For those guitar players who are interested in learning more about classical guitar and boosting your chops, these three fantastic guitar players and educators will present an Intro to Classical Guitar workshop at 1PM, Feb 4th. This workshop will be $25. You must bring your own acoustic guitar to play on (any acoustic will do). The techniques presented here will translate to any style of guitar playing.

See below for a short interview with Danette of PARTRITA:

When did you start  playing guitar? 

At 6 yrs old

What brought you to classical guitar, in particular?

I was about 13 years old when I started taking classical lessons. Until then, I had been taking lessons for several years, from a few different teachers, studying mostly folk and country songs and styles (on a steel string guitar), when my teacher at the time said she felt I caught up to her playing level! She suggested I go to the conservatory to study classical guitar, because it would give me the chops to do whatever I wanted on guitar. She was right! I was immediately addicted.

Any crazy gig stories?  Stories from the road?

Ha! A few, but they’re not really for public consumption. 

Who’s your favourite  guitarist? Why? 

I have several favourites…for classical guitarists, there are many, but an inspiration for me in my teens was Sharon Isbin – she plays Bach with some balls! Julian Bream is another favourite player, a very expressive virtuoso. I really enjoy Daniel Bolshoy, an internationally renowned guitarist based in Vancouver. He recently performed in Whitehorse for the Classically Yours series. He has this really, rich, dark tone. Kind of like dark chocolate…

What’s a common misconception about classical guitar?

That it is a 12 string instrument! 

What’s your favourite thing about playing guitar?

feeling the guitar resonate, especially from low ringing bass notes.

What do you like about playing in the trio Partrita?

I’m inspired to become a better player and constantly challenge my musical & technical abilities.

Other films and jury awards:
Kit Hepburn: Lines (and Weird Nosies); Most Lines Done in a Film
Karen Mackay: Not Just in the Kitchen; Best use of Drugs/Best soundtrack made by a Judge
Meg Walker: January Brain; I Wish I Was on Drugs Award
Holly Haustein: Untitled; The Lilly Award
Trina Buhler: A Decade of Day Planners; The OCD Award
Jay Armitage: Time is Up; The Golden Pander Award
Sheriden Gunter: Shopping?; Best Clown Car Award
Jenna Roebuck, Georgia Fraser & Molly Shore: Sh*t Aaron Burnie Says; Best Abuse of AB Award
Eryn Foster and Elaine Corden: It seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time; The WTF Award

A congrats to all the hard working filmmakers, the judges, Stefan Popescu and David Curtis for their tech help. Thanks to KIAC, the Yukon Film Society and NFVIA for their assistance in organizing this event.

Drop your mitts and make a flic!

Sign up for our 48 Hour Film Competition this weekend! Starts Friday January 27th at 5:30pm. Ends Sunday at 5:30pm with a screening of all the films in the ballroom at 7:30. Winning film gets automatic entry in the 2012 Dawson City International Short Film Festival. You can even participate from out of town. Call 993-5005 for more details or visit our website for all the info!

http://dawsonfilmfest.com/48hour/

Coming up next is a very special opportunity for aspiring guitar players in Dawson City:

The Confluence Member’s Art Gallery is operated seasonally in the Yukon School of Visual Arts. It is a volunteer-run project that always welcomes new volunteers and submissions.

Also stay tuned for our 48 Hour Film Competition (Jan 27-29) and our annual Film Fest PSA competition.

On Sat, January 7th, KIAC will host the first Family Coffee House & Open Mic Night of 2012. I know you’ve all had time to learn some songs over the holidays, so here is your chance to show them off…

Admission, as always, is by donation with all proceeds contributing to a local community group. Everyone is welcome to attend and/or perform, and for the record; this is the most welcoming audience you could ever expect, so feel free to try something new.

On Fri, January 20th, KIAC is honoured to welcome celebrated Winnipeg singer-songwriter Greg MacPherson to the Oddfellows Ballroom for a very special solo performance. Greg is fresh off the release of two fantastic albums in the last few years (and a Polaris Prize nomination), and starting his own record label that will release his own albums as well as albums from emerging Winnipeg artists.

Greg’s songs resonate with a timelessness reserved for true classics and are delivered with an emotive punch that has garnered comparisons to Billy Bragg, Joe Strummer, and Bruce Springsteen. On Sat, Jan 21st, Greg will be back at the Ballroom for a free songwriting workshop that everyone is welcome to attend.

Sat, February 4th is a busy day of guitar. Whitehorse-based classical guitar trio Partrita, which consists of well-respected musicians Hélène Beaulieu, Danette Readman,  and Nicholas Mah, will present an afternoon classical guitar workshop and evening public performance.

This workshop will feature a short demonstration from the trio of instructors, followed by three group sessions and a demonstration of what each group learned.

On Thurs, February 16th Frostbite Music Festival, the Dawson City Music Festival, and KIAC co-present Whitehorse live in concert. Yes, you heard me.

Whitehorse is the new band from Canadian roots music mainstays Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland:

“Individually, Luke and Melissa have been recognized with awards and nominations from the Juno Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Hamilton Music Awards, the Independent Music Awards and Polaris. Together, Luke and Melissa create music that cascades forth, rushing like currents fluid and electric. More than the sum of considerable talents, Whitehorse showcases the rarity of true give and take in partnership, uniting falcon with songbird to dramatic effort.”

For more detailed information check out www.kiac.ca/performingarts and keep an eye out for ticket information.

Word has come back from Whitehorse that the Sour Brides Theatre / Guild Society co-production of David Mamet’s smarmy comedy, Boston Marriage, has been garnering rave reviews in its consistently sold-out run.

Dawson City is lucky enough to have an opportunity to catch this show on Monday, November 28th at the Oddfellows Hall. Doors open and drinks are flowing at 7:30.

Meanwhile, here is what the press has to say so far:

http://www.whatsupyukon.com/index.php/2011-11-23-17-06-01.html

http://www.yukon-news.com/arts/25751/

http://www.whatsupyukon.com/index.php/component/content/article/282-november-3-2011/3568-a-different-face-of-mamet.html

http://www.yukon-news.com/arts/25928/