Alumni Performers
Take a minute and check out all this terrific Tsunami talent!
* Photo courtesy of John Seaman
The graduates of Tsunami Circus Camp, traditionally march in the opening parade and then show off their new skills on the main stage. These kids spend the whole week before the Tsunami festival honing their juggling, stilt walking and circus skills under the excellent tutelage of professional performers and teachers.
* Photo courtesy of John Seaman
Switch Black is the competitive performance group of Switch Dance Studio. It is comprised of dancers whose love for the art motivates them to put in the time to create unique and elaborate performances.
Leo Gallegos, founder of Switch Dance Studio, moved to Prescott in 2010 and opened his innovative dance studio here.
* Photo by Angie Moran
Skitmercial Crew
Tsunami on the Square raises a large part of their yearly budget by providing sponsors with original live “commercials” during the festival. Half-way between modern performance art and the silliest of camp skits, skitmercials are a favorite festival.
This year the skit-crew performs 21 skitmercials from local business across Yavapai County. If you enjoy the skitmercials you see today, do us a favor and share this with our sponsors when you visit their places of business next. Let them know their donation in this festival was well-spent.
The Skitmercial Crew includes veteran co-directors Angie Moran and Charlie War, with performers Nikki Kokotovich, Grayson L-Lookner, McKenzie Moran, Leila Tompkins, Morgan Musser, Kenny Moran, Cheyenne Sobel, Mary Timpany, Grace Timpany and Rose the Dog.
*White Lotus photo courtesy of www.fotographx.com *Rhythm Oasis photo courtesy of Mike Keberlien.
White Lotus appeared for the first time at Tsunami on the Square in 2010, accompanied by live music from Rhythm Oasis.
White Lotus founder and director Carrie Konyha is an expert middle eastern dance artist, instructor & choreographer who teaches and performs nationwide. Beginning with gymnastics and a passion for modern interpretive dance as a child, Carrie’s lifelong passion for & professional involvement with dance eventually led her to belly dance in 1994, which she has been faithfully studying ever since. Being deeply inspired by the feminine sensuality and timeless mystique of this dance, Carrie chose to shift her dance career to focus exclusively on belly dance almost immediately upon being introduced to it. Carrie started her first student dance troupe in 1999 (now known as ‘Gypsy Soul’ dance company in Ohio) and has since gone on to co-create collaborative dance works such as ’Syren Dance Co.” in Arizona (with Cari Smith and Tiffany Hamby of Anaya Tribal) and her newest student dance company “White Lotus Bellydance” in Sedona, AZ.
* Photo courtesy of Supersilliest
The Supersilliest Band has hosted the Kids Cove for several years and has become something of a Tsunami tradition. They have also performed at several events and festivals, including the Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival, the Music for Wonder fest and the Telluride Bluegrass festival.
* Photo courtesy of the Mural Mice
The Mural Mice Theater Troupe will present their play, “The Ballad Of Heartland Wilder.”
When Heartland departs the forested hills for the first time at the age of thirteen, his encounters with the human world begin. Along his adventures lie many dangers, including out of control giant trucks, and a Great Goofy Garbage Monster. He also forms alliances and friendships with Gus the Busking Punk Rocker, Milo Pillow the Video Gamer, and Veronica Squash. On the way, Heartland reminds human beings of their connection to nature, and in doing so learns of the importance of friendship and community.
Script and music by Jason Leo; Directed by Jason Leo and Adam Saksa
Starring the Infamous Mural Mice:
Jason Leo as Minstrel Mouse * Zoe Stevenson as Heartland Wilder/ * Brier Hauseknect as Veronica Squash/ * Adam Saksa as Gus the Buskin Punk/ * Hobbit as the Trash Monste/ * Dreamer as Virtually Blue/ * Tom Von Deck as Virtually Red/ * Lisa Zander as the Politician/ * Joe Becker as Milo Pillow
Mural Mice Band:Jason Leo, Ember Crocker Larson, Margaret Dewar, Adam Saksa
* Photo courtesy of Josh Gosell
The Aero HoopStars “Full Circle: A History of Hula Hooping”
Performed by: Sweet Melissa, A.T. and Aimee of the Aero HoopStars
Join the Aero HoopStars for a dynamic history in Hula Hooping. Hoop through the decades — from hula hooping’s inception in 1958 through the happy 60′s, funky 70′s, the rockin’ 80′s, totally 90′s — and ending with modern HoopDancing of today. “Full Circle: A History of Hula Hooping” choreographed specially for Tsunami On The Square 2010 by the Aero HoopStars.
The Aero HoopStars is the Southwest’s only Professional Performance Hoop Troupe. Formed by A.T., Jillicious, Aimee and Sweet Melissa in 2009, the troupe embodies all that is beautiful about HoopDancing. The Aero HoopStars perform choreographed pieces, as well as improvisational shows with daytime, glow-in-the-dark and fire hoops. Based in Prescott, the HoopStars will be traveling around the state performing and teaching workshops to aspiring hoopers.
* Photo courtesy of John Seaman
A Tsunami favorite, Jonathan Best is set to bring his musical talents to the main stage. His show regularly incorporates his sampling “looping” techniques, audience involvement and a terrific sense of play. Get your dancing shoes on, because no one can resist Jonathan’s infectious mix of musical styles.
