[One last work-related entry, then I'll give this day job stuff the heave-ho for a while]
The National Arts Centre recently launched the Quebec Scene, a cultural extravaganza featuring 700 Quebec artists from all disciplines who will perform in Ottawa/Gatineau between April 20 to May 5, 2007.
We’ve built sites for both of the Quebec Scene’s predecessors — The Atlantic Scene and the Alberta Scene — and with each we’ve tried to up the ante in terms of the web features and content available. We’ve used “scene” sites to introduce customizable calendars, Flash interfaces, RSS feeds. In March 2005, we launched the NAC’s first ever podcast series, Alberta Scene Radio.
With the Quebec Scene we want to try something new. The Quebec Scene’s podcast feed will feature “user”-generated content — Artists, audience members and NAC staff will contribute audio, video and text to be included in a single RSS feed called “Echos de la Scène / Echoes from the Scene” [RSS]. The entries will hopefully capture the spirit and energy of the event in a multitude of voices. The audio, video and text blog entries will be recorded on all forms of portable devices; mobile phones, PDAs, and MP3 recorders.
To submit a blog entry during the Quebec Scene, simply email it to EchoesFromTheScene [at] gmail [dot] com.
This is of course new for us. We’ve had student bloggers submit content for certain initiatives like NAC Orchestra tour sites, but never have we solicited and made available independently produced audio and video on an NAC website. (Legal department, what legal department?)
What do you think? Would you contribute if you had the opportunity? Leave a comment here on the blog, or email EchoesFromTheScene [at] gmail [dot] com.
To whet your whistle for all the great shows to come in April and May, here’s a short video montage from the launch event with performance clips from Thomas Hellman and Boogat (video by Randy Bowler). It may take a minute or two to load.
