Environmental Encroachment

Band promo hi-res photo

Chicago brass band and performance art group Environmental Encroachment (EE) uses a mobile band, costumes, and antics to create unique entertainment environments. EE's mission is to create playgrounds for the body and mind through dance, music and art.

EE's music fuses a horn section with marching and melodic percussion. Rhythms include 'world' beats and non-traditional American drumline. EE writes adn performs many original songs, and songs from other HONK bands. Environmental Encroachment also wears costumes, and often works with multi-media performance and artistic collaborators.

Performances include stage shows, parades, weddings, funerals, historical re-enactments, children's shows, holiday theme parties, street busking, second-line processions, festivals, performance workshops, rituals, block parties, media and press conferences, circus sideshows, music for burlesque, birthdays, unvellings, coronations, proms, vaudevillian skits, and synchronized swimming with sousaphones.

What is your band’s mission?

Chicago brass band and performance art group Environmental Encroachment (EE) uses a mobile band, costumes, and antics to create unique entertainment environments. EE's mission is to create playgrounds for the body and mind through dance, music and art.

Does your band consider itself an activist street band?

That has been impossible to define outside of individual perspective

What do you think your band could contribute to a festival of activist street bands?

1. Support for the other bands. We like to show up on the dance floor and likewise inspire fun and the musicians playing.
2. We can schedule specific shows for all-ages and children.
3. Our band has been to about 50+ Honk events worldwide, and we can contribute some experience at workshops, or seminars. Experience and history with HONK! have been a great asset for us.

What activities have you participated in recently to support your community or causes that you care about?

On February 16th, 2018, EE volunteered our time and performed at the Cook County Correctional Facility for the Women's Toiletry Drive. We are expected to return for another performance, and maybe workshop with the prisoners.
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Last August, 2017, EE participated in a successful fundraiser for MCA Day in Chicago, donating all proceeds to Cancer Research.
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A great friend of the band passed away last summer, and weeks later, an alumni of the band. We make sure, if asked, to play music for tribute events.

In what ways do you support diversity in your band?

We encourage all skill levels and ages. Our band range is from 8 to 71 years of age. We have an open policy to try out for the band.

What proportion of gigs for the band are commercial gigs?

65

Approximately how many musicians would travel to the festival with your band?

23

Days at the festival

All

How many Somerville HONK! festivals has your band attended?

11

Anything We Missed?

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