The ‘It’s Getting Dark’ fundraiser is taking place in Oct. and will usher in the second annual ‘Still Dark’ festival in Yellowknife at venues across the city.
“Our goals are to strengthen the arts sector, support and animate the downtown of Yellowknife, provide value-added experiences for visitors, and most importantly, help our community celebrate the long, dark winter,” said Taylor Shephard, the festival’s artistic director.
Shephard told Brock Cullen of True North FM that organizers are bringing the Still Dark festival back this winter to carve out a needed cultural space for folks to gather and engage with the vibrant music and art of the North.
“Still Dark is a new music and arts Festival in Yellowknife happening in the January, February season. We’re just inspired to try to create some nice cultural moments in like one of the coldest times a year for us. We had our first year last year, 22 bands performed overall, five coming from outside the territory and the remainder in town. We just threw a wicked party at a bunch of different venues around the downtown core,” said Shephard.
Shephard recalled that last year the temperatures dropped to a chilly minus 45 degrees – but that did not stop Yellowknifers, who came to check out the live performances and art. With, of course, Shephard among them.
“Going around checking out things and I was still seeing people run from venue to venue. This is really, really great to see, like people are really taken to the idea.”
Like many a Yellowknifer, Cullen added he “really enjoyed” Still Dark.
Shephard said that after receiving “a lot of feedback” from people who wanted to see the festival return, the board got back to work to organize another Still Dark.
“We can’t wait to show what we have brewing for our second year!” exclaimed Shephard in an announcement issued on Friday.
Shephard said Still Dark will feature three to four large concerts, along with two to three smaller concerts for all ages, along with workshops and events at downtown venues.
“By activating Yellowknife’s arts and culture scene during the long winter, we hope to strengthen the arts sector, support and activate the downtown during a challenging time of year, provide a value-added experience for visitors, and most importantly, follow the Northern tradition of making our own fun to help each other survive the long, dark winters,” asserted Shephard.
The Still Dark Society has organized a fundraiser event in October to help kick off the second annual Still Dark Festival.
The ‘It’s Getting Dark Bowling Dance Party’ fundraiser is scheduled to take place on Oct. 4, featuring music performances by DJ Tmixxy, Seb and Puppy DJ along with some groovy “glow in the dark dancing.’”
