Mag My Pic

Wanna feel like a celebrity, or turn a friend into one? Have fun with this neat little website that gives you a number of different magazine cover options then automatically superimposes them over a picture you upload.
It could also be used as a great visual motivator, to help you see where you want to be!

http://www.magmypic.com/

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Subscribe to People Magazine at a 37% discount!

Vancouver To Have Women's Radio Station

Harvard Broadcasting is in the run for a new FM Station in Vancouver. JANE FM 104.1 will feature many established and up & coming BC Women Music Artists with a focus on Roots, Folk & Alt Country.

JANE FM's application is coming before the CRTC in late February - but, support has to reach Harvard Broadcasting, or Grrls With Guitars organizer Nadine Davenport or directly to the CRTC by January 23rd 2008.

On a local level – this application has great potential for Vancouver longest running Women Songwriter Showcase & Compilation Series. The key is getting a successful application & winning the bid for the FM station available. If JANE FM is born there will be an opportunity to produce Grrrls With Guitars Compilation CD's for the next 7 years. From the beginning the Grrrls With Guitars mandate has always been to showcase at the highest possible level some of this Country’s brightest emerging talent. As a multifaceted project with 14 years under it's belt, it continues to seek out new & upcoming women songwriters of all genres that will be the voice of the future. There is certainly no shortage of talent to choose from.

"It is exciting to think about a future with many opportunities for women artists in the years to come on the airwaves of Jane FM. The injection of funding by Harvard into the GWG project will breathe new energy into this grassroots indie endeavour and allow us to produce CDs on an annual basis," Davenport says.

The Vancouver hearings have been scheduled for the end of February. The applications are now public and there are 16 applicants. They are now in the process of getting letters of support and in order for these to become part of the public record they must be filed by the third week of January.

There will be a meet-and-greet tomorrow, January 9th, in Vancouver at the Hotel Vancouver. You can bring anyone you like and anyone you think might be able to help raise awareness and support for this radio service. They would like to get as many people as possible out. They will host two sessions - 5pm to 7pm and a second one from 7pm to 9pm. It will allow them ti discuss their vision of what the service will be, collect input and answer any questions that people may have.

"We will have take away information as well and hope to motivate the submission of a 1000 letters. This will be an important part of the process in convincing the Commission," according to Davenport.

For this reason, Harvard Broadcasting is asking for your support to help make JANE FM 104.1 application a success. The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) evaluates input from the local community and businesses to determine the successful applicants.

You can also write a letter, showing your support for the application which will be presented at the license hearing the week of February 28, 2008.

Here is the procedure for filing Letters of Support for Harvard Broadcasting

1. Use the sample letter & support info ( the icons below ) to best address the needs of our application. We do encourage you to customize as much as possible or the Commission will file it as a "form letter". While this does not discount it entirely, it certainly has more force if it is seen as been inspired and constructed by the individual.

2. Insure that the application filing number (200714221) is included.

3. Please provide Harvard Broadcasting with a copy of your letter at the same time that you send it to the CRTC. Mail to 1900 Rose Street, Regina, SK, S4P 0A9 or janefm@harvardbroadcasting.com.

4. You can either fax the letter or mail it. CRTC - Ottawa, Ontario Canada, K1A 0N2
The fax number is 819-994-0218. If you fax they should retain the confirmation sheet.

5. Or you can file electronically at on the CRTC web site.

http://support.crtc.gc.ca/rapidscin/default.aspx?lang=en&applicant=n2007-12

Following the link above, click the button labeled > 2007-18
Put a check mark in the box beside ' 200714221' Harvard Broadcasting,
and click next, at the bottom of the page. Add your comments, or attach your letter and click next. Choose whether or not you would like to appear in person at the hearing, and click next. Fill out your personal information and click next. Click Submit.

6. If possible please place the letter on company letterhead.

7. If you would like to appear at the Vancouver public hearing to show your support you must state that in your letter to the CRTC.

8. Filing of the letters of support needs to be received by the CRTC by Jan 23rd, 2008.

For more information go to the Grrls With Guitars website:

http://www.grrrlswithguitars.com/

How to Download Videos Off YouTube

If you've ever really wanted to download a video from YouTube to store it on your home computer, now you can easily with www.media-convert.com.

