Joe Given (Joseph Given)

I'm grateful to be one of the 2012 Variety's Got Talent top 9 Finalists.  Looking forward to performing at the River Rock Show Theatre on Feb 3rd, with the other Finalists.   For ticket info & more details, visit:  Variety - The Children's Charity, website & click on:   Variety's Got Talent    

Congrats to Joe Given, for winning the 2011 Service Above Self (SASSY) Award, for Performing & Visual Arts.  Joe is very honoured and grateful to receive this SASSY Award, which was presented by the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock), at the SASSY Awards event on Fri Oct 14th, 2011.  

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock), and to all involved in the SASSY Awards, for an incredible, event!  And thanks to Craig Kielburger, of  Me to We & Free The Children for an amazing inspirational keynote presentation! So inspiring!  The whole SASSY Awards event was amazing, & Nat & Drew, of Breakfast With Nat & Drew were awesome MCs!  Congrats to all the nominees & winners of the SASSY Awards ... & to all involved in making a difference ... 

Congrats to Joseph Given for being nominated by the CTC (Community Theatre Coalition), in the category of Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical or Pantomine, for the production: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Joe played Schroeder. And congrats to Jacqui Marie Reid for her nomination as best lead actress in a musical, for the same production! The whole cast, crew & production team were amazing!  The Gala Awards night will be in the Fall. 

Just got home from VIMBC, in Courtney, BC.  This was my 2nd year of attending this amazing conference!

Had a great time; re-connected with old friends & met new ones; learned a ton of new stuff from the awesome panelists; & heard a lot of incredible music!  Also had fun playing a set at the opening "Meet & Greet" event ... & enjoyed doing a Showcase on the Saturday night.  

VIMBC was produced by 2 amazing people: Susie McGregor and Andrew Lorimer, of Highland Music Multimedia Productions.  It's a totally awesome conference & I highly recommend it!!!  For more info, visit: www.vimbc.com 

Thanks so much to Susie and Andy ... and to everyone involved!  Hope to see you again next year!

On June 18th & 19th, I had the honor of attending a 2 day Songwriter's Retreat, in Comox BC, with 3 platinum-selling songwriters: Dan Hill, Ralph Murphy, and Steve Wilkinson.  These guys are totally amazing, and I learned sooooo much from them! 

Such an awesome experience to spend 2 days immersed in the world of songwriting with Dan, Ralph, and Steve ... and with everyone else who was there!

I'm honored that my song, "I Believe in You", is being played as background music, on the 'Youth Link' Page of the 'Family Hope Clinic' Website.  Thank you to Angela Herd, (therapist, coach and educator), for 'believing' in the song, as a possible inspiration to others ... and for using it on your website Youth Link Page. 

"The Family Hope Clinic provides education and counselling services to children, youth and adults who may be experiencing difficulties at school, home, work or within the community."

For more information about the Family Hope Clinic, and to view the Youth Link Page, visit:  http://familyhopeclinic.com/youth-link/

In 2010, I was awarded the "Artistic Achievement Award" from the Canadian Club of Vancouver, at the 2010 Canada SOARS Awards. This year, (on May 18th), I had the honor of being invited back, to perform one of my original songs, at the 10th Anniversary, 2011 Maple Leaf Celebration Event, at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver.  The guest speaker, was the 2010 Order of Canada Recipient, Trevor Linden.  His talk was amazing and inspiring.  The whole event was filled with inspirational presentations, and I was so grateful to be there.  For information about the Canadian Club of Vancouver, and the great things they do, visit their website:  CanadianClubVancouver.com

I also had the honor of being the guest musician, at an event through the Canadian Mental Health Association, South Fraser Branch, a couple of weeks ago.   Met some very supportive and caring people.  For more information about The Canadian Mental Health Association, (BC Division), visit: cmha.bc.ca

Hi everyone.  So, have finished my semester at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and have a few months off now ... to focus more on my music.  Have some new gigs coming up, (listed on my shows page), and more will be added soon.   Am also continuing to write songs, and am fine tuning some of my new songs.    Hope to do some more recording soon ... stay tuned :)

Have an awesome day!  Peace ... Joe

I'm playing Schroeder in the Musical: 'You're a Good Man Charlie Brown'.  It runs from Feb 3 - 26, 2011 (Thurs-Sun) at the Surrey Little Theatre.  Awesome cast, crew & production team!  For reservations & more info see: www.surreylittletheatre.com

Hi ... so cool to be in the One Act Play, 'Splinters', at the Surrey Little Theatre!  

I'm also doing a 30 minute set of Music, before the Play each night.

'Splinters' runs from Dec 8 - 18, 2010 (Wed - Sat).  See 'shows' page ... or:

See www.surreylittletheatre.com for more info.

I'm so grateful to have won a 2009 / 2010 Dogwood District / Authority Award Scholarship, ($1,000), in the category of Fine Arts, for excellence in music.  Thank you to the Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Advanced Education!  It will be so helpful in my music & education!

Hey, just want to mention how awesome & inspiring the VIMBC, (Vancouver Island Music Business Conference) was!  Learned lots from the great panelists - enjoyed doing a show case - loved the amazing music going on every day & met so many great people.  Wow ... Thanks to Susie McGregor & Andrew Lorimer & everyone else who helped make it happen!  Awesome!

Hi everyone.  Just letting you know that one of my songs; "Gotta Get Over You", is one of the songs available this week, as a free download, on The Province Playlist.  Downloads are available at:  www.theprovince.com/musicdownloads

This music is brought to you by The Province and also by Hevy D's Old Fashioned Kettle Korn.   By the way, we love Hevy D's Old Fashioned Kettle Korn - it's one of our favorite snacks.  See www.hevyd.ca for more info.

"We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters, for the following tracks: 2, 3, 5, 6, and 9, on the Album: “Sideways Point of View”, with Joe Given.

I attended The Canadian Club of Vancouver's "2010 Canada Soars Awards" event last night, where I had the pleasure and honor of singing one of my originals.  I also was surprised and honored to be presented the "Artistic Achievement Award", which included a Scholarship of $500.00!  Thank you to the Canadian Club of Vancouver!!!   To find out more about this amazing Club, visit:  www.canadianclubvancouver.ca 

Peace ... Joe