Folk Music Samples
I was born in Upshur County, West Virginia, an area where mountaintop removal and strip mining are an unfortunate way of life. I learned that even if the coal companies put the land back to something resembling its orginal contour, and planted it with trees and grass, the damage could not be undone. Where beautiful brook and rainbow trout once thrived, many watersheds are permanently ruined, creating acidic streams no longer capable of supporting fish or people. The acid main drainage will go on and on–long after the coal, the fish, and the people are gone. Other problems follow the coal industry as well, such as pollution, flooding, and the erosion of long-standing social communities.
Coal Country Music is a compilation CD produced by Andy Mahler and Jason Wilber for Heartwood®. Coal Country Music is a companion to the film Coal Country, which documents the devastation wrought by mountaintop removal and the cycle of coal mining and combustion. 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the CD go to the Alliance for Appalachia to help stop mountaintop removal.
This collection is a real gem. It runs the gamut from heart-wrenching folk songs to ancient gospel and indie rock. From the opening number by Ralph Stanley to the final chorus by Willie Nelson, you will hear the likes of Gillan Welch, John Prine, Justin Townes Earle, Natalie Merchant, Jean Ritchie, and the Klezmatics–19 songs in all, and all for a good cause. Here are two songs and a trailer for the movie.
LISTEN: Which Side Are You On? (Natalie Merchant)
LISTEN: Paradise (John Prine)
WATCH: Coal Country
“Mountaintop removal is the most devastating peacetime activity in human history — in fact, if the destruction to our nation’s natural and
cultural heritage were being perpetrated by a foreign power, it would be considered an act of war — because in a very real sense, it is — it
is a war against the Earth. Every week, mountaintop removal coal mining detonates more explosive force on the land and the communities
of Appalachia than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, to extract the coal that is warming the planet and poisoning the water, air and land.
We should all be dedicated to ending this unsustainable, and ultimately suicidal practice. And to promoting renewable energy alternatives and the green jobs they will create.” – Woody Harrelson
The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit.
The Scout List is our carefully considered first rate list of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. From our calendar to yours…
HOLIDAY CHEER
HANNUKKAH
Light the Menorah, break out the dreidel, and ready the latkes…Hannukkah begins at sundown on December 11 and stretches all the way to next Saturday (Dec 19th). A bit of Wiki on the holiday: Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislevaccording to the Hebrew calendar, and may occur from late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar. Get the full scoop here.
Dec 11 – 19 | Sundown | FREE
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Hit the VanDusen Botanical Gardens this Friday for the first night of the Festival of Lights. Not only will over one million sparkling little lights will be lit for the holiday season, but Santa will be there too… and Scandinavian Christmas Elves, puppets, community choirs, hot potatoes, apple cider and Thomas Haas hot chocolate.
Dec 11 – Jan 3 | 4:30-9 pm | VanDusen Botanical Garden | $11.45 (including taxes)
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Hook up with the jolly old man himself enjoy pancakes, craft making, and a snappy selection of Christmas music.
Dec 12 | 9 – 11 am | West End Community Centre, Auditorium | $5
STANLEY PARK CHRISTMAS TRAIN
To get yourself into the holiday spirit grab a hot chocolate and a bag of freshly roasted chestnuts and take a ride on the Stanley Park Christmas train. Cuddle up with a loved one as the tiny train chugs its way through a heavily decorated forest while Christmas carols get cranked through speakers dotting the surrounds. Afterward, walk over to the farmyard to savour the smell of a manger. It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance – the stench of a manger is pretty popular this time of year.
Daily | 3:00 – 10:00 pm | Stanley Park | Train Ride: $8 Adults / $5 Kids… Walk-through: FREE
YULETIDE GRANVILLE ISLAND MARKET
In addition to the exciting, seasonal gathering of artisans to booths in the Market proper, each weekend from now until Christmas will also see an live music in Triangle Square, hot chocolate, Crafts for kids – this weekend it is Gingerbread Tree Ornaments. Parking could be a nightmare, so don’t drive all the way in, ride those cute little ferries. Little added incentive: Lee’s has gingerbread donuts now? They are only available during the month of December.
Weekends | 9 am – 5pm | Granville Island Market | FREE (except the donut part)
CAROL SHIPS
Carol ships are out in force this week. On Thursday (Dec 10) they will be cruising False Creek (Lions Gate Bridge 7:12, English Bay at 7:30, False Creek 7:55, Science World 8:20, English Bay 8:40, Lions Gate Bridge 9:10). On Friday (Dec.11th) they are in False Creek again, but this time they head toward Science World (Lions Gate Bridge 7:20, English Bay at 7:40, False Creek 8:05, Science World 8:25, English Bay 8:55, Jericho 9:10, Lions Gate Bridge 9:45). And on Saturday (Dec12th) they travel from False Creek to RVYC (Lions Gate Bridge 7:20 English Bay at 7:30, False Creek 8:10, Cambie St Bridge 8.20, Science World 8:40 English Bay 9:10, RVYC at 9:20, Lions Gate Bridge 10:05)
CAROLING AROUND THE WORLD
Get in to the spirit at the Vancouver Public Library for their annual celebration of the winter holidays: “Hosted by the ever-spirited piano diva, Karen Lee-Morlang. This evening promises to be fun, entertaining and engaging for all ages!