Jonathan has been playing music around the world for over 20 years. He was taught the finer points of gospel music early in his career as he toured the Pentecostal churches of New York City and the south with The Elect Lady Evangelist Shirley Davis. His blues and R&B leanings landed him gigs with bands such as The Drifters, South African singer Cosbie Mbele, the B-52s and Defunct. His odd sense of humor brought him together with the notorious Peter Stampfel (Holy Modal Rounders) for a number of albums and tours, culminating in the thankless job of producing and recording Stampfel’s last album with the Bottlecaps “The Jig is Up”. He also performed and recorded with various Latin bands, a synthesis which brought him together with David Byrne (Talking Heads) for a seven month world tour and a feature film.
Jonathan’s latest CD “Osingolio!” was recorded in Kenya. It is the music of the Maasai village of Ngong’u Narok. All proceeds from the sale of the CD go to the village and to the Maasai Media Center, also located in Maasailand which Jonathan helped to create.
* Photo courtesy of Troupe Salamat
Troupe Salamat is an award winning Improvisational Bellydance collective based right here in Prescott, AZ. A favorite in our community at Tsunami on the Square as well as other local events, these internationally recognized dancers use many folkloric steps from Northern India, throughout the Middle East, Northern Africa into Spain in their lively, powerful and entertaining shows! Improvisational Middle Eastern dance at its finest, Troupe Salamat is proud to be part of the fantastic festival that is Tsunami on the Square!
* Photo courtesy of John Seaman
Clan Tynker is a long-time Tsunami festival favorite. This family circus act hails from Santa Fe, NM – and when they say “family circus act” they mean it! The group of brothers, sisters and one in-law, never fails to dazzle with their whimsical mix of juggling, stage magic, comedy, sword swallowing, fire eating and tight-wire walking.
Although they have been performing together from an early age, Clan Tynker took their show public in 1996. They have added their unique talents to Concerts, Festivals, City Events, Renaissance Fairs, Libraries, hundreds of private functions, and on the streets and at festivals in France, Germany, and most recently, Italy. The Clan Tynker’s talents can also be seen in Ron Howard’s film “The Missing” as well as the movie “Beer for my Horses” starring Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent, Toby Keith & Rodney Carrington.
This year Clan Tynker will present their classic Victorian show with a brand new Illusion. We can’t wait to welcome them back to the main stage!
* Photo courtesy of Rio Flamenco
Dancers: Anna and Courtney, Guitarist - Tony Cocilovo, Percussionist – Max West, Violinist Kristin Garson
Rio Flamenco is a flamenco troupe based in Prescott, Arizona. Flamenco music and dance is gaining popularity and interest across America. Rio Flamenco offers an exciting performance which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Our show is a spicy mix of traditional flamenco dance and guitar, hot Latin rhythms, and singing. Rio Flamenco has been performing together for 8 years.
* Photo courtesy of John Seaman
* photos courtesy of Josh Gosell
Pyroklectic, Prescott’s Fire Performance Troupe, presents: “LunaSol”
From casual, “guerilla” fire spins, to fully choreographed, 20-person fire shows, Pyroklectic continues to grow and evolve as Prescott, AZ’s premier fire performance troupe.
Pyroklectic formed nearly five years ago and has developed into an eclectic group of dedicated performers who fully express their love for dancing within the flames…you see it in their faces, every time.
Tsunami on The Square 2010, debuts Pyroklectic’s “LunaSol” — a fiery tale of conflict, healing, and resolution — with its talented, 17-member Cast & Crew, featuring: Zebulon; A.T.; Azzah; Danger; Sweet Melissa; primal; Aimee; Sekah; Lady Alura; Weaver… and Sheree! Musical guests include DJ Josh Orlando, vocalist Callahan and drummers Corey Brunner, Random, and Jen Burns.
*Photo courtesy of John Seaman
Switch Black returns to the main stage to close the festival with “Garbage Circus.” The performance culminates with a dance and acrobatic routine that prepares for the interaction and descent of the wave.
“Garbage Circus” incorporates the message of revitalization of things thought useless with Tsunami’s message of cultural revitalization through performance. We are led through this adventure by a whimsical figure that begins his tour with a dance of creativity and athleticism. He helps us to quickly realize this trash contains things that are still very much alive, entertaining, and beautiful.
We are startled by the awakening of a figure (robotic similarities) who dances with mechanical motion to accompanying sounds. The next display is a group of ominous figures (oil spills) whose appearance and display personifies the very real and relevant issue of people careless regard for water and environment through contemporary and abstract movement.
The show continues with the entrance of what appears to be homeless man of the lowest social worth. He however surprises us with his creation of an acrobatic apparatus that he uses to display his feats of cirque style strength and acrobatics.
Next, we have the arrival of two more individuals with seemingly nothing to “offer.” Scavengers and bullies, their activities lead to a performance in itself, when the discovery of bottle caps leads to a percussive competition of tapping. Following this the performers use objects such as trash cans, buckets, pipes, etc. in a rhythmic display.
Our final idea displayed is the creation of beauty with these things personified by a fairy like dancer (world class ballet dancer) who conveys the fact we should not overlook what can be created.
