Monday, January 25, 2010

MORE FREE OLYMPIC SHOWS : Free CBC Events

CBC, with its newly constructed headquarters located in a swank building in downtown Vancouver, will be hosting several free events to promote their programs during the Olympic period. The programs which are participating include Canada Live, Canada Reads, Cross Country Roundup, The Current, The Debaters, Hot Air, Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, Tempo, Q, and Wiretap.

If you're interested in being part of the in-studio audience, check out the CBC website here and hover on Free CBC Events under the heading. The different programs will show and you can email a request (or multiple requests) for tickets-- for absolutely free.

*** Update: iCal for the free CBC events now available. (Feb 4)***

Below are some Canadian indie highlights:

Q with Jian Ghomeshi
Thursday Feb. 18 at 4:00 pm in Studio 1
Q is coming to Vancouver for a special "Friday LIVE" taping from the Vancouver. Be part of the studio audience for this special two-hour variety show with performances by top International and Canadian artists. Get your front row seat as Jian Ghomeshi hosts this intimate, once-in-a-lifetime event. Don't miss it!

Canada Live -- Toque Sessions
Toque Session #1
Saturday, February 6 at 7 p.m. in Studio 40
C.R. Avery and the Legal Tender String Quartet with opening act Sam Parton
American music icon Tom Waits said of Vancouver's C.R. Avery that "...(he's) blowin' my mind..." Come witness the energy and artistry that is C.R. Avery with his current band that includes a classically trained string quartet! Former Be Good Tanyas front girl, Sam Parton, kicks off the evening with a set of intimate songs from yesterday and today.
Host: Grant Lawrence (tbc)

Toque Session #2
Sunday, February 21 at 7 p.m. in Studio 40
Jill Barber
Double-Juno nominee and multiple East Coast Music Award winner, Jill Barber, shatters the myth that says "they don't write songs like they used to". This Canadian chanteuse brings a 2010 sensibility to newly composed songs with a timeless, jazzy feel.
Host: Andrew Craig

Toque Session #3
Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. in Studio 40
Bluebird North at CBC presented in partnership with the Songwriters Association of Canada.
There's no purer expression of the songwriter's craft than a song circle. Join a group of amazing singer-songwriters including Shari Ulrich, Joel Kroeker, Tariq Hussein, Adaline and Ryan Guldemond [of Mother Mother]. They’ll be in the round, taking turns communicating oh so directly with their lucky audience.

Toque Session #4
Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m. in Studio 40
The British Columbians
This young quartet brings a fresh take on music that straddles the border between old time blues, and stompy rock 'n' roll. Real, earthy and rugged as a B.C. mountain top.