Gander Jam

What is GanderJam?

The Gander Jam is a groove-centered, improvisational jam that happens twice a month at LanaLou's Restaurant in Vancouver, BC. We welcome all instruments, all skill levels, and all musical backgrounds. Whether you're a veteran player or jamming for the first time, there's a place for any silly goose here.

Each night kicks off with a short feature set from a local artist we think you need to hear. These openers vary widely in both instrumentation and genre. Past features have included solo folk artists, pop bands, brass ensembles, punk trios, and even groups that play homemade instruments! We strive to bring a very wide variety of music to our community and celebrate the rich creativity of Vancouver's music scene.

After that, the stage opens up: spontaneous, collaborative jams built in real time by mixing musicians from the sign-up board and more. There's no script, no setlist, just shared groove, deep listening, and the joy of creating something unrepeatable and sharing energy through music. Come to listen, play, connect, or simply soak in the pulse of the night!

Where and When

Next headliner

Feature TBD

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Gander Team

Cordelia

she/they · Host Goose / Mother Goose

Plays: Voice, Bass

Projects: Cordie M. Sad, Connor & Cordelia, Nightbus Nap, Ratgorl, Supersonic Hearts Band, Balkan Shmalkan, Jessica Mai & more!

Fave bird: GOOSE (but also shoebills are scary as heck and I love them)

Fave order: P.E.R.O.G.I.E.S.

Morgan

he/they · Media Goose

Plays: Drums

Projects: Mandelbrat, Tall Brain, Beastie, Nightbus Nap, Fork Show, Homiesexuals

Fave bird: Raven

Fave order: Perogies

Mike

he/him · Host Goose

Plays: Saxophones, Flute, Keys

Projects: Space Elevator, Five Alarm Funk, Teapot In The Tuba, Improv Karaoke, Lazy Syrup Orchestra, Mandelbrat, Cordie M Sad, like a bunch!

Fave bird: Raccoon

Fave order: Ok you guys wanna know something crazy? I've never ordered food at a Gander Jam! (But I hear the perogies are great)

Max

he/him · Host Goose

Plays: Drums

Projects: Anna Katarina, Tewanee and the Dreamwalkers, Cordie M. Sad, Space Elevator, Red Haven, Orchid Orchestra, and more…

Fave bird: Penguin no question. Also my favourite animal in general.

Fave order: I know everyone else said perogies so just to be different I'm going to say the fries!

FAQ

Write your name and the instrument(s) you'd like to play on the sign-up board when you arrive. If you play more than one instrument, feel free to list them all, but keep in mind that we organize jams based on the overall mix of sign-ups. Depending on the turnout, you might not get to play every instrument you list. We'll do our best to get everyone involved at least once and keep things fair and fun for the whole flock.
Hop up anytime you feel inspired! You can sing lyrics, freestyle thoughts, hum, chant, layer in oohs and ahhs, or just vibe with the beat. Read a poem, rap your weekend plans, or follow your stream of consciousness. The key is openness and listening. Leave room for others and help shape the shared texture.
Keep it simple. Start with a riff, rhythm, or loop you feel comfortable with and build from there. One well-placed note in the pocket is better than trying to do too much. Groove and presence go a long way. We're all here to support you, if you're a bit nervous that's fine! The best thing you could do in that case is talk to your gander hosts and we will hype you up and make sure you are well supported when you're ready to take the leap out of the nest and flyyyyy!
We build jam groups in real time using the sign-up board. Jammers range from pros to beginners, and we do our best to pair new jammers with strong musical anchors. We also try to mix it up so everyone gets a chance to meet new people and make new friends.
The Gander Jam is all about spontaneity, collaboration, and mixing things up. While we love that you want to play together, jam time is meant for creating something new with a blend of different players. If your band is interested in doing a feature set, we'd love to hear from you! Just send us an email at theganderjam@gmail.com.
Yes! We welcome all ages. Just keep in mind that the vibe can get a little rowdy and the improvised lyrics aren't always squeaky clean. That said, if your baby has great ear protection and good taste, they're more than welcome. We especially love seeing young and teen players come jam! Sharing a groove with experienced musicians is one of the best ways to learn collaboration and build confidence. Spectators are also always encouraged to come soak up the magic!
Absolutely. Whether it's a violin, a didgeridoo, or something you built yourself, we want you in the mix. Talk to a Gander Host if you need help hooking up to the sound system. If your setup works with a vocal or horn mic, feel free to jump in when the moment feels right.
The Gander Jam runs on a sliding scale model. We suggest a $10 contribution, but if you're able to give more, like $15, $20 or whatever you feel you can spare to maintain the community, it really helps us support our feature artists and the Gander team who put a lot of heart into making this space happen. All the money goes towards building this community! If money's tight, please don't let that stop you. Pay What You Can (PWYC), and come be part of the community! Everyone's welcome.
We provide a full backline: drums, bass and amp, guitar and amp, keyboard, and mics for vocals and horns. You're welcome to use our gear or bring your own. No need to prepare songs. The jams are improvised, so just come ready to listen and create in the moment!
Not exactly. Shorter jams help more people get a chance to play. Keep an eye out for your Gander Host's signal (a fist in the air) to wrap it up when it's time to move on to a new groove. The groove-world can be unpredictable, and drummers often take on the responsibility of leading everyone out of the jam, so stay alert and be ready for cues!
There's no limit on how many people can sign up, but there is a limit to how long we can jam (we have to stop all loud noise by midnight at the latest). Arrive early and sign up to improve your chances of playing more than once.
Yes. Lanalou's has a full menu of delicious food and drinks available for purchase during the jam. Enjoy a tasty meal or a refreshing drink while you support the venue and help keep this special music space alive and thriving. Cordelia says, "Their perogies are hands down the best in town… seriously I have had them almost every jam for two and a half years and I still violently crave them on a regular basis."

What is GanderJam?

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