The below is the final version, last updated 2018-07-03 17:00.
Band in a Box
Saturday, 4:30 PM-5:20 PM, River Song
Brett Glass
Come learn “Band in a Box”, a computer accompaniment program that allows you to play with chord progressions and song structures. If you can copy the chord symbols from a book or Web page, you can create musical arrangements; you don’t need to know how to play an instrument! Join in and sing along.
Concert: Bill Laubenheimer
Sunday, 3:00 PM-3:50 PM, River Song
Bill Laubenheimer
Bill puts his unique twist on filk room standards, shares his own tunes, and pokes holes in some filk myths along the way.
Concert: Blind Lemming Chiffon
Friday, 3:00 PM-3:50 PM, River Song
Blind Lemming Chiffon
Blind Lemming Chiffon has been an active fan and filker since 1977, and began writings songs and parodies after hearing Allan Sherman and reading Mad Magazine in the 1960s. He is unrepentant.
Concert: Brett Glass
Friday, 2:00 PM-2:50 PM, River Song
Brett Glass
Brett Glass, an engineer and all-around nerd from Laramie Wyoming, has been writing and performing funny songs and parodies since he owned his first 2 records: the sound track from “Mary Poppins” and “The Purple People Eater. He’ll perform geeky songs on subjects ranging from cats to dinosaurs to sci-fi to the Internet
Concert: Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff
Saturday, 5:30 PM-6:20 PM, River Song
Jeff Bohnhoff, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff are former professional musicians who somewhere along the line slipped to the dark side and began performing nerdishly spot-on parodies of classic rock music. Their concerts have been described as a classic rock FM station that’s lost its mind. Ok, they are the ones who said that, but it’s still true
Concert: Kathleen Sloan
Thursday, 1:30 PM-2:20 PM, River Song
Kathleen Sloan
Kathleen Sloan has been filking for years and gleefully s/t/e/a/l/s sings her favorite filks from many artists. She also performs originals, including her Pegasus nominated and winning songs.
Concert: Kris Wildman
Thursday, 2:30 PM-3:20 PM, River Song
Kris Wildman
Kris Wildman, UrthDiva. A classically trained singer, Kris will woo and wow you in an eclectic variety of covers and parodies with styles coming out of theatre, music hall, and operetta traditions
Concert: Losing Lara
Thursday, 3:30 PM-4:20 PM, River Song
Losing Lara
Come get lost in listening to Wizard Rock (Harry Potter), Firefly and other nerdy themed music peformed by Losing Lara!
Concert: Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover
Thursday, 8:30 PM-9:20 PM, River Song
Kristoph Klover, Margaret Davis
Filk guests Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover perform a wide variety of music in addition to filk. Come enjoy this mainly traditional Celtic-themed concert, featuring Celtic harp, guitar, flute, octave mandolin, whistle, and fabulous vocal arrangements. Start time is approximate after the ice cream social
Concert: Robin Baylor, Fred Capp, Lynn Gold and N Strings Attached
Thursday, 4:30 PM-5:50 PM, River Song
Fred Capp, Lynn Gold, Robin Baylor
Robin Baylor is a talented songwiter, multi-instrumentalist, crafter and engineer. Fred Capp, her husband, plays guitar, and writes in his own quirky style. Lynn Gold is known for her off beat sense of humor, and for performing in almost every musical genre you can think of. Together they are N Strings Attached, and will perform at Westercon/ MALcon, together for the first time in more than 20 years. Expect a combination of precise harmony, imprecise shtick and “N” instruments. With “N” strings…..
Concert: Seth Phillips
Saturday, 2:30 PM-3:20 PM, River Song
Seth Phillips
Seth Phillips’s intense acoustic set explores post-apocalyptic worlds, Star Trek, computer code, and literature. Come listen, think and feel
Concert: Stace Johnson
Sunday, 2:00 PM-2:50 PM, River Song
Stace Johnson
Musician, poet, and writer Stace Johnson brings his wide-ranging style of geek folk to Malcon 6/Westercon 71! Kick back and enjoy a blend of nerdy humor and storytelling in originals, spoofs, and cover songs for Mages and Muggles alike
Concert: Zero Day Exploits
Saturday, 3:30 PM-4:20 PM, River Song
Seth Phillips, Zero Day Exploits
Zero Day Exploits rocks the con with songs about Rogue AI’s, Database Code, Star Wars, and Comic Books. Rated E for Everyone
Geeky Song Writing Panel
Thursday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, Helm’s Deep
Losing Lara, Stace Johnson
It all started with filk and has evolved up into nerdy music today! Come have a talk with local nerdy song writers about inspirations, where to find new nerdy music, and what you need to get started!
Guitar Techniques: Workshop
Saturday, 12:00 PM-1:20 PM, River Song
Jeff Bohnhoff, Kristoph Klover, Seth Phillips
Crazy Guitar Tricks by 3 Obsessed Guitarists: three guitarists with delusions of adequacy share tips and tricks.
Instrument Petting Zoo: Workshop
Friday, 11:00 AM-12:50 PM, River Song
Kathleen Sloan, Brett Glass, Fred Capp, Jeff Bohnhoff, Kristoph Klover, Margaret Davis , Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, Robin Baylor, Seth Phillips
In a casual setting, you will be able to touch and play a variety of instruments including percussion, multiple types of guitars, harp, theremin, flute, zither hurdy-gurdy, electronic saxophone and more. Come and make some music with us. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult.
