Inuvik (Aug 18/06) - After months of fundraising and planning, the co-ordinators of Inuvik's End of the Road Music Festival are tying up loose ends before next weekend's two-day event.

The festival starts on Friday, Aug. 25 and wraps up the next night with a line-up of some of Canada's hottest up and coming bands.

Edmonton based rockers 'Screwtape Lewis' is one of the bands signed to play at the End of the Road Music Festival later this month. Pictured (left to right) are: Boris T Blackwood, Randl Lewis Bailer, Wax Davis, David St. David. Festival co-ordinator Dave Rogers said the event is shaping up nicely with strong acts and young performers. The festival takes place at the recreation complex and Ingamo Hall, next weekend. - photo courtesy of Randl Lewis Bailey

Festival co-ordinator Dave Rogers said that the bands have been secured and the event's fundraising is coming to a close.

"It's been great planning so far, with a lot of work put in by some busy people," said Rogers.

"We've done a lot of fundraising for this year, and the lineup is solid."

This is the third festival for Inuvik, but the first time the event has been organized independently.

The Town of Inuvik co-ordinated the two previous shows. A society was formed to take the reigns this time around.

Most recently, a tribute night for Sheryl Crow was held at the Mad Trapper.

Musical events like talent shows and live acts have also raised cash for the weekend festival. Raffles and a river duck race were also part of the planning, said Rogers.

Most of the lineup of entertainers has been finalized, said Rogers. Musicians called up from Alberta include: Julian Austin, Captain Tractor, John Spearn and Screwtape Lewis.

Screwtape frontman Randl Lewis Bailey said he is looking forward to being in Inuvik to end his season of touring.

"The End of the Road festival is really the end of the road for us this summer as well," said Bailey.

Bailey described his band's sound as a hybrid of different styles dating back to Elvis Costello.

"We are heavily influenced by the new wave of music from the late seventies and early eighties," said Bailey.

The Edmonton-borne band has a new album out, which was produced in July 2005.

In between gigs, Bailey said the band is working on some new material and is releasing a single sometime this month.

The band started playing cover bars in Alberta, but quickly made the leap over to making their own music once they realized they had a fan base.

"The people would come out to our shows and ask us to play our own music," said Bailey.

Their sound appeals to a wide demographic, he said. "We're not heavy, but we rock pretty hard still. Our sound is varied enough for different tastes."

Screwtape's blend of pop, rock and some elements of punk music will add a good flavour into the bouillon of performers which include a taste of local musicians.

Fiddle sensation James Rogers is confirmed for the show, as well as Razzamajazz and Jumpstart.

Yellowknife rapper Godson will entertain the youth on Saturday night at Ingamo Hall for a dance.

Sophie Leger and the Greenfools Theatre will also be back this year to entertain the youngest of music lovers.