Dec 15 | 7 pm | VPL | FREE
FILM
“TENS” AT ANTISOCIAL
Don’t Sleep Productions’ new skateboarding video – Tens – premieres tonight at The Rickshaw Theatre (avec beer garden). Afterparty at The Bourbon. Watch the trailer here.
Dec 10 | 8:30 | The Rickshaw | $5
CRUDE
Things get Crude at Pacific Cinematheque this week: “Crude is A mix of gripping legal thriller and heartbreaking human-rights drama, Crude, the new documentary from Joe Berlinger, director of Brother’s Keeper and Metallica: Some King of Monster, has already been dubbed “the film Chevron does not want you to see.”
Dec 11 | 7:15 and 9:15 | Pacific Cinematheque | $9.50
AROUND THE WORLD IN 9 DAYS AND 11 FILMS
“Now in its sixth year but visiting Vancouver for the first time, the Global Film Initiative brings an annual program of narrative movies from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia to audiences throughout North America.”
Dec 11- 20 |Various times | Vancity Theatre | $10
MUSIC
J TILLMAN
Lifted from the Zulu report this week: Fleet Foxes basically owned 2008. Their self-titled debut was on most Top Ten lists of that year, their appearance at Richards was a sold out show, and now the band is taking a well deserved rest from the spotlight. That is except for one of the Foxes, J Tillman. He’s no slouch – he had a solo album in his own right before signing on with the FF money gig, and he’s kept busy by quietly releasing a half dozen albums over the last 5 years. Like the Foxes’ appearance last spring, Tillman’s show will likely be much talked about well after the fact and that’s because there’s no better time to see Tillman play a set. His hushed, introspective folk music is the perfect soundtrack to the dark winter days ahead. More sounds here.
Dec 10 | 8pm | The Biltmore
COCO LOVE ALCORN AT THE RIO
From the artist’s Myspace page: “As a songwriter and vocalist, she effortlessly embraces her diverse musical influences—jazz, pop, r&b and folk—melding them seamlessly into her own distinctive and compelling sound”. For starters, Intellectual Boys is downright hilarious. Well worth a listen. But here is what sets this gig apart from her previous ones: Coco was so impressed and inspired by Matt Epp of Winnipeg when they met last month that she has invited him to join her and her band for this special concert. Read a Scout Q&A with Coco here.
Dec 12 | 8pm | Rio Theatre | $12 Adv $15 Door
THE LOCAL THING
SHINY FUZZY MUDDY
Shiny Fuzzy Muddy is one of your last chances to score cool indie gifts at a craft show before Christmas. The original SFM cast members – Astrosatchel, Kari Woo, Laura Mckibbon and Arleigh Wood bring a few extra names on board this year : Atomos, Anat Basanta, bpa Metalcraft, Cielo Kids, Holly Cruise, Dahlhaus, Erin Dolman, Fiveleft, Flightpath, Funk Shui, Heyday Design, Luprints, Caroline Miller, Morena, Audra Neil, Olie (mmm… olie), Bronsino, Jasna Sokolovic, Studio-Oodio and Thousand Flowers.
Dec 12, 13 | 11 – 9 / 7 on Sunday | Heritage Hall
BIKE AND BUMPER STICKER WORKSHOP
From Blim: “Mini screenprint art, graphics, drawings, or text in a Sticker, CD, or Jewel case or any plastic surface! Please bring items you will be printing on as well as your image on disc, paper, transparency or email a jpeg to us at blimblim@telusnet. The cost of workshop is 60.00 for whole evening which includes take home screen and up to 5, 8″x10″ prints. We provide other materials such as inks, emulsions, and vinyl sticker backings. There will be a snack bar, good music, and fun to be had! Call 604 872 8180 or info@blim.ca to register.
Dec 10 | 6 – 10 PM | $60
FARMERS MARKET
Almost 100 local farmers, fishermen, food producers, wild harvesters and artisans bring their goodies to the Croatian Cultural Centre for a special Holiday Market this coming weekend. Snow may be on the way – so stock up on vegetables (from Asian Greens, shallots, spinach and Swiss chard to sunchokes, kale, herbs and Winter squash) Fruits (apples, pears and quince are still in season). Meat & Dairy (inclusing goat and cow’s milk cheese, yogurt, eggs, beef, chicken, lamb, pork and raw dog food). There will also be seafood, honey, maple syrup, dried fruit, baked goods, breads, dips, condiments, candy and preserves. Eat Local.
Dec 12 | 10 am – 6 pm | Croatian Cultural Centre | $2
LANTERN MAKING
Winter Solstice is coming and with it comes the 16th annual Secret Lantern Society Winter Solstice Lantern Festival. Don’t be left lantern-less! Get it together and get your lantern made. Artists from the Secret Lantern Society will help you make your own lantern. All basic materials are provided, though participants are encouraged to bring pressed leaves and flowers or other decorative elements. There are numerous workshops going on this weekend (East Side, False Creek Community Centre, Britannia Community Centre, Roundhouse Community Centre). Check out details here.
TERRA MADRE
Terra Madre is an international gathering of small-scale sustainable farmers and their supporters. At this event you can expect food samples prepared by chefs/cooks paired with local producers; CSA’s selling shares and letting you know more about their model; a buying club co-op selling shares; calendars for sale supporting community farms and other projects of Farm Folk/City Folk; Cook the Hood selling their cookbook with net proceeds to Quest and much more…
Dec 10 | 6-9 pm | Italian Cultural Centre
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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.
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