Intro to Filk
Thursday, 11:30 AM-12:20 PM, River Song
Robin Baylor, Bill Laubenheimer, Heather Preston, Kris Wildman
What is filk music? If you’ve never heard of the music of science fiction and fantasy fandom, and want to learn about it, this is the panel for you. The panelists will discuss how it started, what is considered filk and how you can participate.
Introduction to Recorder with Margaret Davis
Sunday, 11:00 AM-12:20 PM, River Song
Margaret Davis
Beginning Recorder with Guest of Honor Margaret Davis: Learn the basics of one of the easiest and oldest instruments there is! We’ll learn fingering, breathing, the first few notes, and we will quite probably be playing harmony duets by the end of the workshop. BYOR (bring your own recorder) or purchase at class -Margaret will provide 10 for purchase, for 5$. Class limited to 15; please sign up in advance at the info desk
Introduction to Ukulele
Thursday, 12:30 PM-1:20 PM, River Song
Blind Lemming Chiffon
This workshop will focus on the many advantages of the ukulele not only in filking and SF music, but as a vehicle for learning music, entertainment, and amusement. Topics discussed may include the instrument’s colorful history, the many sizes, shapes, and varieties, related instruments, advanced techniques and outstanding players, and the worldwide ukulele community. Bring one if you have one. Bring two if you have two. George Harrison told people he always traveled with two ukuleles, one for himself, and one for a friend.
Memorial Circle
Sunday, 12:30 PM-1:50 PM, River Song
Blind Lemming Chiffon, Kathleen Sloan
Westercon and Denver fandom lost Gail Barton and Jordin Kare, among others, this year. To honor and remember filkers who are no longer with us, we gather and sing their songs, and give tributes to them in a traditional circle. Moderated by Kathleen Sloan and Blind Lemming Chiffon
One Shots
Friday, 1:00 PM-1:50 PM, River Song
Fred Capp
A filk-style open mike. Sign up to sing a song on our stage. All musical styles and skill levels can participate. Sign up sheet will be in the filk program space.
Open Filk: Bardic
Thursday, 10:30 PM-1:20 AM, River Song
Blind Lemming Chiffon
Filk is the music of the science fiction and fantasy community. Tonight’s open filk is bardic style. Each person participating in the circle will get a chance to pick( a performer, topic or song), pass (not take a turn) or perform a song, instrumental or spoken piece. All skill levels are welcome.
Open Filk: Chaos
Saturday, 10:00 PM-12:50 AM, River Song
Jeff Bohnhoff, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
Filk is the music of the science fiction and fantasy community. Tonight’s open filk style is chaos. There is no set order of who will sing next. If you have a follower to a song, or if you want to change the mood, you can politely jump in. Our moderators will make sure everyone gets a turn
Open Filk: Poker Chip
Friday, 10:00 PM-12:50 AM, River Song
Kathleen Sloan, Bill Laubenheimer
Filk is the music of the science fiction and fantasy community. Tonight’s style is poker chip bardic. Each person in the circle will get 3 colored poker chips. When you want to take a turn, you throw that round’s color of chip in the circle, The moderator will make sure everyone gets a turn
Set Up & Sound Checks
Thursday, 8:00 AM-11:30 AM, River Song
Filk room set up and sound checks
Set Up & Sound Checks
Friday, 10:00 AM-10:50 AM, River Song
Filk room set up and sound checks
Set Up & Sound Checks
Saturday, 10:00 AM-10:50 AM, River Song
Filk room set up & sound checks
Sing Along with Kent Bloom
Saturday, 1:30 PM-2:20 PM, River Song
Kent Bloom
Our fan GOH has been a fan for many years. You may not know he is also a filker. Come join him in singing along with some of his favorite filk “oldies but goodies” and bring one of your favorites to share.
Story into Song
Friday, 4:00 PM-5:40 PM, River Song
Bill Laubenheimer, Brett Glass, Jeff Bohnhoff, Kathleen Sloan, Kris Wildman, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, Robin Baylor, Seth Phillips
Many filk songs are based on science fiction and fantasy novels and short fiction. Our performers will read a brief passage from the work that inspired the songwriter, then will perform the song related to that work. Songs based on the fiction of GOH’s David Gerrold and Connie Willis will be performed, as well as many others. There will even be a couple of sing-a-longs!
Theme Circle: Fantasy/Tolkien
Friday, 9:00 PM-9:50 PM, River Song
Margaret Davis , Kristoph Klover
A hosted open circle with songs based on the theme of “Tolkien/fantasy”. Please join us if you’d like to hear songs or if you have a song to share or request. Our Music Guests Margaret Davis and Kristoph Klover will make sure everyone gets a turn
Theme Circle: Food
Thursday, 9:30 PM-10:20 PM, River Song
Blind Lemming Chiffon
Oddly (or not) there are many filk songs on the topic of food. Come join our hosted open circle with songs on the theme of “food”. Whimsical interpretation of the subject is encouraged! Host Blind Lemming Chiffon will make sure everyone gets a turn to share or request a song. This circle will start after our Music Guests Thursday concert
Theme Circle: Parody
Saturday, 9:00 PM-9:50 PM, River Song
Jeff Bohnhoff, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
There is a strong tradition of parody in filking. Come share your favorite filk parodies in our theme circle hosted by Jeff and Maya Bohnhoff, rock parodists extraordinaire.
Vocal Class
Saturday, 11:00 AM-11:50 AM, River Song
Kris Wildman
Join voice teacher Kris Wildman for a vocal technique session that will give you some basics in breathing, finding tone that projects in the room, performance and interpretation, and how to sing all night and not lose your voice.