Are you lost in the hockey rink?

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You go to a hockey game.  In your seat, beer in hand, ready for the best hockey game of your life.  The announcer voice begins calling out the player names and the excitement builds…

Except it doesn’t.  “All professional players, please take the ice.” All low and happy at the same time.  I met a Vancouver singer/songwriter, a lady one, who is really great at playing the “announcer voice” game.

The next announcement… “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the ice… all aspiring hockey players in the world!”  The North end of the arena splits, a solitary fan falls, and in pours hoards of uniformed hockey players of all shapes and sizes.

But it doesn’t end there… “Ladies and gentlemen, that is not all… tonight we have opened the ice to anyone who owns hockey equipment… please try to squeeze in and have a great time!”

No filter.  Means no game.

If you want to see a quality hockey game, where would you go?

Back to the wintery ice-covered lakes?  The neighbourhood street hockey and late night fitness centres?

When I want to hear great music… I don’t turn to the internet… I turn to my livingroom.  Which I have endearingly named the Song Shelter.  Which stands for being a place where music is safe, admired and appreciated.  Where do you go?

Where music comes to play... and people come to listen
For Music Lovers Only – The Short Close Song Shelter – Click for show info and contact.

New rules for FACTOR – More money for new music?

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It always takes Canada a decade or so to catch up with the new trends in music… with great bands like Shovels and Rope sweeping the nation, there has to be some realization from the Canadian Music industry that there is more to life than rock and pop.

Which is my explanation for the new rules at FACTOR.  What better way to give some allowance for great new music to hit your judging tables than to remove the mechanical sales requirements?

That’s right.  FACTOR has opened the door to brand new music with their new set of rules and rating system.

Want to know more?  Join me for workshops explaining the new FACTOR system in comparison to the old one and discover just how you can benefit.  It’s free and the only thing you can lose by attending is the opportunity to find assistance for recording, touring, buying merchandise (yes… the new rules allow for some merch!), promotion and video production.

FACTOR – NEW AND IMPROVED

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
@ Arbutus Music
6324 Metral Drive, Nanaimo, BC
11am – 1pm

The new online application system will launch March 31st.

 

Feeling inspired after the Spirit Awards!

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Spirit Awards 2013

This gallery contains 23 photos.

The most inspiring vision at the Spirit Awards for me was the sight of these personality showstoppers walking to and from the stage to deliver the nights recognition to the businesses, employees and volunteers that have made Ladysmith shine throughout … Continue reading →

Nimbus recognizes Vancouver Island Music Industry course with the Arbutus Music Bursary

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Take Arbutus Music’s Introducing the Music Industry Course and receive a $500 bursary toward a career in music at the Nimbus School of Recording Arts.

Deciding on a career is hard enough without the fear and commitment that comes along with choosing a particular school or program with a pretty hefty price tag.  Sometimes a career choice looks good on the outside, but without any knowledge of what is going on inside it is comparable to choosing a new meal at a restaurant.

 

How many people have tried ratatouille?  The movie brought the name of that particular dish to the height of popularity… but not a lot of people are big fans of zucchini and eggplant dishes.

 

 

I should know.  I tried it solely on the basis of loving the movie without any idea of what was inside and when the dish arrived at the table… I went home still hungry.  I just had no clue and I don’t like squishy vegetables.

 

The music industry is a lot like that.  Not like a squishy vegetable, but like a misrepresented dish.

 

 

It looks all fun and exciting on the outside, but it is a lot of knowledge, experience and hard work on the inside.  It is choosing a career full of ups and downs, excitement and rejection, hard knocks and incredible rewards.

 

“If you are thinking about a career in the music industry from being an artist or manager to a sound engineer, producer or promoter, I’ve developed a 16-week course that gives an introductory amount of information based on 16 topics in the music industry that is being offered at Arbutus Music starting February 7th.”

Cathleen McMahon, Instructor

 

Get the tools that range from a basic understanding of the industry itself to key aspects of publishing, licensing, recording budgets, touring, song splits, record deals and marketing, to help you figure out how the wheels of the industry used to turn and how they will continue to turn in the decades to come.

Your completion certificate entitles you to the Arbutus Music Bursary of $500 off of the course fee at the Nimbus School of Recording Arts and your completion certificate ensures you can walk into the music industry knowing that you are ordering up a career that you are sure of.

For more information contact Arbutus Music at 250-933-1900 or email the instructor directly at administrator@arbutusmusic.com.

What’s in Store – Ladysmith – Worldly Gourmet

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Much Ado About Nothing… A Shakespearan comedy about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero.  In the movie, Benedick, (um, what is with the spelling?) was played by the guy on the right… Kenneth Branagh.  Drool, drool.

Yes, I’m a sucker for what my husband calls ‘period pieces’ due to the time of the month I usually watch them.

Jenny, owner of the Worldly Gourmet, had the pleasure of meeting and creating the food that would sustain that man through a complete movie set.  What an experience!

Jenny in her kitchen

Here at her store in Ladysmith, Jenny teaches cooking classes once a month on topics ranging from Lasagne with Hunter Sauce with gluten free pasta to West Coast Seafood Fusion.

Classes are around $40 each and make an excellent gift for the dinner preparer of the house.

Hint, hint… ahem.

I found an incredible amount of items on what Jenny calls the stocking stuffer table…

Every item under $5.

 

 

The great thing about the Worldly Gourmet… is that being a chef for so long, she has an appreciation for quality items at every price point.

 

You can’t find the items she has in her store anywhere else.  If you want quality in your kitchen.  Talk to Jenny.

Capers and wild mushrooms…

 

 

 

 She has traveled all over the world to bring the best culinary experience to the heart of Ladysmith.

Do you have a chef in your home or someone aspiring to be one?

 

 

Head down to the Worldly Gourmet and ask Jenny what she would suggest for the culinary lover on your list this year.

I would bet she would have all the answers you are looking for.  From the best spatulas andspoons to the most durable pots and espresso machines.

Whether your budget is a few dollars or unlimited.

It is the thought that counts.

Get a food lover a quality tool.

Keep the sauces bubbling and the creative juices flowing in the kitchen!

 

 

 

 

If I don’t get a cooking class for Christmas after writing this blog… I’m not making it clear.  Do you think my husband actually reads this stuff?  :)