A free service.

Here is a little video that explains the process.


How To Download Videos From Youtube.com - Click here for more blooper videos

MUSIC AGAINST RACISM PROJECT

Deadline: February 1st, 2008 5pm (PST)
Click HERE for the application form.

Music BC Industry Association is administering this component of the "Music Against Racism" Project on behalf of the Settlement and Multiculturalism Division, Ministry of Attorney General, and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism. The Music Against Racism Project is a component of the "Make a Case Against Racism" activity kit which addresses Grades 4 - 7 curriculum objectives in British Columbia. This project is to promote multiculturalism, cultural diversity, and awareness of racism in BC.

Music BC is requesting song submissions from music artists from BC. Your song, should it meet the specific criteria, will be uploaded to a web page on www.musicbc.org which will be accessed by Grade 4-7 students across BC. The students will select their top 15 tracks via online voting. The 15 songs selected will be included on a compilation CD. 2000 CDs will be manufactured for promotional purposes, which will feature artwork created by the students.The manufacturing of the first 1000 CDs has been generously sponsored by CDman.The students will be notified that the songs on the website are for personal use only and that file sharing of the music and/or lyrics is strictly prohibited. The artists selected by the students will each receive $250 for a Master Use License Fee (sound recording), and $250 for a Mechanical LIcense fee (composition). For example, if the artist has full ownership of the song (Master Use & Mechanical) then they will receive the full $500 if they are one of the top 15 artists selected by the students.

For submission criteria & more info on the program, please visit the link below

http://www.musicbc.org/backstage/funding/map/musicagainstracismproject.cfm

Music and Life - Alan Watts

I found this to be helpful in my own meditation on life. Thought you might like it too!

Produced by the makers of South Park.

Documentary about early marketing techniques

THE CENTURY OF THE SELF


Two: The Engineering of Consent

The programme explores how those in power in post-war America used Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind to try and control the masses.

Politicians and planners came to believe Freud's underlying premise - that deep within all human beings were dangerous and irrational desires and fears. They were convinced that it was the unleashing of these instincts that had led to the barbarism of Nazi Germany. To stop it ever happening again they set out to find ways to control this hidden enemy within the human mind.

Sigmund Freud's daughter, Anna, and his nephew, Edward Bernays, provided the centrepiece philosophy. The US government, big business, and the CIA used their ideas to develop techniques to manage and control the minds of the American people. But this was not a cynical exercise in manipulation. Those in power believed that the only way to make democracy work and create a stable society was to repress the savage barbarism that lurked just under the surface of normal American life.

Here is part of this episode.


http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=1641135807078400467

16 Inspirational Portrait Photography Techniques

I just purchased a Canon Powershot SD1000 Elph. It has made me fully understand how powerful photography can be as a way of communicating emotion, idea and intent.
I have read a few articles from this blog by Brian Auer, and find he has a very good eye when it comes to photography and I agree with his opinions.
Check it out for yourself here.


Photo by Mireia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mireia/229249044/

News from the Music BC Newsletter

Frontside Promotions Group is looking for an Intern
Frontside is a Vancouver based company with divisions handling promotions, artist management, merchandise and online marketing. We are searching for an organized, ambitious and hard working individual that is looking to get involved and gain experience in the music industry. This is a full time position for a term of 4 months.

For more information please contact Justin Wachtel. He can be reached at 604 648 2782 or you can email your resume to justin@frontside.ca

NewMusicWest 2008 is set for May 14 - 18 2008 in Vancouver, BC!
This will be the 17th year of the NewMusicWest Festival and Conference! Last years festival was a major success and generated a lot of buzz within the industry. NMW will be building off that success and bringing in more A&R from major labels as well as the largest number of Indie label reps! Showcasing artists will also receive passes to the conference and networking events.

Apply today for your chance to play at the largest NEW music festival on the West Coast of North America! With over 200 showcase spots available and hundreds of industry reps, new talent will be discovered. Go to www.newmusicwest.com to apply.

