SaskTel is offering a free live broadcast of the Tankard semi-finals and finals for Max customers.

Snuggle up on the couch on Sunday, February 3, because the Bamboo crew is braving the cold on your behalf. We're heading to Melfort Arena to bring you all the action as male curlers vie to be the best in Saskatchewan.

Producing a live broadcast of this size takes a lot of gear and a big team. We'll have 7 cameras, along with 27 cast and crew.

What's more, we're proudly rolling out our brand new mobile truck for the gig. Yes, the Tankard will help launch Bamboo's new 5-tonne self-contained mobile television production unit.

Over the past months, the truck has been assembled by hand by Bamboo's technical crew. It's a TV crew's dream come true – a high-end, compact operation, providing faster setup with less heavy lifting.

Plus, it's so powerful even a blizzard can't stop us from reaching the Tankard.

The 2013 SaskTel Tankard goes live Sunday, February 3, 2013 on SaskTel Max, Channel 49. The semi-final draw is at 9:30 a.m. The final is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Immediately after the live broadcast, SaskTel Max customers will also be able to access the Tankard, in its entirety, on SaskTel On Demand, Channel 48. It's still free, and available for viewing on demand any time, day or night.

Hurry hard!

Dion and I left Saskatoon and drove to Regina with the Sprinter and the trailer to cover a spring gymnastics mobile. Set up was scheduled for the evening after the Saturday competition. We needed to have the scaffolding unloaded and up before the next day event. The organizers asked us to park the truck behind the building on the back lawn. Our plan was a simple one - set up in the truck and run the cables through the door. Easy peasy.  

But, sometimes nothing is easy. Problem number 1, the building was on the airport grounds. It took 30 minutes to get clearance to get the truck and trailer through the gates. Once we saw the “back lawn” it was obvious that we now had problem number 2. There were pieces of old equipment and planes parked everywhere. I dropped the trailer off and drove the truck as close to the door as possible avoiding the “lawn ornaments”. Problem number 3, as I was turning the truck around it sunk half-way up our wheels in mud.  Completely stuck we decided to unloaded and set up the scaffolding in the building and call a tow truck. There was a lot of stuff on the ground and some of it was boards with nails sticking out. Problem number 4, Brandon stepped on one of the boards and had to leave set-up to go to emergency for a tetanus shot. Problem number 5, we can see the tow truck at the airport gate waiting to get in. 45 minutes later we were still waiting for the security guard to finish his meal break.   

It was time for a change of plans. We ditched the truck as a control room and decide to build the control room the next day safely inside the building. We left for supper at a Regina restaurant. The tow cost $35 but I told the guys it was $350 just to see their faces drop in amazement. As the tow driver wisely said “a tow is a tow no matter how long it takes”. Brandon made it late to the mobile the next day with only a slight limp but still a steady eye for the action.

The mobile ended well. The organizers were happy; we all had pulled together and made it a success. We even got to sample the chocolate fountain provided by the organizers.

The End.

The 2012_2013 WHL hockey season for the Prince Albert Raiders is in full swing. As a Bamboo employee, I have been running camera for the Raiders organization for 3 years now. I have to say that in these 3 years, this season the Raiders are on fire. Not only is the game exciting on the ice, off the ice the atmosphere in the Art Hauser Center is loud and amazing. The hockey fans in Prince Albert are true hockey lovers.

But the true place to be when the Raiders score a goal is in the video production booth! The Sound engineer is switching on horn sirens. The director is calling up a replay. The video replay recorder is rewinding up the goal to be shown on the overhead screens for the crowd. The camerman is following the goal scorer as he is teamates skate in for a pat on the back celebration

So if you are ever in Prince Albert, come and check out a game. Come up to the video/audio booth. The crew would be happy to show you how things run.

Sometimes my friends from other provinces and countries laugh and joke about Saskatchewan.  "What are you doing there?"  "Is there even stuff going on in Saskatchewan?"  "Why the heck don't you move somewhere practical and less... cold."

