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…

A first for Norwescon, a dedicated instructional vocal workshop for anyone who wants to start singing. We’re very lucky to have Leith McCombs onboard as an instructor; with many years of experience teaching vocals to beginners at all kinds of events, he’ll get you off on the right foot.

No advance preparation required.

Bring any kind of talent you can show off in eight minutes or less; our talent show/gong show/performance event is open to everyone of all skill levels. Every year to date the audience has been totally cool and the event has been a lot of fun and often hilarious. Is Cascadia’s Got Talent! ready for prime time? Oh my goodness, no. But it is moving to primary space, after filling the Salon the last few years, so c’mon out and bring your friends, your moirails, your Rival-san, whoever you can drag along. There are prizes and a first-place trophy you’ll have to see to believe. And when you see it, you’ll want it. Everyone does. Everyone.

Signups will be at Information, and also immediately before the show.

Advance preparation: You’ll need a name for your act and, optionally, a short description. Also, preferably, sign up at least a few hours beforehand. I’d suggest rehearsal, but the Sex Pistols never bothered, and they got famous, so who are we to say?

This panel has been very popular, so we’re moving it to a larger space! A whole bunch of our music pros will be bringing their more unusual instruments to Find Your Instrument, a hands-on demonstration and tryout environment where you can get a good close look at instruments you likely don’t already know about. It’s a great chance to see if there’s an instrument that calls to you, and get a chance to play with them in an educational environment.

No advance preparation required.

Completely independently, Hiphop and Filk have developed a common set of practices for performance get-togethers. Filkers get together to take turns playing and call them Housefilks. Hiphop/rap/nerdcore artists get together to take turns rapping freestyle and call them Cyphers. They are remarkably similar, at least in theory, so we decided to throw them together and see what happens. This highly experimental daytime workshop/playfest/filk circle/cypher got stuck on Sunday afternoon, so if you like the idea of any of these things, turn out for it! It may never happen again… or will it? We’ll all see what happens, won’t we?

Advance preparation: None required, but whatever you’d do for a cypher or a housefilk.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, starting at 11pm, we open the Evergreen rooms for all-night musical performance called Open Filk Circles. Come bring your instrument, your voice, and any style of geeky music you want, and take turns playing and listening to others play. Sometimes there are group songs, sometimes it’s solo, it’s up to each of you. Thursday night has a little more structure, so if you’re going to be there, show up, learn the ropes, and get screeched in by our mascot, The Screech. It’s relaxed and fun and the most supportive environment you’ll ever find, so if you’ve ever wanted to play music with other people but have been too afraid or embarrassed to try, this is your starting point, and this is the time. C’mon out! It’ll be fun.

No advance preparation required.