Photo: Judy Rognac
David Byrne has officially announced “Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things,” a quirky one-night-only variety show to celebrate five years of his nonprofit solutions-focused magazine Reasons to be Cheerful. This new inspiring and idiosyncratic program will feature esteemed performing artists from a vast array of disciplines, who will take the stage at New York’s Town Hall on October 8 in a testament to the irrepressible nature of human creativity. From puppeteers to percussionists, “Amazing Humans Doing Amazing Things” promises a program unlike any other, all in service of a noble cause.
“Variety shows were a big deal when I was young,” Byrne muses. “It’s a format you don’t see as much of these days. So we thought, why not bring it back? We looked for acts that could capture that sense of zany, anything-could-happen artistry. Reasons to be Cheerful inspires people by unearthing unexpected gems, and this show will embody that same spirit of gleeful surprise.”
Indeed, “Amazing Humans” parallels the periodical it honors with its eclectic array of offerings unified by their spirit-stirring effect. With emceeing from Byrne himself, the show will feature entries from such exciting oddball acts as the legendary comedian-slash-musician-slash-more Fred Armisen, folk-rock singer-songwriter Thao, NY-based non-male Brazillian-American drumline Fogo Azul and the expansive female-led brass band Brass Queens. Other artists include the comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti, Belgian-American indie-pop sensation Tamino, contortionist and aerial acrobat Ellie Steingraeber and the raunchy puppetry of Epidermis Circus, with more still to be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets go live on Friday, August 2, at noon ET.
