YELLOWKNIFE - The first night of CJCD's Music in the Park was held inside at the Multiplex last Friday as weather forecasts were calling for rain and cold temperatures. Meanwhile, sun poured in through the windows.

Carmen Braden was the top act at last Friday's CJCD's Music in the Park competition. Braden sang and played a 1.5 inch sewer pipe, a standup bass and a toilet roll with rice inside. - Laura Power/NNSL photo

Rachel Verhaeghe, special events co-ordinator for the City of Yellowknife, said though the sun was shining, cold on fingers makes it difficult to play music. The city is planning on making the park more weather-friendly for future events such as this one.

"Somba K'e Park is actually going to get renovated... and we're actually going to have a better stage area," said Verhaeghe.

A plan of what the renovated park is expected to look like is on display at city hall.

Ten bands were expected to compete against each other, but three didn't show, which according to Verhaeghe is fairly normal. Of the seven bands that competed, the top three selected by the judges were, in no particular order, Three Star Sun, Shea Allan and Carmen Braden.

"I thought that there was a lot of very talented and interesting musical talent in Yellowknife that was represented," said Steven Venn of CJCD, one of three judges.

The other judges were Paul McKee of CJCD and Brendan Callas, lead singer of last year's winning band, Greasy Twigs.

"We voted Carmen Braden as the top one because we thought she was the most unique and original" said Venn.

Braden sang and played a standup bass, a 1 and a half inch sewer pipe and a toilet roll with rice inside.

The three musical acts will join the winners of tonight's competition in the event's finale on Canada Day. Some of the 10 acts expected to compete tonight at 7 p.m. include Story in a Bombshell, Small Narrow Valley and Mary Cox.

The weather is expected to allow for an outdoor show.