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. 

 

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)

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

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, 

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 

 

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

 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

 

2011

8/5/2011 The Courtyard - Richmond, VA

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

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

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

10/02/2009 The Courtyard - Richmond, VA

Dave Watkins, Matt Klimas