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Canwest News Service
So you think you can write a song, Canada? Test yourself at Songposium.
Songposium describes itself as a one-day intensive seminar for songwriters. Discussing the songwriter's craft and evaluating demos are John Capek (a songwriter who has written for Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart), Janis Nixon (works with the Universal label), "Dunner" (CFOX's music director) and Carly Rae Jepsen (former Canadian Idol contestant).
Songposium will take place Nov. 28 at the Library Square Conference Centre (the Alice MacKay Room) and is presented by the Songwriters Association of Canada with the co-operation of Music B.C.
Capek will kick things off with "Anatomy of a Hit" — a look at the songwriting process from conception to rough demos to delivering a hit to radio. Nixon will outline "Marketing on the Web," while Dunner's "Radio Programmer" segment will reveal how the station selects new songs and what it takes to balance the tastes of radio listeners with the needs of advertisers.
Songposium will conclude with "Demo Evaluations" — an opportunity for participants to submit a song for evaluation by the panel of experts.
For submission guidelines, go to www.songwriters.ca.
In memory of George
Among the testimonials that have come in for the late guitarist George Greenwell, who passed away at St. Paul's two weeks ago, is this memory from Tiller's Folly bassist Laurence Knight:
"George and I turned 19, 20 and 21 together in Wicked Orange, then in the Lassiter's Den house band, and then touring the western U.S. He was an incredible player and could hold the whole room enraptured all by himself with his guitar and echoplex."
A ceremony and jam for Greenwell will take place Dec. 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Unit 26 (5896 Fraser St.).
Punkers' one-night stand
If the Sex Pistols could reunite why not these guys?
Two Vancouver punk bands have announced they will regroup each for one night.
Death Sentence is at the Rickshaw Dec. 12. The Enigmas, who were more scuzzy garage rock than punk, will be at the Bourbon Jan. 8 — alas, too late to do their holiday song "Roadblocks Are All Over Town" (sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells").
Shuffle off to Timbre
The F-Holes are beginning a new series, Saturday Blues on the Drive, at a new venue, Timbre (2068 Commercial Dr.). It's a weekly blues shuffle that starts at 3 p.m.
Says F-Holes vocalist/harmonica player Bob Mercer, "Timbre is a nice little restaurant on the Drive that is supporting live blues, jazz, bluegrass and whatever else it can fit into its calendar and into its intimate space. Good music, not too loud but worth hearing. No cover charge."
Christmas for your pet
For the past three years, A Very Vancouver Christmas, an album of original holiday music in aid of the BCSPCA, has been helping to make both four-legged and two-legged spirits bright throughout the Lower Mainland.
This year's album features local acts Tess Dunn, Daphne Kalfon, Olga Osipova and Shari Ulrich.
Past and current contributors to the albums will perform Dec. 20 at St. James Hall (3214 10th Ave.)
For more on A Very Vancouver Christmas, visit veryvancouverchristmas.com.
Speaking of Christmas
Christmas seems to come sooner than expected. Illustrating that point is The Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party. This Yule's bash is Dec.4 at The Biltmore Cabaret (779 Kingsway St.). Performing are: Aunts and Uncles, Kathryn Calder, Fanshaw, Kellarissa, Vancougar, Hot Panda, Carolyn Mar and The Pack AD.
Proceeds to benefit Girls Rock Camp Vancouver.
Upcoming gigs
– Guitarist David Sinclair (Nov. 28, Wired Bean, North Vancouver)
– Cherelle Jardine next musical expressions concert features Sandy Scofield (Dec. 5, Richmond Cultural Centre)
– Folk-rocker Rick Parnell unveils his EP, One Eye Open (The Main on Main, Dec. 10)
Bloody Mary time
The Stitch-Up of Bloody Mary is an album by the duo of Kayleigh of The Scarlet Ending and filmmaker/composer CJ, which goes by the name, Elective.
Why not check it out on myspace?
tharrison@theprovince.com
