A picture taken at VOTN in 2020. (Facebook/ Voices of the North)

By Nigel Maxwell

Music showcase

Voices of the North gets ready to rock again

Feb 15, 2024 | 5:00 PM

A three-day showcase of musicians from across Northern Saskatchewan remains one of the more popular events at the Prince Albert Winter Festival.

Voices of the North opens Thursday night at the Exhibition Centre. Prince Albert’s Alex Powalinsky is making her debut as a performer, but has for the past several years, photographed the event. She said the feeling of being on stage and being in harmony with the band and the community is incredible.

“It’s almost like a spiritual experience that lets you connect heart to heart and spirit to spirit,” she said.

Powalinsky explained what she enjoys most about the event is the diverse range of performers on stage, from various backgrounds and locations all over the north, as well as both straight and queer.

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“It’s beautiful and it really highlights the diversity that exists within our first nations people and that there’s moe than one way to be indigenous,” she said.

Absolom Halkett from Montreal Lake has fond memories from his youth volunteering at the event, but until this year never performed on stage.

“I’ve been meaning to do it. I’ve been asked a lot of times by friends and fellow musicians to try out for it and I finally worked up the courage,” he explained.

The 2024 cast. (Facebook/ VOTN)

For Halkett, he said what makes the event special is its ability to bring a lot of people together to celebrate indigenous culture and music.

“I just love being a part of that beautiful process,” he said.

Doors open Thursday evening at 5:30 and the show is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Northern Prairie Dancers have agreed to be a part of the event’s opening.

The cost for entry is $20 for adults and $15 for kids plus a winter festival button.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell