Love the listening to music outdoors? Hard to find an outdoor patio surrounded by trees and water? Don’t want summer to end? Then you shouldn’t miss our Endless Summer Sunday’s! Come join Folk on the Rocks at the 2nd Annual Endless Summer Sunday Series, designed to Yellowknife’s emerging and established musicians a stage to play on, and audience to play for. Our lively beer garden will be the setting for Sunday afternoons filled with music, friends, BBQ and refreshments. So come and kick back, enjoy the outdoors, goodfriends, good times, and get to know Yellowknife’s rockin’ music scene Sunday afternoon, August 22nd from 12 pm– 7pm.

Admission $10 at the gate – licensed event, must be 19 years of age.

For more information, please call 920 7806 or visit our website at

www.folkontherocks.com

UPDATE:  ENDLESS SUMMER SUNDAYS!

This Sunday, August 22nd, join us at the Folk on the Rocks Beer Gardens to listen
to some fantastic local musicians, and celebrate another incredible Yellowknife
summer – Endless Summer Sundays is a program of Folk on the Rocks designed to
support live local music and to appreciate the talent our community has to offer!

Acts will include Natasha Duchene, The Beat Officers, Randy Sibbeston, Flaherty’s Wake,
and Los Flacos Locos

Doors open from 12-7pm

Licensed Event, must be 19

For more info please contact the Folk on the Rocks office at 920-7806

That being said, I did get down on Saturday to check out some of the happenings of the event. I really enjoy this event, for many reasons. The first is because it is hosted and based around Old Town, and I love Old Town. There is just a unique vibe at that end of town, that I don’t think a person can get enough of. Another reason being the local talent, both in music and art. There are a lot of amazing jewelry makers in this town, and a lot of them are focused on using northern materials.

The Bob Bromley Stage was definitely a hit, while I was down there, David Strauss was playing one of their signature songs, “together forever, for 8 months”, and the crowd was really getting into it. just around the corner the SPCA was doing their Dog Wash which looked busy. Then up the road beside the old Johnson’s building several tents were set up with many artists displaying their art, paintings, carvings, and jewelry. Music also accompanied them.

Through out the rest of Old Town many more “stations” were set up with activities and displays. Face-painting, houseboat tours, photography displays, and horse carriage rides were just some of them.

Did you get down for any part of the Ramble and Ride? What was you favourite thing to do?

Are you kidding me! Of course you have heard of Folk on the Rocks. A matter of fact, you are probably sick of reading about me go on about it. Well I am sorry to disappoint you, because we have a lot of content on Folk on the Rocks 2010 to pump out over the next week. Photos, video and more. By more I mean me writing about the food, spirit and, well, the music too.

The weather was up in the air for the weekend and we were all anticipating the worst, but that never happened. It was cloudy for a good portion of the weekend, yes, but we only ended up with short spats of rain. I saw people huddling together in rain jackets under umbrellas as they sing along to acts like Buffy Saint-Marie and Leela Gilday. I did hear some complaints, but the number of people having a good time out weighed them.

This was my first year covering the whole event, last year I did a quick post, nothing near what I have this year. I thought about how I wanted to approach the festival this year and I always seemed to come back to how it makes me feel.

While watching a lot of the sets and crowd from the right of the stage, I feel free and energized. It is an odd feeling to explain, yes. So let me try and paint you a picture, figuratively. Several times throughout the weekend while watching a performance, the energy of the music would just climb, up, and up. It would be overwhelming and what would happen is I would end up with a huge smile on my face, unintentionally, as I tried and capture that moment.

Although there were many things to make this event worthwhile, there were two that I think really did it, the people and the musicians.

The musicians, obviously being who everyone is coming to see, always seem to have just as much fun or more than the crowd they are playing for. The one thing that makes a festival like Folk on the Rocks better than a CD or seeing the artist live, is the collaboration. When are you ever going to see our own Digawolf and Greg Keelor jamming together with Pat Braden and friends, where I ask. Or Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, a banjo playing room mate, and the drummer from BAM (Caleb Harrison) just all of a sudden halfway through a set get together and jam. No where, that’s where. This is where they shine as artists in my opinion, when without any practice or warning, they just breakout in song together and make amazing sounding music. One of the final day collaborations of the event, when The Dudes invited at least half the other performers up on stage during their set to show their appreciation for the weekend and each other, even had the crowd involved singing along. I am on the edge of saying that these collaborations make events like this priceless and memorable.

