Voices of the North

Page 6

The Voices of the North talent show may be getting too big for its britches, according to co-producer Bernice Sayese.

The show is now in its seventh year as part of the Prince Albert Winter Festival and attracted capacity crowds to its three night run. A second Friday night late show was added this year to help with the demand.

"I think the more people hear about it, their interest is aroused," Sayese said. "It's well known all across Saskatchewan now."

Sayese said the show is definitely changing. The talent level has increased every year since it started in 1993, she said, and singers are now including more traditional Aboriginal music in the show. The youth portion of the show has grown so much Musqua Entertainment is considering mounting a separate youth show as early as this fall.

The non-profit production company is now planning to apply for a Canada Council grant and other arts grants to fund voice training workshops for the young Aboriginal talent in Saskatchewan.

All of the growth has meant the organization is now looking at hiring a full-time coordinator. Right now it is an entirely all-volunteer group running the show, but that has gotten to be too much, Sayese said.

Voices of the North usually plays the Prince Albert Exhibition grandstand and does three or four smaller shows on the road during the summer, Sayese said. But it has already had four inquiries in the past week to get the show into other communities for special events.

Each show is a massive organizational challenge for volunteers, involving scheduling, forming a backup band, providing transportation and rehearsal time and other logistics.

"This summer it looks like we can do 10 at least," Sayese said.

Despite the challenges, she's excited about what expansion may bring.

"Once we do that, the opportunities are going to be expanded for the performers."