Aboriginal Music Week 2016 Announces Full Festival Lineup and Performance Schedule

Aboriginal Music Manitoba have announced the full lineup and performance schedule for Aboriginal Music Week 2016. The eighth edition of the festival runs August 9-13 and includes performances by 27 Indigenous acts from across Turtle Island, South America, and Australia.

Aboriginal Music Manitoba continues to highlight incredible Indigenous music and performance at the 8th annual Aboriginal Music Week. This year, the festival expects more than 9,000 people to attend, which would make it AMW's biggest turnout to date.

Packed with block parties, concerts, networking events, youth workshops, picnics, and lunch hour shows, AMW continues to do what it does best: build community and support great music.

The week officially begins with a sweat lodge ceremony for visiting artists, local performers, and festival producers on August 8th, and AMW's public programming kicks off August 9th with the first of four free, lunch hour concerts at the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Rooftop Sculpture Garden.

The lunch hour concerts, presented by Digital Drum, will feature performances by Maliseet operatic singer Jeremy Dutcher, Pitjantjatjara singer/songwriter Frank Yamma, Metis neo-soul singer David Morin, and Cree hip hop emcee Eekwol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao6_O3iX3o8

JUNO Award-winning artists Boogat and Digging Roots are on board for performances at the Ka Ni Kanichihk Block Party presented by NCI FM on August 9th.

RPM will also be partnering with Aboriginal Music Week again this year. We will be presenting the Spence Neighbourhood Block Party on August 1oth, featuring performances by Digging Roots, Frank Yamma, Jeremy Dutcher, Boogey The Beat, and Rylee Sandberg.

Tracy Bone will headline the Turtle Island Block Party presented by Teekca's Aboriginal Boutique on August 11; Jade Turner, Ila Barker, and Ashley Robertson will anchor the AMW Stage presented by NOW Country at Austin Street Festival on August 12; and, country music legend Ray St. Germain will entertain audiences at the AMW Stage presented by TD at Picnic in the Park on August 13.

The evenings of August 10 and 11 will be dedicate to community building for the performers and MuchFACT and TD are sponsoring networking dinners to give the artists a chance to connect, build business relationships, and discuss the future of Aboriginal music. The Open Mic presented by MB Live on August 12, which is open to the public, will give the group a third opportunity to build rapport and extend their networks to include the local music community.

This year's festival looks to be another expression of #IndigenousExcellence and a highlight of an already packed summer of Indigenous music culture.

See you there!

Aboriginal Music Week 2016 - Festival Schedule

AMW at Lunch presented by Digital Drum Jeremy Dutcher Winnipeg Art Gallery, Rooftop Sculpture Garden, 300 Memorial Boulevard Tuesday, August 9, 2016 12 p.m. -1 p.m. Free | All ages

Ka Ni Kanichihk Block Party presented by NCI FM Leonard Sumner, Boogat, Nikki Komaksiutiksak, Rhonda Head, Four Sacred Winds, and special guests Harriet Street, between McDermot Avenue and Bannatyne Avenue Tuesday, August 9, 2016 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Free |  All ages Free BBQ, activity stations for kids, bring lawn chairs Community Partner: Ka Ni Kanichihk

AMW at Lunch presented by Digital Drum Frank Yamma Winnipeg Art Gallery, Rooftop Sculpture Garden, 300 Memorial Boulevard Wednesday, August 10, 2016 12 p.m. -1 p.m. Free | All ages

Spence Neighbourhood Block Party presented by RPM.FM Digging Roots, Frank Yamma, Jeremy Dutcher, Boogey The Beat, Rylee Sandberg Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre, 430 Langside Street Wednesday, August 10, 2016 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Free |  All ages Free BBQ, activity stations for kids, bring lawn chairs Community Partner: Spence Neighbourhood Association

Networking Dinner presented by TD Wednesday, August 10, 2016 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Performers and invited guests only RSVP Req'd

AMW at Lunch presented by Digital Drum David Morin Winnipeg Art Gallery, Rooftop Sculpture Garden, 300 Memorial Boulevard Thursday, August 11, 2016 12 p.m. -1 p.m. Free | All ages

