Undeniably one of the most highly anticipated unions of voice and word, Tons of Fun University (T.O.F.U.) is one part Mike McGee, one part C.R. Avery, and one equal part Shane Koyczan. Both McGee and Koyczan are Individual Grand Slam Champions of the National Poetry Slam and are North America’s biggest poetry duo, figuratively and physically. Combined, they bring a sense of passion and urgency that is mainstream, timely and unique, while maintaining a creative energy that is no-holds-barred and uncommon in modern poetry and spoken word. Adding C.R. Avery's musical prowess and unparalleled beat boxing skills, and you have a force in spoken word unlike anything ever heard.

Individually, these three performers have accomplished a great deal in the areas of poetry and live stage performance. Shane Koyczan hails from Vancouver, British Columbia and has captained every Poetry Slam team representing Vancouver at the National Poetry Slam since 1999. The highest consistently ranked slam poet in the world, Shane’s a true performer whose theatre and writing background is riddled with scholastic and professional awards, and has received kudos from such luminaries as Maya Angelou and Utah Phillips. Having performed to crowds as large as 12,000 plus, Shane has become one of the most sought after spoken word performers in North America and parts of Europe.

Mike McGee was raised in his hometown of San Jose, California. His early theatre and comedy experience blossomed into stand up comedy performances and slam poetry competitions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. These all helped Mike to develop and establish his brand of spoken word humor, or slam comedy, if you will! His obscure humor and celebrity voice caricatures make for original, witty spoken word. Mike’s passion for self expression and human connection are evident in his work and his reputation for quality is unparalleled.

C.R. Avery, the human beat box from East Vancouver, has beaten a trail all over Canada, America, and Europe; feeding solely on the energy of a live audience who, if their not hanging from rafters for his debut album in N.Y.C., they are jumping on their feet at L.A.’s Knitting Factory for Avery’s seven piece ensemble Freight Train Land -a hip hop opera -2001. He’s been on tour opening for SAGE FRANCIS on the Live Band Dead Poet Tour and, backed by his band the LIBERATION FRONT (bass, guitar, drums, viola and vocal harmonies), Avery rocked Bumpershoot 2003, with standing ovations, for two sold out shows with MEDUSA. A chance meeting, with the likes of CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE, led to C.R’s beatbox version of “Big in Japan” being played for TOM WAITS, who not only thought it was amazing, he called his record label to search Avery down! C.R. has shared the stage with ANI DIFRANCO, the BE GOOD TANYAS, PO’GIRL, and New York’s acclaimed poet PATRICIA SMITH.

With Koyczan’s skill at creating layered metaphors, McGee’s funny, sound storytelling and C.R.'s gifts of rhyme, rhythm, and blues, together, T.O.F.U. showcases each one's marbled sense of humor, creating a thoroughly dynamic chemistry. T.O.F.U. is surely one of the most thought provokingly entertaining acts to hit the stage in North America. With powerful voices and words, humor and insight, they do this because they only do that which they love. Together, they have the ability to rock microphones in such a thorough manner that they will be unforgettable.

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Official site:
www.mikemcgee.net