The Colloquial Orchestra

The Colloquial Orchestra is an experimental improvised music ensemble founded by Dave Watkins in 2009 as an excuse to be in a band with his favorite RVA musicians. The project has been on hiatus since it’s last performance in March of 2019 do to the global pandemic.

photo by PJ Sykes / L to R: Micah Barry, Dave Watkins, Elizabeth Owens, PJ Sykes, Thumperor (Jon Hawkins)

photo by PJ Sykes / L to R: Micah Barry, Dave Watkins, Elizabeth Owens, PJ Sykes, Thumperor (Jon Hawkins)

The Colloquial Orchestra show history with audio recordings and video links

2019

03/10/2019 Bandito’s Burrito Lounge - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes, Elizabeth Owens, Micha Barry, [Thumperor (Jon Hawkins) was sick and didn’t play]

with Christopher Tignor, Kenneka Cook

Live at Bandito's features Elizabeth Owens, Micah Barry, PJ Sykes and Dave Watkins creating music live on four homemade dulcitars, designed and built by Dave himself, with percussion and electronics.

The film was produced and edited by PJ Sykes with footage shot by Alec Milton and Emmaline Terry. 

The Colloquial Orchestra March 10th 2019 Bandito's Burrito Lounge Richmond, VA with Christopher Tignor, Kenneka Cook TCO for this performance: Elizabeth Owens, Micah Barry, PJ Sykes, Dave Watkins footage captured by: Alec Milton, Emmaline Terry, PJ Sykes audio captured by: Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes live sound by: Jim Reed audio mixed by: Dave Watkins film produced and edited by: PJ Sykes dulcitars designed and built by: Dave Watkins more info: www.cherub.rocks
 

03/06/2019 Bandito’s Burrito Lounge Rehearsal (in an undisclosed warehouse) - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes, Elizabeth Owens, Micha Barry, Thumperor (Jon Hawkins)

The Colloquial Orchestra: Thumperor (Jon Hawkins), Elizabeth Owens, Micah Barry, PJ Sykes, Dave Watkins Rehearsal for 3/10/19 show at Bandito's with Kenneka Cook and Christopher Tignor

2018

There were no Colloquial Orchestra performances in 2018

2017

06/22/2017 Flora - Richmond, VA -  The Colloquial Orchestra presents: a night of experimental and improvised music

This show was booked to be a TCO show but turned into a showcase for Jandek’s Richmond Friday backing band special one-off show. The band was introduced by a personal recording by Matt Farley of Motern Media.

Ready For The House Band (PJ Sykes, Gary Stevens, Chrissie Lozano)

with Amplifier on Fire, honeybrandy, LUNAR, DJ KaraT

Ready For The House Band were the backing band for Jandek on May 12, 2017 in Richmond, VA. They played one more show without The Rep on June 22nd, 2017. Matt Farley of Motern Media pre-recorded this introduction for the band.

2016

There were no Colloquial Orchestra performances in 2016

2015

There were no Colloquial Orchestra performances in 2015

2014

02/07/2014 Renaissance Ballroom - Richmond, VA - WRIR Party For The Rest Of Us 9

Dave Watkins, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Tristan Brennis, Adam Birce, Tim Falen, Kyle Flanagan, Greg Garner, Troy Gatrell, Jon Hawkins, Joseph Hawkins, Evan Hoffman, Shannon Keeter, Clair Morgan Ben Nicastro Adam Tsai

 

2013

08/17/2013 Bogart’s - Richmond, VA - Sounds Of RVA Showcase

Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes, Greg Garner, Ben Nicastro, Joon Kim, Tim Falen, Nathaniel Roseberry

 

04/09/2013 Gallery 5 - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes, Ben Nicastro, Greg Garner, Jameson Price, Laney Sullivan, Ethan Kuhn, Ethan Johnstone, Reid LaPierre, Jason Scott, Tristan Brennis, Nelly Kate, 

Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes, Ben Nicastro, Greg Garner, Jameson Price, Laney Sullivan, Ethan Kuhn, Ethan Johnstone, Reid LaPierre, more The Colloquial Orchestra 04/09/2013 Gallery 5 Richmond, VA Filmed by: AKASHIC Cherub Records proudly presents an archival release of Richmond, Virginia's ever changing experimental improvisational ensemble, The Colloquial Orchestra.

