Moog Foundation issues call to artists, plans awesome May event

There’s much going on at Moog this spring, and here’s some of the news:

The Bob Moog Foundation just announced its upcoming Moogus Operandi concert event — a night of music, art and multimedia, in trademark Moog style (collaborative, innovative, tech-savvy, just plain cool). Moogus Operandi will be at the Orange Peel on May 27.

The event will feature California-based synthesizer wizard Erik Norlander and his massive analog synthesizers. The so-called Wall of Doom is powered by 1967 Moog modules, and will be shipped cross-country for the event. Norlander will be joined by local musicians — percussionists, brass and string players, a choral group and more (word is one of Asheville’s fave roots-rockers may be on the bill). It’ll be Norlander’s first WNC appearance.

Local street musicians Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Sheiks will open the event. (If you’ve been downtown and heard the saw player who makes the instrument sound like a theremin, that’s them). Featuring Dwight Hawkins (saw, guitar, vocals), Nicky The Squirrel (mandolin, harmonica, kazoo, vocals), Tony Costa (guitar, kazoo, vocals), Alex Brady (gut bass) performing ragtime, jug band, early blues & country. “Furthering the spirit of celebrating musical genres and technologies, the Bob Moog Foundation is proud to feature this group,” writes Michelle Moog-Koussa. 

Also cool? The art auction leading up to the event. The Moog Foundation is asking local artists to create and donate Moog-inspired visual art for the fundraiser. The works can be in any media, and should be Moog-themed (think: vintage or new synthesizers, theremins, sound-design elements, analog circuitry; works inspired by Moog and his legacy, etc.) The work will be auctioned on eBay during the week leading up to the event — with the auction timed to end at the event.

Contributors will receive two tickets to the event and promotion on the Foundation Web site and in national distribution. All proceeds from the auction will go to the nonprofit Bob Moog Foundation, dedicated to bringing innovative science and music programs to schools. Donations are tax-deductible. For artist registration, go to www.moogfoundation.org/artist-registration. The deadline to register is May 1; works should be submitted by May 15.

More on Moogus Operandi, from the foundation:

“The Foundation is celebrating the late Dr. Moog’s 76th birthday, and is eager to work with community artists and business leaders in making the event a success, as well as to promote the cultural richness of the beautiful city of Asheville.

Visitors will be treated to a multimedia presentation by Gene Felice, the graphics artist who created the Moogseum 3D conceptualization for the Foundation’s hallmark project, the Moogseum. Felice will be highlighting the profound impact of Moog’s inventions on the music industry and on the musicians who have taken his instruments far beyond Bob’s wildest expectations. Felice will be using media directly from Bob Moog’s archives, such as vintage photos, schematics, movie clips and more.

Attendees of the event will be able to participate in a raffle, with generous prizes given by Asheville area businesses. Raffle prizes include an Ipod Touch courtesy of CityMac ($250 value), an Mp-201 Multi-Pedal from Moog Music, Inc. ($499 value) and a chance to lay down some tracks and pull shapes in a day session at the world-class facility of Echo Mountain Recording ($1000 value).

Finally, guests will be able to explore the sonic boundaries of the Moog sound in the Foundation’s MoogLab interactive experience. Theremins and synthesizers will be set up in the back of the Orange Peel, with BMF volunteers standing by offering instructional advice.

Moogus Operandi promises to be a unique opportunity to be immersed in a rich musical experience that blends musical genres and showcases musical technology from its most primal form to its most cutting edge. The combination of talent that will be found on the Orange Peel stage on the 27th will be as unique as the Moog Legacy itself.”