Bailey Sutherland, Daily Herald
A music festival seeking to create “positive change” is returning for a second year.
The second annual Rock My Gypsy Soul Music Festival will take place on September 7th in Memorial Square downtown. The family-friendly event will begin at 10:00 am with Yoga in the Square lead by Tara McDermott and an Elder’s Prayer at 11:00 am with Carol Crowe. Live music will play throughout the day until 6:00 pm.
A partnership between Vintage Gypsy Ent. and Jam Street Music Sessions, the festival began as a suggestion between friends over a glass of wine. It has since become a day that residents can come together and “can create positive change in our community through music”, says Shannon Kelly, founder and chief editor of the Vintage Gypsy Magazine.
The one-day outdoor festival will feature live music, an artisan market, local food vendors, and more. Admission is free.
Vintage Gypsy is a magazine created by women for women that is distributed quarterly. This October will be the last issue of their fourth year. The magazine includes articles and interviews of local women across Saskatchewan that have made a positive impact in their communities.
Kelly says that although the turn out was small last year, they are aiming for a higher attendance this year.
Performances include the Jam Street Youth showcase, Kill Joy, The Upside, Joelle Fuller, and Trina Boran. A female rapper from Muskoday First Nation, Lyndsay “Eekwol” Knight will be headlining the music festival. After launching her first album in 1998 at the age of 16, Eekwol has won many awards for her music and has been featured on MTV Canada and MuchMusic. She now works as a youth mentor and is known for her passionate stance on social justice, which is reflected in her music.
Kelly says “Creating awareness about the environment is a top priority for all of us on the [festival] committee” and that they are aiming at creating an environmentally sustainable event and want to minimize waste. No plastics will be sold on site, a water station courtesy of PWS Water will be made available as well as a “compost corner” to educate patrons about recycling and composting.
Sponsors of the festival include The Saskatchewan Arts Board, Encore graphics, and The City of Prince albert, amongst others.