Music BC 2008 Compilation CD Sponsored by CD MAN

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 7th, 2007 at 5pm (PST)

You can download the PDF application form here

This program is open to all current paid Music BC members who are current residents of BC and who have commercially released an album or single within the last 12 months of this deadline date. A jury selected by Music BC will determine which songs to include on the 2008 Music BC Compilation CD of BC artists.

Successful applicants will have one track included in the 2008 Music BC Compilation CD at no charge to the applicant. This compilation will be made available at the MIDEM conference in 2008 in Cannes, France, and also available at various Canadian Consulates. The compilation will be available as a promotional CD only and not for sale. Applicants are advised that no royalties or mechanical licensing fees shall be payable for inclusion on this compilation. Applicants acknowledge that Music BC Industry Association may use the compilation CD following the MIDEM 2008 event to promote BC artists to international consulates, labels, Film/TV music supervisors, publishers, and other music industry companies.

ROGERS WIRELESS CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK 2008 - The Rebirth of Music
Now in its 26th year, Rogers Wireless CMW is the single longest running and premiere conference focusing on business of Music, bringing together Sound Recording, New Technology and Broadcast for one spectacular week of events... Combining informative, intensive conferences, cutting edge trade exposition, award shows & Canada's biggest New Music Festival.

By night Toronto's most popular clubs and concert halls throw open their doors to industry insiders and the general public to create an electrifying musicfest of discovery. The talented emerging new bands are music to the ears of A&R reps on the lookout for next year's stars. The Festival spans 4 nights of performances, with over 500 showcasing bands at over 40 live music venues in downtown Toronto.

POP MONTREAL
International Music Festival
October 3-7, 2007
Montreal, QC
www.popmontreal.com

CMJ 2007
Music Marathon & Film Festival
October 16-20, 2007
New York City, NY
www.cmj.com

BAND LOOKING FOR BASS PLAYER
Bass player needed for N.Delta Surrey area rock band, between 16 to 20 years old. We are a serious band with lots of original music averaging 25 shows per year. Climb on board, only serious, talented and commited musicians need reply.CD Release Party coming soon. If you previously applied to this post please do so again as our previous account is lost. Reply to: deltasurreyband@gmail.com

BASS PLAYER WANTED - THE YEARS
"The Years" is looking for a groovin' BASS PLAYER! Whether a pick or finger player, if you can groove between Flea's melodic side and Sir Paul McCartney - you are what we want! We are based in Abbotsford/Mission and some members of the band have christian faith, although we are not a 'christian band'. Check out our dynamics at: www.theyears.ca. If interested, email: theyears@groups.mac.com

DEMO RECORDING STUDIO AVAILABLE
Demo recording Studio available from local artist Richard Cummins. Richard's work has not only garnered the coveted #1 spot at review sites such as the Phantom Tollbooth, but has also beat out such artists as Paul McCartney & Arcade Fire! A relaxed atmosphere located in the fraser valley, this is the perfect studio for a singer/songwriter or developing band. Richard will record, engineer, and mix your project, and as well can be available to provide guitar, bass, drums, BG vocals, etc, to your project. Cd's will be of broadcast quality and are perfect for your myspace, demo package, independent radio and most importantly - sales at gigs! Check out: www.nectarinestudio.com

Looking for musicians? Wish to offer your services? Email your listing to info@musicbc.org FREE FOR MEMBERS!

December 5th Is International Volunteer Day

Canadians make an enormous contribution of time to make life better in our communities. According to the latest figures, almost 12 million Canadians volunteer with charities or organizations and contribute close to two billion volunteer hours!

Impressive as these numbers may seem, the vast majority of volunteer hours are contributed by a small group of Canadians. In terms of the whole Canadian population, only 11 per cent of Canadians contribute 77 per cent of all volunteer hours. This means that 1.3 million volunteers provide 1.5 billion hours— an average of 1,000 hours each.

Find out more here at:
http://www.volunteer.ca/volcan/eng/content/dec5/about.php

Unique Gift-Wrapping Idea

The concept is a good one, even if the video is somewhat dummied down.

http://www.metacafe.com/w/711737

Eastside Culture Crawl artists on the endangered list

Pulled this off of the Georgia Straight website. A definite sign of the times.

