Solstice festival, Yellowknife

[Dan, a balloon man]

Hello,
I have worked the Solstice Festival in Yellowknife for 3 years now and they have informed me that they are looking for street performers for the 2006 festival in June (June 20-23 inclusive). Methinks they are offering travel, accommodations and small honorarium. The busking isn't that great during the week, but on the 23rd they host "Raven Mad Daze" and the busking is great (although I have been vending my balloons and can't speak from a "street performer act" viewpoint) If, at the very least it is a trip North for a pretty decent festival. Any interested parties should contact : Lisa Tesar at solsticefestival@theeedge.ca or call her at 867-766-3865. The hours of the festival are kinda whacked being a noon - 6 during the week and then noon - midnight on the weekend.

[Christopher Cool]

Correct Email

solsticefestival@theedge.ca

Dan you had an extra e in theeedge.ca Got the email back, but went to the website for correct info. Just lettin ya know.
Cool!

[Dan, a balloon man]

Thank you sir...did you get in on the action??
Anyone else performing in Yellowknife for this festival this year??

[Daniel Craig]

They sounded interested in booking me-- But then they stopped emailing.

Hm.

[worldwidese]

Lucky

If you get to do this festival in Yellowknife you'll have it better than we did weatherwise.
We did the Caribou Carnival late March and it was held on the frozen lake. They gave us Eskimo boots (mukluks) to wear during the day. lumps of whale blubber and skin (muktuk) to eat and there were igloos and dog sled races, and ice and snow sculpting contests. activities and attractions with a distinctly northern flair.
Performances were limited to indoors at night.
As a parting gift we received a packet of goodies, including a certificate, a silver coin. and a lapel badge.

[Woofnah]

Me Too

Yeah, they e-mailed me 3 times then stopped. So I tried contacting them and they didn't respond.

[Dan, a balloon man]

I have never performed at the Caribou Carnival, but I can assure you that the 2 years I have performed at the Solstice Festival, they have taken really good care of me. The flights, nice private accommodations, a decent Per diem and I was sequestered in a "Whale Blubber Free" environment. I would have kept the mukluks as they sometimes would come in handy in Edmonton.
I am sure that the Caribou Carnival organizers were a different commitee than the Solstice Festival people as they have not asked me about the Caribou Carnival. (I don't think I would go after hearing your horror story anyways!!)
Dan, I am sorry if they misled you and indicated to you that they were interested and then dropped the ball like that. I hope you didn't turn away any work while they were leaving you hanging.
My experience with this festival is that the crowds are somewhat sparse for the first 3 or 4 days and then "BOOM" - Raven Mad Daze is at the end if it and the streets are FILLED with people ready to spend money.
Woofnah, I am sorry as well that they left you hanging. I have found that the folks up North are on a different timetable than us. They are far more relaxed when it comes to booking entertainment and I know how frustrating can be when you are in the middle of a heavy booking season.


Dan, A Balloon Man