Yellowknife Online

Surely you know about the biggest folk festival in the north, happening on the weekend of July 17 & 18. Of course you do, you don’t need me to tell you again. But I will.

This year marks 30 years for Yellowknife’s Folk on the Rocks music festival. As it is the 30th year, this year appropriately is themed the Evolution of Music. The festival takes place on the shore of Long Lake, just past the airport. Several stages have been constructed over the years, and offer a variety of musical talent. The grounds will have kids activities and lots of food vendors ready to take your money .

If you are still unsure about what Folk on the Rocks is, I suggest you take a look at our FOTR Category and go back to last years festival. I, myself, am excited for Jim Cuddy and Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, as you can see in this video. That being said a lot of other GREAT artists are set to perform. Check them all out on the FOTR Lineup.

The schedule has been set and is available in a couple different forms from the FOTR website, but I will like to the printable one.

• Warm the Rocks
• Beer Garden Schedule
• Daytime Schedule
• Evening Schedule

Like I said above the Festival site is out passed the airport on Long Lake. If you do not own a vehicle and have no friends, there is a Bus Schedule. If you are interested in buying tickets head to the FOTR website.

I think that covers it. If you have any other questions call the folks at the FOTR Office 867-920-7806. I will be there the whole weekend so if you see me, say Hi! Be sure to check back here for coverage of all kinds, maybe even some raw interviews, maybe.

One last thing, there will be a special performance by Tim Hus, Friday 12pm – 1pm at the Somba K’e Civic Plaza and its free. I suggest you check it out.

Caribou Carnival is another one of Yellowknife’s beloved festivals (or carnival) and is celebrating its 55th anniversary. Although the last couple years have been rough, the coordinators say this year is the rebirth of the carnival and it plans to be a good one. Here is a little more about the history of the carnival:

“Held every March or April since 1955, Yellowknife’s Caribou Carnival has become a tradition that defines life in Canada’s Far North, and like life up here, the event has changed with the times.

What began as an annual gathering of trappers has evolved over the past 54 years to become an awesome celebration of spring that continues to attract thousands of people to the region each year.

When it first launched, the Caribou Carnival was actually a competition. Each year the event focused on crowning a champion, or more specifically, a Bush King. To win the crown, men had to be strong, rugged and possess the skills necessary to survive the harsh winters of the North.

The competitions dominated the event until the late 1980s, but some say as Yellowknife grew and life in the North became more advanced, fewer and fewer skilled competitors emerged from the woods to compete.

Many people of Yellowknife and surrounding communities would however, agree survival is still a big part of life in the North. The Diamond Capital of North America has grown, and the best of the bush still make their presence known at Snowstage, the area at Caribou Carnival where the events are held each year.”

This years carnival wont be held on Frame Lake, instead it has moved on land to the City Hall Civic Plaza. Schedule as followed:

HERE IS A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE CARIBOU CARNIVAL SCHEDULE.

FRIDAY March 19, 2010

Corporate Challenge:

This event starts at 12.15 PM and is held on 49^th Street between Franklin and 49^th Avenue This will take place between 12.15 and 12.45 pm

Fort Caribou:

Fort Caribou (City Hall Civic Plaza) will open at 12pm with opening ceremonies happening at 1pm on the Snow Stage. Entertainment for the afternoon will begin at 1:30pm going until 5pm and will be in the Big Tent. There will be on going Children and Family games happening at the Quality Furniture & Matrix Helicopter’s Kidz Alley from 12pm to 5pm. Games include:

• Kiddy Games
• Snow Bowling
• Marshmallow Toss
• Ring Toss
• Egg Throw

There will also be many other activities for everyone to attend. Many Food & Craft vendors, Do it yourself button making, Snow Tennis, Meet Carney & Carnella and the voice of Dennendeh, CKLB 101.9FM. Caribou Cops will also be wondering the grounds, so keep an eye out so you don’t end up in For Caribou Jail. Later in the evening there will be Music and Hot Chocolate courtesy of Yellowknife MLA’s from 7:30pm to 9:20pm in the Fort Caribou Tent.

Fireworks to kick of the carnival will be at 9:30pm.

The Diavik 150 Dog Derby:

This long-standing Dog Race will run from the 19^th to the 21^st starting at 1pm each day from the Carnival site. This event is always an exciting one to see.

