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Country star headlines End of the Road
Music festival to feature return performance by Jason Kirkness

Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, August 15, 2013

INUVIK
The End of the Road is in sight for Inuvik.

NNSL photo/graphic

Inuvik musician Leanne Goose has organized this year's End of the Road Music Festival with what she calls an "exciting lineup." She will perform after board members insisted. - photo courtesy of Leanne Goose

The annual music festival is set to kick off Aug. 23 under the guiding hands of noted Inuvik performer Leanne Goose.

Goose has taken over as president of the festival from long-time leader Don Craik, and is promising an entertaining mix of music to suit everyone's song palette.

"We've tried to focus this on performers from across the territories, and we're really, really proud of the lineup we have this year," Goose said. "It's very exciting."

Jason Kirkness of Winnipeg is the headline act. Goose called him a rising country star on the Canadian scene who has performed in Inuvik several times to mass acclaim.

"A lot of our locals have really enjoyed his music and his entertainment and we thought it would a nice welcome home to have him come back," she said. "I'm really excited to see him perform again.

"We also have Gramma Suzie and Grampa Charlie, who are very well-known storytellers and comedians from the Yukon. They've travelled all across North America and we're happy to welcome them back."

First year in charge

Despite it being her first year in charge of the festival, Goose was hardly intimidated.

"I organize festivals all across Canada and North America, and even though this is my first as president, I've been on the board and on the sidelines, so it's really exciting to have my turn to take the lead," she said.

"I want to give a big thank you to Don Craik and his family who have put in years and years of service just to keep the festival going," Goose added. "Without them, we would not have an End of the Road Music Festival, so this is our way of honouring them."

Goose is performing at the festival. Her father, Louie Goose, will also be playing being joined by the Big River Band.

"I had recently thought I was not going to perform this year, but the overwhelming response from the board is, 'Yes you must.' Leanne said.

"They said it wouldn't be home without you performing on the stage alongside the other performers from here. I don't get to perform at home very often, so I'm very grateful for that."

The festival will also see the reunion of Delta Flood, a rock band of near-iconic status in the Beaufort Delta region.

A licensed talent show will take place Aug. 23, a first for the festival. The top prize will be $500, Goose said.

Although the festival is running later than normal this year, Goose is confident she has all the contingencies covered for the outdoor events Saturday.

"Weather is always an issue in the delta. One day, you could be snowing and the next it's 30 degrees. We just have to hope the weather will be on our side."

The events will be moved into the curling club if necessary, Goose said.

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