There is still an opportunity to see great shows at the Coldsnap Festival.
Ndidi Onukwulu, Maurice and Redstick Ramblers will appear at the Ramada Hotel Friday night.
Constantly moving to the music, Ndidi can break hearts with soulful, smoky torch songs or have the audience tapping their feet and clapping their hands along with her. With crystal clear vocals Ndidi engages her listeners with songs both poignant and whimsical, connecting with all who come and listen.
Sharing the bill with the Red Stick Ramblers and Onukwulu, Victoria-based rock band Maurice is yet another act familiar to Coldsnap and Folkfest audiences. So impressed by the band's sincerity, song crafting ability and musicality, mega-producer David Foster signed them to a division of Warner Records in 2007. The result is Maurice's studio-produced album Young People With Faces, released in October, 2009.
Making their second appearance in Prince George, The Red Stick Ramblers hail from Lafayette and Baton Rouge, Lousiana in the heart of Cajun country, so it is no surprise that their music is steeped in Cajun tradition. While some of Ramblers songs are unabashedly traditional and sung in Cajun French, the rest of their music is influenced by western swing, jazz and country, with the fiddle taking on a prominent role. Most of the music is tailor-made for dancing and is delivered with an infectious energy that will have everybody moving from start to finish.
Workshops will take place Friday with the Red Stick Ramblers Jam, Cafe Voltaire, Books & Company at noon.
There is a Cajun jam at Art Space with the Red Stick Ramblers Saturday at 11 a.m., while Youth Day takes place at the Prince George Playhouse from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m.
There are daytime workshop for youth with Maureen Washington, Maurice, The Great Lake Swimmers. There is no cost to the event but space is limited to 25 participants.
To register e-mail jocalico@telus.net. Please bring a bagged lunch. Subjects that will be covered including band dynamics, challenges of sound equipment, marketing, song writing and jamming.
The afternoon concert features four local youth bands and admission is by donation. At 1 p.m. This Place? will perform, followed by Treebeard's Revenge at 1:30, then Benedict Beattie and His Delightful Gang at 2, Lost Cause 34 at 2:30 p.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. there is an industry panel with Phil Klygo, Tony Dekker and others as part of youth day but open to all, no registration needed, just come, listen, chat, share and ask questions.
