Past Soundwalks
Spring Soundwalks – 2012
A Soundwalk is a silent group walk led along a planned route to experience a location's ambiance and underlying rhythms. All too often the sounds of the environment pass by unnoticed because of our uncanny ability to shut them out. A Soundwalk enables its participants to actively listen, opening ears and consciousness to the complex orchestration that the environment is composing at all times. It is a musical-sonic adventure that reveals the banal to be extraordinary!
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Fall 2011 Soundwalks
Below The Surface - Led by Kristen Roos
Sunday, October 2, 2011; 2:00-3:30PM
Meet at 485 west 8th avenue (at Cambie)
This soundwalk explores the soundscape that lies deep beneath the city in the reverberating cement caverns known as parking lots. The walk will mainly take place in indoors.
This soundwalk is part of Culture Days! http://culturedays.ca/
Listen!
Below the Surface - Excerpt 1
Below the Surface - Excerpt 2
Below the Surface - Excerpt 3
Below the Surface - Excerpt 4
Below the Surface - Excerpt 5
Below the Surface - Excerpt 6
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English Bay Soundwalk – Led by Andra McCartney (Concordia University), Soundwalking Interactions project
Wednesday, November 9, 2011; 7:00-8:30PM
Meet just north of corner, Davie and Denman, by Yue Minjun’s A-Mazing Laughter artwork (aka 'the laughing guys')
In this soundwalk around the English Bay area, we will have the opportunity to listen to and investigate adjacent, overlapping sonic ambiances of shopping areas, beaches, parkland, residential streets and roadways that characterize this part of Vancouver. The soundwalk will be preceded by suggestions about listening strategies and will be followed by a discussion of what we hear. The walk will take place rain or shine; please dress appropriately for the weather.
English Bay Soundwalk Reflection - by Jenni Schine
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Spring 2011 Soundwalks
The Audible vs. Inaudible Spectrum
Sunday, April 10, 2011; 2-3:30PM
Led by Janine Island
Meeting Location: in front of the Bloedel Conservatory in Queen Elizabeth Park [map]
This soundwalk will explore the sonic terrain in the gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park. Participants will be encouraged to think about the audible and inaudible frequencies that exist in the environment around us. A live improvised performance will convert the inaudible frequencies to crackles, pops, and whirs. Dress appropriately for the outdoors.
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Soundtrip with RjDj
Sunday, April 17, 2011; 2-3:30PM
Led by Milena Droumeva
Meeting Location: Waterfront Skytrain Station rotunda building (inside) [map]
Carrying an iPod and a pair of headphones may seem like the opposite of a soundwalk experience, right? In this slightly technologically-mediated walk, you'll discover a world of experience that draws the outside in, rather than keeping it out. Using RjDj's Soundtrips applications for the iPod, we will embark on a soundwalking experience that hopefully subverts the acoustic ecologist's most dreaded practice - iPod culture. Four iPods will be made available, to be shared among the members during the walk.
Listen!
Soundtrip with RjDj (excerpt)
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Soundhike at Whyte Lake
Sunday, May 1, 2011; 1:30-4:30PM
Led by Jenni Schine
Meeting Location: Whyte Lake Trailhead. If you have car access, take Exit 4 from the Upper Levels Highway and follow Westport Road a short distance west to the trail-head parking lot. See map at http://bit.ly/eObffR
For those without vehicles, a shuttle service will pick up participants at 1:15pm at the bus stop at Marine Drive and Gallagher Place (Bus route: 250), located in West Vancouver.
This soundwalk is a moderate 3-hour hike through old growth forest to Whyte Lake. Note that the trail may be muddy and slippery so make sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Light hikers or running shoes are fine. Bring raingear, water and a snack or lunch. For further logistical information about the hike, please see: http://westvancouver.ca/Residents/Level3.aspx?id=21240
Listen!
Excerpt 1 - under the bridge
Excerpt 2 - arrival at the lake
Excerpt 3 - performance 1
Excerpt 4 - performance 2
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Sonik Youth Soundwalk
Sunday, May 8, 2011; 2-3:30PM
Led by Kristen Roos
Meeting Location: Meet in front of Creekside Community Centre (1 Athletes Way) at the entrance facing False Creek. [map]
This youth-oriented soundwalk focuses on interactivity, introducing key concepts of acoustic ecology, and discussing ways in which to listen. The participants will also be given the chance to use contact microphones to listen to the interior sounds of street furniture (benches, seats etc). The walk is designed for youth to participate, but everyone is encouraged to come out! More info Kristen Roos’ work can be found at www.kristenroos.com
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Holy Rosary Bells: Sacred Sounds in the Urban Soundscape
Sunday May 15, 2-3:30PM
Led by Tyler Kinnear
Meeting Location: 646 Richards (front stairs to Holy Rosary Cathedral) [map]
This soundwalk will explore the sonic space of the Holy Rosary Cathedral Bells. As bell ringers ring methods from the tower, participants will engage the acoustic properties of the bells (a Vancouver soundmark since 1907) and their downtown environment. Please wear suitable clothing and shoes for any kind of weather.
Listen!
Holy Rosary Bells - post-Soundwalk discussion
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Spring 2010 Soundwalks
The Horizontal City - Led by Chris O'Connor
Sunday April 25, 2010 | 5PM
Meeting Location: Vacouver Art Gallery (Robson & Howe); meet on the steps on the Robson Street side of the gallery
Looping back on itself multiple times, this soundwalk eschews the ‘vertical’ city in favour of a ‘horizontal’ exploration.
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Marauding Through the Sounds of Marpole - Led by Jean Routhier
Sunday, May 2, 2010, 5PM
Meeting Location: Characters Cafe/Bookstore (8419 Granville St.)
This walk explores the industrial side of Vancouver’s south end.
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