August 28-31

August 28-31, 2008
“Celebration of the Song” Festival
Celebration
of the Song is a four-day focus on songwriting and songwriters. The celebration
consists of
performances,
workshops and a
songwriting
competition.
Performance Schedule
Click Here to purchase a 4-Day Grounds Pass for the performances listed above.
Singer/Songwriter Workshops
Join us for one or several free workshops given by professionals in the field.
Reservations are advisable and can be obtained by calling 715-373-5552 or
888-BIG-TENT, or sending an email to
info@bigtop.org. All workshops will take
place on the Big Top Chautauqua grounds.
Thursday, Aug. 28, 3:30 - 4:30
Bill
Isles "Making a living as a Professional Singer/Songwriter"
Bill returned to performing after a twenty-five year hiatus in
February of 2000. Since that time, he has become one of the most
highly-respected singer/songwriters in the Minnesota
acoustic scene and has begun to get national and international attention. Yes,
you can actually make a living being a wandering minstrel, songwriter, recording
artist. Here are some tips on getting out there and making yourself heard.
Friday, August 29, 1:00 - 4:30
Buddy
Mondlock
"The Many Elements of Bringing a Song to Life"
How
do you talk about creativity? Making something out of nothing. What could be
more mysterious? And yet, Buddy Mondlock is wonderfully articulate about
writing songs. The process is clearly fascinating to him and he has paid
careful attention to what goes into making a good song. He's able to
communicate what he has learned in 25 years of writing songs. In one of his
workshops you will hear about the many elements involved with bringing a song to
life and how to communicate feelings and ideas through music and words. Using
his own songs as examples he talks about things like layers of meaning, the
effective use of imagery and detail, storytelling, technical aspects like
structure and rhyme scheme, the importance of editing and knowing when not to
edit. You may be able to play one of your songs for Buddy and get some comments
from him and the group.
Friday,
August 29, 2:00 - 3:00
Karen
Mal
"Vocal Interpretation and Performance Techniques"
Karen Mal sings. From raw sensuality to shimmering bell-like clarity, her voice
is both tender and powerful, and as effortless as a waterfall. There's a river
that flows between Karen and her audience....Karen has a storyteller's voice,
sifting words like she is talking to you over coffee, effortlessly rising from
dusky phrases to bell-pure highs. You believe every word and note and you could
listen to her sing all night long.
-Michael Devlin, Music Matters
Karen's workshop focuses on singing, interpreting and performing, but also
touches on melody writing as composing and interpreting a melody have many
similarities.
Saturday, August
30, 10:30 - 1:00 - Bill Staines
"Songwriting A-Z"
Bill
Staines is known as one of THE premiere songwriters of folk music with accolades
that don't stop. "Bill
Staines has been my hero since 1977. He carries on where Woody left off-carrying
on the tradition of stories and characters you wish you knew"
says Nanci Griffith. In this workshop Bill talks about his songwriting process
including the stages of songwriting, surfing the melody, and creating compelling
lyrics and memorable melodies.
Saturday, August
30, 1:00 - 3:00 - Michael Smith
"Unlocking the Creative Process"
To
Michael Smith, songwriting is more than a turn of a phrase ... it is a way of
life. In this songwriting workshop, Michael Smith provides a rare insight into
his own creative process , and attitudes and inspirations that have fostered the
songs. As an artist who has devoted his whole life to matching words and music,
ideas and emotions, Michael has written songs in many musical styles and with an
endless world of inspiration. The experienced songwriter will find new points of
view to unlock creative process; for the beginning songwriter, Michael's
articulation of a humble songwriting approach will make the first step seem
clear and close. There will be time for questions and answers.
Songwriting Competition
Finalists Announced!
David Mehling, Duluth, MN
Sara Thomsen, Twin Ports area of Duluth &
Superior
Colleen & Jim Myhre, Carlton, MN
David Stoddard, Fergus Falls, MN
Claudia Russell, Berkely, CA
James Moors, Superior, WI
Charlie Roth, Foley, MN
Daniel Hazlett, Waterford, MI
Laura Bullock, Chelsea, MA
Thea Ennen, River Falls, WI
Ruth Bloomquist, Muskegon, MI
Dave McCormick, Washburn, WI
Brian Kalinec, Houston, TX
Betty Soo, Austin, TX
Barb Ryman, Minneapolis, MN
Dana Erlandson, Green Bay, WI
Joe Danielson, Cadott, WI
Anna Laube, San Francisco, CA
Rachel Kilgour, Duluth, MN
Alternate Finalists
Joe Gillaspy, Dodge Center, MN
Pauline Russell, Duluth, MN
Arlon Bennette, Northvale, NJ
Janne Henshaw, Nashville, TN
Erin Smith, Allouez, MI
These Finalists
have been selected to perform in the competition finals on the
Big Top stage August 28 and 29. One winner will be selected from each night.
Prizes
include:
-
All BTC Songwriter of the Year Finalists will receive
a 4-day grounds pass to our Celebration of the Song event.
-
All BTC Songwriter of the Year Finalists will be
invited to perform on Aug. 28 or 29, and will be recorded for possible use
on our nationally broadcast Tent Show Radio program.
-
Both BTC Songwriter of the Year Winners will be
invited to perform 2 songs as the opener for Iris Dement on Aug. 30. These
performances will be recorded for use on Tent Show Radio.
-
Both BTC Songwriter of the Year Winners will receive a
cash prize of $100.
Original Song Competition Finals:
Open to the
public with tickets for evening performance or grounds pass
August 28, 5:30 - 7:00
Hosted by Johnsmith - Judging Panel to be Announced
August 29, 5:30 - 7:00 Hosted by Bill Isles Judging Panel to be
Announced
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