I will now answer those questions with one answer:  Rae-Dawn Arabians.  I recently had the priviledge to cover an event that had been an annual showcase in Saskatoon for 10 years.  Not many people know about it, but those that do, enjoy it emmensely every year.  And who wouldn't?  The event is called "Arabian Nights" and is hosted by Murray and Shirley Popplewell on their purebred Arabian Horse Farm, just outside of the city.  Every year they travel all over North America, showing their stunning horses with the goal of acheiving excellence.  Since there isn't a world class Arabian horse show in Saskatoon, the Popplewell's felt that they should have a place to show their friends, family and close acquaintences what they do.  So they host their own show, right on their own farm.

This year was a special year.  Not only were they celebrating their tenth anniversary, but the Popplewell's also celebrated ten years of having their very talented and dedicated trainer, Claudinei Machado working with them.  Claudinei helped the Popplewells raise the standards on their farm with nothing less than absolutely breath taking results.  With his help, the determined couple were able to find the perfect stallion and breed not only Canadian National Champions, but American as well.  The interesting thing to make note of is that no Canadian Arabian horse has won the Canadian National Championships for 35 years... until Rae-Dawn entered the ring with Bey Ambition and his offspring.

The most valuable jewels form under great pressure.  Murray and Shirley Popplewell create great pressure for themselves, as does Brazilian diamond, Claudinei in their standards for attaining perfection.  They will continue to sparkle with some of the most beautiful horses you will ever see.  They are honest, kind, hard working and down to earth... and this girl wishes them all the best from the bottom of her heart.

I have nothing more to say except... Just watch the video on SaskTel Max Local on Demand Channel 48.  It is in the "Just Added" section of the menu called "Rae-Dawn Arabians" or just click on "Rae Dawn Arabians" to watch it in HD online.  Cheers!

You can also check out:  www.rdarabians.com 

When I was a child, I wanted more than anything to be a famous actor.  I didn't know how I could do it, I just knew that I'd be brilliant at it.  I was also able to do many things... not always well, mind you, but I got by as being competent.  Because of this ability to be a "Jill of all trades", I figured it had to be because I was going to be discovered and be a famous actor.  Well, I also hate rejection and the ratio of 1 acting gig in 100 auditions didn't really appeal to me... and besides, once they found out I could work behind the camera... sigh.

Thankfully I discovered myself.  I discovered that I have a great love for telling other people's stories too and they are usually so grateful that we noticed them.  It is this little bit of happiness that drives me to blog today and share with you one of my recent productions.  I had the amazing opportunity to be producer, video journalist and editor on this one... doesn't happen very often.  I also got to maul many wonderful felines.

The documentary is about an amazing organization called SCAT Saskatoon Street Cat Rescue.  These passion people, made up mostly of volunteers, go out of their way to make sure that every feral, lost and abandonned kitty finds a home.  I was so inspired by the beasties themselves.  So many different characters in the group and I was really thrilled with the lovely little mother, who at full term walked up to a human and said, "help".  She is featured in the story with her litter of 4 kittens.

 You always hear about how great dogs are and how they are man's best friend.  But not all of us are dog lovers.  I do love dogs, but my lifestyle isn't appropriate for keeping a dog.  So I am thus a cat person and just like the wonderful Joy, also featured in this piece, my cat, Demon (came with the name) walks on a leash, does tricks and likes to bonzai the locals.  How can you not love a cat that forces the neighbourhood children to come to your patio doors to tell you to move your cat because he is on the sidewalk and won't let the kids ride their bikes past him?  I've also had to hold him back from trying to take on a dogs.  He also has a supreme love for luggage.  My other cat, Kuro is just a cute polydactyl (has thumbs and 6 toes on his back feet) who is always happy to support homework, movie watching, cross dressing, having a nap and giving him cake.  Both my cats are part of the family.

So many of us really love our cats and so with that I share the story of SCAT and hopefully it will inspire you to get involved in taking responsibility for these most amazing creatures.

