A Look Back: #yegmusic (sally)
For the last two years, we’ve done our best to be supporters of local music.
Let’s be honest, this was partially because for part of the run of the edmontonian, I was in a band myself, and consequently knew a lot of local musicians that I thought deserved some attention. But while these stories were all around me, we didn’t cover local music because it was convenient.
We did it because when my band began playing live, I was absolutely shocked at the calibre of artists we were meeting and playing alongside. Prior to that, I had often wondered how to really follow the local music scene, and was so surprised and so psyched about what I found within it, I wanted to share some of my discoveries with you guys (FYI, if you want a primer, check out Samsonow’s painstaking list of all the music we used in the edmontonian presents. And full disclosure, we don’t make any money off the iTunes playlist).
We’ve been really thrilled to be able to feature all kinds of artists in all kinds of ways, given that there aren’t a lot of places you can go to find a regular aggregator of Edmonton music. Or, at least, there weren’t when we started. Now, we’re happy to hand the Edmonton music torch over to those young Whippersnappers at VoidTV, who are doing more than just writing about bands – they’re actually shooting interviews and performances that can be found on their website (and watch for their big launch party at Wunderbar on October 1). The fine folks at GigCity also do a lot of music coverage, and you can find local events aggregated over at yeglive.ca. And there is, of course, CJSR, including our handsome and charming pals Chad and Colin over at Makin’ Whoopee. So, I guess I’m saying, there’s plenty going on, and we’re obsolete – so let the kids take over!
Jokes about my old age aside, Jeff and I are terrifically proud of any platform we were able to give local artists, labels or performers – especially given how generous those folks have always been with their time, music and attention. Being in a band looks cool, but it’s often a thankless, pricey, difficult task that makes you wonder why the hell you’re stupid enough to be putting all this time, money and energy into it in the first place. It is for that reason that I want to say explicitly: while it may sound fancy-pants for us to say that we featured more artists on our website, in our livecasts, and during the 6 episode run of our show on ShawTV than we can count, what is TRULY remarkable is that all those folks trusted us enough to let us use their music without asking for anything in return.
Seriously, guys, what an honour.
I dare you to find a local news blog with a better soundtrack.
The video above is one I shot of our friends Brazilian Money, who were gracious enough to let us use their song Ghetto Lung as our theme for the edmontonian presents. I highly recommend downloading their newest, highly excellent release.
Finding the Hidden Tracks
Edmonton’s got a thriving music scene. It’s probably always had a good scene, but you don’t see too many stories about this band or that musician leaving town to make it big these days.
Maybe that means the days of huge rock stars are dwindling, but ironically the Internet probably helps people find an audience to at least sustain some of their music (ironic because of downloading and all the terrible stealing it brings).
And you won’t just find Edmonton bands and artists by hitting up sites that are popping up and flourishing to fill the void of MySpace, the Internet also provides a home for mixes, compilations, promotion, distribution, and discussion of music – from Edmonton and afar.
Let’s jump into some places we think you’re going to find plenty of music you’ll like.
An Election Day/Early Mother’s Day Message
Our good friends at CJSR’s Makin’ Whoopee had a series of videos about a Conservative Party of Canada calendar last year.
It’s still relevant, Chad and Colin, it’s still relevant. (more…)
Credit, debit, Brazilian Money
In the fine tradition of thinly veiled attempts to talk about ourselves, why don’t you let me tell you about Brazilian Money. You may already know their excellent work.
Started by Garrett Johnson, who is currently living in Kelowna, as he puts it “taking a break from Edmonton and going to school for carpentry and cabinetmaking while I live for free at my parents house. Not very rock and roll. Everybody else [in the band] lives in Edmonton” – Brazilian Money has recently released an excellent new album called “This is not a Dream,” which is currently ranked second on CJSR’s top 30.
But, as I mentioned, this is ultimately all about us, so it also bears mentioning that Garrett and the Brazilian Money crew have been incredibly gracious in letting us use their fantastically kickass song “Ghetto Lung (Get Along Nah)” as the theme to our new show on ShawTV. The song appeared on last year’s CJSR compilation, and is but one selection from an excellent album that you can download over at their Bandcamp.
