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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Women and their guitars are on stage tonight at the Top Knight.

The second annual Ts'eko Celebration brings together a variety of female soloists and woman-led bands for three days of music and workshops.

Songwriter Mary Caroline organized the second annual Ts'eko Concert by bringing together a wide variety of Northern female artists. She is opening for Veronica and Dave Johnny, Kiera Kolson, Julie Hintz and Amanda Dei on stage tonight at The Top Knight. Ts'eko is the Dene word for woman. - photo courtesy of Mary Caroline

"This is a great way for women to bond over something we love," said organizer and performer Mary Caroline.

"Rather than going to a Tupperware party or a quilting bee, we are coming together to play in a rock and roll show. There's no crazy feminine activism behind the event. It's just a fun night of music."

Tonight's show features power duo of Veronica and Dave Johnny. The couple flew up from Fort Smith with assistance from the Recording Artists Association of the Northwest Territories (RAANT) to play tonight's concert. Their band, The Johnnys, made the shortlist of nominees in two categories of the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards earlier this month.

Hip hop and R&B songwriter Kiera Kolson, Amanda Dei, of the band Love Gut, and Fish B? will also perform tonight. Dene-za Antoine will emcee.

"If you come to the gig just make sure you bring your glass jars because there will be lots of tasty jams," said Fish B? lead vocalist Julie Hintz.

Hintz writes the words for her three-year-old band's impressive repertoire of original music. She is inspired by powerful singers like Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and Janis Joplin.

Veronica Johnny plans to inspire local musicians with three workshops tomorrow in the library meeting room as part of the series of Ts'eko events. A guitar circle for women begins at noon. Women are encouraged to bring a guitar and meet and play music with other female guitarists.

A guitar and bass workshop for women and girls follows at 1:30 p.m. Novice guitarists are welcome to bring an instrument and learn some two- and three-chord basics. If anyone doesn't have a guitar, she can still attend.

At 3 p.m. musicians of any gender are invited to join a round table discussion about the music industry facilitated by both Johnnys.

"I love it when women in music are showcased like this," Veronica said.

"I hope to show that there are women out there rocking, even from small towns in the NWT."

Tonight's concert at the Top Knight begins at 9 p.m.