InventionSession: Featuring Muskellunge, portal iii, & Benevolents

The Hook & Ladder Theater is proud to present InventionSession: An Evening of Songs, Sonic Explorations, and Visual Art supporting Socks for the Shelterless and Mutt Mutt Engine Rescue. Featuring performances by Muskellunge, portal iii (Charlie Parr, Liz Draper, and Chris Gray) and Benevolents. With Live Visual Art by True Hallucinations and short films by Chris Mars for a unique evening of Invention and Inspiration.

****DONATE****
Socks for the Shelterless donors of (newly purchased) socks will be rewarded with raffle tickets for exciting prizes.

Mutt Mutt Engine Dog Rescue, founded by Sally and Chris Mars, works to identify dogs in need and the people who need help helping them. *Donors will be rewarded with raffle tickets for exciting prizes.

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Muskellunge, local Noise Pop masters, wanted to try something different as a follow up to their sold out record release show at Hook & Ladder last November. After befriending legendary MN folk-blues artist Charlie Parr on Instagram, Muskellunge’s Reba Fritz discovered Parr’s drone project, portal iii. Intrigued by the inventiveness of the group, Fritz asked: Could we put something together? Something … inventive? Through a quick series of communications, the musicians and The Hook and Ladder “invented” the event. The addition of Live Visual Art by True Hallucinations and short films by Chris Mars (co-founder of Mutt Mutt Engine Rescue) will create a truly immersive event. Additionally, a Sock Drive for the shelterless and collections for Mutt Mutt Engine Animal Rescue will afford attendees an opportunity to win an exciting array of raffle prizes.

Muskellunge will perform songs from their recent release In a Mess, In a State, and a Second Too Late (which made Racket’s year-end list top 10 releases), and will collaborate with portal iii on a song or two. Look for new material, as well.

“The band acts like they’re driving head-on into pop territory, then take an exit into sonic experimentation at the last possible second, swerving to avoid anything too predictable. Crozier’s angular riffs and Boyd’s bouncy basslines provide the perfect platform for Fritz’s gently sardonic vocals.” Keith Harris, Racket

Charlie Parr and portal iii will perform adapted songs from his recent release Last of the Better Days Ahead and portal iii’s self-titled release, before joining forces with Muskellunge for some drone collaborations.

“Famed composer Pauline Oliveros, originator of the “deep listening” concept said “Listening is a lifetime of practice, listening can be focused on detail or open to the entire field of sound. Listening is a mysterious experience that is not the same for everyone.” portal iii invites the listener to become immersed and transported to the edge of consciousness.”

This event marks the public debut of Benevolents. The quartet’s compact ballads and sultry rock owe both a debt to Tom Waits and David Bowie while having a theater all their own. With drumming by twin cities’ Chris Hepalo (House on Fire Band), guitarist, Albert Perez (Poor Nobodys), Bassist, Eric Struve, and Tim Foss’s heart-on-the-sleeve-vocals you’re in for a good fitted flannel in cold times.

True Hallucinations collaborates with stage performers to create Live Visual Art Shows with on and off stage CRT Walls, Liquid Light and VHSynthesis.

Chris Mars is a fine artist, painter, film-maker and musician. His short films have screened at prestigious festivals and museums including Sundance Film Festival and MoMA(NY).