Although a music festival like this one is traditionally all about the music and it definitely sets the mood, I think it is only part of the experience. One of those other parts is the people. Hands down this is Yellowknife’s biggest party. Everyone I met or saw throughout the two long days out there, seemed relaxed and mellow. Not mellow like they are dragging their feet, but more like they have forgotten all about real life and just wanted to have fun. Isn’t that what it is suppose to be all about? People would gather with those they hadn’t seen in ages and rock like they’d never been apart. Personal space was no longer an option for many as they came to the stage area to jump up and down along with the bands. It’s the spirit of the event which makes even the grumpiest looking people, like myself, smile. Yellowknife has awesome people, you are truly amazing!

The days were long, musicians played hard and the crowd partied harder, actually I’m fairly certain the musicians also partied just as hard. So the the question is, how did you enjoy the 30th annual Folk on the Rocks? My time was amazing, and something I wanted to note was how few bugs I noticed. Am I just a seasoned northerner and didn’t notice them or were there really just that few? Have anything to add, by all means. Now lets relive it.

Use the “Next” and “Previous” buttons to see more photos, and click to make them bigger. If you are viewing this in an email or RSS, click the title to see it in a proper format or head over to Flickr.

As the crowd started to gather Hello Paisley took to the stage and did was they do best. You might remember them from Music in the Park 2009, they took first place. The night consisted of several great local acts, but there were two from out-of-town. Atisa and Scott Walker, who ironically both played solo with their acoustic guitars. Atisa, who is from Vancouver, shared a couple of original songs as well as a couple Tegan and Sara songs, stating that they are her influence. Scott, who is from Barrie, Ont, played a cover of a Jack Johnson song, and did well at it too.

It was then taken up a notch when the Beat Officers, Flaherty’s Wake and Whiskey Jack performed. Each with their own style. Beat officer very punk/rock/I’m not really sure. Flaherty’s Wake was very Celtic/ East Coast/Irish with they fiddling. Then Whiskey Jack with their cover of Rock Banks like ZZ Top.

Then there was Billy Bangarang, how do I write about them. They got skills, I’ll say that. Although rap at a Folk Fest, I’m not really sure about that one. Tina Roy was also there and did her thing, as per usual. She has a cool, jazzy style which makes it really easy to listen to her play.

To finish off the night was the quickly rising in popularity, David Strauss. The 3 member band still hadn’t gotten another keyboard, but I think I’m finally coming around to them and their cocky ways. I mean they have been together forever, for 8 months. The band also took home first place, but unfortunately won’t be performing on Saturday. The runners-up, The Beat Officers, will get the honor of performing in front of a crowd in the Beer Garden at 1pm.

I think everyone had a good evening, and the turn out seemed decent. Although I have to comment on the crowd. There was no dancing this year. Last year people were on table givin’r, this year nuttin’. What gives?

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I had the pleasure to speak with Michael Bernard Fitzgerald before he travels to Yellowknife for the 30th Folk on the Rocks. Listen to the full interview using the player above or click the link to download it.

My first impression of MBF when talking to him was that he is a very genuine person. He was about as thankful to be doing the interview with me, as I was doing it with him.

He spent all of April touring Canada playing shows and then went solo in May for a road trip. He said the idea behind heading into the US on a solo road trip was to help with some creativity and to just have some fun.

He started playing acoustic guitar in 2005 and it took off from there. Having started writing songs in Junior High, he gets his inspiration from music like Motown, choral arrangements and choirs. He says he likes the simplicity of acoustic guitar, but also enjoys the big band sound.

MBF committed to his music full-time only two years ago, but also mentions that there was never a defining point whether or not to do it. He says he always knew he wanted to make music and as he did the momentum and support grew.

Having organized several shows around Alberta, with an almost sold out show of 1600 with 120 different people on stage, he is not afraid to push the envelope and push himself to the limit. He did tell me, that if I find the plane, he would make the calls to get all those people up to Yellowknife. He says he enjoys those types of challenges, doing things that are original and not seen often.

To wrap up the conversation I asked him if he would be treating us to any news songs that will be on his new album, which is set to be released in 2010, this weekend at Folk on the Rocks. He told me you never know, but at the moment says he is still working on them and making sure they are just right. In his words he is letting them simmer for the time being.

To get the full extent of the interview listen to it above. Make sure you check out Michael Bernard Fitzgerald’s music on iTunes and his website, iLoveMBF.com. Follow him on Twitter @iLoveMBF and on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Christopher Troy

Originally I had planned to write about how I had heard rumors that people were disappointed about the line-up for this years festival and how I didn’t agree, considering I’ve heard Michael Bernard Fitzgerald music everywhere. I was going to write all that but as time grew near to Folk on the Rocks I kept putting it off. That was until I got the ambition to make the video below. The overall question I ask is, what is your feeling about the up coming festival?

