Yellowknife (Mar 17/06) - An outdoor concert at the SnowKing's castle this weekend will provide some unique challenges for organizers and performers.

"You got to make sure you've got heat, power and a crowd to take it in," said the SnowKing, also known as Anthony Foliot.

The SnowKing (aka Anthony Foliot) stands beside the 1,000th block used in the construction of this year's snow castle. This Saturday marks the third annual Block 1,000 Rock and Roll Party in the courtyard of the SnowKing's castle. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

The third annual Block 1,000 Rock and Roll Party is happening in the castle's courtyard on Yellowknife Bay this Saturday. The show will feature the bands Sex and Salvelinus, Transience, Small Narrow Valley and Pandora's Bliss, who the SnowKing claims are "destined to take the town by storm." The SnowKing said he has made some adjustments to the courtyard to create a better concert atmosphere.

"I built a stage and I'll be putting a roof in with some plastic that will keep the heat in," he said. "There will a heater for the bands and a lot of the heat spills out."

He said people dancing will help keep the temperatures up, as well. Regardless, the SnowKing reminds everyone to dress warm and bring along a thermos.

"Sometimes people don't realize this isn't an indoor club," he said. "This is a winter setting and we're celebrating winter."

Jen Walden, singer/guitarist for Transience, said she isn't daunted by the conditions at the castle.

"It's painful on the fingers, it's hard on the instruments, but I love it," she said.

"There's nothing like seeing people in down parkas and mukluks grooving out."

To supply power, the King said Northland Utilities ran power poles to the castle, as they have done for the last three years.

"In the old days, we would run everything off generators, but we had problems with gas," he said. "Then, if you were watching a film and someone forgot to fill it, it would all go down."

The Snowking said the final piece of the puzzle is the crowd, which he is confident will be there for the music and the experience.

"Yellowknife is a tough destination to get people out to," he said. "You've got to give people something that makes their visit memorable."

"Who would've thought of rock 'n roll in a castle?" he said.