Manitou Beach is known for its healing waters, and when you combine that with the magic of music to revitalize the spirit, you have a powerful combination.
What has become one of Saskatchewan’s key music festivals is back to the shores of Little Manitou Lake, bigger and better than ever. The Salt Shaker returns to take the spotlight in the resort community from July 11-13.
It’s the sixth go round for the popular music festival that’s gained a dedicated following and grown in the scope and breadth of its musical community.
“This year, we’re really excited because the geography of where these artists are coming from is the most vast we’ve ever had,” says festival organizer Lenore Maier, whose band the Garry’s has been an anchor since the event started. “A few years ago, we hosted our first festival where we had one artist from out of province – that was a big deal for us.”
Maier says it's been a slow organic growth, but now the festival encompasses acts from virtually every province and even the territories. This year includes artists from BC, from Montreal QC, from St. John’s NL, from Manitoba and Alberta, as well as other locales plus homegrown Saskatchewan acts.
Along with the geographical diversity comes the wide range of musical styles for which the festival has become well known.
“Genre-wise we’re really spread around as well,” says Maier. “We’ve got some country which will be great for dancing and two-stepping from JJ Lavallee and the Denim Daddies, for example. We also have surf rock from the Garrys with that classic style. We have a couple bands that are in the hard rock/punk vein and a rap artist. We have an Indigenous artist named Asko who is doing some drumming and singing with some really cool visual projections.”
One man band McRorie will take the stage with his multi-instrument and multi-faceted electronic performance.
As opposed to many music festivals that brand themselves around a particular avenue of music, be it folk, jazz, country or rock, the Salt Shaker truly puts the concert goer awash in a variety of pure and hybrid styles that attendees never fail to embrace. For that reason, the festival draws increasingly eclectic crowds prepared to experience all manners of sonic delights.
The fabled Danceland serves as the launch for the festival with headlining acts. From there, the festival venues are spread throughout the resort village in establishments like Mike’s Beach Bar during Saturday afternoon, and the Little Manitou Art Gallery for ticketed performances in the evening.
“This year, we’re working on doing a brunch with the Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival for Saturday which will include a workshop put on by them, so we’re excited to partner with that festival which takes place at the Ness Creek site.”
Organizers are also working on a nature walk that highlights the remarkable features of the Little Manitou Lake area, further ensuring that there is something for everyone. There are also movies scheduled thanks to the Salty Cinema Drive Inn. The classics “Dazed and Confused” and “Jurassic Park” with show each evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
For tickets to the Friday night concert and dance at Danceland, head to the Broadway Theatre Box Office.
Enjoy the full conversation with Lenore Maier on this year's Salt Shaker Festival.