Godson’s Teen Dance:

A concert for the teens featuring Godson. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at YkTix.com, Birchwood Galleries or Sutherland Drugs

Live Music:

Top Knight: Small Narrow Valley, Frank Willis & The Northern Ramblers. Show starts at 9pm

Le Frolic: Marshall Lawrence, with special guest guitarists Vince Gauthier, James Boraski, Rick Poltaruk, Willy Engel & more. Show starts at 9:30pm.

Twist: Erebus & Terror will be preforming all night at Twist starting at 9pm.

HERE IS A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE CARIBOU CARNIVAL SCHEDULE

SATURDAY March 20, 2010

Pancake Breakfast at the Anglican Church from 9am to 12pm, $5 per person.

Fort Caribou:

Fort Caribou openes for the day at 10am. Kidz Alley 10am-5pm. Fort Caribou Tent 12pm-5pm with special performances by The Checkerboard Guy, Neal Bacon, Willy Engel, Marshall Lawrence and Maritime performer A Frank Willis. A Teddy Bear Hospital at Northern United Place will be from 10.30am – 4pm. Bring your favourite Cuddle Buddy (No Matter How Old You Are) in for a check-up. On the Snow Stage will be an Egg Throw and Dog show at 2pm.

There will also be all the same activities going on throughout Saturday as there are Friday.

The Diavik 150 Dog Derby:

This long-standing Dog Race will run from the 19^th to the 21^st starting at 1pm each day from the Carnival site. This event is always an exciting one to see.

Rock & Ice Ultra:

Infomation found here.

FOTR Family Fiddle Dance:

More inforation found here. Happening in the Fort Caribou Tent at 7:30pm

Fun Filled Family Dance:

With loads of fun for the whole family featuring the musical comedy of A Frank Willis, the daring feats of the Checkerboard Guy (David Aiken) and then Dance with your family to the Music of Rick & the Relics at the Multiplex.

Live Music:

• Top Knight: Big Ethyl, Pricilla’s Revenge, Momentary Evolution and Featuring Maple Blues Award Nominee Marshall Lawrence “The Doctor of The Blues” & His slide guitars
• Le Frolic: Proudly Presents The Dawgwoods for one night only
• Twit: Erebus & Terror all night

HERE IS A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE CARIBOU CARNIVAL SCHEDULE

SUNDAY, March 21, 2010

Fort Caribou:

Sunday brings many of the same activities is the previous two day. The site opens at 10am and Fort Caribou Tent opening at 12pm. Sunday also brings back a Caribou Carnival favorite, The Sugar Shack. From 12pm – 3pm the French Association present a the Sugar Shack Multi Course on how Maple Sugar is made plus entertainment. This is a real French Canadian Tradition. There will also be a Gospel Hour from 3pm-4pm.

There will also be all the same activities going on throughout Saturday as there are Friday, Kidz Alley, entertainment, etc.

The Diavik 150 Dog Derby:

This long-standing Dog Race will run from the 19^th to the 21^st starting at 1pm each day from the Carnival site. This event is always an exciting one to see.

Closing Ceremonie:

The closing ceremonies will take place at 4pm or as soon as the Dog Derby is over. The closing ceremones will take place at the snow stage and will include the Awards Ceremonies for the Rock & Ice Ultra, Diavik 150 Dog Derby winner and the draw for the “Let the Fun Begin Raffle”.

HERE IS A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE CARIBOU CARNIVAL SCHEDULE

Yellowknife has it going on! Film Fest and Heritage Week all in the same week, amazing. We are all going to have  busy schedules taking in all the good stuff this City has to offer. Along with the Yk Film Fest it is Heritage Week as well. This week is being put together to celebrate Yellowknife’s energetic history. You can do so by attending some of the events that are being put on all across town.

Although many of us may only move to the north to work, I have found my peace with it and enjoy this City. The City has grown on me, even though through my school years I wanted nothing more than to move south. I have discovered that Yellowknife is a very unique and relatively young City. Although the Yellowknife Dene have been in the area for generation the town of Yellowknife did not form until the mid 1930′s when Gold was first discovered. From the first discovery of gold to now Yellowknife has grown and changed in many ways. From being the hub for over 12 gold mines to now the hub of 3 diamond mines.

Here are the Heritage Week 2010 events:

Monday, February 8

Tour of the Legislative Assembly 12:10 – 1:00pm
Join us for an informative and fun tour of the Legislative Assembly in honour of Heritage Week!

Tuesday, February 9

Evening Music Session 7:00 – 9:00pm Javaroma
Yellowknife’s rich cultural heritage will be on display Tuesday night with performances by Rick Poltaruk and Pat Braden!
An open mic will follow the headlining acts. Any musicians with northern songs in their repertoire are encouraged to come out and contribute to the night’s celebration!
The Evening Music Session is presented in association with NWT Music.