02/01/2013 Renaissance Ballroom - Richmond, VA - WRIR Party For The Rest Of Us 8

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Adam Birce, Tristan Brennis, Jimmy Held, Nelly Kate, Shannon Keter, Brandon Martin, Nathaniel Roseberry, Adam Tsai 

The Colloquial Orchestra 02/01/2013 WRIR 8th Birthday Party For The Rest Of Us Renaissance Ballroom Richmond, VA Filmed by Todd Raviotta Cherub Records proudly presents an archival release of Richmond, Virginia's ever changing experimental improvisational ensemble, The Colloquial Orchestra. "Alive in Richmond" showcases the evolution of our music and arts community between the fall of 2009 and winter 2014.

 

2012

12/01/2012 Emilio’s - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, PJ Sykes Nathaniel Roseberry

 

7/14/2012 Gallery 5 - Richmond, VA - WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Volume Two

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Shannon Keeter, Brandon Martin, Ben Nicastro, Adam Rose

For this show TCO lined the walls and the audience sat in the middle of the room. 

"Best surround sound set: Colloquial Orchestra's dynamic smorgasbord of eight musicians placed around the room and following the lead of the amazingly talented Dave Watkins on electric dulcitar.

The 27-minute improvised piece featured some of my favorite people, including Adam of Marionette, Matt of Snowy Owls and PJ, a guy who changes from mild-mannered photographer to beast of a guitar god when he has an instrument in his hand.

Also of note was Brandon, who entered the fray late in the game, setting up a drum and taking over percussion duties a bit after the set had begun." - Karen

Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Shannon Keeter, Brandon Martin, Ben Nicastro, Adam Rose For this show TCO lined the walls and the audience sat in the middle of the room. This set up provided a surround sound feel that would be unique to each person.
Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Shannon Keeter, Brandon Martin, Ben Nicastro, Adam Rose For this show TCO lined the walls and the audience sat in the middle of the room. This set up provided a surround sound feel that would be unique to each person.

 6/2/20012 Gibson's Grill - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes

 

3/11/20012 The Camel - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Joon Kim, Laney Sullivan, Jameson Price, Nathaniel Roseberry

Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, Joon Kim, Lobo Marino The Colloquial Orchestra 3/11/2012 The Camel Richmond, VA Filmed by: Janet Lundy (aka GalaxyGirl) Cherub Records proudly presents an archival release of Richmond, Virginia's ever changing experimental improvisational ensemble, The Colloquial Orchestra.

 

2011

8/5/2011 The Courtyard - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, Laney Sullivan, Jameson Price, Nathaniel Roseberry, 

Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, Laney Sullivan, Jameson Price, Nathaniel Roseberry, The Colloquial Orchestra is an impromptu group of musicians who occasionally get together to play some live improv post-rock. The line-up changes from show to show, as does the instrumentation.

7/9/2011 Globehopper - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Jameson Price, Nathaniel Roseberry, surprise guest percussion by Melissa Koch and Hillary Langford

 

6/4/2011 Sprout - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Joon Kim, PJ Sykes, Will Thompson, Kyle Harris

 

4/18/2011 Globehopper - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Joon Kim, P. D. Wilder, Joe Morgan, Zachary M. W. Corsa

  

2010

11/12/2010 Sprout - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Jonathan Vassar

 

10/26/2010 Gibbson’s Grill - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Chris Payne and members of Me and My Arrow + Phantom Tailsfrom the great state of Minnesota

Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Chris Payne and members of Me and My Arrow + Phantom Tailsfrom the great state of Minnesota Filmed by: Heather Hamilton-Brown Cherub Records proudly presents an archival release of Richmond, Virginia's ever changing experimental improvisational ensemble, The Colloquial Orchestra.

7/17/2010 Emilo's - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, (bass/drums show)

 

2009

12/14/2009 The Camel - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Chad Ebel

Members for this performance: Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas, Chad Ebel an excerpt from what was perhaps the first ever improvised electro acoustic jam between bouzouki played by Chad from The Florentines, baritone ukulele played by Matt from Snowy Owls, and dulcitar played by Dave Watkins.

10/02/2009 The Courtyard - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas