Canadian Music Week Preview: Conferences

My column for this month is a special edition in honour of the upcoming Canadian Music Week: a five-day festival showcasing great Canadian music acts as well as conferences, lectures, award shows and films. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I want to show you which events will make you lean forward, flail your arms and smile.

CMW runs March 10-14, with events during the days and concerts/films in the evenings.

Canadian Music Week (and Fest – the music portion) require that you purchase passes to attend events (obviously). You can purchase weekly or daily passes. For more information, go here. However, if you want to go to just one concert, tickets can be purchased here.

This is the third part in a trio of articles in preparation for CMW. Today, we tackle the heavy conference schedule.

Read the rest of this entry »

Canadian Music Week Preview: Music

My column for this month is a special edition in honour of the upcoming Canadian Music Week: a five-day festival showcasing great Canadian music acts as well as conferences, lectures, award shows and films. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I want to show you which events will make you lean forward, flail your arms and smile.

CMW runs March 10-14, with events during the days and concerts/films in the evenings.

Canadian Music Week (and Fest – the music portion) require that you purchase passes to attend events (obviously). You can purchase weekly or daily passes. For more information, go here. However, if you want to go to just one concert, tickets can be purchased here.

This is the second part in a trio of articles in preparation for CMW. Today, I’ll point out a number of bands that are more than worth just checking out.

Read the rest of this entry »

Canadian Music Week Preview: Films

My column for this month is a special edition in honour of the upcoming Canadian Music Week: a five-day festival showcasing great Canadian music acts as well as conferences, lectures, award shows and films. It’s going to be a wild ride, and I want to show you which events will make you lean forward, flail your arms and smile.

Canadian Music Week (and Fest – the music portion) requires that you purchase passes to attend events (obviously). You can purchase weekly or daily passes. For more pass information, go here. However, if you want to go to just one concert, individual tickets can be purchased here.

CMW runs March 10-14, with events during the days and concerts/films in the evenings.

This is the first part in a trio of articles in preparation for CMW. Today, I’ll tell you which films I think are worth seeing.

Read the rest of this entry »

DorkShelf.com One Year Anniversary!

Dork Shelf was conceived in a bar over beer and breakfast nearly one year ago. That’s right, drinking before noon led to what you see now. Inappropriate alcohol-consumption aside, we’ll be marking the actual anniversary of the site based on when the first post happened, which was in fact one year ago today.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my co-founders Jeff and Lucas and all of our contributors for the hard work they’ve put in over the past year. We’ve got something special here, be proud of it guys!

I’d also like to sincerely thank all of our readers, without you guys there would be no Dork Shelf. As always, we appreciate your readership and your comments!

Our second year at DorkShelf.com is going to be even better. Expect new features, new contributors, some events and that long awaited site redesign!

Stay tuned…

Huge Turnout for Hand Eye Society Social

Hand Eye Society social photos by Mark Rabo

The Toronto gaming scene came together last week for the Hand Eye Society social. Not only was it an opportunity for the local game development, game journalism and enthusiast community to schmooze, but those in attendance were also treated to a preview of Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, a collaborative project from local developer Capybara Games (Critter Crunch, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes), pixel artist/filmmaker Craig “superbrothers” Adams and acclaimed singer-songwriter Jim Guthrie.

Developed for Apple’s mobile touch devices, Sword & Sworcery is described by its creators as “a brave experiment in I/O cinema” and “a crude videogame haiku about life, love & death”. While the presentation raised more questions than it answered, based on what I saw I’d have to call the game a highly stylized touch adventure game. A quick survey of those in attendance revealed that people loved what they saw, but were still hard pressed to tell me what the game actually was. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen; the game recently won the IGF Mobile 2010 achievement in art award and you can immediately see why. Adams’ amazing pixel art has a simple, yet haunting quality to it. Guthrie’s sonic accompaniment lent Sword & Sworcery an eerie silent film vibe; it felt like a trippy, avant-garde version of King’s Quest.

Unit Bar in Parkdale was standing room only for the event, the largest Hand Eye Society social to date. Zack, Lucas, Joel and myself were there and managed to catch up with some of our favourite local game folk including Raki from Controller Punch!, Mark and Jaime of Gamercamp and Nathan from Capy to name a few. If you’re a local game developer (indie or otherwise), writer/blogger or just a fan be sure to check out The Hand Eye Society.

Check out the official site for Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

More photos from The Hand Eye Society Social

February Monthly Music

Alright, it’s the second month of 2010. What do you think of this year’s music so far? I think it’s had a fantastic start, but hey, that’s just me. Anyways, while the concert season is hopefully nearing the end of that boring period where nobody tours because it’s to cold, there are still some great shows and artists to check out in February that will amp you up and propel you into March. After all, it’s a shorter month, so let’s squeeze some more excitement into it!

Three Toronto bands you should know:

Woodhands – They found critical acclaim in the US and China for their last album, Heart Attack, so it can only go up from here for Remorsecapade. Their loud, sweaty dance parties are always talked about for days afterward, the perfect goal for musical hosts. The album was only released a few days ago, but there’s already been an incredible amount of hype. They’re fun, bold and quirky; it’s good to see something so different and exciting on the Toronto scene in between the usual splendors. Don’t miss your chance to see them since they will be going back to the States and possibly China again this year.

The Balconies – This trio has recently moved to Toronto from Ottawa, and we have welcomed them with open arms. They’re already gone and touring Eastern Canada right now (but you will see them play a show here this month). They’ve got this interesting sound that blends ‘80s pop guitars with the huge difference between their voices (which works in their favour). They had a great 2009, so here’s hoping they’ll have an even better 2010.

