The Prince George Winter Music Festival

Coldsnap has always been about more than just music, it’s about community. That’s why we’re pleased to partner with Magneta Mare Consulting and community groups throughout the city to create family-friendly workshops aimed at building understanding, self-esteem, and a love of music. This year’s workshop series theme is multiculturalism, and is divided into the following:

Family Fiddlin’ Fiesta

Saturday, January 21, 11:00am – 1:00pm

A family fun multicultural event for kids and adults with lots of lively dance music. Searson will be on hand to teach step dancing,  and there will be Latino DJ music and Latino dance steps. A French Round dance will end this session. There will also be food served (bannock and fruit).

Connaught Youth Centre
1491 17th Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 3Z2
Phone:
(250) 561-1467

Fiddlin’ at the Fire Pit

Saturday, January 21, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

With an Aboriginal focus, this Metis fiddling event will be a great opportunity for young and old. Join FiddleStix and local fiddlers as you  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. There will be food (Sarah’s pies).

Fire Pit
1114/1120 3rd Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 3E5
Phone:
(250) 563-6113

Share Your Spirit

Sunday, January 22, 11:00am – 5:00pm

This Street Spirits Forum Theatre Workshop is open to everyone, all ages (12 and up), to a maximum of 25 participants. Those involved will gain forum theatre skills and will have the opportunity to perform during the public wrap up event, on January 28th, if they wish.

Connaught Youth Centre
1491 17th Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 3Z2
Phone:
(250) 561-1467

Open Mic: Different Paths

Sunday, January 22, 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Featuring Ana Bon-Bon, Linda McRae, and Whitehourse, this is a youth-focused event offering youth the opportunity to express themselves through their own various talents, to their peers and to the general public. This is an all ages, family fun event where youth can share the mic with their stories and talents.

Youth Around Prince (YAP)
1160 7th Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 5G6
(250) 565-6298 or 565-4127

Warm Up With Northern Folk

Thursday, January 26, 10:00am – 12:00pm

An opportunity to be entertained by western based musicians with flare for unique instruments with a unique perspective on living in the north.

Musicians: Gordie Tentrees from Yukon and John Wort Hannam from Calgary. Come also for the food and northern dialogue.

Connaught Youth Centre
1491 17th Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 3Z2
Phone:
(250) 561-1467

Spoken Word Café

Friday, January 27, 11:00am – 2:00pm

This is an all ages event. Speak your mind on topics of inclusion, diversity, multiculturalism, share your thoughts, poetry and/or writings created on the spot. Workshop event participants will have the option to present their inspired creations at Books and Co. at a later date.

Youth Around Prince (YAP)
1160 7th Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 5G6
Phone:
(250) 565-6298 or 565-4127

Come in from the Cold

Saturday, January 28, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

The final wrap up event culminates all of which has been experienced. Artists will showcase their collective art pieces created at each of the six events. Also on hand will be Sherman Downey and the Silver Lining, Nathan Rogers, and the Street Spirits Group.

Prince George Native Friendship Centre
1600 3rd Ave
Prince George, BC V2L 3G6
Phone:
(250) 564-3568

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While Coldsnap prides itself on bringing the best in national and international performers to the stages of Prince George, we also recognize the talent and importance of artists closer to home.

That’s why each and every Coldsnap festival has always featured local artists in some capacity. This year, we are pleased to present two nights of curated music live at the Art Space.

All local shows are by donation ($10 suggested) and begin at 7 pm.

Monday, January 23 will showcase a talented set of guitar based bands.

Isaac Smeele is a talented young singer-songwriter who doesn’t stick with the traditional acoustic guitar and voice (though he does that ably). Instead, he creates textured sounds using his haunting vocals alongside drumbeats and electronic sounds. Find him on YouTube and Soundcloud.

Darby Yule has many fans through his band Lost Cause 34. But he’s not limited to that sound, exploring the full landscape of rock through projects like The Tear Has Dropped and Anywhere Road.

Jamie Bell is known for his work in the post-punk band Cera, but his own work lets him explore the more melodic side of things. With “The Cutest Band Ever” he puts on crowd-pleasing shows that are sure to have you singing along. MySpace and Bandcamp.

<a href=”http://jamiescottbell.bandcamp.com/album/girl-of-my-dreams-ep” mce_href=”http://jamiescottbell.bandcamp.com/album/girl-of-my-dreams-ep”>Girl of My Dreams EP by Jamie Bell</a>

The Bricks are an eclectic group of musicians well-suited to the live audience, having played in farmer’s markets and stages around town.

The perfect way to finish off the night before heading home to rest up for….

Tuesday, January 24, a more eclectic night of musicians pushing the boundaries of music but still guaranteed to get you going.

