Yellowknife (July 30/04) - Yellowknife's first weekend festival of Christian music was nearly rained out on Sunday.

Cheryl Bear, a member of the Carrier Nation in B.C., performed Saturday night at the True Roots Christian Music Festival. - Jennifer Geens/NNSL photo

The rain held off until after Sunday services were concluded, but then the skies cleared.

Organizer Rick Poltaruk said that at first they weren't sure whether to move the True Roots festival from the Folk on the Rocks site into the Vineyard church. After all, the rain might clear, and the move might cause confusion for ticket holders.

So the organizers sought heavenly guidance.

"We felt God speaking heartily to move it indoors," said Poltaruk.

On Friday there was a meet and greet coffee house at the church, and an intimate concert for youth at the Side Door centre.

The weather was sunny and clear for Saturday's main stage performances. Connie Hinchey and the Corrie Harsch band opened for the festival's headliners Cheryl Bear and Graham Ord.

Poltaruk said Bear, who's from B.C., was so taken with the North that she now wants to visit every community in the NWT.

Sunday's music wound up at the church around 11 p.m. with a circle dance.

Christian music lovers from Rae and Hay River made the trip to Yellowknife for the festival.

Poltaruk hopes to make it easier next year for people to travel here for the festival. There's also the possibility of launching a touring version: "True Roots -- on the road."

Poltaruk was encouraged by the good response of the audience and the performers.

"The city was wonderful in letting us use the site and we had no problem finding volunteers," he said.

"We're looking forward to next year."