The fusion of art and music takes the stage in Artrageous’ vibrant show

Holland Theater audiences are in for a rare treat akin to an art and music circus this weekend, when they can experience a mix of large-scale live art created before their eyes on stage and played in unison with a rock concert packed powerful singing and imaginative movement.

Artrageous brings this family-friendly, vibrant art adventure for all ages to the theater on Sunday, October 6th at 7:30 p.m., presented by Holland Theater and LoCo Art.

The international traveling group based in New Mexico invites audience participation throughout the immersive show. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to be among the first 200 guests to be rewarded with an Artrageous Artventure Pack and props to use throughout the evening.

“We want the audience to be involved so it’s an experience they never forget,” artist and longtime Artrageous member Lauri Francis said this week. “As soon as they enter the theater, members of the troupe greet them and hand out the Artventure kits.

“There will be so many different types of moments throughout the show, from energetic to inspiring to poignant to super fun on stage. While all of this is happening, we will be creating live portraits and murals.”

Audience members will have the opportunity to go on stage during various parts of the show, and after intermission the theater will transform into a “black light world,” Francis said.

Francis is from Canada and has been part of the troupe since it was founded about 12 years ago. Artrageous’ roots date back to the 1980s, when troop members banded together in Kitsilano, British Columbia. Similar to Cirque du Soleil, the group began as street performers, performing as clowns, jugglers and puppeteers for anyone who passed by, according to www.artrageousshow.com.

One of her first artistic ventures was the founding of a nonprofit children’s theater group called All and Everything Theater, whose members taught themselves the ancient Japanese art form of Bunraku puppetry. This art form requires three puppeteers dressed all in black to work together to animate a life-size puppet figure.

Bunraku is still included in performances today.

Francis also shared that the multi-talented artists on stage wear “a variety of hats” and are involved in creating the large-scale works of art that can attract a happy audience, while at the same time playing musical instruments, dancing and much more interacting with the audience.

Additionally, other paintings created on stage during the show will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the Holland Theater.

Traveling with Artrageous throughout the United States and internationally to locations in Canada, Mexico, Africa, Asia and Europe has provided Francis with many rewarding moments. Although seeing the sights of other cities and countries was unforgettable, for the talented artist, meeting and inspiring new people were some of the best parts of the adventure.

“Mostly I remember the people. At the pre-show we get to talk to so many incredible people and learn so much about their lives.

“After the show, it’s so nice to hear how they might be inspired to pick up a paintbrush or a saxophone or play the piano again after not playing or painting for 20 years.

“Creating art and being able to express yourself through different forms of art is such an important part of life. We feel so lucky to be able to bring this to life for people and shower them with kindness throughout our show.”