Reggie Watts
Reggie Watts, the hilarious and unpredictable musician and comic, will be taking the stage as Yoga at the Great Lawn's host. Known for his improvised musical sets, looped beats, and nonsensical stand-up comedy, Reggie is sure to get yogis and yoginis laughing before class.
Renowned on the international performance scene, Reggie’s rocks on-the-spot muscial and comedic performance, using only his voice and a looping machine. There's no telling what Reggie's going to do (mostly because he doesn't know what he's going to do), so come prepared for full-on disorienting hilarity.
As a solo performer, Reggie has played sold-out runs at Fusebox, SXSW, Bonnaroo, Brian Eno’s Luminous Festival at the Sydney Opera House, Montreal Comedy Festival, Vancouver Comedy Festival, Sydney Festival, Outside Lands Festival and cities throughout the world including Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, Madrid, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Cape Town and Rekjavik, among others. In New York, Reggie regularly performs at some of Flavorpill's favorite venues, including, The Box, Comix, the Bellhouse, and Slipper Room. Reggie also received the ECNY Award (2009) and Andy Kaufmann Award (2006) for his brand of innovative stand-up performance.
Reggie has appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, HBO’s The Yes Men Save The World, Comedy Central’s Michael and Michael Have Issues, UK’s "Funny Or Die," PBS’ revamped Electric Company and the music video "What About Blowjobs?" for College Humor.
As a musician, Reggie recently recorded the EP Pot Cookies through Normative Records, sang on Regina Spektor’s "Dance Anthem of the 80s" and contributed two tracks to DFA Records’ Spaghetti Circus. Also the frontman for Seattle rock outfit Maktub, Reggie and his band recently released their fifth album, Five.
Reggie also creates absurd comedic theatricals for modern performance spaces in collaboration with playwright Tommy Smith. Their stage shows Transition, Disinformation, Radio Play, Dutch A/V and Occurrence have played around the country at The Public Theater, On The Boards (Seattle), The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s Time Based Art Festival, Seattle Rep, MCA (Chicago), The Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh), Ars Nova and others; they’ve also won numerous awards including the 2008 & 2009 MAP Fund and 2008 Creative Capital award."
Photographs by Noah Kalina
http://www.reggiewatts.com/
Renowned on the international performance scene, Reggie’s rocks on-the-spot muscial and comedic performance, using only his voice and a looping machine. There's no telling what Reggie's going to do (mostly because he doesn't know what he's going to do), so come prepared for full-on disorienting hilarity.
As a solo performer, Reggie has played sold-out runs at Fusebox, SXSW, Bonnaroo, Brian Eno’s Luminous Festival at the Sydney Opera House, Montreal Comedy Festival, Vancouver Comedy Festival, Sydney Festival, Outside Lands Festival and cities throughout the world including Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, Madrid, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Cape Town and Rekjavik, among others. In New York, Reggie regularly performs at some of Flavorpill's favorite venues, including, The Box, Comix, the Bellhouse, and Slipper Room. Reggie also received the ECNY Award (2009) and Andy Kaufmann Award (2006) for his brand of innovative stand-up performance.
Reggie has appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, HBO’s The Yes Men Save The World, Comedy Central’s Michael and Michael Have Issues, UK’s "Funny Or Die," PBS’ revamped Electric Company and the music video "What About Blowjobs?" for College Humor.
As a musician, Reggie recently recorded the EP Pot Cookies through Normative Records, sang on Regina Spektor’s "Dance Anthem of the 80s" and contributed two tracks to DFA Records’ Spaghetti Circus. Also the frontman for Seattle rock outfit Maktub, Reggie and his band recently released their fifth album, Five.
Reggie also creates absurd comedic theatricals for modern performance spaces in collaboration with playwright Tommy Smith. Their stage shows Transition, Disinformation, Radio Play, Dutch A/V and Occurrence have played around the country at The Public Theater, On The Boards (Seattle), The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s Time Based Art Festival, Seattle Rep, MCA (Chicago), The Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh), Ars Nova and others; they’ve also won numerous awards including the 2008 & 2009 MAP Fund and 2008 Creative Capital award."
Photographs by Noah Kalina
http://www.reggiewatts.com/
13 Hands
13 Hands, is the artistic, yogic, and integrated musical, healing vision of Daniel McBride, aka DALIEN, a two-time Grammy-nominated artist, musician/sound therapist, domestic violence/sexual assault and PTSD healing expert, and adjunct professor of Yoga & Meditation at Montclair State University.