Many special thanks to Sasktel Max Local on Demand and Bamboo Shoots for making this production possible.  Thank you to Erindale Animal Hospital and Petsmart for taking the time to work with us on this documentary.  And lastly, so much thanks to the volunteers who helped to make this story so great. 

A tour of Johnston Canyon between Banff and Lake Louise on Highway #1A.

Scott

Hey, Saskatchewan -

We're going to the Peter Katz concert in Regina. I'm not telling you that to gloat. If you can't make it to one of his shows in the province, we've got it covered. You heard him on cbc radio, you saw him on the cover of Verb magazine, and you thought: "Hey. This guy is great. Here's someone who actually deserves the buzz." But somehow, you didn't get your act together to go to his show.

No problem, Saskatchewan. That's what we're here for. Here's what you gotta do:

Around mid-May, turn on your TV.

Hit the 'video on demand' button on your MAX remote.

Find Local on Demand.

Select the music category.

Enjoy a Peter Katz concert, on the house. While you're there, check out our other concerts from around the province. It's like being there, but you can wear your pajamas and eat any snacks you want.

The easter bunny brought a nice basket of ROCK this year, at the CD release of Despite the Reverence's new self-titled album. This is proper metal, folks - in the tradition of Judas Priest and Metallica - none of your namby pamby, crying in your red bull, post modern whine rock.

We had the very exhilarating honour of making a video of their live show at Louis' pub on the U of S campus, which will soon air on MAX Local on Demand. The intrepid Matt Altstadt (matcam) went handheld into the fray while Robbie G and Chris Stanton picked off choice shots of the band from their tripod locations.

Watch this show! It's gonna be an hour of hard rock in glorious high def with some band interview clips thrown in for good measure. Coming soon to MAX. In the mean time, check these guys out, because they are the real deal.

[Photo Courtesy of Yorkton Film Festival]

Some exciting news came through my e-mail yesterday. The Yorkton Film festival announced their first round of 2012 GSA nominations. The Yorkton film festival is celebrating its 65^th year of the festival and runs from May 24-27, 2012.

Bamboo has been nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award in the Community Television Category for the following two programs.

The Tornado Hunter - follows the life of Greg Johnson and his team as they chase storms all around Saskatchewan looking to get the best storm photo.

Max Magazine: Ghost Towns - takes you on a unique look inside 3 well known Saskatchewan Ghost towns and explains some of the history on how these towns became deserted.  You can check out this program in HD on channel 348 on SaskTel - Local on Demand. 

 Many people at Bamboo came together to tell these stories - a special shout out goes to Thirza and Saxon for all their hard work.

 We are very excited to be nominated and honored to be chosen along with the rest of the nominees.

You can't think about classical guitar music without thinking about her - she's played for royalty and regular folks all over the world for the past 40 years. She's legendary, she's lovely, she's Liona Boyd.And she kissed my cheek!

I didn't think I would be starstruck, but these things sneak up on you. Seriously, though - I discovered her to be a gracious human being and a flawless performer. I think you'll have the same impression if you happen to check out her *beautiful concert and interview* on MAX Local on Demand - it'll be up on the channel soon.

Check out these concerts already up:

Belle Plaine - lovely jazz singer songwriter

Alexander Sevastian - accordion virtuoso who will BLOW YOUR MIND

Kirby Sewell Band - high energy blues

Boogie Patrol - funky good-time blues

Arioso and the Jazz Guise - a benefit for Grandmothers for Grandmothers P.A.

... and watch for these coming soon: 

Sylvia Chave - a high energy singalong for your kids - and you!

BC Read - exclusive in-studio blues performance

Cadence - a capella sensation live at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre in P.A.

Andrew and Zachari Smith - internationally renowned father-son folk duo

Autorickshaw - bollywood meets jazz and pop!

Peter Katz - brilliant acoustic singer songwriter

Eclipse Chorus - they always have a great time performing for you

... and many more.

Who would you like to see performing on SaskTel MAX? And, no, metal isn't out of the question.