For the first time on film, The Viking of Sixth Avenue tells the story of Moondog, New York Street icon, internationally renown composer and the ultimate musical cult figure. Charlie Parker and Benny Goodman hung out with him. Philip Glass lived with him, Steve Reich and Jon Gibson performed with him and all three modern music greats recorded with him.

If you are a student of the great American midcentury freak scene — and who isn't? — there is a solid chance you have at the very least seen images of the man they called Moondog. You may have even heard his music. But do you know Moondog, beyond the kitsch and the Viking helmet? Perhaps a more important question is: Will you? As time elapses from the 1999 death of one Louis Thomas Hardin, there's more and more serious consideration of the man as a composer. And as the launch of the avant-garde/new music collective Bowerbird's new Arcana New Music Ensemble, Moondog will get probably the most serious appreciation he's ever received in Philadelphia. And what an ensemble that is. Here's the lineup and instrumentation:

ARCANA NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE

Katie Ambacher, flute
Nicholas McNamara, alto saxophone
Aaron Stewart, tenor saxophone
Mark Zelesky, baritone saxophone
Tessa Ellis, trumpet
Elizabeth Huston, harp
Eric Derr, percussion
Andy Thierauf, percussion
June Bender, violin
Joshua Machiz, double bass

No doubt, it'll be quite a sound. Perhaps a whole new phase. In the meantime, know thy Moondog, know thyself:

01. Caribea (0:00) 02. Lullaby (1:31) 03. Tree Trail (3:47) 04. Death, when you come to me, may you come to me swiftly; I would rather not linger, not linger (6:05) 05. Big Cat (8:13) 06. Frog Bog (10:05) 07. To a Sea Horse (12:18) 08. Dance Rehearsal (14:04) 09.