Submissions are now open for the 11th edition of theCanadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA). Canadian artists and groups whose albums were released in Canada between June 15, 2014 to June 14, 2015 are eligible.
Established by Canada’s burgeoning and internationally-recognized folk music community, the awards currently boast 20 categories. Five nominees are chosen for each category. A three stage jury process by 100 jurors located across Canada representing all official provinces, territories and languages determine the official winners in each category. Complete eligibility requirements are listed here: http://folkawards.ca/eligibility/
Watch their handy video on how submissions are judged:
Fine songs covered by computers continued! YouTube user Arganalth has created a new video and song featuring a number of floppy and hard disk drives playing Nirvana‘s 1991 hit song “Smells Like Teen Spirit“.
Here is a UK Stones’ tour programme from the autumn of 1966 when they went on the road to promote their Aftermath LP. Supporting the group were Ike And Tina Turner and The Yardbirds.
The National Music Centre (NMC) and Bell today announced a 12-year, $10 million partnership to support the construction of NMC’s new national home in Calgary’s East Village. Named Studio Bell, the facility will open to the public in spring 2016.
“Partnering with Bell supports our national vision and ability to connect with music lovers from coast to coast to coast,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO of the National Music Centre. “Studio Bell will be a technologically innovative national hub celebrating Canada and the power of music. We are confident the Studio Bell partnership positions us to deliver on our mission, vision and commitment to honour Canada’s music story.” “Bell is excited to help celebrate Canada’s rich music history with our support for the new home of the National Music Centre, Studio Bell,” said Loring Phinney, Vice-President Corporate Marketing, Bell Canada. “With our commitment to the development of Canadian media of all kinds, Bell is proud to invest in the National Music Centre and its work to inspire a new generation of musicians and music lovers across the country.”
Home of the National Music Centre currently under construction in Calgary’s East Village and scheduled to open in spring 2016, Studio Bell will be home to the National Music Centre, a national cultural organization devoted to amplifying a love, sharing, and understanding of music. It will become an international hub of music and technology, and will house NMC’s 2000+ piece collection of artifacts, instruments and music technology, 22,000 square feet of exhibitions devoted to telling the stories of music in Canada, a 300-seat performance space and recording studios.
The National Music Centre (NMC) is a national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music. In its new home at Studio Bell, NMC will preserve and celebrate Canada’s music story and inspire a new generation of music lovers through programming that includes on-site and outreach education programs, performances, artist incubation, and exhibitions.
The sponsorship was announced at an event this morning featuring a special performance by Randy Bachman, a longtime supporter of NMC. Bachman commemorated this NMC milestone by presenting the guitar on which he wrote and recorded “American Woman.” Bachman will lend the guitar to NMC for exhibition at Studio Bell when it opens.
NMC has raised $125 million towards its campaign goal of $168 million. The Government of Canada committed $25 million to the project through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component, and the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary have each committed an additional $25 million. Coril Holdings Ltd. also contributed a $10 million gift to the campaign.
In January 2014, True Detective creator and writer Nic Pizzolatto Pizzolatto signed a two-year contract extension with HBO, effectively renewing the series for two additional seasons. Much like its predecessor, season two of True Detective will consist of eight episodes, all to be written by Pizzolatto. However, the responsibility of directing will be assigned to several people; Justin Lin is in control of the first two episodes, and HBO has released the first trailer for Season 2.
True Detective starring Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch premieres June 21.
Samuel Hatmaker must be a pretty big LEGO fan. He also must be a big watcher of the TV show The Golden Girls, because he combined both into a set design worthy of the internet going crazy for this.
Samuel submitted it to LEGO Ideas, and the project has already drawn 10,000 votes, enough to send it to LEGO design experts for evaluation. Hatmaker explains the proposed set:
This is a recreation of the Golden Girls House used in filming the popular 1980’s show that is still watched daily around the world. It is the Foyer, Living Room, and Kitchen built like a TV set, with one wall removed and a full view into the space. It comes with 5 minifigures including Dorothy, Rose, Sophia, Blanche, and Stanley. It has been meticulously recreated to have opening cupboards and fridge in the kitchen, Wicker Sofa and Chairs, a hallway backdrop, a storage closet in the kitchen, and an outdoor area with potted plants and a hose.
