Highlights from Otafest 2010

Running on the May long weekend, Calgary's annual anime convention featured a record number of special events and popular classics for anime and comic fans from Alberta.

Otafest is considered one of the premier anime conventions in Alberta, only rivaled by Animethon in Edmonton. With 103 special events, there were plenty of activities for otaku of anime, comics, manga and video games to enjoy at Otafest 2010.

Artists, Voice Actors, Bands, Improv and Cultural Demonstrations on Otafest's Special Guest List

This year, Otafest featured three headliner guests: voice actors Todd Haberkorn and Michelle Ruff and cartoonist Scott Ramsoomair. Haberkorn is known for portraying Hikaru Hitachiin (Ouran High School), Watanuki (xxxHolic) and Death the Kid (Soul Eater). Ruff was awarded Best Voice Actress (English) at the 2009 SPJA Industry Awards. She has voiced over 100 different characters, including Rukia (Bleach), Yoko (Gurren Lagann), Chi (Chobits) and Princess Euphemia (Code Geass). Canadian cartoonist Ramsoomair is the creator, writer and artist of VGCats, a popular video game humor-based web comic.

Other special guests included Synaptic Chaos Theatre, Midnight Taiko, the Shin Ken Kai Nobara Iaido Club, the 404's improv group, the band THWOMP and the band Pinku Polkadotsu.

Special Events Galore at Otafest 2010

Otafest increased its special event line-up from 90 to 103. This year, a wide variety of interactive game shows were added, such as AMV Mortal Combat - where anime music videos selected by the audience are pitted against each other, Otafest Tactics - a game that tests players' strategic and battle skills and Anime Talkabout - where players have only 20 seconds to show off how much they know about an anime-related topic.

Other new events included the Otafest Much Music Video Dance, Lolita Fashion Show, the Maid Café, the Pokémon League, Speed Dating and live-action Anime Chess.

Popular Classics Return and Old Standbys Continue to Draw Crowds at Otafest

The AMV Game show returned, in which contestants watch selected AMV's and then answer questions. In Anime EDGE, 15 different games and game shows were combined into one big game.

An anime con would be incomplete without anime showings, cosplay contests, karaoke and gaming rooms. Otafest is no exception. The vendor room and Artist Alley were popular with shoppers seeking to buy Bleach manga, Inuyasha DVD's and other popular otaku merchandise.

The History of Otafest

Otafest is the brainchild of the the University of Calgary's Dedicated Otaku Anime Club. The first festival was held in 1999 as a one-day film festival. Throughout the years, Otafest organizers added educational panels, including Japanese 101, computer tips to enhance music videos and CG art, cosplay , writing fan fiction, convention etiquette and flirting. Cultural demonstrations on how to wear a kimono, the Japanese tea ceremony, Taiko drumming and Iaido have been included over the years. Otafest is now a three-day annual festival held during the Victoria Day weekend at the University of Calgary. A one-day "lite" festival was added in November 2009.

Some Glitches But Still a Fun Weekend at Otafest 2010

The most controversial issue at Otafest 2010 was over weapons and props. During an incident at Otafest Lite 2009, a cardboard prop was mistaken for a real weapon by university staff when viewed from a distance. Otafest organizers initially banned all props of weapons, but fan backlash was strong. The revised policy on the website is a workable compromise, banning any weapons, any props resembling weapons and any props made predominantly of metal. Acceptable prop weapons were tagged so that university campus security could easily identify these items as props from a distance.

Two band-related glitches detracted from fans' musical experience. The band Pinku Polkadotsu had to withdraw from the line-up when the drummer was injured in an accident. Partway through the THWOMP concert, a fuse was blown.

Some changes were good, others not as successful. The vendor room saw an increase in vendors from 20 to 30, thanks to a streamlined floor plan. Programming was rather light on Sunday, with the bulk of the activities scheduled on Saturday. Otafest Idol was smaller than previous years, with 25 pre-registrations accepted (down from 30) and eight finalists (down from 10) to give more time for feedback from the judges. Campus construction resulted in various detours and restricted areas.

Bumps aside, attendees still enjoyed a fun-filled weekend. Cosplayers were in abundance; the youngest was a mere toddler, while the oldest cosplayers were well into their 40's. The Maid Café drew such a crowd that advance tickets had to be issued. The Cosplay Contest was as popular as ever, with over 60 entrants and audience line ups spanning one kilometer.