I super-creepily tracked down Garrett on Facebook, where he told me that the band’s anthemic, lo-fi sound actually started out as a recording project. (more…)
Vote it up
Just days before the federal election, we’ve got a few other places you can make your voice heard.
SEE Magazine’s Best of Edmonton is done tomorrow at midnight, so you don’t have much time left to choose the best of everything about Edmonton.
They’ve even got a blog category this year, which means they’ve covered just about everything. (We’re honoured to be nominated along with such fine gentlemen bloggers as Dave, David, Ken and Mack.)
We want you to vote with your heart, but if you’re looking for write-in candidates we have a few to recommend:
Vote for Wunderbar for best beer and best bar (they have so many beers, and so much local brew!)
Vote for Luzzara for best coffeehouse
Vote “Chad and Colin from CJSR’s Makin’ Whoopee” as best radio personality (because they are awesomesauce)
Also vote:
CJSR as best station because they play more Edmonton music than anyone (CKUA is also good times)
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Vue Weekly’s Golden Fork Awards are happening right now too. So you can head over there to let the rest of us know the best places to eat.
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A friend of the edmontonian, A.O.K., is trying to win a music video. So, vote for Omar.
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You can also nominate people under the age of 40 you think are pretty cool, or doing pretty cool stuff in Edmonton, at Avenue’s Top 40 Under 40.
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After all of that, also remember to vote in the federal election on Monday, May 2.
This Week’s Events
Hey gang, as mentioned earlier today, we’re busy, busy, busy with the new TV show and will take just a little step back from the website this week. We’re still around, stuff will still get posted, but you might just have to occasionally leave a message at the tone.
So, in case I don’t get to it on a regular basis, here’s some exciting and fun stuff going down in Edmonton this week:
The Citadel Theatre has two plays on right now. The Three Musketeers (in the MacLab theatre) and Rick: The Rick Hansen Story (in the Shoctor Theatre). Also in theatre, Pervert is running at the Varscona Theatre.
The Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts is tonight.
Wednesday you can check out what some of Edmonton’s software smartypants are up to at DemoCamp 14, at the U of A…Ryan McMahon and the Company Damn, and Doug Hoyer, play the Haven Social Club…Big John Bates is at New City…And Wednesday is also Awareness to Down There-ness Day (for the Underwear Affair), so expect to see some underwear.
Thursday, Old Ugly’s Concert Series continues at Leva (CJSR is also a sponsor) with DoT (Phil Holtby) releasing his first album, Miss Teviak…and F&M play Accent European Lounge with Jenie Thai…
Friday…Weird Canada Presents: DUZHEKNEW + Cousins + Service:Fair + The Group Sounds, at Wunderbar…Latitude 53′s new exhibits – Noxious Sector’s “Of Brains and Magnets” and Jinzhe Cui’s “When Dreams Lighten the Reality” – begin their stay at the artspace…and check YEG Live for more concert listings.
The NHL playoffs begin this week, so expect some extra mid-week company at your local sportsbar. (Yes, Oilers fans, there is hockey beyond April. I know it’s getting hard to remember that.)
Donate to CKUA. The Alberta-wide radio network is in the middle of its spring fund drive, so keep Alberta radio Albertan (and indie, and eclectic).
Vote for CJSR’s Chad and Colin – hosts of the Tuesday morning show “Makin’ Whoopee” – as best local radio personality(ies) in SEE Magazine’s annual Best of Edmonton. Also vote for Wunderbar and Luzzara wherever you can because they’re great Whyte Avenue businesses that didn’t make the SEE cut.
Monday Headlines
Hmm…let’s see…was there anything news worthy between our Friday Headlines and today.
Anything at all?
Oh!
Radio station The Sound flipped formats to Lite 95.7 – because nobody else ever plays Michael Buble. Stupid Sound, breaking my heart like that. Sonic started up just before I moved here, so The Sound was the first station that launched in Edmonton, in the six years I’ve been here, that I actually tuned into for more than a couple of songs. I get the impression from tweets that I wasn’t alone.
Makes me glad I donated to CJSR. I think I shall remember to donate to CKUA this year.
Don’t worry, we won’t be turning into the same old kind of media outlet anytime soon. Mostly because we’re not in it for the money. We’re in it for the community. And the pizza parties.
