Awesome Foundation – Calgary goes retro, lumberjack style, as we’re pleased to announce that Karilynn Thompson is our $1,000 micro-grant recipient for the month of October with “The 2nd Annual Log Driver’s Waltz: A Plaid Party!”

October’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Christopher Smeenk to support his making music with lasers. Christopher, a physics PhD student at the University of Ottawa and the Attosecond Science Lab at the National Research Council, explains that his scientific work “focuses on applications of ultrashort laser pulses to control and image matter on the atomic scale.” But he’s also interested in, as he puts it, “delivering tangible outcomes that non-specialists can enjoy.” So he has developed a new method to make music that he calls the laser musicbox. “New developments in laser technology,” Christopher explains, “make it possible to use light to create and control sound – merging the sensations of sight and hearing into a single experience. By focusing an ultrashort laser pulse into air it is possible to simultaneously generate an audible sound and colours spanning the entire visible spectrum. By focusing a laser pulse into air we create a plasma, i.e., a gas of electrons and ions. When the hot plasma expands into the surrounding cooler air it creates a shock wave that you can hear. By controlling the frequency of the laser pulses we can manipulate the pitch of the note and play a melody.” So… read more →

It’s time!  Awesome Kingston is relaunching following our summer break, and you’re not going to want to miss this one.  That’s because we’re shaking things up – instead of being on the third Thursday of the month, it’ll be on the fourth Thursday of October, the 25th, at the Kingston Brewing Company.   No, that’s not the shake-up, this is: instead of having five pitches from the community, the trustees are going to be pitching their awesome ideas to you!  That means that there will be five seats up for grabs, one of which could be yours to help make the final decision on who will walk away with the $1,000 awesome grant for this month. Seating is limited at the Brew Pub, so please RSVP on our Facebook Event as soon as you can.  Make sure you Like our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter, because one of those seats might be given away online in the weeks leading up to the pitch party, hint hint! Check out our website for past winners, and when you have that little flash of genius pop up, submit in an application and you could be selected to pitch at our next party.  Submissions are now… read more →

The winner of Awesome Foundation – Calgary’s SUPER SPECIAL September 2012 $1,000 no-strings attached micro-grant goes to Natalie Meisner with “PODPLAYS: Downloadable Art for Your Ears.”

September’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Remco Volmer and Britta Evans-Fenton to support a Mini Maker Faire in Ottawa. Maker Faires, they explain, “have been called everything from a digital quilting bee to the greatest show and tell on Earth. In the last six years, since the first Maker Faire was held in California, this futuristic arts and crafts fair has become a global phenomenon. The World Maker Faire in New York City draws over 100,000, while small, community driven “Mini” Maker Faires have moved from North American suburbs to Europe, Asia, and even as far as Cairo.” Their Mini Maker Faire, which will be held on the weekend of October 13-14, will brings together families and individuals who celebrate arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, sustainability, and science — and those who embrace the Do-It-Yourself or “DIY” spirit. “At Maker Faire,” explains Remco, “the focus is on the process of making — not just the finished product. The real story is the curiosity, vibrancy, and passion of the Makers themselves — individuals and communities drawn together by a common delight in the magic of tinkering, hacking, creating, and reusing materials and technologies.” Remco and Britta are organizing the Mini Maker Faire through Artengine,… read more →