Downtown Digital electronic music series

Mike Black

The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts (SICA) in Long Branch is launching Downtown Digital, a new series of monthly events that will expose the audience to a growing variety of today's electronic artists and genres within the Modern Electronic Music category.

Events will be held on the second Friday of the month, beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is only $5.

Kicking off Downtown Digital's exploration in modern electronic music will be Mike Black and Buh.

Black has played the New Jersey shore for years with bands and as a solo act. He plays keyboards, synthesizers, vocoder and the "Warr Guitar"- an eight-stringed tapping instrument.

Buh (aka Richard Wilkins) has played classical guitar and electric guitar. When he broke his wrist in a skateboarding accident and couldn't play, he discovered computer software that allowed him to compose using a keyboard. He plans to release his first full length CD of modern electronic music in July.

Digital music is in the mainstream these days. Entire orchestras are housed on a single computer. Music is created on a computer, arranged on a computer, or made ready for publication and broadcasting on a computer. Many contemporary recording artists now rely on digital music creation software to help them produce today's hit songs.

SICA's primary goal is to increase accessibility, awareness and appreciation of the contemporary arts in central New Jersey. The arts center is located at 20 Third Ave. in Long Branch.

For more information, call (732) 263-1121 or visit www.sica.org.