Coming from near and far, musicians take to a variety of stages during the fifth annual Coldsnap Music Festival, which features diverse and eclectic performances starting today and running until Jan. 28.
The Prince George FolkFest Society and Magenta Mare Consulting present mainstage performances and free workshops in a series called Come in from the Cold 2. Guest musicians lead the workshops, which explore cultural diversity, positive messages addressing anti racism and inclusion and are open to the public.
The festival begins during Kick Off Celtic Kitchen Party Friday at 8 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel.
The show features furious fiddling and Ottawa Valley step dancing by Searson, a trio of sisters from Ontario, with Vancouver duo FiddleStix opening the show.
Family Fiddlin' Fiesta happens Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Connaught Youth Centre, 1491-17th Ave., where Latino Association and members of the French community join Searson to present a dance workshop encouraging young and old to learn traditional step Latino and traditional French round dancing.
Following that workshop, local fiddlers and representatives from the aboriginal community join the FiddleStix at Fiddlin' at the Fire Pit, 1120 Third Avenue from 2 to 4 p.m. This workshop is a great opportunity for all ages and all cultures to gather at the Fire Pit Drop in Centre to listen, swing, dance and tell stories about the history of the fiddle and how it has been woven into the fabric of so many different cultures.
On Saturday night, Art Space hosts an evening of jazz and blues in cabaret-style, featuring sultry accordion music from three ladies during Girls Night Out at 8 p.m. Ana BonBon and Linda McRae, are showcased while the winner of Prince George Idol 2011, Sheena Burgess will open the show.
On Sunday, BonBon and McRae facilitate a workshop Open Mic, Different Paths from noon to 2 p.m. at Youth Around Prince (YAP), 1160 Seventh Avenue with special guest Whitehorse where budding young artists will be encouraged to shine.
Watch Out for Frostbite Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Prince George Playhouse featuring Whitehorse, duo Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet, who have taken the folk festival scene by storm with an intriguing live show featuring guitars, pianos, electronic loops and stomp boxes. Opening for Whitehorse will be reeves, a young brother and sister team from Quesnel.
Street Spirits Forum Theatre presents a workshop for those 12 years and older from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Connaught Youth Centre, 1491-17th Avenue where participants gain forum theatre skills that takes personal and social issues and puts them in a positive, problem-solving environment.
Participants are offered the opportunity to perform during the public wrap-up event Jan. 28 at the Native Friendship Centre, 1600 Third Avenue from 1 to 4 p.m.
