(Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Music fest

Little Manitou Art Gallery brings performing and visual arts together for the fifth year

Sep 7, 2021 | 1:00 PM

The fifth annual music fest at the Little Manitou Art Gallery at Manitou Beach took place on Sunday.

The one-day event hosted performers from noon to midnight on the outdoor stage.

Gallery owner Sarah McKen told northeastNOW the day is always filled with Saskatchewan talent.

“From country, bluegrass, through to Ska, DJ, throw in some fire spinning including someone on stilts, and some visual arts,” McKen said.” It is just a really good combination.”

The music festival is made possible with support through Sask Festival with funding through the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Sask. Culture and Sask. Lotteries.

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“With COVID and performances being compromised, musicians are so excited to get out and get performing again,” McKen said. “I think it turned out to be quite a busy summer for musicians, but I think we all realize how precious it is to have those live performances.”

(Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

Having the outdoor stage at the gallery, is an opportunity to bring the performing arts and visual arts together for the day.

The resort village has been extremely busy this year and people are being a bit more generous towards the arts according to McKen.

“People are so happy to support local and here at the gallery we have over 200 artists from Saskatchewan,” McKen said. “We have seen a lot of people making those special little purchases knowing it is going to help someone from the area.”

Salty Circus is a fire juggling group from Saskatoon, as well as a band called The Local Group, have been gracing the stage at the music fest since its inception five years ago.

“We have a real solid core and then we have a sprinkle of new people like Wade Fehr who I just met this past year,” McKen said. “We get some new energy but also people can rely on the ones they know as well.”

The music fest is hosted over the September long weekend to finish off the busy summer season.

“Manitou has seasonal cabin owners that are in our community and those folks are a cornerstone for us,” McKen said. “With being a tourist destination and having a full campground and busy spa, bringing people from across Canada we have a lovely mix of locals and new people as well.”

The gallery was also one of the many locations that hosted buskers throughout the summer, as well as during a festival that saw numerous musicians at different locations around the community in July.

McKen said they were able to use the experience of music fest and put it toward the busking festival that was brand new this year.

The next exciting chapter for the Little Manitou Art Gallery is workshops in the wintertime. Artists will come in and host presentations and workshops with a licensed lounge being added.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser