#nopieforyou

Ask for pie here.

Johan Huizinga's "Homo Ludens" (1938) describes play as a free and meaningful activity, carried out for its own sake, spatially and temporally segregated from the requirements of practical life" - so if a life form autonomously plays, they would need a kind of poetic (non-instrumental) awareness. a non-practical, wholly aware/non-robotic state. Is a bird merely a flying, shitting, eating, fucking machine - or it is all these plus a reflective, communicative, sentient being with deep memory and unmeasurable affective capacity? - the answer is found in a video of a crow snowboarding 

look out 2012

sitting here in my parents house visiting for the holidays. this next year is going to be masssssive. really. note the time 2:49AM... it will be hard to top this past year, I've been more happy this last year than I have ever been. not an easy year, but I have been blessed. This coming year I will follow my 8 aspect path and commit even more deeply to my mindfulness practices. Also my communities, my famil(ies), my home, and to boundless discovery of indubitable remarkableness.  through freestyle rhymes, tea growing, tea pouring, mobile sweat culture, earthwork, social and climate justice projects, a poetic mindset, design, building in the material realms, chess, biosphereic food and drink knowledge, survival skill and mapping local waters and shelters, forage 2.0, illustrationssss, financial wisdom, bodyphysuoos ///  

You need a practice/jam/art space in van?

contact me about 45 WEST Studios adrian {(at)) transformationprojects dot CA http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/off/2552217338.html

Replay Your Tea With Me @ ArtXchange in Seattle DOCUMENTATION

Luke Moloney and I were asked back to be the Gong Fu Tea Pourer's for the May Instalment of Miko Kuro's Midnight Tea.

at my 30th bday - there was a freestyle battle between a shark puppet and a lobster

A Life Quixotic with Adrian Sinclair from PandoraBenevolentSocietyNewMedia on Vimeo.

PROF. PRAWNS @ Poib's AUDIO HALUCINAITONS #17 July 5th, 2011

Fuses blown by an overload of creative juices spilling out in wet explosions set off by these audio architects:

Improvisors:::::::
--------------
Prof. Prawns - intellectual word wizardry http://professorprawnspresents.blogspot.com/

Gtonium McDonald - bass
Lewis Holloway - accordion
Arnt Jeffrey Arntzen - banjo
Kevin Romain - percussion
Joseph Hirabiyashi - multi-instrument
Elliot Langford - multi-instrument
Hanna-Sarah Myrberg - guitar
Ryan Moses Lidstone - guitar


Shrunken Head Committee ?????
-----------------------
Poib Fehr - guitar
Daniel Ruiz - drums
Colby Sparks - saxophone


Tyson Naylor Solo Experience
-------------------------
Tyson Naylor - keyboards, etc.



The Slick Willies
-------------
Trevor Sather - mandolin, throat, antics, kick drum
Jerry Wernicke - bass, clarinet, pan whistle

More acts to be confirmed~!!!!!

Show up at 9pm

Cover $5

B/W Photos of a FFG Monday night at 45WEST Studios

Hey look at these pics of the June 20/21st FFG Jam.
taken by Michael Bertz, a member of 45 WEST STUDIOS.


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150272798476240.374495.21060931239

just a personal favorite for yall

this is a remix of a track from one of my favorite rap groups, Food For Animals. They are a duo from Baltimore (an amazingly densely rap talented city).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5noBgyAK3M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBgngGk_C4E&feature=related

enjoy!

PROF PRAWNS

FFG hosting Freestyle Workshops at DIVERSITY FEST 2011

Count Snackula and and I (Prof Prawns) are happy to report that Diversity Festival has invited us to give a Freestyle Focus Group Workshop during the 3 day arts and music event on Texada Island this summer from July 8th, 10th 2011.





Here is our brief description of the workshop:

Freestyle Focus Group
Professor Prawns and Count Snacky continue to develop their hip-hop
freestyle methodology and liberation philosophy. They host a weekly
invitational drop-in freestyle workshop at 45west studios in
Vancouver's Gastown and set out on infamous freestyle bike missions
around East Van with a custom-built lightweight bike sound system.
Join them to develop your own freestyle rap skills and liberate your
mind as your subconscious guides your unique expression. This
inclusive non-heirarchical workshop will improve your technique and
confidence in mic skills, improvisation, and flow for all skill levels,
beginners to expert. Everyone welcome.

This, being FFG's the first big festival, is a pretty special moment. We are very honoured to be a part of this party that celebrates art, music, and love in the woods and on the beach.

As IT HAPPENS April 29th Features FFG + Riding4Ridings on the SoundBike

OK - so Count SNACKY and PROFF PRONZ had the good fortune of being interviewed by Yvonne Gall of AS IT HAPPENS on CBC Radio One. The scene was right in our hood, the totes tubular: Hastings-Sunrise. Pietro, my lovely italian neighbour was looking on. We were part of a story called "sounds of the election" and representing for the project @ridings4ridings.

