Singing in public can be scary. Performing your favourite tune in front of dozens of Vancouverites and tourists can be a nightmare if your only experience singing it was in the car (or on your bike) on your way to work. Still, some intrepid transit riders can sing out loud on the bus. One gentleman sings opera strolling down South Granville, groceries in hand. Unfortunately though, for the rest of us, we don’t have chops like Bonnie Tyler to belt out a rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on a downtown street just for the heck of it.

 
If you would rather crawl into a hole for three days than sing in public, today’s your lucky day. VPSN has compiled some quick tips on how to sing like a champ at the Karaoke Kiosk. Just follow these six easy steps and you’ll be an instant singing sensation:

1. Bring a friend! Karaoke is a social activity. If you don’t know the entire tune by heart, someone else in your group is bound to. We also have two microphones so no excuses.

2. Get there early. If you want to get your song in without waiting, come down early. Things get pretty busy during the last two hours so to ensure you get your chance to shine, get your name and song on the list before 4pm.

3. Choose a back up song. Karaoke Kiosks are finicky sometimes. There are so many songs in the library that some get lost in the shuffle. In case your first choice doesn’t work, always pick a back up song.

4. Find the songs you want in advance. The Karaoke Kiosk is equipped with two touch screens to help you find your song. But why wait behind the guy who can’t decide on which version of “Yesterday” to do? Visit urbanrepublic.ca/sing/ to find the entire song list (you can also visit the page from your smart phone on location). Jot down the code of the song you want and bring it down to the Kiosk. You’ll be golden.

5. Try a popular song. If you choose a song that everyone knows, then the crowd will likely be more inclined to sing along with you. Getting the crowd involved is a feeling like no other. Believe me, it’s really great.

6. Have fun! Some people tend to forget about this important one. Whether you consider yourself to be a good singer or a bad singer, it takes a lot of guts to sing in front of a crowd and that’s what we all admire the most. So toss your inhibitions aside and just go for it!

The Karaoke Kiosk can be found at Robson Square this Sunday, August 19th, from 2-6pm. It is brought to you by VPSN and Urban Republic, and sponsored by VIVA Vancouver and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association.

This Sunday, the Karaoke Kiosk returns to the heart of Vancouver for three enchanting afternoons in August. Designed by Urban Republic, the Kiosk is an outdoor karaoke booth that lets you to choose your favourite song from a touch screen display and sing it for the adoring public on the streets of downtown Vancouver. It’s first stop will be at the 700 block of Granville St., between Robson and Georgia, on August 12th from 2pm to 6pm. It’s totally free and everyone is welcome.

Here’s the complete schedule:

August 12th, 2pm to 6pm
Granville St. between Robson and Georgia

August 19th, 2pm to 6pm
Robson Square between Hornby and Howe

August 26th, 2pm to 6pm
Library Square between Homer and Hamilton (Vancouver Public Library Central Branch)

Check out the song list and photo gallery at urbanrepublic.ca.

The Karaoke Kiosk is a collaboration between VPSN and Urban Republic, and sponsored by VIVA Vancouver and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. More information about VIVA’s summer street activations can be found here.

Image courtesy of Vancouver Courier

VPSN and VIVA Vancouver are bringing back the Karaoke Kiosk to heart of Vancouver this August. Designed by Urban Republic, the Kiosk is an outdoor karaoke booth that allows you to choose your favourite song from a touch screen display and sing for the adoring public on the streets of downtown Vancouver. More info about the Kiosk can be found at this link: http://www.urbanrepublic.ca/sing/about/

VPSN is seeking volunteers to help with the Karaoke Kiosk. The event will run on the following dates and locations:

-Sunday Aug. 12th, 2pm-6pm at 700 block of Granville St. (between Robson St. and Georgia St.)

-Sunday Aug. 19th, 2pm-6pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery steps (800 block of Robson St. between Hornby St. and Howe St.)

-Sunday Aug. 26th, 2pm-6pm at the Library Square steps (300 block Robson St. @ Homer St.)

We are looking for help in two main areas:

1) Before and after event: transport, set up and tear down
2) During event: minor crowd management, assisting public, general help where needed

For job # 1, we’ll need some strong bodies to be available beforehand from 12pm to 2pm to help transport the structure on a dolly from the Pacific Centre underground parking lot to the respective event site. On site there will also be set up of computers and a PA system that will be unloaded from a van. Then we do the same thing in reverse when we wrap up at 6pm.

For job #2, physical strength isn’t necessary as you’d be helping the public with related issues with the kiosk, managing the crowd, watching equipment during transport/set-up, etc.

A minimum two-hour commitment is preferable, but not mandatory. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Contact simon [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca if interested.