His background in contemporary music, sound healing, shamanism, Native American studies, yoga, and their therapeutic applications spans 20 years. For Yoga at the Great Lawn, he has assembled a wonderful group of musicians and friends to help celebrate; sharing a variety of world-mood-groove, kirtan/chant, and ambient contemporary music to inspire and set the vibe for the yoga class. The performance begins at 5pm.
Under his music persona 13 Hands, he has released 7 albums and garnered numerous awards for independent music, and for music and health education. His most recent CD and initiative, You Are What You Leave Behind, aligns Whole Foods, Natural Fitness and various eco, green, raw, organic, hemp, fair trade, and health-conscious companies who are doing their best to play their part in the evolution of our planet, communities, and the commitment to pay it forward for the next generation -- something that everyone has the potential to do in whatever way they feel called. The album was played on over 100 stations and charted on both the alternative and world music charts with “Big Lie” and “Ganesha” respectively. Additionally, the instrumental “Flotation Device” has been clinically documented to improve sleep, reduce stress, and is currently being studied for its effects.
He's had the honor to share the stage with various contemporary and spiritual artists, such as: RUN DMC, Ani DiFranco, Krishna Das, Shyamdas, Dave Stringer, Paula Cole, Christine Lavin, Morley, OURS, Marjorie Fair, Mongolian Throat Singers, and Laurie Anderson.
http://www.13hands.com
Under his music persona 13 Hands, he has released 7 albums and garnered numerous awards for independent music, and for music and health education. His most recent CD and initiative, You Are What You Leave Behind, aligns Whole Foods, Natural Fitness and various eco, green, raw, organic, hemp, fair trade, and health-conscious companies who are doing their best to play their part in the evolution of our planet, communities, and the commitment to pay it forward for the next generation -- something that everyone has the potential to do in whatever way they feel called. The album was played on over 100 stations and charted on both the alternative and world music charts with “Big Lie” and “Ganesha” respectively. Additionally, the instrumental “Flotation Device” has been clinically documented to improve sleep, reduce stress, and is currently being studied for its effects.
He's had the honor to share the stage with various contemporary and spiritual artists, such as: RUN DMC, Ani DiFranco, Krishna Das, Shyamdas, Dave Stringer, Paula Cole, Christine Lavin, Morley, OURS, Marjorie Fair, Mongolian Throat Singers, and Laurie Anderson.
http://www.13hands.com
Buddy Wakefield
Buddy Wakefield, poetry slam extraordinaire, is also performing at Yoga at the Great Lawn, bringing his poignant and high energy style to the stage before class. We're stoked to have Buddy, the two-time Individual World Poetry Slam Champion, invovled. He's been featured on NPR, the BBC, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, and most recently signed to Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records.
Buddy has shared the stage with nearly every notable performance poet in the world in hundreds of venues internationally from The Fillmore in San Francisco and Scotland’s Oran Mor to San Quentin State Penitentiary, House of Blues New Orleans and CBGB’s.
In the spring of 2001, Buddy left his position as the executive assistant at a biomedical firm in Gig Harbor, WA, sold or gave away everything he owned, moved to the small town of Honda Civic and set out to live for a living, touring North American poetry venues through 2003. He still tours full time and considers annual Revival tours with Derrick Brown and Anis Mojgani, as well as separate tours with Ani DiFranco and a performance with Saul Williams, to be the highlights of his career thus far.
Born in Shreveport, LA, mostly raised in Baytown, TX, now claiming Seattle, WA as home, Buddy has been a busker in Amsterdam, a lumberjack in Norway, a street vendor in Spain, a team leader in Singapore, a re-delivery boy, a candy maker, a street sweeper, a bartender, a maid, a construction worker, manager of a CD store, a bull rider and a booking agent. Wakefield is a growth junkie, elated son of a guitar repair woman, wingman of Giant Saint Everything, and remembers Kirkwood, NY.
Photographs by Inti St. Clair
http://buddywakefield.com/
Buddy has shared the stage with nearly every notable performance poet in the world in hundreds of venues internationally from The Fillmore in San Francisco and Scotland’s Oran Mor to San Quentin State Penitentiary, House of Blues New Orleans and CBGB’s.
