Indie show MOCtalk celebrates first year Saturday
by John Law | Released in the Niagara Falls Review | Original Link
The Niagara Falls online show MOCtalk will celebrate its first anniversary with a downtown bash Saturday.
The indie show will take over three venues, and is inviting past guests – and their fans – out for the party, starting at 7 p.m.
Performing at the Mide Bistro will be Green Dynamo, Danielle Oegema and the Amazing Flying Hammer Brothers. The anniversary special will also be filmed here.
At the Niagara Gallery will be Brandon Agnew, Thunderclap, Kirby, Hire Wire String Band and Pete Tremblay.
The Queen’s Pub will have the hefty line-up of Half Ton Knights, Mule Skinner, The Black Flies, A Sea of Gold and Burgundy, the Spooky Scarecrow, blenderhead and DJ Gaelic.
MOCtalk camera operator Cam Schwarz says the monthly show allows Niagara artists and musicians to chat in a relaxed, unfiltered setting.
“They love the fact there’s a show showcasing a variety of arts in general,” he says. “We’re actually getting calls to us finally saying ‘We want to be on the show.’”
The show aired its first episode a year ago from the house of creator Joe Stracuzzi. By its fourth episode, it was airing live from the 4555 Cafe on Queen Street and drawing about 100 people per show.
Each show attracts between 600 to 700 online viewers. The entire production is run by volunteers.
“It is mindblowing the amount of work we’ve put into it, and the amount of care and love we put into the show,” says Schwarz.
The show has expanded to include a magazine, with the one-year edition being handed out Saturday along with a DVD of MOCtalk’s first six episodes.
The fact the show has lasted a year will only make things easier now, adds Schwarz.
“Nowadays, people need to see that you are in it for the long run in order for anyone to come on board. We’ve pretty much settled our stay, and it’s getting better from here.”
Following Saturday’s show, MOCtalk will take a short hiatus as it prepares for year two. It’s also leaving the 4555 Cafe for a new home.
“We’re going to take a couple months off to regroup and see where we’re going with the show. Just come up with some new ideas and see how we can change the show up.
“(But) it’s not going away.”
The show can be seen at www.moctalk.ca
