When I was interviewing local filmmakers Colin Cunningham and Madison Graie earlier this month I used Matthew Good as an example of an artist that has had great success with iTunes since they were excited about their short film’s premiere later this month. As it turns out Matt has done it again with his latest digital release.
Through hard work, self-promotion, and the power of the internets, his latest album Live at Massey Hall has climbed the iTunes charts, just days after becoming available.
October 7th iTunes Release: The entire album will be released internationally and the first 12 tracks will be available in Canada.
October 7th Physical Release Pre-sales: Pre-sales for the limited edition double CD will begin on October 7th through the Matthew Good online store. Note that the store is able to take international orders.
November 4th Physical Release: 10,000 limited edition double CD’s will be released at retail in Canada. Availability of the vinyl release will also be available on the online store and at retail. The remaining 8 tracks will also be available on this date on the Canadian iTunes store for $6.99.
You can listen to some preview tracks on his site but if you are familiar with any of his music or live shows over the last decade, you certainly will not be disappointed with this 20-song, double-sided gem.
For the last few years the Stanley Park Ecological Society has offered up an educational, yet equally fun, alternative to the Stanley Park Train. Last year during the Christmas season’s Bright Nights, the SPES ran the Humbug Hike and this year in October you can check out the Creatures of the Night walk.
Stow yer candy and batten down yer hatches matey- this year’s theme for the Ghost Train is “Pirates” and the Stanley Park Ecology Society will be offering a “Creatures of the Night” walk that’ll knock the parrot off yer shoulder! Bring an eye patch and yer best “Yarr” and join us to navigate the nocturnal creatures of Stanley Park in a search for buried treasure. Bats, owls, and flying squirrels ahoy! [SPES]
The walks will take place every 30 minutes, starting at 7:00pm and ending at 9:30pm, on the following dates: October 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and November 1. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids (compared to the $9.00/$5.50 for the train ride).
If you’re looking for a little more interaction with the park, on October 25th the SPES along with the Vancouver Aquarium will host “Fish or Treat“, which consists of a two hour walk followed by a themed sleepover at the Aquarium.
Finally, on October 26th from 1:00pm until 3:00pm at the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion, Jean Barman, author of “Stanley Park’s Secret: The Forgotten Families of Whoi-Whoi, Kanaka Ranch, and Brockton Point” will lead a talk about the forgotten women of Stanley Park. Admission is by donation.
It’s been a little while since I added to the Miss604 Vancouver Blogger Profile series but I’m picking it up with someone who is far more than simply a blogger – Joe Solomon of EngageJoe.
Who are you?
I’m a social media consultant for nonprofits and social change projects, which basically means I help people, organizations, and start-ups use the web for good.
Most recently, I’ve been working on a few web applications. For example, I wrote to Knowmore.org in February with the idea for the Knowmore Firefox Extension – which we then built – and it now alerts thousands of people to the social and environmental impact of products and companies as they browse the web.
Update: After a few days Centigrade has hit #6 on Canada and UK iTunes charts – check it out now! Only $0.99 to rent and $1.99 to purchase this awesome little film.
Update: I originally wrote this piece for E!Online, so you can check out a slightly different version of the article over there.
It’s the most decorated Canadian film of 2008 and it’s about to make motion picture history thanks to the efforts of producer Madison Graie and Colin Cunningham who wrote, directed and starred in this suspenseful short, Centigrade.
“It’s is a good old fashioned entertaining thriller,” noted Cunningham, he and Graie met at Vancouver Film School years ago and since then they have grown into a successful film-making partnership that Cunningham describes as, “kind of like the Coen brothers. I’ll begin a sentence and she’ll finish it creatively.” Seeing the accolades Centigrade has received over the last year the 17 minute short has definitely taken the partnership for a thrill ride.
With a budget of $20,000, and the finished product having such a polished look, Graie admits that when it comes to film production in Vancouver, a little money goes a long way. “Vancouver really is kind to independent film makers – so when you ask, Vancouver usually gives back, which is nice,” Cunningham added that as such, they were able to put together “a real A-list” crew.
Centigrade premiered at the World Film Festival and since then it has been screened at numerous other film events. It also took home five Leo Awards this summer and the momentum is still growing.
They had won at the Cinequest Film Festival, and as that was that this was an Academy Award qualifying event, Centigrade then became the first Canadian film to be considered for the 2009 Oscars.
“We hoped at the time a calling card if we were lucky,” Cunningham added. “We’ve done a lot of projects in the past, everything from music videos to feature films and we’ve never got any kind of heat like we have off this little 15 minute movie.” Within the last year the pair has gone from completing the film, to festival showings, winning awards, and now they’re about to make history.
Cunningham noted, “we’ve also been accepted to iTunes so Centigrade is now going global this month.” Centigrade will be the first Canadian live-action short ever on iTunes and will be available mid-October on iTunes USA, Canada and UK. Find out more details over on my E!Online article…
The fall of October 2008 is official struck with election fever especially if you live in Vancouver. Not only are we all closely watching the proceedings one hour south in the United States, we’re also gearing up for civic elections and the federal election. If that wasn’t enough, there are two BC by-elections happening on October 29th.
Vancouver-Burrard became vacant in September after MLA Lorne Mayencourt, a B.C. Liberal, resigned to run for the Conservative Party in the Oct. 14 federal election.
Vancouver-Fairview became vacant in July after MLA Gregor Robertson, a B.C. New Democrat, resigned to run as Vision Vancouver’s mayoral candidate in the Nov. 15 civic election. [The Tyee – The Hook]
I’ll certainly be keeping my eye on Vancouver-Burrard, not only because I’ll be voting, but because of the star-studded list of candidates.
Liberals: Former Vancouver Canucks owner Arthur Griffiths. He was also owner of General Motors Place, served as Chair of the Millennium Skytrain Line, was a leader in the establishment of Canuck Place Childrens Hospice, and chaired the 2010 Vancouver Olympic bid. You can also read the write up I did about the Griffiths family on Metroblogging Vancouver.
Green Party: Drina Read. She’s been actively involved with the Pride Parade, the Car-Free Festival, the Stanley Park Ecology Society, the Fur-Bearer Defenders, and Greenpeace. She’s also got a blog.
BC NDP: Vancouver parks board commissioner Spencer Herbert. He was behind many fundraising drives for the restoration of Stanley Park, and fought that nasty proposal that would have seen mechanized, animatronic dinosaurs in the park. He’s known to read my blog and leave comments so perhaps I could even get an interview, eh? His website also features a blog and the BC NDP sites are built with Joomla (because I look at those types of things).
In Vancouver-Fairview we have, Margaret MacDiarmid for the Liberals, Jenn McGinn for the BC NDP, and Jane Sterk who is the current leader of the BC Green Party.
I’ll be hitting the polls three times this fall and each trip will be as important as the next. I encourage everyone to get informed about the parties, the candidates, and of course – to get out and vote.