In the spring of 2001, Buddy left his position as the executive assistant at a biomedical firm in Gig Harbor, WA, sold or gave away everything he owned, moved to the small town of Honda Civic and set out to live for a living, touring North American poetry venues through 2003. He still tours full time and considers annual Revival tours with Derrick Brown and Anis Mojgani, as well as separate tours with Ani DiFranco and a performance with Saul Williams, to be the highlights of his career thus far.
Born in Shreveport, LA, mostly raised in Baytown, TX, now claiming Seattle, WA as home, Buddy has been a busker in Amsterdam, a lumberjack in Norway, a street vendor in Spain, a team leader in Singapore, a re-delivery boy, a candy maker, a street sweeper, a bartender, a maid, a construction worker, manager of a CD store, a bull rider and a booking agent. Wakefield is a growth junkie, elated son of a guitar repair woman, wingman of Giant Saint Everything, and remembers Kirkwood, NY.
Photographs by Inti St. Clair
http://buddywakefield.com/
Wah!
Wah! Before “yoga” was a household word, Wah! was creating hip, gritty and trendy music that set the scene for what was to become a new genre for music. Soon after, Wah! became a sensation in the yoga world with her spiritual, Eastern-tinged sound. She has since developed a large and dedicated following both in and outside the yoga community after more than ten years of touring, recording, and releasing records.
The mystical relaxation music CD, Savasana, has sold over 50,000 units worldwide and continues to draw attention in the yoga community and beyond. Wah!’s music is often compared to that of Sade, Zero7 and India Arie; her latest release MAA features dance beats and electronica.
The release of MAA synchronizes with the release of Nutone Music’s YOGA REVOLUTION, a compilation in which Wah! is a featured vocalist alongside Sting, Sarah McLaughlin, Sheryl Crow, and others.
http://www.wahmusic.com/
The mystical relaxation music CD, Savasana, has sold over 50,000 units worldwide and continues to draw attention in the yoga community and beyond. Wah!’s music is often compared to that of Sade, Zero7 and India Arie; her latest release MAA features dance beats and electronica.
The release of MAA synchronizes with the release of Nutone Music’s YOGA REVOLUTION, a compilation in which Wah! is a featured vocalist alongside Sting, Sarah McLaughlin, Sheryl Crow, and others.
http://www.wahmusic.com/
Garth Stevenson
Garth Stevenson was born and raised in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies where nature became the common thread through his life and music. He regularly carries his 150-year-old bass to the woods, the beach, the desert, and most recently to the penguins in search of new music, sounds, and inspiration. His solo bass music uses looping and reverb pedals to create rich layers of sound and melody. In 2007 he released Alpine, his first solo album which received praise in many magazines including Double Bassist Magazine and Yoga Journal. In 2008 his solo composition "Grandfather" won the International Society of Double Bassists composition competition.
Stevenson spent February in Antarctica performing and acting in a new film by director Scott Cohen with actors Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Thirlby and William Campbell. He had the opportunity to play with thousands of penguins, seals, ice bergs, and called twelve whales to the boat by imitating whale calls on his bass. His collaboration with Cohen continues as he composes music for the film score.
Stevenson graduated from the Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship with a degree composition and performance in 2004. While Boston he played with jazz legends George Garzone, Joe Lovano, John Lockwood, and founded TAQ, a trio with Polish pianist, Marcin Masecki, and Israeli drummer, Ziv Ravitz. In 2005 he moved to New York and joined bands with Sonya Kitchell, John Shannon, Mat Maneri, Petr Cancura and worked as a freelance bassist appearing on over 50 recordings. Sonya Kitchell's latest album Convict of Conviction features his arrangements for string quartet. He has performed on David Letterman, Craig Fergusson, hundreds of radio stations, at Bonnaroo, and at music festivals in Europe, Japan, Canada, and South America.
Garth introduced his solo music to the yoga community last year at Wanderlust, a festival of music and yoga at Lake Tahoe, California. His improvisations contoured the hour long classes led by Elena Brower, with whom he had an instant connection. Back in New York he plays regularly with Brower at Virayoga, her studio in SOHO. In January they gave a class at MoMA for three hundred people organized by Flavorpill. We are thrilled to have Garth and Elena back for Yoga at the Great Lawn, combing Elena's practice and Garth's serene music once again.
http://garthstevenson.com/
Stevenson spent February in Antarctica performing and acting in a new film by director Scott Cohen with actors Vincent Kartheiser, Olivia Thirlby and William Campbell. He had the opportunity to play with thousands of penguins, seals, ice bergs, and called twelve whales to the boat by imitating whale calls on his bass. His collaboration with Cohen continues as he composes music for the film score.
