Alexa Dirks, who performs under the stage name Begonia, is no stranger to a folk fest. But Folk on the Rocks? That one is new to her.
At her home in Winnipeg, she said she just finished performing at the Manitoba capital's own folk fest this past weekend with Choir! Choir! Choir! SA国际影视传媒� a Canadian musical choir. By Friday, she's due to be in Yellowknife, ready to perform at Folk on the Rocks for the first time.
She's heard plenty of good things about the city's music festival, and she's eager to experience a different part of the country.
"I've heard from other musician friends just how beautiful it is. I'm really looking forward to experiencing it," she said.
Dirks doesn't know if she has listeners in the NWT and isn't sure what to expect, but that's the beauty of playing festivals.
"People go to see any number of artists and people just go to experience music," she said. "So then if you're playing there, people might not know who you are, but then it's such a place to gain new fans and new listeners."
She performs on Saturday night, July 20. She'll have about 45 minutes on stage. Although she might be new to the scene, she'll see at least one familiar face.
"One of my dear, closest friends, Andrina Turenne, is also playing the festival," said Dirks. "We used to be in a band together, but we don't often get put on the same bills, so I'm very much looking forward to that, getting to hang out with her."
Dirks added she's already reached out to Turenne and two have plans already, "big time."
The visiting performer already has a loose set list put together. What she still doesn't know is where to visit in the free time she has.
"I know bands that have played at Folk on the Rocks, but they don't necessarily tell me, 'OK, you've got to go to this coffee shop or this place in town. So, we'll just be ready to explore."
Post Folk, Dirks said she'll be back home in Winnipeg before heading to B.C. for another festival the following weekend. It'll be her first time there as well.
"A lot of firsts, definitely, and it's always exciting getting to see different parts of Canada," she said. "When you're touring, you don't often get to have a lot of time in the spaces that you tour through, so festivals are really fun because, generally speaking, you're there for hopefully a weekend. You get a bit more of an experience of the outdoors of a place."