Attendees got into the spirit of giving by donating over $5,300 for breast cancer research. With the fundraising goal well met, three festival organizers had their heads, while one shaved his chest at the Closing Ceremonies.

Final attendance figures for Otafest are not yet available. However, attendance has been steadily increasing over the past two years. If these historical figures are any indication, 2010 numbers should be over 4,000. With 103 special events, healthy attendance and over $5,000 raised for cancer research, the Otafest 2010 anime convention can be dubbed a success.

Originally published May 28, 2010 on Suite101.com. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

Homemade Hamburger Recipe for Dogs

This homemade dog food recipe is relatively easy to prepare. It can also be adjusted to give dogs a varied and balanced diet.

Cooking meals for a dog does take some planning and research, but it can be extremely rewarding. Dog owners can rest easy, knowing exactly what ingredients are in their dog’s food, while dogs can enjoy a different meal every day.

Maestro’s Power Burgers is a relatively easy dish to prepare. This homemade dog food recipe can also be adjusted to give dogs a varied and balanced diet.

Ingredients for Maestro’s Power Burgers

The following ingredients form the foundation of this tasty homemade dog food recipe. This can easily be customized to suit a dog’s tastes and to provide balance through variety:

• 2 cups of ground meat (e.g., veal, beef, pork, chicken, turkey, organ meat)

• 1 cup of grains (e.g. white rice, brown rice, barley)

• 1 cup of vegetables – fresh or frozen (e.g., carrots, peas, lima beans, corn, sweet potato, potato, small tomato)

• 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil

• 1 egg

• ¼ tsp. of basil

• ¼ tsp. of rosemary

• ¼ tsp. of parsley

• 5 shakes of black pepper

• up to 1 clove of garlic, minced (optional)

These ingredients can be doubled to make a larger batch. For more information on the types of foods that can be included in a home-prepared diet for dogs, read Dr. Ihor Basko’s Pet Nutrition: Guidelines for Feeding Your Pets.

Portion Control for Maestro’s Power Burgers

Prior to making Maestro’s Power Burgers, one should calculate portion sizes. Raw4Dogs has an online calculator. The site also makes adjustments for if the dog is overweight, underweight or if it is a puppy.

The calculator bases the meal portion size on feeding a dog 2 meals a day. If one is feeding a dog 3 meals a day, take the daily total and divide by three.

Preparing and Cooking Maestro’s Power Burgers

1. Cook the grains.

2. Lightly oil a cookie sheet, baking dish or muffin tins.

3. Chop or puree the vegetables.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked grains, vegetables, egg, vegetable oil and herbs.

5. Add the ground meat to the bowl. Mix together all ingredients.

6. Using a measuring cup, scoop out the equivalent to one meal and place on the baking sheet (or in a muffin tin).

7. Repeat Step #7 until the baking sheet is full.

8. If the hamburgers are a little too high, squish them down a bit with a spatula.

9. Lightly cook the burgers by either broiling or searing them until the outside of the burgers are brown.

10. Let cool before serving.

11. Feed the dog one serving, based on the portion size calculation made in the previous section. Some dogs may prefer to have their burgers broken into smaller bite-sized chunks.

12. Extra portions can be frozen and reheated one serving at a time. Microwave a serving for 45 seconds to 1 minute to defrost and warm up the burger.

To ensure that a dog is getting the requisite ratio of food sources, various "sides" can be added, so long as the portion sizes are observed. Fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese are some examples of side dishes. Some dogs may require lactose-free cheese.

As cooked food is depleted of enzymes dogs need to digest properly, owners can give digestive enzymes for dogs. They can also give dog supplements, such as Brewer’s Yeast and calcium supplements, to avoid holes in their dog's diet. However, lightly cooking the burgers by broiling or searing does preserve most nutrients, according to vet Dr. Per Schonbeck in his Pet-Nutrition-Advice article, “How Is Your Dog Food Damaged By Its Processing".

What Dog Owners Should Know Before Cooking Meals for Their Dogs

No single homemade dog food recipe will meet all of a dog’s nutritional requirements. In "Introduction to Homemade Diets for Dogs" in Whole Dog Journal (April 2007), Mary Straus advises dog owners to strive for nutritional balance over time. The type of meat (and the cut), grains and vegetables should be varied to make certain that their dog's nutritional needs are met.