Turtle Island Block Party presented by Teeka’s Aboriginal Boutique Tracy Bone, Eekwol, Double The Trouble, Mary Mahler, Loud Thunder Singers Turtle Island Community Centre, 445 King Street Thursday, August 11, 2016 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Free |  All ages Free BBQ, activity stations for kids, bring lawn chairs Community Partner: Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre

Networking Dinner presented by MuchFACT Thursday, August 11, 2016 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. Performers and invited guests only RSVP Req'd

AMW at Lunch presented by Digital Drum Eekwol Winnipeg Art Gallery, Rooftop Sculpture Garden, 300 Memorial Boulevard Friday, August 12, 2016 12 p.m. -1 p.m. Free | All ages

AMW Stage presented by NOW Country at Austin Street Festival Jade Turner, Ila Barker, Ashley Robertson, David Morin, Tara Williamson, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Billy Simard, Buffalo Gals, special guests Austin Street, between Euclid Avenue and Selkirk Avenue Friday, August 12, 2016 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Free |  All ages Free BBQ, activity stations for kids, bring lawn chairs

Community Partner: North Point Douglas Women's Centre Open Mic presented by MB Live Hosted by MJ Dandeneau and friends Le Garage Café, 166 Provencher Boulevard Friday, August 12, 2016 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. $5 tickets | 18+ I.D. Req'd Email bhuson@belowthebasement.ca to sign up in advance Bring your own instruments Drum kit, keyboard, one guitar amp, and one bass amp on site

AMW Stage presented by TD at Picnic in the Park Ray St. Germain, Renee Lamoureux, Shanley Spence, Ivan Spence & Burntwood Band, Bob Chartrand, special guests St. John's Park, Main Street and Mountain Avenue Saturday, August 13, 2016 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free | All ages Free BBQ, activity stations for kids, bring lawn chairs Community Partner: North End Community Renewal Corporation

Visit aboriginalmusicweek.ca for more information about the festival and keep updated at RPM.fm for more AMW content in the coming weeks.

Aboriginal Music Week 2015: Full Schedule of Events

Aboriginal Music week is here! 35 acts from Turtle Island and beyond take to stages throughout Winnipeg.

Now in it's seventh year, Aboriginal Music Week continues to bring the hottest Indigenous talent together in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for five days of non-stop events. Check out the full schedule here and enjoy!

And don't forget to join us for our closing night party on Saturday, August 22nd. See below for details.

ABORIGINAL MUSIC WEEK 2015: FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

International Mentor Meetings begin Maisey Rika, Tama Waipara, Benny Walker August 18-22, 2015 | One hour mentor meetings available Free for festival performers and local artists Booking a meeting: Please email alan@ammb.ca to book a meeting

Aboriginal Music Week at Lunch presented by Digital Drum.ca (details) Air Canada Park, Portage Avenue & Carlton Street August 18, 2015 | 12pm Artists: Oogimah Ikwewok, Jacob Pratt Free | All Ages Supporting Partner: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Click here for details

Aboriginal Music Week at Lunch presented by Digital Drum.ca (details)  Air Canada Park, Portage Avenue & Carlton Street August 19, 2015 | 12pm Artists: Logan Staats, Ila Barker Free | All Ages Supporting Partner: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Click here for details

Spence Neighbourhood Block Party presented by Manitoba Public Insurance (details)  Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre, 430 Langside Street August 19, 2015 | 4pm-8pm Artists: Winston Wuttunee, Nikki Komaksiutiksak, Joe Maxim Band, Dustyn Cochrane, Kelly Fraser, Jacob Pratt BBQ, Community Crafters Free | All Ages Community Partner: Spence Neighbourhood Association Click here for details

Networking Dinner presented by The National Music Centre  Venue to be confirmed August 19, 2015 | 8pm-11pm Festival Pass holders only