Wednesday, February 10

Heritage Art Show 7:00 – 9:00pm Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Local works celebrating the history of Yellowknife will be on display. Come down to support the vital role of art in celebrating and promoting heritage.
Music will be courtesy of harpist Susan Hoefer, with refreshments provided.

Thursday, February 11

Heritage Award Gathering
The 2009 Heritage Award will be presented to Yvonne Quick for her enthusiasm, energy and hard work towards the preservation and promotion of Yellowknife’s heritage.

Friday, February 12

Heritage Plaque Unveiling 12:15 – 12:45pm Post Office
The plaque being installed on the Post Office is in recognition of the significance of the Yellowknife Post Office to the social, cultural and business fabric of the city of Yellowknife. The plaque will be unveiled by the Mayor and refreshments will be served.

Sunday, February 14

Amazing Family Sundays 2:00 – 3:30pm Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
A multi‐cultural storytelling event with poems, dance, song and stories. Fun for the entire family! Refreshments will be served.

Here is the second half of the Yellowknife Film Fest schedule. I truly can’t believe the amount of stuff that WAMP has put together for this years fest. Enough for a full weeks worth, awesome. There is so much going on it might evening be over whelming, so if you’re not sure which show/workshops to go to read this PDF which has details about all the shows and workshops. To see the first half of the schedule you can click here.

Friday, February, 12th

Saturday, February 13th

Sunday, February 14th

Alright, this Friday, Feb 5, is the kick off the 3rd annual Yellowknife Film Fest. I am really surprised I missed the first two, because after reading the program I can’t believe all the great content that will be at the festival. Along with some awesome movies and short films there will be some workshops and panel discussions to attend. Below is the schedule for Friday Feb 5th to Thursday Feb 11th. Although I don’t approve of PDF’s, to see a detailed description of events including titles, description, prices and credits download the festival program.

Friday February, 5th

Saturday February, 6th

Sunday, February, 7th

Monday, February, 8th

Tuesday, February, 9th

Wednesday, February, 10th

Thursday, February, 11th

To continues on and read the second half of the schedule PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Christmas season is right around the corner which mean craft sales will be kicking off right away. This year is no different and here is what you need to know.

November 7, 2009

• Northern United Place Arts & Crafts Sale 11am – 3pm
• St. Pat’s Catholic Church 10am – 1pm (May start at 9am)

November 14, 2009

• Elk’s Hall Craft Sale 10am – 2pm

November 28, 2009

• Baker Centre 1pm – 4pm

If you know of another craft sale that is happening or a correction in the above schedule, please comment below.

Well today is the Friday before Folk on the Rocks, which means it is the last day that tourists and performers will be trickling in for the festival. Folk on the Rocks is one of the big sellers for coming to the end of the road (Yellowknife) in the summer, so for the couple days the festival is on, the streets seem that little bit busier as well as musical.

I have posted about the festival, the line up, and the schedule for each day and they all can be found here:

• Folk on the Rocks intro and 2009 Lineup
• Friday July 17 Schedule
• Saturday July 18 Schedule
• Sunday July 18 Schedule

Taking a quick glance at the weather forecast for this weekend it looks to be a good one. As you all know this summer definitely hasn’t been an outstanding one.

Having never been to Folk on the Rocks personally I am probably not certified to be giving advice about what you should know about attending the festival but I thought I should mention a couple things you might want to consider.

As this event runs for two full days and chances are you are going to be sitting in one spot for the majority of it I must remind everyone, that although it wont be overly hot outside during the afternoons. The suns rays will still  get to any exposed skin, so don’t forget that sun screen or at least a hat. While on the topic of exposed skin, do I really need to remind anyone that the bugs are out. And in full force. I suggest you pick up a can of Muskal for yourself, you may just use the whole can in two days.

The Folk on the Rocks site is a big place and there will be a lot happening, which means there will be a lot of people all over the place. As far as I am aware there will be some seating provided in some areas but as the amount of people will be so great, it would be a very good idea to bring your own foldable chair. If you do not have the use of a foldable chair or you purely don’t want to take one, maybe a blanket is more your style.

There will be food and drinks for sale at the festival but bringing your own water bottle is a good idea as well, especially if it is going to be sunny.

If you have any tips or tricks for Folk on the Rocks let everyone know in the comment section.

Finally, If you are taking any photos and upload them to Flickr, make sure to tag them with fotr2009 for everyone to see. Hope to see you all there.