Oh…this just in…there was also a federal election call on Friday afternoon.
The Conservative government was found in contempt of Parliament and brought down in a confidence vote. Prime Minister Stephen Harper then went to the Governor General to ask that parliament be dissolved and an election called. We go to the polls May 2. This is actually quite a big deal since a country in the commonwealth has never found a government in contempt. Ever.
While Alberta is usually painted Conservative blue on election night maps there may be a few ridings to watch. We have New Democrat MP Linda Duncan in Edmonton-Strathcona. This will be her first election as the incumbent after beating, now-surrounded by controversy, Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer.
The NDP must feel this has opened up possibilities in our city, since leader Jack Layton was here on the weekend to kick off the national campaign (Stephen Harper will be near here Monday). Watch Edmonton-East, with Ray Martin up against long-time Conservative Peter Goldring, and Edmonton-Centre, where Lewis Cardinal will carry the orange banner against Conservative Laurie Hawn (and the Liberals may still have strength here).
There’s also an interesting race out in Edmonton-Sherwood Park, where the conservative vote (note the small c) will be split again between the party’s man, Tim Uppal, and the not-quite party’s man so he’ll run as an independent, James Ford.
The election is always a good time to take a look at riding inequality. It’s a problem we hear about provincially, with fewer voters in the rural ridings and more power coming with those votes, but there could be a few changes federally to balance things out.
Remember to read up and vote!
The City of Edmonton got into Earth Hour by darkening City Hall, the library, and Churchill Square.
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Wow. The City’s 311 phoneline is getting 100 calls each week about the downtown arena.
It’s going to be a long pothole season for the guys fixing the roads.
I actually didn’t think there were full-service gas stations anymore. Good for those guys.
Did you remember to turn down the lights on Saturday night, Edmonton? (That sounds much sexier than I meant it to.) Or were did you need the lights on, and computer powered-up to file an appeal of the City’s assessment of your home?
Rabbit Hill’s downhill bike park is done.
A couple of Edmontonians picked up Junos last night. The Edmonton Music Awards continue in our city at the Haven Social Club this evening.
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The question for Morinville parents is: Who wants public education?
The RCMP isn’t going anywhere. The federal police agency has another 20-year contract with the provincial government. That should just about do it for talk about an Alberta police force (at least for the next decade or so).
A bunch of U.S. mayors are speaking out against the oilsands.
Families should be notified of someone dying. They should be notified in fewer than 11 days.
Dandelions are getting a reprieve in Alberta this summer. More weeds and plants are now on the hit list though.
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Always nice to see people come together to help each other out.
Keep CJSR cool (or, why I’m donating to the FunDrive)
Just one of the many fine prizes you get, simply for donating.
I’m probably boring you with all my talk of CJSR’s FunDrive. But I’m not done yet.
Today, I donated. I really, actually, finally donated. And, if you’ve got a few bucks, I think CJSR is a cause worth some of your money.
Since Edmonton has more radio stations, per capita, than anywhere else in Canada, you can get lost in a sea of signals playing the same Black Eye Peas or Nickelback songs.
CJSR (and the always mentioned CKUA) isn’t like that.
With its varied and eclectic shows, produced and hosted by volunteers, you’ll hear more music, more genres, in a day than all of those commercial radio stations could play in a month. I guarantee it.
And we can bask in this endless music, and music knowledge, for a paltry $125,000. Surely you’ll help meet that goal.
Do it for music! Do it for local! Do it for Chad and Colin who are secretly the best morning show hosts in all the city! Do it so we have a station that goes out of its way to not play the same songs over and over!
Oh, and if you’re in the mood to donate to original, local media we’re always accepting sweet moola.
Give to CJSR all your monies
Mmm...radio cake...
First off, I do feel bad for forgetting about the CKUA Fall Fundraiser, so give to them some of all of your money too.
But today is the first of ten days of the 2010 CJSR FunDrive!
CJSR is a campus and community radio station located in the subterranean levels of the University of Alberta.
It’s Edmonton’s volunteer-run radio station, boasting a line-up of shows so eclectic it will literally blow your mind. (That’s why you can only listen for up to seven hours at a time.)
