Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

HAY RIVER - Until now, International Music Day was kept pretty quiet in the NWT, but thanks to a few key players it's beginning to grow.

Matthew Grogono has been co-ordinating this event for the last eight years in Yellowknife.

Edward Coad, 11, and Patrick Duxbury work through a few pieces during International Music Day, held at the Yellowknife Glass Recyclers. Hay River will celebrate the international day of appreciation this year. - NNSL file photo

This year, he asked for the support of the Recording Arts Association of Northwest Territories (RAANT), and he said the organization has been very supportive.

"RAANT seized it as an opportunity to broaden people's awareness of music and themselves," said Grogono.

Dana Cross of Hay River, who is the acting president of RAANT, was intrigued when he learned about the day, which takes place on Oct. 1.

"While I was at my first meeting, Matthew Grogono came to me - to RAANT - and wanted some support for International Music Day," he said. "I was excited to notice this day existed ... and so now that I'm aware of it I hope to promote it as much as possible."

Grogono was similarly inspired when he started organizing related events in 1999.

"I feel that music is a universal language and something to really be celebrated and encouraged," he said.

The Yellowknife-based events have taken place in a variety of locations over the years and have been attended by a variety of participating musicians. This year, Grogono has planned an event to take place on the Sunday before International Music Day, Sept. 30, at the Prince of Wales heritage centre.

He said the event will be "showcasing a cross section of Northern performers," many of which will have CDs available for purchase.

"We're planning on recording it both audibly and visually and broadcasting it on Monday through radio stations that are willing and through a website," Grogono added.

The event will also branch out to elsewhere in Northwest Territories for the first time this year. Cross has organized it so a group of musicians and bands from Hay River will play an afternoon show on the same day, Sept. 30.

A few of the musical entertainers who have been confirmed already include Tyler Hawkins, White Raven and Linda Duford. The performers will play at Emmanuel's between 2 and 4 p.m.

"I just feel that everybody's in touch with music so it should be something that's really celebrated," said Cross.