BLUE FLOWER / WEIMARBAND

News Archive

SEPTEMBER 2002

HERE ARTS CENTER Artist Residency Program (HARP)

THE BLUE FLOWER PROJECT IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS BEEN AWARDED A YEAR-LONG RESIDENCY AT THE HERE ARTS CENTER'S ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM (HARP) FOR THE 2002-2003 SEASON.

As members of the HARP community, composer/performer Jim Bauer (music, lyrics, book) and his wife, visual artist Ruth Bauer (art, art direction, book) will have for the first time the theatrical environment and resources necessary to develop their narrative song-cycle The Blue Flower into the interdisciplinary, multi-media "collage poem" originally envisioned when the project started over two years ago.

The only music theater piece to be selected by the PUBLIC THEATER/NY SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL'S "NEW WORK NOW FESTIVAL" in May 2001, The Blue Flower has also been presented in other workshop performances to sold-out audiences at JOE'S PUB in August and December 2001 under the direction of RICK DESROCHERS, and at the BOTTOM LINE CABARET in March 2002.

Until now, the project has been presented in music venues, and will now be further developed in accordance with its original artistic goals, taking full advantage of its new theatrical home. Over the course of the coming year, it will be presented at HERE in a series of workshop performances, culminating in performances as part of the HERE CULTUREMART FESTIVAL in January 2003. The story, set at the end of World War I and the beginning of the Weimar Republic, will be told almost entirely through song, sound and imagery: an elaborate "live silent film"

In addition to workshop performances of The Blue Flower, the 10-piece WEIMARBAND has also given separate concert performances at a variety of music venues in New York City, including MAKOR, GALAPAGOS ART SPACE, THE BITTER END, and THE PYRAMID CLUB.

"STURM N' TWANG", The Weimarband's first demo recording, featuring song selections from The Blue Floower, was recorded January 29th at SOUNDTRAC STUDIOS, NYC. We're proud of this recording, which honors the tradition of real musicians playing music together, live and unedited, in real time. The CD may be purchased on at www.cdbaby.com.