The Whip It Out Ensemble emerged from the auspices of the Shiny Beast jazz~theatre collective as a result of Michael Green’s placement of a newspaper ad inviting one and all to ‘The First Annual Meeting of the Frank Zappa Appreciation Society’ at the Auburn Saloon on September 16, 2001.
Once assembled, Michael informed the surprisingly large turnout of his long-standing ambition to stage a tribute to his boyhood idol Frank Zappa and invited anyone with the necessary combination of talent and desire to sign on. After much discussion and a couple more meetings of the FZAS the decision was made to perform the classic Mothers of Invention album ‘We’re Only In It For The Money’ in its entirety.
The cream of Calgary’s musical and theatrical talent convened under the moniker ‘The Whip It Out Ensemble’ and rehearsals began in earnest in late August 2002 under Michael’s direction. The first performances were unleashed on an enthusiastic public in September 2002 and a second set of Zappa compositions was added to the repertoire in December 2003.
Look for the band’s hit single ‘Idiot Bastard Son’ on Cordelia Records’ ‘The Idiot Bastard Son – 20 Extraordinary Renditions’ coming in January 2008. More on the Cordelia Records Website
The Whip It Out Ensemble:
- Michael Green: baton & whispers
- Andy Curtis: vocals
- Ty Semaka: vocals
- Onalea Gilbertson: vocals
- David van Belle: vocals
- Jeff Drummond: guitar
- Chipp Robb: bass
- David Rhymer: piano
- Craig Soby: trombone & keyboards
- Danny Meichel: saxophone
- Dave Foley: trumpet
- Brent Van Dusen: marimba & percussion
- Peter Moller: drums & percussion
- Anita ‘Barbie’ Miotti: freak-out chick
With auxiliary assistance from:
- Katherine Sanders: freak-out chick until January 2003
- Richard Kolke: dramaturge
- Derek Waite: sound operator
- Cimmeron Meyer: lighting design
The Gigs:
Sept 19, 20 & 21, 2002 - We’re Only In It For The Money at the Big Secret Theatre, Calgary
Jan 17 (2 shows) & 18 (2 shows), 2003 - We’re Only In It For The Money at the High Performance Rodeo, Big Secret Theatre, Calgary
June 26, 2003 - We’re Only In It For The Money at the Calgary Jazz Festival, Olde Scotch Room
June 27 & 28, 2003 - We’re Only In It For The Money at the Edmonton Jazz Festival, Sidetrack Cafe, Edmonton
November 27 & 29, 2003 - The Frank Zappa Christmas Freak-Out, Big Secret Theatre, Calgary
December 4, 5 & 6, 2003 - The Frank Zappa 10th Anniversary Memorial Freak-Out, Ironwood Stage & Grill, Calgary
Sept 26, 2004 - Tropicana Bar & Grill, Calgary (open rehearsal)
March 4, 5 (2 shows) & 6th, 2006 - The Real Frank Zappa Musical Burlesque, Ironwood Stage & Grill, Calgary
- Concept and Stage Direction by Michael Green
- Directed by Simon Dekker
- Featuring the Whip It Out Ensemble:
- Vocals - Andy Curtis, Onalea Gilbertson, Ty Semaka and David van Belle
- Musicians - Dan Meichel, Dave Foley, Brent van Dusen and Peter Moller
- Freaks - Michael Green, Anita Miotti, Katie Sanders