I don’t know who would really buy this, but then, most of the watchers of the show were likely around when LEGO was first invented.
On April 29th, 2015, you can take The Ultimate Marvel Marathon challenge at select Cineplex theatres to see all the Marvel Studios feature films released chronologically starting with IRON MAN; THE INCREDIBLE HULK, IRON MAN 2; THOR: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER; MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS; IRON MAN 3; THOR: THE DARK WORLD; CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER; GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and the opportunity of being one of the first to see: AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON – When Tony Stark jumpstarts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as they battle to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the villainous Ultron.
See all 11 movies, and you’ll get an exclusive collectible Avengers medallion, too. Click here to buy your tickets.
Guitars Over Guns Organization (“GOGO”) was founded in 2008 by Dr. Chad Bernstein, an accomplished professional trombonist and educator in Miami, and his father, Bob Bernstein, a successful financial professional in Chicago. The inspiration derived from their joint desire to formalize the ad-hoc mentoring that many members of Suénalo, a popular Miami band of which Chad was a member, had been providing in their community for years. After several years studying philanthropic start-ups, the first program was born with an intense desire to provide kids from the most under-served neighborhoods opportunities to play music, especially music they love . . . opportunities that Chad and all the mentors had in their lives but saw fading from school curriculums and budgets.
Through an initial partnership with Communities in Schools (CIS) of Miami, GOGO began mentoring students of North Miami middle school. The program grew over the next three years, increasing in popularity among the students and gaining traction in the school and community through performances. GOGO opened a second program in 2012-13 at Miami Edison Middle School.
Guitars Over Guns’ Chad Bernstein with young musicians at the NBC 6 South Florida studios.
GOGO’s other major partners include the University of Miami’s Frost MusicReach program, which provides college music students to provide supplemental music education and mentoring for their students. And others are noticing the fine work – In 2014, the GOGO program was among a small handful of featured not-for-profits in the McDermott, Will & Emory 2014 Annual Report on Social Responsibility, a global publication.
Since launching in 2008, GOGO has now mentored over 240 students. Measuring impact has always been their key driver. In the last two years alone we have served 126 students, of whom 92% improved their GPA, 94% improved decision making skills (ACOPE pre and post assessment), 97% improved attendance as measured by school records, and 99% of previously suspended youth did not get suspended after program participation.
More meaningful to these young musicians is the fact that they have written and produced their own music and videos, been accepted into performing arts schools and higher music education opportunities, and performed on the radio, CBS, and NBC. GOGO students have also performed side-by-side with their mentors and at such renowned venues as the Filmore and Jackie Gleason Theaters on Miami Beach, the University of Miami, and major Miami festivals including the Miami International Book Fair, Art Basel, and the Grassroots Festival. GOGO students have had the opportunity to work with prominent artists such as Omar Tavarez (drummer for Pitbull), Sharon Aguilar (guitarist for CeeLo Green), and Rhea (singer for Pharrell). And finally, every GOGO student gets the opportunity to be professionally recorded – eternal proof that they overcame their fears, became accountable to themselves and their peers, and built a bridge to their future.
As you can tell by looking at Jambé, it was inspired by a drum. It is shaped and sized like a drum, and is built with all natural wood and metal materials. It even fits regular drum stands. Jambé feels comfortable in your hands or on your lap, and you can play it with regular drumsticks or with your hands, just like any traditional drum.
The Jambé playing surface is covered with a special combination of materials and sensors that read every nuance, from the full impact of a drumstick to the light tapping of a finger. Jambé transforms those gestures into expressive dynamic sounds. There are ten sensor zones which can be programmed as different sounds or effects, giving you a rich sound palette.
Jambé connects to an Apple iOS device, which provides an outstanding user interface. You can easily expand and upgrade your instrument with a few taps on the screen. Jambé comes with a wide variety of sounds, and our In-App store will carry additional sounds and kits, which will open up new playing possibilities.
It’s curently in Kickstarter mode, and you can check it out here:
