ArcAttack Performs Synthesize Me! At Jorgensen 3/1

ArcAttack is set to present Synthesize Me! at Jorgensen on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.

ArcAttack Bio: "Who knew that the arc connecting science and music would be such an electrifyingly direct line? As they churn out rhythmic melodies, the brotherhood of performers in ArcAttack employs 12-foot-long electrical arcs emitted from custom-built Tesla Coils to bring an elemental and energetic creation to the Jorgensen audience on Thursday, March, 1, at 7:30 p.m."

"Creators of the original Singing Tesla Coils, this crew channels the sounds of the early synthesizer and combines a robotic drum set to zap fans of music and spectacle into a high-powered state. LEDs flash bright colors at the stroke of each mechanically actuated stick as musical form jets from rock, indie and electronica to punk, metal and pop. Courageous band members walk through half-million-volt sparks."

"This mostly Midwestern group began in Austin, TX, in the early years of the new century. Leader and chief engineer Joe DiPrima, with the help of friends, designed most of the Tesla coils, writes the software and plays guitar. John DiPrima has composed most of ArcAttack’s music, plays drums and serves as sound man. Steve Ward, who has collaborated from afar and is a former engineer at FermiLab, is, in the crew’s opinion, “the finest and most thorough solid state Tesla coil designer in the world,” his program bio says."

"Sam McFadden is the group’s coil mechanic and general troubleshooter. Andrew Mansberger came from Seattle to join up and plays the Moog keyboard, other analog synthesizers and sometimes guitar. He also composes."

ArcAttack has played in theaters, schools and even on the aircraft carrier Intrepid in New York’s harbor. This hybrid science experiment and rock concert inducts the audience into the arena of high voltage, magnetism, robotics and lightning, as the robot drummer “King Beat” guides them along with a supercomputer called “Omnivoice.” Be a willing participant and student of how science and art intersect, with electrifying results.

Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. Tickets are $30 and $28, with some discounts available. For tickets and information, call the Box Office 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Fri at 860.486.4226, or order online at: jorgensen.uconn.edu. Free, convenient parking is available across the street in the North Garage.