As a lifelong science fiction fan and a folk musician, I have been aware of the existence of Filk music for decades but I had never really investigated it.  I was quite comfortable in my place as a slightly geeky singing schoolteacher and songwriter who told stories about family, faith, childhood, duct tape, and some geeky stuff.

Over the past year, I have come to know a number of Ontario Filkers  through February Album Writing Month and Nanowrimo.  Our family even went to Toronto to our first House Filk this fall and we were very warmly welcomed.  Through these online communities and our one house filk, I feel that I have come to know several people in the Filk community, and I am excited to get to know them better.

But this weekend will still be Ductape Family’s first encounter with the FilkOntario conference.  My daughter is armed with a couple killer acapella songs from the Doubleclicks and Jane Eggers.  I have been polishing a few of my most geeky– jam friendly, chorus laden songs from 15 years of writing.  My wife is eager to meet new people and listen to some great music.  I have been reading about the event from other attendees, particularly Debs & Errol’s post on What is Filk?

As a virtual introduction to my music, here I am singing my Ballad of Chris Hadfield.

 

We cannot arrive until Saturday evening, so I’m hoping that someone will email me the topic for the penguin songwriting challenge on Friday or Saturday, because I would love to participate in it. What other advice do you have for relative newbie first- timers to a Filk Conference?