Church of Magic

BEN FOLSTEIN PRESENTS CHURCH OF MAGIC

A Hedonihilist Revival in Two Acts

Featuring multimedia artist Ben Folstein, with Feathericci, Jerry Weimer, Pete Van Leeuwen, Dan Gower, Nick Petree and The Enchantresses. Part rock show, part art show, part book signing, part record release party, part immersive satirical cultist fantasy, part College of Santa Fe reunion, this promises to be a magical night.

The Church of Magic is a fictitious benevolent cult headed by the (self described) polymathic iconoclast known to his followers as Ipsissimus Mark. The Church adheres strictly to the teachings of recently (spuriously) discovered texts in the the Lake Vorts region of Latvia. A Dr MSL Matheson has just recently translated these writings and published them as The Book of Abra. (Free copies available at www.hedonihilism.org) In the Book of Abra, we are taught that the universe is but one layer of lasagna on a tray in a rack of trays of lasagnas, which are used to power an ultra dimensional civilization. This rack of lasagna batteries is maintained by two ultra dimensional engineers by the names of Hedon and Nihol. It is their job to keep this machinery clean, i.e. free of living things. Such is the struggle of life. Meanwhile, we are taught, the best we can do is love each other and love ourselves, and above all, please calm down. This new religion is known as Hedonihilism.

The evening will feature Mantras in the form of a rock show, which is also the name of the record which will be released on that night. Free books will be available, and Ipsissimus Mark’s large scale artwork will be on display. The audience should also expect attempts at Astral Projection, as well as some burlesque Cult Rituals.

This is the latest of a (mid) lifetime of productions by multimedia artist Ben Folstein. His films, live shows and radio dramas have been exhibited across the country and internationally. Though deeply influenced by the experimental underground, Folstein is at heart a comedian. As Colin Quinn has stated: “Ben Folstein is funny, but he’s so much more than that. Actually, he’s just funny.”

The bill is stacked with a veritable who’s who’s of CSF musicos. Feathericci, local Santa Fe legend, will be featured on drums, along with legendary local Jerry Weimer on Horns. Plus, ice cream mogul Pete Van Leeuwen and sound designer Dan Gower will be shipped in from Los Angeles to round out the Church of Magic band, also known as the Apostle Lips. The show will feature the new splinter-group from the burlesque troupe Way Out West Starlets. Introducing The Enchantresses!

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