Aboriginal Music Week at Lunch presented by Digital Drum.ca (details)  Air Canada Park, Portage Avenue & Carlton Street August 20, 2015 | 12pm Artists: Leanne Goose Free | All Ages Supporting Partner: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Click here for details

The Turtle Island Block Party (details) Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre, 510 King Street August 20, 2015 | 12:30pm-5pm Artists: Billy Joe Green, Spirit Sands Singers, Junior Jiggers, Katie McKenzie, Chloe & Friends, and Michael, Jacob, & Cieanna Harris Community BBQ sponsored by Amiskusees: Semaganis-Worme Family Foundation BBQ, music workshops, activity stations Free | All Ages Community Partner: Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. Click here for details

Networking Dinner presented by The National Music Centre  Venue to be confirmed August 20, 2015 | 7pm-10pm Festival Pass holders only

Aboriginal Music Week at Lunch presented by Digital Drum.ca (details)  Air Canada Park, Portage Avenue & Carlton Street August 21, 2015 | 12pm Artists: T-Rhyme, Exquisite Ghost Free | All Ages Supporting Partner: Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Click here for details

AMW Stage presented by Rhythm 104.7FM at Austin Street Festival (details) Austin Street, between Euclid Street & Selkirk Avenue August 21, 2015 | 1pm-6pm Artists: Ali Fontaine, Mariame, Black Rain, Mic Jordan, Jessica Bro-Z, Studio 393 Hip Hop Posses, Studio 393 B-Boy Crew, Turtle Island Dance Troupe BBQ, music workshops, activity stations Free | All Ages Community Partner: North Point Douglas Women's Centre Click here for details

Open Mic presented by NCI FM (details)  The Good Will, 625 Portage Avenue August 21, 2015 | 9pm-2am Artists: William Prince, Chuck Copenace $5 | 18+ I.D. Required Click here for details

AMW Stage presented by TD at Picnic in the Park (details) St. John’s Park, Mountain Avenue & Main Street August 22, 2015 | 12pm-5pm Artists: C-Weed Band, Leanne Goose, Clint Dutiaume w/ Norman Chief Memorial Dancers, Mic Jordan, Steven Leveque BBQ, music workshops, activity stations Free | All Ages Community Partner: Picnic in the Park organizing committee Click here for details

Closing Night Party presented by RPM.FM  The Good Will, 625 Portage Avenue August 22, 2015 | 9pm-2am Artists: Tall Paul, Mariame, Hellnback, T-Rhyme, Boogey The Beat Tickets $10 | 18+ I.D. Required Click here for details

DOWNLOAD: The Aboriginal Music Week Mixtape by Boogey the Beat

RPM and Aboriginal Music Week are joining forces for an epic closing night party this year. Check our exclusive AMW Mixtape to get a taste of what's to come. 

We enlisted the talent of rising Anishinaabe hip-hop producer and DJ Boogey the Beat to compile sounds from this year's AMW artists and it's the perfect soundtrack for #MixtapeMonday.

Bringing together hip-hop and R&B tracks from all of our closing night party performers including—Hellnback, Mariame, T-Rhyme, and Tall Paul—as well as the eclectic electronics of Exquisite Ghost, the rap stylings of Mic Jordan, a guest appearance by Lightning Cloud, and some of Boogey's own killer productions, this is a party rocking, beat-based excursion into the contemporary sounds of #IndigenousExcellence.

Let's go!

And don't forget to join us for the Aboriginal Music Week Closing Night Concert on Saturday, August 22nd at The Good Will in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tickets and info here.