Stevenson graduated from the Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship with a degree composition and performance in 2004. While Boston he played with jazz legends George Garzone, Joe Lovano, John Lockwood, and founded TAQ, a trio with Polish pianist, Marcin Masecki, and Israeli drummer, Ziv Ravitz. In 2005 he moved to New York and joined bands with Sonya Kitchell, John Shannon, Mat Maneri, Petr Cancura and worked as a freelance bassist appearing on over 50 recordings. Sonya Kitchell's latest album Convict of Conviction features his arrangements for string quartet. He has performed on David Letterman, Craig Fergusson, hundreds of radio stations, at Bonnaroo, and at music festivals in Europe, Japan, Canada, and South America.
Garth introduced his solo music to the yoga community last year at Wanderlust, a festival of music and yoga at Lake Tahoe, California. His improvisations contoured the hour long classes led by Elena Brower, with whom he had an instant connection. Back in New York he plays regularly with Brower at Virayoga, her studio in SOHO. In January they gave a class at MoMA for three hundred people organized by Flavorpill. We are thrilled to have Garth and Elena back for Yoga at the Great Lawn, combing Elena's practice and Garth's serene music once again.
http://garthstevenson.com/
O'Nkosi Rhythms
Born in Tanzania, East Africa, O’Nkosi Erick Fungo, The founder of The O’Nkosi Rhythms carries a degree in performing arts and has been performing since the age of six. He can be found teaching and performing all over New York City seven days a week. He is a drummer, choreographer, dance teacher, body movements and percussion expert, specializing in facial expressions, mime, acrobatics, dance and more.
The O’Nkosi’s Rhythm mission is lifelong learning. Since the group was founded in 2007, we have served more than 500 students per year, from the curious child to the aspiring professionals. Our programs are tailor-made for students, teachers and traditional music and dance professionals as well as our fans and regular audience.
O’Nkosi Rhythms is a dance theater company mixing East African rhythms and movement from past and present. Our shows and education programs include live percussion, East African dances, unlimited acrobatic movement, African Theater and more.
As the flagship Tanzanian rhythm and Dance Company in New York City, O’Nkosi Rhythms creates and presents exceptional dance theatre that provokes, excites, engages, and inspires artists and audiences alike. We embrace the classics while creating new rhythms and dances, evolving along with current innovations in music and dance. O’Nkosi Rhythms is a center for lifelong learning and civic engagement in rhythmic performing arts.
The O’Nkosi’s Rhythm mission is lifelong learning. Since the group was founded in 2007, we have served more than 500 students per year, from the curious child to the aspiring professionals. Our programs are tailor-made for students, teachers and traditional music and dance professionals as well as our fans and regular audience.
O’Nkosi Rhythms is a dance theater company mixing East African rhythms and movement from past and present. Our shows and education programs include live percussion, East African dances, unlimited acrobatic movement, African Theater and more.
As the flagship Tanzanian rhythm and Dance Company in New York City, O’Nkosi Rhythms creates and presents exceptional dance theatre that provokes, excites, engages, and inspires artists and audiences alike. We embrace the classics while creating new rhythms and dances, evolving along with current innovations in music and dance. O’Nkosi Rhythms is a center for lifelong learning and civic engagement in rhythmic performing arts.
AJ BLOCK
AJ BLOCK is a didgeridoo player whose mindful sounds take listeners on a deep spiritual journey. Active in the New York community of consciousness, AJ can be found playing at meditative gatherings, yoga classes and in collaboration with a variety of musicians, healers and alternative medicine practitioners. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, AJ started his musical career as a jazz and orchestral trombonist, studying with such notable teachers as Bill Booth, Kevin Bradley, Greg Miller, Jon Nathan, John Doheny, Wycliffe Gordon and Ken Lasaine. When he discovered the didgeridoo and the power of sound in 2008, a new world of possibilities opened up for him. Soon after moving to New York, AJ began performing and teaching regularly at yoga studios, notably with Anusara Yoga teacher Elena Brower and at Integral Yoga Institute. In early 2010, AJ recorded music in India, where he delved deeper into the practices of spiritual sound. These recordings can be heard at myspace.com/ajblock7. AJ is the founder of Didge Project, a didgeridoo awareness movement that aims to elevate human consciousness through vibration. For more information about AJ and his work, visit didgeproject.com.
