They are now pulling together an event featuring all three elements for "Big Top Road," which they promise will be a unique program.
"The title, like the event, is totally open to interpretation," he said.
Shakespearian poetry will be recited in one segment, juxtaposed with modern music from rock to folk and art. The notions of idealism, impracticality and romance will run through the performances Saturday and Sunday.
Sarkin understands that the event may not appeal to everyone, and may even be hard to define, but he encourages people to give it a try.
The organizers want to keep an element of surprise about the event, but Sarkin revealed a flavor of the evening's artistic journey.
In addition to Shakespeare, the words of many others will be heard, including Bob Dylan, Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Waits, Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot and Sam Coleridge. Even the song "Moon River" has its place in the show.
McColl described the new performance art piece as "an unflinching look at art, text and music."
Sarkin, who will recite some of his poetry, said there is a common thread in "Big Top Road."
"The romantic ideal is this - we strive for something perfect in our lives, for the ideal of perfection, but whenever we think we get to it, we have to reach further to get to it. We feel if we work harder, try to be a better person, pray more, do better in life that we'll get there. But we don't. But we persevere," said Sarkin. "The common thread is the experience of the complete unreachability of perfection. This evening is about being in the moment."
He said the audience should expect an evocative event.
"It's about finding perfection in imperfection," he added. "I think that's why we listen to music and look at the sunset. It's something that makes you feel."
Sarkin will recreate his Gloucester studio on the West End stage for the performance and paint throughout the evening.
The Rockport artist knows well the virtue of perseverance.
Sarkin suffered a stroke in 1988 at age 35 and remained in a coma for three months. He emerged with a life changed forever by medical complications that forced him to make adjustments including leaving his successful chiropractic business. He later devoted his life to pursuing art, and his life story has been noticed by many from GQ magazine to Tom Cruise.
Sarkin's art has been described as busy, dense, collage-type canvases full of doodles, text and whatever comes into his mind. His work has been exhibited in galleries from Boston to Los Angeles.
King also knows well the art of perseverance in his continued pursuit of music.
Many of the tunes in "Big Top Road" were composed by King, who recently released the CD, "Light City Live," the cover of which was designed by Sarkin. This is King's fourth solo CD.
The two met more than a decade ago at the Rhumbline when King ran the open jam session on Monday nights.
Sarkin would sit in with different groups and recite his poetry, especially with the group Johnny Carwash.
"So many of us know each other through the music and art scene of Gloucester," said King, who has been playing guitar since age 15 and went on to play in bands in college at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where he studied history. He has also performed at other New England colleges, and at venues in New York City, Los Angeles and Texas.
"My music is based in blues and folk, and rock and roll," said King, now 36, who performs and directs the music at Capt. Carlo's.
King boasts about the talents of the musicians who play with him in his band: the British-born Dave Mattacks on drums, who has played with some of music's best like Elton John; and guitarist David Brown, who too has played for top musicians like Billy Joel and Simon and Garfunkel; and Wolf Ginandes, a top New England bass player.
This weekend's event is a departure for King, but one he's looking forward to making.
"I'm very excited. This is a whole new gig," said King. "I've never done anything like this multimedia event. This is an art installation, and there will be art everywhere. We'll take a look at many of the influences on us, like the effects of art on my writing and the effect of music on art."
If you go
What: A performance art event titled "Big Top Road"
Where: The West End Theater at One Washington Street in Gloucester's Blackburn Building.
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
How: For reservations, call 978-281-0680. Tickets also available at the door just before showtime.
