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| Index : : Gaming
:: Filk :: SFC :: Schedule :: Participants :: Readings :: Kaffeeklatsches :: Autographs
Filk MusicWhat is it?Among filkers the question “What is filk?” is tantamount to an invitation to start a holy war. Well, a polite, but nonetheless a pretty heated, um, discussion. But that’s because there are so many kinds of filk music, both in style and in process. While filk probably started out with a strong folk music style, all those other styles crept in, made a corner and became part of the family. There’s rock and rap, show tunes, classical, modern folk, operetta, country, Celtic, blues, bluegrass... and all the instruments that go with them. And, while the lyrics are generally on topics that SF/filk fans are interested in, that could range from space to fantasy to movies or TV, dead animals or recent politics, with pets, food, computers, and just about anything else in between. Most filkers will grant that filk’s origins were most likely with fans writing new lyrics to old melodies – a time-honoured practice in music, to be sure (J. S. Bach did it, why can’t we?). Some of those were parody – deliberately playing on the original songs’ lyrics in a humourous way, some just borrowed the melody. Parody and borrowed melody are still a solid part of filk music. But original melodies and lyrics are increasingly common. The process also varies. Our roots are in casual gatherings in hotel bedrooms, but you’ll find many a formal concert too. At Torcon we’re offering concerts, performers’ circles (a group of musicians sharing the stage), theme filks (open filks but with a specific topic) and hosted open filks. The open filk is closest to our roots, being casual, all inclusive, but now more often held in function space than a bedroom. And it comes in many flavours:
Whatever the style of music or how the melody came abuot or how we run our filks, everyone is welcome to join in. Come make music with us! Filk TrackAll Filk Events are located in the Fairmont Royal York, on the Mezzanine Floor, above the main lobby. Filk 1 (Territories) 12 noon- 11 pm; dinner break 6 pm to
8 pm. Filk 2 (Confederation 3) 10 am - dawn, with dinner break
6 pm to 8 pm Filk 3 (Tudor 7) and Filk 4 (Tudor 8) 8 pm to dawn Filk 5 (Prince Edward Island) 8 pm to dawn Filk Lounge (Saskatchewan) 11 am to 11:30 pm Sorry, no refreshments Note: Territories will be locked when not in use. Confederation will remain open. Any of Confederation 3, Tudor 7, Tudor 8 or PEI may be used for open filks, instaband rehearsals, or quiet places to chat if not already scheduled for some other purpose. Special EventsInstabandsSign up by Friday 2 pm to become part of a band. Band members meet for assignments late Friday afternoon. Pick a song (or two) rehearse, and present your act on stage Monday afternoon. More details in the filk lounge. Host: Judith Hayman Pegasus Nominees ConcertThe songs nominated for voting in the categories of “Best Song”, “Best Parody Song” and “Best Original Humorous Song” will be presented by a host of performers . Host: Steve Macdonald Columbia Remembrance and Space CelebrationWithin filk music nothing seems to unite us so much as songs that celebrate the space program. We remember our lost ones and join with them in urging space flight onwards. Host: Sally Headford Mark Bernstein, Jordin Kare, Kathleen Sloan, Judith Hayman, Terence Chua, Dandelion Wine, Urban Tapestry, Clif and Carol Flynt, Howard Scrimgeour, Steve Macdonald and more. Coffeehouse/CabaretJoin the filkers and the poets in an evening of song, stories and verse. Host: Judith Hayman and Carolyn Clink Science and SongSongs based on science and scientists to talk about what they really say – how silly or possible they might be. Host: Peggi Warner-Lalonde Dr. Jordin Kare, Dr. David Stephenson, Dr. Howard Scrimgeour, Kathleen Sloan, Judith Hayman, Andrew Barton, and others. Chapter and VerseAuthors, artists, songwriters all create from similar sources of inspiration to very different results. This event marries the thoughts of writers of prose and writers of songs. Host: Carol Flynt. Connie Willis, Tanya Huff, Jack Chalker, Tom Jeffers, Jodi Krangle, Brenda Sutton, Bill Sutton, Joey Shoji Featured in Concert:We are very inclusive in our concerts. They are of varying lengths (short, medium and long). Filkers come to us from Canada, the USA and Britain. This may be a chance to hear someone who doesn’t normally travel to your area.
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