Monster bash planned for Labour Day
Darrell Greeer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (May 16/01) - Rankin Inlet is on its way to becoming a musical hotbed during the Labour Day weekend this summer.
Jim Ramsay was the driving force behind setting up the first Little League baseball program in Nunavut, the first junior C hockey tournament and the Stanley Cup's first visit to a Canadian territory.
All three took place in Rankin Inlet.
Now, the man in the Kivalliq who dares to think big has his sights set on delivering the biggest musical event to ever grace the shores of Hudson Bay.
Already being referred to as Jammin' on the Bay, Ramsay has assembled an impressive list of local committee volunteers to make his latest dream a reality.
The four-day concert is scheduled to run from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 at Itivia.
Jammin' on the Bay has been on Ramsay's mind for a number of a years.
A few months back, he became aware of the efforts of Winnipeg counsellor Walter Powell (the show's promoter) and decided it was time to turn the idea into a reality.
"He (Powell) works with aboriginal kids in Winnipeg, runs a hip hop urban program for them there, and has been battling cancer for the past five years," says Ramsay.
"His battle with cancer showed me just how short life really is and seeing his energy and enthusiasm inspired me to get this moving.
"Having already pulled off a couple of events here, I feel strong about the support in Rankin. Everybody comes together like glue."
Negotiations have already begun with such well-known Canadian artists as Charlie Major, April Wine, The Irish Rovers, Trooper, Kim Mitchell, Harlequin, the Northern Pikes and children's entertainer Fred Penner.
Traditional Nunavut artists will also be added to the final bill.
Ramsay says nine committees will handle the mammoth logistics of the event, including infrastructure, groundwork, technology, merchandising, safety and security.
"We're hoping the 75 to 100 people making up the safety and security committees will all receive CPR first aid training prior to the event.
"We have a target date for tickets to be available in early June."
Ramsay's vision doesn't end with the actual concert itself. He also plans to see a number of Kivalliq kids benefit from the proceeds.
"We want to develop a Kivalliq Kid's Fund similar to southern Make a Wish funds for sick and needy children.
"That's an important aspect to this whole project.
"The concert would be a positive event for the community and establishing a fund to help kids in the region would make the whole project that much more significant."
