Pitchfork

Georgia-based experimental/modern composition label Table of the Elements will host its fourth festival this Labor Day weekend (August 31 through September 4) at Atlanta's Eyedrum venue, and boy do they have a shit ton of festive activity planned. This year's shindig, titled "Bohrium," (past festivals names have included "Manganese", "Yttrium", and "Dubnium") features all manner of creatively-themed music performances, interspersed periodically (ha ha) with independent films and at least one goat roast.

Bohrium's highlights include legendary avant-guitarist Rhys Chatham's new heavy metal band (!) Essentialist (featuring members of Jonathan Kane's February, Bear in Heaven, and San Agustin) making their world premiere on the last night of the fest. From there, Essentialist will embark on a two-week tour of the U.S. before heading into the recording studio to work on a new album (to be released in early 2007). This October, TotE will release Chatham's 1971 piece Two Gongs, and in December, A Crimson Grail, his 2005 orchestral work for 400 guitars.

As for the rest of the fest, the first day (August 31), titled "Sea Changes and Coelacanths", will feature a John Fahey Tribute/Record Release show. Avant guitarist Loren Conners, improvisational three-piece San Agustin, and experimental guitarist Keenan Lawler will perform, followed by a screening of a John Fahey/Elizabeth Cotton video.

Day Two (September 1), called "Carnivals of Ecstasy: An Evening in the 1960s Underground," is hosted by composer/drone-violinist Tony Conrad (pictured) and includes the world premiere of two films by Ira Cohen, Brain Damage and Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda, as well as films by Jack Smith, Piero Heliczer, and Conrad himself, plus music from special guest Hubcap City.

The third day (September 2) is dubbed "The Thundergods" and showcases Rhys Chatham's Guitar Army, featuring Jonathan Kane (Swans, La Monte Young), Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers), and David Daniell (San Agustin) performing material Chatham wrote in the 1970s and '80s. Jonathan Kane's February and Deerhunter will also perform.

Day Four (September 3)-- "Propellers in Love"-- contains a lineup featuring composer Arnold Dreyblatt and the Orchestra of Excited Strings, Tony Conrad, and a film and video featuring Charlemagne Palestine. Plus Leif Inge will present the first half of his SXSW-favorite "9 Beet Stretch", consisting of Ludwig van Beethoven's ninth symphony extended to 24 (!!) hours, sans pitch distortions.

The fifth element of the Table of the Elements Fest (September 4) is titled "Slow Dazzles" and begins with the Fourth Annual Esplanade Memorial Goat Roast/Low Country Boil, followed by the second half of "9 Beet Stretch" (in case you didn't get enough Beethoven on Day Four), and a slow, dazzling performance by Rhys Chatham's Essentialist.

Great music, weird science!