Owners who plan to switch to a home-prepared diet for their dogs should consult with a veterinarian to determine the dog’s nutritional requirements. They can also ask the veterinarian to adjust a couple of recipes to get the right balance when making homemade dog food.

Related Reading:

Benefits of a Homemade Pet Diet

Dr. Good Pet: ingredients and dog food recipes

Homemade Pet Food Done Right

What You Should Know Before You Cook for Your Dog

Originally published July 19, 2010 on Suite101.com. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca & Maestro.

Skills and Attributes Needed to be a Private Music Teacher

A look at the essential skills, training, salary information and working conditions of music instructors who teach from their private home studios.

Private music teachers are trained individuals who have established their music studio as a home-based business. They provide music instruction to children and adults of all ages and levels.

Music instructors teach students proper technique, musicianship, practice strategies, music theory and appreciation. Music lessons are taught either one-on-one or in group classes.

Key Skills Needed to be a Private Music Teacher

Music teachers need strong written and spoken communication skills. They give music lessons to a wide range of students, from preschool children to retirees. Having the versatility to communicate with all of these age levels is not just an asset, but a necessity.

Listening skills are vital. Music instructors need to listen carefully to musical elements such as notes, rhythm, articulation, pedaling, shaping, tempo and flow. Based on their assessment, they help their students correct inconsistencies and learning errors.

Music teachers should possess good perception and observation skills. They need to detect and correct improper technique and posture which, if left unchecked, could lead to musician injuries. Effective music teachers are sensitive to their student's body language. They also need to be attuned to their students' shifts in mood and energy level, then make adjustments to better meet the needs of their students.

Independent music teachers also require strong administrative, planning and organizational skills. Aptitude, learning preferences, motivations, needs, interests and personalities are unique to each student. Therefore, lesson plans need to be personalized for each student.

Education and Training Requirements for a Private Music Teacher

Education and training requirements vary, depending on the subjects taught and instrument. All music teachers have taken years of music lessons. Many perform as soloists or collaborative musicians. Some music teachers are also adjudicators, examiners, composers, music publishers or clinicians.

Music teachers who teach classical music have achieved a high level of proficiency in their instrument, many holding a music diploma or degree. Teachers who fall into this category include: piano teachers, voice teachers, music theory teachers, strings teachers, woodwinds teachers, brass teachers and percussion teachers.

On the other hand, there are some teachers with extensive performing experience and practical music theory knowledge but they lack certification from a music conservatory or university. Coaches and teachers active in the popular music industry are in this category.

Teachers who offer group lessons such as Kindermusik, Music for Young Children, Kodály, Suzuki or Yamaha go through additional program-specific training.

Job Responsibilities of a Private Music Teacher

Private music teachers are self-employed. They are responsible for all facets of running their own business, including:

• Developing lesson plans, teaching materials and time-lines tailored for each student

• Preparing students for music examinations, festivals and competitions

• Lesson registration and scheduling

• Set lesson tuition, develop and enforce studio policies

• Communicating with parents with regards to performance opportunities, student progress, issues and registration deadlines and requirements for examinations, festivals and competitions

• Sales and marketing

• Administrative tasks such as bookkeeping, filing, research and development, cleaning, troubleshooting technology issues

• Keeping up with their own professional development

• Staying current on trends on music pedagogy and studio technology and software available

• Ensuring the safety and welfare of their students while under their care

Independent music instructors can keep up with their professional development through continuing education and being involved with a professional music teaching association such as the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Associations (CFMTA).

Salary Information and Working Conditions for Private Music Teachers

Unfortunately, the figures are not well documented. One site, Indeed.com lists the average salary for an "instrumental music tutor" as $52,000. Whether that  reflects the salary for someone who teaches at the post-secondary level is unclear.

It is safe to say that private music teachers earn more than music teachers who teach in a music store/school. Private music teachers establish their fees based on their education, teaching experience, performing experience and track record.

The market can be somewhat volatile. Combined with the limitations to teaching, there seems to be a significant number of instructors who teach music on a part-time basis.

Private music teachers provide instruction in their home studio. Some have their office in a separate room from their teaching studio, while others teach and do office work in the same space.

