Saturday night was the Snowking’s annual Block 1000 Rock and Roll party. The night started off a little late, only about an hour, but it was probably a good things as the crowd didn’t start to roll in until the first band was half way through their set.
All the bands played very well, mind you I didn’t get to hear Priscilla’s Revenge because my feet finally got to cold to bear, but I did hear they played into the early morning. This years castle is set up perfectly for the musicians and spectators alike. There is a “semi” large backstage area with a couple different rooms for the musicians to prep themselves and a large dance floor and bleachers for viewer.
If you haven’t made it out to the castle for some live music yet, I would highly recommend it. Or even if you go check it out during the day. Unfortunately you wont be able to see Saturday nights bands play in the castle again, so I put together this recap for you to enjoy.
As I have been mentioning for the last couple weeks, Folk on the Rocks has been in a race for #1. The competition is to become the #1 Music Festival in Canada. The festival that wins, will receive bragging rights and will have CBC Radio come to the festival and broadcast live. Our festival has come along way, making it through to the top 80, top 40, top 20, and then to the top 10.
Unfortunately Folk on the Rocks is not number one. We are very proud of the festival for making it that far. It is still amazing. No matter where the festival placed we hear in Yellowknife will still think it is #1. Even though it is not #1 in Canada it is still going to an amazing 2010 festival. The festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary and there is nothing that will detour us from celebrating the Musical Festivities.
Many of us have been campaigning for votes a lot and at times I felt as though I might have been pushing a little to hard. Then again passion for a community is a powerful thing. Did you vote for Folk on the Rocks? What do you think of the Folk on the Rocks festival? Although I am very positive, I’m sure not everyone is the same. Is there something you don’t like about the festival that you think can be improved?
On a warm, sunny, afternoon, while I’m sure you were working hard, I got to venture down to the Snowking’s Snow Castle to look around. The castle has been under construction since December when the windows were first being constructed and is just about ready for the first weekend of events. The crew was putting the last touches on the roof while we were there.
The castle is every kids, dream snow fort, with several rooms and path ways. When you enter the castle through the front door you will pass the admission box and proceed into what I assume is the common area. In this area you’ll find an igloo, slide, viewing point, bathrooms, and open ceiling. When you follow another tunnel you’ll enter into the, what I am going to call, Great Hall part of the castle. This is where the concerts, showings and weddings take place. This room is enclosed and can be heated if needed. At one end is the performing stage, with bleachers at the other and a large floor area. There is a wedding altar and art gallery to the side of the floor. In all it is an amazing structure and something very rare. Something as special and spectacular should be seen by everyone, so I hope you take the time over the next 3 weeks to head down and see it.
Although busy I got the chance to ask the Snowking a couple questions about the castle and how it was going this year. I asked him if the warm weather we have had is affecting the castle at all and his response to me was ultimately no. Although he did point out that the once clear windows are now opaque but other than that everything was going as planned and they will be ready for the weekend.
Finally are the photos and a video. The photos are in a slight bit of an order, we walked into the castle and enter the common area. From there we went into the great hall and then back into the common area. The video is much the same. You can see all the photos by going to our flickr set.
Have you been to the castle yet this year? What do you think?
This year marks our 15th year as a successful festival celebrating winter in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. We are an ever-growing, grassroots, winter festival that runs the entire month of March and as one of the most unique experiences in the North, we have a long track record of engaging our community and visitors alike. The King and his crew are busy building this season’s incredible castle. March will be an awesome time to be down on the ice.
The Snowking Winter festival will be having their opening ceremonies this Sunday evening with fireworks, at the same time, the 2010 Olympic closing ceremonies will be happening. This is a dilemma for some I’m sure. Because of that I am going to attempt to live stream the fireworks. At this point I’m not sure as to where I will be set up or if it will work at all.
Here is what I am offering: If you are not planning on going to the fireworks because you can’t make it out or just don’t want too, come over here to YkOnline.ca. At the bottom of this post there will me an embedded uStream player which at around 8pm will come live and at 8:30pm will show the Snowking Fireworks. You can also go to http://ykonline.ca/live and see the same thing. Join in the fun, where ever you are. Want to help? Tell your friends, on Twitter, on Facebook or where ever.
The famous Snowking and his castle will be celebrating 15 years of Snowmotion this year and they are going to start it off with a bang. What started as some winter enjoyment for his highness’ children has become a local tradition. The fireworks, which will be the bang, will be taking place Sunday, February 28, at 8:30 down on the ice of Yellowknife Bay. Although the Royalty wants everyone to come and be comfortable, they ask that you leave pets at home and if possible car pool or walk. If you drive, they ask you park in the parking lot and stay out of the danger area. It will be amazing.
Don’t get the wrong idea thinking that the fireworks are going to be the best part of the festival, heck, it is just the beginning. The festival lasts all of March and there will be a lot happening all the time. It truly is a local treasure and everyone should have a chance to see and experience the Snowking Winter Festival.
You can head over to the new Snowking.ca website where you’ll find all the info about the Castle and people behind it. There is an extensive schedule that will fill you in on all the happenings of the festival.
