"I've never written a song before, even though I've been inspired."
This is the apt opening line to my first-ever song, being professionally recorded with the help of a musician and two engineers. I am playing rock star for a day at Metalworks, a legendary Mississauga studio that has recorded such stars as Prince, David Bowie and Feist.
It's the ultimate gift for a closet singer like me. A gift of experience is something the recipient won't soon forget.
It's an opportunity to discover something different, inspire a new hobby or fulfill a life-long dream. Winemaking, ice climbing, trapeze – gifts more memorable than things that fit under a tree.
There are entire websites, such as perfectday.ca or trythat.ca, dedicated to gifts of experience.
For my experience, I enlisted the help of local singer/songwriter Peter Elkas (peterelkas.com), who took my so-called lyrics – more of a poem, really – gave it a meter and a melody and massaged it into something that was sing-able.
Studio time for a budding musician requires a bigger commitment than, say, a single trapeze lesson.
The studio costs, which include an engineer, can range from $60 per hour at Subterranean Sound in Yorkville (416-920-4017, subterraneansound.com) to about $125 per hour at Metalworks (905-279-4000, metalworksstudios.com).
"Be as prepared as possible, the more rehearsed, the better," advises Metalworks manager Paul Gross. "You're here to have fun and maybe see how good you are."
HAVE THEY TRIED...
Here are a few suggestions for `experience' gifts. Also, check perfectday.ca and trythat.ca.
Ice-climbing: Feel your heart race as you climb an 80-foot waterfall, under the guidance of an instructor. One Axe Pursuits, 519-836-8628, oneaxepursuits.com, $160 per person.
Glass-blowing: Learn the mysterious art of glass-blowing from an artist-in-residence. Craft Studios, 416-973-4951, harbourfrontcentre.com, $310.
Falconry: Put on a leather glove and have a falcon, hawk or owl land on your hand. Licensed falconer is on hand. Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, 705-526-7809, ext. 207, wyemarsh.com, $50.
Icewine making: Make your own icewine with grapes from Niagara vineyards. Vintner Charles Fajgenbaum guides the way. Grape Masters, 416-526-9856, grapemasters.com, $175.
Helicopter pilot: Enjoy a one-hour discovery flight with a trained instructor, then take the controls. National Helicopters in Bolton, nationalhelicopters.com, 905-893-2727, $160.
Flying trapeze: Sail through the air on a trapeze. Drop-in classes have trained instructors. Toronto Circus Arts, 416-935-0037, torontocircus.com, $25.
