Cancellations of various events in the NWT are springing up as COVID-19 sweeps through parts of the territory.

In the world of live music, this creates a troubling predicament, given crowd involvement and on-stage interactions.

According to the indoor and outdoor gathering section of the GNWT website SA国际影视传媒� last updated July 21, 2021, prior to the latest COVID-19 outbreak SA国际影视传媒� up to 200 people permitted to attend indoor and outdoor events.

For some, like Yellowknife musician Travis Nick, there isnSA国际影视传媒檛 much worry about with regards to issues surrounding live music.

SA国际影视传媒淪o far no new restrictions have been reintroduced,SA国际影视传媒� Nick said. SA国际影视传媒淪o, as far as I know, permitted gigs are continuing. With the vaccination rates in YK being as high as they are, perhaps live music is no longer on the hit list to the degree that it was.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is speculation of course,SA国际影视传媒� continued Nick. SA国际影视传媒淏ut when you have a government that has a complete lack of transparency in regards to their decision-making process, speculation is all we have.SA国际影视传媒�

For others, like Yellowknife artist Carmen Braden, the recent rise of COVID cases is cause for concern, leading to her cancelling upcoming indoor shows in the Yellowknife area.

SA国际影视传媒淚 had some live music events planned in September,SA国际影视传媒� said Braden. SA国际影视传媒淚 was just feeling that, even if we wanted to try and go ahead and hope that things had calmed down, there would just be too much uncertainty and too much risk that we would be taking on, in every sense of the word.

SA国际影视传媒淢ost important is to keep our people here safe, (so) that was our number one decision,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭hen the universe just confirmed that with all of the other news and other things that happened.SA国际影视传媒�

With regards to organizations like the Yellowknife Artists Co-operative, events are holding steady for now with current regulations in place, but changes may be coming as things continue to develop.

SA国际影视传媒淚t keeps us on our toes,SA国际影视传媒� said Sofia Grogono, the Yellowknife Artists Co-operativeSA国际影视传媒檚 arts coordinator. SA国际影视传媒淚ncredible amounts of work go into our events and projects, and, at the blink of an eye, everything can be cancelled. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the reality that everyone is living in right now. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a strain on businesses and individuals.SA国际影视传媒�

Grogono understands that online performances offer greater accessibility, but sheSA国际影视传媒檚 also aware of peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 passion to take in live music in person.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do our best to be resilient and creative about our path forward and our backup plans,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur contract at the Wildcat (Cafe) finishes in September, and either we move into another space, if regulations allow, or we transition online. Zoom fatigue is real though, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e aware of that.SA国际影视传媒�

With everything going on, Grogono noted that the co-operativeSA国际影视传媒檚 events have been received quite well by residents. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 the organizations hope to continue this.

SA国际影视传媒淭he chance to gather together has become scarce,SA国际影视传媒� said Grogono. SA国际影视传媒淚t clearly impacts our communitySA国际影视传媒檚 mental and social well-being. It is evident when we do manage to gather (like at Ramble and Ride and Folk on the Rocks) that the need is strong and (the) public is hugely grateful for the opportunities SA国际影视传媒� for now we will work with the regulations in place, which still allow for in-person.SA国际影视传媒