State Theatre staff takes a trip to Brooklyn for STREB's new show, Invisible Forces

Elizabeth Streb, the founder of STREB Extreme Action, is known for her use of odd mechanical devices for her performance pieces. As odd as they are, they make sense and wow you in ways that you never thought a piece of metal or wire could.

In their latest show, Invisible Forces, there are new devices, new tricks, and new performers. Last time that they visited us at the State Theatre in New Jersey, they brought with them a large human-sized hamster wheel, that they spun at great speeds and leapt in and out of continuously. This time around, the wheel is a lot smaller, bright yellow, and kind of reminds you of a circus act (particularly those death-defying motorcycle cages). Even though it's another wheel-contraption, as they have conquered in the past, this wheel is just different. The dancers or "action" engineers run and jump inside the wheel and as you watch you them, you feel like time has stood still (but in a good way). I guess what I am trying to say is that STREB shows give you a very optimistic outlook on life. Every time I have seen them perform, I have walked out of the show feeling like I can conquer the world (and that I should get to the gym). The few of us staff members that went that night, left in high-spirits and in a time like this, who couldn't use a little skip in their step.

The State Theatre is located at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ. For information or to purchase tickets call 732-246-SHOW(7469) or visit http://www.statetheatrenj.org/.

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Mayhem Poets

Do you like chicken? Scott Tarazevits from the Mayhem Poets does. His ode to chicken is just one example of their hip-hop poetry which covers everything from politics to food. The three member group (2 graduated from Rutgers) performed 5 shows over 2 days. The 4 shows I saw were school performances and the kids- ranging in age from 11-17- loved them. The last show was especially electrifying. The audience consisted of high school juniors from the two New Brunswick public high schools. They were up on their feet laughing and cheering most of the time. They also had a flutist with them who actually beatboxed while playing. It was one of the coolest things I have even seen. His name is Greg Pattilo. Catch him on You Tube.

The State Theatre is located at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ. For information or to purchase tickets call 732-246-SHOW(7469) or visit http://www.statetheatrenj.org/.

Check us out on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace.