First Nations Voice

PAGE 10 • SEPTEMBER 2016 THIS WEEK ALBUM COVER ARTIST INFORMATION THIS WEEK ALBUM COVER ARTIST INFORMATION ENTERTAIMENT BEAT RoseAnna Schick. RAS Creative RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative Music has the power to make you smile, make you laugh, and make you cry. It also has the power to heal and to help as Long Plain First Nation recently witnessed. The community suffered a great deal during stormy weather earlier this summer when a tornado touched down and caused extensive damage to homes and community buildings. Many were left homeless, and without water and hydro. Some lost everything they owned. Not long after the damage was done, the community rallied together with event organizers and musicians who generously volunteered their time to put on a fundraiser in Winnipeg. Hundreds of people gathered at the Pyramid Cabaret on a rainy Wednes- day evening to share music, celebrate together, and raise thousands of dollars for this very meaningful cause. Over a dozen acts took to the stage, including multiple JUNO Award win- ners Eagle and Hawk. Their roots rock and indigenous fusion brought the crowd to its feet during their first hometown performance since a busy touring season that took them to New Orleans, New York, Toronto and Ottawa. Rhonda Head from Opaskwayak Cree Nation was one of the orga- nizers of the event, as well as one of the performers. Her 2010 debut album includes pieces recorded in five different languages – Italian, French, Latin, English and Cree. Her second album was recorded en- tirely in Cree, and received a nomi- nation at the West Coast American Indian Awards in Los Angeles. Country and rock cover band The Staggering Haggards played twice, keeping the crowd dancing with an eclectic mix of classic hits that ranged from Johnny Cash to AC/DC. Long Plain residents Will Benn and Fred Acoby, who go by the band name Brothers of Stone, were invited up on stage for an impromptu performance. It was a dream come true for Benn, who also happened to be celebrating his birthday that night. Award-winning stand-up comedian and actor Gerry Barrett donned his blue sequined Elvis Presley jumpsuit to entertain the audience with his "Ojib- way Elvis" tribute. His performance credits include President Barack Obama's 2013 Inaugural Ball in Wash- ington DC, Las Vegas, Hollywood, and in communities across Canada. Dennis Meeches, chief of Long Plain First Nation, also played a few songs with his band Yoza. While many know him as a politician, he takes great pride in also being a musician, with four al- bums under his belt, and several Top 40 hits on the National Aboriginal Music Countdown. RoseAnna Schick is a freelance writer and entertainment publicist. If you'd like to see your news in next month's Entertainment Beat, please email her at rascreative@yahoo.ca Music for Long Plain The Staggering Haggards

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