This is the first National exposure that FreeStyle Focus Group (FFG) has had - also the first that riding4ridings. pretty tubular how both have dovetailed.

here is the show's hot logo:


Pretty cool that this happened - considering I grew up with this show listening to it after dinner over earl grey tea with my parents pretty much every day. The theme song is practically part of my DNA - da daaaaa, da, da, daaaa da na na.


HERE is the link !!

the whole show is pretty good, but if you want to hear just us, 38:10 and just the rap, start at 41:03.

due to the plague - there will be no FFG tonight March 21 2011

bring it twice as hard next week. - *

Some highlights from February 2011 - Big Month for FFG

Proffessor Prawns Head to head with MC Hmmmmm?





lettin 'er rip!




Count Snacky caught in the act of his namesake



Joyousness



The Elekwent Folk Hip Hop Crew payed FGG a visit for a rhyme session.

There have been loads of new MCs that have come through. lots of first timers who have either never picked up a mic or have been rapping for a long time but never really did much freestyle or improv wizards/theatre nerds who have always been interested, but never gave it much of a shot till now. Ive got a few pics coming up that do some justice to the extemporanious mayhem that has been going on every monday at 45WEST STUDIOS.

W2 Woodwards Storyeum: BIKES INSIDE PARTY feat. FFG

Indoor Bike Party at W2! Tonight: FFG will be in full-effect: Our Newly re-tooled sound-bike will be hosting a cypher in one of the W2 rooms. If you have been wanting to get on the mic with Freestyle Focus Group - this could be your chance.

A bicycle-themed dance party at the huge indoor space at W2 Storyeum. Polo starts at 6pm, the party starts at 9pm!

Featuring:
- DJs: Robin Bank$, FreeStyle Focus Group, Adam Hoogeveen, Estro-Testro! (aka Lester), & others for your dancing pleasure
- Gastown Sprints
- indoor bike polo tournament
- live performances from the B:C:Clettes
- bicycle-themed projected photography, art & video from: Krista Bailie, Danielle Baker, Barbara Clayden, Shauna Eve, Greg Fenske, Randall Foster, Marc Johns, Marina Leclair, Rich Lehl, Peter Lojewski, Amanda McCuaig, Museum of Vancouver & Propellor Studios, Alyssa Nassner, Suzanne Pinn, Heather Renney, Revphil, Ernie Sunndwn Shergold, Holly Truchan, Chelsea Tully, Maitland Wright, and more!

Bring your bike in from the cold, lots of indoor bike parking. Note that beverages purchased outside W2 will not be permitted (so don't bring your own booze).

Produced by Jim Hoehnle, Chris Bentzen, and W2 Community Media Arts Society.

Our 2010 t-shirts are still available! Featuring art by Chris Wong. Only $10, available at the party.

$10 at the door
No ticket presales

http://www.bikesinside.com/

FFG + Slippery Elm as part of Mobile Cypher Crew



FFG at the Libra Room with Khari and his amazingly talented band - First time rhyming to a live beat.

long over due posts

FFG has been hustlin (although not really much hustle on this blog) - so there is lots to update. We have played three shows since we last spoke to the internet world. We Freestyled our MC Roles as we introduced the Sweet Soul Girls at the Dollhouse Xmass Party on Dec 12? at FORTUNE Sound Club. The VIP Cheese Plate was - ample, and the sound system was incredible - like really really good sounding. Its Funny cause, this is the only documentation we have of the evening. Thanks Woodhead for taking it. I am sure there is other documentation, if you have some and are reading this, FFG would be much appriciative --- we put alot of time into our costumes (that we stripped out of through out the night on stage (inspired by CP's Strip Hop numbers!)



We have also been rhyming at Open Studios at the Pajama Disco Party with the Dollhouse Crew and with Khari's Band at the Libra Room. FFG feels very tubularly happy that these producers and performers are into having us throw down at their parties. Its a huge honour everytime. - its also insanely fun.

JAN 24, UPWARDS

the home for FFG . . . you are invited.




This a live - in situ - post (MC Bag Foot, MC Wrinkly Fingers, et al.)

Freestyle Focus Group @ Fortune Sound Club, Dec 14, 2010

Hey FFG Fans (yes, "fans" ... or maybe acolytes? ...) MC SNACKY NUTS and I will be freestyling at Fortune Sound Club this Tuesday. haha. I know -- we will be rapping over (arguably) the best (club) sound system in Vancouver. I say best (club sound system) because I would wager that underground systems like lighta sound or perception sound would destroy fortune's stacks. Nonetheless, this is a pretty interesting development for FFG. I mean, we are accustomed to rocking house parties or tag teaming on our custom SoundBike at parks in East Van. So, getting on the mic at a real live club makes me a tad nervy. But hey, we are pretty amped too. With Freestyle, I never know what to expect. Life is one huge flow from off the top of the head anyway. Below is the promo text for the event written by the one and only, Crystal Precious.
Maybe we shall see you there. It should be a memorable one.

http://www.fortunesoundclub.com/



Soy Chocolate Milk Sandwitches,
Prof. Prawns

- - - -

Whattup Sasspackets!!!