News Features By Pieta Woolley

Publish Date: November 15, 2007

login or register to post comments | email this page | printer friendly version

Development threatens artists like Kathy Atkins (left), Dennis Brown, and Eri Ishii, who work from studios at 190 Prior Street.

Right after artist Eri Ishii hosts Eastside Culture Crawl visitors at her rental studio for the Eastside Culture Crawl this weekend, she'll go to City Hall, hoping to save her creative space and the studios of 31 other artists who work there. Christopher Bozyk Architects, on behalf of Amacon developers, has applied to the city's development permit board to turn the red-brick building at 190 Prior Street (formerly 901 Main Street) into 10 high-end apartments. The meeting takes place on Monday (November 19) at 3 p.m.

"If we lose this and any more buildings like this, we're going to be like just another North American suburb," Ishii told the Georgia Straight during an interview at her studio overlooking the Georgia Street Viaduct. "If this happens, the whole city will be dead."

Ishii and a small group from 190 Prior plan to ask Culture Crawl visitors to sign a petition against the development this weekend. Amacon did not return the Straight 's calls by deadline.

The timing is almost theatrical, but the issue is serious. According to Valerie Arntzen, executive director of the 11th annual Eastside Culture Crawl, the future of the grassroots visual-arts festival is threatened by the swift gentrification of Strathcona and Commercial Drive. Although the number of guests is growing, the crawl, which runs from Friday to Sunday (November 16 to 18), is losing artists.

Read the full story here: http://www.straight.com/article-118409/eastside-culture-crawl-artists-on-the-endangered-list

Craft Fairs - A Good Display Is Important

Found this good article by Susan Ward at About: Small Business: Canada
You can read more at http://sbinfocanada.about.com/b/2007/11/07/story-equals-craft-show-success.htm

I visited my first Christmas Craft Show this past weekend - the holiday craft show season is in full swing already! It can be a very lucrative season for some who have mastered what I call the formula for craft show success. The first thing you need to sell successfully at a craft show is an attractive display that will draw potential customers to your table or booth. Learn how to create the kind of display that will turn your booth into a magnet with these Trade Show Tips.

The second thing you need to sell successfully is a good story. As About Arts/Crafts Business Guide William T. Lasley says,

"Every crafter has a tale about how they got started making and/or selling their particular product. These stories are not only interesting, but can also prove to be a powerful marketing tool for craftspeople."

In my experience, it's often the story that's the closer to a sale. Read William's article The Story Behind the Crafts to learn how to craft and present your own story.

More articles on trade / craft show success.

Review Writing Workshop

Are you a writer interested in exploring reviewing contemporary arts?

RealTime, the Australian magazine focused on innovation in the arts, is conducting an intensive 10-day workshop in reviewing contemporary art practices at the 2008 PuSh Festival. The selected writers will respond to performances and events in a festival that offers the opportunity to explore the very latest in exhilarating and challenging performance.

Applications are being accepted from now until November 16. Click here to download more information and the full application instructions.

International Songwriting Competion

Hi,
This is Jennifer Bair at the International Songwriting Competition (ISC). I thought you might be interested in songwriting opportunities, so I just wanted to send you a quick update about the 2007 competition.

ISC is one of the most prestigious and respected songwriting competitions in the world. ISC welcomes original songs from musicians, artists, bands, and songwriters at every level from amateur to professional. ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including an Overall Grand Prize package of $25,000 (US) in cash -- the largest cash Grand Prize in any songwriting competition. ISC winners also benefit from extensive press, publicity, and increased exposure.

ISC's phenomenal judging panels include some of the most legendary recording artists, most popular current performers and writers, and some of the biggest names in the music industry. There are 19 categories that cover all major genres of music, so if you're interested in different genres, click on the link below to see the list of judges for all categories, including our new comedy category (with "Weird Al" Yankovic and Arrested Development's David Cross judging).

The ISC deadline for the 2007 competition is only a few weeks away. All entries must be postmarked on or before November 19. This is your last chance to enter this year's competition. The deadline will not be extended beyond November 19. Entry forms and instructions for entering are available on our website, or call us at 615.251.4441 for more information. You may enter online or by mail.

