CONVERSATION

IRMA THOMAS, New Orleans Queen of Soul, with special guest

IRMA! Up there with Aretha and Etta, Irma has been the undisputed queen of New Orleans soul for over 40 years. Do some homework, she's amazng.

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS

FROM ALLUSION TO DUPLICATION: SAMPLING, OWNERSHIP, AND OPEN SOURCE CULTURE

The traditions of Blues, Jazz, and Folk grew from a kind of open source culture, one in which pre-existant musical frameworks are reworked. In 70s Jamaica, songs were deconstructed with pre-digital hardware. The recombinant "versions", called Dub, are distinct in sound and feel.

If creativity builds on the past, is originality a fantasy? How is it that some are cast as pirates and thieves, and others as victims? What role do race, gender, income, and geography play? And who actually benefits? This panel will examine the history, use, and future of this discourse and its effect on creativity.

FILM SCORE AS GENRE
Once treated as an afterthought, film score is now regarded as the final interpretive dimension of the film-making process. The intersection between music, narrative and the linear structure of cinema is increasingly treated with scrutiny and interest. This panel will examine the creativity, contracts, relationships, and ethics of working in this industry.

INTERNET POLICE - NET NEUTRALITY WITH THE FMC
"Net Neutrality" is one of the most controversial subjects concerning the future of the Internet.  Recently, the Federal Communications Commission determined that Comcast violated United States law when it "throttled" Bit Torrent traffic thereby interfering with lawful peer-2-peer file sharing.  Before the end of this month, the CRTC is scheduled to rule on the dispute between Bell Canada and the Canadian Association of Internet Providers regarding Bell's "throttling" practices that slow down connection speeds of p-2-p softward.  What is Net Neutrality and what consequences does it have for creative artists?  What constitutes reasonable network management and what are the appropriate policies for ISP network maintenance?  Join us for this discussion with the Washington D.C. based Future of Music Coalition.  

CANADIAN COPYRIGHT (artist focus)
Everyone is weighing in on the Canadian copyright debate, from Internet Service Providers to Industry Associations. This panel takes a different approach. It aims to empower artists themselves — those arguably most affected — and asks them what they want and need from new copyright legislation.

FROM MOTHERLAND TO GHETTO TO TOWNSHIP AND BACK AGAIN
An in-depth discussion with artists, promoters, and thinkers from the African and American hip-hop scenes. In rapidly urbanising African societies with a majority youth demographic, rap represents hope for the future, providing a means for creative-self expression and community, a forum for the discussion of health, the evolution of language, and a way to learn technology. What are some key points of convergence and divergence in the exchange of subject matter, styles, and symbols? What can we learn from the "multiple personalities" of rap as it has existed and continues to evolve in different communities and socio-economic conditions?

I'M A LADY, I'M NOT A MAN, MC IS MY AMBITION: HIP HOP HERSTORY
If hip-hop represents a historic voice against oppression, then why are women wthin this culture subject to insult, hyper-sexualization, and exclusion? What are the real and creative implications of this? What role do larger socio-econimic factors play? And where is the line drawn between exploitation and marketing within the music industry and media? Most importantly, this discussion will delve into the proud tradition of MCing that many women have pioneered and continue to champion.

MOVE TO THE MUSIC: INTERNATIONAL TOURING AND FESTIVAL CIRCUITS
The delicate balance between local and international talent, balancing interest with demands of public and corporate sponsors, and measuring qualitative success. Representatives of music festivals from around the world (including SXSW, Bellecasimo, and VEGA) will discuss their approaches to programming. Hear directly from them about the state of the industry, how artists come to their attention, how music moves, what’s available to Canadian independent artists, and how can they access it.

ONE-ON-ONE EXPERT Q&A
Offering festival attendees the unique opportunity to sit down with experts to ask specific questions pertaining to career and interest. On the floor, we'll have tables set up with funding, media, marketing, legal, and publishing experts, as well as local independent promoters and invited international delegates who can expand upon the specific scene and market that they represent.

WORKSHOPS

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BEATBOX: BEATBOX AND THROAT SINGING CHOIR
This workshop will provide an awareness of vocal percussion from different cultural styles, epochs, and genres of polyphonic music, drawing connections to the greater context of world music. Participants will create a rhythm in which each is responsible for a sound or melody. Led by local drummer and beatbox talent, Butta Beats with special invitees from Montreal's Inter-Tribal Youth Group.

Participants will receive an audio resource cd consisting of samples from various sources.

ANATOMY OF A SONG: HEART, SOUL, GUTS, SKELETON
presented in collabortaion with the Songwriter's Association of Canada
Come learn about song composition with locals and legends.

B.Y.O.T(for toys) CIRCUIT BENDING DEMO & WORKSHOP
Learn the basics of sound harvesting and simple connections like body contacts and variable resistors. Take part in a hands-on workshop with real toys, real soldering irons, and real fun with a variety of experienced technicians. We encourage everyone to show up with your own electronic soundmaking toys. At the end of the workshop, we aspire to get everybody and their little sound machines jamming.

IMPROVISATION AND COMMUNITY: TALK, SHOW, + LIVE SILKSCREENING!
Artists from different musical and social backgrounds discuss: why improvise? how does one come to be an improviser? how does one navigate genre differences? discussion, followed by a workshop performance, with q & a.