Where mud and music meet

Soon it will be time to rock and roll at the annual Muddy Waters Music Festival in Sandy Lake.
The four-day music extravaganza will be held August 18–22 at the Ghost Point Cultural/Education Park to celebrate their 28th year of showcasing Aboriginal talent.
Although the festival was originally scheduled for July 14-18, according to festival co-ordinator Roy Kakegamic, chief and council postponed the event due to three deaths in the community.
“We have managed to secure the same bands we (originally) contacted – with the change of dates. However there is a change in schedule,” Kakegamic said.
Wednesday will be a preview night where local musicians from Sandy Lake can compete in a Battle of the Bands competition. First and second place winners will be opening acts, on either Friday or Saturday night for the Manitoba band, Yoza.
The musicians will be styling on a new solidly built stage this year, Kakegamic said.
“We have got a brand new stage. It’s huge and it’s properly done. We broke it in during our 100th year anniversary. The first band that broke it in was the C-Weed Band.”
Instead of using tarps in the event of rain, the stage is complete with a roof built in, so the music show is good to go, he explained.
Other performers set to hit the stage are Billy Joe Green and Aaron Peters, who are both from Winnipeg. Billy Joe Green plays Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Peters will play for the crowds on Friday and Saturday evenings.
New to the lineup this year is all-female band Drink Me Pretty which will make its Ontario debut.
The quartet of young female musicians come from Norway House First Nation, Man.
The band plays an infusion of country-rock music.
“It’s really exciting,” said lead guitarist Sharnett Henry. “They told us there was never a female band there before. This is the biggest gig for us. We have never been outside of Manitoba.
“We’re going to go for full potential and hope to give a great show. We hope you like having us at the Muddy Water Music Festival.”
DMP will take to the stage on both Friday and Saturday evenings.
The headliner for the festival this year is the band Yoza. They will jam out Friday and Saturday nights.
Native Praise, a Sioux Lookout band, will entertain the guests Sunday with some gospel music.
The final day of the Muddy Water Festival will end with Elders from the community being picked up from their homes to attend as guests of honour at a community fish fry prepared and served by chief and council.