Group, Individual Acts Make a "Musicircus"

By Samantha Juda

Eight pianists, multiple dancers, poets, guitar players, vocalists and even a fountain in the upstairs men's bathroom entertained visitors to the Music and Dance Building Thursday, Oct. 25, for the "Musicircus." The event honored the 100th birthday of composer John Cage.

Cage premiered "Musicircus" in 1967, when he had multiple musicians perform different acts at the same time.

SCU Presents hosted the event in his honor with students, faculty and staff all performing their own art in the building.
Although there were some expected acts including the choir, jazz band and dance classes, the event brought surprises. There were instruments in the elevator and men's bathroom, among other locations. Performers used every inch of the building for their stage, including outside.

Spectators were encouraged to get up close and personal with performers and interact with the music. The audience was free to roam the building and tune in or out of any performance at their leisure. Some meandered through the stage as they listened to each of the three pianists' works (above), while others walked through the lobby and witnessed a group of four women singing a cappella, a flamenco dancer, poet, announcer and accordion player all playing simultaneously (above right). The elevator featured a minipiano for entertainment (right) and the upstairs men's bathroom featured a water fountain that played a tune as water drops fell onto hanging tin cans (below).

Contact Samantha Juda at sjuda@scu.edu or (408) 554- 4849.