(Submitted photo/Jim Kerby)

By Ian Gustafson

Lakeside Music

Musical Festival to feature Indigenous performers for first time

Aug 21, 2019 | 5:48 PM

For the first time ever the Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival at the Prince Albert National Park will feature a variety of Indigenous talent to go along with some other top bands.

Organizers decided it was time to broaden the talent on offer at four different locations this Friday through Sunday.

“The Prince Albert National Park has a long history of Indigenous people,” Jim Kerby, the festivals co-chair told paNOW. “We just want to be trying to make sure that we’re recognizing that there is an incredible amount of talent in that community and we wanted to take the opportunity to use this festival to help showcase that.”

Following a Friday night cabaret at the community hall there will be two separate sessions of Indigenous music over the weekend. On Saturday on the main stage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the festival will feature the Saskatchewan Indigenous Ensemble including performances from Raven Reid and The Strong Sisters.

“They’re both examples of really talented Indigenous musicians,” he said.

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At 10 a.m. there will also be Indigenous games for kids.

From 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday the live music will continue including the headliner Bombargo. There will also be an after-party running from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Terrace Gardens.

On Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. there will be an Indigenous talent showcase across from the theatre featuring performances from but not limited to traditional dancers and drummers, a hoop dancer, a Métis fiddler, and jiggers. All performers are from Saskatchewan.

“It is certainly meant to promote Saskatchewan talent,” Kerby said.

“We love our community here and we are very proud to show it off, but we think we have the formula down here this being our fifth year,” Kerby explained. “This is a very family-oriented free music out in the park with some very talented musicians.”

After Sunday’s Indigenous talent showcase, there will be live music at 1 p.m. at the Grey Owl Center.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @PrinceAlbertNOW