Doug Koyama is a Quesnel-based musician exploring the world of improvised, self-accompanied vocals. Using a looper, he lays down a music bed using his own voice, then keeps adding and adding until there’s a swirling sound of melody feeling the room. Creativity at its finest. koyama.bc.ca.

Chatterbox by Doug Koyama

Mother Tareka is new to the PG scene, having previously made his name in Ontario and Victoria. He’s an MC, saxophonist, and flutist, creating conscious hip-hop rooted in global struggles around the world. Find him here.

<a href=”http://music.peoplewhomakethings.ca/album/he-found-brick-inedible” mce_href=”http://music.peoplewhomakethings.ca/album/he-found-brick-inedible”>He Found Brick Inedible by Mother Tareka</a>

Avid are also new, though their members are not. They’ve been diligently rocking out in the Prince George scene for a while on the heavier side of things, though this new project mellows things out… a little bit.

Dead Street comes from the talented musical mind of Jeremy Stewart, blending psychedelia with grunge. You can hear a live, reel-to-reel recording on Bandcamp.

<a href=”http://deadstreet.bandcamp.com/album/easy-threader-ep” mce_href=”http://deadstreet.bandcamp.com/album/easy-threader-ep”>Easy Threader EP by Dead Street</a>
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Tickets to these shows are $10.

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Click the play button to hear songs from this year’s mainstage performers.

The following is a list of shows and artists plaything this year’s festival. All tickets available at Books and Company and Studio 2880.

Mainstage shows begin at 8 pm. The local showcases begin at 7 pm.

Kickoff Celtic Kitchen Party – Friday January 20 at the Ramada Hotel

Catch step-dancing and champion fiddle playing with a modern twist with Fiddlestix and Searson.

Learn more: Searson | FiddleStix

Girls Night Out – Saturday January 21 at ArtSpace

The night starts with 2011 Prince George Idol winner Sheena Burgess. This is followed by accordion burlesque from Ana Bon-Bon and the powerful music of ex-Spirit of the West bassist turned solo performer Linda McRae.

Learn more: Sheena Burgess | Ana Bon-Bon | Linda McRae

Watch Out for the Frostbite! – Sunday January 22 at PG Playhouse

Quesnel-based brother-sister duo reeves just might be the next big thing. Fresh out of high school, this past summer saw them take a cross-Canada tour that was capped off with a performance on CityTV’s Breakfast Television. 2012 will only get better– not only are they playing Coldsnap, they’ll be on the upcoming series “Canada’s Got Talent.”

Whitehorse wowed Prince George audiences when they opened for Sarah McLachlan earlier this year– now the sizzling duo return to heat up the night with their cool tunes. Opening act TBA.

Learn more: reeves | Whitehorse

Local Music Nights – January 23 and 24 at ArtSpace

Two nights showcasing the wide range of sounds and talents right here in northern B.C. Tickets $10. Listen to tracks and get more information about the artists on the local artist page.

January 23 – Isaac Smeele, Darby Yule, Jamie Bell, the Bricks

January 24 – Doug Koyama, Mother Tareka, Avid, Deadstreet

FolkFest Reunion – Wednesday January 25 at ArtSpace

Two singer-songwriters who won over the crowd back when Coldsnap was a summer Folk Festival, Gordie Tentrees and John Wort Hannam have been touring the world and honing their craft to win your hearts once again.

Learn more: Gordie Tentrees | Josh Wort Hannam

Poets and Tunesmiths – Thursday January 26 at Ramada Ballroom

The hip indie portion of our festival, C.R. Avery is beatboxing bluesman with some spoken word and punk piano thrown in, and Hey Ocean are an infectiously catchy group often described as one of the best young live acts in the country. Not to be missed. Not that any of these shows are.

Learn more: C.R. Avery | Hey Ocean

Past, Present and Future – Friday, January 27 at the Prince George Playhouse

Sherman Downey and the Silver Lining are being touted as Newfoundland’s next great musical export, with pop-inflected, full-of-fun folk music and an energetic live show. As for Nathan Rogers, hatever “it” is, he has it– he rarely gets off stage without at least two encores. Come out and find out why.

Learn more: Sherman Downey and the Silver Lining |  Nathan Rogers

Tribute to the Mississippi Sheiks – Saturday January 28 at the Prince George Playhouse

One of the most powerful nights of music you can experience by some of Canada’s most accomplished musicians. Get ready for shivers.

Learn more: Tribute to the Mississippi Sheiks

Workshops

Coldsnap will once again be presenting workshops with artists and events around town. For a list of workshops, see our 2012 Workshop page.

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