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.