Just Strings: An Evening of Off the Beaten Path Music

Tonight marks the return of John Schneider & Just Strings playing the music, and custom-built microtonal instruments of Harry Partch at the Redcat. The event is part of MicroFest 2005, an annual event "devoted to the beauty that lies 'between the keys' of the piano." This year marks the 9th anniversary of the festival, which involves seven separate events in LA and surrounding communities. Last year's performance of Bitter Music was a sell-out event, and, much like last year, tonight's show will employ the eccentric composer's marvelously crafted instrument inventions, such as the Chromelodeon, Kithara (pictured), Adapted Viola, Diamond Marimba, Harmonic Canon (pictured), and Adapted Guitars. This evening this quirky musical ensemble will play Partch’s Castor & Pollux, Intrusions, San Francisco, Barstow: Eight Hitchhiker Inscriptions from a Highway, and "includes a rare film of Partch in his 1958 Chicago studio, demonstrating his microtonal instruments, and overdubbing sections of his composition Daphne of the Dunes." MicroFest is co-directed by KPFK personality John Schneider and composers Bill Alves and Kraig Grady. Tickets for tonight's show are $24.00 (General Admission) and $12 (Students/CalArts Faculty, Staff and Students).

John Schneider & Just Strings, 8:30 p.m., Redcat: 631 West 2nd Street, (in the Walt Disney Hall Complex) Call (213) 237-2800 or visit the website for more info and tickets.