DOWNLOAD THE AMW MIXTAPE:

TRACK LISTING

1. Boogey The Beat - The Beginning
2. Exquisite Ghost - Bringing Dawn
3. Exquisite Ghost - Hands To The Sky
4. Hellnback - B.T.B.B. Ft. Lightning Cloud
5. Hellnback - Spaceship
6. Mariame - Electric
7. Mariame - Native Ft. Supaman
8. Boogey The Beat - Sidestep
9. Boogey The Beat - Uja (Tanya Tagaq Remix)
10. Mic Jordan - It Feels Good
11. Mic Jordan - Miigwetch (Thank You)
12. T-Rhyme - Apollo Red
13. T-Rhyme - Tha Truth
14. Tall Paul - I Don't Need Glove
15. Tall Paul - Orange Juice In My Cereal

Boogey The Beat is the principal producer behind the CTL Records releases along with the introductory music for CBC's "New Fire with Lisa Charleyboy." His DJing chops have landed him on stages for the Indspire Awards and Stage 49 at the Gathering of Nations. He's set to take the stage at Aboriginal Music Week's Closing Night Party presented by RPM.FM on Saturday, August 22, 2015. Closing Night Party presented by RPM.FM Tall Paul, Mariame, HellnbacK, T-Rhyme*, Boogey The Beat Saturday, August 22, 2015 9PM - 2AM The Good Will, 625 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Tix $10 | 18+ I.D. Req'd aboriginalmusicweek.ca | #IndigenousExcellence

A photo posted by abmusicweek (@abmusicweek) on Jul 11, 2015 at 6:29pm PDT

Aboriginal Music Week Closing Night Concert to Feature Drezus, Mariame, Hellnback, T-Rhyme, and Boogey the Beat

RPM is proud to present an incredible night of Indigenous hip-hop, R&B, and trap music to conclude Aboriginal Music Week 2015.

The closing night of Aboriginal Music Week is the very definition of #IndigenousExcellence.

This year, RPM is partnering with AMW to bring you a concert featuring some of Indian Country's fastest rising hip-hop stars: Drezus, Mariame, Hellnback, T-Rhyme, and Boogey the Beat.

An accomplished young producer with a gift for booming beats and hypnotic melodies, Anishinaabe artist Boogey the Beat will bless us with his trap-infused rhythms. N'we Jinan artist and rising Cree R&B singer, Mariame, will be joining us from Quebec to perform songs from her recently released debut EP, Bloom. And, hailing from Saskatoon by way of Edmonton, self-described femcee T-Rhyme will bring her 'ATCQ to Jean Grae'-influenced hip-hop styles to the stage.

Rounding out this already incredible lineup, acclaimed Samson Cree hip-hop heavyweight and 2015 Indigenous Music Awards nominee, Hellnback, will give shine to tracks from his brand new record, F.O.E. (#FamilyOverEverything).

UPDATE: Tall Paul won't be able to make it, but hot off his recent Warpath Tour, we've got Cree hip-hop artist Drezus coming through to rep for the people and give us a dose of his banging beats and Native Pride-filled lyrics.

This is a closing party without compare and a showcase of what's next in native hip-hop and Indigenous music. You don't want to miss it.

Aboriginal Music Week, an annual celebration of "the fact that Indigenous artists around the world are creating music that crosses almost all musical and physical borders, without regret", runs from August 18-22, 2015 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

With a full lineup of Indigenous music events including the Spence Neighbourhood Block Party, the Turtle Island Block Party, an AMW stage at the Austin Street Festival, and a daytime stage at Picnic in the Park, this year's AWM is going to have something for every listener and music fan.

ABORIGINAL MUSIC WEEK: CLOSING NIGHT PARTY

Saturday, August 22, 2015 The Good Will (625 Portage Ave) Winnipeg, Manitoba 9pm - 2am / Tickets: $10 RSVP on Facebook: here

FEATURING:

• Drezus
• Mariame
• Hellnback
• T-Rhyme
• Boogey The Beat

For more information visit: aboriginalmusicweek.ca

Aboriginal Music Week Announces Lineup for 2015 Spence Neighbourhood Block Party

The 2015 Aboriginal Music Week is shaping up to be quite the celebration. 

This year, AMW and the Spence Neighbourhood Association are joining forces once again for the 3rd annual Spence Neighbourhood Block Party.

