TRUE NORTH TALENT:

Iqaluit band The Jerry Cans got audience members dancing with their highenergy performance at the Lyric Theatre in Swift Current, Jan. 18. The band members, from left, are Nancy Mike (accordion and throat singing), Gina Burgess (violin), and Andrew Morrison (vocals, guitar). The group played at the Blenders concert in Swift Current as part of their current tour across western Canada.

The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) along with its member Arts Councils are proud to present Heather Rankin in concert in Swift Current.

The performances are part of the 2018/2019 Stars for Saskatchewan Concert Series Fri. March 15, at the Living Sky Event Centre 1401 North Service Road E starting at 7:30 p.m.

Rankin is a singer, songwriter, actor and member of The Rankin Family. Her debut solo album, A Fine Line, received Juno and ECMA nominations.

She has performed in venues across the Maritimes, Ontario and Alberta, including headlining the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, hosting Songwriters’ Circles at ECMA Week and performing at Hugh’s Room in Toronto. She also took her music to Folk Alliance in Kansas City. Her seasonal album, Imagine, was released in December, and her music video for "Titanically" is nominated for a 2018 ECMA. Heather has recorded and performed with many artists, including The Chieftains, Johnny Reid and Carly Simon.

OSAC presents over 300 live community and school performances annually, attended by a total audience of approximately 75,000.

This is possible thanks to a dedicated network of volunteers committed to making culture an integral part of Saskatchewan community life, and vital funding from Saskatchewan Lotteries administered by SaskCulture, Canadian Heritage, and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Proceeds from Saskatchewan Lotteries benefit more than 12,000 nonprofit sport, culture and recreation groups around the province.

For more on Rankin see: www.heatherrankin.ca

Photo by Matthew Liebenberg

Accordion player Nancy Mike also performed throat singing during the concert.

Photos by Matthew Liebenberg AMAZING PERFORMANCE: Iqaluit band The Jerry Cans brought their distinctive sound to Swift Current when they performed at a Blenders concert at the Lyric Theatre, Jan. 18. Their music is a mix of traditional Inuit throat singing and roots-rock. The band's music is inspired by their hometown and life in the Canadian Arctic, while they want to help preserve the Inuktitut language through their lyrics. There will be two performances in the Blenders concert series in February, starting with award- winning singersongwriter Danny Michel on Feb. 9. The Vancouver band Carmanah will perform their music, described as west coast soul, on Feb. 23. For more information about upcoming performances in the Blenders Music concert series, go to the website www.blendersmusic.ca Above: The Jerry Cans band members on stage at the Lyric Theatre From left, Andrew Morrison (guitar), Steve Rigby (drums), and Brendan Doherty (bass).

Lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Morrison and violinist Gina Burgess perform during The Jerry Cans concert in Swift Current, Jan. 18.

Accordion player and throat singer Nancy Mike and violinist Gina Burgess on the Lyric Theatre stage during The Jerry Cans concert, Jan. 18.

Bass player Brendan Doherty and drummer Steve Rigby perform during The Jerry Cans concert in Swift Current, Jan. 18.