Scrap Arts Music brings its blend of musical diversity to DeKalb tonight.

The group features unique homemade instruments ranging from the Scorpion Drum to the Plankphone.

Based out of Vancouver, Canada and led by founder Gregory Kozak, who doubles as the group’s percussionist, Scrap Arts Music has been compared to such acts as Blue Man Group and Stomp.

The quintet, consisting of four males and one female, will perform a set titled ”Phonk!,” which combines everything from pop to world music and is accompanied by visual dance movements.

“The group trained at a dance center in the Canadian Rockies for three months to perfect their routine,” said Justine Murdy, who helped create “Phonk!” and acts as the Scrap Arts Music manager while on the road.

The group first started performing in 2000 on street corners and at events in British Columbia. Within a year, they were stateside. The group has traveled outside of North America as well. Members have taken their talents to the United Kingdom and China.

“We traveled to China this past summer to perform and did a lot of promotion for the show, including interactive workshops,” Murdy said.

After jet-setting halfway around the world for a show, it was cancelled due to a typhoon.

What makes the show so compelling, however, are the instruments. The group travels with more than 2,000 pounds of instruments to every show.

“The instruments are made from whatever material Gregory can find,” Murdy said. “Some of the Asian instruments are made from bamboo while some of the African instruments are made from gourds.”

Certain instruments are designed to reflect the culture which they represent.

“We had been getting requests for acts such as Blue Man Group and Stomp to perform in DeKalb, but we were unable to afford them,” said CAB Fine Arts coordinator Tami Marsiglio.

“What we are doing is bringing in a new concept of music and choreography and humor to the stage. It’s very do-it-yourself and very inspiring,” Murdy said. “I think university audiences will get what we are doing because it’s creative and edgy.”

What: Scrap Arts Music

When: 7:30 p.m. tonight

Where: Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

Cost: $7 for NIU students with ID; $16 for NIU faculty, staff and children 8-18; and $19 for the general public

For tickets or more info, visit the CAB Box Office or call 753-3146