Oops! Can’t Miss Percussion and Calypso Concert at HSU

HSU Percussion Ensemble presents the North Coast premiere of “Oops,” the World Percussion Group pounds out exciting rhythms of the Brazilian Samba and the HSU Calypso Band does their Caribbean thing on Saturday, December 7 in the Van Duzer Theatre.

“Oops,” made famous by composer Mike Manieri and his jazz fusion group Step Ahead, features a vibraphone solo by HSU percussionist and graduating senior Nev Mattinson.

The Percussion Ensemble also presents a composition by Christopher Rouse based on Haitian ritual rhythms, Mark Ford’s “Head Talk” and a percussion trio, “Intentions,” by the group’s director Eugene Novotney.

Mandeng drumming from West Africa and the World Percussion Group (directed by Howard Kaufman) performing Brazilian samba sounds completes the concert’s first half.

Then comes the HSU Calypso Band, now in its 28th year. Among its high energy dance rhythms are two modern classics from Trinidad: “Fire Down Below” by Len “Bogsie” Sharpe and “Pan in A Minor’ by Lord Kitchener and Jit Samaroo.

HSU Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Group and Calypso Band perform on Saturday, December 7 at 8 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors and children and $3 for HSU students from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. For more information visit HSUmusic.blogspot.com.