For more info and to enter, go to: http://www.songwritingcompetition.com

Don't have time to upload your MP3s? ISC is always looking for ways to make it easier for our entrants to enter the competition, so we are excited to announce that ISC is the first major songwriting competition to allow you to enter your songs directly from MySpace.com. This means that if you already have your songs posted on your MySpace page, you can simply include the link to your page on the entry form - instead of having to send a CD in the mail or upload your songs. This will save you a lot of effort and time (so you now have more time to write songs)! Of course, you can also enter via the mail (with a CD or tape) or online (with an MP3).

For more information on this news, please visit the ISC myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/isc

Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone else who might be interested. If you have any questions about the competition, feel free to contact me at any time.

All the best,
Jennifer Bair
ISC
1307 Eastland Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
615.251.4441
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com

To be removed from this mailing list, email remove@songwritingcompetition.com

Important Craft Survey

ATTENTION ALL EAST VANCOUVER ARTISANS AND CRAFTS PEOPLE

Hi Folks,
I'm looking into the possibility of putting on a craft fair and variety show at the Roundhouse in December 2008 - “The Spirit of East Vancouver” Artisan and Family Fun Event. This unique event is meant to showcase East Vancouver artisans and performers by exposing you to a potentially more lucrative Yaletown/Downtown marketplace. We are currently negotiating a partnership which could significantly reduce the cost of venue and table rentals which we, in turn, would pass on to you, greatly reducing your risk for participating in this event.*
*The craft fair will be juried to maintain quality.
Other planned attractions include:

• A corralled children’s area with a variety of top-notch children’s performances
  
• Strolling entertainment to support low traffic areas
• A Saturday evening meet-and-greet (an opportunity for crafters to network and meet our sponsors )
• A family-oriented Christmas Cabaret on Sunday night

To promote our event properly, I am proud to be partnering with Richard Forzley, Director of Marketing for Vancouver Civic Theatres (www.vancouver.ca/theatres), a seasoned performing arts specialist with more than 20 years experience in developing and implementing innovative, cost-effective marketing and communications strategies.
Marketing plans include:

• 500 posters and 10,000 handbills distributed in the Yaletown/Downtown area
• Extensive web coverage
• Regular public service announcements on Co-op Radio 102.7fm
• Paid advertising in the Vancouver Courier and West Ender
• Comprehensive, regular press releases to the local media

We will use our own website as an online directory and a resource for media looking for stories, and will profile as many participating vendors as possible. I hope that you will take a couple of minutes to answer the the online survey to help us with our planning and marketing for the event.
You can find this survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=mpwE_2b4v1OsRB_2b91Z7t8eNw_3d_3d

If you have any questions or would like to participate in this great event, please contact Steven R. Duncan & Associates at 604-788-8340 or email srduncan@shaw.ca.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone you feel might be interested in this.

Why I Went Back To School

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands,
but in seeing with new eyes.
- Marcel Proust, French novelist

When I was a health care worker, the time came when I realised I was in a dead-end job. It had been good career while in my twenties but was starting to take it’s toll on me emotionally and physically as I got older and more frustrated with the system. The average person burns out and leaves that branch of the field after 3 ½ years. I was dangerously overweight, very unhappy and probably headed for a heart attack.

Two things kept me there so long:

1. Financial security
2. A lack of self-confidence in my skills and abilities

In regards to the former, it is difficult to justify leaving a good paying job for the sizably disparate revenues typical of the arts world. The old line “Don’t quit your day job” isn’t necessarily an insult. The key is to find a balance that allows you to be creative while covering your bills until you “make it big”.

I’ve had a ton of temporary part time jobs since finally making the break, and while some might have been unpleasant, I learned something with every one which I could take away with me and put to use in my own business.

