This is the fourth year for Aboriginal Music Week in Winnipeg, and each year the festival expands its musical reach across Turtle Island (North America), pairing up-and-coming artists with established ones for a week-long glimpse into what the music community has to offer.
“I think our programming committee's main goal each year is to put together concerts that no other audience in the world has access to,” said Alan Greyeyes, chair of Aboriginal Music Manitoba, which presents Aboriginal Music Week.
Aboriginal Music Week 2012 runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, and opens on the Tuesday with a concert by critically acclaimed Tanya Tagaq. Also on that bill is spoken word artist Moe Clark, who performed at the Games in London this summer.
The week holds a number of all-ages shows, including a Halloween party featuring local artists Wab Kinew and Savannah Rae Boyko. It’s 17-year-old Boyko's first appearance at the festival.
"It's a huge chance for me to share my music with our community and I'm completely thrilled and honoured to be a part of it," said Boyko.
Musicians and producers come from far and wide to take part in the six-day festival. Leanne Goose from Inuvik has partnered with StrongFront A/V Productions and Aboriginal Music Week for two nights of music from a variety of genres including blues, rock and pop, called Fire in the Sky. Meanwhile, Suzette Amaya from Samaya Entertainment in Vancouver will produce a night of hip-hop for a show called Famous: Aboriginal Celebs & Media n’ Music Moguls, featuring artists from Edmonton, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
“I wanted to share the Samaya Entertainment motto of sharing quality entertainment, fabulous atmosphere and really have all my friends in one room being their amazing selves,” said Amaya, of why she wanted to produce a show that'll be hosted halfway across the country.
Juno Award winner Murray Porter headlines the Thursday night show, while A Tribe Called Red brings their always sold-out dance party back to Aboriginal Music Week on the Friday. Guitar god Stevie Salas takes a bite out of the Saturday night 49er show with an hour-long set, leaving enough time to change venues and watch well known actor and blues musician Gary Farmer as he takes the stage with his band the Troublemakers, from Santa Fe.
“I want the public to see how much quality and diversity exists in the Aboriginal music community," said Greyeyes. “They'll have the chance to take in a lot of performances and discover a lot of new stuff.”
For a full list of shows and venues check out Aboriginal Music Week’s website.
LISTENAboriginal Music Week 2012 playlist – a sampling of the incredibly varied musical genres that the Aboriginal music community offers.
1. “Electric Pow Wow Drum,” A Tribe Called Red.
2. “Kool Runnin’,” Joey Stylez.
3. “Party Mix,” Cris Derksen.
4. “Get Ready, Get Steady,” JB the First Lady.
5. “Stray,” Nathan Cunningham featuring Priscilla Morin.
6. “You Look Good Naked,” Janet Panic.
7. “Green Dress,” Wayne Lavallee.
8. “Bows and Arrows,” Bruthers of Different Muthers.
9. “Surge,” Tanya Tagaq.
10. “Sick Obsession,” Savannah Rae Boyko.
11.“Life Gets Better,” Don Amero.
12. “And I Love You Too,” Drezus.
13. “Irresistible,” Moe Clark.
14. “Is Sorry Enough?,” Murray Porter.
15. “Wandering,” IsKwé.
16. “Some Days,” Leanne Goose.
17. “What’s Goin on Around Here?,” Priscilla’s Revenge.
18. "Shades of Blue," Gabriel Ayala.
Related:
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9 musicians you didn't know were Aboriginal
CBC Music honours indigenous artists on National Aboriginal Day