NNSL (Mar 27/98) - Three local acts got some big-time exposure recently when they were invited to perform at the MuchMusic Video Dance Party during the Arctic Winter Games.

Teen rockers Boo-Z approached the organizers of the event and asked if they could play.

"We've been playing around town for a while," bassist Jason Poitras said. "We heard MuchMusic was coming and we called them."

Boo-Z is made up of Poitras, guitarist Jordan Murray and drummer Clyde Elias. Murray and Poitras, long-time friends from elementary school, write their own material. Since they hooked up with Elias, Boo-Z has played at the Friendship Festival and pep rallies around town.

Rap group Unonymus got their spot in the show the same way Boo-Z did -- they picked up the phone.

"The organizers had seen us around town and said we could play," group member Aaron Hernandez said.

While Unonymous is a two-man group, Hernandez found himself performing on his own for the athletes, minus fellow rapper Taj Johnson.

Last week's MuchMusic event was also the chance for a new band to get together and play for the first time. Hand Solo, fronted by Travis Armour, is looking towards the release of its first CD of original material later this year.

"You can't go anywhere doing only covers," Armour said.

Armour was joined by Ron Burke on lead guitar, Steve Eichler on bass, and Christian Dallaires on drums.

Hand Solo is a relatively new act on the Yellowknife scene, having only been together for a couple of weeks. Armour said the band came together following the break-up of his own band.

"I knew the guys because they have all been playing around town," Armour explained.

Armour has also been playing his songs acoustically around town, and says that is a tribute to the strength of the songs.

"When people respond to the songs whether they're being played on an acoustic guitar or in a venue like this, that shows they're pretty strong."

Snippets from the MuchMusic Video Dance Party are scheduled to be shown on MuchWest and Rapid Fax, two regular programs on MuchMusic, as well as during Snow Job '98, which will be broadcast from Kamloops until Sunday.

For Armour, the chance for national exposure could be the break he has been looking for.

"I wouldn't mind if this music thing worked out," he said.