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iBerkshires.com Columnist SectionSue Bush
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Rip-Roarin’ and Ready To GoBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, August 12, 2005
 | | Mass MoCA intern Tom Gatton worked on the Club B-10 stage on Aug. 11 in anticipation of a 7 p.m. "Grooove" concert. |
North Adams – It was crunch time yesterday afternoon [Aug. 11] at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art’s Club B-10.
Mass MoCA interns were busy putting the final touches on a light show and the sound system set-up as well as preparing the stage in anticipation of a 7 p.m. “Grooove Invasion†four-band concert.
The “Grooove†is a youth-launched, youth-led music initiative affiliated with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. All Grooove events are promoted as substance-free and the group has sponsored a summer concert at MoCA since 1999.
MCLA senior and MoCA intern Joshua Payne talked about the light show that he designed. |
Joshua Payne, a Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts senior, was reviewing the light show that he designed and erected specifically for the concert.
“It’s a rock show and I do a lot of theatrical stuff,†Payne said. “I used a lot of deep colors and cool templates for this. You kind of mix it as you go, so I’m a little edgy.â€
Working as a MoCA intern for the summer has offered numerous opportunities, Payne said.
“It’s great,†he said. “It’s an opportunity for interns to make their own designs happen.â€
The Grooove event light show required several days of design efforts and one day to assemble, Payne said.
“It’s rip-roarin’ and ready to go.â€
Tom Gatton attends the University of Kentucky as a theater department student. Gatton’s concert gig was as the sound engineer. Preparing for the concert was a bit of a challenge but Gatton said he believed he’d mastered the task.
MCLA graduate Melanie Aldrich moved equipment. |
“We had it all set up last night just to be sure everything works,†he said. “There’s quite a bit of forethought to this; the bands are all different and have different needs.â€
“Adora,†“Channel,†“Kicking Sicily,†and “Storming Normandy†were scheduled to perform during the event and the bands ranged from the seven-piece brass sounds of “Kicking Sicily†to the three-member “Storming Normandy.†Getting the job done and done well will be a boost for Gatton, he said.
“I’ve heard that Mass MoCA is getting a good rep [reputation] in New York City,†Gatton said. “And the people I am working with here are seasoned pros. Working with them and having these people see that I can do the job is an excellent recommendation.â€
Intern and MCLA 2005 graduate Melanie Aldrich paused from moving equipment to comment about the B-10 venue.
“I really like this space,†she said. “It’s very intimate and good for a small concert. And the lighting design is brilliant.â€
Nathan Long of "Storming Normandy" |
The venue and the Grooove affiliation provided a double benefit for the members of “Channel,†said band manager Damon Fowler.
“We’ve been wanting to get into a Grooove show for quite a while,†Fowler said, and added that the youth groups’ substance-free policy lends appeal to the event.
“This kind of concert appeals to everyone,†he said. “I know that parents are more comfortable about their kids coming to something that is substance-free.â€
Band members Ben Talmi and Luis Granda were already at the B-10 venue and were optimistic about the music to come.
“This is fantastic,†Talmi said. “This is a good gig and I love the space.â€
“Storming Normandy†band members Nathan Long, Jared Haskins, and Mike Hamilton were also at the club, waiting for their turn at a sound check.
“I’m pretty excited,†said Long. “The acoustics look pretty good. And I think the substance-free part is good. You don’t have to worry about people coming up on stage and stuff like that.â€
“I’m hoping that everything hits off well,†said Hamilton.
Luis Granda and Ben Talmi of "Channel" |
Haskins said that he was aware of the MoCA prestige and the quality of the light and sound equipment. MoCA interns are also reputed to be talented, he said.
“I was really excited when I found out we were coming to MoCA,†he said. “The environment is pretty sweet.â€
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net or at 802-823-9367.
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