SO. As you may or may not remember (and if you do remember, it’s blurry as hell), we generally do this thing once a year where we kick off our heels and take the night off to celebrate the holidaze in true Sweet Soul fashion: half-dressed and SERIOUSLY dipped in vodka-cranberry sauce. With sparkles on top. And tassles. Maybe a moustache or two. You know, depending how the night went. :)

This year we decided what the hell… if we don’t have a studio at the moment, we may as well set up the decks between two of the sickest stacks in the city and let a few of our awesome former DH residents FULLY take advantage of them. Cue dancing around in totally inappropriate holiday themed outfits and hugging each other suggestively. FAaaaaBulous.

We feel also that the best thing to do when a certain world-famous raccoon named LITTLE MISS RISK comes back from a 3 month tour is to throw her legendary ass back onto the stage so we can drool over it. Don’t you agree? Naturally. And of course, my traditional CP Mistletoe Fishing Rod will be back in action from which YOU CANNOT ESCAPE. Heh heh heh. NEVAH!!!

*******
It's the
4th Annual Dollhouse Family Christmas Party!!!!

Fortune Sound Club
147 East Pender St. Chinatown

THEME: Bad Santas & Ho Ho Ho's (shocker). ALSO ACCEPTABLE: really bad Christmas sweaters, holiday glam shiz, formal holiday steez. HOWEVER: evil santas or slutty holiday wear is preferred.

w/ LIVE performances by Crystal Precious , Lola Frost, Cara Milk, Villainy Loveless, Burgundy Brixx & finally home, Little Miss Risk!!

& DJs:

Steamboat Fattie
K-Tel
Woodhead

& MC's
MC PROFESSOR PRAWNS & MC SNACKY NUTS

9pm - 2am
Show 10:30 pm

$10 / cover

Please Bring Food Bank / Clothing Item; each donation will receive a FREE K-TEL CD!!!

***********

Come join us for wayyyyy too much X-mas cheer before you are at the mercy of (gulp) your REAL FAMILIES.

Happy holidaze! Let's get ho-ey & have a ho-ho-ho down. With ho-sauce.

Jingles n' jiggles,
xooxxoxo
CP, Cara & Joe (& Cherry from abroad!)

FFG Throws Down at SWEET SOUL's BLUE PARTY and EAST SIDE CULTURE CRAWL Crawl

The PROF and MC KARLIS @ Open Studios Nov 20, 2010. (Minus -5 C)

FFG has had a pretty charged couple of weekends. As you can see above, we were commissioned to freestyle outside the infamous blue party hosted at Open Studios. The Sweet Soul Girls created a wicked atmosphere of SASStacularity that night. MC Karlis (within 2 hrs of the event) fashioned a new more portable soundbike/soundsystem set-up that could loaded onto the back of his panner rack. It was working fine, until the the gell cells frosted over and the beats slowed till they froze. So, we upped our game and beatboxed the rest of the night. it was dope.

This past weekend, Transformation Projects (Andrea Curtis and I) produced an art/performance installation at the Russian Hall called : NOW TOWN CULTURE LOUNGE. We had a saturday afternoon a "Living Room Cypher". We got a lot of people up to rap that have never rapped before. that is part of the mission of FFG. We believe that EVERYONE can freestyle. And so we motivate new people to get on the mic alot. It is wicked to see people bust out lyrics and stories from their unique perspectives. Especially people who are not as heard from in public social forums. Pics from the cypher are forthcoming. For now, here are some pics from the last couple of weeks.

Images Below are some highlights from our weekly FreeStyle Focus Group Jam on Mondays at 45 WEST Studios. Featured Rappers include, MC Renanimals, Slippery Elm, MC HoneyPants, MC Single-Dain, Alistar, MC ISSAC and our youngest freestyler so far, MC Sophie (5 years old).

Freestyle Focus Group: Indoor Sessions Update

So, Mondays 930PM - Late, MC Karlis and I (Prof. Prawns) have been throwing down at 45 West Studios www.45west.ca on a huge sound system that dangles from the cieling. It runs off of an antiquated-yet virile reciever donated to the space for uses such as ours. We are running two mics and youtube through a main mixer that has many channels to spare. MC Karlis has integrated a usb-recorder that takes the main feed directly from the board. we will be posting some audio for the first time very soon.

here are some pics from the recent monday sessions -



Prof. Prawns

MC Karlis


Here is a very kronkilEE video from my phone which depicts MC KARLIS sounding like a scary alien.