Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 13/06) - Bushed is back. The Recording Artists Association of the NWT (RAANT) is looking for musicians from across the Territories to perform at the annual Bushed Music Festival.

This year's festival features a youth concert on Feb. 18 and a licensed event at Sam's Monkey Tree Pub on Feb. 26. The licensed show is open to any NWT musicians. The liquor license allows teen musicians to perform, said RAANT president Stephen Pretty.

"It's not a punk show, or a rock show, or a country show - it's a music show," he said, adding the stage is open to all musical genres. "We welcome anyone who wants to apply, but space is limited."

The organizers received $8,000 from the NWT Arts Council last fall to pay Northern performers. Assistance with travel and accommodation costs are available for musicians from outside Yellowknife.

All individual performers will be paid the same, whether playing solo or as part of a band. Last year, participants were paid $50.

"I think, on principle, we couldn't go less (than $50) this year," Pretty said.

Performance slots of 15 minutes and half an hour will be allotted. The youth concert will take place at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center auditorium. Music teachers at all Yellowknife schools have been invited to select a student to perform at the event. An honorarium will be paid to the music programs of any schools that participate.

"This is our first attempt at growing a larger musical event through the schools," Pretty said.

The RAANT board is also working to develop the organization's website and e-mail list. The members will concentrate on new projects in March.

"The future is bright for RAANT," Pretty said.

Musicians must apply to play the festival before the Jan. 31 deadline.