While in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I was able to catch the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, a swanky affair with a red carpet entrance and fantastic music. It’s part of the Manito Ahbee festival. Everyone was into it; actually, 69,837 people voted for their favourite musician.
The winners were cheered on with much fanfare. Local Sierra Noble took home Best Country CD, Tracy Bone the Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year, while Eagle & Hawk, also local, accepted the Best Group or Duo and Best Rock CD awards.
Wikwemikong, ON gal Crystal Shawanda celebrated with the Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year and I was happy to see Chilliwack, BC native Inez awarded Best New Artist, Best Pop CD and Single of the Year.
The Best Pow Wow CDs went to Whitefish Bay Singers for the contemporary category and Red Bull for the traditional category. To cap it off, Buffy Sainte-Marie took home Best Folk or Acoustic CD and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Meanwhile, the Aboriginal Music Week, also running concurrently with Manito Ahbee, put on a Rising Stars concert at the glorious Pantages Playhouse theatre. What a wonderful venue. It was built in 1914 as a vaudeville venue and now hosts everything from folk and rock music to classical ballet.
All in all, a great kick off to winter in Winnipeg!
What I Liked:
- I didn’t see the most dressed up of people walking around Winnipeg, but on the night of the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award, people were lined up on the street all dolled up, waiting for their favourite musicians to arrive.
- Sitting in the Pantages Playhouse theatre was delightful. The early 1900s architecture was still showcased and it felt like a step back in time. Old world glam is so fashionable
Lori Henry is a freelance Travel, Health and Hockey writer based in Vancouver, Canada.
