Everyone Orchestra 'Conducts Second Annual Benefit Concerts in Portland and Eugene

Cooperative of Improvisational Musicians from Phish, String Cheese Incident Band Together to Raise Funds for The Pangaea Project; Collaborative Workshops Allow Fans to Drum and Strum with Star Talent

Portland, OR (PRWEB) March 3, 2005 -- The Everyone Orchestra offers a new paradigm for live music by combining various musicians from popular touring bands for two nights of improvisational music when the group performs the 2nd Annual Pangaea Project Benefit at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland Thursday and Friday April 14, 15 and at WOW Hall in Eugene Saturday, April 16.

The roster of performers includes Jon Fishman of Phish, Billy Nershi and Michael Travis of String Cheese Incident, Kai Eckhardt of Garaj Mahal, Everyone Orchestra founder Matt Butler, and a number of other musicians.

The Everyone Orchestra catalyzes revolving casts of musicians who combine energy and talent to raise funds and awareness for local non-profits through performance of songs and improvisational music. Each Everyone Orchestra performance culminates in unique and unpredictable segments featuring a conductor directing both musicians and audience alike in interactive, lively, and highly danceable jams.

The 2004 inaugural events raised funds and awareness for The Pangaea Project which is a yearlong program for low-income teenagers that combines international service work with localized volunteer projects, promoting the development of leadership skills, increasing global awareness, and fostering a commitment to work towards social change. Proceeds from Everyone Orchestra show ticket sales, fundraising raffles, and other generous donations will be contributed to The Pangaea Project.

Last years Pangaea Project benefit at the Aladdin Theatre was enlivened by guest speakers: at-the-time presidential candidate/Congressman Dennis Kucinich, environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, and Pangaea Project founders Deb Delman and Stephanie Tolk. Ms. Butterfly Hill reflects on the Everyone Orchestra, I was blown away by the talent, humor, love, and brilliantly orchestrated improvisation coming together in what truly can be described as magic."

The magic continues April 14 and 15 in Portland and April 16 in Eugene with music interpreted by an all-star talent lineup within the Everyone Orchestra. Butler explains "We simply pass the 'musical talking stick around the collective group of players and take turns leading the stage, much like sharing music around a campfire. Then we culminate in moments when everyone is on stage at once, playing conducted improvisations together." The concerts are designed to create space for each performers musical personality to shine and facilitate a massive celebratory coming together with the conducted segments.

In true collaborative fashion, the percussive members of the Everyone Orchestra, Jon Fishman, Michael Travis, Matt Butler and Jamie Janover, will be holding a community drum and percussion session at the Crystal Ballroom the afternoon of Friday, April 15. Simultaneously, a singer/songwriter workshop featuring Billy Nershi, Scott Law and Libby Kirkpatrick will also take place at the Crystal Ballroom. For an additional $15 contribution to The Pangaea Project, percussionists, drummers, singers, songwriters and all music fans are invited to join these professional musicians in a unity-focused connection to rhythm and songs at 4 PM at the Crystal Ballroom.

A limited number of VIP Tickets are available for the Portland Everyone Orchestra shows. VIP Tickets include A signed event poster and an after-show meet and greet with the musicians.

Thursday and Friday, April 14 and 15: Crystal Ballroom -- http://www.mcmenamins.com/crystal

1332 W. Burnside -- 503- 225-0047

Tickets for a single show general admission: $20 advance, $25 door

Two day general admission pass: $35

Single show VIP: $40

(VIP entitles the ticket holder to a signed poster and admittance to that evenings post-show meet and greet with the performers; which is to take place in the balcony of the main ballroom)

Two day VIP: $70

(Two day VIP entitles the holder to all of the VIP benefits plus admittance to the workshop on Friday afternoon),

Friday Rhythm Workshop: $15

Tickets on sale at all TicketMaster locations: http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/856560 and Baseline Ticketing: http://sci.baselineticketing.com/choose.php?lid=1063

Doors open at 8 PM Shows start at 9 PM.

Complete List of Players for the Second Annual Pangaea Project Benefit

Featuring The Everyone Orchestra

Portland, OR -- Crystal Ballroom -- April 14, 15

Matt Butler--Drums

Jon Fishman--Drums

Kai Eckhardt--Bass

Billy Nershi--Guitar, Lap Steel

Michael Travis    --Drums

Tye North--Conductor, Bass

Jamie Janover    --Hammered dulcimer/percussion/conductor

Aaron Holstein--Guitar/bass

Scott Law--Guitar, Mandolin

Steve Vidaic--Keyboards/samples

Libby Kirkpatrick--Vocals

Enion Pelta--Violin

David Tiller-Mandolin

Saturday, April 16: WOW Hall -- www.wowhall.org

291 W 8th Ave -- 541-687-2746 | Doors open at 8 PM show starts at 8:30 PM.

$15 in advance $18 door

Tickets available at the WOW Hall Box Office: 541-687-2746, TicketsWest outlets http://www.ticketswest.com/TW/Events/Performance.asp?xval=NONE&Cat1=CON&Cat2=---&Cat3=XWH416&MP=False : 800-992-8499; and Jambase Ticketing:

http://www.jambasetickets.com/evinfo.php?eventid=7518&sid=

Complete List of Players for the Second Annual Pangaea Project Benefit

Eugene, OR --WOW Hall - Saturday, April 16

Matt Butler--Drums

Jon Fishman--Drums

Kai Eckhardt--Bass

Tye North--Conductor, Bass

Scott Law--Guitar, Mandolin

Asher Fulero--Keyboards/samples

Libby Kirkpatrick-Vocals

Jarrod Kaplan --Percussion

Tim McGloughlin -- Trumpet

http://www.everyoneorchestra.com & http://www.pangaeaproject.org

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