CJSR isn’t rock, it isn’t country, it’s not pop or hip-hop…CJSR is ALL of that, and world beats, alternative news, roots, blues, metal, and 17 genres of music you haven’t even heard of yet.
If you need two more reasons to donate some money to CJSR here they are:
1: You get swag like hoodies, belt buckles, and compilation albums.
2: Check the video of Makin’ Whoopee hosts Chad and Colin (above), as they detail month after month of the 2010 Conservative Party of Canada calendar. I’ve selected one of my favourites, the Grandma Party month, as an example. Those guys deserve your monetary love.
Radio Donation Headlines
Good morning, radio-listening Edmontonians.
In all of the election excitement last week I forgot to talk about CKUA’s Fall Campaign
Twice each year the Alberta-wide CKUA radio network asks for listener support, in the form of money. Donations make up more than 70 percent of CKUA’s operating budget. Even without me reminding you, CKUA brought in more than $580,000 dollars in ten-days of fundraising. Nice job, Edmonton.
You should probably follow CKUA so you don’t need me to remember their spring fundraiser.
Before I do forget, CJSR’s FunDrive begins tomorrow morning.
Edmonton’s campus and community radio station does the FunDrive once each year, and it also helps make up a large chunk of their budget. CJSR is run by an army of volunteer announcers (Hey, you could even be one!) so the money helps keep the lights on, wheels on the wheely-chairs, and top-end music playing. (I guarantee if you listen to CJSR and CKUA you are going to hear music nobody else even thinks of playing.)
Even though Edmonton’s got 73 other FM and AM stations (I may be rounding up…but only slightly) CKUA and CJSR are not only worth your time they are worth your money. Plus…prizes!
Now…we talked yesterday about the return of the Alberta Legislature…after the jump we’re doing to really dive in… (more…)
I could call this post “VIDEOS OF MAKIN’ WHOOPEE,” but it would not accurately represent the content
You guys know we make no secret of the fact that we love Colin & Chad over at CJSR’s not-to-be-missed Tuesday morning show, Makin’ Whoopee.
But did you know (you probably knew) that we teamed up with Chad and Colin to create a series of web videos called “12 Months of Stephen Harper,” where they review a 2010 Conservative Party calendar that Colin lifted from a co-worker? We’ve been posting the videos every Tuesday for the last eleven weeks, and they feature nothing but the very best calendar humour the internet can buy (I don’t even know what that means).
So now, as the series finale draws nigh, we invite you to get all caught up on “12 Months of Stephen Harper,” Lost-style, before the thrilling conclusion is posted next week.
April 15 Edmonton Headlines
If you have one of these, reusable mugs, then you can get free coffee at Starbucks today. Go now!
Good morning, Edmonton.
I haven’t checked the weather, I haven’t been outside, I’m hoping the stupid wind is taking a day off.
Looks like it’s time to break out the piggy bank, because your favourite province-wide public radio station is into their spring fundraising drive. And I like their moxie.
“Bring it.”
That’s what CKUA is saying about raising $600,000 by April 25. It’s a big challenge and you’ve got to like the fact they are jutting out the chin, puffing up the chest and rushing into it head-on.
We’ve talked about fundraising for radio stations before, most recently when CKUA had their fall campaign. Needless to say, we respect what CKUA and CJSR do.
(CJSR being the community station located on the U of A campus. We also like them.)
So, if you’ve got some money just laying around, and you’re not presently giving it to us to help us buy gold-plated shoes and cover even more of Edmonton, CKUA is a good deal.
I mean, there aren’t many radio stations playing blues, jazz, rock, country and a bazillion other genres of music. Some you’ve never even heard of. Plus, after 83 years, they’ve kind of earned your damn respect.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Crashes in Edmonton cost $900M a year (This looks at all of the various costs of a crash.)
Edmonton will borrow $108.3M to make up for grant shortfall
With chickens in backyards, problems may come home to roost (I wonder if they’d let me keep one on my balcony.)