Bruce Peninsula – We’ve seen the release of their most recent album, A Mountain is a Mouth, and it was wonderful. The troupe of incredible singers (the instruments come later) are still riding that wave and will see tour dates in the States over the next few months, including South by Southwest, a big music festival in Texas (Woodhands will be there too). This album is one that will definitely brighten up a dreary February day or at least make it more contemplative.

Read the rest of this entry »

Interview with Gareb Shamus of Wizard Entertainment

Local convention fans have been abuzz since it was announced that Wizard Entertainment had purchased the long running Paradise Toronto Comic Con. Wizard Entertainment is a well known quantity amongst dorks, not only for putting on some of North America’s largest comic conventions, but also publishing the popular Wizard and Toyfare magazines. Originally started in 2003 by Paradise Comics proprieter Pete Dixon, the newly minted Wizard World Toronto Comic Con will be Wizard’s first show outside of the United States. Where the original Paradise show was a comic book focused event, the new Toronto Comic Con will be multi-genre event similar to Wizard’s other conventions.

So what can fans expect from the upcoming Wizard World Toronto Comic Con? Jeff recently had a chance to find out in a conversation he had with Wizard Entertainment CEO Gareb Shamus. The two discussed the upcoming Toronto Comic Con, the Wizard World brand and how Wizard is adapting to the changing magazine marketplace.

Listen:  
Download: Dork Shelf Interview: Gareb Shamus (18 MB, MP3, 25:50)

Wizard World Toronto Comic Con runs March 26, 27 and 28th 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto. Featured guests include Dollhouse’s Eliza Dushku, Battlestar Galactica’s Kandyse Maclure, Iron-Man artist Adi Granov and Wonder Woman writer Gail Simone. Be sure to check out the official Wizard World Toronto Comic Con site for more details and to see the constantly growing line-up of guests.

Kick-Ass Trailer

The full theatrical trailer for Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass has punched and kicked its way online. Kick-Ass, based on the ongoing comic book series by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr., centres on an outcast teenager who decides to become a costumed vigilante. He quickly discovers he isn’t the only mask avenger in town.

I like this trailer a lot more than that obnoxious Red Band trailer for the character Hit-Girl that was released a few weeks back. To be fair though it did illustrate that the film would be as violent and brutal as the comic book. The movie was shot in Toronto, so it’s nice to see that some fleeting glimpses of Hogtown have made it into the trailer.

Kick-Ass stars Nicholas Cage, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Aaron Johnson and is due in theatres April 16th, 2010.

Via Yahoo Movies

January Monthly Music

Jessica Lewis returns for another edition of Monthly Music.  If you enjoy this feature, you can read more of Jessica’s musical musings at Round Letters.

This month I’m going to try something different. After all, it’s a new year, a new decade. There is much to look back on and look forward to, especially in music. So, without delay, here follows what I believe are some albums and concerts to look forward to in January 2010. There’s already a lot in just one month! These picks are all pretty earthy, a great symbol for how they’ve all worked from the ground up, and 2010 expects some beautiful flowers, trees, bushes, what-have-you.

By all means, start a discussion in the comments. Did I leave anyone out? What are you looking forward to in music for 2010? And what did you love most about 2009?

Owen Pallett – Heartland Out January 12. Plays at the Mod Club on the same day. From the man who had to change his stage name Final Fantasy back to his real name due to copyright infringement comes the album everyone in the Toronto indie scene has been waiting for since He Poos Clouds in 2006. With his trademark quick-wit and faster violin pace, this album is sure to keep the critics and fans chattering for a while.

Woodpigeon – Die Stadt Muzikanten Out January 12. Plays at the Drake Hotel on February 11. Oh Mark Andrew, your crew and the blissful melodies! Pleasant, familiar and yet still an adventure is every Woodpigeon album. What has impressed me about Woodpigeon in the past has been how easy their songs mold to any occasion. Studying, hanging out, partying, discovering.
Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Holidays from Dork Shelf

On behalf of the team here at Dork Shelf, I’d like to wish everyone a happy holidays and a very happy new year!

It’s hard to believe that it has been ten months since we opened for “business”. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers, commenters and contributors.  We have some exciting plans for the shelf in the new year; a new design, new features and functionality, more events and maybe even a few new writers.

Stay tuned, you’ll be noticing some changes very soon.

Keep it dorky folks!

Interview with Nathan Vella of Capy Games, Part 2

Capy's recent release, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes

In the second part of our interview with Nathan Vella (be sure to read part 1), president of Toronto’s Capybara Games, we talk about game publishers and Ubisoft’s new Toronto studio, as well as independent game development in Ontario.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ubisoft Toronto Studio Location Announced

Ubisoft Toronto

After months of rumour and speculation, Ubisoft today announced the location for its new Toronto game development studio.  Ubisoft Toronto will be located at 224 Wallace Avenue in the city’s West end, just north of Bloor and Lansdowne.  The location was actually deduced by an intrepid fan yesterday thanks to some hints from Employee #1, but we now have official confirmation.

No word yet as to which “triple A” franchise Ubisoft will be bringing to the GTA.  Though it must be noted that Jade Raymond, producer on the first two Assassin’s Creed titles, has been named President of the new studio.  Given her presence all signs point to Assassin’s Creed 3.  Anything is possible though, perhaps Sam Fisher, a Persian prince or a new character entirely will make T.O. their new home.  The studio is set to open very soon, so expect the job postings to start any day now.  Check out Ubisoft Employee #1’s Facebook page and Twitter for updates.

Also make sure you check out our interview with Employee #1 for more info.