Yellowknife (Apr 07/06) - Two Yellowknife musicians took Northern music south this week, performing in Los Angeles to promote NWT tourism.

Rick Poltaruk and Tracy Riley were part of a crew travelling to the Canadian Media Marketplace in Los Angeles.

Rick Poltaruk of Rick and the Relics is one entertainer representing the NWT at the Canadian Media Marketplace in Los Angeles next week. - NNSL file photo

The marketplace was sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission to promote Canada to members of the U.S. media, according to Linda Unger, manager of communications with NWT Tourism.

"It's a chance for people to come and see what we're all about," she said before the trip. "We want to encourage writers and editors to come to the NWT to write their stories."

She said the NWT and the Yukon opened the event, where Poltaruk and Riley would provide entertainment and talk to people about Northern arts and culture.

"The purpose is to create a real active interest in the NWT to bring tourism up to a peak," said Poltaruk, who plays with Rick and the Relics and runs Dancing Sky Studios.

"Talking to people that actually live here brings it a lot closer to home for them."

Poltaruk said he is no stranger to these sorts of events, but "it's always a good opportunity."

"It will create an awareness that there are artists up here that are worth their salt," he said.

Tracy Riley, veteran blues performer and member of Lazy Susanz, said she was excited to be going, despite a recent hip injury.

"Rick threatened to carry me anyways," she said with a laugh.

"We love the North. That's the main thing," she said. "You can pick up on the true passion and the friendships we've made in the years we've been here."

Both Poltaruk and Riley are veterans of the music scene in Yellowknife. They've been involved ever since they both moved here 24 years ago - within a few days each other.

"I was hanging lights at a place called the Hall of Fame," Poltaruk recalls, "and this girl below me in her overalls and her hair out to Winnipeg says, 'Hey, whatcha doin?'"

Poltaruk said he and Riley have been friends and occasional musical partners ever since.

Despite the high profile of the event, Poltaruk said he wasn't very nervous.

"It's a tad overwhelming, but I'm sure we'll hold our own."