If you are at work and can’t watch the video, email yourself the link. It is definitely worth watching me make a fool of myself. Also make sure you watch MBF’s music video to understand what the heck I’m doing on the grass. Once you watch it leave a comment about what you this this years Folk on the Rocks will be like!

Who do YOU think would win in a fight? Who do YOU think is more hardcore?

To figure this out, we are asking you to come to this show representing your opinion on this matter. Do you think Pirates are better? If so, show up with your peg leg and parrot and convince me. If you’re rooting for the Ninjas then show up and…be sneaky. BUT REMEMBER: If I can see you, you aren’t a Ninja. BUT this doesn’t mean you can’t show your support and cast your vote for ninjadom… The real Ninjas will be too busy doing ninja things to show up so you need to show up on their behalf.

Anyways, we want to answer the question so that we can put the meme to rest. The side with the most representation will be crowned the winner of this debate once and for all and be recognized as the better badass. (Well, in YK at least).

Doors open at 8, show starts at 8:30! Cover is $10 and all profit will go to the NWT Nursing Association. There will also be Art for sale!

BIG line up…

• Tina Roy to open
• Booze Cruise
• Fish Be
• Hello Paisley
• Funk 69
• Erebus & Terror

This is a fundraiser for the Nursing Association; there will be a donation box and possibly door prizes. Stay tuned for more details.

Some of the entertainment of the afternoon included Ryan Stock and AmberLynn Walker, who are human guinea pigs or dare devils. They have co-hosted a show on the Discovery Channel and been around North America with their skills. They definitely caught the attention of the audience here in Yellowknife. Oh, and Dads, don’t try holding the running chainsaw in your mouth, probably best left for the professionals.

When I first arrived, Shawn Farquhar was stabbing a little girl with knives. No, no, I’m kidding, he was only making it appear that he was. Shawn is a world renown magician and knows how to capture the crowd. He was making eggs appear and disappear and making people disappear as well. If you didn’t get to see him, it is worth check out his videos on his website to see what he can do.

To go along with those great acts, there were many other things going on. Malade Mantra, from Quebec, played a pre-show while many kids activities were going on. They brought in two big bouncy rooms, like at the community bbq and had face painting, balloon making and cartoon drawing.

I was skeptical, I have to admit. The old Raven Mad Dazes was one of my favourite events of the year and I was sad to see it die. There was just something about the old one that had a sense of community other events didn’t have; you saw people you had seen all year. I will give credit though to Rick Poltaruk, James Boraski and anyone else who helped put together this event.

All these photos and more can be viewed here on Flickr

Hailing from Montreal Beach, this five piece orchestra is sunshine with music instruments. Playing their own strain of up-beat sounds, Malade Mantra is the project of a flock of shrewd songbirds sharing a passion for migration and cultural mishmash. Their music allies the festive energy of reggae and zouk to the roaring appetite of jungle-jazz, the raw intensity of ska punk and regular of French sexiness.

Yellowknife’s own jamboree-for-hire squad The Dawgwoods will get the rumba started at 10 PM.

This licensed event is blessed by the amazing people at Folk on the Rocks and Canadian North.

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Yk Quick Tips is your guide to Yellowknife, NT. Whether you are moving to the city,  just visiting or live here, we can offer information about all the best things. The show will contain info about what to do while visiting, things to know about moving to the City and everything else interesting about Yellowknife.

Folk on the Rocks is the topic of episode 8 of Yk Quick Tips. I talk about some general info about this festival.

If you don’t know by now, Folk on the Rocks, is Yellowknife’s biggest Folk Festival. It was started 30 years ago on the shore of Frame Lake and then moved to the shore of Long Lake, where it remains today.

It now has its own properly, still on the shore of Long Lake, just off Highway 3, past the Airport. With in the festival grounds there are 6 stages in total. One main stage, a right and left stage, the beer garden stage, a culture and children’s stage. The Festival is normally over a weekend in July and features over 24 hours of music and entertainment.

When Folk on the Rocks is on, the town becomes alive. There is so much energy just bursting through the streets. Along with what happens at the main site, local bars have pre-shows. Musicians from all across Canada come to play at Folk on the Rocks. Past artist include Tegan & Sara, Sam Roberts and Leila Gilday.

Learn more about Folk on the Rocks in Ep. 8. If you have any question about Folk on the Rocks or anything, email YkOnline – info@ykonline.ca