Environmental groups launch NAFTA complaint against oilsands
Ermineskin Cree Nation’s joint oil and gas venture could set trend
Syncrude deal boosts case for local upgrader: U of A prof
Victoria’s Secret expects huge response to Edmonton store (I can see the people lining up all night to be first into the Apple store, or first to get a new game, but who’s lining up for bras?)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Autistic kids carrying GPS systems
Speeding ticket stayed after Edmonton cop’s ‘aggressive’ conduct
Coun. Bryan Anderson to be inducted into sports hall of fame (He’s a high school coach extraordinaire.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Ladies take over the night (Hahaha.)
from the Edmonton Examiner:
New Earth Day venue allows for indoor activities (No more getting stuck in Hawrelak Park.)
Dry weather likely to cut mosquito spraying (But we might have a lot of grasshoppers. And other dry-weather creepies I’m not even aware of.)
Suggest activities for Churchill Square (Stabbings. …I’m kidding of course.)
Five public schools closed (Sure we’ve been over this, but it’s worth repeating.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Council approves budget after last-minute budget crunching (You and I get a 5% tax increase.)
What happens to school buildings (Can we just burn them to the ground?)
End of an era for Pharmacology department at U of A
from CBC Edmonton:
Get tough on ‘high-risk’ employers: AG report (It’s Auditor General report time!!!!)
Former pro wrestler Gene Kiniski dies
from CTV Edmonton:
Alta. to introduce distracted driving legislation (Get off your cell. Put down that sandwich. Stop doing your hair.)
ATV industry official testifies at young boy’s fatality inquiry (It will be interesting to see what kind of recommendations come out of this ATV death.)
from Vue Weekly:
Stand by our man (A new Auditor General, a new Chief Electoral Officer; it’s a new-look arms length legislative body.)
from SEE Magazine:
Kill a school, kill a comuunity
All in the family (Keep it local.)
A cancer removes itself (This is not a health story. It’s a political story.)
We need a jolt of Jaffer (Rahim Jaffer for Premier!)
Thursday, I embrace your busyness.
Oh what a night!
This is the #YegSwap debrief and recap. So, if you were there (thanks for coming) let me know if I forget to mention something, please tell us your own thoughts about the night, and let me know if there are blog posts/photos/video out there I haven’t linked to. Also, tell us if you still love your new stuff or if you’ve already got swapper’s remorse.
Also, before I forget, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to our volunteers (We love you!), our musicians, The ARTery (which we need to talk about more at a future date), and thanks from me to the other organizers.
I want it all! (Photo: Mack D. Male)
I’m going to say, even though it was said a bunch of times (including when Scott and Adam introduced our final act of the night, The Joe), that the 1st annual #YegSwap was a success.
This was an event put on by The League of Extraordinary Media, which (right now) includes this blog, the podcasts The Unknown Studio and User Created Content, and TrueBritl.com, a blog by iNews880′s Twitter star, Brittney Le Blanc. To quickly sum up what The League is all about: our blogs and podcasts have joined forces to take our Edmonton-related musings into the real world. Mayhaps there will be cross-posting of content too. Hey, we’ve got to compete with the “real” media, you know.
the edmontonian‘s co-founder, Sally, and Brittney thought a swap meet would be a good time. That this idea came about after an afternoon of home shopping channel viewing is somehow relevant.
I was, of course, on board right away. Not only could it be fun, it could be a way to join together some of Edmonton’s online “newsrooms.” And pay homage to a local community cable show so enjoyed by myself in my Toronto days.
We were fortunate enough to land some amazing musical talent for the night. I do not know where a lineup like this will be heard for a mere $2. (more…)
Give CKUA all of your money
Well, not ALL of your money. But giving them some of your money sounds much better, now, doesn’t it? (See what I did there?)
After going hard on the CJSR Fundrive it’s only fair to make you think about putting some money into the Alberta-wide non-profit radio powerhouse that is the CKUA Radio Network.
If you’re familar with CKUA’s campaigns you’ll notice they’ve shortened the donation time this fall. Calling it a “good things come in small packages” kind of idea, CKUA is looking to raise $525,000 in just 10 days (October 15 – October 25) instead of the usual two-and-a-half weeks. In one way it’s a good idea; it saves them money, meaning your money goes a little further.
This is right from CKUA’s media release, but it still caught my attention:
Among other campaign highlights, listeners can tune in to the October 17 edition of Natch’l Blues, as host Holger Petersen, (who marks 40 years of broadcasting this year), presents the legendary Big Dave McLean his West Coast Music Award for Blues Recording of the Year. Big Dave and Doc McLean will also celebrate Fall Fundraiser with a special in-studio performance.
