"Blast," a celebration of movement and music, will play at Westminster College, Friday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. in Orr Auditorium.

 "Blast is filled with color, spectacle, youthful energy, and the sound of great brass and percussion playing," said Gene DeCaprio, director of the Westminster College Celebrity Series.  "And visually, the show is stunning."

 Blast consists of 35 members, drawn from the world of outdoor pageantry all across North America.  There are over 40 world titles held by Blast cast members who comprise three performing sections, the brass, percussion, and visual ensembles.  The brass instruments are pitching in the standard multi-keys.  The percussions section includes drums, mallet instruments, and electronic keyboards.  The visual element enhances the show by spinning and tossing unusual implements along with the traditional sabers and colorful flags in perfectly synchronized, ballet-like drill.

 Blast has left critics everywhere surprised and delighted.  Howard Kissel of the "New York Daily News" says "What a cast, what a blast, an exhilarating evening."  Bruce McCabe of "The Boston Globe" says, "Blast doesn't falter while bridging the categories of classical, blues, jazz, rock 'n roll, and techno-pop music.  It sent the full house into repeated bursts of cheering and applause with the thrill of seeing sheer virtuosity in a different kind of art form."

Westminster's Orr Auditorium has been recently remodeled to include air conditioning, stage elevator, new carpeting, and re-upholstered seats, along with stage lighting and shell improvements.

Contact Connie McGinnis, assistant director of the Westminster College Celebrity Series, at (724) 946-7354 or e-mail mcginncl@westminster.edu for tickets.

"Blast"