Are you a rock musician? Are you in a band? You’ve already created a Myspace page, you’ve got a few shows lined up, you’re recording an EP, and you’ve sent your demo out to labels.  But what else can you do to get your music out there? Check out this exciting news from BoingBoing about a new, potentially massive network through which you’ll soon be able to share your songs:

Developers Harmonix have just announced The Rock Band Network, a new initiative to let home users and indie bands create and sell their own Rock Band tracks through the game itself, in partnership with Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club.

This could be huge for indie musicians.  According to the Rock Band website, songs reviewed and accepted by the Rock Band Creators community will become available for purchase in their store (and the Xbox LIVE marketplace) and bands get a cut of the take every time their songs are purchased. And for players this means more songs to choose from and the possibility of discovering new great music For more of the nitty gritty on just how this is going to work and how much bands will make when their songs sell, check out this link to an article on Offworld. For PS3 players out there, they’re saying that “select songs” will become available for PS3, but, as it now stands, this is Xbox 360’s deal. Now get your tunes out there – your interactive audience awaits.

Did you know? The Loft offers two hours of video gaming on Fridays from 3:30 – 5:30. We have games for Xbox (including Rock Band), PS3 and more. Open to everyone who uses the Loft. Come on out.

Registration has just opened for the Video Game Design Workshop at the Evanston Public Library! Back by popular demand, the limited spaces are already filling up fast for this 3-session workshop! The class will meet on Monday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 in the library’s computer training room: July 6, 13, 20. Must be going into grades 7-12.

Love video games? Have ideas for your own game? Sign up now for this exciting, hands-on workshop in which you will design your own games.

What?!?  Yes, according to this article in New Scientist magazine – it’s true. Well, at least under certain circumstances.

Teens were an intregal part of the study. The researchers took 13 young adults who’d never before played video games and split them into  groups; one group played The Sims, the other, Unreal Tournament.

Those who played Unreal Tournament ended up having better contrast perception, even months after they had stopped playing games.

Who knows – maybe one day doctors will be prescribing an hour of video gaming?!

Registration has begun! Spaces are already filling up. We are considering offering a second class, so hurry and call the Loft at 847-448-8625.

June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, Wednesdays, 6-8 pm.

Do you love playing video games? Creating your own can be just as fun! Learn the craft of making your own computer game in this exciting 4-session workshop! Registration is required. Drop by the Loft or call 847-448-8625. Ages 12-17. Limited spaces.

Wii will rock you over winter break!

Guitar Hero III  and Nintendo Wii in the Loft, Friday, Dec 28, 3-5:30 pm.

and…pull up a bean bag chair for:

Saturday afternoon (Dec 29) movie in the Loft at 2 pm: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.

Drop-in to the Loft today (Friday, November 16) between 3:30 and 5:30 for Nintendo Wii gaming! This event is only for 6th through 12th graders.

Tomorrow (Saturday, November 17) at 2:00 join us for a Saturday Afternoon Movie:
The Transformers. Two intergalactic races, the Autobots and the evil Decepticons, wage war against each other using Earth as their battleground. Again, this program is just for teens!

Drop-in to the Loft today (Friday, November 9) between 3:30 and 5:30 for Nintendo Wii gaming!

This event is only for 6th through 12th graders.