Consonace 2010: Saturday
Let the con run on:
Saturday started with a Bavarian folk-dancing workshop run by Ju. She even bought a traditional dress on Ebay to lend authenticity to the event. The boombox put out oompa's while we all learned to step, kick, twirl, and clap, generally moving in a circle with our partners (although a few shameless pieces had us pairing up with random other persons; those scandalous Bavarians!). I had a good time, and I even got Beckett to dance with me for several numbers (I normally have a very hard time talking Mz Gladney into dancing), so I definitely call the thing a complete success. :{)} Thank you, Juliana!
Then we naturally settled in for more concerts through the afternoon, starting with Sibylle Machat. Now I've heard of Sibylle for years, often referenced alongside her infamous Evil Eyeball song. I've even seen plenty of pictures of her from other cons (Oh Flickr, how thou hast changed the ways of fandom). But I've never actually met her before. She was, as promised, hilarious, leaning toward songs with a love of--and love of the irony of--language. For example, a song composed entirely of the English translations of the German versions of the titles of episodes from Star Trek (TOS), with visual aids provided by Katy Droege, Steve MacDonald, and Bill Roper. Although she did not perform the Evil Eyeball song, I did get a chance to hear it both on Sunday and Monday evenings, and it was everything that I could have hoped. :{D} And Riley, having just recently watched the LOTR films, loved it as well.
I missed part of Brooke Lunderville's show (as well as the one-shots, as I was getting a late lunch with my family), but what I saw was very good, featuring a long string of guest performers. Next was Interfilk guest Chris O'Shea. This was another person whom I'd heard of many times, but never met. He sang a variety of songs, silly and serious, and did a very fine job of it, getting Ju Honisch's help on a few numbers.
After the Interfilk auction, we joined some people in Dave Clement's room for pizza dinner. I hoped to get a little bit of practice with Dave, Tom, and Beckett in there while waiting for the pizza, so that we could be ready for Dave's concert the next day without missing another night's open filk. And that's just what we did.
Then we all headed back down to the concert room for the International GoH Concert: Katy & Ju. For anybody who may not have heard them lately: They have not, by any measure, lost it. :{)} With some help on a few numbers from Steve Droege (or MacDonald, as he's also known), they showed the people a good time, with one song in German, even. A little observation: Ju seemed somewhat nervous earlier in the week, playing for 2nd and 3rd graders. But with her long-time partner, and in front of a good old filk audience, she was completely at ease, and looked to be thoroughly enjoying herself.
Tricky Pixie. Ah me. I'd seen a little of Alec before (and lots of Heather). And I'd seen a little of Sooj and Betsy, mostly backing Seanan McGuire at a couple of book release parties several months back in some local bookstores. But wow. Just totally wow. Alec has always been a very dramatic performer, and in teaming with Sooj, the level of drama reaches amazing proportions. Truly. So emotional and just, well, I'm not sure how to say it better than "dramatic". When they're up there, they are PERFORMING! :{)} And let that description not diminish their musicianship, which is also awesome, nor their song-writing, which is also brilliant (I especially enjoyed some of Betsy's compositions). It short, it was a wonderful concert, which kept my eyes (and most everyone else's, I suspect), glued to the stage. My only regret is that Beckett ended up missing the concert, since Casey hadn't been feeling well, so she took the boys home. Thanks, Beck, for letting me stay
Earlier in the evening, Bob Kanefsky had asked me to sing a song in the Evil Genius theme circle. The trick was that it was supposed to start at 11:00, and Tricky Pixie was still in full swing. We checked between songs, and since nobody was waiting anxiously in the theme circle's room (remember those glued eyes?), we decided to wait until the concert was over to set up for the Evil Genii. Once it did get started, Tony Fabris played The Future Soon and Skullcrusher Mountain, both from Jonathan Coulton's catalog, and obviously perfect for the evening's theme. I did Tom Smith's "Operation: Desert Storm" (the song Bob had invited me for), and later threw in Merlin (the literary character wouldn't qualify, but the way he's portrayed in the song seems pretty evil genius to me). Bob put in some of his songs, as did Nick Smith and various others. And there was general lamenting that the queen of evil genii--one Seanan McGuire--had been unable to make it, although Bob did a rendition of Maybe It's Crazy, anyway.
I don't remember much about the rest of Saturday's filk, I'm afraid, so let's move along to Sunday...
