Make Nashville » Theatre Intangible

Tim Kaiser returns to Nashville for concert and electronic workshop, Friday at Make Nashville

Circuit Benders Ball, Circuit-Bending, Concerts, Making No Responses »

Apr 092017

Tim Kaiser, maker supreme, ambient maestro, and two-time Circuit Benders’ Ball performer, is returning to Nashville on Friday, April 14th to perform a special set at Make Nashville. On Saturday afternoon, he will lead a piezoelectric pick-up workshop.

Based out of Duluth, Minnesota, Tim creates his own instruments out of thrift store finds, children’s musical toys, automotive parts, and in a few cases, snow plows! He plucks, bows, loops, and bends the instruments into melodic, otherworldly ambient music. This profile by Make TV is a great introduction:

Opening the Friday evening show is Nashville keyboardist and circuit bender No Stress (Paul Horton). Paul plays in the jazz duo Concurrence and is a touring member of the Alabama Shakes. As the solo act No Stress, Paul uses circuit-bent toys, keyboards, and looping pedals to make music unlike anything you’ve heard.

Here’s Paul at the 2014 Circuit Benders’ Ball (under the moniker The Tree is Base):

Saturday afternoon from 12pm to 3pm, Tim Kaiser will lead a workshop on making piezoelectric pick-ups, the very same kind he puts in his kalimbas and bowed instruments.

Tickets are on sale now for both events. Details below.

Friday, April 14, 8pm
An Evening with Tim Kaiser and No Stress
@ Make Nashville, 947 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
All ages, $10 in advance, $15 at door.
Buy tickets here.

Saturday, April 15, 12pm to 3pm
Create a Piezo Electric Pick-up with Tim Kaiser
@ Make Nashville, 947 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206
All ages, $15 for Make Nashville members, $20 for general public
Buy tickets here.

Make Nashville Workshop: Papercraft Automata, 08/21/2016 12-4pm

Making, Off Topic, Visual Arts No Responses »

Aug 112016

Purchase Tickets

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be teaching one of the first workshops at Make Nashville‘s brand new space!

The class is called “Papercraft Automata” and is open to students ages 11 and up. (Younger students are welcome with parental accompaniment.) If the first class is successful, I hope to make it a continuing series.

Using Rob Ives’ wonderful paper automata designs, I will teach you the basics of mechanical movement. Each class will explore a different mechanical movement concept including crank sliders, scotch yokes, geneva cranks, gear boxes, worm gears, rack and pinions, and more

In the first class, we will learn all about cams by building the Hungry T-Rex Dinosaur! This is a great introduction to mechanical movement because the kit provides several sets of cams that change the dinosaur’s animation.

Cams have been around for hundreds of years. They are the main mechanical principal behind self-writing, self-drawing, and music-playing automata such as the one featured in the movie Hugo. There’s so much you can do with this one simple concept!

Date: Sunday, August 21 from 12pm to 4pm.
Location: Make Nashville, 947 Woodland St, Nashville, TN
Class fee: $7 for Make Nashville makerspace members. $12 for non-members.

We will supply all tools and components, however if you have a favorite cutting mat, pair of scissors, or Exacto-knife, feel free to bring it along.

Buy your tickets here. This class is limited to 18 students and is expected to sell out, so reserve your spot quick.

Learn more about the Hungry T-Rex here.

Purchase Tickets

Pictures from the 2014 Nashville Mini Maker Faire

Making, Visual Arts No Responses »

Sep 162014

The 2014 Nashville Mini Maker Faire was last Saturday, and I had an absolute blast! Erica Ciccarone and I displayed 3D-printed objects and textile art at the Make Nashville booth. I also taught a papercrafting course using Rob Ives‘ wonderful paper automata.

Here are some pictures Erica and I took at the Faire:

Our Make Nashville booth. Photo by Erica.

Our Make Nashville booth and Erica’s Fancy Fox quilt. Photo by Erica.

Our Make Nashville booth. Photo by Erica.

Some 3D printed inventions in our Make Nashville booth. Photo by Erica.

I demonstrate how to make your own carbonated soda. Photo by Erica.

Photo by Erica.

A local artist asked people to draw their favorite places in Nashville. Photo by Erica.

A local artist asked people to draw their favorite places in Nashville. A Photo by Erica.

A local artist asked people to draw their favorite places in Nashville. Photo by Erica.

Bubbles! Photo by Erica.

This guy. Photo by Erica.

Some young makers. Photo by Erica.

A suspicious face at the origami booth. Photo by Erica.

A suspicious origami artist. Photo by Erica.

Origami club. Photo by Erica.

A future refrigerator poet. Photo by Erica.

Puppets! Photo by Erica.

I teach a course on Rob Ives’ papercraft automata. Photo by Tony.

I teach a course on Rob Ives’ papercraft automata, and Erica enjoys the company of a future engineer. Photo by Tony.

I teach a course on Rob Ives’ papercraft automata. Photo by Erica.

Help an Antioch High School Engineering Class Get a 3D Printer

Making No Responses »

Mar 312014

Printrbot Simple Metal

Maker group Make Nashville, of which I’m a member, is helping an Antioch High School engineering class crowdfund a 3D printer. By donating, you will have a direct impact on the lives of area students. There’s nothing quite so thrilling as designing your own thing on a 3D modeling program and then watching it become a tangible object on a 3D printer.

The campaign ends in 2 days, and we’ve only just reached our starting goal. Head on over and give what you can. We may not be able to bump the total up to LulzBot Taz 3 level, but I think we can reach the Printrbot Simple Metal Kit, a dang good printer for a great price that was listed for sale after our campaign began.

Older Entries