing a diverse group of people together for a common cause is a popular way to promote unity among cultures. Some achieve this through forums or volunteer projects, but The Everyone Orchestra achieves it through music.
The musical collaboration project will combine 11 musicians playing instruments ranging from guitars to mandolins tonight at the McDonald Theatre. Founded by Eugene resident Matt Butler, the group’s stand-out feature is a different lineup of performers for every show, and tonight a big name will join the group: drummer Jon Fishman of the band Phish.
The Everyone Orchestra also will complete its show with a bit of activism. In tonight’s case, words from environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill will be included.
“Our intent is to create unique, magical moments with unique groups of people,” Butler said.
Although the performers change frequently, The Everyone Orchestra has a regular lineup, called “The Everyone Core-tet.” The lineup includes Butler on drums and didgeridoo (a low droning woodwind instrument consisting of a long hollow branch); Scott Law playing guitar and mandolin; Asher Fulero on keyboard and electronics; and bassist Damian Erskine. Butler presented his first improvisational show on New Year’s Eve 2000 and has since done “only big events” in New Orleans, Cincinnati, California and Oregon.
Butler said the group’s songs range from solo pieces to full-fledged melodies, with musicians following instructions printed on a cue card held up by a conductor. Commands include specific key changes, styles and moods, which lead to surprise and spontaneity from the orchestra.
“We’re really playful, and we’re not heady,” Butler said. “When we’re making this up in the moment, unique musical moments happen. It’s not about any individual or any band, its about being together.”
Part of the Orchestra’s playfulness derives from audience participation. Cue cards are directed away from the musicians, which instruct the audience to contribute vocals, such as booing, screaming and sounding like barnyard or jungle animals. The noise volume is lowered for guest speakers throughout the show, which often includes poets. Tonight, a hush will fall upon the theater for Hill, who is known to inspire audiences.
“She does grassroots activism, which is like lighting the fire under someone’s ass,” said publicist Dave Weissman, who promotes The Everyone Orchestra through his company, Musical Earth. “You feel charged after listening to her speak. Instead of just saying, ‘Listen, go and recycle,’ she says, ‘Listen, what you do matters, and this is why.’”
Another way The Everyone Orchestra promotes activism is by turning their shows into fund-raisers for nonprofit and environmental organizations. Tonight’s show will benefit The Pangaea Project, a Portland-based program that engages high school students from low-income families in a year of multicultural leadership.
The organization, which is still in the process of planning its first program, will give kids an opportunity to learn about local environmental or social issues, travel overseas to understand the issue through a global perspective, then teach others about the given issue upon returning to the United States.
The Pangaea Project co-founder Deb Delman said the program gives underprivileged kids who possess leadership skills a unique opportunity.
“Everyone has that potential to be a leader and make a difference,” she said. “We want to provide access to an experience that can spark that potential.”
The first program, which is slated for 2006, will explore deforestation and tree planting in Portland and Mali. Delman said using a single issue as a theme is an important element of the program.
“Any issue that is happening in the world is also happening in your community,” she said.
The McDonald Theatre is located at 1010 Willamette St. Tickets are on sale at Safeway TicketsWest outlets for $20. If not sold out, they also will be available at the McDonald Theatre Box Office at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.