Around here, we don’t choose favorites….but if we did, GRAMMY-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus, AKA Black Violin, would certainly make the cut. Part classical, part hip-hop, and completely unique, this act is absolutely electric on stage. Heading back for their third performance at the Long Center on October 30, it’s clear that we just can’t get enough of these guys!
In this Mid-Week Intermission, we chatted with Wil to learn a little more about how BV came to be, what keeps their creativity flowing, and to hear about their Black Violin Foundation – an organization that’s dedicated to empowering youth by resourcing them to access quality music programs, reaching over 100,000 students each year.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind? Maybe a track off Full Circle?
Wil Baptiste: The track I would recommend is The Walk from the Full Circle album.
LC: We’re so glad to have Black Violin at the Long Center! For folks who may have missed your last couple performances here, would you care to share a bit about yourselves and your sound?
Wil Baptiste: Black Violin is a band that is comprised of myself Wil Baptiste (viola + vocals) and Kev Marcus (violin) along with our band members Nat Stokes (drums), Liston Gregory (keys), and DJ SPS (turntable). Our sound is multiple genres fused together with classical and hip-hop being the main components. Bridging these two worlds together was something that was very natural for us.
LC: What’s your origin story? How did this duo come to be?
Wil Baptiste: Our origin story started in high school — Kev and I were in the same orchestra class. We both went our separate ways to college and then came back together to create music. The idea was that we wanted to be major hip-hop producers and one of the things we would do was play the violin on top of our hip-hop beats for artists that would come by the studio. They were amazed at our ability to do so. We didn’t realize we had something special until we sent our tape out to Apollo — eventually being crowned 2005 Apollo legends and from there we went on to tour with the likes of Alicia Keys, LINKIN PARK, and more. We always felt like we had something special, so we started focusing on the band and refining the Black Violin sound.
LC: You guys are passionate about music education and making music programs accessible to all kids. What’s your connection to this mission? Can you talk a little about Black Violin Foundation?
Wil Baptiste: Our mission to make music education accessible to kids is really simple. In our careers, we’ve had individuals that that were incredibly important to our growth as artists. Our music teacher in high school was one of those individuals. His name is Mr. Miles and we named a Black Violin Foundation grant after him. The point of the foundation is to fill in the gaps — what that means is if a child needs an instrument or needs funds to go to a music camp or a college audition, the foundation works to step in and help them. The Arts have given us so much and it’s only right that we pay it forward.
LC: After over 20 years together (impressive!), what keeps you inspired and creating?
Wil Baptiste: What keeps us inspired is knowing that Black Violin is bigger than just two individuals. We’ve created something very special that inspires and uplifts the world and that’s an incredibly special thing.
LC: Do you have any advice for the young musicians out there?
Wil Baptiste: My advice to young musicians is to find yourself in the instrument. Make the instruments speak your own individual language. Once you do that, it’s very difficult for you to quit.
LC: Anything you want to tease about your upcoming show in Austin on October 30?
Wil Baptiste: We’re performing six new songs from our latest album ‘Full Circle’ in this upcoming show.
Thanks, Wil!
Be sure to check out their new album, Full Circle, and don’t miss their show at the LC on October 30!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
It’s officially October! We’re entering the season of cooler weather, tricks and treats, and glamorously provocative interstellar scientists 
If you couldn’t tell, we’re pretty excited for The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour headed to the LC on October 9. As you’d expect, this will be no ordinary screening – it’s an all-out extravaganza complete with props, a costume contest, a Q&A with Patricia Quinn, the original ‘Magenta’ and DASH Cast, a shadowcast who completes the signature Rocky Horror experience by playing along to the film.
In this Mid-Week Intermission, we caught up with Mina Credeur, a DASH Cast Member, to learn a little more about how this shadowcast came to be, the Rocky Horror audience participation lore, and what folks can expect at the live show on October 9.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind?
Mina Credeur: Science Fiction Double Feature /or/ Time Warp (but that one is such a given, I prefer going with the first!)
LC: First of all, what exactly is a shadow cast?
Mina Credeur: A shadow-cast is a self-organized, amateur performance troupe that pantomimes everything happening on the movie screen behind us. It’s live action antics in front of a movie!
LC: How did DASH Cast come to be? How did you find yourself becoming a player?
Mina Credeur: DASH is a collaborative cast with members from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston (D-A-S-H!) We have performers from various other casts – and a lot of us are ‘veterans’ who have been doing this for … a very long time. We focus on a traditional Rocky Horror experience with a heavy emphasis on costume details and performance accuracy.
I first attended Rocky Horror in Houston in 1987 after finding out that’s where the ‘cute boy’ went on the weekends. I began performing very soon after – it was such a high-energy environment and I knew it’s where I belonged – even though I never dated that cute boy. Over the years I’ve performed with various casts (on and off) and also at a few conventions.
LC: For some of our readers who might be new to the world of Rocky Horror, can you explain a bit about the lore regarding audience participation during the show?
Mina Credeur: Several venues noticed the film was attracting a group of audience regulars week after week. The first callback was “Buy an umbrella you cheap b*tch!” which elicited a roar of laughter – and it wasn’t long before more people added more lines. It all happened very organically and different cities added their own lines.
LC: Rocky Horror is turning 50! The epitome of a cult classic, what do you think it is about The Rocky Horror Picture Show that creates so much community and brings people together?
Mina Credeur: I think it’s just so many different things to so many people. A space to be your authentic self. A place to unwind and be as loud as you want. And the film’s mantra ‘don’t dream it, be it’ has completely held up through the decades.
LC: Do you have any highlights to share from your time performing across Texas?
Mina Credeur: My cohort in crime, Kim, was a member of the NYC cast when I first met her. We both performed at the 25th anniversary in Las Vegas (Sept, 2000) and now she’s living here in Texas and we’re performing together again for the 50th!
LC: Is there a certain point during the show that you’re always looking forward to? Anything for the audience to keep an eye out for?
Mina Credeur: For me? It’s absolutely the floorshow. I get tingles every time I hear that thundering intro start and I’m rushing out to the stage still trying to get my heels on as fast as I can!
LC: Any advice for Rocky Horror newcomers before they experience it on October 9th?
Mina Credeur: Don’t hesitate to dress up and get a little wild with the hair and make-up. Throw on some fishnets and a feather boa! You’re going to split your sides laughing, you’re going to be dancing in the aisles, and you’re going to go home wondering… What the hell was that, and when can I do it again??
Thanks, Mina!
Be sure to follow DASH Cast on Instagram (@dashrhps), and don’t miss The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary at the LC on October 9!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
