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By Derek Craddock

JACK PINE MUSIC FESTIVAL

New music festival coming to Ness Creek

Apr 22, 2022 | 8:00 AM

Musicians and fans from across Saskatchewan will soon come together for a new music festival happening this summer near Big River.

The first-ever Jack Pine Music Festival will take place June 24–26 at Ness Creek in northern Saskatchewan.

The weekend festival already has a roster of talented musicians including Hackensaw Boys, The Hello Darlins, The Mariachi Ghost, Bella White, and Whitehorse. There will also be a special tribute to music legend John Arcand.

Jamie Peever is with the production team for the festival and said the event will feature North Americana music.

“(It’s) music Indigenous to the United States, Canada, Canada and Mexico. Not really a pop festival by any stretch of the imagination.”

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The Americana Music Association defines Americana as “contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw.”

“Jack Pine Music Festival is expanding ‘Americana’ to include the roots of both Canadian and Mexican music to create a full ‘North Americana’ music experience,” said Adele Boychuk, Artist Relations manager for the Festival. “The festival will offer an intimate entertainment experience for our audience, along with accommodation options, nightly indoor dances, and VIP packages.”

Métis cultural and musical programming will be a core part of the festival. The Qu’Appelle Valley Square Dancers will host a jigging workshop, songwriter Berk Jodoin will perform, and Modest McKenzie will give a talk. The weekend includes different activities such as a Métis Voyageur Days relay race and a high stakes horseshoe tournament where winners will be rewarded with cash prizes.

“We’re excited to provide festival-goers with the opportunity to participate in Métis cultural activities, opening up and sharing the beauty of our culture through its history, music and traditional competitions,” said Wanda Neufeldt, president of Big River Métis Local #59. “In the spirit of reconciliation, these experiences will connect Jack Pine Music Festival’s audience with the vibrant history of Métis people in Saskatchewan and Canada.”

Peever goes on to explain why Ness Creek was chosen as the destination for this festival.

“Ness Creek has got a great infrastructure. It’s a beautiful site with lots of room for people. It’s got flush toilets and a four-season hall where we are going to do our nightly dances in. Everything is really in place for this festival.”

With the festival still months away, Peever said organizers are making sure everything is in order for the event to be a success.

“Making sure all our t’s are crossed and our I’s are dotted. We have to do some site preparation because the festival site is a site that happens throughout the year. We’re doing things a little bit differently so we’re going to have to prep just a little bit differently for the festival.”

Tickets are available now on the festival’s website and you can also more details on the acts performing and how to volunteer.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @pa_craddock