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Thursday, February 29, 2024 - 8:09pm

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Interview with MarchFourth band documentarian, Kevin Balmer (Diggable Monkey)

Interview with MarchFourth band documentarian, Kevin Balmer (Diggable Monkey) about his MarchFouth Documenaty Films and Showing tonight March1st, 2024 at the Abbey (and World Wide)

MarchFourth Worldwide: The International Documentary Films

Friday, March 1, 2024
8:00 PM 11:00 PM

Alberta Abbey126 Northeast Alberta StreetPortland, OR, 97211United States (map)

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march-fourth-worldwide-the-international-do...

Join us for an intimate, behind-the-scenes joy ride with Portland’s infamous March Fourth as they travel internationally through Germany (2010) and The People’s Republic of China (2013). Filmed on location by band documentarian, Kevin Balmer (Diggable Monkey), these two productions showcase the group and their intrepid overseas adventures in both Europe and Asia. The films highlight a diverse number of perspectives from the individual musician’s experience, as well as audience reactions to their stunning live shows.

MarchFourth is a kaleidoscope of musical and visual energy that inspires unabashed dancing and an atmosphere of celebration. With costumes inspired by band camp meets circus, the band consists of electric bass, guitar, 4-piece percussion corps, a 7-part brass section, dancers, acrobatics, stilt-walkers and a very diverse musical repertoire. Far from a "marching band" in any traditional sense, they have been known to swagger down Main Street playing a few tunes before taking the stage. If you’ve ever wondered how a band this large is able to effectively operate, these extraordinary tour stories are the ticket.

Now approaching their 21st year, March Fourth’s “5th Generation” band has over the years built a sterling reputation as one of the country’s most sought after live performance troupes. Join us for a revealing evening of storytelling to uncover their rollicking journey to foreign countries in the band’s pre-teen epoch.

Kevin will be joined by a few select members of the featured legacy bands in an interactive audience Q&A.

March Fourth in Germany (2010) 00:28 mins

Was Ist Das? MarchFourth Marching Band in Germany is an up-close and personal ride along with Portland Oregon’s most colorful musical export, MarchFourth Marching Band! Described as eclectic mix world music, imagine Duke Ellington meets Sgt. Pepper in an international big-top Fantasia. Shadow the gigantic 25-member band closely on the 9-day German leg of their most recent 2010 European tour and bear witness to the joyous impact of their infectious show in various locations across Deutschland.

March Fourth in China (2013) 00:64 mins

In May of 2013, MarchFourth Marching Band was honored to do a US State Department cultural exchange tour in China, sponsored jointly by the United States Embassy in Beijing, SIAS International University, SIAS Foundation, and Government of Henan China Cultural Affairs. This film traces the band's path through Henan, a relatively remote province of China often referred to as the 'Cradle of Chinese Civilization', as they present an American musical experience in concerts, workshops, parades and civic events, promoting peace and goodwill through art and the common language of music. The freaky and urban MarchFourth juxtaposed against Henan's traditionally more rural community not only reflects an unusual slice of modern Sino-American relations, but also provides a unique glimpse into a part of China that most Americans don't see.