John Wort Hannam spent an hour entertaining and sharing his music and his thoughts on how to write and develop songs at a free IceJam workshop held at the Central BC Railway and Forestry Museum Thursday, Feb 6.
The approximately 70 people in the room listened attentively as Hannam went deep into his musical history, even having to dig out his songbook for a tune he hadn't performed in 15 years.
He answered questions and offered his take on different techniques to write as well as performing examples of the methods he has used.
IceJam events, presented by the Coldsnap Music Festival, continue Friday and over the weekend:
- IceJam – Stories & Song with Jeff Stuart & Lindsay Pratt, Friday, Feb. 7 at noon at PG & District Seniors Centre, 425 Brunswick St. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop. Sweet Americana-inspired folk songs, combined with dreamy harmonies, take the listener's heart. Together Stuart and Pratt offer an experience that is as emotionally moving as it is entertaining. Don't pass up the chance for an afternoon of entertainment and intimate storytelling. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- IceJam – Celtic Jam with Beolach, Jocelyn Pettit and Under the Rocks, Friday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, Heritage Hall, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop that is an acoustic Celtic kitchen party-style jam which invites local music lovers to experience a dynamic and intimate performance where artists share tunes, stories, and spontaneous collaborations. Participation is not just encouraged but celebrated - it's a perfect opportunity to trade songs and stories with other musicians in a relaxed, welcoming setting. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- Bookworm Boogie with Ginalina, Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10:15 to 11 a.m. at the Prince George Public Library’s main branch. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop. Everyone is invited to join Juno nominated singer-songwriter Ginalina, who is known for her cheerful and heartwarming folk songs that applaud nature, family, and community, inspiring children and parents alike with singing, dancing, and connecting. The event will start with a music-themed reading to welcome the children and make for a good transition to an interactively engaging performance. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- The Art of Breaking Through workshop with Cat Clyde, Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop to discuss trials and tribulations of getting into the music scene, inspirations behind songs, and how to go from an idea to a finished creation. Q&A to follow. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- Coldsnap for Kids – 1! with Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers, Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. This is a lively, interactive concert full of fun rhythms and playful melodies designed just for children. With upbeat tunes and exciting percussion, this show invites young listeners to dance and clap along. The performance is a joyful celebration of sound, introducing children to the wonders of rhythm and beat in a way that’s both engaging and educational. For more information and tickets visit https://www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- IceJam – Acoustic In-the-Round with St. Arnaud & the Hearts, Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Knox Performance Centre Heritage Hall, 1448 Fifth Ave. An intimate, in-the-round performance with members of St. Arnaud and The Hearts. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop featuring a distinctive kind of performance in which the artists gather and share their songs and stories with inspiration in a collaborative, up-close setting. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- Arts & Crafts with The Garrys workshop, Sunday, Feb. 9 at noon at Omineca Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. This is a free Coldsnap Music Festival workshop on making music and getting into the scene. With live performances the workshop is set to explore the ideas that inspire songs and go through a process of how those ideas reach the finished product. Attendees will learn songwriting basics and are welcome to ask questions about how to manage the transition from a new band to a popular act. For more information visit www.coldsnapfestival.com.
- Coldsnap for Kids – 2! With Ginalina, Sunday, Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Knox Performance Centre, 1448 Fifth Ave. Four-time Juno and five-time Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee Ginalina pioneers unique family folk music, eclectic fusion folk music, and beautiful children's books that celebrate family, nature, community, culture. Her songs and stories are respectful and real, warm and winsome, emotive and energizing. For more information and tickets visit https://www.coldsnapfestival.com
