A musical ensemble that’s. . .well, hard to define headlines this week’s Levitt AMP Series concert in Wiley Park in Galva. Mucca Pazza is an interdisciplinary instrumental music ensemble from Chicago.
Since 2004, they have made a name for themselves playing alarmingly danceable music composed and arranged by band members especially for their implausible instrumentation – original music which defies classification but has bloomed out of manifold influences, from surf to Stravinsky, from Bartok to Zappa, from Esquivel to Ellington.
In addition to blaring trumpets, slithering saxophones, clarinets, trombones, and tubas, the band boasts a drumline that seems to share a single nervous system, an entire section of disparate instruments that don’t belong anywhere near a marching band (electric guitars, accordion, violin, and yes, a cello), and a cheer squad that performs absurdist cheers and asymmetrical, impressively low-to-the-ground pyramids. No one has ever been completely certain of the exact number of people in Mucca Pazza. Everyone can be completely certain that this group of weirdos belongs together. Mucca Pazza: embracing the absurd, in solidarity with the improbable.
Opening for Mucca Pazza will be Alisabeth Von Presley.
This pink haired pop-rocker was raised on a well balanced diet of Michael Jackson, Joan Jett, and a closet full of sequins. Alisabeth has left a memorable impact on stages from Los Angeles to New York — with her latest step being on the hit NBC TV show “American Song Contest”.
Her last single “Wonder” was released by Atlantic Records and is the embodiment of what this pop rock singer stands for – self acceptance and rock n roll.
Von Presley travels with two backup dancers and a fully choreographed production. She offers several styles ranging from a kid-friendly set to a full-blown, fully choreographed, six backup dancer pop-rock production. Think Lady Gaga meets Pat Benatar with a bit of Pink sprinkled on top.
Alisabeth Von Presley takes the stage Sunday, June 25 at 6 pm, followed by Mucca Pazza at 7 pm.
The Sunday night concerts, supported by a grant from the Levitt Foundation, are free. Food stands will be set up in the park during the concert.