The free outdoor concert will be held from 4pm-8pm on Wednesday, August 19th at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The lineup will feature some true #IndigenousExcellence from across Indian Country including singer Winston Wuttunee, Inuk throat singer Nikki Komaksiutiksak, and country/rock group Joe Maxim Band. In addition, three youth performers will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Here's more on the Spence Block Party performers:

• Winston Wuttunee is a household name in the Canadian music industry who has wowed audiences across North America as well as Europe and Australia as a singer, keynote speaker, and comedian since 1973.
• Nikki Komaksiutiksak is traditional Inuit throat singer from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut who now calls Winnipeg home.
• Joe Maxim Band is an Aboriginal country/rock band with well over 10,000 of performance experience under their belt.

Aboriginal Music Week produces concerts in neighbourhoods throughout the city in an effort to make it easier for families to walk to the venues, but music lovers from outside the neighbourhood are more than welcome to attend.

Spence Neighbourhood Block Party Winston Wuttunee, Nikki Komaksiutiksak, Joe Maxim Band, and special guests Wednesday, August 19, 2015 4PM - 8PM Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre, 430 Langside Street Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Free Concert | Free BBQ | Free Music Workshops

Aboriginal Music Week 2015 is set for August 18 - 22 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It will include four community celebrations at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre, the Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre, the Austin Street Festival, and St. John's Park. Four lunch hour concerts, three days of music workshops, two ticketed concerts, two networking dinners, and mentor meetings with three international artists round out the festival programming this year.

For more information visit: aboriginalmusicweek.ca

Listen to the Sounds of Aboriginal Music Week 2014

Aboriginal Music Week 2014 is gearing up for another celebration of Indigenous music and here's a soundtrack to this year's festival.

Bringing out the best in Indigenous music, Aboriginal Music Week is getting set for another banner year festival to be held August 20-24, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

The full festival lineup has just been announced, and following on the heels of their successful Indigenous Music Without Borders mixtapes, comes a great sampler of music by artists performing at AMW this year.

AMW has included a wide range of Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island and beyond for what promises to be an amazing week of #IndigenousExcellence. Check the roster below:

Anishinabemowin emcee Tall Paul, Apache violinist Laura Ortman, Diplo-approved music producer Astronomar, hip hop duo Mob Bounce, and Six Nations-born guitar slinger Logan Staats will be performing in Winnipeg for the very first time.

JUNO Award winners George Leach and Leela Gilday, Colombian music maverick Lido Pimienta, Stó:lō pop singer Inez Jasper, prehispanico music creator DJ Javier Estrada, the multiple award winning Eagle & Hawk, Métis fiddle legend Darren Lavallee, trip hop singer Iskwé, funk-rockers Burnt-Project 1, champion drum group Spirit Sands Singers, Métis fiddler Melissa St. Goddard, local party legends Primetime Empyre, Opaskwayak Cree Nation's DJ Miss Vee, cinematic electronic music producer Exquisite Ghost, Aboriginal rockers The Mosquitoz, up-and-comer Frannie Klein, and Rescued by Dragonflyz are also set to perform at the festival.

 Listen to the Aboriginal Music Week 2014 Sampler:

STREAM: Indigenous Music Without Borders Mixtape

The good folks at Aboriginal Music Week have just dropped a sweet mixtape - with tracks by Indigenous artists and producers from around the globe. 

Touted as "Volume 1" of "Indigenous Music Without Borders" it looks like we can expect more to come from AMW. For now, dig into a few of your favourites and discover new sounds with tracks by:

Lido Pimienta astronomar Las Cafeteras P-80 Clap Freckles World Hood Kinnie Starr Exquisite Ghost

STREAM: Indigenous Music Without Borders - Vol. 1

Artist Call: Aboriginal Music Week 2013

Aboriginal Music Week is one of the largest gatherings and celebrations of Indigenous music and musicians. In 2013 they're moving up the annual event from early November (brr!) to late August (yay!). Applications are now open - send yours in now!

It will be the fifth annual Aboriginal Music Week in 2013 and the festival will span August 16-21, taking place on outdoor stages and nightclubs in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The fest is currently accepting applications from Indigenous artists for performance spots.

