nwcMUSIC Programming

Whether you’re a seasoned performer, have just picked up your first instrument, or just like to get into the nitty-gritty of aural entertainment, nwcMUSIC is sure to have programming right up your alley! Here’s what we have lined up for you this year…

Panels

The oldest form of geek music at SF conventions is a branch-off from folk called “filk.” It has an intentionally open and deeply participatory culture, and isn’t just folk-derived, despite the origins. This panel is your introduction to fandom’s oldest tradition of participatory geek music. Come on out and play!

Less is more. You’ve heard that before. “A blank canvas kills ideas.” You’ve heard that too. How do constraints actually stimulate creativity, and what’s it like to write under particularly esoteric constraints? Can work made this way stand as something other than gimmick? Join nerdcore artist Klopfenpop and our other panelists as they explore — and demonstrate by example — how writing in Hard Mode stimulates the creative mind.

Everybody wants to make a demo. What can you do with what you’ve got? If that won’t do — and it probably won’t — what do you really need to create a good demo? How little can you get away with; or, if you have even a small budget, what can you do to turn a spare bedroom into decent recording space? Hardware and software solutions are discussed.

Everybody wants to make a demo. Okay, you have some equipment. Now what do you do with it? How do you set it up; how do you use it to capture or create the best sounds you can? If you didn’t make the first session on Saturday; that’s okay, come anyway.

One of the touchiest subjects in some older fandoms, yet one of the most transparent, natural, and accepted parts of newer fandoms, is making art out of other peoples’ art. Be it fanfic, remixes, fanart, parodies, Fire Ferrets T-shirts, invocations of Rule 34, MST3K, or even the highly-pop-culture-aware script stylings of Joss Whedon, all of these arts are specifically reliant upon other works to express their visions. When does this become cheating — or does it, ever? Our panelists will discuss the good, the bad, the 50 Shades of Infuriating, and how close to the “legal infringement” line people will go and yet get away with it — or not.

Workshops and Events

The oldest form of geekmusic at SF conventions is a branch-off from folk called “filk.” It has an intentionally open and deeply participatory culture, and ALL forms of geekmusic are welcome! This two-hour workshop sets up a moderated circle to give everyone not only an introduction to filk circle etiquette, but also a turn at playing or singing should they so desire! Bring your instruments, your voice, or just your curiosity and watch what happens!

Introductory participatory geekmusic–filksinging!–for kids and young adults.

Have you ever wondered how people figure out what kind of musical instrument they want to play? Several of our pros have volunteered to bring their instruments and introduce them to people. This is a hands-on workshop; after an introduction of the instruments, participants will be able to try out various instruments, and given brief introductions on how to play them, by their owners. This panel is aimed at teens and adults; kids are welcome, but must be of an age and attitude appropriate to handle other peoples’ musical instruments!

Do you have what it takes to gain the appreciation of our audience and panel of fan and celebrity d/r/u/n/k/s/ judges? FIND OUT! Bring your song, your work-in-progress, your shtick, your standup act, your freak show, your whatever – bring your talent to our free-form talent show! You have eight minutes, two songs, or until the gong gongs, whichever is shorter. Show us what you got!

The Irish Session is one of the old forms of participatory music-making. Groups of musicians who know various traditional tunes meet, usually at a pub, and play together. There’s no stage, no formal separation of audience; anyone who knows the tune can join in at any time. There are several such sessions throughout Cascadia, from the Lower Mainland of British Columbia through Seattle and Portland and points south. We’ll talk a little about the history, and then we’ll just go do one. Music for several common tunes was posted at the website and is still available; we’ll have a few copies as well. But if you don’t want to play, and just want to come listen; you’re called a “punter,” and that’s fine too.

Come and play, every day, 11pm until unconsciousness. We’re open all night! Norwescon membership required.