Bowerbird is pleased to present a morning birdwalk at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum led by In Color Birding interspersed with two performances by percussionists Salina Kuo and Andy Thierauf.
Please take note of the weather and dress accordingly with appropriate footwear.
Meet at the Environmental Education Pavilion, to the right of the visitor center, near the parking lot, there are toilets and a water fountain nearby. Map
Estimated run time: 120 minutes
Distance: approx. one mile
Terrain: ADA accessible
Free admission – reservations are encouraged
ABOUT THE EVENT
Follow the Sound is a communal outdoor listening experience that combines a guided nature walk with live music. Each ambulatory program is attuned to the here and now of its site — birds, bugs, water, and wind — creating a moment of shared awareness and presence.
Follow the Sound events are free and have been hosted at various sites throughout the Philadelphia area including John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Stoneleigh: a natural garden, and more, each led by a naturalist with expertise of the local ecosystem.
Each ~90-minute program entails walking a distance of less than one mile, usually on flat, accessible terrain. A wide range of diverse musicians have participated on an array of flutes, electronics, violins, viola da gamba, and more, in solo and impromptu duo formats.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Salina Kuo is a singer/songwriter, percussionist, self-taught guzhengist, improviser and educator based in Philadelphia (Lenape territory). They have a deep admiration for black American music, world folk, free improvisation, and 60s/70s fem singer/songwriters. They write music that blends genres and utilizes uncommon instrumentation to create a unique yet cohesive and familiar sound. By confronting personal experiences with grief and depression, Kuo’s storytelling invites listeners into their world and share in their healing. They release music under St. John’s Wort (vibraphone indie/rnb/soul) and River Full of Fruit (freak-folk chamber ensemble). River Full of Fruit’s “Only the Earth” release show will be 11/12 at Asian Arts Initiative. St. John’s Wort’s debut album is forthcoming.
Andy Thierauf is a Philadelphia-based percussionist specializing in the creation and performance of contemporary music. His work is driven by a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, frequently integrating percussion with theater, dance, and technology to create immersive and innovative performances. He is an active member of Arcana New Music Ensemble, NakedEye Ensemble, Network for New Music, and Orchestra 2001, among other ensembles in the Philadelphia area. In addition to his performance career, Andy serves as an Artist Teacher of Percussion at The College of New Jersey, is on faculty of Settlement Music School and is Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Kutztown University.
www.andythierauf.com
In Color Birding provides an entry point to birding for BIPOC communities in and around Greater Philadelphia. The organization believes that everyone should have safe, joyful, and rewarding access to green spaces and the practice of birding. In Color Birding is an inclusive environment for those traditionally marginalized to increase their connections to and appreciation of the natural world through bird walks, presentations, funding of transportation costs for classrooms, teacher mini-grants, and visits to local sites.
www.incolorbirding.org
Organized in collaboration with World Askew and funded in part by PECO, Team Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Creative Industries
