The Annotated: Barbatuques

Performers in this true body band use themselves as instruments.

Blockbuster percussive shows like Stomp and Tap Dogs rely on ordinary objects—brooms, trash cans—to create new sounds. Barbatuques, however, is a true body band: The São Paulo, Brazil, performers use themselves as instruments. Below, an anatomical guide to these human drum kits, who make their North American debut in November at the Harris.

Video courtesy of Barbatuques

This article appears in the November 2008 issue of Chicago Magazine.

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