Brian Calhoon’s mission is to spread the gospel of the marimba
Calhoon brings his quirky, musical-comedy showcase Brian Calhoon's Marimba Cabaret to DC Arts Center
The warm, tinkling tones of the marimba might usually be associated with beach bands covering “Kokomo,” but Brian Calhoon sees a brighter future for the xylophone’s laidback cousin.
The tall, talented percussionist is eager to “spread the marimba gospel,” first and foremost through his quirky, musical-comedy showcase, Brian Calhoon’s Marimba Cabaret.
Fresh off his second annual summer run in Provincetown, Calhoon plants his marimba centerstage at the DC Arts Center for a one-night-only performance alongside fellow singer-musician Erika Johnson.
“We are putting together a show of basically all of our guilty pleasures,” says Calhoon. “It’s cheesy ballads, it’s some sing-a-long, it’s some songs from our favorite musicals, like Avenue Q and Hamilton.”
Calhoon believes that he and Johnson play so well together, because “we’re cut from the same cloth. We’re both classically trained, professional percussionists, who love theater and pop songs and singing. I kind of call her the lesbian version of me.”
A Bay Area native who currently resides in Boston, Calhoon has honed his version of cabaret over several years. He serves as Director of Admissions at Boston Conservatory, and was encouraged by his musical mentors “to explore this as an actual art form, combining singing while playing the marimba.” Now, Calhoon just wants to share his art with more and more audiences.
“This show to me is about giving permission to your dorky, guilty pleasure self,” he says. “So that anyone who feels torn between one [thing] or the other, or hiding some part of themselves — whether it be their gender identity, sexuality, or taste in music — to really come out of whatever closet they’re in. This is my little musical contribution to that mission.”
Brian Calhoon’s Marimba Cabaret is Thursday, September 27, at DCAC, 2438 18th St. NW. Tickets are $15. Call 202-462-7833, or visit marimbacabaret.com.
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