From Call for Submissions: Aboriginal Music Week 2013

To be considered for a performance spot, you must: • Have a current or upcoming professional release (EP / full-length) • Have at least two professional print resolution photographs • Have a professional website • Have a music video on YouTube or a quality video of yourself performing on YouTube • Be willing to collaborate with other artists on stage during the festival • Be willing to provide at least one song for the free download page on the festival website • Accept the festival's radius clause for the city of Winnipeg (six months before the festival and three months after the festival) • Have the ability to book your own flights (the festival may be able to pay a flight buyout, but we won't be handling any of the bookings) • Be a nice person

NOTE: The radius clause does not apply to artists or bands that live in Winnipeg

Please submit the following in person or by mail: • One-page biography in Microsoft Word format (.doc) on CD • A stage plot and tech rider for the performance that you would like us to book (complete our template and send us a list of the backline models you need if you don't already have a stage plot and tech rider) • Two print resolution digital photos on CD • A performance history with dates, venues, city/community and venue capacity for the last 12 months in Microsoft Word format (.doc) on CD • One copy of your current professional release on CD • Your website address • Links to your video(s) on YouTube • Your contact information (full name, mailing address, phone number, email, website) • Contact information for your booking agent or the band member that handles booking (full name, mailing address, phone number, email, website)

Please send submissions to: Aboriginal Music Manitoba Inc. C/O AMW2013 Programming Committee 1-376 Donald Street Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 2J2

Please feel free to contact alan@ammb.ca for more information about our Call for Submissions.

The submission deadline is Wednesday, December 19, 2012 (in office – not post marked). For more info visit aboriginalmusicweek.ca.

See you at the festival!

VIDEO: Cassidy Mann at Aboriginal Music Week

Digital Drum armed a handful of artists at Aboriginal Music Week with sweet little Flip video cameras to capture their experiences during the festival.

This video, filmed by Cassidy Mann and friends, follows Cassidy on and off stage at her show with Ali Fontaine, Kyla Cedarwall, and Leela Gilday.

Set to her track Say You'll Miss Me.

Artist Call: Aboriginal Music Week 2012

It's only been a few days since Aboriginal Music Week 2011 took place in Winnipeg and already the call for submissions to showcase in 2012 have been announced. 

The 4th annual event will feature 5 nights of concerts in downtown Winnipeg, from October 30 - November 4, 2012. Recording artists can apply now for performance spots.

From Call for Submissions - Aboriginal Music Week 2012:

To be considered for a performance spot, you must: • Have a current or upcoming professional release (EP / full-length) • Have at least two professional print resolution photographs • Have a professional website • Have a music video on YouTube or a quality video of yourself performing on YouTube

Please submit the following in person or by mail: • One-page biography in Microsoft Word format (.doc) on CD • Two print resolution digital photos on CD • A performance history with dates, venues, city/community and venue capacity for the last 12 months in Microsoft Word format (.doc) on CD • One copy of your current professional release on CD • Your website address • Links to your video(s) on YouTube • Your contact information (full name, mailing address, phone number, email, website)

Please send submissions to: Aboriginal Music Manitoba Inc. C/O AMW2012 Programming Committee 1-376 Donald Street Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 2J2

Please feel free to contact alan@ammb.ca for more information about our Call for Submissions.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, January 2012.

Aboriginal Music Week in USA Today

While Aboriginal Music Week is for all of Turtle Island, it does primarily feature artists based in Canada. This year's festival, however, made headlines in American newspaper USA Today.

It's great to see the festival get the coverage. The article is also great south-of-the-border exposure for the artists mentioned - A Tribe Called Red, Leela Gilday, Derek Miller and Cassidy Mann to name a few.

Kerry Dexter writes in Native music celebration in Canada: Aboriginal Music Week:

“Aboriginal people want to see Aboriginal artists perform all kinds of music,” says Alan Greyeyes, festival curator forAboriginal Music Week. He selects acts to appear at the festival to meet that need, but there’s another idea in mind too. “We really want to use the festival and the music to build bridges with other communities,” he adds. “And it’s working.”

