Festival round-up

NNSL (Jan 13/97) - The search is on. Organizers for this summer's annual music festival in Yellowknife are calling on Northern musicians to send in applications now for Folk on the Rocks.

Terry Wolfe, the chairman for the selection committee for the festival, says applications are now being accepted from Northern performers for the coming 17th annual festival to be held July 19 and 20.

"We're looking for just about anything, any musical talent that's Northern with people that live and make their music in the North. We want the festival to be a showcase for all kinds," Wolfe says, adding "When we say Northern we mean anyone north of 60. We'll accept applications from people in the Yukon and Alaska."

The festival, which now annually starts and finishes with a traditional drum dance, has, and will continue to be an opportunity for new and emerging entertainers to hit the stage.

"We have a fair amount of latitude. A lot of these people may play in their communities, not for money, but their music is good. We'd like to hear from them."

Applications, Wolfe says, should include a tape or a CD, your performing history (where you have played, or usually play) and the number of people in your group.

A good black-and-white photo of your group, copies of any newspaper or magazine articles of your music, as well as a return address and contact number, should also be included.

"Folk on the Rocks is Yellowknife's biggest musical event, bringing national and international musicians together to exchange musical knowledge and put on a great show. The benefits to the musicians are many," Wolfe says.

Benefits that Arviat performer Mary Thompson agrees have affected her life in a very positive way.

Thompson, who has performed at the last three Folk festivals

"It was really great. Especially being able to see Buffy St. Marie because her music is so strong and it's based on her culture. She was very encouraging to watch."

"I strongly encourage especially young people who'd never played publicly to apply to play at the festival," Thompson says. "

Who knows, somebody at the festival may be there watching and help them to go into the music business."

Thompson, who's in the process of applying to perform at the festival, is enlarging her act to include her three sons, including seven-year-old Manosie, who are now performing locally as drummers and throat-singers.

"I'm hoping to take my boys, because they practise a lot and music is very important to them. This experience would be so good for them."

Applications for the festival, due by Feb. 21, can be sent to Folk on the Rocks, Selection Committee, Box 326, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2N3.