BY VANESSA SALVIA
Everyone for Pangea
Musicians gather to help youth.
A
n all-star cast of musicians seeking
to inspire activism and giving will
join forces for a benefit concert
Thursday at McDonald Theatre. Eugene resi-
dent Matt Butler, formerly of Jambay,
founded the Everyone Orchestra in 2001,
consisting of a core group of musicians — the
“Core-tet.” Bassist Damian Erskine, key-
boardist and electronics guru Asher Fulero
(Surrounded By Ninjas) and electric guitarist
Scott Law (Hanuman), along with drummer
Butler create a foundation for improvisations,
while former Leftover Salmon-er Tye North
“conducts” various parts of the performance
via cue cards and hand signals.
A revolving cast of guest musicians en-
hances the Everyone Orchestra at each spo-
radic performance. This time the ensemble
welcomes some incredible talents: Phish
drummer Jon Fishman, banjoist/slide gui-
tarist Tony Furtado, Garaj Mahal bassist Kai
Eckhardt, former vocalist/percussionist for
The Motet Jans Ingber, vocalist/guitarist
Libby Kirkpatrick and vocalist/guitarist/po-
etess Maya Dorn.
The pleased beneficiaries of The
Everyone Orchestra’s kindness is Pangaea
Project, a Portland-based leadership develop-
ment group “engaging youth from low-in-
come families in creating solutions to social
and environmental issues that confront their
communities through local and international
service-projects that share a common
theme.” The name Pangaea inspires an image
of a reunited world, an image the Project’s
founders hope will instill youth with a sense
of positive impact.
An Everyone Orchestra performance is
not just a run-of-the-mill show. Butler reveals
“in every show there are highlighted mini-
sets with members of various collectives
playing their songs, and a number of jams
with a mix of the players from small to
medium-sized collectives.” These mini-sets
culminate in an extended jam, with everyone
together on stage following the conducting of
North, which might include suggestions for
time changes, musical style, emotion, or even
actions. Improvisational grooves and playful
interaction between band, conductor and au-
dience is key in this unique concept group of
musicians bringing about positive change.
The evening will also feature a guest speaker,
environmentalist Julia “Butterfly” Hill.
The McDonald hosts an exciting night of
music on Friday as well, as The Derek
Trucks Band takes the stage. The perenni-
©2004 Pabst Brewing Company
SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS
24 APRIL 29, 2004
SCOTS have made white trash, tres chic. Amassing
a rabid following through great songs, amazing live
shows, and, of course, the Empress of the bass gui-
tar – Mary Huff. Life is not complete until you have
gone to a SCOTS show and washed down that “8
piece box” with an ice cold PBR. Make sure to catch
SCOTS Wednesday, May 5. Check Eugene Weekly’s
clubs page for more details.