A festival that is billed as the sole Indigenous concert in the country starts on Thursday, Juneau.
Aak’w rock begins on this Thursday with a performance at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. This is the first time that Aak’w Rock is staged in person since it started in 2021. The organizers held a side stage event last year to raise money for the festival.
Indigenous performers from Alaska and across the U.S. and the world will perform over the course over three days.
The festival’s organizers were at Juneau after noon in the afternoon on Monday to discuss Juneau Afternoon’s lineup as well as the excitement it has generated in the world of music. Qacung Blanchett claims that their team has received requests from foreign countries that want to organize similar events.
“They’re watching us, and what we’re doing and they’re like “Oh, wow, this event is taking place. It’s a thing that’s never been seen before,” Blanchett said.
He is also a part of the Inuit-soul group Pamyua and has performed across the globe.
“Thirty years of being in this industry and in the music industry There’s never been anything like this, ever before,” he said.
Aak’w rock began almost in 2021. The headliners for this year are Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Halluci Nation and Ya Tseen. Local bands such as Air Jazz and Daniel Firmin will also be performing.
There are tickets available on all three dates, or for single day passes. The shows will be held at Centennial Hall and Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. Open jams on the night will be held on Juneau Arts and Culture Center. Juneau Arts and Culture Center from 7 until 9 p.m.
The organizers say they want young people to get involved in the festival as well. Youth jams are free in Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. is open to anyone between 13 and 20 years old. Adults who purchase tickets to the festival may also bring a child nine or less with them.
Editor’s notice: KTOO is contracted to create a portion of the festival.
