Kingston, ON. CFRC 101.9 FM Radio Queen’s University is announcing the launch of its inaugural Airwave YGK Artist Residencies featuring workshops and performances led by local DJs, turntablists, and experimental sound artists.
The station’s first Artist-in-Residence is local electro-acoustic sound artist David Parker, a cosmic Americana, drone, free jazz, and folk inspired musician also known for his work under the pseudonym, Slow Man Tofu.
On February 2nd 2024 beginning at 7 PM, Parker will offer an electro-acoustic composition workshop using magnetic cassette tape. Community members and students are invited to CFRC’s studios to learn how to create audio art, sound and musical compositions using cassette tape loops. Parker’s workshop will include an artist talk, a hands-on discussion and exploration of different electronic music composition tools including magnetic tape, a chance to do a group improvisation, and a chance to cut and create their very own cassette tape loop.
“I’m really excited to be headed back to CFRC, this time to do an in-person workshop and a live on air performance,” says Parker, a past CFRC volunteer who also recently performed live in CFRC’s studios on the station’s popular broadcast and music video series, CFRC Live Sessions.
“CFRC is a way for me to connect to other local musicians and to audiences.”
He notes that as an artist, CFRC and its Airwave YGK project, are “great opportunities for community members to express themselves creatively and to share and communicate through audio art.”
Following his two-hour workshop, Parker will also perform an experimental sound art piece live on air from CFRC’s studios using content created by workshop participants.
Parker’s residency is the first in a broader series of artist residencies and beginner level DJ workshops that CFRC is undertaking through 2024 with the support of the Kingston Arts Council. Through their residencies, local DJs, turntablists, and experimental sound artists will deliver specialized workshops at the station through 2024 related to their specific style, skillset or technique to campus and community attendees. The Artists-in-Residence will also each deliver a live musical performance from CFRC’s broadcast studio.
The Airwave YGK project also features a revitalized six-part beginner level DJ workshop series where a professional DJ will teach participants core concepts and skills related to using and performing with professional DJ equipment.
Winter beginner level DJ workshop facilitator Matthew Almeida echoes Parker’s sentiments about the project.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to connect with members of the community,” he says.
“CFRC’s recent efforts to promote the development of the electronic music scene in Kingston has made me excited for its future, and I’m looking forward to this collaboration.”
CFRC’s Airwave YGK Artist Residencies will feature specialized creative and skills-building workshops and live musical performances led by Parker, Almeida, as well as other local artists Ricky Brant aka Kakaow, Aidan Chin, Laura Kelly, Deena Jacobs, Ruben Ohanian, and Matthew Pridgeon.
“We’re very excited to welcome each of these extremely talented artists into our studios,” says Dinah Jansen, Executive Director, CFRC 101.9 FM Radio Queen’s University.
“We’re thrilled to provide paid opportunities to local artists to grow their respective portfolios, to nurture the next generation of young talent in these creative disciplines, and to foster meaningful connections with new audiences they may not have met before through direct in-person mentorship at CFRC and by entertaining listening audiences on our airwaves with beautifully crafted music live from our studios.”
Registration for David Parker’s electro-acoustic composition workshop is still open. The February 2nd event begins at 7 PM at CFRC located at 62 Fifth Field Company Lane at Carruthers Hall on Queen’s University Campus. The fee is $5-10 or pay what you can though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Participants may register online via cfrc.ca.
Registration for Airwave YGK Beginner Level Workshops commencing in late February will open by February 5th for a fee of $12 for all six workshops that will commence weekly on February 26th at CFRC. Information is available on CFRC’s website and its Facebook and Instagram accounts @cfrcmusic.