Dexter also spoke with Leela Gilday:

“I have found Aboriginal artists to be some of the most boundary-breaking,  original, and refreshing artists I have ever met,” says Gilday...

So true! Read the whole story, Native music celebration in Canada: Aboriginal Music Week on usatoday.com.

RPM Highlights from the 2011 APCMAs and Aboriginal Music Week

Aboriginal Music Week (AMW) and the APCMAs (Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards) are two of the biggest Indigenous music events on Turtle Island - musicians, fans and industry alike travel to Winnipeg every November for the shows, the awards and the schmooze. This year I was finally able to attend for the first time.

And it was exactly the party and community vibe that I had heard about for years! From the time I landed in the Winnipeg airport to my departure two days later, there were friendly and familiar faces from the world of Indigenous music in nearly every place I stepped.

I arrived Thursday - Aboriginal Music Week had already been in full swing for two days and the first half of the APCMAs were already taking place - and headed to The Windsor Hotel, site of Tracy Bone and JC Campbell's All My Relations stage. They've been hosting this multi-night stage for a few years now and I was thrilled to be invited to perform as part of it. Tracy and JC bookend the night with sets of their country-music duo and in between other artists take the stage. After my set, Gabriel Ayala performed and while I've listened to his classical guitar music and been amazed, I was even moreso impressed and inspired by his live performance. His original compositions in particular were especially beautiful - the man has chops! In coversation, he is delightfully funny, charming and lighthearted to chat with and it was lovely to meet him.

Meanwhile, two other venues in town were presenting Aboriginal Music Week programming. It was a fantastic challenge, having to decide which artists to catch at which venue, but I stayed put at the Windsor for the night, and enjoyed making new friends. They don't call it friendly Manitoba for nothing.

On Friday I stopped by the Manitoba Music offices to pick up my festival pass and scope the place out. Manitoba has great arts funding and it shows in the space and resources Manitoba Music provides. I chatted with Alan Greyeyes and hopped in a cab to NCI FM - the famed Aboriginal-owned/operated radio station that broadcasts 24/7 and hosts the National Aboriginal Countdown. Of all the radio stations I've visited and had interviews on-air with, NCI was one of the best. Their entire crew was friendly and enthusiastic, the coffee was good and they even gave me a lift back to my hotel. Thank you NCI!

Next I dolled up for the big event - the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards gala. Held at the MTS Centre and broadcast live on APTN, this event is undeniably huge.

The backstage pre-show reception was buzzing with good conversations and connections and Cris Derksen, Kristi Lane Sinclair, Iskwé and I strutted on the red carpet together. As Cris Derksen's date, she and I were in the 6th row for the awards, next to the lovely Leela Gilday - a great vantage point for the night.

Derek Miller opened the show with a killer number which set the tone for a high energy evening. All of the live performances were fantastic that night, especially Maori duo Pacific Curls and Ghostkeeper. 

Leela Gilday's heartfelt and articulate acceptance speech for Female Entertainer of the Year was a highlight as well, as was Black Bear's for Best Powwow - Contemporary seen here:

Manitoba-based artists were definitely the big winners of the night and I wonder about the local voting influence on the national awards always being presented and hosted by Manitoba. Here's Winnipeg's Most who won all 6 awards they were nominated for (they were looking good in those suits!):

Afterwards the backstage party spread to The Windsor, The Reagal Beagle and The Pyramid Cabaret for more fantastic live music and the celebration lasted all night long. I was sad to have to leave on Saturday, missing the powwow and the final night of Aboriginal Music Week's concerts.

I will definitely go back next year - I left inspired by the music, filled with great conversation, excited about all the new connections made and above all in love with our Indigenous music community. Huge thanks and appreciation go out to Manito Ahbee and Manitoba Music for successfully pulling off all of these events. Alan Greyeyes was thanked multiple times on stage during the APCMAs and I'll add my voice to that gratitude wholeheartedly.

For a great visual summary of Aboriginal Music Week, check out official AMW photographer Red Works Studio's album on Facebook.

For more on the APCMAs, see Complete List of 2011 APCMA Winners: Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.