So…if you dig an eclectic mix of music (their music library has 1.5-million selections!) and/or the idea of listener-supported radio, you’ll want to donate.
The phone lines open today at 5pm – 1-800-494-2582. And there’s also the option of donating online at CKUA.com.
Local news, independent news
So nobody tell Jeff, as he is above flogging the horse of self-promotion (worst metaphor ever), but I recorded his appearance on CJSR last week. Because apparently I’m his Mom.
For those of you who missed it, Jeff and the lovely Mari Sasano from the Rat Creek Press were guests on CJSR News Director Sam Power’s News Room Program – and right in the heart of FunDrive. It makes for interesting listening, especially if you’re as big a “state of local media” nerd as myself.
(…part of me wanted to call and donate $200 bucks if Jeff would take his shirt off. But I thought that would be missing the point.)
DOWNLOAD (25.7 MB/26:49)
Edmonton’s First October Weekend
Weekends are a time for good friends, good times and good cupcakes.
You smell that? That’s the weekend. And dead leaves. But mostly weekend.
Yes, fall arrived to remind us that we are but playthings in Mother Nature’s world. Enjoy the crisp mornings though, since they shall soon turn to frigid beginnings of days that are much too short.
And we can all rejoice, since this weekend is full of awesome.
Apologies for the random order of events. But, hey, it’s Friday and spending an extra minute trudging through possible fun options is way better than work.
Way better.
Let’s start with an event that will likely not be something you can do on a whim (stretching is not always enough, practice helps) the CIBC Run for the Cure, Sunday. Sounds like it will be a chilly start to the race. Cheering squads: bring some mitts.
The Handmade Mafia is back at it, Saturday. Let’s go buy mitts together.
For the outdoorsy among you, Mountain Equipment Co-op is doing a gear swap, Sunday. Bring your old stuff (or stuff from the activity that broke your leg and you hate now) and get some new stuff.
Pure Speculation 2009, is all weekend at the Shaw Conference Centre and Happy Harbour on 124th Street. Science Fiction, comics, fun.
The latest Homeless Connect is Sunday. This is where services and help are provided to the homeless. Things like haircuts too. Seems like a practical idea when I mention haircuts, doesn’t it?
The Edmonton Wildcats take on the Edmonton Huskies in the Prairie Football Conference regular season ender, at Clarke Park. Saturday. 7pm.
Speaking of sports, the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas have another busy weekend.
Oh, and a little thing called the NHL is underway. And fantasy hockey.
The Anarchist Bookfair runs Saturday and Sunday. Which seems very orderly.
Friday night is Pecha Kucha 5. The “chit chat” goes Old School.
Some friends of the website are playing at Wunderbar on Whyte. Come check out Van Funk & the Lebarons, and say Hi.
Also Saturday night, in the party column, CJSR is having its Fundrive wrap party at The Artery. Do it. The catering is going to be excellent.
Kenny Rogers is playing at the River Cree Casino, Sunday. Kenny F’n Rogers.
Saturday, momstown.ca is doing mom and tots stuff at Bonnie Doon.
West Edmonton Mall has roller derby and a dive-in movie. Let’s just hope the kid at the top of the water slide doesn’t hold things up while engrossed in the film. But roller derby down a water slide, that’s something to see. (It’s actually going to be in Phase 4.)
Oh, and something I’ll likely be dragged to, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D. For two weeks only!
CJSR is 25! Now give it some money.
We’ve briefly mentioned the CJSR FunDrive in the previous weeks, but now we’re getting all up in your grill about it.
Yes, CJSR is 25 years old and the only way it’s going to keep on living to see more birthdays is with a little help from its friends. You, and everyone in Edmonton, would be the friends. And you know that you can host a show on CJSR, right? Well, you do now.
We swung through community radio HQ Wednesday, as the FunDrive and fun were kicking off. There were cupcakes then, but they are probably all eaten by now.
Check the video for more info about the whole shebang, including good times at the big closing party at The Artery.
