The biggest musical event of the year is underway in Yellowknife.
Warm the Rocks began this afternoon at Somba K'e Plaza with Edmonton-based Nuela Charles headlining the first part of the afternoon. Once Nuela Charles finished, the interactive "Truth on Turtle Island" took over.
The music will begin again at 4:45 p.m. this afternoon with Abigail Lapell kicking things off. Music at Somba K'e Plaza will run until 8 p.m. before the festivities move over to the Folk on the Rocks Beer Garden where Tanya Tagaq will headline the evening.
The main festival will begin tomorrow with the gates opening at noon.
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Crowds enjoy ‘Warm the Rocks’ at Somba K’e plaza Friday afternoon. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Crowds enjoy ‘Warm the Rocks’ at Somba K’e plaza Friday afternoon. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Crowds enjoy ‘Warm the Rocks’ at Somba K’e plaza Friday afternoon. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Audience members participate during ‘Truth on Turtle Island’ at Warm the Rocks on Friday. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Audience members participate during ‘Truth on Turtle Island’ at Warm the Rocks on Friday. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Trading items are placed on the blanket during ‘Truth on Turtle Island’. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
A member of Truth on Turtle Island reads a passage depicting pre-colonial North America. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Nuela Charles’ Drummer keeps the beat at ‘Warm the Rocks’. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Crowds enjoy ‘Warm the Rocks’ at Somba K’e plaza Friday afternoon. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Nuela Charles’ kicked things off at the ‘Warm the Rocks’ lunch time session. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
The audience watched on as Nuela Charles warmed the rocks. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Tanya Tagaq headlines the first night of the festival. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Alex Weir of Ororo Mohawk entertains the crowd early into Saturday morning. Dylan Short/NNSL photo
Festival-goers take in Tanya Tagaq’s set Friday night. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Silla + Rise rouse the crowd Friday night. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Tanya Tagaq. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Tanya Tagaq. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Tanya Tagaq. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Anishinaabe hoop dancer Nimkii Osawamick dazzles Folk on the Rocks festival-goers during a performance with cellist Cris Derksen, Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
Saturday night on the Rocks: Weaves wow with Tanya Tagaq. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.
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