Inuvik (Feb 07/05) - If you're starved for a little live entertainment, it's time to check out the sweet sounds sifting through Inuvik. The town's first Coffee House, which organizers hope will become a monthly fundraiser for the annual End of the Road Music Festival, drew a full house at Aurora College on Jan. 29.

Lloyd Thrasher, 17, and Dennis Allen thrilled their audience with a little Creedence Clearwater Revival at Inuvik's first Coffee house on Saturday. - Chris Hunsley/NNSL photo

"It was a hit," said Keri Svendsen, campus life co-ordinator for the college.

Jazz, country and rock musicians, along with a traditional East Coast singer, all graced the stage, generating thunderous applause.

For some it was their first time in front of an audience. Others were seasoned veterans. "It's a very, very, user-friendly venue," said Dennis Allen, one of the event organizers.

"We encourage people to come up because everyone's going to be welcoming."

For the first event, $334 in donations were collected for the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund.

"I was pleasantly surprised that we had raised that amount," Allen said.

Future collections will go towards funding the town's End of the Road music festival, which originated last August.

"So it's a combination event," Allen said. "We need to raise money for the festival and it's just a good excuse to get out and play music with other people."

For Inuvik, it's also a welcome event for a town with little opportunity to witness a live show. "Musically, Inuvik is really limited," said Allen.

"Other than the bars, there are no regular venues for musicians to play."

Organizers also hope the friendly atmosphere will draw talented newcomers to the stage who might want to play at the End of the Road festival.

The core musicians who played at the coffee house could learn new songs, or new musicians could learn to play with the band, Allen said.

"We're finding some new talent we could groom for the festival," he said. "It's great."