BYO boombox to a noisy downtown holiday procession
Want to blast a boombox in the streets of Toronto? What if you could call it in as a holiday party? Toronto venue The Music Gallery near Queen and John is organizing an informal procession (don't call it a flash mob) that will spin Christmas carols so fast on their head they'll sound like Chipmunk songs (which you can bring). We asked TMG's David Dacks to explain this Philip Kline composition, which is meant to be sung outdoors and has been performed across the world in 98 countries, is all about.
"Unsilent Night is a composition broken into four parts. Each participant brings a boombox or phone and we set them up with one of the four parts, then we all hit 'play' at the same time and parade through the neighbourhood with devices cranked up to 11. It's a joyful noise collision that makes Terry Riley's In C sound dissonant by comparison. This has all the fun of being in a choir without having to sing." Dacks tells us, clearly excited because he has no idea I'll be bringing slowed down Chipmunks carols.
On Friday, December 19, you can bring a portable music player or phone and join the mass of marchers at 7pm by the Music Gallery (197 John St). There's a PWYC indoor fundraiser for the venue to follow at 9pm featuring a cappella trio O'Pears.