By the way, CJSR isn’t the only Edmonton radio station that looks to listeners for support. CKUA is Alberta-wide and listener-supported. They have their own donation drives through the year. It’s amazing that so much local and indie-radio can exist.
Oh, and here’s something not in the story, CJSR is hosting a record swap this weekend. I’ll admit to being enough of a music nerd to own records and an actual record player.
Make those phones ring for radio!
CJSR videos make me laugh more than TBS*
Hey, gang!
The CJSR Fun Drive kicks-off next week (we may be doing more on this once it gets going) and they’ve got some funny, funny, funny videos to promote their 25th anniversary. (That second link has a nice skewing of rock radio.)
(Wow, I’m older than Edmonton’s community radio station. Normally I’m way younger than radio stations.)
If you’re not familiar with this station because you listen to nothing but your iPod or commercial radio (or, gasp, CBC) let me give you the Coles Notes. CJSR is housed at the University of Alberta, it’s volunteer-driven (which means lots and lots of short shows) and it plays every kind of music. They also do some news and current affairs, and alternative news.
Being at the U of A they also broadcast Golden Bears and Pandas games.
Did you see that I mentioned them being volunteer-driven? Maybe you want to host a show…
Note: Edmonton has another radio station that needs listener money now and then. CKUA is Alberta’s indie radio station and has campaigns during the year as well. On the plus side, you give money you hear few commercials.
*Why do we have to have Peachtree TV? I want TBS branding back.
Let’s kick this weekend’s ass
Fresh off Thursday night's Starlite Room 5th birthday, Ben Stevenson is playing The Artery tonight. Go. (Photo: Jason Bouwmeester)
I don’t know if it’s all the double-americanos I’ve had today, or the delicious bacon I ate for breakfast, or the Fringe, or what, but I think we really need to get amped up and take this weekend on.
I’m feeling good about this, Edmonton.
I think there’s enough going on, across the spectrum of event-styles, that everybody has something to do. Heck, everybody could have three or four things to do. (If you work this weekend, I feel sorry for you. But only a little bit.)
Let’s begin with an interesting one. It might be a little bit cooler than MADE had hoped for, but the group is showing the modern classic doumentary King of Kong downtown tonight (9pm). On the side of a wall. Bring your own chair.
If you’re looking to get out of the house Saturday (and who isn’t?) maybe you should head over 118 Avenue way and check out EastwoodFest. It’s part of the revitalization efforts over yonder.
Of course, there’s the big one: the Fringe. ‘Nuff said.
#yegIceCream 3 is a fundraiser for Royal LePage’s Shelter Foundation. Ice cream and helping people go together nicely.
Back to Friday night (sorry, I’m all over the place), you’ve got the Silversun Pickups playing the Edmonton Events Centre.
How about you give your Irish beer-loving self a reason to drink said Irish beer at Celtic Festival?
You can get your punk-on at Unrest Fest (because I love face-melting music now, I guess).
The Swiftys play the Pawn Shop (with Darrek Anderson, the Roger Marin Band and Gordie Tentrees). Spoiler alert: they’re good.
Oh, and while I don’t recommend you run in marathons without training, you can always head out and cheer on the runners. The running room has a map of the weekend race routes. There are races Saturday and Sunday. The maps will give you an idea of where to stand and cheer, and where to avoid traffic delays.
If you’re wondering where I get some of my sweet ideas, why not check out a certain radio station’s event calendar. I talked about it yesterday…
Now get out there and make me proud!
I DO like to party
If only CJSR could tell me what to do...
I think it’s a universal truth that, no matter where you live, if you’re living in the city (or town, or village) you grew up in, there’s never anything to do.
Even in major metropolitan areas (such as, say, Edmonton) you’ll find people who tell you they’ve got nothing to do, there’s nothing to do, this place is boring.
Thank goodness CJSR has updated their event listings with some mad calendar skills.
Like any good calendar of fun, it lets you sort through events by date, genre and acts and venues.
Now, if you’re clicking on over you may say to yourself, “Hey, there’s some good stuff here, but I think there could be more.” You’d be right. That’s the neat thing about the new CJSR Event Calendar; you can add events. (It does take a quick registration of name, and e-mail.)
Now, not only can you find stuff to do, you can tell people about fun stuff to do, because you’re a busy person and always hitting the hip events.