In an attempt to address my self-confidence issue, I did two important things for myself:

First, I found out what transferable skills I had; and then, I went back to school for the skills I needed. Most of my paid work since high school would be considered unskilled labour (or so I thought). When I looked at all the things I’d learned to do through work experience, and as a part-time literary event promoter and graphic designer, I’d accumulated a lot of adaptable skills over the years. Knowing this helped me shift my mind set from a stagnated one to one that wanted to move forward with confidence and faith in my own abilities to adapt and grow.

Having a diploma was also an affirmation that I was doing something credible and worthwhile – that I was taking myself seriously. It also started revealing new opportunities to me, but more so, going back to school gave me some perspective about what I had been doing and allowed me to see ways of perhaps doing it more effectively.

While in the college program I chose, I saw that there was a real need for artists (and non-profits, for that matter) to promote themselves better and to start looking at what they do in a more business-like manner with an eye for creating income for themselves. Without spending a ton of money to do it!

As I started building my workshops, I kept this in mind. That’s why the workshops I offer through the Vancouver School Board take way less time and money than similar college level programs.


Get more info at http://smart-arts.blogspot.com

You won’t find any other classes that offer so many great benefits (like fabulous guest speakers) for so little time and money.

I wish they had these courses when I went back to school! Lucky you!

PS: When the big band music business slowed in the late sixties, Vancouver legend Dal Richards returned to school and received a Diploma of Technology in Hospitality Management from BCIT. He worked for fifteen years in the hotel business. Once big band swing music regained popularity in the 1980s, Dal resurrected his Orchestra, and the band and Dal have never been busier. He’s performing on his 90th birthday in January, 2008.

Go back to The Creative Spin

Call for Submissions: FRONT Magazine

FRONT Magazine is seeking new submissions for our fall and winter issues.We are looking for artist projects, short text pieces, images and any other interdisciplinay projects that will fit on the printed page. The upcoming themes are Resolutions, due by Oct 1 and Averages due by Nov 10th. You can mail or email your submissions, please send theme related projects as low res jpegs and please keep text pieces to no more than 1000 words max. Visit our website

www.front.bc.ca/frontmagazine for more submission details.

The next themes for FRONT Magazine are:

Resolutions. Make one now to submit by October 1.

Resolutions:

A strangely fuzzy term: Is it a smoothing, or a sharpening? Or the

promisory note to self? Viewed from any angle, it points into the

future, wherever that might be these days: be it resolved then that

it is temporal. Cost is a factor, as always. And while it is insisted

that higher is greater, some things are unsavory when viewed from any

distance. Unsharp that!

Upcoming

Averages. If it's better than ... you better send it in by November 10.

A series of related or unrelated points, sifted into one thing that may or may not describe them as a whole. We're looking for a new set theory or an unset theory. Sometimes you play them it's hard to beat them. Do your worst or your best, just don't be them.

email:

frontmagazine@front.bc.ca

Contemporary Art and Ideas

Eventsetter: A Free Tool For Producers and Promoters

I found this Craigslist-type event listing web page: http://www.eventsetter.com/.
It was very easy to use and I was able to copy and paste my blog post text flawlessly.

I'm not sure how many people look there, but it does have RSS capability, so you never know.

Check it out.

International Theatre Laboratory of Sergey Ostrenko

Konstantin Stanislavsky

Vsevolod Meyerhold
Michael Chekhov
Theatre Methods Today

September 20-23, 2007
Riga, Latvia

To register, please send your CV and a brief letter of motivation to info@iugte.com

If you'd like to know a little more…
http://www.iugte.com/projects/TheatreLab.php

The Laboratory program was designed for professional performing artists inspired by the teachings of Stanislavsky, Meyerhold and M. Chekhov, interested to establish deeper understanding of their approach and to integrate their ideas into contemporary practical work - rehearsal process, performance and teaching. It focuses on the practical and playable aspects of theatre training, particularly in terms of exercises .

Valuable SEARCH Program Ends

Funding from Service Canada has ended for the SEARCH Program, and it is no longer being offered by the Alliance for Arts and Culture. The Alliance is developing new initiatives that will build on the work of the program and address the needs of artists and other cultural workers. Please visit our website (www.allianceforarts.com) in the fall for updates on these developments.

If you require immediate assistance, you may contact the Alliance at info@allianceforarts.com or by phone at 604-681-3535.