Saturday started with a Bavarian folk-dancing workshop run by Ju. She even bought a traditional dress on Ebay to lend authenticity to the event. The boombox put out oompa's while we all learned to step, kick, twirl, and clap, generally moving in a circle with our partners (although a few shameless pieces had us pairing up with random other persons; those scandalous Bavarians!). I had a good time, and I even got Beckett to dance with me for several numbers (I normally have a very hard time talking Mz Gladney into dancing), so I definitely call the thing a complete success. :{)} Thank you, Juliana!
Then we naturally settled in for more concerts through the afternoon, starting with Sibylle Machat. Now I've heard of Sibylle for years, often referenced alongside her infamous Evil Eyeball song. I've even seen plenty of pictures of her from other cons (Oh Flickr, how thou hast changed the ways of fandom). But I've never actually met her before. She was, as promised, hilarious, leaning toward songs with a love of--and love of the irony of--language. For example, a song composed entirely of the English translations of the German versions of the titles of episodes from Star Trek (TOS), with visual aids provided by Katy Droege, Steve MacDonald, and Bill Roper. Although she did not perform the Evil Eyeball song, I did get a chance to hear it both on Sunday and Monday evenings, and it was everything that I could have hoped. :{D} And Riley, having just recently watched the LOTR films, loved it as well.
I missed part of Brooke Lunderville's show (as well as the one-shots, as I was getting a late lunch with my family), but what I saw was very good, featuring a long string of guest performers. Next was Interfilk guest Chris O'Shea. This was another person whom I'd heard of many times, but never met. He sang a variety of songs, silly and serious, and did a very fine job of it, getting Ju Honisch's help on a few numbers.
After the Interfilk auction, we joined some people in Dave Clement's room for pizza dinner. I hoped to get a little bit of practice with Dave, Tom, and Beckett in there while waiting for the pizza, so that we could be ready for Dave's concert the next day without missing another night's open filk. And that's just what we did.
Then we all headed back down to the concert room for the International GoH Concert: Katy & Ju. For anybody who may not have heard them lately: They have not, by any measure, lost it. :{)} With some help on a few numbers from Steve Droege (or MacDonald, as he's also known), they showed the people a good time, with one song in German, even. A little observation: Ju seemed somewhat nervous earlier in the week, playing for 2nd and 3rd graders. But with her long-time partner, and in front of a good old filk audience, she was completely at ease, and looked to be thoroughly enjoying herself.
Tricky Pixie. Ah me. I'd seen a little of Alec before (and lots of Heather). And I'd seen a little of Sooj and Betsy, mostly backing Seanan McGuire at a couple of book release parties several months back in some local bookstores. But wow. Just totally wow. Alec has always been a very dramatic performer, and in teaming with Sooj, the level of drama reaches amazing proportions. Truly. So emotional and just, well, I'm not sure how to say it better than "dramatic". When they're up there, they are PERFORMING! :{)} And let that description not diminish their musicianship, which is also awesome, nor their song-writing, which is also brilliant (I especially enjoyed some of Betsy's compositions). It short, it was a wonderful concert, which kept my eyes (and most everyone else's, I suspect), glued to the stage. My only regret is that Beckett ended up missing the concert, since Casey hadn't been feeling well, so she took the boys home. Thanks, Beck, for letting me stay
Earlier in the evening, Bob Kanefsky had asked me to sing a song in the Evil Genius theme circle. The trick was that it was supposed to start at 11:00, and Tricky Pixie was still in full swing. We checked between songs, and since nobody was waiting anxiously in the theme circle's room (remember those glued eyes?), we decided to wait until the concert was over to set up for the Evil Genii. Once it did get started, Tony Fabris played The Future Soon and Skullcrusher Mountain, both from Jonathan Coulton's catalog, and obviously perfect for the evening's theme. I did Tom Smith's "Operation: Desert Storm" (the song Bob had invited me for), and later threw in Merlin (the literary character wouldn't qualify, but the way he's portrayed in the song seems pretty evil genius to me). Bob put in some of his songs, as did Nick Smith and various others. And there was general lamenting that the queen of evil genii--one Seanan McGuire--had been unable to make it, although Bob did a rendition of Maybe It's Crazy, anyway.
I don't remember much about the rest of Saturday's filk, I'm afraid, so let's move along to Sunday...