Home studios contain a professional library or audio/visual recordings, music scores and textbooks, at least one instrument, a metronome, good lighting, good seating, voice mail or an answering machine to take calls during lessons, music stands, a washroom and a waiting area. Some studios have a computer, rhythm machine or recording equipment. Many piano teachers for instance, own more than one piano. The second instrument is used for ensemble playing or teacher demonstrations.

Although some private music teachers offer lessons during the day, most teach in the afternoon and evening, when their students have come home from school or work. Some music instructors offer lessons on the weekends.

Private music teachers generally teach throughout the school year, although some offer summer lessons or workshops. January to June are especially hectic as that is when students polish and memorize their pieces to the high degree of fluency required to perform at recitals, examinations and music festivals.

Private music teachers need a diverse skill-set to succeed. In addition to possessing a high degree of knowledge and proficiency in their instrument, they must adapt and change their teaching approach to match the needs of each student. They must be highly organized as they balance the needs of their students, the administrative needs of their business, and their own professional development. The pace can be intense but the rewards of sharing their love for music and hearing each student develop their own musical voice are priceless.

Originally published on Suite101 on June 11, 2010. Information updated March 10, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.

The Importance of Artist Dates

I first read Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way over ten years ago. In a nutshell, it's a 12-week self-directed course to help you unleash your creativity through deepening your spirituality.

Since then, I've gone through the book approximately three times. There were quite a few exercises that I have never managed to do all of them.

I wasn't too keen on the "Morning Papers" exercise. However, one thing that I have tried to maintain between "run-throughs" is the Artist Date.

What is the Artist Date, you ask? You take your inner child - the budding artist within - on a date. It can be a home activity, such as building a fort out of pillows, sipping hot chocolate and doodling. Or it can be something more elaborate, like a weekend trip somewhere.

It my favourite activity from the book, hands-down. I enjoy the freedom and peace from getting away from reality, even it it's just for a few hours.

With each successive Artist Date come a giddiness from doing something without a care for what the world would think. It is a feeling that stays with you for longer periods of time.

These are some of the Artist Dates that I've enjoyed:

• visit the Calgary Zoo

• have a Pajama Day

• doodle with my Crayola markers

• make photo cards

• hang out in a library or bookstore and simply wander

• window shop in a funky part of town, such as Kensington, Marda Loop or Inglewood

• visit the Calgary Bird Sanctuary

• drive out of town, with no set itinerary

Here are some Artist Date ideas from other creatives from The Artist's Way Blog. For more information about the author of The Artist's Way, visit Julia Cameron's website.

What I've found is that these are great activities to break up the routine of ordinary life. They are opportunities to become grounded in a constantly shifting world. Finally, they provide a much needed energy boost during hectic times.

After a retreat at the FCJ Centre (2010). Photo by R-M Arca.

Happy Palm Sunday

Several of my piano students came in last week, saying, "Our teachers say that Easter is more important than Christmas." The way they peek up at me after making this statement, looks like they are waiting for me to refute it. However, they are right. For Christians, Easter IS more important than Christmas. Whether you practice your faith or not, Jesus Christ's sacrifice is at its very core.

Now, after five-and-a-half weeks of Lent, Holy Week is upon us. It all begins with Palm Sunday, when we reflect upon when Jesus came to Jerusalem for the Last Supper. Then the Pascal Triduum begins on Thursday night with the Last Supper and the washing of the feet. Good Friday Mass on Friday and then Easter Vigil on Saturday night (candles, bells and baptisms - it's a great service). Easter Sunday is the coda to it all, but really, for Catholics, Easter begins at the Vigil.

Here's a nice two-minute crash course on Holy Week. Special thanks to Father Wilbert Chin Jon of St. Bonaventure's parish for sending this link out:

It took quite a bit of digging to find a performance of this song. It's one that we are working on for Palm Sunday Mass. I must say, g minor is the perfect key for this. It's melancholy and pulls at the heart strings. From a conductor's standpoint, however, I can't say I'm too thrilled about those offbeat entrances. The modal nature of the piece throws off my ear too. Yes, I know what that means: more practice required.

Without further ado, Carmen Scialla's O Crucified Messiah:

In the end, we changed this hymn to "We Take Up the Cross", another beautiful but challenging hymn.